Creating The Battle of Rorke's Drift (1 Viewer)

[The Lt.]

The following reflects The Buildings and Defenses based on a Map prepared by Lt. Chard showing the Hospital, Storehouse, Mealie Bag Wall, The 2 Wagons along with the Biscuit Box Walls and Well Built Kaaral on January 22 1879. Not quite to Scale but as close as I could create it. Battle Scenes to follow refecting figures from Throphy Miniatures,Frontline Figures,Britians, Little Legion, ANI, King Cast and Conte both in Matte and Gloss Finishes along with Kit Figures from HINCHLIFFE Models, Monarch, Greenwood and Ball, MINIMEN, New Hope Design and Tradition. Photos will appear high lighting various events that happen during the defense of the Drift....."The Lt."

 

[The Lt.]

Connecting the Hospital to Storehouse I used modified Conte Mealie Bag Walls along with Two of His Wagons painted by yours truly. The Biscuit Box Wall I purchased and painted, The Last Redoubt (Sorry Conte Fans) I made by using DAS white clay and painted with the Well Built Kaaral using Department 56 Stone Walls touched up.........."The Lt."

 

[The Lt.]

A few of the combatants that will be shown doing battle at the The Drift. The Matte finish figures I painted back in the mid 80's the gloss finished painted just awhile back. The figures are from Hinchliffe Models and Monarch showing a few figures I converted.........."The Lt."

 

[The Lt.]

The first assault against The Drift. The Defenders are from Trophy Minitures
with The Zulus from Conte which I painted using Humbrol Paints along with photos highlighting Trophy's Zulus and painted kit figures from Rose Miniatures, New Hope Design, Tradition along with Hinchliffe and Monarch Zulus.........."The Lt."

 

[The Lt.]

The assault on The Hospital featuring Throphy's 24th Ft. and Zulus battling hand to hand.........."The Lt."

 

[DMNamiot]

Hey LT

I am really glad to see something other than WWII for a change. You have done very good work on the display. I also noticed you didnt have any of the Britains offerings for this battle have you looked at them? The Water Cart Sortie and a few of the other sets would be good additions.
I hope that you keep up the good postings.

Dave

 

[gk5717]

LT., have you seen some of Gary Dutko,s Conte conversions. I,m sure you could use them for your Zulu dio.
Gary

 

[The Lt.]

LT., have you seen some of Gary Dutko,s Conte conversions. I,m sure you could use them for your Zulu dio.
Gary

Yes I've seen Gary's conversions, he was good enough to send me a CD of all of his conversion. I've still got over a hundred or so of Conte's to paint along with a number of metal kits. Thanks for your imput...The Lt. Joe Quintini

 

[The Lt.]

Hey LT

I am really glad to see something other than WWII for a change. You have done very good work on the display. I also noticed you didnt have any of the Britains offerings for this battle have you looked at them? The Water Cart Sortie and a few of the other sets would be good additions.
I hope that you keep up the good postings.

Dave

Dave,
I do have Britains that will appear as time goes bye and I'm considering scath building the Water Cart.......Joe

 

[The Lt.]

I'm sure you will note that the majority of my photos posted to date consist mainly of Thropy Miniatures UK. Of the Traditonal Toy Soldiers covering The Zulu War I found that Len Taylors figures depicting the period to be the best in the Category. Now that Len's become a man of leisure I'm sure he's going to have fun playing with all his creations. The Figures appearing in the photos represent some of the Heros of the Drift. The 1st photo features Cpl. Schiess of the Natal Native Contingent who was award the Victoria Cross one of the 11 given.

Photo 2 depicts Privates Robert and Willam Jones of the 2nd Battalion 24th Foot who also were awarded The Victoria Cross

Photo 3 Shows Trooper Hunter, Lt. Adendoff and Pvt. Chick. Both Chick and Hunter were killed during the fighting.

Photo 4 Is showing Corporal Allen and Private Hitch both of the 2nd BN who also were awarded The Victory Cross along with three other privates.

Photo 5 Is Trophy's "Behind The Entrenchment Set"

Hope you enjoy the photos and the little History Lesson....."The Lt."

 

[The Lt.]

The attack begins shows figures from Kits provided by Hinchliffe, Monarch, with Toy Soldiers from ANI. The figures were created by Cliff Sanderson with some coverted by me. I found these to be some of the best figures provided in 54MM range. As you view the photos you'll note that figures appear representing Lt. Chard along with Dalton, Dunne and Adendorff as defenders.
You'll note no Zulus the first Volley Fire as soon as the Zulu got in range. Enjoy.........The Lt.

