Whim Whim Chariots pulled by Great Desert Aepyers (Wars of Ozz)

I mentioned in my last post that I would have cavalry units coming up next to augment the Whim Whim – and here they both are – “Whim Whim Chariots pulled by Great Desert Aepyers”.

What are Aepyers, let alone Great Desert ones? It seems that they are similar to either jackals or the ancient Egyptian god Anubis. They definitely have that feel.

In Wars of Ozz games, a Whim Whim Chariot Regiment (WWCR) consists of two chariots deployed abreast in a column formation (never in line formation) on 2″ x 4″ bases. This is due to the physical size of the models. The two chariot bases in the regiment are always deployed abreast, and each base acts as two normal Ozz bases. By this I mean that one chariot base counts as two bases. When the regiment has taken four hits – then it is treated as a three-base unit. After four more hits, the regiment becomes a two-base unit with one of the two chariot bases removed. After 4 more hits, it becomes a one-base unit. Each chariot is pulled by 4 Aepyers, and has three figures inside. I had two regiments to paint up for Historicon.

The unit is found on the website as SKU OZZ-1403. With 2 bowmen, a driver, a chariot,and 4 Aepyer per WWCR base – that makes a total of 32 figures for both WWCR’s together. WWCR’s are quite powerful. They are treated as cavalry, and have all the shock advantages as other cavalry units. They also have missile capabilities with their bows. Their Marksmanship is exceptionally good with a value of 8/10. The WWCR’s are average in Melee with a value of 6/10. They do not have regimental commanders.

As far as their ability to stand fast against an attack, the WWCR’s are average with a Resolve value of 6/10 – but as it’s tough for infantry to charge cavalry in Ozz games, this is better than you’d expect. Their desire to get into and stay in a fight is average with an Elan value of 6/10. Point-wise, they cost 6 points per WWCR. The figures are 28mm and metal. The Aepyers have basically two different sculpts.

The WWCR photo from the website is below.

As you will see below, I made some modeling and color modifications. I thought that instead of scoring the metal on the chariots to look like wood, that I would actually use wooden matchsticks to achieve that look. I did this before on my conquistador ships. I also wanted to rig the yokes with thread, As I had two regiments, I took some liberties with the color schemes to differentiate them from each other on their wheels, uniforms, and Aepyers.

I started work on all of these WWCR’s right after the 4th of July (the 6th actually) with the hope of finishing them before leaving for Historicon on July 18th. These took a few twists and turns that you will see in the WIP shots next.

Whim Whim Chariots WIP Shots and Discussion

I decided to work on the figures separately from the chariot components. As I did with the WW spearmen regiments, I mounted the chariot crew figures themselves on popsicle sticks for painting instead of the specimen jars that I usually use to save space.

I first cut and glued the wooden matchsticks to the chariots, and brush primed them when dry.

I primed, gave a wash application, and dry brushed all the components.

By July 9th, I had made some progress on the project as seen below.

By the next day (July 10th), I had made some more progress.

July 11th and 12th saw me more approaching asssembly and base preparation.

After I assembled the chariots, it became obvious that attaching the yokes to the Aepyers needed a special approach if I was to successfully mount and rig everything – and attach to the poles on the chariots.

I chose to mount the Aepyers to a 2″ square steel base first. Then, once they were in position, I would add their yokes across their backs – shaping to the different heights of their saddles. Next, I would add basing paste to the bases to hide the steel bases under the Aepyers. I would then glue that assembly to the styrene base, and add more basing paste to hide the steel bases’ edges.

At this point I would be able to determine the exact position of each set of chariot wheels by mocking the set up. I marked those spots on the styrene, and scored depressions there for the wheels. I next covered the rest of the base with the basing paste, and let that dry (with some hair dryer help), leaving the depressions alone.

July 15th saw the final assembly. Once dry enough, I then mounted the wheels into the depressions, and used Gorilla Glue to hold the wheels and the flippy pole onto the yoke. I added some pigments to the sand, then rigged with some sewing thread. Then it was on to varnishing and flocking and I was finally done on July 15th. Phew!

