ZULU! The Store House...Rorke's Drift...January 1879

[flyjoe180]

Looks great Ron! That is a lot of figure painting.

[spanner570]

Just in case anyone thinks I deserted Rorkes Drift when I saw all the Zulus approaching - fear not!


I must confess to not having done much to this, but thanks to Dave's (Gern) ebaying prowess, I'm quietly still collection my Zulus.


Over the last few days of rough weather, I've done a bit more painting of some of the Zulu figures I have up to now...My poor peepers!


The original brown plastic didn't look natural so I've painted the figures various shades of brown. I was hoping to get away with this bit, but the unpainted shade looked awful.....Brush painted with acrylics. The picture doesn't show the shades too well , but they are there.


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Here are some of the hide shields. You can see the highlighted 'Tie-ons' on the top few...I did these by just going over the raised bits with a soft pencil. Brush painted with Acrylics.


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I couldn't resist a play and glued a figure together! Still bits to do, but he looks o.k. so far....Got a mouth like Jagger, but hey ho, he'll do. The assegai looks a bit top heavy, but they did have a very broad 12" long blade and only a 24" staff, so it's not far off...By the time I've slung some dust over him, I'm hoping he'll pass muster.


[ATTACH]116332.IPB[/ATTACH]



That's it up to date, and I promise it won't be another 6 months before the next one!


Cheers all,


Lt. John Rouse Merriot Chard....O.C. Rorkes Drift.

[geegad]

love it favorite film and you have done it complete justice so much so ive ordered some two officers to paint cheers for that

[spanner570]

Nice to see you back and posting again John.


Glad to be of some sort of influence too...


Thanks for the positive comments


Ron.

[papa 695]

Nice work on the Zulu Ron not many more to do

[grumpa]

Looks great so far

[Alan 45]

Nice work Ron , looks like this is going to be your best work yet well until the next one that is

[Guest]

I'm very disappointed Ron, because I thought you would have modelled lots of 1/72 scale broken biscuits, scattered on the ground near some smashed up biscuit boxes.


No seriously, this is the first time I have looked in on this diorama and it is absolutely stunning. How some of you guys have the patience to paint hundreds of tiny figures and add so much detail is amazing. This is one hell of a diorama Ron and of such a well documented piece of military history. I look forward to its completion.


Geoff

[Guest]

Love it, looking very nice.


Those shields were made from "Nguni" cattle, the most prized thing many Black tribes head, they still to this day sell the hides for about 150 UK Squid.


I can still not figure out why the british army wore red coats in the bush and marched in straight lines! Just ask the Boers....it made for nice targets


Just as a matter of interest, the name of the short stabbing spear that the zulus used was named after the sound it makes when you stab an enemy with it....now that is a worrior mentality.


Theuns

[takeslousyphotos]

Exceptional work on the figures Ron ......... Have you managed to find a 1/72 "Michael Caine" ?

[Guest]

Have you managed to find a 1/72 "Michael Caine" ?


Now that is a good one! LOL

[spanner570]

Thank for your posts everyone....both humorous and informative, just as it should be here on S.M.


Peter, if you look closely at the aerial view of the scene, you will spot Mr. Caine to the right of the ladder, next to the bugler and talking in a posh accent. Stanley Baker is to the bugler's right - over acting as usual!!!!


Cheers,


Ron

[Guest]

Wow, what an undertaking. Looking great so far, rather you than me.


This should have been a real group build as in we all paint a Zulu and you make the dio.

[Lee W]

My eyes hurt just looking at the pictures, outstanding work so far Ron


Lee

[Guest]

You have my respect that many little figures would take me a life time, actually no it wouldn't since I wouldn't start it in the first place.