Sunday 1 December 2019

A Bit More Ancient Nostalgia - Chen's Persians

I published pictures of my Ancient Assyrians which I painted over 45 years ago.  At the time I said that I would try to get my old friend Chensie Chen to take some pictures of his 25mm Hinchliffe Ancient Achmaenid Persians.  Like my Assyrians these were painted over 45 years ago and look like the paint has stood the test of time.  Again, like my figures they have never seen action since the days when we would meet up on a Sunday and somehow use the old WRG 5th Edition rules.

So for a trip down memory lane when wargames figures were cheap(ish)  I give you Chen's rather nice looking Persians.

   








Can't find these in the Hinchcliffe listing so I am wondering if they were a Tradition figure?







Somehow these lads put up a good show against my Assyrians often beating them.  I think it had to do with the Persian archers having the bonus of being behind shields in archery exchanges; the camels being disruptive and of course things I remember seeing constant arguments in the 'Slingshot' about two handed cutting weapons!

16 comments:

  1. An interesting array of figures, clearly some are Hinchliffe and some Minifigs but many left me stumped. Judging by the slender build I wonder if some are plastic? If so they have stood up to the passage of time very well. Are they going to get a game before going back in their box?

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    1. Hi Rob
      No they are definitely metal, slim like the Tradition style, but I don't recall them making Ancients. Could be wrong.

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  2. Beautiful army , the figures and painting have stood the test of time well .

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    1. Hi, thanks for posting, over the years I have seen them now and again and finally managed to coax Chen into taking some fabulous pictures for the blog.

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  3. That really takes me back to the mid 70's, I had loads of Hinchiffe figure armies.
    Painting styles have changed, and the figures we get now are soooo different!
    Thanks for the reminder of happier days!

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  4. Hi Herkybird, I know exactly what you mean about the figures and painting styles. Too often you see some wonderful painted miniatures and wonder if it ever puts people off, thinking they can't do that level of detail? However, I like my figures and everyone else's I see, they reflex who you are and from a a few feet I can't tell anyway.

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  5. My compliments to Mr Chen. Those are simply wonderful!

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    1. Can I thank you all on behalf of my old friend Chen. I am going down to Devon next week to see him and he has me to pass on his thanks and appreciation.

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  6. Proper O.S. loveliness.

    Some look a bit like Garrison figures?

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    1. Hi Matt, looks like you were right about the Persian archers behind the shields, judging by others comments. I have no idea were we would have got them from as we used to go and buy our figures more or less at the same time, from the same shops. No mail order in those days!

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  7. Must admit I didn't recognise some of the slim figures and thought they could be Tradition. The Sparabara archers are Garrison.

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    1. Thanks for identifying them Rob. As I have said above no idea were they got purchased from as I don't think Garrison wee that easily available. Maybe the old Harrow Model Shop?

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  8. They look very presentable indeed. And yes, they should get a spin on the Field of Honor!

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    1. Thanks Gonsalvo, these pictures and those of the Assyrians have certainly turned out to be a bit of hit with everyone. Thanks for looking and posting

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  9. The Thracians are indeed Tradition - and you can still buy them today! That's a well turned out army - lovely to see it!

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  10. Hi Rick, I thought they were, I have a very vague recollection of going into the shop in Piccadilly with Chen. Shop staff in suits and ties. It made you feel a bit self conscious!

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