Updates

Time for some updates.

First of all, I'd like to point you in the direction of a kickstarter currently being run by Warsteel Miniatures for late 15th century infantry STL files, for 3d prinitng. This is part 2 of a series, part 1 last year was unarmoured infantry (pikemen, crossbowmen and handgunners). Part 2 has armoured versions, with a mix of plate and cloth armour. Simon from Warsteel kindly sent me some samples, which I have enjoyed experimenting with. They come with separate heads - I've put a few together with a mix of different heads and polearms from various sources. They will definitely find their way into future units of French and Burgundians. 

The kickstarter also has the same bodies without arms, for combining with plastic Perry arms of course. There are other things listed as stretch goals, so the more people who pledge the more interesting things will be unlocked.

Support the kickstarter here - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/warsteelkickstarter2/late-15th-century-medieval-gewalthaufen-part-2?ref=user_menu

I confess I'm not very up to date with 3D miniature printing technology, but as I understand it you get the files which you can either print yourself or get a 3rd party service to print for you. You can also get all the files from the 1st kickstarter, which together will give you a huge number of bodies (with and without arms), a multitude of separate heads and other things like polearms and casualties. Once the dust has settled I'll probably do some some sort of 'pick & mix' of the files I'll want printed for my project.

Here are the samples I've put together so far.

I should also point out in case anyone reading this didn't catch the announcement, that Steel Fist Miniatures have released a small range of 15th century Swiss - two packs of 6 advancing halberdiers/pikemen, and they really are fantastic. Though at the time of writing this the first batch are nearly out of stock!

As for what's on my workbench, I am slowly working my way through a mass of infantry, and imagine I will be doing nothing else for the rest of 2024. I've roughly mapped out what units are going to be built up from them, and it does seem a bit daunting... I've got a few more commissioned sculpts to be delivered sometime in the year, and some of these units will have to wait until I have these in my hands before they can be assembled and based. Until then I will just keep on painting what I have.

This is my rough plan....

- Two units of 20 French heavy infantry, defending (first one completed in January, see last post)

- Two units of 20 Burgundian heavy infantry, defending (first one nearly finished)

- One unit of 30 French heavy infantry, attacking

- One unit of 30 Burgundian heavy infantry, attacking

- One unit of 20 French archers.

- One unit of 20 or 30 Burgundian archers.

- Various extra bases that can be used to expand the above units or form small units themselves.

- Some 'wagon fort' bases with built in defenders, for both sides.

- One unit of 50 German pikemen.

There's no way I'll get it all done this year, but we'll see how far I get!

Here's a few nice figures that are sitting around waiting for some friends to form units with. The one one the left is one of my commissioned sculpts, with a Perry head. The second is a conversion put together form various parts. The last two are from the small but excellent Eureka Miniatures late medieval range - very nice sculpts.

And before I forget, here's another French unit!

This is just a small unit. I like my units to be posed consistenly, usually either advancing/attacking or defending, with weapons lowered. I don't like to see ranks of models with shouldered weapons making contact with the enemy on the tabletop, it just looks odd to me. However there are lots of very nice figures in more relaxed 'at ease' poses, and I've been wanting to find a way to make use of them for a while. I've bunched some of them together with a few other carefully chosen poses that suit the theme. There's several conversions, and even a Front Rank figure in there.

When seen on the tabletop, this little unit will probably be standing behind a hedge, wall or barricade, where lowered weapons would get in the way. They could also work as artillery or wagon guards maybe.... They won't be front line troops, but there'll be a use for them on the table somewhere, even if it's just to stand around looking smart!