Okay, so here are the first few mash-ups using parts from the new Agincourt to Orleans plastic set.
Truthfully, I’m not about to start another period. My main interest in this set is in using the parts to
1. Hybridise with the later C15th sets to create new and different figures for my Wars of The Roses armies and
2. Use the actual HYW bodies to hybridise with other plastic sets of all denominations, to create more figures for my fledgling Game of Thrones collection.
First up, a couple of longbowmen.
These use new bow arms from the new HYW set on WOTR bodies. The fact that all 6 bodies (and so all the arms) on the HYW archer frame are wearing long padded gambeson s, means an exponential increase in options for the three ‘standard’ bodies wearing padded jacks included in both the original WOTR infantry and the Mercenaries set. Very useful indeed. The new arms all seem to fit very well on the various later medieval bodies. One of these new longbowmen is wearing a helmet from the recent WOTR Foot Knight boxes. The other is the new bareheaded head from the HYW set. The other great thing about the new set is the wide and interesting variety of sheaves of arrows included on the frame. Adding a lot more choices to those included in the original WOTR bow and bills box…
Next, a couple of men-at-arms.
These use arms from the new HYW set (wielding a long warhammer and an impressive two-handed axe respectively) mounted on fully-armoured bodies from the recent WOTR Foot Knights set.
Some purists may balk at mixing armour styls like this – the relatively rudimentary circular besagews at the shoulder joint, paired with more sophisticated styles of later C15th white harness. But frankly, as long as it looks good, I don’t give a monkeys. To any but a real armour-nut, it just looks like any old plate armour. Especially in actual size on the tabletop. I defy anyone to notice. And these polearms are both extremely nice pieces (although the warhammer is extremely tricky to get off the frame without snapping the slender shaft).
As these guys are notionally in somewhat older suits of mixed plate, I gave them older style helmets, including the hefty great bascinet from the Mounted Men-at-Arms box.
Note how elegant and detailed the scabbarded swords are in the new set (on the fellow with the axe). Much more finely done.
And finally - in reverse of the above - a WOTR Foot Knight, two-handed-sword-wielding pair of arms mounted on one of the HYW knights’ bodies.
This figure will be going to join my Lannister forces for GoT, hence the added and unhistorical Fireforge heater shield and cloak.
The last figure here is another of the standard bodies in quilted jack - this time with the sword arm, sheld arm and a buckler added from the HYW archers frame.
The various non-longbow arms included on this frame are going to be extremely useful, and are very nicely done. With sword, with hand axe, two different left shield / buckler arms, a pair of arms swinging a sledgehammer, and a trumpeter arm.
The head is from the Foot Knights box.
Interesting to note how much taller the HYW knight is, compared to the original ‘bow and bills’ body.
My next few builds will probably be to use the new HYW longbowmen bodies with assorted heads, arms and equipment from Perry, Fireforge and Gripping Beast plastic sets, to start building my Stark forces for Game of Thrones.