*
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 28, 2024, 11:20:34 AM

Login with username, password and session length

Donate

We Appreciate Your Support

Members
Stats
  • Total Posts: 1686473
  • Total Topics: 118102
  • Online Today: 857
  • Online Ever: 2235
  • (October 29, 2023, 12:32:45 AM)
Users Online

Recent

Author Topic: Figure Compatibility: GB plastic late Romans vs Aventine early Byzantine  (Read 3603 times)

Online LazyStudent

  • Librarian
  • Posts: 198
Hi all,

I'm looking to expand my current late Roman army to be able to complete a Romano British list for a local 28mm DBA competition weekend next summer. Hoping someone can help with my query.

Currently I have some of the gripping beast plastics painted but not based. I have to admit they're certainly not the finest figures on the market. To fill the remainder of the army, I'm constantly tempted by awesome Aventine early Byzantine figures. I am wondering if the figures are at all size/proportionally compatible? Can one mix them on the same base, same unit, same army, or none of the above?

Thank you all in advance!
LS
"History is a set of lies agreed upon.”
― Napoleon Bonaparte

Offline SJWi

  • Mastermind
  • Posts: 1638
Re: Figure Compatibility: GB plastic late Romans vs Aventine early Byzantine
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2020, 10:24:13 AM »
Good morning. I don't yet own any of the Aventine Late Byzantines ( but plan to soon!), but have both GB plastics Romans and other Aventine ranges.  Putting them next to my Seleucid infantry the GB figures match height-wise but are more slender....an it isn't just a matter of some people are bigger than others.  I would say you can put them in the same army but personally wouldn't mix in the same unit.

By the way if you are looking for Romano-Byzantines have you looked at the Footsore and Warlord Games ranges. Both produce some very nice Romano-British figures.

Regards.     

Offline Atheling

  • Elder God
  • Posts: 11905
    • Just Add Water Wargaming Blog
Re: Figure Compatibility: GB plastic late Romans vs Aventine early Byzantine
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2020, 10:53:33 AM »
I don't have any of the GB Late Romans but I do have a couple of size comparison pictures I took for a mate with some of the Arthurian/Germanics which were sculpted quite early on in the history of the company- all pre Robi Baker so tending to be the more slender sculpts. I haven't actually seen their plastic Late Romans though I would assume they are a similar size to their metals (?) and vis a vis the Germanics which were sculpted at more or less the same time as their Arthurian range.

Slightly larger then actual size:


« Last Edit: October 26, 2020, 04:10:26 PM by Atheling »

Offline SJWi

  • Mastermind
  • Posts: 1638
Re: Figure Compatibility: GB plastic late Romans vs Aventine early Byzantine
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2020, 03:41:17 PM »
Hi Atheling/Lazy Student, I do have both the GB metal and plastic Late Romans.  The plastics are the same height as the metals but more slender. .

 

Offline Atheling

  • Elder God
  • Posts: 11905
    • Just Add Water Wargaming Blog
Re: Figure Compatibility: GB plastic late Romans vs Aventine early Byzantine
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2020, 04:09:40 PM »
Hi Atheling/Lazy Student, I do have both the GB metal and plastic Late Romans.  The plastics are the same height as the metals but more slender. .

So, I assume they would probably look quite slender next to Aventine SJWi?

Offline SJWi

  • Mastermind
  • Posts: 1638
Re: Figure Compatibility: GB plastic late Romans vs Aventine early Byzantine
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2020, 05:35:01 PM »
Atheling, I assume so.  As I posted earlier I don't have the Aventine early Byzantines yet so can only compare them to the Seleucids in my collection. They are of a slimmer build to those figures.

Regards.

Offline Atheling

  • Elder God
  • Posts: 11905
    • Just Add Water Wargaming Blog
Re: Figure Compatibility: GB plastic late Romans vs Aventine early Byzantine
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2020, 06:39:17 PM »
Atheling, I assume so.  As I posted earlier I don't have the Aventine early Byzantines yet so can only compare them to the Seleucids in my collection. They are of a slimmer build to those figures.

Regards.

I was going to order some GB LR plastics to use for converting some Aventine torsion Engine Crew (I need more crewmen) but if there's a noticeable size difference it ismprobably not worth it. The size difference would be very noticeable on the same small base :(

Offline SJWi

  • Mastermind
  • Posts: 1638
Re: Figure Compatibility: GB plastic late Romans vs Aventine early Byzantine
« Reply #7 on: October 27, 2020, 05:14:58 AM »
Atheling, I can't think of anyone who produces anything close. Could you get away with a few standing figures "on guard"?  I checked Gripping Beast and found the Hatra Ballista which reminded me I have one in my stash. I need to paint it for my post Milvian Bridge Romans! 

