When painting a new army, you can sometimes find yourself "in the weeds." So it was with these figures. I ordered Xyston Caetrati foot and much to my surprise, I received mounted Caetrati. These figures appear to be out of production as I can't find them on eBay or Xyston. Since they were perfect for the light horse units in my Iberian army, I considered myself lucky and buffed these figures out with the only Xyston Spanish light horse in production, Caetrati pillion riders.
I thought to myself, what's a pillion rider? It's an extra rider on horse. The idea of two warriors fighting atop one horse seemed odd to me, even with the limited cavalry of the Iberians. I posted on TPM and discovered the pillion rider figures were inspired by accounts of Caetrati riding double with horsemen and dismounting to fight. The historian Strabo wrote "they ride double on horseback, though in the time of battle one of the two fights on foot." That makes sense. Otherwise, a well-place pilum could score a two-for-one hit. Ouch - Ouch!
In keeping with my limited color palette, I used white and tan for the tunics. I did splurge on the decorative trim on the ponies as I just couldn't help myself!
Last up today are slingers for my Iberian army. I used a single color for the tunics and I think it is easy on the eyes. Great detail and lively poses by Xyston.
The Spanish Caetrati Pillion Riders look really cool and very colorful, well done Monty! :o)
ReplyDeleteThe Caetrati Pillion Riders are available at Xyston Home Base/Scotland
http://www.scotiagrendel.com/Xyston/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_3_14_63&products_id=276
cheers,
Phil
Thanks Phil. Oddly enough, the pillion riders are in production but the single light horse figs are out of production! As near as I can tell. :-)
DeleteAs always, thanks for looking out for me!
Excellent painting Monty!! I never knew about the pillion riders either, but they really look the biz!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ray! While it was nearly double the effort to paint 2 riders, the Xyston modeler said it was a REAL bear to sculpt it. So, I can't complain!
DeleteLovely work Monty :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tamsin! At the finish line, I'll have a camp but no holy men or relics. ;-)
Deletegreat
ReplyDeletegood advice for xyston
marco
Marco! If only I lived close enough to take the Tube under the English Channel over to visit you guys. Then I could learn a thing or two about painting and FoGN.
DeleteHi Monty,
ReplyDeletewell done, I love them, your great work on them really pushing me to have an Iberian army too;
Cheers
thefrenchjester "gilles masked ;-) "
I'll give you a full report of how they perform on the battlefield! I've never run a Medium army (and I'm hoping I don't regret the decision to do so).
DeleteVery nice work !!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dal!
DeleteNice work I must say!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thanks Chris! I appreciate it.
DeleteLooking good Monty. How long before we get the glam shot of the whole army?
ReplyDeleteA glam shot! lol. Fairly quickly, Fire, as I've speed painted them. I struggle with photography than anything else. I'd like to get the whole army in natural light but as you well know, it'll be tricky weather wise for us from here until April. Maybe I'll have to take them to Spain for the big shoot.
DeleteOooh! Swimsuit calendar coming up ;)
DeleteLooking very fine indeed.... Antonio will be pleased. " speed painting " ?....they don't look it, good stuff Monty.
ReplyDeleteThere are cheats we can get away with in 15mm that you 28mm fellows can't!
DeleteVery nice looking units!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Phil.
Thank you Phil! Already my mind turns to the Next Army.
Deletegood jobs , very nice looking
ReplyDelete