Grand Re-basing Project

In October 2004, Jef Lauzon, my long-time friend and ancient opponent passed away. He was 56 years old, an age that I have reached.  Jef moved to Halifax from Montreal at some point in the early 1980s. Years later, he'd say he moved to Nova Scotia,  after voting "Oui" in the May 1980 Quebec Referendum.  Jef liked to try to get a rise out of people and he told me this story a number of times after I moved to Quebec. 

Chariots on original 40mm wide bases were added to 

60mm Wide Elements. The Edges were built up

Elephants Re-based

He was a fierce competitor. He wasn't above using Scotch to dull my wits in our WRG 5th and 6th edition ancient matches. From him, I learnt much about the game. He was the opponent that I never beat. I kept going back, despite the punishment. As in chess, one improves by playing against the best. I regret that I was never able to convert him to the 7th Edition rules. If I had, I might not be writing this particular post.

I received a call from his widow, Annette. The time had come to downsize the collection. She kept an army for herself, and both Dru and Chris, sons of his first marriage took the armies they wanted. Annette called to ask me I wanted Jef's Roman Army.  I was surprised but pleased, that she thought of me and immediately said yes. It was an army that I fought countless times over the years and one which caused me constant heartache. It even contained a unit that I painted in the late 1970s.

Example Romans After Debasing.

Legionnaries in Centre are an example of my early paint job.  My First Roman Army consisted of  Airfix Plastics.  We exchanged  24-man units.  I know for certain that my painting skills have improved.

Two boxes of figures arrived about a week later. Last month was time to take stock. The army was in storage since its arrival. One reason is that the majority of the figures were individually based. Jef liked the flexibility that it provided.  I knew that it was going to take a while to redo. In addition to the Romans, there were Celtic Chariots; Indian and African Elephants: and Greek Cavalry and Infantry. 

Cavalry on the Right needs to be Soaked

I didn't redo any of the Light Infantry or Horse

Each day  I would soak a couple of units in water in order to soften the glue. Each evening I'd spend an hour or so, detaching the miniatures from their individual bases. The figures were then mounted  for the WRG/DBX family of rules. Sometimes it seemed to be a hopeless struggle. I replaced numerous blades of my utility knife.  I'd swear that it would have been easier to have used a hammer and chisel on some of the bases. But finally after three weeks, the job was done.

Greek Phalanx on Double Ranked Elements 

Step one is complete.  I still have to use texture paint and flocking to complete the makeover, but I think the worst part of the job has been done.

List of Troops that were rebased:

Nation	Type	DBX	Elements	Figures
Celts	MCh	Kn	6	6
Late Roman	SHC	Kn	3	12
Persan (Sassanid )	El	El	3	3
Roman	HC	Cav	8	24
Roman	HC/MC	Cav	13	39
Roman	HI	Blades	24	96
Roman	LC	Lh	20	40
Roman	LHI	Aux	8	32
Roman	LI	Psiloi	26	52
Roman	LMI	Aux	22	66
Roman	LMI	Bw	6	24
Roman	MC	Cav	5	15
Roman	MCm	Cav	2	6
Successors	El	El	5	5
Successors	HC	Cav	4	12
Successors	HI	Pike	11	44
Successors	HI	Pike	16	64
Successors	HI/MI	Spear	8	24
Successors	HI/MI	Spear	9	36
Successors	HI/MI	Spear/Pike	2	8
Successors	LC	Lh	17.5	35
Successors	LI	Psiloi	27	54
Successors	LMI	Aux/War	3	12
Successors	MI	Bow	6	24
Totals: Elements/ Figures			254.5	733