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

Russian Boyars with banner of St.George (1350-1550)

Here is my third unit of Muscovite Boyars. I have decided to allow myself out-of-scale banners for this army, the potential of using icon images is too appealing and it deserves a larger rendition. This first banner is of St.George, sure to have another with the more usual 'slaying a dragon' image. Have also made some progress on sixteen Cossacks but I must raise a few 18th century figures for a coming battle. MGB

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