Military History |
New World | Mexico
15mm Wargaming Figures to use for Conquistators, Aztecs and Maya
Posted 18 Jan 2003
I've seen few of these figures so this page is largely based catalogues and on comments from the Meet the Aztecs web page by Jim Esler. Jim's web page went through the figures figure code by figure code, but I wanted them sorted by the use of the figure.
Manufacturers
All these manufacturers do 15mm Aztec figures:
Recently released a range of Aztecs. In general I like Essex figures; good quality at a reasonable price. The Aztec range includes a variety of figures in every pack. They also have late Italian Wars Spanish which could be used for Conquistadors, but I'm not so keen on these - check out Gladiator instead.
Falcon Figures (UK).
Taken over by the US distributor the Quartermaster.
Chunky figures, but I happily mix them with the above. Also have a Spanish range to match.
David Kuijt uses Gladiator figures on for his Aztec and Enemies: DBA 105 Army and Variants. David illustrates both the Aztecs and Texcalans.
I avoid Minifigs as they tend to be tall and skinny compared to Essex. But they have a complete range of Aztecs and Texcalans.
Naismith Design (available from NavWar)
I wasn't really familiar with this manufacturer, but they have a complete range including Aztecs, Texcalans, Mayan, Conquistador, and Inca. Then I purchased a painted Aztec army on ebay.
They're an Australian outfit, but the link is to the UK distributor. I'm not so keen on them as their figures make Gladiator figures look slim. They also do conquistadors.
They have a great Conquistador range (called "Ren. Spanish" or "Colonial Spanish") and Chichimec range. And for South America they have an excellent Mapuche range.
They have three South American ranges to face the conquistators: Inca, Mapuche, and Canari. All look very good, if with poses that look a little static.
Shields and Backbanners
- Gladiator casts figures with a choice of shields. Based on the shields in the Codex Mendoza, choose only those shields with feather fringes for the military orders.
- Essex have an Aztec shield pack (AZ18)
- In the Essex range only the "Standard Bearers" have backbanners.
- Gladiator sells a separate backbanner pack (AZ19) which you can use to vary the look of the
army. You can use these backbanners on some of the Huaxtec figures from Falcon listed below. In
a few cases mentioned below, certain specific banners were used to help create specific troop
types.
- Quaxolatl (umbrella) backbanner.
- Citlalpamitl (star) backbanner
- Papalotl (butterfly) backbanner
- Xopilli (clawback) backbanner
Generals and command figures
Essex AZ17 Command pack
4 Generals/Foot Officers, 2 musicians
Falcon MXA1 - Command
This pack has a nice standard bearer which is based on Plate A2 Mexica General (Pohl, 1991). Other parts of the pack are mentioned below.
Gladiator AZ1 - Command
This pack contains some nicely detailed figures.
- A general figure like Plate A1 Mexica Emperor (Pohl, 1991).
- A standard bearer similar to Plate A2 Mexica General (Pohl, 1991).
- An 'emperor' figure with cloak.
- Two musicians blowing conch shell trumpets.
Tin Soldier AZAl ARMY COMMAND PACK
Contains one each of the following: Chosen Speaker, Chief of men, Arrow Knight captain, Eagle Knight captain, Jaguar Knight captain, Quachic captain
Naismith Designs / Navwar
Cuachicqueh Military Order
Essex
AZ1 Cuachic, war-suit, sword and shield
AZ1a Cuachic, war-suit, sword, javelin and shield
AZ2 Cuachic, war-suit, standard bearer (4 per pack)
AZ3 Cuachic, breechclout, sword and shield
AZ3a Cuachic, breechclout, sword, javelin and shield
Heath (1999) shows a Cuachic in breechclout but otherwise I've only seen war-suit wearer. Heath goes on to say that the Meso-American's, like their North American peers, viewed less as more in the arena of military attire, i.e. brave men wore less - fits in with the Cuachic ethos given their alternative name of Momiccatlcani ("They who hurl themselves to death").
Falcon MXA3 - Quachchic (cuahchicqueh)
This figure is based on Plate C1 Mexica Cuahchic (Pohl, 1991). It comes with the proper citlalpamitl (star backbanner) already attached. Although the pose of this figure is somewhat static it paints up well. Colours and shield pattern are as per Plate C1.
Gladiator AZ13 - Quachic (cuahchicqueh) Veterans with Spear and Shield
Three different poses to mix with the Falcon cuahchicqueh. You have to sort through the backbanner packs for the appropriate citlalpamitl backbanner.
Tin Soldier AZAl0 QUACHIC VETERAN.
Tin Soldier AZAll QUACHIC CAPTAIN (6).
Naismith Designs / Navwar
A09 Quachic Veteran In Battle Suit
Otontin Military Order
Falcon MXA11 - Fanatic warrior (Ottomi)
Falcon MXA3 - Quachchic (cuahchicqueh)
Although a Cuachic figure, hence with a mohawk, Meet the Aztecs also uses this figure for Otontin.
