Monday 11 January 2016

From IanW - 6mm Three Pike Phalanx's by Baccus 155 points

OK Challenge junkies, pay close attention to what Ian is about to describe.  We may have a new record benchmark in challenge madness.  I am (almost) speechless due to the task involved and the end result.
I actually started this project in last years Challenge and will be submitting a few more units before this challenge finishes. These three blocks brings my total phalanx's to eight, I now need to restock as I aim to paint up at least a total of twenty before I call them done.


Each block has at least 96 figures, that's eight deep and twelve across, I have added one mounted and one dismounted commander making a total of two hundred and eighty nine foot and one mounted for 147 points. Baccus supply their pike in four options, pike at advance, pike with two ranks at charge and two at advance.


Both these poses have the option to be open handed or pike included. Now anyone who has wargamed with pike troops knows the issues with lead pikes, imagine the issues in 6mm, so open handed is a good option.

Of course this means you have to add your own pikes, I toyed with the idea of pins but Dr. Mike convinced me to use bristles from brushes. These are great to work with as the bristles bend but bounce back and you have no worries about the paint coming off though it does take 30-40 minutes per block to glue the pikes in place.


Click on the image to see how well the pikes sit in the hands, Baccus have done a great job of sculpting them so as to make this possible.


The detail is very crisp and looks the part rather well. I have started to add die wells on the bases as it stops the dice falling of the bases when playing. Unfortunately on these units the well has to be at the front or else the pikes hang over the front of the base. Each unit is 60x60mm.


All eight blocks together, actual blocks were eight men deep so this formation would be something similar to what they would have looked like. So with these finished I make a two pronged attack on the 6mm and Bronze to Steel side Challenges. Next up some Companions and Napoleonic cavalry.
Ok Ian, you individually mounted pikes in 288 6mm figures?  And you specifically asked for open handed figures so that you could have this privilege when the 6mm figures with pikes in hand option was available.  That's absolutely mental, but I love the result!
This is one of the most stunning wargames armies that I have ever seen.  You can pick out individual helmets in the phalanx and the pikes just look so right.  I get to add in a few bonus points when I see fit and I am rounding up your score to 155.  Well done!

51 comments:

  1. Fab, insane, fiddly. They are fantastic. Now take something for the repetitive strain injury

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    1. I'm taking 15mm for the strain, seems to be working LOL

      Ian

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  2. That is some kind of wonderful! I can't even begin to imagine how much time and effort went into doing this.

    Splendid job Ian!!!!

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    1. Thanks Anne, was done in less than a weeks painting time as the figures paint up fairly quickly

      Ian

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  3. That is bonkers. Well done.

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    1. That's me lol, I am torn on continuing with these and starting the Persians

      Ian

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  4. I do love bonkers entries like this :)

    Lovely little pike blocks Ian :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Tamsin, can't wait to get the whole project ona games table

      Ian

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  5. I cannot imagine the sheer effort involved in this..... But the fact Bacchus supply that option means that you can't be alone I wanting to do it!

    Fantastic looking iddy biddy army men, excellent stuff indeed.

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    1. Less effort than you think for the pike. Once the pikes are cut I make a small pool of superglue and dip the tip in the glue and place in the hands, mostly works first time. Need to get used to using tweezers though

      Ian

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  6. This demonstration of patience leaves me speechless.

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    1. Good music helps, starting real early not so much....

      Ian

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  7. For me this is right on the line between utterly brilliant and totally bonkers!

    I am now on my knees in awe! "All hail the wonderful lunatic!" Kowtow down to his might!

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    1. LOL, I think we will put on a game with them at a show when we finally have enough units, possibly in a couple of years LOL

      Ian

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  8. Madness!!! I'd love to have an army like this. But this is something I'd never, ever do!

    So bravo! Really. Bravo.

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    1. Never say never, I started these last challenge and already have a file box full so it's certainly possible

      Ian

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  9. This is true insanity!! However, there is great logic in the idea!! Great job Ian - but what are you using to sweep the floor with? ;)

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    1. I keep telling Cath to buy better brooms, she has yet to catch on LOL

      Ian

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  10. This is a whole heap of awesome. One of my favorite entries of this Challenge so far. Me want these!!

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    1. Thanks Curt, I don't think they would travel well though

      Ian

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  11. Gosh! That's madness. I'm sure your games with these will be a sight to behold.

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    1. Lee is doing the Roman's, we hope the huge pike blocks facing the much thinner Roman bases will give the right look

      Ian

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  12. He has been on funny glue again I am sure..

    Lovely stuff Ian

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  13. .....*....wow, just wow.
    I've suspected it awhile, but this just confirms you ARE the master of the wee lads!
    Pure awesome, Ian!

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    1. Thanks David,

      I have rather painted a lot over the last 4-5 years, never enough though .......

      Ian

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  14. I'm just sitting here shaking my head in admiration. The bristles look great and are definitely worth the effort. The final overall effect is simply stunning. Wow!

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    1. Thanks David, Dr Mike got me onto these and I know he has a similar number

      Ian

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  15. Ian, I've been looking at this post for nearly a week but I went back to it today at the end of play. This us just stunning! I second Curt's comment that this is the post of Challenge to date this year.
    Wow! Peter

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    1. Thanks Peter, they do have a look of mass together which was the original idea, good job we have a 18 foot table to play on LOL

      Ian

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  16. Holy crap! - what an amazing accomplishment. As other have said - pure awesome!

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  17. Oh My Goodness... this is a new level of insanity...and brilliance!
    And with this entry I give up my aspirations to do any Hoplites in 6mm

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    1. Don't do that :-( The hops are easier to do, LTS's in hand and only four ranks deep, will have a unit done during the challenge

      Ian

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  18. I'm speechless. That's just amazing Ian and so convincing. Even up close they look absolutely realistic.

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    1. Thanks, will have to see just how they will play out once we have enough units for a game

      Ian

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  19. Spectacular! I'm very jealous, can't wait to see all 20 bases!

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    1. Possibly as late as next years challenge as more opposition needs painting first

      Ian

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  20. I've used brush hairs for vehicle antenna, but I never thought to use them for 6mm pikes. They look perfectly scaled!

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    1. A few are a bit chunky but get lost in the overall look of them.

      Ian

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  21. It's projects like this that makes me wonder why I'm not gaming in 6mm. Of course then there's the thought of gluing 288 pikes. ;)

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    1. Well it's more like 780 odd for the lot lol

      Ian

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  22. Wow! That's taking things to the limit! Very well done and great points bomb!

    Christopher

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