|
Post by waynew on Sept 19, 2021 21:18:30 GMT
Great job!
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Sept 15, 2021 15:24:36 GMT
Beautiful clean work. Well done.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Sept 15, 2021 15:20:06 GMT
What were dealing with here is a smaller extinct sub species (@2.5m at the shoulder) of the African forest elephant so its going to be difficult to come up with a realistic impression, though I would say I've seen images at least of similar looking modern day endangered related African Forest elephants...
Hannibal himself is also supposed to have rode an elephant called "The Syrian" (one interpretation) this could have been a sub species (@3.5m at the shoulder) of the Asian now extinct, but there's some speculation on whether or not it was an actual Syrian or an Asian Elephant import...
Remember as well that size varies with age, I've personally been confronted by a male teenage bush elephant that was not particularly big, but big enough and angry enough to scare the pants of me...
I believe we had this discussion when the set was first issued (my memory may be faulty). As I recall the conclusion was the elephants Hannibal used were neither the large Indian or African elephant we all are familiar with but a third, small breed of pachyderm that was more easily domesticated. After all, I believe the large African elephant is impossible (or nearly impossible (I say that in someone googles a circus elephant in lower Slobbovia someone was able to domesticate) to domesticate, unlike the Indian elephant. It would have been extremely difficult for Hannibal to obtain a number of Indian elephants for his use. My curiosity being piqued by the discussion I did some further research and read in a couple places that after the Carthaginians were finally defeated the Romans decided they didn't want anyone else using elephants against them so they set out on a program of extermination of this species. Many died in the arenas for the entertainment of the crowds. Others were merely hunted down and slaughtered. I believe the species is extinct. Of course there might be ONE or two out there somewhere... and there's always the chance the elephants used may be the same forest elephants still found in Africa - or relatives, but I'm not an expert. Suffice it to say the size of the elephants tried to reflect those facts. I thought I was well-versed in the history of the times but it never occurred to me to ask what kind of elephant Hannibal used until this set came out. I never thought about the fact it couldn't have been the African elephant we know today because of the problems domesticating them - I guess I figured Hannibal and the Carthaginians had a secret method. But the fact HaT went the extra mile to ensure accuracy in presenting these animals increased my knowledge if even in a small way. It wasn't the first - and won't be the last time a set of figures (not just limited to our hosts) has broadened my understanding of history. To me that's one of the neat things about the hobby.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Sept 9, 2021 23:37:43 GMT
What I really think the hobby is missing is a USEFUL set of British infantry with Belgic shakos. The Italieri ones have half the set with a regiment with different shako, the Mars set have about half not very useful poses, the Call to Arms set have half the box light infantry, the HaT ones are only available for a limited time, the Airfix one is out of print, the Revell one is out of print and so on. There are several good options for French infantry from the same period, but none for british. The metals sets from Hagen and Kennington are good, but they are expensive as **** and the Hagen one require fiddly assembly. Fully agree. A set based on the British Peninsular infantry big box set but with Belgic shako's would do me. I would personally drop one of the advancing poses to allow either another kneeling pose or more of those already provided. Or if a new set is not feasable, adding more spare belgic shako heads to the Peninsular set sprues, so that all the figures can be converted rather than just the current 24, would be very helpful. Or another way of portraying the Belgic British line would be using the popular HaT MAC system. I would like to see 1813-1815 French done this way too. Ok so the marching set exists but we need action & command still. I was able to put half my Peninsular British in stovepipe and the other half in Belgian shakos. I would still love the set redone in Belgian shakos I would gladly paint the remaining boxes I have in queue as Peninsular or Portuguese or KGL.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Sept 4, 2021 15:50:49 GMT
I just consider myself a dedicated historian.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Sept 1, 2021 18:55:32 GMT
I don't worry about puns - I've been vaccinated against them.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Aug 31, 2021 17:30:34 GMT
Nicely done!
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Aug 31, 2021 16:19:20 GMT
I am well aware of the difference. My family has its own tartan; I was using the term plaid as a generic term and trying to be lighthearted - I didn't expect to get a lesson in patterns - geez... The problem with nuance on forum postings.....
I, too, was attempting to be light-hearted so apologies if I inadvertently caused some 'ire-rising'.
Possibly I need to indicate my (alleged) jokes are, well, jokes?
cheers donald
It's all good my friend. My remarks were meant tongue in cheek as well - I had thought to put a winky emoji but thought it might be overboard. Actually, I thought your post was funny.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Aug 31, 2021 5:49:10 GMT
"if I had to face another plaid pattern I'd blow a gasket. " Sadly, Wayne, if you painted the Highlanders with a plaid (& not a tartan), you may have to re-paint them all. Plaids are any crisscross patterns of two or more colours; Tartans are plaids with a name to identify a community; Checks are plaids with a regular pattern, usually of only two colours. Cheers donald I am well aware of the difference. My family has its own tartan; I was using the term plaid as a generic term and trying to be lighthearted - I didn't expect to get a lesson in patterns - geez...
