7th Moscow Streltsy Regiment 1550-1700

Here is the first of my streltsy units. This is to form part of a small force of Renaissance Russians for service against my Tartars and Ottomans. The figures are traditional Hinchcliffe and I feel these castings, designed many decades ago, still have a lot going for them. MGB

Almohad/Marinid Cavalry

This is the first of my revamped Arab or Moorish cavalry. Black banners crop up quite a lot with the Almohad dynasty, and also with their former allies and successors called the Marinids. These figures have new banners and horses, and have been rebased. MGB

ARAB and MOORISH ARTILLERYMEN

Decided to clear my spares box of various middle eastern figures. What I particularly needed were diverse cannon crew, suitable to man Ottoman galleys, Arab fortifications, spare bombards and cannon. I think this has been quite successful, and fixing them on small, planked bases seems to have sorted out this problem. Milliput also helped to add diversity, in addition to replacing some of the heads. I was also keen to develop one of my medieval bombards in my collection by adding some suitably ad hoc field defences as part of the model. MGB

More Arab/Moorish Crossbowmen (Hafsids)

Just completed another batch of Arab or Moorish crossbowmen. These figures are mainly Black Tree Miniatures and I must say they were a pleasure to paint, there being little or no flash, and the designs lending themselves very well to the paint brush. A couple of converted javelin men are also serving with this unit. MGB

More Muscovite Artillery, 1550-1700

Decided to paint up some figures towards my planned Russian renaissance army. The gunners are converted Hinchcliffe while the light guns are Warrior ECW castings. Three 18 strong streltsy units are also about 40% completed. MGB

Medieval Russians form up for Battle

Apologies for the lack of posts recently, I have been running several campaigns set in the 18th century and most of my wargaming time has been spent painting up figures for the AWI and FRW. However, it was a pleasure to return to my Late Medieval/ Early Renaissance Russian army and top-up several understrength units. Well they now total over eighty figures, and while there are some castings which I would like to add to this army, my plan was always to keep this collection small, just enough to have a fun game against my Tartar-Turkish forces. Most of the figures are Hinchcliffe, with a few Essex and TAG Miniatures. I must say the latter manufacturer has furnished some very nice commanders. MGB

Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, Crossbowmen

A small unit of Granadine crossbowmen are ready to take the field. The crossbow became a very popular weapon with the civic militia. The banner is based on one which appears on the painting of the Battle of La Higueruela. The figures are mainly Chariot Miniatures with a few from Artisan Miniatures. MGB

Muscovite Lesser Boyars on Foot, 1350-1550

Work on raising my Russian Medieval army continues. Here are the first ten spearmen, which I am claiming are Lesser Boyars, and will assist in any siege games against the Tartars. MGB

Russian Artillery, 1550-1700

Here are my two medium cannon for my later Russian army. I'm a strong fan of TAG Miniatures, I have a fair number of their Ottoman Turks, so I decided to order some Russian artillerymen. To my surprise, the castings appeared to be somewhat smaller in scale, but this is not an issue as it was the intention to attach them to my Hinchliffe Streltsy battalions which are actually the same in size. The TAG arrived flash free and were quick to paint up. Their fur headdress was rather flat so I decided to add some milliput. Keen to have a few gunners in coats, I converted two Hinchliffe streltsy drummers, which I think have integrated quite well.The cannon are from Warrior Miniatures, their ECW range. This later Russian army is a light project, often comprising somewhat dated castings, but I will still enjoy owning and using them on the wargames table. MGB

Re-organising my Arab and Moorish collections for 2016 (1)

Having recently sold several hundred miniatures, mainly arab and moorish figures, I'm now re-organising the remainder and acquiring additional figures. Here are my three reformed foot units. The first are Almohad-Marinid armoured warriors, largely Musketeer Miniatures. Those mainly dressed in white are North African corsairs (attached to the Hafsids but available for hire). The third are Granadine city militia in blue and red.

Still to be painted are 36 crossbowmen, mainly Black Tree Miniatures, which will furnish three small units for the armies listed above. My heavy/noble cavalry, and artillery contingents are still quite strong but the lighter cavalry will need to be completely re-raised. MGB

Late Medieval Russian Artillery and Crew

Its been a particularly bad weather day here in Devon so decided to clear another project. The bombard has been painted but out of active service for at least ten years, waiting for a suitable army. The figures were part of a batch of O.O.P. Essex Cossacks and Russians I picked up off ebay about 6 months ago. Today I was able to finish painting up the crew, and clear some card and wood to construct a suitably primitive, yet archer proof cover for my new Muscovite siege bombard. Michael

First Band of Cossacks completed

My late medieval Muscovites can now call upon some cossack skirmishing cavalry in their fight against the Tartars. MGB