ECW models in a TYW perspective?

[mrtn]

As a newcomer to historical gaming (well, painting, haven't done any gaming yet ) I'm a bit confused by the differences in styles if you compare ECW models with TYW. The infantry isn't that hard, since Warlord make both Imperial and Swedish ranges, but how about cavalry? Would the plastic ECW cavalry be useful for any of the sides, and if so do they work "as is" or would you need to convert them by adding or removing helmet or hat options for example?

If someone could say which pieces of equipment (hats, helmets or what have you) should not be used on TYW models I'd be grateful. I'd like to avoid a "You put an Irish hat on a German?! " reaction before I paint my models.

[grant]

Invisible Officer is your best bet here. But I think you can count on using more cuirass equipped troops, armour was still in fashion, but beyond that...... IO?

[carvel2]

Yes IO...he'd be more than happy for you to PM him and he's sure to give you a range of sources to work from.

[2close2theflame]

from my research grant pretty much has it. more armor, a few different weapons and battle formations. also theyre right invis oficer does know his research sources from what ive seen. good luck,and have fun.,and welcome to my favorite period in history!

[mrtn]

Thanks, lets hope he finds this thread then.

I have read some of the Osprey books of the era, as well as some other stuff, but that only tells you what was used, but not what wasn't used.

[2close2theflame]

yeah im constantly rechecking my books while modelling, i can get kinda ocd over accuracy sometime lol

[Fury]

The Warlord plastic cavalry comes with several visor options. I want to use them as TYW cavalry. Were the triple bar visors used in the TYW? I haven't seen them in any of my books about the war.

[2close2theflame]

i cant say yes for sure, but i dont recall seeing the barred versions myself on any of the armies off the top of my head

[MediumAl]

Hi,
I seem to remember reading that the triple bar wasn't suitable for TYW. I think that they tended to have a single sliding nasal bar. I produced my harquebusiers by cutting away the 2 side bars to leave the central one. Generally speaking, the lobster tail seems to be less common, but it's close enough for me. Rounded helmets with a central ridge appear to be more common, but they would be harder to convert on the plastic figures, because the hair and the lobster tails are moulded on.
I'll mix my converted Harquebusiers with some of the Harquebusier boxed set when I get one, and perhaps some TAG ones to give the extra variety I like.

Al

[HobbitMiles]

Broadly speaking yes, ECW figures are suitable for TYW. Remember that most ECW equipment, especially early on, was actually imported from the continent, so whilst the triple bar lobster pot was known as the "English Pot" I think that they were actually imported from Holland. Most English cavalry aimed for the equipment of a "harquebuss" - this would consist of a pot helm, back and breast, buff coat, possibly a bridle gauntlet (left handed plate gauntlet for holding the reins), a good broad or back sword, pair of pistols and a carbine. Obviously not all achieved this level of equipment and carbines were relatively rare. Occassionally other bits of kit were adopted such as the pole-ax (more akin to a war hammer than the medieval pole-arm) and individuals may have served in the TYW and retained items of European origin. Blackmore's "Arms and Armour of the English Civil Wars" is a good starting place for research, Edwards' "Dealing in Death" is a good source on the import of arms & armour.

Probably the only item of ECW kit that I would avoid for TYW figures is the Scots' Bonnet.