Battle of the Teutoburger Forrest - 2000th Anniversary (1 Viewer)

[Andanna]

I was wondering whether anyone can guide me into the right direction: I am looking for 54mm matte figures from the above mentioned confrontation

2009 will mark the 2000th anniversary of the “Battle of the Teutoburger Forrest”. You might consider this a misnomer as it was neither a “battle”, rather a slaughter, and it was not in the Teutoburger Forest, but rather north of it, in Kalkriese, according to majority opinion. Therefore, the battle is now also known as “Varus-Battle”.

Having been born in the area, I was wondering whether any toy soldier manufacturer has addressed that battle between the Imperial Legions XVII - XVIII - XIX of the Roman Army (happened to be the last battle in the existence of these units) and several Germanic tribes. Most of the manufacturers, including East of India, are focusing on the legions fighting in more exotic places with better weather like Britain.

The only manufacturers I was able to find were Aeroart with their “Teutoburg Forest Ambush” series (http://www.aeroart.org/military_min...sp?product=3790&col=St. Petersburg Collection) and – as kits, unpainted – the very impressive range of figures from Time Machine Miniatures titled “The Teutoburger Wald Series” (http://www.timemachineminiatures.com/).

I find the Aeroart series to be a little limited, but I am sure if you bought the complete set, you could put together a nice diorama. But I would certainly be interested in the Time Machine collection if they were available painted. But I just cannot believe this is all that is out there ….

The pictures of the diorama are from Time Machine (I find them a little dark, but the character of the battle is very well expressed) and I am also attaching one from Thor's interpretation of Arminius:

 

[theBaron]

I don't think any toy soldier manufacturer makes a specific figure or figures of Varus' legions, but if you are willing to do some paint and conversion work, there are figures out there that could be converted, some with as little as a change in insignia.

Tradition of London has some kits in its catalog, as well as finished figures, though those are in gloss. Their website is:

http://www.traditionoflondon.com/index.asp?page=Home.asp#

In Tradition's model soldier range, you will also find the individual castings sculpted by Charles Stadden. There are Romans and barbarians in the catalog, and you can order them painted, but because they are one-off pieces, it takes a while to process them.

John Eden has some, if not all, of the old Rose Figures by Russell Gammage in his catalog, but those, too, are kits. But if you want to take a look, his site is:

http://www.johnedenstudios.com/

Gammage made Romans specific to Britannia, including a little diorama of the Romans scourging Boudicca, but again, with minor changes of details, they would pass for troops from the Varusschlacht. He also made Gauls, some of which could be converted to Teutons (file the horns off the helmets, for example).

BlueBox made a 4-figure set of Romans, back in the mid- to late 90's. Those were metal figures with plastic weapons. Unfortunately, the set comprised a figure of Julius Caesar, a signifer, and two legionnaires, one throwing his pilum, the other at "order arms", if you will, with his pilum in his right hand, spear butt on the ground, and his scutum to his left. If you wanted to put together a company of soldiers, you had to buy a lot of the sets and wind up with a surplus of Caesars. (I saw one such display of the legionnaires from this set once, at the MFCA show, about 40 of them on a table.)

Sanderson also had a Roman range, though much of that was civilian figures. I'm not sure that those are still in production, though.

Upshot is, you may have to do some painting and conversion, to get the specific result you're looking for.

Prost, und frohe Weihnachten!
Brad

 

[marco55]

Pegaso put out a series of 5 kits but they are very expensive.3@$84,1@$115,1@$195 and thats not put together and painted.They are at www.coloradominiatures.com.
Mark

 

[Andanna]

Re: Battle of the Teutoburger Forest - 2000th Anniversary

Thank you, Brad and Mark, for sharing the results of your research. I have been working on kits (I do not dare call it painting) in the past, but am unable to meet my own standards.

I have a clear preference for Pegaso, Time Machine and/or Aeroart. Does someone know a good painter if I had these kits painted - possibly in Russia?

I let you know whether I will ultimately decide to go down this treacherous path.

 

[Andanna]

Just found this set from Andrea Miniatures. Do you think this could be of the Teutoburger Wald battle?

Shot with DCS Pro 14N at 2008-12-28

Shot with DCS Pro 14N at 2008-12-28

Shot with DCS Pro 14N at 2008-12-28

 

[marco55]

I had this once but sold it.George Grasse is a paiinter (www.histomin.com) does excellent work but is expensive.This particular kit would cost $740 if he supplies the kit.$584 if you do,plus S&H.Susan Leicht is very good and much more reasonable and is a forum member.I was looking on the net yesterday at miniature painters and their are quite a few.Hope this helps a little.
Mark

 

[Spitfrnd]

I had this once but sold it.George Grasse is a paiinter (www.histomin.com) does excellent work but is expensive.This particular kit would cost $740 if he supplies the kit.$584 if you do,plus S&H.Susan Leicht is very good and much more reasonable and is a forum member.I was looking on the net yesterday at miniature painters and their are quite a few.Hope this helps a little.
Mark

Is Susan still painting? I never got an email reply to my enquiry?

