I've painted the first group of Westfalia halfmen for the Jackrabbit Trading Company (JTC.) These are the crossbowmen. I liked the idea of crossbows because it's a different take on halflings. It seemed to make sense, for some use, to me. Greater draw, range, power than bows or slings. Both of those will still have a place with scouts, rangers, militia, etc. But for the "professional" guard of the JTC, I'm going to use some crossbow troops.
If you look carefully, there is actually one with a handgun. I picked up some miscast figures from Westfalia, with the intention of using them for casualty markers. And I will. But I needed a few more figures for this group, and one of the supposed miscasts was a handgunner that I couldn't find any flaw on. So "Boomstick Bill" the hobbit joined the ranks. Bill's always got to do his own thing.
On that topic, I still wanted one more. So I picked a halberdier from the miscasts, reconstructed his helmet and side of his head (a couple of big bubbles in the casting) and then cut off the halberd and put together a standard. So once this guy is painted, he will join the above unit plus the first sample figure I received from Westfalia, giving me a unit of 16. Or two smaller units of 8. I regret not getting more crossbow hobbits, and if they become available for general purchase, I would like a second batch.
Yesterday I received (another) package in the mail from Shadespyre. A small batch of the later Citadel armoured skeletons, to match the few I painted up in Deadcember. I knew they were on their way, so I also got hold of a sample pack of similar looking former Harlequin skeletons from Black Tree Design to see how they scaled up. In the photo below, there are three Citadel figures on the left, and three Black Tree figures on the right. Pretty close match!
Halflings, but not as we know it :) It makes sense for a "formal" hobbit force to adopt some of the weapons and tactics around them, especially as they travel into human lands so often. It would help them LOOK effective, even without the other advantages of armour and heavy weapons, and for a merchant caravan avoiding a fight is half the battle...
ReplyDeleteGlad the skeletons arrived! Along with some Black Tree reinforcements (I'd forgotten that company existed tbh) you should be able to put together a nice unit.
Thank you very much!
DeleteI think I'm set with the few skeletons I had before, plus these. I had considered the Black Tree figures before, but it never seemed worh bothering to build a unit around the 5 skeletons I had. But it's good to know they will fit in, especially given that Black Tree runs 50% off sales every other week.
Looking great! I'd love to know how you did that banner!
ReplyDeleteThe banner is polystyrene sheet cut to shape and bent by carefully heating it over a small flame (lighter, candle) to soften it just enough to make it pliable. It's cemented to a bit of polystyrene tube with an inner diameter to match the brass rod used for the pole. That gives a nice solid connection. Cut weapon of the figure, drill hole to match the brass rod, and dig through the bits boxes for something to top the pole.
DeleteIf I had more patience, I would smooth out the joint between the plastic sheet and tube with putty.
Thanks. And you sold me on some black tree skeletons with scythes, since citadel only had like 3 poses!
DeleteSince Harlequin, Heartbreaker, Grenadier, etc. were some of the main alternatives to Citadel back in the day (even using some of the same sculptors) the companies that are still selling some of those old sculpts -- like Black Tree, Ral Partha Europe, Mirliton, and apparently some new KS doing resin castings -- are great resources for alternatives to the some of the late 80s & especially 90s Citadel figures on the secondary market now that those prices have been driven up by the less pleasant aspects of the Oldhammer trend. ;) They're really hit & miss, though. (In my opinion.)
DeleteI've never bought from Black Tree Design, but I've always liked the look of their stuff.
ReplyDeleteVery affordable -- low postage price, plus the 50% off sale, which seems to run very frequently. Figures got here in just a few days.
DeleteNice job on the crossbow troops, great colors!
ReplyDeleteThanks!I thought the colors would be a little out of the ordinary for hobbits, and even have a little bit of backstory explaining it, as the purple dye being a by-product from the company founder's mushroom cultivation. :)
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