Monday, May 25, 2020

The Hittites Are Coming!

Despite a setback of two, my 2020 goal to field a Hittite Army is beginning to show traction.  My goal made in early January was to start a Hittite Army in 28mm and finish the year with a dozen units.  A dozen units in the right mix ought to be sufficient to field enough force for either an Impetvs or To the Strongest! game.  
To lead the army off, the first unit out of the gate is a Hittite three-person chariot with a complement of three javelinmen.  All figures are from Newline Designs.  As expected from Newline Designs, the figures are robust and good, solid sculpts.  A little on the chunky side when compared against Wargames Foundry but the figures from the two manufacturers fit in well together.
A long line of Hittites are waiting in the wings, so expect to see a number of Hittite units parade into the photo booth over the next several weeks.  I may throw some other units into the light box for a photo shoot just to break up the monotony of a seemingly endless parade of Hittites.  As I put the finishing touches on two units of a dozen each javelinmen, the total count for the army to date climbs to nine.  Three more to go and I can check this goal off my To Do list. 

57 comments:

  1. Super work. I've never seen examples of 28mm Newline, so this is doubly interesting. These don't look like the sort of chaps you want to come for a visit - formidable!

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    1. Thank you, Tony! Newline figures are quite good. In general, the sculpting may not be as delicate as some. In the Biblical ranges, most of the infantry figures are a great match for the other manufacturers' figures. These guys are big and beefy. I would not want them dropping by for a visit.

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  2. A splendid looking unit and you must got through a lot of grass tufts, I counted 15 on this base alone. Very effective.

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    1. Thanks, Peter! Did I go overboard on the number of tufts?

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    2. No, they look great and break up the base very nicely. I was just thinking how many tufts you would go through for your Hittite army, and you must have a big stash of them.

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    3. While I have a good supply of tufts, we will see shortly if I have overdone their application!

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  3. A nice start to the army, crisp and clean as always. I cannot be anything butnimpressed by your productivity. It’s as though units march on their own into the photo booth. I am struggling to get through my latest unit. Having said that I am getting distracted by terrain building. Cyclingnweather good today so heading out👍

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    1. Much appreciated, Matt!

      Your terrain is second to none! I wish I had your skill and time to create such masterpieces!

      Rain is in the forecast for this afternoon here. If I am to make it outside, I must get out before noon. With temps at 50F and cloudy, it is still a bit chilly.

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  4. A lot of battles to come once we are clear. Nice job.

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    1. I hope so, George! It will be interesting to see what my local comrades have produced during this lockdown. I may see a number of new units taking to field once we all can take to the field.

      Thanks!

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  5. Beautiful vignette! Great color choises and painting!
    I like the bold guys!!

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    1. Thank you! I cannot manage the rich skin tones that you produce but these will do.

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    2. The skin tone and shading you have done here is great for this scale.I wouldn't have done it better :)

      Cheers

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  6. Great work on the chariot! The basing makes a great little vignette

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    1. Glad you like the composition, Peter! How is everything up North?

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  7. A lovely looking unit Jonathan, with the javelin men escorting it a nice touch. There is something about these early chariot armies that is very appealing.

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    1. Thanks, Steve! For me, these chariot armies are quite appealing aan I am increasingly being drawn into the period with each unit produced.

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  8. A lovely unit Jonathan...
    I to like the javelin armed skirmishes escorting the chariot...

    All the best. Aly

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    1. I am glad you like the chariot vignette, Aly! Thanks!

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  9. Wow excellent work, Jonathan. To The Strongest would seem to be a fitting first game for these fellows!

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    1. Thank you! TtS! may, indeed, see the first test of this army. By the way, I created a first cut at a Tigers at Minsk QRS. My plan is to give it a work out later. Once satisfied, I will pass it along if you are still interested.

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    2. Yes still interested! Please send when ready sir! Just ordered an improved hexmat from tiny mats. That means more TaM battles!

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  10. That's a cracking looking piece Jonathan!

    Christopher

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  11. I love the big base in Impetus and TTS!; your work really shows you can be really creative with them and they photograph wonderfully.

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    1. Glad you like the basing and BMU composition! You are so right in that the big bases allow for a lot of latitude in design.

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  12. A great first unit for the army. The chariot is heavy and business like, rather different from the lighter and flashier Egyptian versions.

    Reminds me that I really should get on with the rebasing project to make use of Bill's Hittites. Have I mentioned I hate re-basing?! :-)

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    1. Thank you, Peter! I have at least three of the heavier Hittite chariots but two of the lighter versions will be in the painting queue soon.

      I know, I know. You hate rebasing. Fir me, I sometimes derive enjoyment from the exercise.

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  13. Great detail Jonathan. Love the top down view. Hittites always makes me think of Michael Wood and his In Search of the Trojan War book and TV series.

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    1. Thanks! I enjoy the top down view too. Reminds me of gaming counters. Woods and "In Search of the Trojan War" have been much viewed and read by me as well. Fascinating stuff.

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  14. Very nice Jonathan, great start to your new project.

    Cheers, Ross

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  15. Terrific work on these Jonathan, and a great start. The wood effect on the chariot is particularly well done, and the overall style is nice and crisp. The basing is very well done, and you definitely haven't overdone the tufts.

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    1. You are very kind, Lawrence! Good to see I did not over-tuft the stand!

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  16. Great version of the ancient version of the light tank! Or the ancient version of a steam roller. Wait, the ancient version of the post apocalyptic battle race car!

    But does look good. 😀

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    1. Thanks, Stew! All versions correct! No one wants to find himself in the path of such vehicle.

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  17. Great looking chariot- thanks for sharing- am looking forward to seeing your whole army when done!

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    1. Thanks, John! Stayed tuned. There will be a steady stream of Hittites for awhile, I think.

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  18. Great looking chariot and runners, Jonathan!

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  19. Wow, gorgeous chariot...and period!

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  20. Splendid start to your Hittite army! I'm not surprised you've almost finished it!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thank you, Iain! Once started, it seems to go quickly!

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  21. Nice work Jonathan, look forwards to seeing more off the production line.

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    1. Much appreciated, Paul. More Hittites in the queue.

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  22. Neat work on some very nice sculpts! Looking forward to other units.

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    1. Thank you, Mike! I like the Newline Design figures a lot AND they are reasonably priced.

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  23. Lovely paint Job and Arrangement of the figures. What a beautiful base!

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  24. Those poor javelin men had to keep up with a rumbling chariot??? Yikes. Must have been very fit fellers.

    As usual Jon, lovely minis. Your skin tones are very well done.

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    1. These runners were likely much more hardened to these conditions than we softied today.

      Glad you like the results, Dai!

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