Category Archives: Essex Miniatures

Declan Waters, Essex Miniatures, Fantasy, HIstorical, Hobby Update, Napoleonic, Warlord Games

Hobby Update – Donkeys in Miniature

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Donkey miniatures from Essex Miniatures and Warlord Games

It may not have escaped readers attention that I like Donkeys… and Eeyore does as well. It’s just Bears he’s not sure of.

And so when Essex Miniatures were selling miscasts at Warfare last year I knew I had to rescue some of them… and they joined one I already had from Warlord Games.

Donkeys in Wargaming

They maybe won’t get a lot of play in some of the more cut throat wargames, but I can definitely see them as backdrops in Skirmish games. Or forming part of a baggage train for Napoleonics.

There really is no limit as they are perfect for the background and can even be moveable terrain if you fancy something a bit different.

Pictures

2nd from left is the Warlord Games one… (I think!!)

What about the minis?

The miscasts weren’t too bad. the legs were a little thin so I need to be careful there, but very happy with them and the white metal used was good quality. They were very quick and simple to base and paint as well. Grey is sort of a given here, but the baggage they were carrying allowed for some use of other colours. Primarily Contrast paints to keep things quick.

The Warlord Games one is noticeably better quality, but that is because it’s not a fair comparison. But the size of the models are great and they look like a small coherent pack together. Painted in the same manner as the Essex Miniatures ones.

All four were finished with Matt Varnish (3-4 coats of varnish). They are still metal so they’ll chip if used aggressively. To try to save wear and tear I have also magentised the bases and they will be stored with my Generic Silver Bayonet collection for now.

Buying a Box?

Well, err no… Essex Miniatures don’t have them on their website and the individual one for Warlord Games was a gift at a Trade Show some years ago. They do at least have some donkeys available. (Search for Mules if you are struggling).

But there are loads of companies that make animals for painting (in plastic and white metal). If you fancy painting your own animals then grab them from your FLGS or favourite manufacturer.

— Declan and Eeyore