12th Century Desert Skirmish (1 Viewer)

[mestell]

Here are some pics of the Crusaders & Saracens that I brought back with me from the Chicago OTSN show. The two desert scenic bases were made by Ken Osen (Hudson & Allen) and were purchased directly from him at the show. It was a real pleasure meeting Ken and being able to talk with him at length on diorama design. He was very willing to make himself available and to share his knowledge - a great gentleman. The Crusaders and Saracens are a mix of K&C and Aero Art (St Petersburg Collection). Enjoy -

Mike

 

[mestell]

More Pics -

 

[mestell]

Even some more pics -

 

[mestell]

These pics are of the Aero Art (St Petersburg Collection) Scaling Ladder set with 4 Crusaders. This is my favorite set that I purchased and it looks great against the walls of "Acre"

Mike

 

[marco55]

Great figures Mike.
Mark

 

[Youngster]

Nice job Mike! Good to see all those figures you got going to good use!

Greg

 

[Capitolron]

Mike

That is a great display - again I envy your space for the Acre display !

This range is really taking off with the new releases - can't wait for the next round. Of course I have to catch up with this round !!

 

[pnadworny]

great job on the dioramas. they look great

PAtrick

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

This is a great range and I would love to start collecting them.But WW2 is so large I will never be able to buy what I want in that range without starting a new one.But boy there good.Simmo.

 

[The Templar]

Great scenic you got there! And once again - great set up. Love the St Petersburg Collection and Aero Art!

 

[JPB]

Nice!

JP

 

[Jagdpanther]

Very nice! I still have yet to purchase those new Crusaders. Is that st petersburg ladder set still available?

 

[mestell]

Very nice! I still have yet to purchase those new Crusaders. Is that st petersburg ladder set still available?

I purchased the ladder set from Thor Johnson of AeroArt. The ladder sets come with 3 or 4 Crusaders. The sets also come with either the top Crusader carrying a banner or just a weapon. They scale very well with the K&C Crusaders, but they have a higher degree of detailed painting. As a comparison, the K&C unmounted figures retail from $29-$35 each, St. Petersburg Collection unmounted figures retail from $100-$150 each. You can imagine what the ladder set cost me but I am absolutely pleased with it. Its like a piece of art. AeroArt is on the web and would be an easy search to find.

Mike

 

[Leadmen]

Mike: Nice figures and diorama scenes you posted. Thanks for the neat pictures of these quality figures. I can see why you like the Crusader era. John

 

[Mike97]

This is a great range and I would love to start collecting them.But WW2 is so large I will never be able to buy what I want in that range without starting a new one.But boy there good.Simmo.

I'm with you- I had to make the decision to limit my WWII collecting to BoB to make (budget) room for the Crusader line. I have NO regrets-Crusader line is incredible and the new additions look great.



GREAT DIO- those Aero Art figures look awesome-and seem to go well with K+C.

 

[bearybones]

Mike,

Nice stuff! That desert diorama base is really nice and the figures are all just great. I'm awaiting the arrival of my own new K&C Saracens. I particularly like that small Aero Art dio, of the mounted Templar with the striped lance, fighting the Saracen. Will you be using that one in your large Acre diorama? I look forward to seeing how you might incorporate any new ideas you got at the show into your Acre diorama. I will have the ancient city gate in my own large crusades diorama, so I have just ordered the Conte battering ram - I think it's titled "I hear you Knockin'". I'll give you my impressions of it when it arrives. Isn't this medieval Crusades era stuff just fabulous. By the way, I just picked up a new book in my travels, at a Barnes & Noble in Pittsburgh, on a "reduced price" pile. - "Battles of the Medieval World 1000 - 1500" copyrigth 2006 by Amber Books Ltd. It goes into great detail on the battles of Hattin, Arsuf and Constantinople, among many others. Lots of diograms, showing battle strategies of opposing armies, as well as other drawings, pictures, etc. I think you'd enjoy it.

George

 

[mestell]

Mike,

I particularly like that small Aero Art dio, of the mounted Templar with the striped lance, fighting the Saracen. Will you be using that one in your large Acre diorama? I look forward to seeing how you might incorporate any new ideas you got at the show into your Acre diorama. I will have the ancient city gate in my own large crusades diorama, so I have just ordered the Conte battering ram - I think it's titled "I hear you Knockin'". By the way, I just picked up a new book in my travels, at a Barnes & Noble in Pittsburgh, on a "reduced price" pile. - "Battles of the Medieval World 1000 - 1500" copyrigth 2006 by Amber Books Ltd. It goes into great detail on the battles of Hattin, Arsuf and Constantinople, among many others.

George

Hi George - The mounted Templar is entitled "Templar Knight fighting Saladin's Body Guards; Battle of Arsuf 1191". It has a second half that displays a fallen/wounded Templar on the ground and a Saracen w/shield & axe being lanced by the mounted templar. It's just a matter of time before I acquire the second half.

Mike