I have not been idle.

I have in fact been plodding on steadily with two of my projects, namely making additions to my AWI armies and getting started on my Papal Army for our Italian Wars joint project. I just don’t have much in the way of completed units to show yet. I’ve two more figures for my AWI 23rd Foot to complete the unit. I hope to do those this weekend. I’ve completed a second base of Swordsmen for the Italian Wars project and have one Elmetti just needing highlights to complete the first mounted base. I’ve also assembled and spray undercoated two bases worth of Front Rank handgunners, a base of TAG Papal Guards, two more bases of TAG Elmetti, a base of TAG crossbowmen and a twenty figure base of TAG pikemen with command and halberd armed figures. I hope they will be done by Easter.
As I received a few more figures from TAG yesterday in the post I thought I might share my observations as they and their figures are a new company to me. When I was chatting with Matt about the project and which figures I might go with he suggested I might find TAG figures to be a tad on the small side. {I guess he meant for my old eyes and hands.}When the first batch arrived before Christmas I was pleasantly surprised to find them very compatible with the handful of Perry Miniatures I already had. The castings were clean and what few vent runs and bits if flash present easily removed. Mold lines were not pronounced as they can be on some figures. The figures are nicely animated on the whole, with clear details which will definitely aid this geriatric painter in the coming months. On the down side, the metal used in their manufacture is quite soft and so I replaced the pikes and flag poles with wire ones from Coritani, but I foresee problems with the lances of mounted Elmetti being easily bent when moving blocks of figures during games. I shall have to be careful considering my track record with delicate bits! But on the whole my experience is positive so I will confidently recommend TAG to any considering figures for this, or other periods the company services. That said, I intend to consider other company’s products to fill out the project later on. I’ve already added some older Foundry packs of Gendarmes and I plan to add some from their Casting Room range too. I like the look of the Steel Fist figures, of which Phil has several in his army, so they are on my list too. Like all projects I confidently expect this to take on a life of its own as it grows...
Finally, on a personal note, I have been referred to the local Nuffield Hospital Orthopaedic Department for surgical assessment on my right hip. I’m not a brave person when it comes to physical pain, but I can’t go on like I am so I hope they will decide to replace the hip sooner rather than later. Of course that will considerably disrupt my hobby activities, but it’s a small price to pay to be free of pain and mobile again! I’ll keep you posted of course. Toodle Pip!