With the help of their friend John Stallard, they published an actual-size, full colour facsimile of a unique officer's handbook, The Art of Martial Discipline, which had been in their collection for some years.

[6] Aside from facial hair they look virtually identical, except that Michael lost part of his right arm in 1996, following an accident loading a reproduction cannon during a re-enactment of the Battle of Crécy in France.

[4][7] Alan has illustrated books on Rorke's Drift and the American Civil War,[4] while Michael has specialised in Chinese subjects such as the Taiping Rebellion of the 19th century.

[4][7] They have described the illustrator John Howe as an "old friend", and share an interest in miniature wargaming and military history with The Lord of the Rings film director Peter Jackson.

[2] They also had a cameo appearance in The Return of the King film as Rohirrim at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, alongside Games Workshop designers Alessio Cavatore and Brian Nelson.