Swiss - the story so far

Pics of the Swiss that I have done to date; those that are painted and based.

These are Uri and Berne cantons, the latter will be three times this size when completed, to reflect the fact that the Bernese provided the majority of the Swiss army at both Grandson and Morat.

Flags are to be added. Figures are all Foundry. Painted by me and Dave Imrie (who did most of the Uri pikemen and shot).

Basing is on 100 x 50mm bases and 50mm square for the 'sleeves' of shot and halbards (who can be seperated off and conjoined to form halbard blocs).

Catherine's pics

Some more detailed pics of the same figures. I left the models in my conservatory after the previous posting(where I take my pictures to utilise the natural light) and my youngest daughter used her own camera, with close-up setting, and took some pics. So I thought they shouldn't go to waste. Minor intake of breath from me however, having seen these in mega close-up, as they're not the standard that I strive for now, but I should remember these were done a while back now. Not bad pics though - for a 14 year old with a cheap camera.

Ye old Burgundian Ordonnance

Some selected pics of my existing Burgundian army.

Figures are Foundry/Citadel castings in the main, painted by me over many years in the early 90s. All my figures are based on large 100x50mm bases, not for any specific rules, but (I have to admit) heavily influenced by Dave Andrews collection, which I rather slavishly followed at the time.

In all there are the following bases; 12 men at arms, 6 pike (as 2 units), 8 longbows, 2 handguns, 4 crossbows, 2 halbards and 6 artillery, plus a couple of command groups. Flags are a mix of handpainted, Freezywater and some scanned images.

One of the main attractions of this army, apart from trying to 're-write' history and attempt to co-ordibnate the various troop types andactually beat the Swiss, is the visual appeal - they are very colourful; with the blue & white livery and St Andrews cross, Burgundian flints and saints adorning flags.

Will post some more soon.

I have undertaken it...

...what exactly? well to complete my 28mm wargame armies covering the Burgundian Swiss wars of 1474-1477.

First, a little history. The origins of these armies goes back to the late 1980s/early 90's when I completed my existing Burgundian army, mainly using the Citadel late medieval range - a very nice set of figures and top of the range for historical accuracy and variety at the time. These were completed based, then rebased but I was never really happy with the quality of the flags. The Swiss Confederation army had an abortive start several years ago, using the same figure range, supplemented by various other manufacturers. As most of the Swiss carry pikes and the Citadel range didn't, this meant many hours of conversions and so progress ground to a halt. The army was then revivied by the arrival of the Dave Andrew's designed Foundry figures - the first accuarate figures that looked like the contemporary Schilling chronicles. to date I've completed about a quarter of the pike blocs I'm planning and units are yet to be provided with cantonal flags.

Back to the present, or indeed the future. The forthcoming Perry late medieval range of plastics and metals is the impetus to revisit this collection, in a major way. The Burgundians will be completely replaced (with the existing figures probably being sold off). The Swiss will be continued and completed - I have a mound of Swiss Foundry castings and will see if any of the new Perrys can be utilised - I believe that there will be 'continental' troops which will reflect Swiss dress.

So, next up some pics of the existing collection, just for old times sake.