Offline Atheling

  • Elder God
  • Posts: 11905
    • Just Add Water Wargaming Blog
Re: Figure Compatibility: GB plastic late Romans vs Aventine early Byzantine
« Reply #8 on: October 27, 2020, 07:10:58 AM »
Atheling, I can't think of anyone who produces anything close. Could you get away with a few standing figures "on guard"?  I checked Gripping Beast and found the Hatra Ballista which reminded me I have one in my stash. I need to paint it for my post Milvian Bridge Romans!

It's going to have to be a metal conversion using Aventine mini's. I do have an idea using some of the newer heads Adam has sculpted. I'll see what I can come up with though it's been a long time since I did any significant metal conversions.... how times have changed! :)

Online LazyStudent

  • Librarian
  • Posts: 198
Re: Figure Compatibility: GB plastic late Romans vs Aventine early Byzantine
« Reply #9 on: October 27, 2020, 07:30:03 AM »
Hi both,

Thank you so much for the replies and information!!!

Aethling, I have to admit it is your brilliant painted Aventine minis that got me really wanting to use them for the rest of the army. I have to say I'm a little sad, because I've invested some time/effort into the plastic minis. But honestly, I'm more than happy to switch to do all the army with metal figs! :) the plastic minis aren't the best. Very static poses, as the left arm is cast onto the body. And thank you for the suggestions of the other manufacturers. But they always seem to show the Romano British as a rag tag bunch, which fits better with slightly later. I prefer a more professional looking force aiming for the remnants of the comitatensis/limitanei in the early 400s. For the look I am taking some inspiration from the Warlord books. So the Aventine early Byzantine guard figures will have wolf tail crests.

Do we know when the Aventine mounted will be released? I'm wondering if I wait and make one big order, but the worry is waiting too long and it being caught by the Brexit chaos on its way to me in Germany.

Aethling really looking forwards to see what your conversion looks like 👍

Best,
LS
« Last Edit: November 02, 2020, 07:14:49 AM by LazyStudent »

Offline Atheling

  • Elder God
  • Posts: 11905
    • Just Add Water Wargaming Blog
Re: Figure Compatibility: GB plastic late Romans vs Aventine early Byzantine
« Reply #10 on: October 27, 2020, 08:43:54 AM »
Hi both,

Thank you so much for the replies and information!!!

No problem, I could talk Late/Sub Roman all day  lol

Aethling, I have to admit it is your brilliant painted Aventine minis that got me really wanting to use them for the rest of the army. I have to say I'm a little sad, because I've invested some time/effort into the plastic minis. But honestly, I'm more than happy to switch to do all the army with metal figs! :) the plastic minis aren't the best. Very static poses, as the left arm is cast onto the body. And thank you for the suggestions of the other manufacturers. But they always seem to show the Romano British as a rag tag bunch, which fits better with slightly later. I prefer a more professional looking force aiming for the remnants of the comitatensis/limitanei in the early 500s. For the look I am taking some inspiration from the Warlord books. So the Aventine early Byzantine guard figures will have wolf tail crests.

Have you got the Age of Arthur Warhammer Ancient Battles book, authored by our very own James Morris? It is by far the most balanced of all the WAB books. The lists are very informative and there's a great (a little more then) potted history throughout. You can still pick up copies of the book on eBay and in the Bazaar on LAF every now and again for about £10-15- a worthy investment and worth it just for the eye candy, of which there is a lot (some painted my yours truly).

As regarding Arthurian mini's. There are a lot out there. Unlike my Aventine Byzantines I think I would go for a real mix and match with a Civitatus type army. There's the oft forgotten West Wind Arthurian range (very useful as they have separate heads in almost all the miniatures), Artizan Designs, Crusader Miniatures as well as the fab Footsore and Gripping Beast stuff too. I would definitely chuck in some of the Aventine stuff too.

Do we know when the Aventine mounted will be released?

The answer is sort of yes but I could be betraying someone's confidence if I said anything. My guess is that it will be the lighter cavalry that gets released first.

I'm wondering if I wait and make one big order, but the worry is waiting too long and it being caught by the Brexit chaos on its way to me in Germany.