 

[theBaron]

Just found this set from Andrea Miniatures. Do you think this could be of the Teutoburger Wald battle?...

I think you're right, Andanna, it is very likely inspired by the battle, even if Andrea might not have named it as such, in their catalog.

I think I've seen it over at HZ-Forum (http://www.hz-forum.de), in somebody's gallery. The Roman period is popular there, and there are a couple of true experts in the Roman era in general, and Rome in Germania specifically.

Prosit!
Brad

 

[marco55]

Is Susan still painting? I never got an email reply to my enquiry?

Susan is still painting.She has a vignette she's going to do for me but she can't do until after the holidays.
Mark

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Just found this set from Andrea Miniatures. Do you think this could be of the Teutoburger Wald battle?

Shot with DCS Pro 14N at 2008-12-28

Shot with DCS Pro 14N at 2008-12-28

Shot with DCS Pro 14N at 2008-12-28

The armor is too late in this offering. Take a closer look at the Time Machine figures in the first posting. The clothing and equipment on these figures are very good for the period in which the battle took place. My suggestion would be to purchase these kits and have them painted by one of the painting services. There are several sets in this range and a very nice display can be created.
Ken

 

[marco55]

The Time Machine sets are very nice but could get a little costly as there are now 16 sets but if you could buy them all and had a set or 2 painted at a time it would be a nice long term project.
Mark

 

[wadepat]

Hi Andanna,

I am fortunate to own one of the Time Machine Miniatures sets of the Battle of the Teutoburger Forest. The set I own is Set #TS-TW1, Surrounded. I found this set at the Chicago Show four years ago. At the time, I was told who painted it, but, unfortunately, I have long since forgotten the name.

Since acquiring this set, I have watched for the sale of additional painted sets to add to the diorama. So far, I have not come across these sets since my original purchase.

I have posted a few pictures of my set below. Please forgive the poor photography as I took these pictures very soon after purchasing my digital camera. As you can see, I had lots to learn about using the camera (and I still do!). Nevertheless, I am very impressed with the set, the figures, and the quality of the painting and I recommend the series to you. I hope you enjoy seeing my set.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[marco55]

Very very nice.I almost started collecting them a few years ago but decided against it as I developed interests in new periods.
Mark

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hi All,
Ken said that Chuck at the Red Lancer may have these sets.
Happy New Year!
Ericka

 

[marco55]

Yes, Red Lancer and Time machine webstore have all these.
Mark

 

[Andanna]

A Thank You to all who have replied.

Apart from Ken's observation that the armor might be too modern for 9AD, for my taste the Andrea kit has a little too much of "Conan the Cimmerion" in it. The Time Machine kits are very impressive.

I will need to look for a good painting service if I pursued this route.

How do I identify a good service?

... and for Pat: You do have quite a range of interests. Respect.

 

[marco55]

Andanna,
I have had Mr.Grasse do many sets for me and does museum quality work.I haven't got my first item from Susan Leicht yet but everyone says she is very good.
Mark

 

[Andanna]

I am in the process of reading the new OSPREY title "Teutoburg Forest AD 9" by Michael McNally, illustrated by Peter Dennis. My initial observation is that it is a good summary of the status of the research/excavations of the "Varus Battle".

One of my approaches to the battle that I had shared earlier was that I did not believe that Arminius and his "turncoats" went home to change out of their Roman armor into Germanic tribal clothing, but attacked the Roman wagon train in the armor they wore as Roman Auxiliary cavalry, possibly even taking advantage of that deception. {eek3}

Here you go:

I recommend the book for an introduction into a battle in which the Romans were clearly outmaneuvered and hence annihilated.

 

[theBaron]

That is a very good point, Andreas! Practically every represent of the Varusschlacht that I've seen depicts the tribesmen in their Stammestracht, but I have never seen representations of the auxiliaries who followed Arminius and betrayed their "patrons". I'm going to add this title to my wish list, thanks for the recommendation.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Andanna]

I have now read through the Osprey title on the Varus battle and like it for the plates as well as the entertainment value. But that unfortunately is it.

I would not recommend the book for individuals interested in historical accuracies ...

For details and examples, please read here:

http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat.html?func=view&catid=25&id=283345