And finally Ester (over 50s only will get that !) entry numero trois.
A unit of Polearm Swiss from the Canton of Uri. The figures are Perry Miniatures but just for a change, the flags are home printed from a scan of some flags in a Wargames Mag years ago which have been overpainted.
I have painted a lot of these figures before in the pike blocks but rather than arming them with a Pike these have two-handed Polearms often referred to as Halberd. They are based 6 to a base rather than the 8 figures which go on a Pike base. With the 6 figure base I stagger the front and rear ranks so that the rear ranks are visible between the gaps in the front rank, for me it makes the unit look "fuller".
I have extended the depth of the front bases by 10mm to 60 x 60 just to accommodate the front ranks and their levelled Polearms.
24 x 28mm Foot at 5pts is 120, a couple of flags at a point apiece for 122 points for both the main total and the Renaissance Side Duel.
I have rattled through my Italian Wars project so far this challenge, looking in my to-do box I have 4 Infantry units left (a 48 fig Pike Block, 2 24 figure units a Sword and Buckler & a Papal Guard plus an 18 figure independent shot) and 5 Cavalry units (3 Gendarme, 1 Stradiot & 1 Lt Cav) so there is a good chance the Project will be done by the end of the challenge. However, the York show is coming up and new toys will definitely be brought home.
I think we should call this the KenR Hour! I'm blown away by not only the fact that you can get so much done but its also such good quality. This halberd /polearm unit looks very formidable. I had never considered the Polearm to be an effective weapon - it looked so unwieldy - until I saw a reenactor give a demo at a living history event. Not only did he make handling the weapon look effortless (practice, practice and more practice) but when he gave a demo against some plate armour he opened it like a can of spam! Now times that by 24!!!
I'm throwing in some bonus points for the quality again, and for the flags bringing this up to a respectable 125 points.
Lee
Stunning work again Ken!
ReplyDeleteAnd I thank you again (bows), cheers Francis
DeleteVery nice indeed!
ReplyDeleteCheers Jamie 👍
DeleteA beautiful looking unit. Great work Ken!
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Curt
DeleteLovely, now where is my comic ode
ReplyDeleteCheers Martin
DeleteReally beautiful work. Inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly 👍
DeleteThose are really nice Ken - excellent job matching up the Perry figures to good effect. As for the effectiveness of pole arms, have a read through reports of the Battle of Flodden perhaps the biggest triumph of blades over pikes. And Lee, if you look carefully there are similarities between the shape of the pole arm and that of an old school can opener - for good reason.
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter, a very nasty bit of kit and as you say in trained hands lethal.
DeleteLovely Swiss nutters Ken :)
ReplyDeleteCheers Tamsin, always nice to have some Swiss to make a hole in your opponents ranks.
DeleteDepressingly impressive output! Seriously, these are lovely and those flags are great. Well done
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter, being off work helps 😉
DeleteThese troop blocks from the Italian Wars always look so cool, great job Ken.
ReplyDeleteThat and the flags make the period look so good.
DeleteWell done Ken! Great idea on thebasing.
ReplyDeleteCheers, saves me sticking them back on every two minutes 😁
DeleteLooks great!
ReplyDeleteThank you 👍
DeleteThat's a great unit, Ken - this project is really producing some of your best work yet!
ReplyDeleteThanks Evan, I'm enjoying this project myself, thought I might be bored by now but we are still going !
DeleteAwesome! Another excellent looking unit for this project! Cheers
ReplyDeleteThanks Kiwi, hopefully lots more to come.
DeleteYou've certainly been a very busy boy, Ken!! These look great, love the flags too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ray, the devil makes work for idle hands 😉
DeleteAwesome work, the 6 figure bases look splendid.
ReplyDeleteThanks Stuart, a nice contrast to the 8 figure pike bases (and quicker to paint 👍)
DeleteGorgeous looking Swiss, and so fast too!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks Iain, there isn't a lot to these with a black undercoat.
DeleteAlso lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks very much
DeleteLovely work as usual Ken. You are nailing this Renaissance stuff.
ReplyDeleteThat's very much Paul
DeleteSuper looking Swiss Ken.
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Ta very much !
Delete