This is my second post to go along with the their heavier cavalry compatriots of the Gripping Beast Avar line. Again, as noted, the figures are on the larger side so I will only keep them grouped together with no intention to intermingle with other line of figures of Asiatic Nomads. As for the figures themselves they capture the look of the Avars quite well and consider them a welcome addition.
These figures all by Gripping Beast. Earlier in a previous post I showed some comparison pics of these figures and wondered if I would retain them due to the largeness of their size? Well I have decided I would keep them and their lighter arm cousins would be posted soon. The figures are nice being represented with various types of armor capturing an accurate rendering of how much of the heavier equipped Avars would appear. The Avars fielded semi large armies for their time with their subjugated allies [the Hunnic confederation of forces that preceded them would still have been even larger in numbers] and combined the formidable combination of both using bows as a range weapon and yet armed adequately for combat in closed quarters. I suppose the appeal of all these factors and having historical opponents like the Byzantines and Carolingian Franks is what draws me too them.
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| comparison G.P. byzantines of the left |
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| comparison G.P. byzantines on the left |
Below are some pics of Gripping Beast Avar figures in comparison with Huns by both the Foundry and Footsore. Also included one of Aventine figures from their steppe range. As one can see the Gripping Beast figures tower over the other miniature ranges. The figures of are nice and I have painted up 9 each of the heavier cavalry and 9 of the lighter mounted. Unfortunately, the size difference has me leaning away from keeping them and more than likely I will post separate pics of all 18 figures and post them for sale. At any rate I wanted to get the comparison photos up. If someone prefers the bigger size or simply wants a small group of 18 Avars feel free to let me know and I can see if we can work something out.
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| all 4 are Gripping Beast |
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| Gripping Beast |
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| Gripping Beast |
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| The middle two figures are Huns from Footsore |
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| Footsore in the center |
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| Far left figure is Aventine and the other figure is Wargame Foundry |
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| Far left Aventine the center figure Foundry |
