Libyan Javelimen

 

Here are some Libyan javelinmen for my early and later Carthaginian armies. The ones on movement trays, in the first photo above, are mainly Victrix which I painted years ago. The second lot I've just finished painting and are Gripping Beast and 1st Corps Miniatures figures. We've got a Truceless War, Command and Colors Ancients, Hippacritae 240 BC game lined up for Sunday so they will all see action then.

Carthaginian Elephant and Cavalry

 

Here's another Carthaginian elephant and some cavalry that I've finally finished painting. The ellie and mahout are by 1st Corps, while the javelin armed crew are by Gripping Beast. The cavalry are also by 1st Corps. Shields on the ellie and cavalry are a mix of LBM/Victrix transfers, Wargames Foundry and Veni Vidi Vici water slide transfers and hand painted.

Seleucid Armoured Elephants and a Command and Colors Medieval Crusades Game

 

Here's a Warlord Games armoured Seleucid elephant and crew that I've just finished painting. The shield transfers are by LBM, Foundry and VVV. It's quite a hefty beast, nearly a match size wise, for the massive 1st Corps ellie to its right. In the elephant parade group shot above there are two Old Glory elephants (far left and far right), an Aventine one (second one from the left), Warlord (centre), and 1st Corps (second from the right). Of course these are all more armoured Seleucid elephants than I'll probably ever use in a game but it's nice to have some options! My favourite elephant is the Aventine one with a purple crest and blanket.

Last Tuesday afternoon Robert came over and we played a Command and Colors Medieval Crusades board game out in the shed. The scenario was Dorylaeum 1 July 1097 Phase 1 - Defendable Base Camp. This is the first of four scenarios, based on different phases, of this battle. There are twenty scenarios in total for this expansion, hours of fun gaming! Hopefully we will get in a game with figures over the Xmas break. We diced for sides and Robert had the Crusaders and I had the Seljuks. 

Robert cannily retreated with his cavalry who were a bit exposed with their initial deployment. He made good use of his infantry to support his cavalry in attacks and the medium crossbow infantry were particularly effective, shooting range of four hexes and hitting on colours and swords! I had quite a few inspired action tokens but squandered the opportunities they presented and failed to use most of them. Robert managed to kill two of my leaders and in the end won fairly easily 6-2 victory banners. We both enjoyed it so much that we have another game organised for next week, Dorylaeum Phase 2 - Attack on the Camp.

Initial deployment Crusaders' side

Dorylaeum Phase 1 scenario

Initial deployment Seljuks' side

End of game Seljuks' side

End of game Crusaders' side

More Carthaginian Elephants

 

1st Corps Miniatures

Gripping Beast and Wargames Foundry

Here's another post from the archives of various Carthaginian elephants. I think my favourite with howdah and crew is the Gripping Beast model and of the untrained elephants for Zama, the Agema Miniatures model. The 1st Corps ellies are massive by comparison.

Relic Miniatures and Gripping Beast

Agema Miniatures

Galatian Commanders and Javelinmen

 

Here are some Galatian commanders and javelinmen. I made four 60mm square sabot bases for my Galatian commanders, the figures are by Victrix, Foundry and Companion with LBM shield transfers. I've just finished painting the javelinmen, these are Wargames Factory, Warlord, Renegade, Vendel and 1st Corps figures with mainly LBM and VVV transfers, and some hand painted shields. The back drop photo is of Hatussa (modern Bogazkoy), the ancient Hittite capital in Central Anatolia, the Galatians actually settled here, it was the seat of the Trokmer clan.

A couple of weeks ago we did this really nice day walk in Tidbinbilla, the loop of Mt Tidbinbilla, Tidbinbilla Peak and John's Peak. Below are quite a few photos of our walk!

The track up is steep in places

The Lookout

The view of Tidbinbilla valley

Summit of Mt Tidbinbilla

Looking south with Corin Dam visible

Gibraltar Peak

View south from the summit cairn

Ginini Falls

A skink on the summit cairn

John's Peak and Camel's Back in the distance

Wildflowers in the meadows

The Pimple and impressive cliffs 

Mt Tidbinbilla from Tidbinbilla Peak summit 

John's Peak

View off the edge

Steep descent off John's Peak

Looking back at John's Peak

A Wonga Pigeon