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Saturday, March 7, 2026

WotR Mounted MAA

In an effort to bolster the mounted arm of the Wars of the Roses project, a couple of boxes of Perry Miniatures' mounted knights have been stuck together and painted.  The first unit of eight to trot out from the painting desk are these fellows.
Although mostly covered head to toe in armor, one or two of the horsemen sport the livery of Clifford.  More units, of similar nature, should be emerging from the workbench soon.  Sticking them together takes time, for sure, but the process was not too onerous.  There will be no dread in tackling even more.
Winter, here, in the Pacific Northwest has been relatively mild with only one noteworthy storm dumping seven inches of snow back in January.  Unless the region gets dragged back into winter that means cycling weather approaches earlier than expected.
Taking advantage of, perhaps, an early sighting of spring, I wrapped up and headed out for a short ride on the last day of February.  While I ought to go back to my cycling log to confirm, this might be the earliest I have braved the cold weather in a long time.  Perhaps I am hardier in my old age?
Although the skies will see much cloudier conditions today than in these photos from the 28 Feb. ride, I expect to return to the bike later today for a much longer ride once the temperature rises.  I hope this mild weather sticks.

54 comments:

  1. Beautiful looking cavalry Jonathan! Have to used this box for my 15th Teutonic Order Knights.

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    1. Thanks, Michal! It is a useful box as are many of the Perry plastic boxes.

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  2. Lovely work Jon, but these days, I don't fancy the thought of sticking mulitpart miniatures together, unlike some 20 years ago when it seemed more appealing! Good to see you able to get out and about on your bike. Here the weather has just been so wet and gloomy, bar a short spell of Spring this week, that it's just not conducive to getting out on the bike and enjoying oneself:(.

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    1. Thanks! Yes, finally outside on the bike for an enjoyable change from cycling indoors. Hope your weather turns soon. I know that you have had a very wet winter.

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  3. Good to see the cavalry have arrived.

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  4. They look beautiful Jonathan. How many parts were there to each figure? Head and two arms, or were they fiddlier than that? Great work on them.

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    1. Thank you, Lawrence! Typically, only one arm and weapon choice, head, and body. Not too bad. Sticking armor on the horse is a different matter, though.

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  5. Those mounted knights look superb

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  6. Very nice, the unit of 8 looks just right.

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  7. Coming out of my hobby coma to engage again. Still have 18" of snow on the ground in these parts, but finally getting some melt. Encouraging to see signs of thaw in your post (a helpful metaphor, indeed).

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    1. Ed, not much snow here, this year. The summer will likely be hot and very dry. Hope to see you fully engaged from your winter hibernation.

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  8. Nice work on the mounted knights Jon and the weather seems to be reasonable for the time of year in your neck of the woods, too.

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    1. Much appreciated, Keith! Weather is better than expected. Tulips are popping up in the garden.

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  9. Great looking Cavalry Jon. Good to see you've beem back out on your bike.

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    1. Thanks, Ray! Being back out on the bike is good. I never get the same level of workout and traffic avoidance as cycling indoors.

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  10. Very nice unit of cavalry Jonathan.
    I notice that the tuffs of grass on the bases seem to mimic the tufts of grass on the side of the road in your first bike photo. Some unconscious inspiration perhaps?😁

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    1. Thank you! Resemblance of the tufts to Real Life scenery is purely coincidental. Or is it?

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  11. Lovely figures and l enjoyed seeing out and about where you are.
    Alan Tradgardland

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    1. Thank you, Alan! This is good country to be out and about.

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  12. Lovely looking knights, Jonathan. I've yet to tackle my box of Perry knights. Perhaps this will inspire me to at least stick them together.

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    1. Thanks! The speed at which you have been mustering units out, one box should be quick work for you.

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  13. Very nice Knights, something I've always avoided doing as it all looks far too complicated! Our daffodils are out too and the unceasing rain does seem to be letting up a bit.

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    1. Not as complicated as the process first seems. One can get into a rhythm quite easily. Daffodils are first to pop up here too although I have not seen any yet.

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  14. A finely turned out unit of tin men there Jonathan. Nice outdoor photos thank you for putting them up I was beginning to forget what clear blue sky looked like over hereπŸ™‚

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    1. Thanks, Phil, but these are plastic men. When you need a jolt of blue sky, let me know!

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  15. Nice work Jon, the knights look great. I keep thinking about the WoTR but too many other projects at the moment

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    1. Thanks! At the speed at which you paint, you will hardly break stride by adding one more period.

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  16. Lovely and very purposeful looking mounted men-at-arms there, Jon. Enjoy the cycling… (and a very British addendum would be …”and watch out for the pot holes” 😁).

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    1. Thank you, Martin! Potholes are a global Northern Hemisphere problem, I reckon. One of our unofficial seasons is, “road construction” season and it runs from May through October.

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  17. Very nice men-at-arms, Jon. All bays, it appears. I hope to see your take on a grey (gray) in the next batch - I'm sure it will be better than mine. Clifford has local interest here, as the Bolling family from Bradford were Clifford retainers. Good to see views of the Washington countryside. Maybe the Spokane waterfalls next time?

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    1. Thank you, Anthony! Most of my horseflesh are in various shades of brown or red brown. I will toss in a gray and you can judge how I did. Interesting tidbit about Clifford. With weather improving, a shot of the falls is not too far off when I next make my way north. Much less water roaring over them this year.

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  18. Lovely Men at Arms Jonathan…
    Sticking plastic figures can be a bit of a task… but the end results are worth it…
    Nice to see there are blue skies somewhere 😁

    All the best. Aly

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    1. Thank you, Aly! Yes, there are blue skies somewhere!

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  19. Nice painting Jonathan, even if you made them Cliffords....;-)
    It must be nice to be able to get out and about in the sunshine - a rare commodity in parts of the UK!
    Neil

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    1. Thanks! Well, I had the foot retinue. Having a mild winter was a nice change of pace here. We will pay for it this summer, I expect.

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  20. Lovely perry plastic knights, theyre what Im using for my Italian wars, Italian men at arms, nice and quick to assemble I find, very well designed, lovely finish on these chaps! Glad to hear youre riding again, I hope to start running again ehen I get home, we will see!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks! I agree that the models are well designed. Are you away on business again?

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    2. No, just finished a contract so nipping away with my wife for two weeks for a break!
      Best Iain

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  21. Those cavalry are a fetching sight. Wouldn't want them thundering down on my position.
    Weather here is heading into a silly heat already, fully a month or more early than typical. Not good for our Summer scorchers I think.

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    1. Thanks, Dai! On the Northern California front, I cannot believe that temps are already reaching into the 80s. You may have a very hot summer, indeed!

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  22. I must admit, as a Yorkshire-based Brit, the idea of a country where the weather at the start of March can predict the nature of summer is very odd. Predicting the weather at the end of March would be an act of faith.

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    1. We are an odd lot over here! In the Pacific Northwest, a very low winter snowpack leads to a very dry summer with threat of wildfires increased several fold. Wildfires are a real threat in the dry, hot months whether manmade or natural. Check back in August and see if the region is not choked with smoke from wildfires.

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    2. It may surprise you that Yorkshire has a problem with wildfires. Ours are moorland fires, though. Very difficult to put out if the fire gets into the peat.

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    3. With all of your rain, a wildfire problem is surprising.

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  23. Lovely knights. Nothing better then a charge of lances and steal. Perfectly painted and arranged on the bases.

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  24. Fine additions there to the Wars of the Roses collection!

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    1. Thank you, David! Not as nice as your work but, for me, they will do.

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