Bandits of the Marsh - and Koreans and Japanese

[Vanvlak]

As mentioned in other posts, I'm trying to wind down my buying; and my plans to get a large ancient Chinese army have been scrapped in favour of a smaller project - a warband, not more than 20 models, based on The Water Margin (or Bandits of the Marsh). This is one of my last new projects requiring purchases, so I've no hurry with this.

I am NOT modelling all 108 of the heroes, and am picking and choosing the ones I prefer, either because of their character, or their name (ugly son in law) or their appearance.
I'm going to tackle these one by one, beginning with Li Kui, the Black Whirlwind.
This is him as presented on film (possibly):


And as used in an ad:


Any suggestions for a 28mm scale Li Kui?

[Codsticker]

If you don't mind doing some conversion work you could have a shot at this guy.

[joroas]

West Wind

[Vanvlak]

If you don't mind doing some conversion work you could have a shot at this guy.

Nice - but I am no good at sculpting hair, and that seems to be an essential identifier of this chap.

West Wind

Very nice - I'd have to see how to modify the mallet into an axe, and add a second axe in his left hand - or at his feet - as he'salways portrayed with 2 axes.

Thanks guys.
Any more?

[Codsticker]

Northstar's "Sensei W/ Katana and Wakizashi" comes with bushy beard and would be easily convertable. Downside: also has eye patch and may not be available individually. Upper left of this picture.

Zenit Miniatures "Duellista". I can't tell if he has a beard from this picture or just a moustache.

[Smith]

Very nice - I'd have to see how to modify the mallet into an axe, and add a second axe in his left hand - or at his feet - as he'salways portrayed with 2 axes.

If it helps, the mallet hand is separate (if I recall correctly), so it should be a relatively simple conversion job. He's a big guy, so I'd look to the GW Marauders or similar for appropriate hands and axes - that should also net you a second similar (if not identical) axe for the left hand.

[Vanvlak]

Northstar's "Sensei W/ Katana and Wakizashi" comes with bushy beard and would be easily convertable. Downside: also has eye patch and may not be available individually. Upper left of this picture.

Zenit Miniatures "Duellista". I can't tell if he has a beard from this picture or just a moustache.

Thanks - will take a peak.
@Smith: that's good news - he now seems an even more likely candidate. And as I need other characters, the other suggestions might still be used.

[Sir Barnaby Hammond-Rye]

Guild of Harmony has a few pieces. This is Sebastian Archer's range...

http://guildofharmony.com

[OSHIROmodels]

Now it makes sense 

cheers

James

[Vanvlak]

Now it makes sense 

cheers

James

It does, doesn't it?
I've taken it to the extreme however - with a good deal of flooding, a location closer to the sea, and a transposition of the Bandits story a few centuries later than the original setting, just in time to see off a few Waku and the spearhead of a Japanese invasion....

UPDATE: I still have not purchase my Li Kui, which is good as in the meantime the story expanded in an unexpected direction (James' cryptic comment will be explained in good time) and have bought some Japanese (to invade) and some Korean allies. As they are Perry and similar-sized miniatures I am closer to 25mm than 28mm, so I am now in search of 25mm Chinese.

[Vanvlak]

West Wind

And I just ordered him - thanks Joroas.

[Codsticker]

so I am now in search of 25mm Chinese.

I used Forlorn Hope's Ming Chinese for my Ronin buntai. Small range and mediocre models but serviceable:

[Wansui]

25mm Chinese.

Check out TAG's Song range. Their armored soldiers are slightly anachronistic for your scenario and lack headgear(turban,felt hat etc.)

[Vanvlak]

Thanks Codsticker and Wansumi - I'll take a look at these.
I am not being too strict in terms of chronology; I also plan to have some 'special effects' including a handful of local monsters and some imports which the Japanese have smuggled in - including a bakeneko.

[Codsticker]

What is the actual setting/period of the inspiration for this project?