Cathay Army project

[Pictors Studio]

I just got my Cathay stuff and thought I'd get started on it right away.  I went pretty much all in with the pre-order and got one of everything except the hero on Longma. 

So far all I've managed to get painted are some of the halberdiers.  They are very nice figures, not super versatile but enough to give you a variety of poses in a rank and file force. 

That is one rank of a unit that will ultimately have 15 guys in it.  They give you 30 in the box and enough command to make 3 units but I'm making two units of 15 to start. 

We'll see how they go and if it doesn't work then I'll do another set of command with my next set of them and break them into units of 10.

It is a pretty elite force with both the cavalry and infantry having a pretty good combat ability seemingly.

Now that I've got some painted and am happy with the color scheme I'm going to try to assemble most of the rest of the models. 

I've had a go at assembling the sentinel already and that is a beast.  I'm going to have to put that off to a day when I can really look at it, unless they release better instructions for it at some point. 

[Frugalmax]

Good work on those! Are the new models posable/easily convertible? I assume they are rather huge when compared to older human models from GW- is that the case? Thanks!

[Lost Egg]

Looks like you're off to a great start.

[Pictors Studio]

Thank you!

The bodies are pretty much set as either two or three pieces, but the arms are swappable.  You can make either swordsmen or halberdiers from this kit and putting other arms on them would probably be viable too, although I've not tried it yet.  I'll get a comparison shot with some Empire guys the next time I have a unit to put up, which should be soon.  I'm almost done with one of the artillery pieces. 

[Pictors Studio]

The artillery pieces are BIG.  It took me a while to get the one painted but it and the crew are done now.  I have the crew for the rocket launcher finished too but the launcher itself is just started.

With luck I'll get a good start on that today.

I have a unit of infantry done now and the general.

When I was working on assembling them I was not home so figured I'd do the unit of swordsmen first as they seemed easier to transport around without breaking, which is why I got them done first rather than continue on with the halberdier unit.

I have two more of them painted for a total of 12 but they aren't based yet so didn't make it into the photo.

The other thing I have done is the general.

He was actually pretty quick to paint compared to the infantry.  Less bits on him actually.  Nice change from most Warhammer characters who are usually covered in bits.

Next up are some cavalry I hope.  They aren't the quickest things to assemble.  I was rewatching Lonesome Dove while putting them together and it took a whole episode to assemble three of them.  I have one painted already and am working on this next set of three.  With luck I'll have them done before Monday.

[LouieN]

The yellow stands out nicely on the swordsmen. 

[mweaver]

Very nice! 
I hope to start assembling some of mine before the month is out.
-Michael

[Pictors Studio]

I got these guys done last Thursday but this is the first chance I've had to take any pictures of them. 

This is only six of the ten that come in the box.  Since Saturnine comes out this week, I'm guessing these are the last of them that I'll get done for a little bit. 

They did a great job with these. The poses are all very unique, such a refreshing thing when looking at much of the TOW range for cavalry.  It is nice that people have their lances in different positions.

Really like the drummer in there too.  Great musician model. 

I did get a few more swordsmen done. 

That unit needs only one more guy and it will be complete for now.  I'm working on the halberdiers next.  I'm hoping that I can get a unit of ten of them together tomorrow.

[HerbertTarkel]

I just got all my Cathay pre-orders (the lantern box was delayed in Canada).

I’m actually strongly considering bashing them into my Eldar army! The cannon dragon heads would look wicked on jetbikes, I think.

[Neldoreth]

Looks great, way to get it together! I particularly appreciate your cannon, it is a lot more compelling to me than the GW painted version, strong work!

[sir_shvantselot]

Well done for cracking on and not adding to the pile of opportunity. Looking great.

[Pictors Studio]

I managed to get most of the rest of the figures finished.

Some Halberdiers.  The unit is at a street legal 10 now and ready to be on the table.

The Sky Lantern is done now too.

This was kind of a pita to put together in the end but not awful.  Had they designed it slightly differently it would have been simplicity itself for such a big model.  If I get another one I'll put it together slightly differently.

And a whole army shot so far:

I still have the rocket battery to do as well as five more infantry, 4 more cav, army standard and the sentinel.  The rocket batter just needs the actual artillery piece to be done, the crew are finished already.  The rest of it isn't even assembled yet.  I haven't calculated the points yet but I suspect it is at least 1000, probably closer to 1200.

I'll probably hold off on buying anything else for the army until they come out with wave 2 and see what I need to complete it. 

Now I need to get a game in.

[Little Odo]

The army is really starting to take shape now. Nice job!

[guitarheroandy]

The Cathay army represents my favourite GW models for absolutely YEARS! Bags of character and a lovely mix of influences from various historical Asian troop types. You've done a superb job of bringing them to life.