More Thoughts on my Gripping Beast: Saxons

I have had these original metal Gripping Beast Saxons, as stated before, going back to last century. When the Gripping Beast metals first came out they set a new standard and took the show scene by storm, certainly for the Dark Age period. I remember they came packaged in what seemed to be old video boxes and I with a friend split a pack, so we got twenty each! My collection's ranks have been swelled now with some plastic Wargames Factory troops as well as the Gripping Beast plastics, including some pesky [expensive metal] archers before plastic alternatives were available (see below, repeating the angry Saxon Hoard look from a previous post):

 

A very useful acquisition from the Gripping Beast Plastic range, some twenty four archers (the metals I bought still have not been painted), nominally Saxon but they could easily be loaned out to other factions (Normans even Vikings). Three repetitive poses (I may be inclined to do some later head swaps) but they quickly bulk out the army with some nice clean lines (see below):

All that is required now is a stint of "Dark Age" figure painting! Vikings and Normans for 1066 beckon!

50+ Shades of Grey

It's time to talk dirty, soft ESCI plastic dunked in PVA .. 50/50 PVA to water mix, approx (see below, the Soviets have that suspicious PVA gleam - despite my initial reservations about glooping PVA over nice figures this steps seems to work well): 

The Soviets then get the remains of the grey primer .. it almost covers .. but runs out. Time to head off to the shops (see below, about 70% covered but the bases [sand peaking through] tells the true story): 

Fully primed (see below, up to full Soviet military standard ):

If it'd good enough for the Soviets the 'big boy' Saxons [28mm of pure Gripping Beast fun and fantasy] want some of the action (see below, note the Humbrol Acrylic spray dries really fast which is impressive):  

Well job done. Although I think it is much heavier on the paint than brushing it on - because no matter what I try half of the paint seems just to coat the tile - it certainly saves time! 

Note: That this took place outside, based on family complaints of the garage being "stunk out".

Bring on the Saxons, this time for Dux Britanniarum Rules

This is a very old project of mine [started last century, ahem - now that makes me feel old] which looks like it may be finally heading towards the finishing line. Yes, I started it prior to the year 2000, I kid you not, for a collaborative "Dark Ages Skirmish Game" club project that required each member collect, build and paint a small warband of Saxons or Vikings .. I went for the brave Saxons. I also went halves with a fellow club member for half a pack of Gripping Beast 'metal' Saxons, twenty for a tenner .. absolute bargain in hindsight. Sadly, I left London before completing the project and even playing a game. However I did continue painting them, albeit it slowly, using Warhammer Historical Shield Wall as a painting reference (see below, I obviously had great fun with the shields - in the background are more 'plastic' Gripping Beast miniatures recently [as in a couple of years ago] purchased for Saga - then Saga II - again another false start): 

The warband set above is for Dux Britanniarum rules from the Two Fat Lardies stable of games. Third time lucky perhaps. The original pack allows for eighteen for a "warriors" block and a leader, twelve unpainted plastics for a group of twelve elites, three more leaders and a champion - with four "archers" the final group (see below, being based alongside a bevy of 20mm Esci Warsaw Pact Infantry in the foreground):  

A close up of the Saxon Elites and the Saxon Archers (see below, going through PVA basing and rough sand mixture experience for an uneven terrain look): 

Old and new, in the foreground 1970/80s Soviets [20mm], while in the background a millennium earlier, Saxons [28mm] (see below, despite the time and scale differences they still share the same 'basing sand and undercoat'):

More close views of the Saxon Elites (see below, I am already trying to think what patterns the shield will have): 

Next: Comes the primer .. usually a case of time consuming dabbing on of Airfix Acrylic Primer, but I have been recently converted to the art of priming with an aerosol can - it's a lot quicker ;)

Gripping Beast: Generic Dark Age Warriors

Perhaps not much to look at just now but this is an interesting collection of useful light troops from the Gripping Beast Plastics range. Some forty figures all told, with sixteen slingers (skirmish), sixteen javelins (skirmish) and eight miscellaneous unarmoured spear/sword/axe (see below):

These filler troops can be used in the Saxon, Viking or Norman "order of battle." A very good buy IMHO!#

I am looking forward to some "1066 and All That" action (or at the very least painting)! 

Conquest Games: Normans

I cannot complain with respect to the number of figures you get in the Conquest Game's Norman Foot Soldiers box, forty four all told. Smiles all round. This immediately helps flesh out the "Invading French" (aka Norman) Army of 1066 'Saga' Campaign (see below, early days on the painting front, initial basing courtesy of UHU glue waiting for a spray painted undercoat):  

To complement the Foot Knights twenty four Archers (see below, as per the Foot Knights waiting for an undercoat):

All that remains is to pick up a couple of boxes of Mounted Knights to complete the Norman "order of battle".