Minifigs SS16 (Bleaklands Barbarian Axeman) Cimmerian Chieftain

 Well, thanks to a great hobby colleague, Nick, I've finally got at least one of each of the old Minifigs Sword & Sorcery range infantry. He became a 'Bleaklands Barbarian Axeman' after certain IP lawyers apparently objected to the use of 'Cimmerian Chieftain'... ho hum. I still need lots of the cavalry (trying to pick up the old ones even though they're currently mostly being re-released by Dave Ryan over at Caliver/Minifigs here - go down the left hand side to Classic Sc-Fi & Fantasy Ranges). There's a tab at the top to my wants list(s).

I did paint one a while back, my only copy that was missing the axe... not my greatest paintjob... in truth I find old Minifigs quite difficult to bring to life. Richard Orclord Hale of Stuff of Legends has recently posted some wonderful paint jobs he commissioned. I look on in awe...

http://www.sodemons.com/rhminifigs/index.htm

The full range is pictured on the Lost Minis WIKI here.

That's it for now. Lots of new releases over at The Little Soldier Company... it'd be great if you popped over and picked some pieces up!

https://thelittlesoldiercompany.co.uk/

One new release is 'The Captain' over in the Emporium of Miscellany...

https://thelittlesoldiercompany.co.uk/the-emporium-of-miscellany

Star Wars Miniatures - Archive Style...

 

An excellent blog post over on the Star Wars Collectors Archive by Ron Salvatore and Yehuda Kleinman.

http://blog.theswca.com/2022/03/adventures-in-miniature-nevile-stockens.html

I blogged about these some time back but this article takes it to the next level and is well worth reading. My posts are here. Take note of the historical miniatures in one of the pics - Byzantine light cavalry, Huns, a Musketeer and a mailed cavalryman. I would love to find some more information on those as there is nothing out there that I have found as yet. Going off the scale by Nevile's eyes I don't think some are the 15mm Dark Ages range. A poor listing (here) on the WIKI seems very limited... I do have a few of the Ancients range and will eventually open the baggies and get them posted... for now though, we shall make do with what must be the 079 Sudanese Elephant with 3-man crew although the insert card is numbered 100. 

Nevile's customary signature...

So, only a short post today but, if you like the blog, please follow it and become a Politico (top left) - it makes me feel like I'm appreciated as does leaving a comment below!

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Any thoughts on anything please do leave a comment and/or email me on enquiries@deartonyblair.co.uk, even if it is to berate me for my penchant for coffee :)

Hinchliffe Guide to Wargaming - 1977

Clearing out cupboards is always fun - I have a habit of leaving old drawings / birthday cards etc from the children in places where I'll come across them when having a sort out... great memories. Anyway, this is an old Frank Hinchliffe tome that I believe had one of two later editions? Quite simplistic but a fun read. Scans should be large enough to download and read etc.

12th April 2022, added front cover of the Heritage version of the guide at the end. Courtesy of John Leahy.

Below is the US (Heritage Models Inc) version of the front cover. Thanks to John Leahy for this.

Lots more Hinchliffe Models posting here.

Three pics of a Hinchliffe Crusader I've recently (ish) finished barring varnish... picked up a bunch of them along with lots of Robin Hood minis that need to join the painting queue at some point... I'm snowed under with The Little Soldier Company stuff to paint at the moment though... being the slowest painter in the multiverse doesn't help things! Peter Gilder sculpt of course.

If you like the blog, please follow it and become a Politico (top left) - it makes me feel like I'm appreciated as does leaving a comment below!

Also, if you feel slightly flush, buying me a coffee is always appreciated...blogging can be thirsty work... https://ko-fi.com/davidwood 

Any thoughts on anything please do leave a comment and/or email me on enquiries@deartonyblair.co.uk, even if it is to just berate me for my penchant for coffee :)

A dialogue with Julian Benassi... plus Manchester Model Fair 1979

 

Following on from the recent post about his 25mm Greeks, I came across this interview in Model Soldier magazine... very late 70's I think; I've put them all away and have now forgotten...

Atlantic plastics were always something I wanted as a child... my dad's boss bought a bunch of WW2 figures for his son whilst in Italy I think and boy, was I ever jealous...

Lastly, a review of  Manchester Model Fair I went back on December 1st, 1979... I can remember going up the escalator to the venue but little of the show itself... amazing how a picture can jog a memory! A pic Joe Shaw sitting at the table in the first pic. He was a master painter and did the Poste Militaire large scale minis I used to drool over at Northern Militaire and other shows back in the day. I chatted to him on the few occasions he came to the GW Manchester shop (where I worked for 2 out of 3 years in the early to mid 80's). Lovely bloke.. he was after the old complete adventurer which was already long oop so I searched mine out and gave it to him. Never saw it painted unfortunately.

Again the images should be high enough resolution to download and peruse at your leisure.

If you like the blog, please follow it and become a Politico (top left) - it makes me feel like I'm appreciated as does leaving a comment below!

If you feel slightly flush, buying me a coffee is always appreciated...tomorrow is cinnamon twist roll at the park.. blogging can be thirsty work... https://ko-fi.com/davidwood 

Any thoughts on anything please do leave a comment and/or email me on enquiries@deartonyblair.co.uk, even if it is to berate me for my penchant for coffee :)

Peter Laing 15mm Catalogue - possibly 1980?

 

Well, as the title suggests... I think it's from 1980 but could be wrong. Quite a growth from when he started in 1972. I do remember sending off for a sample figure back in the early to mid 70's (self stamped addressed envelope and a postal order etc)... the mini I received was 'interesting' to my young eyes... indeed I had no idea what had been sent and it put me off metals for a while. Shame as now I would love to have some examples. Lots of excellent blogs out there for collectors of his pieces. They do come up on eBay etc regularly but are soon snapped up.

Edit... found the little nugget... can't remember what year/month/mag it was from but does anyone else know what happened after this?

Some excellent blog articles below - please let me know if I've missed any etc and I'll add them.

https://collectingpeterlaing15mmfigures.wordpress.com/

https://manoftinblog.wordpress.com/tag/peter-laing-15mm/

http://timstanks.blogspot.com/2015/06/peter-laing-15mm-miniatures.html

https://sidetracked2017blog.wordpress.com/tag/15mm-peter-laing-figures/

https://battlegames.co.uk/memories-of-peter-laing/

https://wargamingmiscellanybackup.wordpress.com/2012/05/11/peter-laing-15mm-scale-pioneer/

https://wargamehermit.blogspot.com/2019/03/exciting-new-peter-laing-find.html

https://wargamehermit.blogspot.com/search/label/Peter%20Laing

A few images I've gathered on the internet/eBay... not sure who the original owner is anywhere so full kudos to them and, if any objection I will remove of course. Only here for illustrative purposes.

Hopefully the images of the catalogue are high enough resolution to see properly and/or download etc. If you enjoy the blog, please follow it and become a Politico (top left) - it makes me feel like I'm appreciated! Also, if you fancy buying me a coffee, I'm always grateful... blogging is thirsty work... thank you to those that have sent me my caffeine fix already!

https://ko-fi.com/davidwood

Any thoughts please do leave a comment and/or email me on enquiries@deartonyblair.co.uk