Your Free Legionary

[Phil]

I've heard that they were issued with both red and white - though which was worn when is as much a matter of conjecture as the question of whether they did have two differently coloured tunics. I'm not sure about the funeral thing at all!

Personally, I am doing all my 'rank and file' in (off)white tunics, with red being reserved for centurions, optios, etc., so they stand out.

Phil

[Germanicus]

There is a project being undertaken soon to use lasers in Trajan's Column to see what the original colours were. That should upset a few people!

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The problem with trajans column is, that as for most other monuments, many historicans think, that the style of the figures, equipment etc was not everytime, that what was

accurate, but mostly the prefered style of the artist. For example there is a hot discussion, if the

leginaries in the dacian war really wear lorica segmentata, or not. Because another one, the monuments of Adamclisi, dont show a single legionary with lorica segmentata. I think, like also the question with the tunic colours,

the real answer could not really be found. Some historicans think, that there would have been many different colours.

The most extensive study thus far is by Graham Sumner in his book “Roman Military Clothing Part I” (Osprey, 2002)

Also here is a interesting discussion about tunics in general and also about colours:

http://www.romanarmy.nl/rat/viewtopic.php?t=16795

Its a shame, that we have no time machine, to have a look or two of all the unanswered questions.

Cheers

Helmut

[Varus]

Thanks for the replies! Must... finish... legionary... Seriously, if I have so much trouble finishing one model, I don't know how I'll finish the army.

[Publius Cornelius Scipio]

Hi everyone.

Just finished mine, unbased as yet bu we'll see how long that lasts.

I don't usually paint over white so this has been more difficult than usual. I'm really pleased with free hand though, my best ever.

[Mostyn]

There's something about free figrues that says you simply have to paint them.

Sorry about the photo quality (daylight bulb is elsewhere) so you get backlit with sunlight. I have to say a great figure without any of those “indeterminate” bits that are a real pain to paint - now I just have to resist the urge to buy extra copies of WI.

Hope you like it. Incidently what is the design on the trasfers in the boxed set? That way if I do break into WHsmiths undercover of darkness to get a second figure I can make sure I at least do the shield correctly

[Phil]

The transfers have the same design as on the wallpaper/boxart:

http://www.warlordgames.co.uk/neo/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/1024×768_wallpaper_wallpaper.jpg

Which would appear to be Legio VI Victrix (the Sixth Victorious Legion).

Phil

[Little Odo]

Some very nice paint jobs guys - I am about to put in an order in for dip and matt spray so I can start on my legionaries soon.

I am a bit of a cowardly painter, so usually go for something that I have seen "work" before. Can someone (Paul?) let me know the exact colours/makes of the paints, undercoats and varnishes that were used to paint the troops on display at Salute please?

With regards tunic colours, the only one I am aware of as being "correct" is that of the Praetorians, who wore white. Not sure on legionaries, but red and/or cream both look good. I will be saving green and blue for auxilliaries and may try black for one or two as an experiment.

The tunics were most definitely NOT purple however. That is one colour that could not be worn except by emperors - and on senator's togas a thin purple hem was allowed.

[Paul @ Warlord Games]

Little Odo said:

Some very nice paint jobs guys - I am about to put in an order in for dip and matt spray so I can start on my legionaries soon.

I am a bit of a cowardly painter, so usually go for something that I have seen “work” before. Can someone (Paul?) let me know the exact colours/makes of the paints, undercoats and varnishes that were used to paint the troops on display at Salute please?

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No problemo:

1. Spray with Army Painter platemail spray

2. Paint basecoat colours:

Tunic: GW Blood Red

Caligae sandals: GW Bestial Brown

Base sand: GW Bubonic Brown

Scabbard baldrick: GW Bestial Brown

Base edging: GW Scorched Brown

Flesh: Not sure about this one - looks too pink to be Elf Flesh or Bronzed flesh

Dip was Quick Shade strong tone although Soft Tone would work equally as well. Dark Tone is too heavy in my mind.

The key thing to remember with the dip is it looks bloody awful when you use it. My heart droped when I dipped my Eastern Archers. I wondered what I'd done wrong.

However, salvation is at hand - a good matt varnish spray (Army Painter Anti Shine matt varnish is totally matt) magically turns it into a really nice paint job so don't worry!

Cheers,

Paul

[Little Odo]

Thanks for the advice Paul

[Little Odo]

My son and I have been busy over the weekend glueing and painting the freebies from Salute.

We have managed to just do the basic colours so far and will "dip" them and base them just as soon as I place the order...

My son's legionary is the red one on the left in the pictures - Considering he is just aged 8 I think he has done a better job than me!

Apologies if the pictures are too large or poorly presented - I have just bought a digital camera and these are the first pictures taken with it. I am sure my methods will improve over time.

I have also glued up my first boxed set of legionaries - Hopefully will start painting them over the coming weeks.