Conquest Games Norman Spearmen/Swordsmen

[Mikai]

Good evening all together,

does anyone by chance know if the shields are separate or cast on the miniature at the Norman Spearmen/Swordsmen by Conquest Games? And if they are out of metal or resin? They don't offer a lot of description there.

https://www.conquest-games.co.uk/index.php?cPath=31_45&&page=2

Another nice to have information would be on how they scale compared to latter VictriX miniatures (Late Roman or Early Saxon sets) 

[FriendlyNeighbourhoodNerd]

The figures are hard plastic, they come on a sprue. The shields and the arms are one piece, but this piece is separate from the main body (i.e. you glue the shoulder to the torso).

I think the Victrix figures are generally a bit bigger, but I'm not sure. I don't have any of their sets, nor the Conquest one, I was just on the lookout for Norman figures for a project a few months ago and if I remember correctly, that was the information I'd come across.

[SJWi]

Mikai, I actually think the figures that you have supplied a link to are metal. At £7.50 for three I would certainly hope so! Conquest do produce a range of plastic Norman infantry in their "Medieval Miniatures" but yours are from the "Robin Hood" range. 

[Atheling]

Hi Mikai,

Slightly OT, but worth mentioning, I'm not sure these particular Norman miniatures fit into the 11th CE timeframe that most do. They look to be a little later to me.

Just thought it worth mentioning.

[Mikai]

Thank you all three for your responses!

To be more detailed: I was/am thinking about kitbashing them to get something close to the Guardsman of Lebennin at the picture below. That's fantasy, I know, but I thought the chances for responses about those miniatures are higher at the section here.



So basically I am looking for some cloth (is it called tabbard?) above chain mail miniature. I don't recall having seen such unit at their plastic range, so I took a look at their Robin Hood range. I don't want to work with resin (harder to kitbash with), metall is the second best choice after plastic.

Perhaps I should try to kitbash a unit together with the Victrix Norman range, using some green stuff to work out the cloth above chain mail. Although Atheling mentioned that the Norman miniatures by Conquest Games look a bit later than 11th century time frame, not sure how it is with the Victrix ones. Basically I want to set up a Gondorian army with some Late Roman/Dark Age setting, using Victrix Late Roman and Early Saxon sets. It would only be nice to have some more units with heraldics on their torsos instead of chain mail, so Norman soldiers came into my mind. Or does anyone have a better suggestion here?

[Dice Roller]

In that case I think the ones you linked to originally would be fine. Robin Hood is, after all, pretty much a fantasy historical setting.
Have you looked at the various sets of plastic medievals that have come out recently? I think Wargames Atlantic is one and I know there's another.
They come with a choice of heads, including 12th century nasal bar helms. Being plastic they're easier to chop and change.
So maybe think of using those?

[FriendlyNeighbourhoodNerd]

Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realise you linked to the metal chaps. But they do produce a set of plastic Normans, which might be easier to kitbash.

For the image provided, you might have better luck with some of the figures from Fireforge. For example their set of Foot Knights XI-XIII are all wearing longer surcoats, like the image you have provided, and there's quite a few nasal helms on the sprue. Or their Templar Infantry . I have a set of their Teutonic Knights and while they aren't the greatest of figures, they're not too bad either.

Alternatively you might wanna take a look at the Footsore/Wargames Atlantic plastics, a set of their foot knights that came out recently might suit your needs, although it only has a couple of nasal helmets per sprue.

The Victrix set depicting the same sort of dudes hasn't come out yet, but you might wanna wait - everyone loves their figures, I certainly want to get some myself.

[SJWi]

If you are looking for something that looks a "bit different" for a quasi-fantasy setting what about Medieval Russian or Byzantine? Fireforge make plastic boxed sets for both and there are several metal ranges available.  Figures for the Crusades might also fit your bill.  You could check out Perry Miniatures or Gripping beast to name but two.     

[Mikai]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will take them into mind. Will perhaps first wait for the Victrix set to see what it offers. I have on set by Wargames Atlantic (Late Roman Legionaries) but their mail looks a bit odd next to the mail at Victrix miniatures and their medievals seem to be similar. Fireforge is a good suggestion, I will take a look at their range too. Thank you all for the input!

[Cubs]

I did a cover for WS&S a few years back and used a mix of the Conquest and Victrix plastic Normans. Personally, I preferred the Victrix, but not by much. They had a variety of helmet and shield styles which allowed me to build Norman, Italian and Byzantine troops.

[Eric the Shed]

This might help ref Conquest Plastic Normans

https://shedwars.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-norman-infantry.html

[Ethelred the Almost Ready]

If you are wanting metal figures and surcoats I would suggest 1st Corps/Curtey's Miniatures.  Early Medieval/Crusades range - infantry even come with and without cloaks.  Heads are separate so you can get Norman/nasal helmets to give the appearance in the picture you posted.