Hafsid Cavalry take to the field

More work on my Arab-Moorish cavalry has started the year off. The Hafsids belonged to the Hintata tribe. The Abu Hafs clan were originally pro Almohad but later became hostile and carved out their own state based in Tunis and Tripoli. They ruled from 1228 to 1534, before being taken over by the Ottomans. With quite a few medieval maps showing red and blue banners for the area I have adopted these colours for my Hafsid army. There is also some evidence that a purple lion was also linked with the kingdom. In addition I have increased my Almohad/Marinid cavalry to twelve figures. MGB

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