Thursday, April 28, 2016

Egyptian Spearmen: Black Tree Designs



As noted previously, I took advantage of one of the periodic but spectacular sales by Black Tree Designs to add some more figures to my Egyptian army, which is greatly outnumbered by my other Chariot era army, the Assyrians. 
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The first half of the order came right away, but the back ordered troops took over 2 months. As I expected this and don't need the figures on the table until July, it was a non issue to me, but it might be to some if they needed a unit right away. 


As you can see, the figures are quite nice. They come with the flattened wire spears. Those buggers are SHARP, so you don't want to mess with them!


This first unit are Spearmen of Division Ptah (= Green) in my scheme. 


The second of two units. The yellow color marks them as belonging to Division Re in my scheme. 


The pose of this unit reminds me of ones seen on reliefs and wall paintings!


I have used a dark olive-green shade ("Timberline Green") for the Crocodile skin armor. OK, I know it would really be dark brown, but allow me a little Hollywood here!


These BTD figures had the stripes seen here modeled on their linen "kilts"... so I painted them in the "Divisional Color", like the linen headdresses. 


    Now I just have the 4 BTD Chariots left to paint, except... a few weeks ago a friend sent me a pretty good size force of (largely) painted "old school" Canaanite types gratis, including at least 10 chariots!  They will need some repairs and touch up, and a small portion are unpainted lead that will need to be done. However, when that is complete, the Egyptians with their new allies will be far better equipped to resist the might of Assyria! I will be running an Egypt vs Assyria game at Historicon with "To the Strongest" in July. If I  have the bulk of the Canaanite troops ready, it could be a pretty impressive pair of forces on the table!

27 comments:

  1. The BTD Egyptians are terrific as is your brushwork! Like you, I expect slow delivery post-sale and plan accordingly.

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    1. THanks, Jon! I do have a few more BTD figures from the sale - a unit of Assyrian cavalry and some Numidian LC for my Carthaginians...

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    2. You know, Peter, if you need ONE more Egyptian chariot for your game this summer, I have one that would be honored to fight for you.

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    3. Thanks for the generous offer, Jon, but that chariot is the seed of *your* Chariot Wars project! :-)

      Seriously, with the 4 BTD chariots, I will have 13 Egyptian Chariots (one is for Pharaoh), PLUS Ten more Canaanite Chariots if I need them (see the end of the post), with just a weekend or so needed to refurbish them. I think that's enough Chariots for any man. If not I still have ? 3 more of the Hinchliffe 4 horse Assyrian Chariots that can be painted up!

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    4. Great work Pete! now I know what BTD figures look like once painted up so well :o) ah the memories of the late 70's and Hinchliffe miniatures...

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  2. Very nice! I've always liked BTD's figures. (Imperial Romans and WWII infantry in my case.)

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    1. Thanks, John. This order was my first experience with BTD. I'd certainly come back for more in the future!

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  3. Very good work. Black Tree certainly have some generous sales in the new year, although as you say, delivery can be erratic.

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    1. Thanks. As long as you're aware of the potential delay, it's not an issue in my book!

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  4. You can never have enough chariots, they're addictive...

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    1. LOL! Well, it looks like I'll be up to about 35 all told once I absorb the Canaanites!

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  5. They look great, excellent job!

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  6. Nice figures very nicely painted!

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  7. very cool Peter, nice sculpts to!

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  8. Good looking spearmen Peter. They look like scary veterans as well!

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    1. Thanks, David.
      They do look rather the business, don't they?!

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  9. Very nice paint job and I like the look of the sculpts as well I've picked up a few BTD figures second hand and liked them but these egyptians look particularly good.
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks, Ian. They are nice sculpts, and their Egyptian range is very extensive!

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  10. Back to the Egyptians Peter?! Your colour-coding looks great as ever. I love the way that you now have the army(ies) nearly finished, and yet no-where near! Where have I heard that before?!!

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    1. Thanks, James.

      Q> When is a Wargames Army really finished?

      A. When you sell it to somebody else!

      (I have yet to do same)

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  11. Great work Peter. Those spears look sharp! The basing looks very nice.

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