As Jagger I also would like to see the crusade / medieal range expand.

I would have to agree with Jagger as well!    Except considering the age and smallness of the current line, I would like to see a new crusader era line from scratch with the latest sculpting techniques and period information.  A crusader/arab/steppe line wouldn't need nearly the number of models as WW2 but something that challenges the WW2 line would be Ok...  

QuoteAdded!  There are some Google images of these with big rockets?!

I have read of the Naffatun use and seen some Osprey drawings of the Naffatun but can't find the right osprey now.  I believe Perry Miniatures had some very good models and photos of them.  The perry model with the small square can with projectile tube matches the drawings I have seen.

I think the naffatun picture is in the Osprey book on the Mamluks. Hope that helps.

Quote from: FierceKitty on 24 July 2010, 05:47:52 AM
I think the naffatun picture is in the Osprey book on the Mamluks. Hope that helps.

Cheers, I'll try and get hold of a copy.

Now I am facing to make some comands as Imans (in warmaster system they are a command-subordinate element) for an araby army.

Is there a figure suitable for an Iman or religous leader? If not my suggestion is a reference for Iman or praying muslims or a well dressed dude with a dagger or noble dressed figure or something like that, as the scultper choose.

To sum up, a vote for Iman or noble muslim.

Some praying sons of the Prophet would be very welcome as bagage elements.

I would like the Muslim religious figures as well.  Actually a group pack to form a Muslim camp with camels and tents would be nice as well.

Although really I would like to see the early crusades period finished with Turks and Byzantines added to the Fatamids and early crusaders.  The Fatamids are almost done except the Ghulams.  I think you can do just about any early crusader using the Norman, Anglo-Saxon and Viking ranges.

The Turks really don't need many different troop types-horse archers, cavalry with mail and lance, cavalry with mail, lance and bow, foot infantry with bow and javelins.  The ghulam, dependent on how designed, might serve as both Fatamid and Turkish ghulam.

The Byzantines would be a bit more tricky with their variety of mercenaries.  Some of the late Romans would work perfectly well as Byzantines.  Their horse archers work fine as Cumans, Alans, Pechegnegs and even Skythikons.  The unarmored militia can be used for a variety of Balkan medium/light infantry-shields are oval though.  I don't have the slingers but the archers can be used for Byzantine bow, IMO.  I thought I could use the armored infantry and cavalry but the helmets and shields aren't right.  The cavalry helmets have face guards but in general several problems vs the early crusades byzantine.  Plus the shields are large oval instead of kite shield or round.  The armored infantry also has the face guards and some have the crest.  So in general, the late romans work for early crusades byzantines if you use the unarmored figures rather than the armored figures.  Also I suspect the vikings line would probably work for Varangians.   But using late romans and vikings still leaves some pretty big gaps without the heavy cavalry and armored infantry.

It would be nice.

It's an interesting period, and one which looks like it would be popular.  We'll maybe have a look at this in 2011.

Today I have recieve my last load of Pendraken lead. Iman could be made with a pose of SC13 arab civilians. This reference has a very beatiful figures. Camels with bagagge is SC14 and arab tents PS15.

When I take a picture I will link here

Thanks Leon.  I will keep my fingers crossed the period looks promising in 2011.

I'd like crusaders and saracens too - including the naptha throwers. Fatimids would be nice, but any will do.

QuoteExcept considering the age and smallness of the current line, I would like to see a new crusader era line from scratch with the latest sculpting techniques and period information.

Ummm...correction.  I just received my first order of arab miniatures for my Fatimid army and they are very nice.  I don't know where I got the idea the arabs were an old line but they certainly don't look old.  They have a similiar bulk to the AWI, ACW, Late Romans line.  The details are nicely upraised for painting and definition.   Neither the shields or the spears are too thick.  The poses are very natural and appropriate.  Overall, these arab figures are very nice.  The only drawback is they are single pose.    Also there were some molding problems with the bows of the horse archers but still useable.  Hopefully that was just a one off bad batch.

IMO, these arab figures are a very good base for expansion.

I've checked on the horse archers, and it's the mould causing the slight miscast, so we'll have to get that one remoulded at some point soon.