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Aug 29, 2021 21:30:40 GMT
I have just finished painting a large batch of napoleonic British infantry & Highlanders both of these were from a different maker & they have really tested my sanity i find them really hard to paint so now I need somthing easier. Bruswick cavalry & infantry I bought a few cavalry sets when they were restocked a few years ago these should get my brunswick army up to scratch. anantryany I did a big bunch myself - several hundred British Infantry and a couple hundred Highlanders (not to mention I retouched and re-organized the Highlanders I already have); I have some other sets to do but think if I had to face another plaid pattern I'd blow a gasket. Right now I'm stalled on Prussian Landwehr figures due to some technical difficulties and just can't get the gumption to go back. Burn out? I think when I get back at it I'll take smaller bites.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Aug 28, 2021 18:18:08 GMT
I don't know that I can pick just ONE set for my favorite or best as there were a series of sets that came out in the large box format that stand out in my mind. Many of which have already been mentioned. But if I had to pick just ONE it has to be the Peninsular British Infantry set for content and sculpting style. Others I like are the Russian Militia - as I said recently, I'm not normally fond of the style but these guys have such a personality that in my mind speaks to the lot of the Russian militiamen in the era. I am also fond of the 1812 French Infantry (including the elites sets) - again, I usually like a more realistically proportioned figure but these guys paint up well and look pretty good once painted. I also like the Nassauers, too.
Now for worst? There is one that just stands out as bad - The Sea Peoples set. I understand there's a long story behind that. But they'd be good if you're into creating LOTR in 1/72 scale. In my humble opinion, HaT has a pretty good batting average on quality.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Aug 25, 2021 18:36:49 GMT
Some really great conversions. I'm not usually fond of the style - but as I said before, these are some of my favorite figures. They're just full of personality. As the saying goes, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." Your conversion is a great idea and makes me want a re-issue so I can flatter you.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Aug 25, 2021 0:22:12 GMT
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Aug 24, 2021 18:29:50 GMT
A few years back we were kicking around the idea of a separate set of draft animals - horse, oxen, etc. to supplement the teams supplied. I still think it would be a great idea and good seller. Considering one could use animals already in production it might not be too complex to use old sculpts or molds. I'm not an expert on that.
I do know some time ago Imex issued sets of their horses both extra cavalry and draft horses to supplement their sets. These were in 1/32 (not aware if they were done in 1/72 scale but don't think so). These were well received because the teams in the ACW artillery sets were cast in the colors of their figures - blue or grey. The extra sets were cast in brown and black. I know I picked up several sets as the horses were excellent sculpts and usable for a lot of purposes and extra cavalry horses are always needed - particularly for horse holders.
Just bringing back an old idea.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Aug 20, 2021 22:00:07 GMT
Some great ideas; I'm still waiting for Pommeranian Piccolo Players. Wayne, you forgot Saxon Saxophonists & Westphalian Whistle Blowers! But yes Rob, you have certainly shown that there is still a vast array of potential sets for the Napoleonic period. For now though, if I was only allowed to pick just one potential set, I would happily settle for someone to make 1813-1815 French foot artillery!! The French cavalry is in dire need of sets for the post Bardin reforms too. I figure if I can get the Pommeranian Piccolo Players the rest will follow - also Bavarian Bassoonists, Vienese Violinists, Franconian Flutists... and assorted camp followers and barmen.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Aug 20, 2021 3:40:12 GMT
Some great ideas; I'm still waiting for Pommeranian Piccolo Players.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Jul 16, 2021 16:34:08 GMT
That's it! I know I used their decals on my HaT Legionaires - c. 1st BC; one of the last truly Ancient sets I painted as I realized there were just too many great sets coming out at the time for me to keep up with it all. I reluctantly began to limit my 1/72 collection to just those areas I was really interested in and enjoyed painting the most.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Jul 15, 2021 19:11:47 GMT
Some nice work. Years ago there used to be decals available for 1/72 scale shields. I definitely made use of them. That was over twenty years ago and I don't even remember the name of the company now though I might have some leftovers somewhere. I got out of ancients many moons ago so...
I used to use paint pens, too, when I had to. Much better results. Thanks for the tips.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Jul 2, 2021 15:32:04 GMT
Great job - love the pics.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Jun 17, 2021 18:33:07 GMT
Just beautifully done.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Jun 12, 2021 15:14:57 GMT
Some great storytelling through pictures. Love this.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on Jun 12, 2021 15:13:09 GMT
I really admire your clean style and detailing on the shields. Great job! I remember doing these sets years ago; probably need to revisit them - particularly after seeing the great job you've done; both humbling and inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on May 23, 2021 17:37:16 GMT
I am so glad someone is showing appreciation for the comic box art. Sometimes we get so far involved in the "technicals" of our hobby - the research, historicity, and details we can forget the "fun" a hobby is supposed to be. As one who grew up with toy soldiers bought in bags at what we used to call "Dime Stores" sometimes I need to be reminded of what it was like to be a boy playing with his toy soldiers on my bedroom floor or in the yard. As a now-departed friend had a motto - "Get 'em in the dirt!"
I had to stop collecting boxes awhile back. I ran out of room. But I still enjoy the art. Those boxes brought a smile to my face. I think in these times we all need a smile.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on May 20, 2021 23:19:38 GMT
Great job! Thanks for sharing the pictures.
|
|
|
Post by waynew on May 11, 2021 16:02:45 GMT
Superb! I'm not normally a fan of this style of sculpting. This series of figures (including the elites and other sets that matched) somehow caught my fancy. You've done them great justice with your skill
|
|