I've been lazy this past month (I've only painted 50 figures, but based up 800), and time is moving on. I've fought my first battles and 'recruitment' is required...........
I've completed stage one of the project - Trebbia at half scale - and it is time to start stage two: Lake Trasimene at full scale.
The figures required to fight this battle comprise Hannibal's army at full scale and the equivalent of two Roman legions. This stage's to-do list is as follows:
Additions for Hannibal's army:
4 units of Libyan spearmen (96 figures)
4 units of Spanish Scutarii (96 figures)
5 units of African skirmishers (40 figures)
8 units of Gallic foot warriors (176 figures)
2 units of Spanish cavalry (16 figures)
3 units of Numidian cavalry (24 figures)
6 units of Gallic cavalry (48 figures)
A few extra command stands - mainly Gallic
Additions for Flaminius's Roman army:
2 'Legions' of Roman allies each comprising hastati, pricipes, triarii and velites (144 figures)
1 'Extraordinarii' command comprising velites and hastati (48 figures)
4 units of cavalry, including those for the extraordinarii, (32 figures)
I think this will occupy me until November at the latest. More than any other stage of the project this is the one I want to finish most. It breaks the back of the project. When it is done, 1400ish of the 2,300ish figures will be done - and it's always nice to have less than 1000 to do!
After stage 2 I'll be finishing whole national groups, starting with the Romans, then Gauls, Spanish and African / Carthaginian in that order. As each is finished I can say 'DONE!' with more pleasure and satisfaction than you would guess at. The pace I've set for this project, with the November 2011 deadline set in stone, is very gruelling.