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Re: Friday Special Edition

Thank you for sharing, I often visited the Rifles museum at Winchester to see the one made in the 70`s with Airfix figures, and never failed to be impressed, this looks like a superb 21st century version, and would love to see it.

Re: Friday Special Edition

It's a diorama that deserves a special home for all to see and admire. It's the sort of thing that when a little kid looks at while touring the museum, it may encourage him/her to get involved in not just history, but our hobby too. Its a fantastic advertisment for the hobby as a whole, nevermind the battle itself.
It has been a labour of love & so much hard work has gone into it. Not just the painting & building, but the research itself also.
I imagine there is still more to come & look forward to it.

As for the Highlander masters, Its a good in square/defence set, but some of the poses seem a bit silly.
The poses in the top row are brilliant. No probs there. The bottom row too is a decent choice of poses.
The middle row however is not so good. Ok the 1st pose of the row isn't too bad. But....
What on earth is going on with the 2nd pose in that row??!! That is one awkward way to have your arms posed! He must have some serious physical issues that need the help of a doctor!! That arm!! Feels painful just looking at it!!
Then theres the next guy (3rd pose of row). Nice to see a figure without headwear for a change, but the pose just seems a poor choice, & it too looks awkward.
The last pose in that row however is nice and useable.
Personally I would of rather had those 2 "weird" & not hugely useful poses chopped for 2 more kneeling or some firing poses. I dont know how the poses will be distributed but as I feared, there are more standing poses than kneeling....not helpful for making a square. It is though a set that will be useful to be used along with Waterloo 1815's set of highlanders in square. So I would say its a good set rather than excellent.

There is still something not right about the muskets. They just seem too short even with a bayonet attached, not to mention the general shape of the weapon. I am trying imagine these guys lined up in a square fending off cavalry, yet with the shortness of the muskets, they don't seem as fearsome to a cavalryman as they should.

Anyway, thats enough highlanders now!! What is really needed is the regular British line infantry in square, as do the Brunswickers!! There was already a highlander set in square on sale. But theres no such set for the main body of the British infantry or the Brunswickers who had a sizeable contingent present at Waterloo. So these sets made in square would truely be unique & very welcome.
Keep working on those muskets!!

Re: Friday Special Edition

Thank you Mr Strelets for posting these pictures of the new Waterloo diorama. It was my intention to get to the NAM yesterday to see this in person, but events conspired against me and I was unable to get there. It is a most extraordinary and magnificent project, and very much still a 'work in progress'.

Re: Friday Special Edition

Well done Stretlets for their enthusiastic reception of this enormous project.

It is lovely to see the hard work being displayed in such a professional manner.

I hope the NAM accept the whole project as a reminder of one the British Army’s along with its Allies most pivotal historical actions .

Best wishes,

Chris

Re: Friday Special Edition

Thank you very much for these photos, which enable us to take a look at this exhibition and this extraordinary diorama.

General Picton had already shown in his contribution here in the Strelets-forum what a great project is being implemented there. We can only guess how much work, discipline and time went into this wonderful work. Such a project really needs a worthy place to be permanently exhibited.

Here are a few thoughts from me:
The building with the large panorama building is right in Waterloo. There is an enormous amount of space there on the ground floor, which would put this diorama in a larger frame. And also right at the historical location ... Why not talk with the owner of the panorama building next time in Waterloo ?

Re: Friday Special Edition

I would love to see this but London is too far to go. Maybe it might go to the Armouries in Leeds, or better yet to Kelvin Hall in Glasgow?

Re: Friday Special Edition

yes Strelets, thanks for the posting. the view of Hougoumont Farm, the vegetable gardens,
was so startling. i thought i must be in a balloon looking down.
also liked your highlanders and the clever way you added them to the thread. for me, the poses are okay. the sculptor seems intent on giving them personalities. i think specifically
of a figure in the British Firing Line who has thrust his hand into his ammunition pouch while staring ahead at something. the pouch flap has been sculpted "open" beautifully and the soldier's gaze seems resolute. a nice little sculpture. yes, PSR and others have complained about the size of the "Brown Bess" and i accept that. for my purpose, i will
pretend the lads were issued the Baker by mistake and let them stay on the field.
another figure that got my attention was the trooper from the Guard Chasseurs set looking down at his carbine, perhaps inspecting it prior to an engagement. there is real intent in
his face. again, a nice effect. perhaps i am projecting something onto or into these pieces
of plastic, but i am nonetheless impressed. thanks.