Gladiator AZ9 - Arrow Knight with Two-handed Sword
Although a military order called Arrow Knights did not exist, this figure in conjunction with a xopilli (clawback backbanner), can be used for an Otontin.
Eagle Military Order
Essex AZ6 Eagle Warrior, sword and shield (6 per pack)
Essex AZ6a Eagle Warrior, sword, javelin and shield (6 per pack)
Falcon MXA10 - Eagle Knight
Gladiator AZ2 - Eagle Knight with Sword
There are three different poses in each package, and these give enough variety for several elements.
Tin Soldier AZA4 Eagle Knight.
Tin Soldier AZA5 Eagle Knight Captain (6).
Naismith Designs / Navwar
A02 Eagle Knight Advancing
Jaguar Military Order
Essex AZ4 Jaguar warriors, sword and shield
Essex AZ4a Jaguar warriors, sword, javelin and shield
Essex AZ5 Jaguar warriors, standard bearer (4 per pack)
Falcon MXA4 - Triple Alliance jaguar fighter
Falcon MXA19 - Jaguar Knight
Gladiator AZ5 - Jaguar Knight with Sword
There are three different poses in each package, and these give enough variety for several elements.
Tin Soldier AZA6 Jaguar Knight.
Tin Soldier AZA7 Jaguar Knight Captain (6).
Naismith Designs / Navwar
A03 Jaguar Knight Striking
A04 Officer- Puma Helmet-Back Banner
Other Suit Wearers
Captains (i.e. veteran warriors) and Warrior Priests formed the remaining suit wearers. Captains should be mixed with their men, including both the Military Orders and Clan Warriors. It is unlikely that priests fought as separate units, so should probably also be mixed through the other elements.
Sundry packs which I couldn't classify without seeing them:
Essex AZ7 Suit Wearers, assorted weapons, shield
Essex AZ7a Suit Wearers, assorted weapons, javelins, shield
Tin Soldier AZA8 Arrow Knight.
Tin Soldier AZA9 Arrow Knight Captain (6).
Naismith Designs / Navwar
A06 Arrow Knight-Two Handed Sword
A10 Officer-Cylindrical Helmet/ Banner
A16 Arrow Knight
Captain in a full bodysuit with a quaxolatl (umbrella backbanner)
Falcon MXA1 - Command
Aside from the Standard Bearer mentioned above, this pack has a very nice figure in a full bodysuit and a quaxolatl (umbrella backbanner).
Coyote Warrior
Falcon MXA6 - Huexotzingan Warrior
This is based on Plate E1 Huexotzingan Warrior (Pohl, 1991). Useful for Texcalans.
Naismith Designs / Navwar
A05 Warrior-Coyote Helmet
Tlacochcalcatl
Falcon MXA9 - Tlacochcalcatl
The figure already has a poorly sculpted pamitl backbanner, being a bit two-dimensional, but is fine to mix into military orders' elements.
Three-captive Warrior
Gladiator AZ9 - Arrow Knight with Two-handed Sword
Although a military order called Arrow Knights did not exist, this figure can be used with the papalotl (butterfly backbanner) to make a three-captive warrior.
Huaxtec uniform (i.e. pointy hat)
Essex AZ8 Suit Wearers, pointed hat, sword and shield
Essex AZ8a Suit Wearers, pointed hat, sword, javelin and shield
Falcon MXA2 - Warrior Priest
Tin Soldier AZA3 Priest.
I'm guessing that these guys have a pointy hat, but they could be the blood soaked long hair chaps.
Macehualtin Clan Warriors
Essex
AZ9 Warrior, quilted jacket, breachclout, assorted weapons, shield
AZ9a Warrior, quilted jacket, breachclout, assorted weapons, javelin, shield
AZ10 Veteran Warriors (Tequihuahqueh), breachclout, sword & shield
AZ10a Veteran Warriors (Tequihuahqueh), breachclout, sword, javelin and shield
AZ11 Veteran Warriors (Tequihuahqueh), breachclout, sword and shield
AZ11a Veteran Warriors (Tequihuahqueh), breachclout, sword, javelin and shield
AZ12 Veteran Warriors - standard bearers, veteran warriors (4 per pack)
AZ13 Hordes - breachclout, assorted weapons
AZ15 Spearman, breechclout (shieldless)
Falcon Figures
MXA13 - Warrior, Dart Thrower
MXA15 - Warrior, Maquahuitl, Shield
MXA20 - Warrior, Maquahuitl, Shield
MXA21 - Warrior, Cotton Quilted Armour, Spear, Shield
MXA22 - Warrior, Standing, Spear, Shield
Some of these have a small buckler-type shield, while others are equipped with a larger shield fringed with feathers.
Gladiator AZ14 - Warrior Swordsmen with Shield
Includes a warrior wearing quilted cotton armour and wielding a club. .
Tin Soldier
AZA12 Apprentice Warrior.
AZA13 Otomi.
AZA14 Peasant with maquahuital.
AZAl5 Peasant with lance.
If you do want specifically Otomi tribesmen then they differed from the Mexica by having their hair clipped short (Duran, 1964, note 60).
