From PaulS - Gladiators! Ready!... (21 Points)

Ok, so not quite those gladiators. No Wolf present here. Those are in the other post... *badum.. tish*

I'll get my coat.

With Salute coming up in a few months, I thought it was probably time that I started tackling the preview Jugula models that I bought two years ago! I did originally intended to get these painted up well before they were originally released, but that never happened. These are 40mm multi-part metal models from Gripping Beast. I bought a couple of the Familia boxes, each one giving you 4 gladiator bodies and a large selection of heads and weapons to create a range of different gladiatorial types. I've decided that, for now, both Familia will have the same 4 gladiators. The models are quite nice and I enjoyed the few games I've had so far, but I think if I were to start Jugula again I would go for 28mm models instead as these feel like scaled up models rather than something specifically made for 40mm

 

The shields are done using the slightly odd sticky waterslide transfers. It's an odd way to deal with these things and not being able to reposition the transfer on the model is going to take some getting used to, but the plastic covering does make it easier and safer to cut the holes out for the shields. The main problem area was getting it onto the domed shield as it really didn't want to stick at the edges. I fully expect to find this one flaking off sometime soon. Really nice detail on these though, so I may have to pick up some for my vikings with flat shields.

From Curt:

Ah, I was wondering when we'd see someone do up as set of these larger-scaled gladiators. I remember visiting the excellent 'Atlantica' hobby shop in Madrid last year and seeing these up close. Though they looked very good (and I love the idea of each being a small kit) I shied away as I didn't want to get in to a scale that wouldn't mix with any other range. Nonetheless you've done a cracking job on these Paul.  I really like the defined musculature and nuanced armour, especially on the central spear-armed figure. Wonderful.

As soon as you started to describe the shield transfers for these my eyes started to roll in my head. I think at this scale I would try freehand before risking a rage-induced aneurysm trying to fiddle with 'waterslide' transfers that don't slide (sounds like something invented by the Marquis de Sade).

Again, great work Paul.