Monday, 18 November 2024

Naismith Design Aztecs / Mayans - back to the 80's!

 

Back in the early 80's Bob Naismith sculpted a massive range of figures in both 15 and 25mm for Navwar, under the umbrella of Naismith Design. Until recently the 15mm were still available but unfortunately the owner, Tony Anderson, passed away in May this year.

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Navwar founder, Tony Anderson, who left us on 12/05/2024 at the age of 78. Tony spent over 55 years building his wargaming and ships business and his passion and attention to detail has been second to none. He will be greatly missed.

The business will continue to be operated by Tony's wife (Noshi Anderson) with the casting of models to continue. Please have patience with us whilst we transition at this difficult time.

(Via TMP) - The company was originally a partnership between Bob Naismith and Navwar, with casting taking place sometimes in Glasgow and sometimes in London. It was never more than a part-time income for Bob, however, so he instead moved on (around 1984) to work with Bryan Ansell at Citadel Miniatures and Naismith Design became wholly owned by Navwar.

Bob is (obviously!) notable for his original sculpts of the Citadel / Games Workshop Space Marines... started with a limited edition (limited to how many they could cast I think) and the followed up with the wonderful C100 range (image c/o Stuff of Legends, link to the page below).


I bought a few of the Aztec baggies back in the day, not sure where from, possibly mail order however then, more recently, picked up a load with a veiw to getting them up on the blog and the Lost Minis WIKI! Greater love hath no man. He did Aztecs, Mayans, Inca and Conquistadores for this genre... lots of others such as Roman, Ancient Greek, Medieval etc which were all in the same lovely style.

AZTECS

AZ1 Novice Warrior, Spear and Shield at Ease


AZ2 Warrior, Quilted Tunic, Firing Bow



AZ3 Warrior, Quilted Tunic, Throwing over arm



AZ4 Warrior, Quilted Tunic, Charging


AZ5 Warrior, Quilted Tunic with Two Handed Cutting Weapon



AZ6 Warrior, Quilted Battlesuit, Tall Helmet, Charging



AZ7 Warrior, Quilted Battlesuit, Cylindrical Helmet, Throwing



AZ8 Warrior, Quilted Battlesuit, Coyote Helmet, Receiving



AZ9 Warrior, Quilted Battlesuit, Veteran (Quachic), Advancing


AZ10 Warrior Priest, Quilted Battlesuit (Slashed Ears), Standing


AZ11 Warrior, Quilted Battlesuit, Helmet, Raising Arms



AZ12 Jaguar Knight, Quilted Battlesuit, at Ease



AZ13 Jaguar Knight, Quilted Battlesuit, Advancing



AZ14 Eagle Knight, Advancing



AZ15 Pack of Assorted Back Banners and Supports



AZ16 Aztec with Quilted Tunic and Sling



AZ51 Aztec Weapon Pack



AZ60 Otomi Knight with Bow and Cutting Weapon


AZ61 Arrow Knight

MAYANS

AZ28 Peasant Infantry with Sling



AZ29 Peasant Infantry, Advancing



AZ30 Officer with Back Banner


AZ31 Musician with Trumpet and Maracas



AZ32 Standard Bearer with Feather Banner



AZ33 Warrior, Spear and Bow

Missing this one!

AZ34 Warrior, Throwing Spear



AZ35 Warrior on Guard



AZ36 Warrior at Ease



AZ37 Warrior, Charging



AZ38 Warrior, Advancing



AZ39 Warrior, Attacking


Missing all codes until AZ50 below.

There is an AZ44 on Lost Minis c/o Miniman although no description and I can't make out the figure unfortunately.


AZ50?


AZ52 Mayan Weapon Pack



EQUIPMENT GROUPS

EQ7 Inca War Dogs & Handler



EQ8 Inca Religious Group



EQ9 Inca Chieftain on Litter



Can't find my chieftain figure... I did have a Slann conversion for it (somewhere else on blog)


PA2 Aztec General in Human Skin Suit with Back Banners


There is an eleven pack Conquistador range that I'll put up at some point. I'll also take some pics of my loose ones.

Some of the Naismith Design packs are up on the WIKI, these will follow at some point.

 https://www.miniatures-workshop.com/lostminiswiki/index.php?title=Naismith_Design

You can find a bunch of other images and stuff on Bob on the blog via the Naismith Design label;

http://www.deartonyblair.co.uk/search/label/Naismith%20Design

There's a great Osprey book on Aztecs etc on Amazon available below (associate link so I'd get a penny or so if you do purchase)

Aztec, Mixtec and Zapotec Armies: v. 239 (Men-at-Arms)

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Email as always; enquiries@deartonyblair.co.uk

1 comment:

Independentwargamesgroup said...

For me the Naismith range of Aztecs was and still is the best range of figures for that nation. I collected a lovely army of these figures in the 1990s. Sadly I didnt have satsifactory rules to reflect their unique mode of warfare.I used WRG renaissance rules which just didn't feel right. Diectly after I came second at the Salute painting competition I sold the army to an American collector and never saw them again, well apart from a photograph in the Wargames Illustrated. They were beautiful figures.