γνῶθι σεαυτόν

Know Thyself, that's what was inscribed above the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. When I saw the Victrix 28mm plastic hoplites, I knew myself too well, I knew I was always going to get some.

I have Xyston Greeks in 15mm - but no spears and having to drill 15mm hands to take a wire spear is not much fun.  They are also £3.50 for a packet of 8! The Victrix Greeks are £22.95 for a packet of 48, or £3.82 for 8, spears included and are easier to put together than the Xyston are to drill out.

So I got a couple of sprues off EBay to have a go, and this is the first test figure. I base coated it in Tamiya Buff and gave it a wash of Vallejo Smoke which brought the detail out. I splashed some paint on, lined the cuirass yoke and then gave it another wash of smoke - not a lot of effort really and I haven't painted a 28mm figure in at least 10 years, probably more:

Anyway here is the figure without its shield as yet:

I sense the inevitable!