10mm Alternative Armies Nobusuma (Ersatz Tengu).

I wanted two units of Tengu for my Warmaster Nippon army. However, I was once again thwarted in getting the right miniatures. While looking at the Alternative Armies fantasy 15mm Samurai line, I came across some Nobusuma models. These were another type of flying Yokia, so I decided to order them to fill in the gap. In lore, they are basically large man eating flying squirrel monsters (just how I think of squirrels).

The models are all the same pose (I was hoping for a little variation) and come on their flying stand (that makes things easier!). They are done in white metal, like the rest of the line. They had a bit of flash, but I was able to clean it up with a hobby knife.

I sprayed these off white and glued them to some popsicle sticks and got to work. I started with a brown was on the entire model and then hit the upper areas with a contrast brown. Next I painted the mouth red and claws black. I hit the model again with a grown wash. I highlighted the top with some brown and then the bottom with tan then white. I the painted the teeth white and the flying stand black.

Next I glued them to the bases and added a bit of wood filler to the bases to hide the mounting stand. Once that dried, I added my mix of flock to the base with white glue. I let that dry and hit the models with dull coat. With that, I have my flyers! I may replace them someday, if I find a Tengu model I like (and can get). In the meantime, these will defiantly fill the bill. Besides, who does not want flying weather squirrel monsters in their army?