Shield comparison, please.

[Tim Haslam]

Hi,

I’ve just been digging around in my shed.
I’ve found about 50 of the beautiful old Steve Saleh later Persian figures.
These are still sold by Foundry, and have cast on shields.

Probably representing Kardakes?

Anyhow, I notice that Crusader produce a very similar figure.

Both have a type of hoplon shield.

I’m after a size comparison, please.

Reason being, is that LBMS transfers do a range for the crusader figures, and I’m hoping they will fit on the Foundry models too?

Cheers.

[Waffles_vs_Tacos]

I can't answer your question directly, but Victrix makes sprues of plastic hoplons with loads of LBMS transfers available for them. Maybe cut the cast off ones off and replace then with these if you want LBMS transfers?

https://www.victrixlimited.com/en-us/products/28mm-hard-plastic-greek-hoplite-shield-pack?variant=27855224864867

[SJWi]

If the figures are those I believe them to be good luck with removing the shields. From memory they are quite thick and are moulded down the length of the forearm. That will take quite a bit of work and I hate to think of the state of the figures at the end of it.   

[Tim Haslam]

I’ll not be attempting that.
Thanks.

I’ll probably just order a set and try them out.

Failing that, I may look for companies that do simple water slide transfers?
Like Veni Vidi Vici.

Any others?
Battle Flag?

[armchairgeneral]

The Persian shields look the same as the Wargames Foundry hoplite shields so why not just contact LBM and tell them what you want as they do shields for Foundry hoplites and could size them as these?

I have found LBM really helpful. They have done me sheets with shields of all the same design to give a unit uniformity.

Would those Foundry Persians work as later Immortals?

[SJWi]

Tim, if your figures are the same as in the photo I think the Crusader shields are bigger, flatter and with less pronounced rims. That said they might fit. Alternatives could be from Macedonian ranges? LBMS produce decal sheets for various manufacturers in both star and non-star designs.

[Tim Haslam]

Yup,
Those are the ones.

And yes, later Immortal types.

Triple yes! I’ll get in touch with LBMS.

Cheers chaps

[SJWi]

Tim, can you let us know how you get on with LBMS. When small companies are taken over by the big boys ( in this case Victrix) their willingness to offer bespoke Customer service goes down the pan. I hope that isn't the case here, so good luck!

[armchairgeneral]

Tim, can you let us know how you get on with LBMS. When small companies are taken over by the big boys ( in this case Victrix) their willingness to offer bespoke Customer service goes down the pan. I hope that isn't the case here, so good luck!

My understanding is that the chap who ran LBM worked for Victrix, running LBM as a side line, so LBM being taken in-house shouldn't make much difference to their customer service - hopefully! 

[Waffles_vs_Tacos]

My understanding is that the chap who ran LBM worked for Victrix, running LBM as a side line, so LBM being taken in-house shouldn't make much difference to their customer service - hopefully! 

Very right. Julian founded Victrix, but Steven, who founded LBMS has been his first partner and co-owner for almost the entire time Victrix has been around. He did LBMS on the side, but was the principal sculpter for Victrix, and co owner.

So it's less that Victrix bought him out, and more that they are merging his excellent transfer business in with Julian and his excellent plastic figure business.

[Rick]

I would suggest that the figures are probably not kardakes but 'apple-bearers' - a guard unit or, at least, well trained infantry who were equipped in a similar style to Greek hoplites; similar armour, similar large shield. However they would not have used shield designs similar to the Greek hoplites but Persian designs which complicates things further as I'm not aware whether LBMS actually produce much in the way of Persian shield designs (most people are familiar with the spara but not much beyond that). You might want to have a look at later Sassanid designs as they re-used classic Persian iconography.