Naismith Designs / Navwar
A01 Novice Warrior With Spear
A08 Warrior Throwing Dart
A11 Warrior Priest With Sword
A12 Warrior Throwing Spear
A13 Warrior With Two Handed Sword
A14 Warrior Quilted Tunic And Dart
A15 Warrior Quilted Tunic And Sword
A20 Peasant Levy Throwing Stone
A22 Warrior With Long Thrusting Spear
Archers and Slingers
Essex AZ14 Bowman, breechclout
Essex AZ16 Slingers, breechclout (shieldless)
Falcon MXA12 - Archers
Falcon MXA14 - Slinger
Falcon MXA23 - Archer firing, quilted cotton armor
Falcon MXA24 - Archer firing
Gladiator AZ18 - Archers
This pack contains three different poses, all are wearing quilted cotton armour.
Tin Soldier AZA16 Peasant Archer.
Tin Soldier AZA17 Peasant Slinger.
Naismith Designs / Navwar
A07 Otomi With Sword & Bow
A18 Archer Kneeling Firing
A19 Slinger
A21 Otomi Slinger
Baggage / Porters
For baggage, use a mixture of:
Essex AZ19 Assorted youths with baggage (6 per pack)
Gladiator AZ37 Baggage bearers
Falcon MXA17 - Porters carrying baggage (6 figs)
Falcon MXA18 - Holy Relic carried on litter
This is a group of two porters carrying an idol on a litter. The Aztecs prized jade over gold, so Meet the Aztecs have the idol painted jade green.
Naismith Designs / Navwar
A17 Porter Carrying Load
Texcalan / Tlaxcalan
And very quickly ...
Falcon MXA6 - Huexotzingan Warrior
The Texcalans favoured Coyote Knights. This figure is based on Plate E1 Huexotzingan Warrior (Pohl, 1991).
Falcon MXA7 - Tlaxcallan elite warrior
At least one of these chaps comes with a royal banner.
Falcon MXA8 - Tlaxcallan archer
Other archer figures are probably also suitable for example Falcon MXA23 has a head band so could be a Texcalan.
Gladiator
AZ 20 Tlaxcallan command
AZ 21 Tlaxcallan suit wearer swordsmen
AZ 22 Tlaxcallan suit wearer spearmen
AZ 23 Tlaxcallan archers
AZ 24 Tlaxcallan shield bearers
AZ 25 Tlaxcallan otomi mercenaries
The site Tlaxcalans in DBM had some beautiful shots of these figures; unfortunately the site disappeared. David Kuijt also uses nicely painted Gladiator figures for his DBA #105b Tarascan or Toltec-Chichimec 1168 AD - 1521 AD option.
Naismith Designs / Navwar
CQ20 Command Group
CQ21 Warrior Throwing Spear
CQ22 Warrior Firing Bow
CQ23 Warrior With Sling
CQ24 Warrior With Sword
Mixtec/Zapotec
Falcon has a warlord pack.
Gladiator
AZ 26 Mixtec command
AZ 27 Zapotec command
AZ 28 Warriors with atlatl and shield
AZ 29 Warriors with copper axe
AZ 30 Peasant slingers
Maya
Gladiator
AZ 31 Mayan command
AZ 32 Noble warriors, cloth armour and shield
AZ 33 Mayan swordsmen with shield
AZ 34 Mayan spearmen with shield
AZ 35 Mayan archers
AZ 36 Mayan slingers
Naismith Designs / Navwar
A30 Mayan Command Pack
A31 Mayan Peasant Slinger
A32 Mayan Peasant With Spear Attacking
A33 Warrior With Shield And Axe
A34 Warrior With Spear And Shield
A35 Warrior With Shield Throwing Spear
A36 Warrior With Spear Shield And Bow
Incas
Naismith Designs / Navwar
A41 Inca Command Pack
A42 Warrior Advancing-Halberd
A43 Elite Warrior, Spear & Shield
A44 Warrior - Spear & Shield
A45 Warrior - Sling & Shield
A46 Colla Warrior With Bollas & Shield
A47 Equadorian Warrior - Sword & Shield
A48 Warrior Throwing Javelin With Shield
A49 Archer
E7 Inca War Dog Group
E8 Inca Religious Group
E9 Inca On Litter With Bearers
Conquistadores
Naismith Designs / Navwar
CQ1 Conquistador Officer
CQ2 Gentleman Adventurer With Sword
CQ3 Conquistador With Sword Charging
CQ4 Conquistador With Sword At Ready
CQ5 Arquebusier Firing
CQ6 Arquebusier Advancing
CQ7 Crossbowman Firing
CQ8 Crossbowman Standing
CQ9 Pikeman In Reserve
CQ10 Conquistador Lancer
CQ11 Mounted Conquistador With Sword
CQ12 Mounted Conquistador Lance/Shield
CQ13 Mounted Conquistador Lance/Shield At Rest
CQ14 Sword & Buckler Man Standing
CQ15 Sword & Buckler Man Attacking
CQ16 Conquistador Gun And Crew