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| The original and traditional idea which of course, works! |
I was very much looking forward to this task but at the same time had some trepidation. I worked hard on the painting, I loved the sculpts and the poses yet putting them all together in a unit presented some challenges.
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| Marginal bayonet overhang - still a nightmare for my OCD |
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| From a slightly different angle |
The chaps thrusting their bayonets forward instinctively look like they should be in the front rank yet giving them the space to do this meant that the entire unit would either have to be compressed towards the back of the base or I have to look my figure basing demon straight in the eye and have precious and potentially fragile bayonets overhanging the front lip of the base.
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| Front of base, regular bayonet wall, 3 ranks all on 60mm |
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| Two musketeer stands together |
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| Looking neater.... |
Damage and distortion would be almost inevitable - disproportionate heartache for an anally retentive soul such as mine.
Then, just as I was puzzling this through, I got an e-mail question from one of the Blog followers with the question - how was I going to do it? Serendipitously timed, I decided to mock up a couple of iterations to see what worked best. My final choice scores for me on four counts and does not on one. I think the result is a very good compromise.
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| Another angle and without the pikes |
1. Regularity of the bayonet wall.
2. Alignment with the front ran of pikemen.
3. Front 'ready' men appear to be protecting their second rank 'thrusting' comrades.
4. Enough space at the back of the base to place supernumaries on the two musketeer wings.
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| Incomplete but taking shape |
My only regret I have mitigated somewhat. The full animation an visibility of the thrusting model is somewhat hidden by his place in the second rank but, by having him on the end of the row on both flanks his pose is visible plainly.
Next time I will jumble the poses up as if the are some disordered on contact.
Will be good to see what others do with these poses. The figures are now available for pre order:
Code R10.