BlackWidowPilot  | 13 Jul 2009 9:15 p.m. PST |
TMP's own "nycjadie" and I have launched two related proposals on Wargames Factory's Liberty & Union League, for Ming Dynasty Chinese Infantry and Ming Chinese Armoured Cavalry respectively. Since the initial announcement, they have languished at a mere 12% pre-order commitment apiece. IMHO, given the actual history of the 16th century Ming Chinese army, this is a terribly missed opportunity for our fellow hobbyists, who are missing out on an army that fought more than one foreign opponent, and would have excellent value for fantasy gamers as well. IMHO the 16th Century Ming Chinese army is the arguably one of the most neglected subjects in 28mm given the popularity of their samurai opponents, to say nothing of the fact that the Ming fought Jurchens, Chinese rebels galore, Mongols, and the Manchu. They would also be a natural fit as an exotic fantasy human army, being both very colourful and having a quite diverse arsenal that includes cannon, handguns, repeating crossbows, and multiple rocket launcher systems. In their day, the Ming armies of the 16th century were quite formidable in their own right, and the individual Chinese soldier may not have had the fancy armour and training of his samurai opponents, but the contemporary accounts of the Imjin War (1592-98) confirm that the Chinese soldiers did not lack for frankly reckless courage and aggression in any sense, and were instrumental in ultimately derailing Hidyoshi's invasion of Korea and forcing the Japanese to fall back to the Korean coast, and eventual withdrawal. Here is the thread on WF's fora with a more detailed breakdown and all sorts of pictures both reconstructions of Ming troops and contemporary illustrations:
link
Of the many armies that fought throughout the history of the Far East, the Ming Chinese of the 16th century IMHO are a well and thoroughly missed opportunity in 28mm. Given their often daunting size, producing Ming troops in 28mm hard plastic with multiple weapon options on the sprue will enable gamers historical and fantasy alike to field impressive Ming armies to battle samurai, Mongols, or even orcs and goblins alike, and look quite fetching in their exotic armour, colourful uniforms, and at times eccentric gunpowder weapon systems that were effective in their own right (watch the video I link to on the WF forum!).
So c'mon you apes! Ya wanna live forever?! 
Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net
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| Lou from BSM | 14 Jul 2009 6:18 a.m. PST |
I'm inspired to research this further… I've been thinking long and hard o what armies are under represented in 28mm scale, or not represented at all. This may fill the void for me!!! |
| Beaumap | 14 Jul 2009 1:11 p.m. PST |
Personally, I like exotic wargames armies – and enthusiasts. However, most wargamers want armies that have some 'emotional resonance' or connection to their own lives and education. Also, most enthusiasts begin to bore most who do not share the enthusiasm. I therefore prophesy that you will only get Ming figures when Chinese people get more into Wargaming. |
| Farstar | 14 Jul 2009 1:26 p.m. PST |
"when Chinese people get more into Wargaming" I've known several Chinese gamers over the years, and I used to game with a Mongolian. |
| Tongster | 14 Jul 2009 4:55 p.m. PST |
As one of those semi-mythical wargamers of Chinese descent, and one who actually partially researched those goofy Ming weapons back while I was still studying traditional archery, I really hope these make it into production. |
| BlackWidowPilot | 14 Jul 2009 7:31 p.m. PST |
"As one of those semi-mythical wargamers of Chinese descent, and one who actually partially researched those goofy Ming weapons back while I was still studying traditional archery, I really hope these make it into production."
Tongster,
then why not sign up for a few sprues?!! Every bit will help, and if we push this to that 100%/1000 sprue pre-order commitment, then this army will become a 28mm reality…
Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net
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| nycjadie | 15 Jul 2009 6:15 a.m. PST |
I would love to see Tony produce some rank and file for this army. I'm busy painting the Perry Bros. samurai and choson. Hopefully, we'll get some Ming on the way soon. |
| Tongster | 15 Jul 2009 9:37 a.m. PST |
Yah, I signed up for a few of the archer sprues. |
| BlackWidowPilot | 15 Jul 2009 12:19 p.m. PST |
"Yah, I signed up for a few of the archer sprues."
Actually, IIRC that's an either/or sprue that will contain parts for several figures with separate arms and weapons, so a sprue will allow one to produce spearmen, swordsmen, archers, crossbowmen, or (I hope!) rocketeers with those hand held rocket launcher thingees… the cavalry BTW are definitely going to follow a similar format, with parts for making partially and/or fully armoured riders wielding lances, kuando, bows, or swords.
Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net
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| Tongster | 15 Jul 2009 2:53 p.m. PST |
I once considered trying to put together one of those rocket launchers to show up my historical-reenactment archer friends. Then I though, my gf-at-the-time probably would be annoyed after I blew myself up . . . . |
| BlackWidowPilot | 15 Jul 2009 8:58 p.m. PST |
LOL!!! Well, at least the Mythbusters didn't wimp out:
YouTube link
Now THAT would be a project for reenactors to tackle….
Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net
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| BlackWidowPilot | 17 Jul 2009 5:26 p.m. PST |
Thanks to everyone who signed up recently for the Ming Chinese! Both proposals just clambered to 14% pre-order commitment apiece since I posted this message! C'mon you apes! Ya wanna live forever?!
Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net
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| BlackWidowPilot | 18 Jul 2009 7:34 a.m. PST |
Make that 16% as of late last night. C'mon you apes! Keep moving!
Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net
|
| Warbeads | 18 Jul 2009 10:52 a.m. PST |
How many per sprue would be reasonable to expect? Gracias, Glenn |
| Warbeads | 18 Jul 2009 11:06 a.m. PST |
Okay, I seriously doubt this will strike enough hearts/brains/souls but what the heck, I like lost causes! I ordered 10 infantry sprues and 10 cavalry sprues. How I am going to mix them with Californios or Supers I have no clue… Gracias, Glenn |
| BlackWidowPilot | 18 Jul 2009 10:27 p.m. PST |
Glenn, Thank you SIR! We need all the help we can get on this one, especially getting through to enough gamers already googly-eyed about the vaunted samurai that these guys are the historical enemies of the samurai, and *beat* *them* in the Imjin War more often than not!
You appear to have made the Ming infantry sprue (4-5 figures most likely) jump to 17%; welcome to the Dark Side (we have pizza and beer… or Tsingtao and dim sum if you prefer)….
Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net
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| BlackWidowPilot | 20 Jul 2009 5:16 p.m. PST |
The Ming Chinese Armoured Cavalry just hit 19% today!
C'mon you apes!! Ya wanna live forever?!!
Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net
|
| clibinarium | 24 Jul 2009 11:53 a.m. PST |
Sounds like you guys might be interested in this announcement/request;
TMP link |
| BlackWidowPilot | 25 Jul 2009 9:05 a.m. PST |
"clibanarium," thanks for the heads-up! I just pinged David over at Kingsford re: assisting with the research if he decides to do the Ming, starting with the accumulated images piled up on this topic on the WF L&UL forum. One way or another….
Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net
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| BlackWidowPilot | 27 Jul 2009 10:58 a.m. PST |
Here's my latest proposed breakdown of the Ming Chinese infantry sprue configuration:
link
The Ming Chinese infantry proposal has since wriggled up to 20% pre-order commitment. Keep it comin' people!
Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net
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| BlackWidowPilot | 17 Aug 2009 11:01 a.m. PST |
The Ming Chinese infantry just jumped to 25% recently. The Ming Armoured Cavalry are still at 19%… C'MON YOU APES!!! YA WANNA LIVE FOREVER?!!!
Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net
|
| Oninotaki | 19 Aug 2009 3:36 p.m. PST |
I really have to agree with BlackWidowPilot that the Ming Chinese are excellent candidates for a plastics sprue. Especially if we can then convince Kingsford to do metals to supplement them. Not only are they an intriguing historical army that was on the very verge of the end of medieval warfare and the beginnings of the era of gun powder, but they also have a very distinct look and armament that makes them prime candidates for alternative GW Empire armies. Sadly I have already placed as many preorders as I can on these sprues without the amount being obscene. That however doesnt stop me from wanting to see these to reach completion. Especially since Wargames factory is already got a 100% plastics samurai sprue they are working on, and they plan on releasing Hundred Years War plastics on their own. That means that from just one company you could have ridiculously entertaining what if battles between beautiful samurai, ming, french & english knights, and Romans! Now come on who wouldnt love to see those guys duke it out for our own entertainement! |
| BlackWidowPilot | 20 Aug 2009 9:08 a.m. PST |
Ditto here on the preorders. It just seems IMHO that enough people do not yet appreciate the Ming Chinese army of the Imjin War for its unique appearance and *successful* combat record against the samurai… Then again, if just enough *fantasy* gamers get on board with this…
Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net
|
| BlackWidowPilot | 21 Aug 2009 1:11 p.m. PST |
Ming Chinese Infantry proposal at 30% today!
Ming Chinese Armoured Cavalry proposal at 21% now!
Keep it up, people!
Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net
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