Back to Ottomans

After a slight diversion on some fantasy models for Rangers of Shadow Deep, its back to painting more Ottomans. I never really stopped painting them, just added a colour here and there till now their completion. First up is 2 more units of irregular infantry from Roundway.

These guys will not be much use in the musket era, but their numbers will hopefully overwhelm the enemy.

Next is the last of my Dellis. 2 more regiments from the old Mikes models range. Not exactly historically accurate but I like them.

With these done, there is 1 more regiment of Sipahi's to complete and a few regiments of Jannisarries.

RoSD extras

The one thing I'm enjoying about this game before I've even played it  is the excuse to dig out figures from the lead and plastic pile that have just sat unloved and unpainted.

First up is a werewolf. I picked this up as part if a Nickstarter for Frostgrave. I know there is a mission book that needs 2 if these and I already had one painted.

Next are 2 Ogres from the old Chronicle range by Nick Lunds. Lovely figures if a tad smaller than the later Jes Goodwin models that came out. Quite fancy getting a couple more of these.

Following these I've added a few more companions just to keep options open and to allow a second ranger to be fielded by a club member. The first 2 are a savage and archer from the Frostgrave Barbarians set. The last is an old pre-slotta Citadel Captain. Forgot how much I liked this figure.

Now lastly is something of an experiment and constitutes the first purchases for this game. They are plastic spiders from a Halloween set. You get 30 for £1.59. The only issue I have is they struggle to hold paint. May need to add a layer of varnish. Just gave them a quick dry brush as seem OK size wise.

Now I need to spend some time sorting out my ranger for Thursday's game.

RoSD update

While I'm still in the groove for painting I've continued completing some additional figures that I'll need for the first game. So first up was some additional companions.

These are an additional archer which is an old Bretonian squire figure. The other is a Frostgrave apprentice that looks suitable as an Arcanist.

These two figures are from the Frostgrave plastic Barbarians. The one on the left will be an additional Rogue. The one on the right can either be an Archer or Tracker.

Lastly are 5 more Skeletal warriors, added to the others brings me up to 10. More than enough for this game.

So what's left? I've a couple of savages and an archer from Frostgrave Barbarians. There is another Conjurer,  knight , Templar and a Man at Arms. For bad guys there is a werewolf and some giant spiders.

RoSD Companions and Monsters

As mentioned in my last post I've been digging around in the old figure collection for suitable figures for Rangers of Shadow Deep (RoSD). The first figures were already painted but just needed so TLC. They've provided a Conjurer, Barbarian, Templar and Hound. The Conjurer and Barbarian are old Grenadier sculpts. The Templar is from Crusader miniatures and the Hound is from Gripping beast.

The next group of figures are all from Northstars Frostgrave range. These did require building and painting. They have provided a Soldier, Rogue, Archer and a 2nd Templar.

The 3 plastic figures were a joy to paint. Shame I don't have any more sprues of these. What I did have was some leftover Cultists who are now in the service of the Shadow Deep as Skeletal warriors. There are 5 more just awaiting basing.

Not a bad start. I've already got another Archer, Rogue and Arcanist being painted up. I also picked up some very cheap plastic spiders from a Halloween set that with a quick drybrush should look the business. Now to look forward to my first game next week.

Rangers of Shadow Deep

I've decided to take the plunge on this game. I've always enjoyed Frostgrave by the same author, even though mages were never my thing. This game with Rangers has a bit more appeal.

After ordering the rules and browsing through a PDF version, I decided to have a dig around in the collection for some suitable miniatures.

First up, a Ranger is required. Despite looking enviously at the latest models from Northstar l decided to use a couple of spare GW Lord of the rings figures. They are very similar to the official figures.

Now for companions, l painted up a couple of the Frostgrave plastic adventurers. Kept the colours simple.

I'll need more than these 2 doughty fellows. So  far the old collection has unearthed a barbarian, a wolf hound, conjurer and a knight. These guys are currently just in  need of some TLC and new bases.

For Beasties, I've plenty of undead, though Gnolls are one thing l don't have. Will likely substitute Orcs for these.

More Ottomans

After focusing for a while on the mounted troops l decided to switch to the infantry to give their numbers a boost. These are both units of Azabs, 1 with muskets and the other armed for melee. The figures are mainly Roundway with a few spare Mikes Models added to make up the unit.

I also had a mooch through the unpainted pile for this project. I've enough figures for 3 more cavalry regiments, 4 units of Jannisarries and 2 more Azabs. After that I'll need to make some purchases for some artillery and an Army General.

Overall quite pleased with how this army is turning out. Just need to get a game with it. Mick has offered to fight it with his Russians later in the year to try out some new rule adaptations.

Now just because I fancied, here is the cavalry so far. A good mix of heavies and lights.

Ottoman Sipahi

Yet more progress. These guys were not quite finished yesterday as needed their bases completed. They are 3 squadrons of Sipahi from Mikes Models. Always wanted to paint a unit of these and they didn't disappoint. I'll probably use them as a elite unit as I've painted them more uniform than the others.

I'm so glad I've got enough figures to paint another unit of these after I finish some infantry and more Dellis

Ottoman Allies - Wallachians and Delli's

Work has continued on my Ottoman army. This time concentrating on some of the allied cavalry. First up is 2 extra regiments on Wallachians. These are the old Mikes Models, still available from Essex miniatures.

These extra 6 squadrons bring my Wallachians up to 12.

Next was 4 squadrons of Dellis. Again these figures are the old Mikes Models. These are not as nice as more modern sculpts. I already had 2 squadrons painted so this rounds them out at 2 regiments.

With an order from Roundway newly arrived I can look to add some more infantry after i finish another regiment if Siphahi.

Ottoman Turks

At last my painting mojo seems to be returning. Over the last 2 weeks has seen a bit of progress in my Ottoman army. This also coincided with a bargain I picked up from EBay  which provided the stimulus to get things painted.

First up is 6 squadrons of Siphahi from Roundway miniatures. Seemed to paint up better than the last batch I did.

Next up were 6 squadrons of Akinji, also from Roundway. Now these I did not enjoy painting, but persevered to get them finished.

Next were 2 units if irregular infantry armed with melee weapons. These were part of the Ebay purchase and are the old Mikes Models.

Next were 2 squadrons of Wallachian cavalry, again Mikes Models. These were added to the 4 squadrons I had painted up over 30 years ago.

Lastly was 6 new commanders. A mixture of Roundway and Mikes Models. I've also included a group photo.

As I mentioned I picked up a bargain from EBay which included 19 packs of Mikes Models Turks. All for £10. They include Siphahi, Dellus, Wallachians, Infantry and officers. Keep me going for a while.