ACW - New Arrivals (1 Viewer)

[mestell]

Thanks everyone for all the "Likes"

Your collection has really grown Mike, looks fantastic. The new fence sets really are great, WB has done a fantastic job on them.

Thanks Scott . . . the Reb/Fence sets were well worth the wait . . . . and I agree with your observation, a fantastic offering by WB

I love looking at dioramas like this. There is just so much to look at and enjoy in this scene. Great stuff Mike.

Thank you Joe . . . . I am glad you enjoyed the "panoramic" view .

What a fantastic diorama. It seems I can almost hear the gun shots and smell the gun powder smoke. I sure do wish I had more room to do another ACW dio. Cause that is all I model in. No other range. Keep up the great work and keep those pics coming. {bravo}}{bravo}}{bravo}}

Thanks Colt45 . . . . If all you collect is ACW I must say that the Reb/Fence sets are a must have . . . they really add a dynamic to a diorama that no other manufacturer that I am aware of offers. What I have noticed and enjoyed in these photos is all the Confederate battle/regimental flags . . . I sit and imagine the sound of them flapping in the breeze as they are carried forward to their fate.

 

[mestell]

Here are some photos I did this morning showcasing sets #31221-31224 (Reb/Fence sets) and sets 31196, 31197, & 31225 (Death of Cushing sets)

Looking at the turnpike fence row in middle of photos: Far right WB #31223 "A Grim Harvest", 2nd from Right WB #31221 "Come On Boys", 3rd from right WB #31224 "Passing the Colors", and on far left WB #31222 "Up and Over"







Death of Cushing scenario

 

[wds0855]

Fantastic display. Can I ask where you got the backdrop? You have a great collection and EXCELLENT table display.

Walt

 

[mestell]

Fantastic display. Can I ask where you got the backdrop? You have a great collection and EXCELLENT table display.

Walt

Thank you very much Walt. I got the backdrop from Ken & Erika Osen (Hudson & Allen) at an OTSN show in Chicago a few years ago. It is an actual photo that they took of Gettysburg looking across a field towards Seminary Ridge. They had it enlarged and mounted on 1/4-inch foam board. The pigments used are clay based pigments so that they would not fade due to sun light over time . . . . one of my favorite backdrops and one of three that I have gotten from Hudson & Allen.

 

[wds0855]

Thank you very much Walt. I got the backdrop from Ken & Erika Osen (Hudson & Allen) at an OTSN show in Chicago a few years ago. It is an actual photo that they took of Gettysburg looking across a field towards Seminary Ridge.

I have been to Gettysburg quite a few times. One of the best photos I've seen of that location. Looks really great in your scene.

Walt

 

[mestell]

Garnett and his Virginians breech the fence line and cascade forward . . . .



The Texas Brigade rushes through a breech in the fence line overwhelming their Yankee opposition . . .

 

[Terp152]

Love these dio pics. Reminds me of the Cyclorama. Great work Mike. Chris

 

[mestell]

Love these dio pics. Reminds me of the Cyclorama. Great work Mike. Chris

Thank you Chris. I am planning on going to the WB sponsored Gettysburg Symposium this coming August. I have been there several times in the past, however its been 15 years since my last visit. The Cyclorama is always a favorite spot to stop at.
:smile2: Mike

 

[Nooooo9]

Hi Mike, your collection really sets the standard for the rest of us. I always enjoy looking at your set ups.

 

[mestell]

Hi Mike, your collection really sets the standard for the rest of us. I always enjoy looking at your set ups.

Why thank you Jeff . . . I am glad you enjoyed the views . . . .
:smile2: Mike

 

[braddinpa]

I really like this picture. It is simply outstanding!

Garnett and his Virginians breech the fence line and cascade forward . . . .



The Texas Brigade rushes through a breech in the fence line overwhelming their Yankee opposition . . .

 

[Naps...just Naps]

Mike,
I just can't stop looking at the photographs of your display. It is amazing.
Although my interests are mainly Napoleonic battles now days I loved my ACW plastic Britains toy soldiers as a kid and I still like to look at all the ACW dioramas posted on Treefrog.
You have probably been asked this before but can you tell me where you got your grass mats, trees and foliage from?
Thanks for showing us the pictures of your fantastic display.
Cheers
Paul

 

[mestell]

Mike,
I just can't stop looking at the photographs of your display. It is amazing.
Although my interests are mainly Napoleonic battles now days I loved my ACW plastic Britains toy soldiers as a kid and I still like to look at all the ACW dioramas posted on Treefrog.
You have probably been asked this before but can you tell me where you got your grass mats, trees and foliage from?
Thanks for showing us the pictures of your fantastic display.
Cheers
Paul

