Friday 14 February 2014

Berne pike - rear ranks done.

Phew, I've finished the painting of the rear ranks for my Berne pike block.





A total of 52 figures done, with a mix of colours but with an attempt to show a predominance of red and black to visually 'key' them together. The models have some elements of conversion (about a third in all), mostly head swops on the Perry Swiss EA1 pack of metals with a few plastics to add variation. Perhaps a few more figures wearing helms are needed to be added?





The figures are only placed on the bases for now; I'll not glue and finish basing any until I have all the figures done. I've taken a picture of the proposed plan of the entire pike block, which is a large one to represent the gewalthut, which consisted of the largest volume of Swiss Confederation trooops in the battles against the duke of Burgundy. It may still be too unwieldily on a wargames table, we'll see. The bases with flags are nicked from my other pike block and are only there for show at the moment - I have the relevant flags ready from the excellent Pete's Flags. I'm planning to add a few halbardiers guarding the sides of the pike block, thats why theres a gap on the edges at the moment, as indicated by the unpainted castings. The front bases will have pikes horizontal, hence the proposed placing of two ranks of figures only at the rear of the bases.



For now these may have to be put aside and await whatever additional Swiss figures are released by the Perrys later this year.


14 comments:

  1. Will definitely look very impressive once all manned up, but it'll need a BIG table to play I would have thought, but great project.

    Didn't know the Perry's are planning more Swiss releases later in the year?

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    1. Hendrid - thanks. Yes, Perry's Facebook page says they'll be Swiss and Burgundian command packs. Am selfishly hoping for more Swiss too...

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  2. wow! once again you have outdone yourself! i especially love how each individual figure has enough character to stand out even in such a huge block of men. looks like i will be spending the day at the painting desk up to my neck in Swiss pikemen as well!

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  3. Now that's a pike phalanx!!!

    Darrell.

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  4. Amazing work, I love the overall impression, and the incredible details...

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  5. Hi I don't see Swiss flags on the Petesflags page, do you have to contact him or something?

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    1. You're right, they're not on there at the moment. Drop Pete an email and am sure he can advise you on the sheets he has and can print some off.
      Simon.

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  6. Outstanding Simon, this really has made mine feel like a mere minnow!!!
    To say you are ploughing through this Swiss project, you are not cutting corners with the quality of painting or details, and using plastic head swaps as well as metal is a great idea, and is adding a great deal of variety to the figures!!!
    Great inspiration.

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  7. Great work! Do you have any more detailed info about the future release scheme of the Perrys concerning medieval figures?

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  8. sorry no - wish I did.
    And if I did, I'd be sworn to secrecy... :>)

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  9. Stunning painting !

    It will indeed be a stunning sight to see the whol unit enmassed, will you build a movemetn tray for them?

    Best regards Michael

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    1. Good question Michael, I'd not thought about trays. Perhaps get it on two, if I can get them cut that big? Simon.

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  10. They are coming on a treat :-)

    Jason

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  11. Only just noticed these, wow, that's going to be quite a sight and looking very promising so far. I really like the palette and the conversions have worked out seamlessly.

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