28mm War of the Roses - European Mercenaries Infantry 1450-1500 (40 Figures)

European mercenary infantry 1450 to 1500 in 28 mm scale

The set from the British brand PERRY Miniatures holds forty multi-part figures of hard plastic. From the parts you can build up to twelve crossbowmen with pavises, up to twelve handgunners and up to eighteen pikemen, twelve of them with the option of fitting a polearm in place of the pike. Four figures make up the command group. The box further holds twenty-six flags, a painting guide and bases for the units.

The real subject

In the second half of the 15th century infantry stops being an accessory to cavalry and becomes the main force on the battlefield. The Swiss and German companies put long pikes into the field, while Burgundy and the Italian states hired crossbowmen and handgunners. These men served for pay, and so the same unit could turn up in Burgundy, in Switzerland, in France, in the Holy Roman Empire, in the Low Countries, in Italy and in Spain. Mercenaries from the continent went into the Wars of the Roses on both sides of the quarrel.

Building and painting tips

The parts are of hard polystyrene, so they glue with ordinary liquid cement for plastic. Assemble the figures on their bases first and spray them with primer only after that, preferably a dark one, because that creates the shadow in the folds straight away. Lay the areas of color on thinly and lighten them gradually on the raised places. A dark wash and a matte varnish unify the finished paintwork, and the varnish also protects the figure during play and carrying.

Who the figures are for

• players of tabletop wargames in 28 mm scale
• those interested in the late Middle Ages and in mercenary companies
• modelers who build scenes with infantry and with missile troops
• collectors who want versatile European infantry in one package

The figures are supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.