Thursday 2 July 2015

The Friars (Squad 1)

Continuing to paint a VBCW force for my mate Matt today I present "The Friars". "The Friars" LINK are a group of clergy from Aylesford Priory on the banks of the River Medway. And being local to Matt and myself he has decided to include them as part of his "Anglican League" force. As such these figures are all in the brown Monks Habits typical of Regular clergy. I am not saying the monks are a violent breed just that they have taken clothing references from Monastic orders. The figures are all "Artizan Designs" in their WW2 French section Link 2 . And rather than painting the clothing as African a simple colour swap to brown has them all in monks habits! I think that was a good spot by Matt and quite clever to see.

The 6 above are all rank and file rifle armed figures while the 3 figures to the right are more of command bearing or light support support.

Starting on the left you will note the "Adrian" Helmet of French origin as well as the Thompson sub machinegun. A typical squad would not have an smg as they were not standard issue in the 1939 British army. Then we have a Lewis-Gunner. The Lewis gun was a weapon swap carried out by Mat. While an obsolete gun at the time it had only just been replaced by the Bren gun in all units of the British army so is still very suitable for a Very British Civil War force. The last figure (on the right) is armed with an automatic pistol and a walking stick so one can clearly think of him as an officer. But he could be the Lewis gunners number two or a Medic or other supporting role. That is something I can and will leave to Matt to sort out.

The final figure shows a close up of their faces/ being Artizan the faces are very well sculpted so despite my dodgy camera skills you can see that they have come out. I do have more to do so expect another squad of these in a weeks time.

Thanks for looking,enjoy the weather whatever it is doing where you are and with luck another post on Sunday.

Cheers Clint, have a good one!


16 comments:

  1. very smart thinking and execution

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  2. Distinctly non-pacifist monks, I think! Well, history is full of references to the religious (of all faiths) taking up arms on occasion so this isn't completely impossible.

    I might have been tempted to add some crosses, either sewn on to their robes, painted on the helmets or worn around the neck, just to emphasise their allegiance. But maybe that's a bit too much fantasy?

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    1. Thanks C6. Adding crosses is a sound idea. I shall do so on the next batch if nothing else it will add variety. Yes I agree every religion seems to have taken arms at one time or another.

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  3. Very, very, smart. Well done. I ;ike them a great deal.

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    1. Thanks Irqan. There are more coming, Not sure how many yet but Mat has given me 11 more to paint. Maybe more when he gets Back from holiday.

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  4. Genius idea and nicely painted. Well done to you both :)

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    1. Cheers Roy, feel free to order some and pain them in the same way if you do a VBCW. There is bound to be a Religious order near you.

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  5. Those are wonderful Clint, great job Sir.

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    1. Thanks Michael. As mentioned in the comments above there are 11 more to come at least.

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  6. Very nice Clint! Paint Monk-ey rules. Great idea.

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  7. Thanks Bob. I hasten to add it is Matts idea, but one I would happily use myself and take credit for IF I could.

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  8. Initially I thought they were the 'dirty-mac' brigade, but the background explanation idea is sound and the paintjob is great !.
    One or two helmets filed down to tonsures in the next batch (when PM does them !)would relly 'sell' the idea I reckon.

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    1. Thanks Joe but no Tonsures for the next batch either. But plenty more flasher macs!

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