David Bickley's Wargames Blog

The occasional ramblings of an average gamer, journeyman painter, indifferent modeller, games designer, sometime writer for Wargames Illustrated and host of games in GHQ.



Monday 26 August 2024

Displacement Activity?

Having decided, thanks to William's input, not to sell the rump of my Late Roman collection I spent a little time looking more closely at the individual bases of figures. I came to the conclusion that the figures were fine (by my standards you understand) but the basing was not. Too dark and too much coloured flowery vegetation on them! So, ho-hum, time for rebasing!!!!

Phase One requires the figures to be eased from their original bases. I do this one base at a time by gently adding boiling water to a shallow container (one of Sue's baking trays, shhhh!) In about a minute then figures can generally then be eased off, perhaps slightly longer might sometimes be needed for horses. I lay the figures on a soft cloth as they are removed to absorb any remaining water droplets. Once all are dry you can move on to Phase Two.

I chose the base sizes by no other expedient than looking through my stock of 3mm MDF bases left after the Crimean War project had run it's course. Bases chosen for infantry and cavalry are generally 80mm wide and mostly 60mm deep. The exceptions are Legionary command bases, Light Cavalry and ballistas all on 50mm x 60mm bases. Command bases are of course circular: 70mm for the Army General and 60mm for the Division Commanders.

Having made that decision the next phase is to set out the figures in a dry run to see what arrangements are both possible and practicable as well as pleasing to the eye. It's best I find to tackle all one arm of the force at a time starting with the Command bases. Here are those bases for the two armies at that stage ~

The 'Usurper' Baldinus or Gornalus
Pompus Minimaximus, the rightful Emperor

You'll notice that as well as the size difference the type and composition of the figures on the base denotes it's general Division composition for either mostly infantry or cavalry.

Artorus, Dux Pendalorum, a cavalry commander
Astonius, an Infantry commander 
Bicca Magnus, an infantry commander 
Rubinus Minimus, a dashing cavalry commander 

The infantry mostly take care of themselves in reorganization of the figures on the new bases thanks to the poses, colour schemes and shield designs as you can see in the following pictures ~

While generally the same applies to the mounted arm there is the decision on how many figures can fit on each base to convey the desired look. Four Cataphractarii look best closely based together while other Heavy Cavalry can be three or four to a base dependant on pose mostly! You can see what I mean more clearly in the pictures I hope ~

Light cavalry in the collection currently consist of some Horse Archers and others armed with javelins. The latter are two to a 50mm x 60mm base to allow them to form Open Order while the former are on 80mm x 50mm bases to give a sense of the Cantabrian Circle formation giving fire ~

Once you are happy with the configuration of each base and the unit overall the figures can be glued down. I use a mixture of UHU Power with a drop of cheap Super Glue added. I've found this dries more quickly and securely than just UHU Power. You are then ready for Phase Three which is adding the basing texture, in my case a mixture of Woodlands Scenics Buff Railway Ballast, in Fine and Medium size granules, fixed to the bases with School PVA from Hobbycraft - or Hobbycrap as it's known hereabouts due to indifferent stock availability! As this is a biggish job I'll return to this phase early next month, I've still got those four 42nd Highlanders to finish off!!!!!!

20 comments:

  1. Looking very neat and tidy David…
    But it is giving me flashbacks of my own ‘great rebasing project’ 😡‍πŸ’«.
    All the best. Aly

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    1. Thank you Aly, but commiserations on the flashbacks! Not only rebasing, but I've bought some figures too from Colonel Bill's!!!

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  2. Not a job one undertakes lightly, but looking at this dry run, I'm sure they will look superb once finished:)!

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  3. Very fine they look too, the joy of re-basing, sounds like there could be a book title in there.

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    1. If there is, you will have to write it!

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  4. Sometimes one just has to bite the bullet and make the change you want and it looks good so far David.

    Christopher

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    1. I agree there Christopher and hope your prediction is correct.

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  5. Horrible thought re-basing but an evil that sometime is required. You are of to a flyer as the configurations you have done all work really well. Looking forward to see them finished.

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    1. Actually, rebasing can be therapeutic I've found, you can loose yourself in the processes if you don't stress about the rate of progress.

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  6. Been there done that, several times, good luck.

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    1. As have I. Thanks for the best wishes though.

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  7. From the planning, sounds like a great opportunity.

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  8. Excellent decision not to sell, William obviously recognizes great figures when he sees them.
    Really enjoying your "basing" posts, and using them as a guide to basing my own figures.

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    1. Thanks Andy. I'm glad to have been of service.

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  9. Impressive David and a pretty big undertaking but will give the whole army a new lease of life πŸ‘

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    1. I hope that it will enhance my mediocre painting, much as LMBS transfers do.

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  10. So glad you chose not to part with this wonderful collection... the time spent re-basing will be well spent judging by your usual basing skills. Can't wait to see the results!

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    1. They are ready for grass 'n tufting, which is more than I am!

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