Good morning Paul. Several years ago I made a 4-foot x 8-foot table that I could use to set up my TS. Back then I actually collected Naps. Things progressed and my long time love and interest in the Civil War took over and I decided to use the table as a base for a large Civil War type battleground diorama. I contacted Ken & Ericka Osen (Hudson & Allen) gave them my ideas, and commissioned them to create my battleground. They made eight (8) 22-inch x 22-inch squares consisting of their grass and foliage products. The squares also have a country road so to speak that runs the entire length of the dio. A small country lane intersects this road at two locations in an offset manner. One road sqaure has a slight rise in it and two of the grassy sqaures have a hillside with a small stream runing through it. This gives the dio an illusion of elevation differences. Ken & Ericka created an area for a farmstead and another area for a barn. The very large trees that are on the dio table are JG minature Large and medium Oaks. Most of the scenic pieces, fences, rock walls, cornstalks, buildings, out buildings, are either Hudson & Allen products or W. Britain products. These are loose and can be rearranged at my will to facilitate ease in changing the battlefield environment. The 22"x22" squares can each be used independently of each other as a small dio base, or they can be used altogether or in part to make a very large dio area (as shown) or a medium size dio. I commissioned this prior to a OTSN (Chicago) TS show, picked up 4 of the finished squares at the show, and then picked up the last 4 squares a year later at the preceeding OTSN show, so it took about 15 months or so to complete the project. As seen in the above photos, the diorama on top of my table is 88-inches x 44-inches.

:smile2: Mike

 

[Naps...just Naps]

Good morning Paul. Several years ago I made a 4-foot x 8-foot table that I could use to set up my TS. Back then I actually collected Naps. Things progressed and my long time love and interest in the Civil War took over and I decided to use the table as a base for a large Civil War type battleground diorama. I contacted Ken & Ericka Osen (Hudson & Allen) gave them my ideas, and commissioned them to create my battleground. They made eight (8) 22-inch x 22-inch squares consisting of their grass and foliage products. The squares also have a country road so to speak that runs the entire length of the dio. A small country lane intersects this road at two locations in an offset manner. One road sqaure has a slight rise in it and two of the grassy sqaures have a hillside with a small stream runing through it. This gives the dio an illusion of elevation differences. Ken & Ericka created an area for a farmstead and another area for a barn. The very large trees that are on the dio table are JG minature Large and medium Oaks. Most of the scenic pieces, fences, rock walls, cornstalks, buildings, out buildings, are either Hudson & Allen products or W. Britain products. These are loose and can be rearranged at my will to facilitate ease in changing the battlefield environment. The 22"x22" squares can each be used independently of each other as a small dio base, or they can be used altogether or in part to make a very large dio area (as shown) or a medium size dio. I commissioned this prior to a OTSN (Chicago) TS show, picked up 4 of the finished squares at the show, and then picked up the last 4 squares a year later at the preceeding OTSN show, so it took about 15 months or so to complete the project. As seen in the above photos, the diorama on top of my table is 88-inches x 44-inches.

:smile2: Mike

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the response and info. Erika and Ken did a great job. I like the idea of single squares that can be used separately or as a whole. A few years ago I made a Waterloo diorama in 1/72 scale using the same modular method but nothing like as nice as this diorama.
It's inspired me to finish my WB Hougoumont set-up I started a couple of years ago.
Cheers
Paul

 

[Terp152]

Thank you Chris. I am planning on going to the WB sponsored Gettysburg Symposium this coming August. I have been there several times in the past, however its been 15 years since my last visit. The Cyclorama is always a favorite spot to stop at.
:smile2: Mike

I have not seen the Cyclorama since it has moved to the new facility. Look fwd to your comments regarding that. Funny you started with NAPS, me too, that and WWII. Chris

 

[Warrior]

Outstanding in every way Mike. You've got the photography aspect down to a science, which comes with a lot of trial and error. Your collection is one to be proud of, that is for sure.........

 

[mestell]

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the response and info. Erika and Ken did a great job. I like the idea of single squares that can be used separately or as a whole. A few years ago I made a Waterloo diorama in 1/72 scale using the same modular method but nothing like as nice as this diorama.
It's inspired me to finish my WB Hougoumont set-up I started a couple of years ago.
Cheers
Paul

You are very welcome Paul . . . .

I have not seen the Cyclorama since it has moved to the new facility. Look fwd to your comments regarding that. Funny you started with NAPS, me too, that and WWII. Chris

I haven't seen the Cyclorama in 15 years . . . . Looking forward to my long awaited re-visit to Gettysburg . . .

Outstanding in every way Mike. You've got the photography aspect down to a science, which comes with a lot of trial and error. Your collection is one to be proud of, that is for sure.........

Thank you very much George . . . . of course you have played an important role in my ever expanding collection for several years now :wink2:

 

[UKReb]

Magnificent Mike absolutely magnificent.

Wont get my sets until later this month but as I'm sure you'll agree a category one "must have" for any ACW collector.

Kudos to you sir for that stirring display

Bob

 

[mestell]

Magnificent Mike absolutely magnificent.

Wont get my sets until later this month but as I'm sure you'll agree a category one "must have" for any ACW collector.

Kudos to you sir for that stirring display

Bob

Why thank you very much Bob . . . Glad to hear that you have got your fence sets ordered . . . I absolutely agree with your comment, these are a must have for a serious ACW collector you. I look forward to seeing what kind of magic you will be able to do with them. Always at you service . . . .
:smile2: Mike

 

[colmanor]

Outstanding as always, Mike! Congrats! Colman

Garnett and his Virginians breech the fence line and cascade forward . . . .



The Texas Brigade rushes through a breech in the fence line overwhelming their Yankee opposition . . .