English Civil War cavalry charge

[Peter]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the nice welcome. Here is a diorama I have been working on for a few months - the aim is to have it ready for the Telford show in November.

The battle of Marston Moor was an important battle in the English Civil War, towards the end of the battle a group of infantry formed a defensive guard and were attacked by Cromwell's cavalry - the Ironsides. This diorama tries to convey the panic and chaos of infantry facing a cavalry charge.

All of the horses are Historex horses - some heavily converted. Apart from the fallen drummer all of the figures (foot and mounted) are scratch built using a few commercial parts such as heads and hands and weapons.

Here are a couple of photos of the diorama at an early stage:

If you are wandering why one of the riders is held on with a rubber band the reason is that the horse he is riding will have all four hooves off the ground. The horse will be glued to the rider, and the rider linked to the horse on its left through a metal rod going through the rider's left arm into the rump of the horse.


Here are some photos of the diorama as it is now. With all of the mounted figures in place (sword will be added later - reducing the risk of breakages):

Only four more foot figures to add.

Peter

 

[Eagle-1]

Best "before" and "after" picture ever!

Ya' did good.

Rob.

 

[Steve Ski]

Excellent scratch work and conversions. That's a lot of work you've done, outstanding!

 

[Peter]

Thanks guys - hopefully by the end of the weekend two more figures will be added.

peter

 

[Peter]

Hi guys

Quick update; two figures added. One a fallen musketeer under one of the leaping horse, the second an officer wielding his halberd, but it does look like he is about to be trampled by one of the horses!

2 more figures to go then it will be finished

peter

 

[Peter]

Here it is - finished at last , surprisingly difficult to photograph ...

This one shows the horse with all 4 hooves off the ground -

Peter

 

[Steve Jones SMS]

Well done Peter! Good luck at Telford. I'm sure it will be a winner

 

[mark2]

Nice job Peter

 

[user 22148]

Good lord, that's bloody wonderful - fantastic work!

 

[BarleyBop]

Awesome! Are those flowers in the grass?
Love the dynamism, looks like they are all about to be swept up in a final vortex of energy and destruction!

 

[athabascamaverick]

That is true professionalism there bud!!!!!

 

[Peter]

Hi guys

Thanks for the kind words.

Yes - those are little flowers.

I had a slight problem in Telford - I broke the figure holding the ensign so did not enter it into the contest. I have decided to fix the figure, and add three more (2 foot, 1 mounted) on a new, slightly wider base. There are a couple of other, minor things which i can also fix, for instance galloping horses would kick up little sods of earth, and the fallen one would creat large skid marks in the grass.

I have 11 months to do this.

peter

 

[BarleyBop]

Can't wait to see that sod flying through the air! Sounds very much like a rugby match!

 

[Pantherman]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the nice welcome. Here is a diorama I have been working on for a few months - the aim is to have it ready for the Telford show in November.

The battle of Marston Moor was an important battle in the English Civil War, towards the end of the battle a group of infantry formed a defensive guard and were attacked by Cromwell's cavalry - the Ironsides. This diorama tries to convey the panic and chaos of infantry facing a cavalry charge.

All of the horses are Historex horses - some heavily converted. Apart from the fallen drummer all of the figures (foot and mounted) are scratch built using a few commercial parts such as heads and hands and weapons.

Here are a couple of photos of the diorama at an early stage:

View attachment 127010

View attachment 127011

View attachment 127012
If you are wandering why one of the riders is held on with a rubber band the reason is that the horse he is riding will have all four hooves off the ground. The horse will be glued to the rider, and the rider linked to the horse on its left through a metal rod going through the rider's left arm into the rump of the horse.


Here are some photos of the diorama as it is now. With all of the mounted figures in place (sword will be added later - reducing the risk of breakages):

View attachment 127013

View attachment 127014

View attachment 127015

View attachment 127016

Only four more foot figures to add.

Peter

Impressive. Loving your work. Pantherman

 

[BarleyBop]

Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!" he said.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

As a teenager, Charge of the Light Brigade made a lasting impression. I can't imagine making a stand in the face of a wall of cavalry, the fury, the power...

I think you've captured some of that!
Looking forward to your additions.

 

[Peter]

Hi Guys

11 months of work and I have reworked this a little -made it a bit bigger with more figures. The main components are still there: rearing horse, fallen horse and the two horses balancing on one hoof are still included but there are now 5 mounted and 9 foot figures - 14 in all, and apart from the fallen drummer they are all scratch built.


I am taking it to Telford - very, very carefully!

peter

 

[BarleyBop]

A regular whirlwind of action!
Well done!