Airfix Romans

After my most recent Impetus game I thought I would dig out my old Airfix Romans.

These guys are really old.  I'm thinking some time in the 1970s.  The clue is the basing for 6th Edition.

Love this pose.  

I am not sure where the "advice" came from, but I replaced the swords and scabbards, repositioned the shields (also I carved off the wing symbols) and gave them a helmet crest.

The crazy thing was cutting them off their bases so I could get the ultra flat look.

Only eight figures, not enough for an Impetus unit and I'm not going to try and repeat the conversion, plus they need at least pants and a flesh wash (and I can't paint sandals like I used to).  However I have a collection of Airfix Romans put aside for a DBA army (to match my Airfix Ancient Britons) which has provided 16 figures.  Stay tuned.

While I was putting things back, some metal figures fell off and landed on these other Airfix Romans (that I would have painted around the same time).

The metal figures came off worse but when I saw I had 12 of these Roman archer figures (and them being a favourite and all) they are getting repaired and will make up a unit (just because I can).

The Airfix set came out in 1967.  Here is a link to a not very complimentary review.  So it goes.  They were good in their day.

Kiev to Rostov via Vassal - GT80

27-28 November saw snow and this thwarted the Axis plans to smash through the new Soviet defence lines.

The immediate defence before Rostov is too strong, but if the panzers had the movement they would have struck the Soviet line still under construction.  The weather saved the Soviets.

This turn was agony of decision making for the Axis.

End of the turn and north of Stalino the only change is a slight thinning out of Soviet defenders as they are moved south.

The Axis launched their attacks to the east of Stalino.  Stalino was captured and the Soviets fell back to a line of hills.  Further attacks are expected as with the fall of Stalino the Axis supply route is well positioned to support an offensive in this direction and a possible descent on Rostov from the north.

But the big news was the final surrender of Melitopol.  They did their bit as the Axis forces that were besieging the city are probably too far to be able to reach the main front in time to make a contribution.

Kiev to Rostov via Vassal - GT78 and GT79

23-24 November (GT78) continued snowing.  This gave the Axis time to complete the recapture of Mariupol and to continue shrinking the area around Stalino, ultimately forming a pocket of trapped Soviet troops there.  Has the snow given the Soviets enough time to prepare the defences of Rostov?

All quiet in the northern sector.

The action is all down south.

The Axis look like they are preparing for more attacks on Melitopol.

GT79 is frost and the panzers get moving, but the fighting is still bloody with losses high, even though the Axis are being careful and then I find this:

Reinforcements brought on in GT63 and forgotten about with the holiday interrupt.  Using the road and accounting for the weather they should have been in operation around Melitopol around GT71.  I will start moving them there now.  Not sure how significant this omission has been, possibly not that much (attacks at 2:1 would have been at 3:1 which is not all that significant, however this force would have allowed the Axis to continue attacking and that might have made a difference.

The reinforcements get underway.  Maybe they had been halted to fight partisans?

The roads to Rostov.

The Axis have captured half of the city of Stalino as the Soviets pull back to form yet another defensive line as well as send reinforcements to Rostov.

There are six turns left and the weather report is not good.

Kiev to Rostov via Vassal - GT77

It snowed, but the Axis were prepared.

The Axis continue attacks to the north and south of Stalino.  The Soviets hope it can hold out long enough for them to build a second line of defence.  The Axis need to capture Stalino as it is an important road and rail hub.

The initial attack on Mariupol by the panzer divisions is successful, but not decisive.  However it is isolated and will fall.  Has the delay been enough to stop the Axis getting to Rostov?

The Axis are playing cautiously.  The troops with emergency supplies have been pulled back so that next turn, regardless of the weather, they will be in supply.  Earlier on the Axis had units sitting around doing nothing due to fuel shortages.  If they had been held back perhaps Melitopol would have been captured by now...

Kiev to Rostov via Vassal - GT76

Just to give a bit more reality, GT76 is actually 19-20 November 1941.  The weather is frost.  There is a 10% chance of it being mud and a 30% chance of it being snow.

The attacks in the south are just mopping up or rather clearing road blocks.  The Axis are playing it safe with their weakened panzer divisions.  However the attacks in the north have the potential to be decisive.

The Axis have bashed a sizeable hole to the immediate north east of Stalino.  The Soviets have decided to hold on rather than retreat.  There is an increase risk of losses to the Axis if they attack fortifications and the Soviets know the Axis are running low on troops, or so Stalin tells them.

The Soviets have pulled back in the south and are clearly stretched,  They are hoping for bad weather to give them time to rebuild and to keep the panzers away.  The Axis have surrounded Mariupol.  More importantly they have been able to bring their supply lines up, the last three turns of relatively good weather has allowed the railway lines to be converted at an impressive rate.

Just the horses

The wannabe trusty steed that appeared in my "Where's William" post now has his full compliment of friends.  As noted in the title, I'm just painting the horses not the bases or harness/saddles etc.

Brown Bay

Anglo-Norman (breed).

Dark Bay

Bright Bay

Chestnut

Blonde Chestnut

Light Bay

The undercoat was Tamiya Matt Black and the colours were constructed from Jo Sonja's and Atelier.

These are my favourite for painting horses as they have a totally different texture, transparency and sheen.  The Raw Dark Sienna went over the Indian Red Oxide to create the chestnuts.  The painting was mainly brushing and dry brushing, the latter being sometimes unintentional due to the heat and lack of air-conditioning in my studio.

This book by Caroline Silver I use for inspiration, although I do use other sources, including photos of real horses I came across on the Internet.  The book is about horses, not painting horses.

Kiev to Rostov via Vassal - GT75

The weather remains frosty and the Axis right hook swings into action.

The northern sector has come to a halt.  The Soviets are now trying to pull troops out to form a new front to the south.  It is very thin...

The Axis have three panzer divisions and three motorised divisions forming this new offensive.  They are have suffered casualties, but are currently well supplied, in relatively favourable terrain and the Soviets are fleeing before them.