120mm Roman Archer Vignette

[Peter Day]

My next build will be this pair of Roman archers by Verlinden:



The first is an early Belgian production figure, though, unusually, it is bettered by the later US one.

I decided to start on the Belgian first, as I was worried by the face (see box art), which would have to be replaced if it didn't work out - plenty of heads, but only an ICM legionary helmet in the spares box. This is what I came up with:



Not great, but it is the kit head and at least it saved the nicely detailed helmet. The rest of the figure:



Thin plastic rod was provided with both figures for the arrow shafts, but it was too difficult to straighten. I'll probably use wire.

The second figure:



A really nice face on this one, which is a relief. Although the Romans used fairly standardised equipment, they didn't wears uniforms as such, so I'm going to give myself some leeway with the colour of the clothing. These Italian reenactors probably depict a more realistic Roman unit:

 

[Nap]

Hi Peter

Nice pairing of figures there as usual nice start on the first head even though you feel face isn't the best sculpt , helmet detail looks good

Following with interest on these

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[Nordman]

I really like it! Great start

 

[Blind Pew]

The better figure is possibly a Julian Hullis work, as he did do stuff for Verlinden. Good to see these old kits given a lease of life. Your instincts are right - go with wire. More durable and you know where you are with it.

 

[Stephen Hutchinson]

Morning Peter

Good start for the Roman duo and the original head too!

Looks like a interesting week with a free hand with the palette.

Have fun with the paints

Regards

Steve H

 

[misfit151]

Following this one Peter.... Mike

 

[1969]

You have my full attention with this one.
Steve

 

[Babelfish]

Judging by the quality of your work on pF thus far Peter, this promises to be one of the best things since the invention of the electric toaster.

- Steve

 

[Peter Day]

Oh the shame!!! Build cancelled.

Thanks very much for the encouraging words chaps, but this has all gone pear-shaped. I just can't paint them for some reason, so they've been stripped down and put back in their boxes. I'll look to resurrect the project at some point in the future.

Many apologies,

 

[Warren SMITH]

Sad to here Peter.. Usually by the time I come to read what you have been up to they are finished and in the cabinet.... Im sure down the track you will have another go and over come what you have considered their errors..

 

[Nap]

Oh the shame!!! Build cancelled.

Thanks very much for the encouraging words chaps, but this has all gone pear-shaped. I just can't paint them for some reason, so they've been stripped down and put back in their boxes. I'll look to resurrect the project at some point in the future.

Many apologies,

Shame thst Peter but no point pushing it if it's just not going for you ...and they are ready for resurrection when you wish

Look forward to the next project

Happy benchtine

Nap

 

[Stephen Hutchinson]

Morning Peter

Sorry to hear the archers are back in the box.

Hopefully the next victim will be more suited to where you are with the paint and brushes.

Looks like it will be a wild and wet end to the month and the wettest on record for years.

Its the cold which really bites!

Hopefully some warmer weather along with your next project

Have fun with the paints

Regards

Steve H

 

[Peter Day]

Warren - This stuff happens. On to the next one.

Nap - The figures aren't the best quality and were trying my patience too much. Best left alone when that happens.

Steve - Hi. Gone off the boil a bit, perhaps due to having lost my work space (kitchen extension) which is being replaced over the next few days. I'm installed in a spare bedroom, but the light's not so good, so I may have to restrict myself to preparation for the time-being, provided Royal Mail do their job.

 

[captnenglish]

My interest is piqued

 

[Stephen Hutchinson]

Morning Peter

Changing your work space can seriously upset your equilibrium.

Doing prep work sounds like a solid plan to maintain your momentum and preserve your painting mojo, whilst the kitchen is being upgraded.

Hopefully it wont go beyond the predicted time scales.

Builders can be a little woolly when it comes to timescales.

Have fun with the modelling.

Regards

Steve H

 

[Peter Day]

Morning Steve

Though it's taken the builder around 8 months to start the work, he's now working at warp speed due to his being so busy. - should easily be finished in a couple of days. I've decided on some Tamiya therapy and am working on a Panzer Lehr based on their tank commander figure. I've now arranged my temporary work space to my satisfaction, so I'll try some paint today.

 

[jimpy]

Aw don't tease us like that! I scrolled down eagerly to see how they'd look

In case anyone is interested in some technical background. The one with the short tunic was very clearly inspired by Ronald Embleton's 1980s reconstruction of the archer's tombstone from Carvoran (along the line of Hadrian's wall). The unit there was Coh I Hamiorum Sagittariorum ("First cohort of archers from Hamath"). This was originally raised in a town to the north of Damascus in central Syria.

Now here's the intriguing part. If specifically a Syrian or similar Eastern archer model is desired (and some would say that the helmet style dictates that this should be so), then the figure's pose is "problematic". Several thumb rings were found at the site which implies a thumb draw (and implies that the unit had retained it's Eastern archery traditions). In the thumb draw, a ring is worn on the right thumb and is used as a release device. Only the right thumb is used to draw the bow, not the fingers (this draw has advantages when used with recurved composite bows). With this draw the arrow has to lie on the right side of the bow. This makes that pose with the left palm downwards holding the relaxed bow horizontally very awkward and impractical to do.

Do not ever pay too much attention to what reenactors do. I have yet to see a "Syrian" archer reenactor performing a historically correct draw (including the one in your first photo). It's because the split fingered draw is much easier (and carries less risk of traumatically removing your thumbnail if you make a mistake - don't ask me how I know about that )

 

[Peter Day]

Hi Bob - Long binned I'm afraid though I did save a few serviceable parts for the spares box.