Way back in the 1980’s we used to manufacture the Tin Soldier Miniatures ranges under license in New Zealand. One of their ranges was a wonderfully characterful (albeit a little caricaturist) set of Aztecs. I remember I took on the joyful task painting up the 15mm display samples, with wonderful shield patterns and bright feathers. As I painted them I couldn’t help thinking of how I could develop a game for them.
I had this idea of a several competing groups of conquistadors making their way up a terrain laden table, gathering treasures as they went, encountering groups of Aztecs along the way who were defending villages and temples. However, other projects took priority and the idea was never fully developed. Nonetheless the attraction of the Aztecs has remained. Then about a month ago I received an email from Caliver Books advertising the new plastic Wargames Atlantic Aztecs and Conquistadors…amazingly the inner magpie managed to resist for a week before I ordered a sample box of Aztecs.
Here is the result of my trial, a unit of five Jaguar Knights and a drummer on a diorama base.
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Whether the project will progress beyond these initial units is yet to be seen.
Very colorful figures
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark. Colour is what is needed in the last week with some grey, wet and windy weather in our little part of the world!
DeleteYep. This is something quite unexpected. Very colorful.
ReplyDeleteYou always have to expect the unexpected…
DeleteBut no one ever expects the Spanish Inquisition...! LOL
DeleteThat could introduce a whole new angle to a game!
DeleteThey look amazing Mark, and definitely something a little different. It looks like painting those 15mm figures was worth it after all. A box of conquistadors and you can put on that game you had scoped out. You'll probably need a table full of jungle terrain though.
ReplyDeleteI think I will need several more boxes of Aztecs to take on even one box of conquistadores. Hmmm lots of jungle…actually I have some of that from a WWI game in East Africa.
DeleteLovely figs. Sounds like an excellent idea for a game...a column of conquistadores hacking their way thru the jungle....a bit like a 19thC colonial column dodging tribesmen. Perhaps Mr Babbage in TMWWBK might help.
ReplyDelete(I'm not responsible for any action you may take after reading this btw!)
Thanks Stuart…the ideas are beginning to take shape.
DeleteBase them singly on round bases Mark and not only could I probably repurpose half of my Border Reivers as Conquistadors - but your Aztecs could get a game in my Pulp Project at some point - I have half formed plans for S America as well as N Africa and the Orient....!
ReplyDeleteThe plan is to do the conquistadors as a singles, but the Aztecs as bands. The rationale being that historically very small numbers of conquistadors were able to defeat very large number of Aztecs.
DeleteAnd on the subject of Aztecs and their style of warfare etc, this blog may be of interest, if you are not already aware of it.....http://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteGreat looking Aztecs, wargames Atlantic are coming up with some interesting figure sets, very rapidly too!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
They look great, the freehand shields are very fine! For some mysterious reason I recently backed a kickstarter for Aztec figures, perhaps I should start printing and painting some of those. Yours are inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I have tried to do the simplest of shield patterns. That level of detailed painting is not a strong point for me at all!
DeleteWhat a cracking and colourful unit their Mark; a real feast for the eyes. I have pondered this 'period' but know little about it and the multicoloured clothing and a whole new set of terrain have put me off it for the foreseeable future.
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve. Thankfully I already have some jungle terrain, but still need to build a few temples etc.
DeleteAhaaa - temples too - sounds perfect for my Pulp games too :)
DeleteYes the first drawing are done!
DeleteVery nice indeed Mark…
ReplyDeleteI’m looking forward to seeing where you go with this…
All the best. Aly
The plan is slowly coming together.
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