"Converting plastic Republican Romans to Imperial?" Topic

Hi Guys,

Having purchased a few boxes of both Agema Republican Romans, WF Caesarians and Warlord Imperials…I wondered if it was possible to use these sets (or other plastics) to convert Republicans to early Imperial Romans?

I'd read in other threads that the changes regarding chainmail and then segmentata were sometimes gradual and that later troops used a general mixture of both?

Would it be possible to just change heads/helmets (or remove the plumes on Republicans) and purchase extra ones of 'square' scuta?

To clarify my dilemma, the increase in price of some makes of plastic imperial romans has made me hesitant to pay out any extra cash at the moment.

Thanks in advance!

With regards to the Lorica Hamata vis Lorica Segemtata, it is possible that some troops never converted over, and Hamata might have been worn continuously throughout the period.

For shields, you could simply clip the oval shields on the top and bottom to make Augustan era Legionaries, or go with the square scuta if you prefer that look (and era). Additionally for heads, if you have Coolus style helmets, those would work again for Augustan Legionaries, or do head swaps for the Imperial Gallic style helmets. Not sure how common Montifortino helmets would be in the EIR, but my feeling on that is that they would be increasingly rare in this period. I'm sure more experts will chime up…

Damon.

It could be done, but the savings in money (if any) would be minimal compared to the time involved IMHO. Should you end up cutting up 2 minis to make one, it might end up more expensive!

Maybe have a look around for second hand EIR on eBay? Even the lovely Foundry Perry metals can sometimes be had relatively cheaply- they are nicer than their plastic equivalents IMHO.

Add the auxilia head to the Caesarian body and you have got something close enough to an Augustan legionary in my view. Buy your plastics second hand too, there are plenty to be had.

Thanks for the advice guys.

Weighing up the general opinion, I think it's correct in stating that it'd be better to just keep my Republican Romans and Imperials as they are.

Instead I've trawled Ebay and picked up some nice Gripping Beast Imperial Romans for a knockdown price which should help boost my army considerably.

To the best of my knowledge Lorica Hamata and Lorica Squamata were used until the fall of Constantinople, so while Segmenta was around, both those types would be common too.

I was contemplating gluing Warlord Games EIR veteran heads onto Caesarian bodies. Anyone tried this?