Embrace An Angry Wind (1 Viewer)

[Brother Jonathan]

Amazing scope and museum-quality attention to detail! Can't wait to see Opdycke's Tigers rushing into the breach.

Are those Armies in Plastic earthworks you used? Any plans to recreate the Osage orange barrier on the Union left?

 

[7th OVI]

Thanks Brother Jonathon for the positive comments. Good eye, yes, those are the Armies in Plastic earthworks. It is actually 2 sets combined to create an almost 48 inch entrenchment. I assembled them, filled the cracks, base painted, then dry brushed the wood, covered them in TJ dirt and then customized some areas for additional effect such as the additional reinforcement on the front. Yes, I am planning on doing a 2 part diorama on the East side of the Pike that would include the Osage hedge and of course the distinctive landmark on the East side of the Pike. Targeting to get that complete by November for the 150th. I decided to by pass the Carter house for now, so that I can concentrate on the landmark. The counter attack is shaping up well. Just need to work on a few things to finalize it by August. Thx Chris

 

[Warrior]

Chris,
Thanks for the wide angle shots, that is spectacular; outstanding attention to detail, you did some great work on the scratch builts and the earthworks look great.

Do you have any sources for maps or the terrain features that assisted you in the layout?

Just brilliant, one of the best dioramas I have ever seen here, keep up the spectacular work, I am sure a lot of time went into the planning, building and setting up; trust me, it was worth it.............

 

[braddinpa]

On a scale of 1-10. I give this a 100!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Simply outstanding!

Brad

 

[REVWARBUFF]

This all looks so great Chris. You've done an excellent job with the entire story, the set up and the views. I am equally impressed by your huge collection and the space you have for the diorama board.

Thanks for sharing these with us. Look forward to your future works!

Mark

 

[Brother Jonathan]

Thanks Brother Jonathon for the positive comments. Good eye, yes, those are the Armies in Plastic earthworks. It is actually 2 sets combined to create an almost 48 inch entrenchment. I assembled them, filled the cracks, base painted, then dry brushed the wood, covered them in TJ dirt and then customized some areas for additional effect such as the additional reinforcement on the front. Yes, I am planning on doing a 2 part diorama on the East side of the Pike that would include the Osage hedge and of course the distinctive landmark on the East side of the Pike. Targeting to get that complete by November for the 150th. I decided to by pass the Carter house for now, so that I can concentrate on the landmark. The counter attack is shaping up well. Just need to work on a few things to finalize it by August. Thx Chris

Speaking of the earthworks, I don't know if you came across this in your research, but there were already some old Federal fortifications (two years old?) south of town when Schofield's men marched in. So the defenders in the main lane had a real head start in throwing up earthworks, and the AIP sections really work well to represent this. {bravo}}

 

[7th OVI]

Thanks again everyone. As general sources, I used Wiley Sword's book Embrace an Angry Wind, Eric Jacobson's book, For God and For Country, biographies, regimental histories, Cox's book on the battle, the OR's and a few published letters and veteran articles. I also communicated with Eric Jacobson. Watched some video's given by Frank Cartwright touring the battlefield. In addition to the books, the buildings were researched through period photographs (all within 20 years of the battle) and also some descriptions in the documents. Dimensions were easy to obtain for the Smokehouse as it still stands in it's original location almost unaltered but the office and the cotton gin were made or confirmed by using known dimensions and then calculating the balance using period photographs. For example, the Carter office was actually moved after the battle and was attached to the Carter home. It was then detached, repaired and moved to it's current position and then painted red at a much later date. All of the period photographs of the office were used to confirm the dimensions and then they were used to determine that the original color was either weathered or white and not red. It took about 4 months to do all the research. I did find the reference to the original entrenchments made in 1863 and how they were enhanced prior to the assault. It is an interesting read and shows the desperation on the part of the Federals to create something that would deter the Confederates from attacking. Well back to work on the next scene. thx Chris

 

[UKReb]

Chris

Although some will say I'm "slightly biased" toward collecting ACW figures your explicit shots on this thread gets my vote as one of the best historical dioramas I have seen in a long- long time. I have always believed that the Confederacy lost the war in the West and must admit-to my abject shame- I have never dipped my toe into depicting any of the crucial battles of the Western Theatre.

I suppose this is primarily due to the lack of 54/60mm figures of the many Western personalities, specific western regiments and their regimental flags/banners which one would require to accurately depict such scenes. Sadly it would appear that TS manufacturers have practically ignored that particular arena of the ACW. Subsequently, your splendid effort and brilliantly executed dioramas of one such Western blue & grey scrap, most certainly deserves saluting and you sir, have gained an avid fan.

Kudos!

Bob

 

[7th OVI]

Bob, thank you for the post, I would also be considered "slightly biased" towards collecting CW figures. Your kind words regarding the diorama are very appreciated and even more meaningful as I have been a huge fan of your ground breaking series of dioramas of the Civil War on this forum. They are definitely an inspiration. I also agree that the war was won in the West and needed some coverage on this forum less it be forgotten. I decided to "break the ice" on Western battles with Franklin because of the 150th anniversary and the little known story of the battle.

It is true that the depicting of the ACW in the west is difficult because most manufacturers do not make figures that allow a good representation of the armies. I have had to modify all of the flag bearers and a number of the figures to match or at least get close. I have also commissioned almost 40 custom flags to replace the stock versions. The buildings also need to be created from scratch since we can get Meade's Headquarters, Lee's Headquarters or even maybe other Gettysburg houses from some manufacturers but it is very doubtful we will ever get the Carter House, Smokehouse or Office, the cabin on Snodgrass Hill or any other western structures because of low demand. The TS industry is truly a niche business and the western theater is a "niche within a niche" making any unique western figures very low on the priority list.

You and the other members of the forums words of encouragement and support will definitely help me complete this series on Franklin. Who knows, maybe Chickamauga next, or Vicksburg, Pea Ridge, Atlanta, who knows, definitely a lot of subjects to make interesting stories and diorama's. I am waiting on some of the August WBritians figures to finish the first Chapter on Franklin. Hopefully there will not be any delays. In the mean time, I am scratch building the Cotton Gin for the east side of the Columbia Pike which will be in the next chapter that I hope to post in time for the 150th.

Ken and Erica have given their support to my dioramas with making the grass bases and ideas about terrain. If Ken is reading this, is there any hope for us fans of the Army of the Ohio, Army of the Cumberland or Army of the Tennessee? I would settle for a few Federals in slouch hats and a few Confederates in Columbus depot jackets.

Again, appreciate the support and kind words.

Thx

Chris

 

[Dragoon]

And, we could also use some Union troops in the appropriate state issued shell jackets. Very helpful to portray the western theatre.

 

[mr colt 45]

You sure do have alot of figures there in Your dios. what a great dio trend You have got there. One or two questions, please. Who are all the different manufactures of Your figures are there and how long did it take You to do these dios? Thank You and keep up the fantastic work.

 

[7th OVI]

The manufacturers are Britain's Troiani's figures and Old Northwest Trading. The vast majority of the 300 hundred figures are Britain's. The dioramas took almost 5 months in total working part time. The longest amount of time was in constructing the scratch built buildings, the garden, and the entrenchments. Hope this helps. Chris.