I hear you – “Mark that’s a LOT of WIP”. Yes, so it’s time for…

Eye Candy

As with my WW Spearmen, these did make their first brief tabletop battle at Historicon in July. I did not feel well at Historicon, but managed this picture of their encounter with a regiment of Gillikin Dire Wolves.

This project also qualifies for Dave Stone’s “Season of Scenery 2024” community painting challenge as he includes vehicles. Thanks Dave for running that!

I still have more Whim Whim units to paint up over the rest of the summer, but I’ve made a nice dent in the pile…

Did you enjoy this WIP-heavy post? Any feedback – any favorite WWCR? Let me know! I always thank you for looking!

And yes, I still have much more Ozz to come…

Miscellaneous details and references for those interested in that sort of thing:

For all of my earlier posts on Wars of Ozz games, figures, units, and other related projects – please see this page.

PAINTS, INKS, GLAZES, SHADES, WASHES, PIGMENTS, FLOCKING, GLUES AND MORE THAT I USED ON THESE TWO WHIM WHIM CHARIOT REGIMENTS:

1. Number 6 steel washers
2. Gorilla Glue
3. Popsicle sticks
4. Elmer’s PVA Glue
5. Wooden matchsticks
6. Vallejo Surface Primer “Grey”
7. Vallejo Mecha Primer “White”
8. Vallejo “Airbrush Thinner”
9. Army Painter “Dark Tone” (wash)
10. Plastruct SKU 91108, .125″/3.3mm styrene sheets
11. Wargames Accessories #21 bases (2″ square steel bases)
12. Wargames Accessories FOW #1 (1.25″ X 1″ steel bases)
13. Vallejo Model Color “Off White”
14. Citadel “Contrast Paint – Ratling Grime”
15. Citadel “Contrast Paint – Wyldwood”
16. Army Painter “Speed Paint – Caribbean Ocean 2.0”
17. Army Painter “Speed Paint – Ghillie Dew 2.0”
18. Army Painter “Speed Paint – Fire Giant Orange 1.0”
19. Citadel “Contrast Paint – Contrast Medium”
20. Vallejo Model Air “Wood”
21. Army Painter “Warpaints Metallic – True Copper”
22. Army Painter “Speed Paint – Aztec Gold 2.0”
23. Army Painter “Speed Paint – Aged Hide 2.0”
24. Citadel “Contrast Paint – Basilicanum Grey”
25. Citadel “Longbeard Grey” (dry)
26. Vallejo Model Air “Black” (metallic)
27. Vallejo Model Air “Chrome”
28. Battlefront “Black”
29. Army Painter “Speed Paint – Satchel Brown 2.0”
30. Citadel “Contrast Paint – Snakebite Leather”
31. Vallejo Model Color “Glossy Black”
32. P3 “Blazing Ink”
33. Citadel “Gehenna’s Gold”
34. Vallejo Mecha Color “Steel”
35. Army Painter “Speed Paint – Familiar Pink 2.0”
36. Army Painter “Speed Paint – Crusader Skin 1.0”
37. Pendraken 12mm dice frames
38. Shadow’s Edge Miniatures Earth Works Dirt Colors “Sand Dust” (texture/basing paste)
39. Paper clip wire
40. Black Sharpie pen
41. Vallejo “Dark Yellow Ochre” (pigment)
42. Vallejo “Light Yellow Ochre” (pigment)
43. Vallejo “Desert Dust” (pigment)
44. Citadel “Seraphim Sepia” (wash/shade)
45. Tan sewing thread
46. Vallejo Mecha Varnish “Gloss Varnish”
47. Vallejo Mecha Varnish “Matte Varnish”
48. Vallejo “Flow Improver”
49. Army Painter “Battlefield Rocks” (flocking)
50. Shadow’s Edge Miniatures “4mm Badlands Tufts” (flocking)
51. Shadow’s Edge Miniatures “6mm Scorched Earth Tufts” (flocking)

As you may want to check out the excellent Wars of Ozz figures’ range – there are two places to get them and to get the rules (and I make no money from this btw). The game rules and the figures are available from the next two places:

In the US Old Glory has a site – Wars of Ozz Miniatures.

In the UK go to Sally 4th.