Tuesday 31 January 2012

Zulu Wars Diorama


I finished making this diorama last week, which was quite apt as it was close to the 133rd anniversary of both the Battle of Islandlwana and Rorke's Drift. It was made for my Dad on his 70th Birthday. I try and make him a model a year, either for Christmas or on his birthday in January.

The figures are Plastic 54mm but I haven't a clue who made them, (do you?). I searched the web for answers, but just can't find them anywhere. I bought them when I was on holiday in the Lake District, SHMBO, dragged me out of bed early on a Sunday morning for a visit to a Boot Fair, where I found these figures, for the princely sum of £1. There were another three figures in the bag, but they were damaged and to be honest I couldn't be bothered to fix them, and  I would've needed a bigger base as well!! So I just kept to the 8 figures. 

The British are painted to represent the B Company,  24th Foot, (The 2nd Warwickshire Regiment of Foot)

At Rorke's Drift, eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded. Seven to the 2nd Battalion, 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot, one to the Army Medical Department, one to the Royal Engineers, one to the Commissariat and Transport Department and one to the Natal Native Contingent.
Lieutenants Chard and Bromhead were both awarded the Victoria Cross, as were the redoubtable privates Alfred Hook, Frederick Hitch, Robert Jones, William Jones, Corporal Allen, James Langley Dalton and Pte. John Williams. Surgeon Reynolds got the Cross for tending the wounded under fire; and the Swiss volunteer Christian Schiess - the first to a soldier serving with South Africa forces.

I entered this into the Analouge Painting Challenge, and was awarded 100 points!!!! 












52 comments:

  1. Very nice diorama...it was a great idea for the challenge!

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  2. We done mate! It really looks good and very dynamic. Now you have to show us the other gifts you gave him.

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  3. Very nice Ray, Great painting for 54mm as well not sure how i'd tackle the larger figures to be honest

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  4. Those are great!! Very well done! Lucky dad =D

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  5. Your father will be pleased and very nicely done.

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  6. You've outdone yourself with these Ray. You need to thank the Mrs. for making you go to that boot sale! And another 100 points. Fran better get busy!

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  7. Nice job, Ray - especially satisfying that the raw materials cost so little! You were awarded 100 points? I'm sure congratulations are in order anyway, but can you trade in the points for anything? Diorama Badge Class 1? I would understand 100 pints!

    Great thing about this piece is you've made a very effective scene, and it's sensible and tasteful as well as perfectly executed. There are lots of good painters out there, but taste is a rarity. A great present, and worth far more than 100 pints...

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  8. Cool! I'd be very happy if I was your old man!

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  9. A call to arms...Both the brits and the zulus
    Very nice painting mate...
    Cheers
    paul

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  10. Sorry, forgot the link
    http://www.acalltoarms.co.uk/132_2.html#ZULU%20H

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  11. Great work Ray.

    I still remember my first box of a Call to Arms ECW 54mm. I got them at one of the Civil War Battles in Rippon when i went with the old man. I thought i was great for having them until we went back to one of my dads friends houses and he had a full battle field in is loft. He had what to me looked like the whole bloody battle of Waterloo in Timpo figures painted :-0

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  12. Excellent, maestro! I need to break out my Zulu DVD now.

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  13. Looking good ray !

    best regards dalauppror

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  14. They're absolutely lovely! The information you gather for the representations you make is quite comprehensive *applauds*.

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  15. Happy Birthday Mr. Rousell Snr. What a tremendous gift and as you know a subject close to my heart!

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  16. Excellent work Ray! If I was your dad (wich I'm not :-D) I would be very pleased with it, and give it a good place in the house!

    Greetings
    Peter
    http://peterscave.blogspot.com/

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  17. Lovely work. I do quite a bit in 54mm, same skills but it is different, great job!

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  18. A beautiful diorama, and an excellent idea for a gift!

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  19. Great work Ray especially as I've met the man (greatest snorer who ever lived!).

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  20. very nice Ray! i am sure i saw this on another blog but cant remember where... i guess i am getting old

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  21. Beautiful job on this diorama. What a nice gift. Your father is lucky to have such a talented and thoughtful son.

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  22. Nice dio, well done :)

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  23. Damn good, there's a real sense of tension and moment there.

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  24. Excellent work, there is alot of action going on in the dio!

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  25. Great stuff Ray and father is going to be very pleased!

    Christopher

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  26. Very nice diorama and gift, Ray. They are wonderful.

    Best regards.

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  27. Congrates on the 100 points! You definitely deserve them!

    The way the Zulus skin is painted looks fantastic! and the paint on the British troops (especially there pants) looks very well shaded! (Love how the crates look too!)

    Very very well done! Thanks for including so many shots of the scene! It almost feels like the dioramas right in front of me!

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  28. Very nice diorama, Sir. It certainly portrays well the angst of "in-your-face" combat.

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  29. Excellent looking diorama and well worth the 100 points you were awarded. Better watch out though as Fran has closed the gap.

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  30. Great period and painting. "Now get back up on the ramparts with your mates".

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  31. nice figures, cant say I've seen them before - hard or soft plastic?

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  32. Nice work, Ray. Those look like some old plastic figs we used to buy in huge bags at the grocery store or toy stores.

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  33. Very nice Ray . ( worked out how this all works at last)martin.

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    1. Technology.......... it will kill us all one day, nice to have you here Martin!!

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    2. Cheers Ray , must pop over and see postie and you soon,its been to long .

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  34. You just reminded me that I haven't seen that movie...

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  35. Wow these are insanely interesting to me. It's the differences that make them, all the little details really count here. Awesome!

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  36. Very good job, Ray. It's great that you do something like this for your Dad.

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  37. Excellent work Ray! Really nice idea too.

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  38. Ray, I sent you and email (twice now). I hope you got it as I keep effing up the address!

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    Replies
    1. Got it!! The flag whirling it's way over to you as I speak...or type!

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  39. This is amazing work! I just discovered this blog and am following you now and going back to look at the older posts. Wow!

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  40. Really excellent work, I assume it made the ordeal of the boot managable LOL

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  41. Very nice!! 54mm!! A very good gift indeed!!

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