In search of Turcopoles...

[traveller]

I am looking for 28mm Turcopoles to support my poor Crusaders around Acre in 1291. I have seen the ones from Perry and 1st Corps but I would like some Turcopole archers in light armour and was happy to find some news earlier this year from Fireforge:



I have asked Fireforge for a relaease date but no response...

Any other ideas out there for miniatures or conversions possible?

Grateful for any comments!

[Atheling]

The Perry Turkopoles are about as good as you're going to get from a historical stand point- at least for the 11th CE.

Gripping Beast also do some-
Early:

https://www.grippingbeast.co.uk/CRC09_Turcopoles_4--product--4961.html

Late:

https://www.grippingbeast.co.uk/LCC19_Teutonic_Turcopolen_Bows_4--product--5086.html
And:

https://www.grippingbeast.co.uk/LCC08_Turcopoles_4--product--5088.html

[traveller]

Thanks Atheling,

forgot all about the GB offerings but still I think the Fireforge ones look a bit more realistic if they ever are released, if not, are there any plastic kits that can be combined to something useful?

[Atheling]

I personally think the GB and Perry offerings are far more on the nail historically than the Fireforge mini's.

Just my opinion of course- I'm not trying to influence you otherwise.

I really can't think of any plastics that are on offer- I reckon it would be possible to kitbash some. You would need European helms (normal soldiery, [not noble] men at arms), medium westernised armours and of course bows, quivers and a spear or two.

I did a Google search for kitbashed/converted Turcopoles and couldn't find anything. Mind, my "Google Foo" has been way off of late so- I would give it a go yourself

[traveller]

I like to have something like these Osprey and WRG images armed with bows:





But Google failed me also…

The Perry and GB look slightly different, lacking the padded light armour(?). Reading a bit on the subject I was also surprised that the number of Turcopoles deployed was at par with the Templar knights and sergeants. It was also suggested that there could be a bit floating border between sergeants and turcopoles in terms of weapons, equipment and function. I was looking at Fireforge Byzantine mtd archers but they seems to have a bit heavier armour(chainmail). The search continues…

[Atheling]

The Gripping Beast mini's mostly have padded armours as do two of the Perry Models (I think):

[traveller]

Thanks, feels like I am almost there…

[Mesh]

My general beef with Fireforge is the look of their horses... can't say their Turcopole renders convince me that this has changed.

[Atheling]

My general beef with Fireforge is the look of their horses... can't say their Turcopole renders convince me that this has changed.

I am not a fan either, but each to their own. We all have our own preferences

[traveller]

My general beef with Fireforge is the look of their horses... can't say their Turcopole renders convince me that this has changed.

I have the Fireforge mtd sergeants set and I find the horses quite good. I have this one WIP on the painting desk right now:





Perry are of course unbeatable but Gripping Beast horses look more like some other undefined animal...

[john Hollyoak]

1st Corps have some. Not sure about the horses but the riders look spot on.
John

[Atheling]

I have the Fireforge mtd sergeants set and I find the horses quite good. I have this one WIP on the painting desk right now:





Perry are of course unbeatable but Gripping Beast horses look more like some other undefined animal...

The "new" Gripping Beast horses look pretty good. They are the old Ebob license horses and are very good quality- see unit below_