Thursday, 26 February 2026

Saxon Archers

These Saxon archers from Wargames Foundry are rather nice figures, although their having only two poses and no head or kit variants places them firmly back in the Golden Age of wargaming armies, before the bijou game in a box, plaaaaastic figures and '50 figure armies' beloved of the Goldfish Gamer entered into the hobby! Other differing views of these trends are available of course.😉 I added a Saxon looking command figure from Wargames Foundry's Arthur & Characters pack to vary the look of the bases just a little. Back in the mists of time wargamers would have thought nothing unusual in 24 figure units comprised of just these two figures, perhaps adding a command figure or element. How times have changed... for better or worse is of course down to your opinion. I certainly welcome the variety it has brought in recent years to my finished units.
I've been trying to add some suggestions of embroidery to the tunics of these figures, a fiddly task made no easier by the perennial eye and hand issues. I'm quite pleased with how the additions look on the finished figures, though you are free to differ of course. It adds something to the finished look of the bases compared to simple plain tunics in my opinion at any rate.
I hope to be at 'Ommer'ead on Saturday, having received a kind offer of a lift through Paul, with Phil being involved elsewhere on family matters. I have preordered more 3mm MDF bases from Warbases as I have rather depleted my stock thanks to the Wars of the Roses project! I've included some circular bases of various sizes in the order as I may be rebasing the Heart of Darkness collection in due course. Beyond this minor purchase I have no List of intended purchases, though I hope to cast an eye over West Wind and Wargames Foundry with a view to bolstering the Arthurians and Early Saxons in the Lead Pimple. 
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12 comments:

  1. Phil Robinson26 February 2026 at 01:43

    Very nice work on the Ambridgers there Dave. I am sure there will be something to purchase you didn’t think you needed or wanted on the day. West Wind do a nice death of Arthur vignette if I recall😉

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    1. David26 February 2026 at 05:05

      You are too kind about my modest efforts with the Brush of Doom you know. I am sure you are right about purchases though, you know me of old...

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  2. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)26 February 2026 at 08:47

    Very nice work David! Always really like the foundry sculpts.

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    1. David26 February 2026 at 11:06

      Thank you Christopher, much appreciated of course. Foundry figures have stood the test of time in many ways, such a shame their price point stretches it a tad.

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  3. Norm26 February 2026 at 22:15

    Nice job, especially the bloke in the blue tunic, those two stripes around the bottom of the tunic are very nicely done …. especially in yellow, a tough combo to get right.

    Gripping Beast produce medieval archers (I think) in plastic and there was some commentary that they were limited in pose and head - to just three styles if I remember correctly.

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    1. David26 February 2026 at 22:25

      Thanks Norm, that's a plus for the old hand & eye which is welcome!

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  4. Steve J.26 February 2026 at 23:47

    Lovely work David and a good point about how we used to view our armies with limited poses throughout. These days I actually appreciate the simpler look, as I find it makes painting of units much easier, as you easily get into the swing with each pose.

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    1. David27 February 2026 at 01:36

      Back in the day we had little choice, nowadays we have almost too much. Strange how things go in cycles.

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  5. George Anderson26 February 2026 at 23:59

    You have done a fine job on those David. We are spoiled these days.

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    1. David27 February 2026 at 01:35

      Thank you George! You are right of course, oodles of choice.

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  6. Paul Watson28 February 2026 at 11:08

    Some very nice work there Dave it has to be said. Lovey to look at, despite your recent physical restrictions and limitations, you seem to be producing fine results as well as ever! Well done! Looking forward to the show...

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    1. David28 February 2026 at 11:34

      Thank you Paul, your kind sentiments are most welcome. I enjoyed the show as you know, thanks for organising the visit for me! See next post for more!

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