I can fully sympathise!  o_o o_o o_o

Aethling really looking forwards to see what your conversion looks like 👍


Thanks LS, I'll post up pics as soon as I have anything completed :)

Online LazyStudent

  • Librarian
  • Posts: 198
Re: Figure Compatibility: GB plastic late Romans vs Aventine early Byzantine
« Reply #11 on: October 28, 2020, 01:58:52 PM »
Hi,

Haha, it is certainly an interesting period. I have to say the lack of information out there on the period certainly hinders and at the same time allows some artistic license!

I don't have the book. I will have to keep an eye out for one when it next comes up. But thank you for the recommendation.

I have to say, I have also been looking at the Footsore minis as well. But they seem to be much more expensive than the Aventine ones! And I am not sure I can easily justify the cost. I might look to grab some of the Footsore mounted, as it seems they are much more reasonable per-figure and have some good character. Any knowledge if the Footsore foot can be mixed in with the Aventine ones?

Also I have to admit, I am worried about getting the Aventine minis on to the base sizes we use. For the heavy foot we normally have 8 figures on a 60mm x 50mm base! Looking at all the other bases out there, it seems the max I will be able to fit is 6!

Best,
LS

Offline Atheling

  • Elder God
  • Posts: 11905
    • Just Add Water Wargaming Blog
Re: Figure Compatibility: GB plastic late Romans vs Aventine early Byzantine
« Reply #12 on: October 28, 2020, 10:30:19 PM »
Hi,

Haha, it is certainly an interesting period. I have to say the lack of information out there on the period certainly hinders and at the same time allows some artistic license!

Part of the fun  :D

I don't have the book. I will have to keep an eye out for one when it next comes up. But thank you for the recommendation.

It is really worth getting hold of a copy if you get the chance.

I have to say, I have also been looking at the Footsore minis as well. But they seem to be much more expensive than the Aventine ones! And I am not sure I can easily justify the cost. I might look to grab some of the Footsore mounted, as it seems they are much more reasonable per-figure and have some good character. Any knowledge if the Footsore foot can be mixed in with the Aventine ones?

The Aventine mini's will be slightly chunkier but if you have them in different units it won't show really. BTW, Footsore are going to be doing some Unit Deals at some point so maybe keep an eye out for these?

Also I have to admit, I am worried about getting the Aventine minis on to the base sizes we use. For the heavy foot we normally have 8 figures on a 60mm x 50mm base! Looking at all the other bases out there, it seems the max I will be able to fit is 6!

 :o Ouch! That is a squeeze!

I've used 400mm frontage by 60mm depth in this unit:

More pics here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/08/aventine-byzantine-heavy.html


And 40mm frontage with a 50mm depth in this unit:

More pics here:
https://justaddwater-bedford.blogspot.com/2020/10/early-byzantine-skutatoi-combined-unit.html


They're based for Swordpoint, Hail Caesar, WAB etc but could be used in mortem et Glorium by taking the back rank away and using as another unit.

Thanks to the Covid situation I cannot even claim to have rolled a dice in anger on their behalf!  lol
« Last Edit: November 03, 2020, 08:50:22 AM by Atheling »

Offline SJWi

  • Mastermind
  • Posts: 1638
Re: Figure Compatibility: GB plastic late Romans vs Aventine early Byzantine
« Reply #13 on: October 29, 2020, 05:28:33 AM »
Lazy Student, yes I think you will struggle to fit 8 figures on a 60 x 60mm base. I have 6 Polybian Romans on a similar size base and I definitely couldn't fit 8 figures on it.  The shields alone would make it nigh-on impossible.

Online LazyStudent

  • Librarian
  • Posts: 198
Re: Figure Compatibility: GB plastic late Romans vs Aventine early Byzantine
« Reply #14 on: October 29, 2020, 07:23:43 AM »
Hi both,

Thank you for confirming of my fears! This might drive me to using the GB plastics as I think I can probably get them onto the bases!

Thanks!
LS :D

 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
3 Replies
1503 Views
Last post May 14, 2017, 03:05:40 PM
by Littlearmies
11 Replies
2073 Views
Last post June 24, 2020, 12:52:53 PM
by Atheling
3 Replies
1045 Views
Last post June 29, 2020, 10:14:12 AM
by chema1986
40 Replies
4730 Views
Last post August 17, 2020, 07:22:25 AM
by Atheling
4 Replies
911 Views
Last post June 18, 2021, 03:56:03 PM
by OSHIROmodels