Hullo, folks!
We had a nice family holiday in Northumbria last week, managing to visit a handful of historical sites in between beer gardens. We did Corbridge Roman Town, Roman Vindolanda Fort, then Jarrow Hall & Bede Museum. When we finally arrived at Beamish, it seemed almost futuristic.
Here’s a quick photo of Corbridge for you. Talk about the death of the Great British High Street, eh?
Anyway, I’m no Bill Bryson, so I won’t dwell on my travel adventures any longer. Let’s get to the toy soldiers stuff. Here’s what caught my eye recently…
- A pair of King Johns sounds like a slang term for your Y-fronts, doesn’t it? But after releasing the King John sourcebook for The Baron’s War, Footsore Miniatures now offers a mounted and an on-foot version of this mercurial medieval monarch. I’m fascinated with this historical period after reading Sharon Penman’s Plantagenets series. It’s a minor miracle I’ve been able to resist buying any Baron’s War stuff yet, though it’s unlikely I’ll hold out for much longer.
- Staying with Footsore, the inimitable Trish Carden’s new HarrowHyrst beastmen will be available for dispatch before the weekend arrives. One common criticism of beastmen interpretations is that they’re all just goats. Well, not in Trish’s world. My personal favourite is Snail Guy, who actually reminds me a bit of trying to get changed underneath my towel at the beach.
- Elsewhere, if you’re looking to take your miniature habit to a more literal level, check out The Monks of Midlam Abbey.
- I’m late to the Meridian Miniatures party, but what an utterly stunning range. I don’t have the words for these chaps, which is unfortunate, given that I’m writing a newsletter. I also love the Moonblins, am devastated the Synth Wizard is sold out, and if you’re a Doctor named Spork, how about some orcs for your non-Citadel Genestealer cult?
- If there’s a single hobbyist out there who doesn’t own a squad of Space Rangers, is 80p a figure cheap enough for you?
- Here’s a couple of Celtic Cavalry lads from North Star. Or is it a photo of me and my imaginary friend running round those Roman sites I visited last week?
- Finally, The Little Soldier Company has announced they’ll be bringing back Hinchliffe’s fantasy range from the 1970s, sculpted by the late Peter Gilder. Some incredible stuff in there, including the Marauder Giant’s great-grandad.
On the Podcast: DBA Tournaments, Painting Armies, & Hobbying in Retirement
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Martin from the Bedroom Battlefields community is a regular contributor to our monthly hobby update episodes. I’ve been keen to get him on for a more in-depth chat about his hobby life, and fortunately, he was happy to oblige!
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The Hobby Desk
Having never tried the Chariot troop type in Hobgoblin, I was keen to rectify that, and I’m now pleased to present ‘The One King Chariot’. I don’t know if it counts as “kitbashing”, but I swapped out the chariot’s intended barbarian riders for a dwarf hero (all from Ral Partha). The result is a usurped dwarven King turned mercenary whose aim is to raise the funds he needs to take back his golden throne. For now, though, he’ll need to make do with a very bumpy wooden one (not to mention, a spectacular view up a boar’s rear eye!)