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.



Tuesday, 3 February 2026

An Old/New Project

As my regular readers will surely recall I recently sold off my Late Roman collection to Aly Morrison. Well, rather that is I sold off most of the collection. I kept back several units as I thought I might like to delve into Sub-Roman Britain, with Arthurian and Saxon overtones! These are the figures I kept back ~

The core of what I hope will eventually become my Sub-Romans/Britons These are all Foundry figures of course bar the Aventine slingers from their Early Byzantine range.
The core of my Saxon force, again all Foundry figures bar the Gripping Beast army command stand and the lone Champion, a Wargames Illustrated Giant in Miniature I think.
I've already ordered some figures to add to these army cores, not only from Foundry but also from 1st Corps and from Gripping Beast. From Foundry  I added a pack of Saxon Archers, but I will need to add figures to the Saxon Skirmishers' bases with two further packs from the Enemies of Rome range. In addition for the Britons I added a Command pack and a pack of infantry attacking. {I'll need a second pack of those, old age 👴🏻 leading to misordering I fear!}
 From 1st Corps I took advantage of their New Year Sale and added a Sub-Roman and a Saxon Warband from their Saga listings, the former including a second mounted unit alongside the Pedyts. From Gripping Beast I added the Wolftails and their Command figures and some Early Saxon characters. I'd hope to add to these at 'Ommer'ead in late February with a couple of pre-orders! None though are even cleaned up yet, so don't get your hopes up, I'm still plodding slowly on with my Foundry Crimean War Roosian Cossacks at present. Three are done so far, seven to go!
I do plan to add figures to this project from other manufacturers in due course, especially if I find figures I know and like or figures from manufacturers I have not previously used. In the former category I'm much taken by Phil's Footsore Miniatures collection so might get some later on, while in the latter I came across Newline Designs and Essex Miniatures both of which might be worth a look in the future for the odd figure or two. There will naturally be no plaaaaastics included in this project.


14 comments:

  1. There is lots of life in the old dog yet it seems, more power to your elbow going forward!

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  2. Nice core forces for both sides. Do you have a favoured set of rules? From memory I seem to recall your good self and Phil enjoying your own modified version of the Neil Thomas rules when you last had these forces out.

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    1. Hail Caesar I expect Norm, but a long way off yet.

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  3. Looks great David and I'm really looking forward to seeing where this goes. I collect both Late and Sub Romans as they are similar and in some situations interchangeable although one is more uniformed then the other. I agree on metal being the best choice. I'm trying to use plastics more, but finding it hard going especially 28mm with assembly, feel, look and heft issues.

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    1. Thanks Christopher! To be fair plaaaaastics are in my view too lightweight and flimsy, but each to their own.

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  4. A nice core collection from which to build your forces up from David:). A period that has always fascinated me from a very young age, probably due to various tv series and books on Arthur and Merlin.

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    1. The unknown is what appeals, probably 'acceptable sudo-fantasy' for the historical gamer?

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  5. Been there done it, a great period choice David, and so much to choose from.

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    1. I may call on your expertise in mid March as we shall be staying nearby again.

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  6. I look forward to learning more about this project. It's a period I love. I also prefer metal to plastic but it's the various resins that, in my ignorance of what's good or bad, I most avoid.
    My rule choice for the period is Too Fat Lardies "Dux Britanniarium".
    Stephen

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    1. I hope you will enjoy my slow progress Stephen. As to TFL rules, NO thank you! Hail Caesar will do for us!

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