Amazons Prime

An interesting set from Dark Alliance covering the fictitious Hellenistic warrior women, the Amazons. Legend has it that they lived in the far-flung (to the Greeks) Scythian wilds.

Some of these figures could be adapted to be some of the nationalist archetypes of the 19th Century, such as Britannia, Marianne or Germania.

There are also mounted Amazons available.

The Roman Slave Market

Strelets Roman Transport 3.

In the dusty streets of Rome the captured Gauls finally halt. Dragged through the city in chains they now face being sold into slavery. The ones who fall beneath the whips may go no further. For the others, what awaits?

Winter Dragon

This is a Dragon Panzer III, a really detailed 1/72 scale model including brass parts.
Despite this the build was fairly straightforward.

One of the colour schemes was a winter  1943 camouflage, which looked cool so I tried it.
The following tutorials came in very handy.

Flames of War
Rust and The City
Warlord Games

In the end I went for painting the regular camo, then a gloss varnish, followed by sprinkling salt on selected areas. Then I used a sponge to dab white acrylic paint on. I also gave it a sepia wash, quickly wiped off plus some weathering with Tamiya dry brushing products, particularly for the tracks.

The decals came last.

Not perfect either in the build or painting but I had fun and gained useful experience for my next try.

The Pharaoh Hunts

In the scorching desert sun the Pharaoh hunts. This is Caesar's 'Pharaoh's chariot with biblical peasants' set.

In case anyone is wondering...

It is not a good idea to drop a jar of black wash on a cream carpet. You have to buy more Nuln oil for a start...

Tower Guards Have a Break

This is Green Line's Medieval Tower in 1/72 from Fredericus Rex. The walls are plaster and the wood parts are balsa wood with a resin roof and some card elements. It was a fun and challenging build. You will probably spot a few places where I messed up but I will know better next time, if there is a next time!

In this scene we see the tower guards having a break and a wee drink. One of them feeds his dog, some doze and another calls on the young lad to hurry up with the ale he was sent to fetch.

The guards who are on duty look on and one keeps an eye on the donkeys loaded for travel at the gate.

Figures all from Valdemar.

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They're Taking the Hobbits to Isengard!

We have seen the Uruk cavalry. Now for the infantry. 

Some familiar scenes from the movies, including the siege of Helm's Deep and the hobbit-napping.

All figures from the Dark Alliance half-orc sets.

The only ones I don't have are the pikes. If anyone fancies swapping a sprue let me know.