Fanks Crooksy! It’s not an Ansell, further investigation revealed the base was etched with “MP”, meaning it was Michael Perry. And the, er, style of the hand means it can’t be a Bryan Ansell.

Now I’ve started to research it I suspect I’ll find the miniatures popping up in all the old books, like the 4th edition Warhammer Fantasy rulebook trio. It’s amazing what’s been hiding in plain sight. When I started collecting the 1985 Citadel Lord of the Rings line I realised those figures appear all over the place.

My own knowledge of pre-slotta is pretty limited too. From what I’ve come across, over the years, most of it pretty soft on detail and proportioned terribly. But there are still quite a few gems in amongst the chaff.

With you painting style I’m really interested to see what other oldschool stuff you dig up and give the once over to.

I get round it as the ranges were concurrent, and possibly even sculpted by the same people – Goblin Lee reckoned Gnollin is a Perry or an Ansell (I think it’s an Ansell myself). I can omit him from the force when I am feeling purist, but can stick him in when I’m feeling a bit Warhammer 3E or a bit silly with the historical angle. I do like the idea of fantasy races wandering around England in the Dark Age – accepted as “normal” by the general populace. In the medieval times some people collected what they genuinely thought were griffon eggs.

There’s a little sense of historicity whenever I handle models that are older than me. They feel like genuine antiques.

Thanks! I’m sure the people in the rank behind are a bit miffed at having such a diminutive chappy in front of them in the battleline.

When I initially got the figure I was actually a bit disappointed – he was bigger than I thought from photographs (guess that was why he is a GREAT goblin rather than goblin). His beefier-than-anticipated size meant I was uneasy sticking him alongside the humans, but it works!

Thanks! I’d have the ranges committed to memory if Citadel had published lovely big printed catalogue to thumb, full of photographs.