As I mentioned previously, I'm basing up a new Amazon army in 15mm scale. The figures are from the Armies of Arcana range, a small but exquisite line of figures, currently sold by Lone Gunman Games. They were painted for us by Old Guard Painters in Ukraine.
![Panther Panther](showcase/fanshowcase/2019/81464k.jpg)
This week, I'm getting to Amazons and panthers. I don't know why, but panthers seem such a natural match for Amazons. I went with black panthers; the manufacturer's website shows them in golden tan if you want to see an alternate look. The Armies of Arcana line provides panthers that specifically go with their Amazon riders. I decided to field three different troop types for Mighty Armies, using the 2" square bases due to the length of the panther models.
Amazon Princess-General on Panther
![Amazon Princess-General on Panther Amazon Princess-General on Panther](showcase/fanshowcase/2019/81464a.jpg)
Last time, I showed you an Amazon commander riding a Griffin. For a more earth-bound option (or a larger army!), I decided to have an Amazon princess riding a panther.
![Amazon Princess-General on Panther Amazon Princess-General on Panther](showcase/fanshowcase/2019/81464b.jpg)
I thought the base would look bare with only the Princess, so I added regular mounted Amazon warriors to her flanks. The models are quite similar, but the warriors are distinguished by wide shoulderpads and a skirt-flap.
![Amazon Princess-General on Panther Amazon Princess-General on Panther](showcase/fanshowcase/2019/81464c.jpg)
I followed good advice, and bent the sword-arms to give more variety in pose to the Amazons.
![Amazon Princess-General on Panther Amazon Princess-General on Panther](showcase/fanshowcase/2019/81464d.jpg)
The shield pattern is engraved onto the model. There are some unfortunate bumps in the paint in the white sections of the shield; I'll convince myself that it's from battlefield repairs.
![Amazon Princess-General on Panther Amazon Princess-General on Panther](showcase/fanshowcase/2019/81464e.jpg)
Amazon Warriors on Panthers
![Amazon Warriors on Panther Amazon Warriors on Panther](showcase/fanshowcase/2019/81464f.jpg)
My next base is simply an Amazon cavalry base without a commander, using three Amazon mounted warriors.
![Amazon Warriors on Panther Amazon Warriors on Panther](showcase/fanshowcase/2019/81464g.jpg)
I only went for one base, as Amazons riding panthers would be rare and elite, right?
![Amazon Warriors on Panther Amazon Warriors on Panther](showcase/fanshowcase/2019/81464h.jpg)
To make it easier to tell the troop types apart, I based the Amazon warriors in echelon rather than in arrow formation.
![Amazon Warriors on Panther Amazon Warriors on Panther](showcase/fanshowcase/2019/81464i.jpg)
Again, I carefully posed the sword-arms prior to sending the models off to the painting service, to add visual variety.
Panthers With a Bladedancer
![Panthers With a Bladedancer Panthers With a Bladedancer](showcase/fanshowcase/2019/81464l.jpg)
For my third and last panthers troop type, I decided to have a pair of panthers on a base, along with a 'beastmaster'-type figure.
![Panthers With a Bladedancer Panthers With a Bladedancer](showcase/fanshowcase/2019/81464m.jpg)
I decided that one of the Bladedancer figures would work well as a panther tamer.
![Panthers With a Bladedancer Panthers With a Bladedancer](showcase/fanshowcase/2019/81464j.jpg)
You always spot the mistakes after you take the photographs! Looks like the panthers got some flock on them when I gave the base its final sealcoat… I'll clean that up later!