Wednesday 13 January 2016

From KeithS: Unarmored Vikings (190 points)

So, the Holidays are done, no more company in my house, my internet is working -- this weekend was quite productive!


I decided to dive into the core of what I want to accomplish through this challenge and went with 36 28mm unarmored Vikings to complement a similar number of armored ones I painted in December.  The intent is to use them for Saga once I get a band of Saxons painted up.  That work will be delayed slightly due to an Irish whisky tasting at the local pub tonight (can't be painting after that!).

The majority (32) of these Vikings are by Wargames Factory.  I loved, loved, loved their armored Vikings.  However, I was a little disappointed with these ones.  The detail on the front side of the figures was pretty soft.  As the backs were fine, I'm guessing maybe it was a bad batch.  Whatever - just wish the sides were reversed!  I think they painted up fine, in any case.  Here's the group shot:




I did a dozen as archers, which had the added advantage of reducing the number o shields I had to paint.  Also, I tried out decals for the first time, ordered from the UK.  Ironically, the Viking decals were too large for these guys but the Saxon ones I got worked fine (the reverse is also true, so some of my upcoming Saxons will have Viking decals!).  Not a big deal, given the similarities between the two groups.  I also handpainted about half of the shields, just because I like doing it and need the practice.  Here are some, a mix of decaled and handpainted.  The gold dragon one turned out ok -- must have got it from Wessex.



Some spearmen from reverse:


They look rather angry, as Vikings should:


A random archer up close:


The last 4 are Berserkers, metal figures from Gripping Beast.  I wanted a set for Saga and these were perfect and scaled nicely with the larger group.  As befits Berserkers, they all wear skins and have a mess of weapons.  One is actually wearing shoes.  I assume he is the boss.



You have to respect the pudgy guy on the right -- he is so excited to fight he wore an adult diaper so he didn't have to take a break during the battle!


All in all a fun weekend of painting.  As I mentioned, next up are the poor Saxons who have to deal with these chaps, 32 armored and 32 unarmored figures, also from Wargames Factory.

Great to see projects moving on as part of the Challenge - the group shot looks the biz , with a horde of angry Vikings - pretty sure I would not be staying around.   I have given you a bonus for the hand painted shields - as for the guy with diaper I will let you tell him....and enjoy your Irish Whiskey tasting - " Sláinte! "

18 comments:

  1. I'm not convinced by wargames factory - some are fine others are poor. You've made a very nice job of these though

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  2. very crisp and clean job.... well apart from the one with the adult diaper of course!

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  3. Nice work. Odd I also did the Wargames Factory Vikings, I was disapointed with the armored ones but realy liked the unarmored ones. It might be a bad batch or somethng in your case. They look very good. Enojoy doing shots in a snobish fashion (as I call all hard liquior tastings)

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  4. That's a good chunk of a SAGA army in one go,

    Ian

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  5. Quite a horde. A few years ago almost no one did any dark ages wargaming and now how the worm has turned.

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  6. Nice, clean painting Keith :)

    The WGF vikings and Saxons aren't the best figures out there, but they're still OK for gaming duties.

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  7. It's always the guys in the fancy shoes (or just shoes in this case) you have to watch out for.

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  8. I love saga for the pure fact that an entire army can be different colors and still work! This is just that.. and am also in the side of not liking their models too much, but when painted like this, they are a pure joy! Great job!

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  9. Now that's a raiding party! Good job on these. And yes, all berserker bosses wear shoes--didn't you know?

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  10. Olaf the Incontinent....

    Great work

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  11. Well done Keith - great work.

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  12. Quality of the miniatures aside Keith, you've done a wonderful job with them!

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  13. These are inspiring, I need to pull my finger out and finish off my own Saga forces!

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  14. Nice gaggle of Vikings. Inspiring output.

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  15. Really fine horde of Norse! The sheild work is very good.

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