Civil War sets (2 Viewers)

[kingtoot]

Superb diorama would love to see it and discuss in depth with you, how many figures displayed? I'm in California this October but that would be some hike to Seattle and my itinerary is pretty tight.
I have also been told by many colleagues that I must dismantle mine out of the loft and display it at The London Toy Soldier Show in December, but as you must be aware the effort to dis-assemble and re-assemble would be enormous and I am not too sure whether the interest in the US Civil War is that prevelant in the UK let alone Brits coming to view a toy soldier depiction of the first day of a battle the majority have never heard of.
How do you find the interest in the civil war amongst the public at large in the States? as I did notice a "little angst" in one of your posts re: getting them interested in coming to view.

However, an outstanding achievement leaving this UK civil war buff (maybe the only one) mighty impressed.

After reading your message here, let me answer your question about interest in the Civil War in the USA. In the South, where I am from, there is a little saying that many repeat that "it's not over, we're just regrouping". There is major interest in this part of US history in the South and Northeast, since these were the major areas of battles and enlistments for battle. I havent seen your diorama but I will be on the lookout for it now -

 

[UKReb]

Found some pics on file. Early days of assembly of the first part of the diorama some months ago. I just placed 300 figures on the terrain to get some idea of scale. Finished field is now about 10-12 times larger.

Have used photo-bucket hope the link works

 

[UKReb]

Close-up that includes a couple of the "giant" Conte SoS (since discarded)

 

[UKReb]

Perimeter of McPherson's farm

 

[UKReb]

Union Command "Reynolds is down what do we do now?" "Wait for Hancock!"

 

[UKReb]

Another module of the field "Lee arrives" with AP Hill standing alongside him getting reports.

To the top right of this picture are 2 of the foreign observers Ross the Austrian (got his uniform from one of Troiani's paintings) and Freemantle (Yeah! I know he was actually attired in a Saville Row shooting suit but the film Gettysburg put paid to that) and I also know he didn't arrive until the second day but had to have a kinsman on parade call it artistic licence!

 

[fishead19690]

WOW!!!! Thats one great looking diorama!!!

 

[aujj65]

Finished field is now about 10-12 times larger.

How big!!! Where do you keep it?

My compliments on a superb display.

Jeff

 

[Robert E. Lee]

Simply Awesome! I love Hill reporting to general Lee?

 

[wadepat]

Hi UKReb,

What an outstanding diorama you have constructed! You have achieved an extremly high level of excellence! My compliments and best wishes to you!

And,...thanks for sharing such wonderful work with us!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Harrytheheid]

Yeah UKReb,
I'd also like to express my admiration for such a fantastic diorama. Excellent work.

 

[UKReb]

Thanks for the compliments guys, I assure you as a Brit attempting to depict one small but important part of your civil war struggle I am indeed humbled that you found the diorama interesting enough to post your very kind comments.

aujj65 you ask How big & where do I keep it? The exact measurements are 19.4ft x 8.8ft and its assembled in my loft on a purpose built table-top trestle. The whole thing had to be modulised to get it up there and even if I had a cinemascope camera to shoot it's entirety it's far to big for you to see any of the detail in long-shot. Scenes not shown in the pics posted are Chambersburg Pike; The railway cut; Herbst's Woods; Willoughby Run; Union artillery line and Ewell & Rodes regiments coming in from the North. And I keep adding to it, total metal figures are approaching 1000 and am currently awaiting delivery of the new Collectors Showcase sets of Rebs and Iron Brigade.

Project started with a germ of an idea when I made my first visit a few years ago to Gettysburg which was a very moving experience. In my travels around the battlefields of the east-coast and southern states I had seen quite a few dioramas of Picketts charge and Little Round Top but had never seen any of day one when Reynold's First Corp consisting of Meredith's and Cutler's Brigades relieved Buford's cavalry and through furious and blood-y hand to hand fighting, which decimated the Iron Brigade, bought time for the Army of Potomac. I took it from there.
Thanks again guys and this is indeed a great forum for toy soldier buffs!

 

[aujj65]

I don't suppose that you live in the South East, I would love to see this!

Regards

Jeff

 

[UKReb]

I used to live in London a good few years ago but now it's way up North where it's always bitterly cold and forever raining.

 

[aujj65]

I used to live in London a good few years ago but now it's way up North where it's always bitterly cold and forever raining.

That's a shame....just have to keep the photos coming

Jeff

 

[modwalls]

UKREB, that is quite the diorama, that is most likely how the battles were fought. I can't wait to see updated photos of your dio. That shows some real intense fighting, great stuff, Mike

 

[eborris]

Looks good the way you took some pictures with a mirror in the background to make the scene look even larger.

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

Hi UKReb,

Thanks for posting pictures of your superb diorama! All metal...wow!!! In my Pickett's Charge dio, I used a mix of metal and professionally painted plastic regulars and conversions. It all worked out very well together. Some of the painted plastic figures are among my favourites. I hear you when it comes to the Conte figures. The latest round were too large but, their prior ones, in my opinion, are some of the best out there and mix well with the Britains. I hope he gets them back to where they should be... I haven't given up on them yet...

 

[Shiloh]

I know most of Y'all aren't close to here but this is fresh of the Conte site
"Conte Collectibles Is Excited To Announce That We Will Be Attending the
21st Annual Middle Tennessee Civil War Show To Be Held @ The Tennessee State Fairgrounds On December 1st & 2nd In Nashville. We Look Forward To Visiting With Our Collectors There & Will Be bringing A Passel Of ACW Product!"
I will definitely be going.

 

[kilted vampire]

Close-up that includes a couple of the "giant" Conte SoS (since discarded)

In all fairness I took another chance on the SOS figures. I took two comparable figures one from each Conte series. Standing firing and height-wise they were in fact dead on. Now I will admit that girth-wise they have at least 50 lbs on any other figure made. A good way to add some of the most animated poses I have ever seen. One just has to work on perspective. I will be adding some of these figures to the "mix". Oh whilst the sculpting is superb the coloring still leaves something to be desired.