 

[The Lt.]

The battle continues with the Zulus now over the mealie bag wall in places.The figures are from Hinchliffe and Monarch with a few of the 24th figures being converted. The battle to continue........."The Lt."

 

[The Lt.]

In collecting over the years I found like others the differences in the scales provided an noted as 54mm. Attached are photos of Some of the Heros of the drift along with others. I'm sure you'll note why from time to time SCALE has come up.

The first photo is showing figures of Lt. Chad provided by Little Legion, Throphy Miniatures, Frontline, MINIMEN and Conte's figure from Keith Rocco's Rorke's Drift.

Photo two is showing Lt. Bromhead from Conte, Frontline and MINIMEN.

The next photo is showing Sgt. Major Bourne from Conte, Trophy Miniatures, Frontline and one of my favorites from MINIMEN.

Photo four is depicting Corporal Schiess provided by Little Legion, Two from Trophy, two from Conte and another favorite of mine from MINIMEN.

Last but not least guys from the 24th are from Britian, Little Legion, Trophy, Hinchliffe, Greewood & Ball and MINIMEN.

Battle photos being worked on..............The Lt.

 

[The Lt.]

Hand to Hand fighting continues. These are some additional photos taken earlier. Enjoy.....The Lt.

 

[The Lt.]

The Zulus just keep coming and coming. Zulu figures in the photos are made up of Trophy, New Hope Design and Tradition.........Enjoy........The Lt.

 

[Fubar]

LT , Oh what fun it is! I see you have been adding to the collection for quite a while. All I ever did was paint the Conte plastics but seeing your images makes me want to set up my collection and hunt for some castings you mention. I dropped the ball last year when I saw a slew of Minimen castings as well as some Frontline presentation boxed sets on ebay that went for a song.
I didnt even recall Hinchcliffe did any Zulu war figures. Thanks for sharing.
A wargame weekend with some friends and all our sons is on Saturday after next. I do believe Rourkes drift must hit the table .I have a tv with dvd built in out in the warroom.We usually have the appropriate warfilms playing while we game.Time for ZUlU one more time!

Fub

 

[The Lt.]

I'll bet your looking forward to your war gaming weekend. Wish I lived close enough I'd ask for an invite. Of the two movies ZULU and Zulu Dawn after all these years I haven't decided which is my favorite. Of the two Zulu Dawn is a lot closer to the events that took place that day. Hinchliffe back in eighties provided the figures and at the time were sold by Squadron, Heritage and later by others who copied the castings. Up until last year Skytrex from England povided the casting and ANI a full line of painted figures poviding the originals and a number of converted figures in it's ZULU line.

Little Legion now enters the battle: Photo two is eaturing Little Legions Chad, Bromhead and Schiess three of the heros of the day....Enjoy......The Lt.

 

[Leadmen]

Thanks for pics of the Zulu battles. I have the movies on VHS but might get them on DVD. I like that period of history and would like to see a new remake of the films. Long as it is made well. Not like the movie Four Feathers which the original is better then new one.
My friend here in town has a large Zulu collection. He has many books and figures by Little Legion, Gittens and all other companiies that make Zulu War figures. He won't come on forum and he has a wonderfull collection in a room he designed on his house. He also has old Britains and every other company on display. I am trying to see if I could take pics of his stuff but he don't trust anyone. Maybe he will come around.
Leadmen (John).

 

[The Lt.]

Like a number of us who enjoy the original movie ZULU we also would like to see a remake done highlighting all of the heros of the Drift an very close to the actual events. I'd like to continue to work on your neighbor for photos. What might sway him is have him check the photo's I've submitted. Thanks for your comments and you may want to check a WALMART for the CD's. Take care and enjoy the day.......Joe

 

[The Lt.]

The following figures I acquired at the Excaliba back in 1983 at the time located in Lexington MA. It was a tiny shop not much larger than the entrance to the Hobby Bunker today. I'm sure Matt's dad can tell you some great stories about that time. The figures were created by Greenwood and Ball and sold at that time by FALCON Miniatures as castings. Along with the 6 figures which appear in the photos I acquired another 11 figures which need to be painted, one consisting of LT. Melville on horseback along with ten Zulus. The casting are very unique and to date I've not come across any others in the scale. Can't wait to complete the painting of the Zulus. Hope you enjoy the photos as I staed the fires are quite unique. Fubar don't go nuts on me..........The Lt.