Shifting Gears, Skipping Ahead
I was getting impatient with all the interruptions I've been dealing with and decided to put the bigger Big Dogs aside and start working on the base layout. My motivation was already faltering, so the only "real" way to reengage the drive to Ruck On was to shift gears, turn the wheel in a different direction. I love doing layout and base planning and I just so happened to have a left-over chunk of wood from the piece I used on the 42nd Highlanders vignette.
Before I get to far into the layout, I need to mention that the chest area on Story has begun, but I stopped short of working the neck and head area. I'll get back to it later, but right now I need a redirect to keep the momentum going.
Honestly, this was the only way to compress this many ponies into one direction of battle while still telling the story with limited space. This chunk of wood has a lot of character and it just so happened to be big enough for the job, without a large footprint. I will be using air-clay and the appropriate amount of ground cover without destroying the grain. I plan to proceed as I did on the Highlander base and keep as much natural wood exposed as possible, yet give the ground cover it's due. I think this will work, but what do yall think?
It may be difficult to imagine all the riders and their interactions with the Trooper, but each has been positioned in the most logical location for this scenario. Any final adjustments will be made once all of the figures have been assembled and put on, or falling off, their respective ponies. This layout is pretty basic, but I really don't see any other way to make adjustments beyond minor movements in any given direction for each pony. So, if you see something I'm missing, please holler, I'm all ears.
Note; the Chief is charging straight at the Trooper, in the middle, just so you know which rider is making that suicide run. In any case, the Trooper is toast with that single shot carbine. I never understood why they didn't issue Winchesters to all calvary troops until I read of the government selection process was a major factor, among many other reasons; training, ammo supply, etc. Regardless, it is well understood that Custer's men were outnumbered and out-gunned in that particular battle. Remember, I am not replicating the Battle of Little Big Horn, per se, not at all. This is just some background information I found that plays into this scenario that could have taken place anywhere in the region before, or after, the Battle of Little Big Horn.
Might I add that I am not at all a fan of metal figures, not at all, and these Andreas kits are lacking basic assembly pics for some of the more intricate features. Still, for as old as these kits are, they are decent enough to make them work, even if I gotta fight em to make em work, lol.
More to follow soon and thanks for watchin. Cheers, Ski.