Akinji and Ghazi Horse Archers (Ottoman)

For many years my Ottoman collection could only muster six Turkic 'irregular' horse archers. This has now changed with the original unit of Akinji being drafted into two new formations: a medium armoured Ghazi unit of eight, and a light Akinji unit of six, soon to be eight. With twenty-four Tartars also at my disposal, this section of the army is now suitably represented. Figures are 28mm Hinchliffe, Essex, and The Assault Group. MGB

Russian Boyar Cavalry (1350-1550)

Two more units of Russian Boyars are ready for the wargames table. The figures are Hinchliffe. Those with the large heater shield are listed as Lithuanian Boyars and came with an embossed emblem. As I prefer to paint my own designs, it was not difficult to file the shield flat. As previous entries have mentioned, these figures are to cover a wide period of service. With their lance pennants added, I'm pleased with the general appearance. MGB

Russian Druzhina or Lesser Boyars (1350-1550)

Have been painting up 18th century figures over the last two months, to use in several recent wargames. Its only during the last two weeks that I've had time to return to my Winter Project; to raise 100 Medieval Russians, or Muscovites. The time spent has been quite productive, and I will be shortly uploading more photos of several cavalry units. My first are some Lesser Boyars, that can also serve as Druzhina (Medieval Retinue). The figures are Hinchliffe but I have added shields to increase their protection in actions against the Tartars. MGB

Muscovite Archers (Hinchliffe)

Have recently completed my first unit of medieval Russians. This will form part of a collection that will muster no more than 100 figures. They are to cover a fairly wide period 14-15th centuries, and some will occasionally serve with a later force of largely streltsy, which will number a further 100 figures. The collection will operate against my Tartars and Ottomans, but I am also thinking the earlier types could easily pass as Orthodox medieval armies in the Balkans , again fighting the Ottomans. The figures are Hinchliffe and arrived quite clean and tidy. I will be adding some TAG miniatures for greater diversity and to provide artillery crews. MGB

Tartar Horse Archers, PAINTED & READY

Well here are the twenty-four Tartar horse archers finally painted and based. I have issued two flags influenced by those thought to have been used by the Tartars of Kazan. Some historians have suggested that the dragon is a Russian distortion of a winged snake, the latter does have some historical links to the legends of the founding of their khanate. The figures are mainly Hinchliffe but I have added some Essex Miniatures to some spare horses for variation. All are on larger bases to confirm they are irregular raiding cavalry, and they can operate in bands of six, eight or twelve. These figures will also serve with my Ottomans, providing a much needed element to their army. MGB

NB.The flag renditions are taken from the excellent CRW FLAGS website for purposes of research.

Acemi Oglan Troops (Ottomans)

Here is my just completed unit of trainee Janissaries, or Azamoglami, drawn from the Acemi Oglan school. The figures are Hinchliffe with TAG officers and I'm quite pleased with how they have turned out. The castings were also very clean and tidy to work with. As I already have a fair number of Ottomans with firearms I may restrict this unit to garrison service (siege games), there is some evidence they occasionally carried out police duties. Contemporary paintings and prints show members in a uniform coat colour, usually blue, or a multi-range of coat colours. I think a uniform-issue coat seems quite probable if only for financial advantages. MGB

Ottoman Wargaming News

Dave Watson of Balkan Military History (see links) has just posted a nice little article on the Serbian Uprising of 1815. It includes several photos of Steve Barber figures serving as Balkan irregulars. Robbie Rodiss of Wargaming the Borgias (see links) has recently uploaded a fair number of photos of his Akinji and Tartar light horse in 28mm. He has also mentioned that he hopes to be staging an Ottoman game at the STAND TO show at the Railway Museum, Shildon, County Durham later in the year. BLACK CAT BASES are retailing two Ottoman-Corsair naval crew in 28mm, slot bases required. They cost £2 each plus postage. Here's a photo from their website. MGB