"Ancient Italians and Tarentines in 25mm/28mm" Topic

Hi all – just finished reading a mate's book ('Pyrrhus of Epirus', by Jeff Champion – Pen & Sword Publications) and, strangely enough, had this urge to acquire some more lead.

Specifically, I want to get my hands on some suitable 25/28mm Ancient Italians, to help morph my Hellenistic hordes into an Epirot army. My existing phalanx is
largely Old Glory with some Newline figures as well (supported by a Newline/old Foundry skirmish screen), so I'd be happier if the new additions weren't _too_
much different in size.

I know that Old Glory and Magister Militum/Navigator both have reasonably priced Ancient Italian ranges – could anyone advise what they are like in the hand?

Cheers,
Paul.

I am not an expert in this area but I think these may be of interest –
Crusader has just launched Oscans
link
Gorgon has announced Etruscans
gorgon-studios.com
I suspect they will mix well together.
Regards
Mick

I'd second Mick on the Crusader Oscans. Jusging from the rest of the Crusader ancients, they'll be a reasonable match for Old Glory and Newline.

Now Gorgon's Etruscan First Class will certainly fit in as any Italian hoplites, although they're not noticeably "Italianized". Their 2d and 3d class figures, which will be coming shortly, are definitely northern Italian, so wouldn't work so well for Pyrrhus's allies down south. Now I suspect that with a little encouragement, Ed and Dave would not object to haveing Steve sculpt some southern Italians later on.

I've done two "Italian" armies for army lists that now will never see the light of day: one with smaller figures, and one with larger. The larger was easy: A&A Samnites, supllemented with Redoubt's. They're too big for what you want.

The "smaller" figures I had put together first, over man years. They included Tin Soldier, Newline (now SHQ), Navigator (now MM), and Old Glory.

I have to say that the Old Glory were the ones that pleased me least. Their Oscan figures have very clunky armor. And the use of common heads stuck on different bodies to achieve variety leads to some awkward poses. If you need unarmored, helmeted figures, though, don't overlook Old Glory's "Italian Spearmen" pack in the Republican Roman range. Those are quite good (but could stand a shield swap).

Newline's Samnites are fine for what you want. Navigator has a couple of very attractive figures, but some poses that aren't all that good. When Navigator was producing them, I had a lot of helmet feathers that were incompletely cast.

Helmet feathers will be your bane. Old Glory, A&A, Redoubt, Navigator: all tend to break off in normal packaging and shipping. Newline's are better designed and sturdier. I believe Mark has intentionally done a better design with the Crusader ones, as well.

Long way around the barn to say: if I were doing now what you are doing, I would probably head straight for Crusader, and pick up some personality figures from Newline and Magister Militum. But also do not discount Gripping Beast's "Italian allies" in their RR range, especially if you want Campanian hoplites with characteristically Italian armor.

Allen

Also worth looking at the Aventine ranges; their Volscians are very characteristically Italian. I gather that they have Tarentine phalangites and light cavalry in the pipeline. They would be larger than OG/MM; they are slightly taller than Crusader, but I think would work well with the latter.

link

Cheers, Simon

Thanks gents – plenty to go on with there. Special thanks to Allen for a very comprehensive and useful reply.

Allen, I know it has been said before, but I think the decision by whoever the hell is driving WAB now to can 'Rise of Rome' was incredibly short-sighted. Even if it was only half as good as 'Hannibal' it still would have been a great addition to the range.

Cheers,
Paul.

Thanks, Paul! The lists at least may yet go public in some form; just haven't decided were to host them yet. I'm not much good at that, so the already-offered help of good friends may be the key!

Allen

Alan

For some unknown reason (LOL) I would love to see the lists go public but fully understand the situation at present. Whatever you decide good luck.

Redoubt Miniatures also do a nice range of Oscans that work very well sizewise with Navigator and Newline.

…and there are also the Mirliton ranges, which I believe are smaller 28s.

link

Simon

Dang. Placed my order earlier today before seeing the other ranges – they do look pretty neat. Thanks anyway Simon, Adster – have saved a couple of links for future reference.

Cheers,
Paul.

I have not seen the Crusader ones yet but I have the Roman Republic and Carthaginians. Judging by the size compairison of those to Old Glory and Newline I would recommend the Crusader Italians as well.
VR
James Mattes

As a footnote, Mark Sims has just stated on the Crusader Yahoo group that he will be releasing Campanian hoplites in the next few weeks, along with Apulians and an Italian general.

Essex do a nice Tarentine light cavalryman. Good comments above on the infantry types!

Paul

"Now Gorgon's Etruscan First Class will certainly fit in as any Italian hoplites, although they're not noticeably "Italianized". Their 2d and 3d class figures, which will be coming shortly, are definitely northern Italian, so wouldn't work so well for Pyrrhus's allies down south. Now I suspect that with a little encouragement, Ed and Dave would not object to haveing Steve sculpt some southern Italians later on."

It would not take much at all. This is certainly not official in any way, but Gorgon has always wanted to have a few extra packs of early Roman/Tullian hoplites added to the early Etruscan range to give people the option to do a Roman hoplite force. Thereby also creating two opposing armies using a core of Greek-styled hoplites supplemented by some more specific Etruscan or Roman hoplites. So a few additional early Italian figures is within the realm of possibility.

Dave