Re: Friday Special Edition

Dear Strelets,

Yes, thank you for the follow-up posting of the Highlanders. I like all of them and especially seeing all have bayonets attached.

These plus all the other masters including the casualty poses are making up a great looking theme.

It was in elementary school on a rainy day I headed to the library and discovered the famous painting "The Battle of Waterloo" by Felix Philippoteaux for the first time. This painting with those scarlet red uniforms and lots of action were one of my first life-long influences in military history.

And now I'll be able to recreate this famous battle/painting scene in 1/72 - my favorite. My friends always said I had a very good imagination and all of these poses will find places in my British squares - looking good!

GC

Re: Friday Special Edition

One of my "magical" history moments came in the 6th Grade when our Music Teacher, Mr Watson set us down for a filmstrip of the Campaign in Russia 1812. Some of you who are old enough to remember the old filmstrips - an early version of "powerpoint." They weren't as good as movies but better than sitting in class laboring over worksheets or listening to the teachers.

Most were composed of a few lines of text with a picture illustrating what the text was saying. Of course, I always liked the History strips. The teacher would manually roll the strip through the filmstrip projector with a little handle while reading or having students read the text.

Every so often there would be a special strip though with sound provided by a (now) old phongraph record that would play a soundtrack. A narrator would read the script while the teacher would turn the strip. A little beep at the right time on the record would tell the teacher when it was time to turn to the next picture.

The 1812 filmstrip was one of those types of filmstrips; only, instead of words, the soundtrack consisted of Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" playing while pictures of the classical artwork depicting the campaign were displayed on the screen. Twelve year-old me was mesmerized by both the images on the screen and the power of the music as I realized Tchaikovsky's music was actually telling the story of the terrible campaign. It not only reinforced my love of history (particularly military history), but also my love of art and appreciation of Classical Music. The Overture remains one of my favorite pieces of music and to this day I can't hear it without thinking of those paintings by David and others showing the story of the music.

When I became a teacher during my second career I looked all over for the twenty years I spent in the classroom for that filmstrip presentation or something like it in a more modern format to share with "my" kids. I never found it. It was a disappointment.

I think this diorama can very well be that type of experience for a youngster; I hope it is. I wish to thank all of you for not only taking of your time and efforts to participate in this labor of love - but also for sharing the journey with those of us fellow lovers of history and the little guys who tell the story.

Re: Friday Special Edition

What a lucky man...
That amazing view. Enjoy.

Re: Friday Special Edition

I have had the greatest pleasure at seeing this 1st hand today, its even better in real life than it is in photos. I was awe struck by its immense care to detail in both figures and landscape,buildings. If it goes on display again next year ill be there to see it again.
Absolutley spectacular!!!
Keep the great work going.

Re: Friday Special Edition

'Lucky man' P.J.! Your description is as I'd expect, having followed the development of this wonderful diorama on James' blog.

There's nothing like the real thing when it comes to dioramas (or wargames!), but a trip to Londinium is not in the offing (even post restrictions), so I'll content myself with the photographic version. Hopefully all those in a position to go to see it will. It has been a magnificent labour of love and dedication, initially by one person, more recently with input from many. Even more amazing, when one considers that there is more to come!

Regards, James

Re: Friday Special Edition

I'm very grateful to Strelets not only for this post but also for the chance to meet Mr Strelets himself at the NAM. The support of the company during this project has been outstanding, as has the advice, help and kindness of forum members. Very many thanks indeed to you all.

Phase 2 will begin once I've recharged my batteries - the French cavalry charges onto the British squares. Just to show we haven't been idle here are some squares already finished and some cavalry:





Re: Friday Special Edition

Most impressive! The squares look formidable, as do the long ranks of cavalry. I'm looking forward to Phase 2 of this spectacular project.

Re: Friday Special Edition

I never get tired of seeing these wonderfully made squares!! Using the teddy bear fur was a master stroke too!!!

Hopefully Strelets uses them as inspiration for producing more dedicated "in square sets" for Napoleonic infantry!

Regular British line infantry, Brunswickers, Kruse's Nassauers, maybe even some of the green tunic Hannoverian field battalions?

I would certainly say General that you & your team have worked so hard on this project, especially getting it ready in time for the NAM exhibition, that nobody would blame you all for taking a breather & recharging the batteries!!

Well done General Picton & the whole team of helpers.

Re: Friday Special Edition

General, you have covered yourself, and your men, with glory.

I echo the others' congratulations. Most impressive.