Making My Shenadoah Valley Diorama (2 Viewers)

mestell

mestell

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It has been about 8 months now since I made my last diorama. That diorama featured my K&C Crusader collection. I've not really tried to make another one since - just collecting and gathering. Since that diorama I have started collecting the Wm Britain Zulu, Napoleonics, and recently the American Civil War ranges.

I have always enjoyed studing and reading about the War Between the States, the War of Yankee Aggression, or as most of us know it the Civil War. For many years I was a very active and passionate Civil War re-enactor being a member in Co. K 2nd WI Inf (Iron Brigade - The Black Hats), Co. D 10th Tenn Inf (Sons of Erin), and Co. E 52nd Va Inf (my favorite).

Anyway, as I continue to add to my WB ACW collection, I am pleasantly pleased with the caliber of sculpting and painting of the figures and I am thrilled with the availablity of so many buildings and other scenics purposely made for this range. Because of this I have decided to develop another diorama which will be my biggest one to date.

I am going to use this thread to share pictures of my progress with every body. Here is a brief synopsis:

DIORAMA SIZE: 4' X 4' (Half of my "play table" - the other half is Zulu land)
FIGURES & SETS USED: Wm Britain ACW Jackson in the Valley series
AREA & TIME: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, late March 1862
LOCALE: A farmstead along the Valley Turnpike Road between Strasburg and Winchester, Virginia
SCENARIO: From March 18-21, 1862, the 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and Battery L of the 1st Ohio Light Artillery were sent from Winchester on a reconnoissance to Strasburg. Co. B of the 7th has encamped on the Joseph Spengler farmstead and across from the ruins of the once splendid John Sonner manor house. Elements of the 5th Va. Infantry (Jackson's Brigade) have detected the presence of the 7th OVI and . . . . well you can guess from here.

Pictures to follow . . . . . Mike
 
This is what I've got so far. In the upper left corner of this picture is what will become the Valley Turnpike Road running east and west. It will be lined on the far side with 4 sets of #17615 Turnpike fences. On the right is the Joseph Spengler farm (there was a Spengler family in the Strasburg area during this time, however my usage of their name here in association with a farmstead is strictly my imagination and made up with no historical fact). The large white square is where I will be placing #51004 18th/19th Century Farmstead which I have preordered and is due out in November. The farm will be surrounded by plank fencing and will include the Wash House, the Wood Shed, the Spring House (all shown in the picture) and the Smokehouse (small white square) which I should receive via UPS on Thursday. Behind the Spring house is a pasture area for livestock. Across from the Spengler farm is the reminants of the John Sonner manor house that has been destroyed by a fire sometime in the past (there was also a Sonner family living in the Strasburg area at this time and again my use of the name in this setting is just fictional imagination). The Spengler farm and the Sonner house is separated by a small farm lane whicih is lined with palnk fencing and stone walls.

The table top area is a bright green at present. This weekend I plan to start painting in landscape features such as the road, farm lane, pasture areas, farm yard, etc. with more appropriate colors. I plan to eventually purchase scenic folliage/bushes/tree pieces from Ken Osen to provide more landscape detail

LOOKING NORTHEAST OVER THE AREA:

PICT0005.jpg
 
This view is an over all view looking east (toward Winchester)

PICT0001.jpg
 
I know you said it's imaginary but. You might want to skip the ruined mansion unless you have an actual location where one was was. The Union army tended to burn barns and out buildings in the valley rather than homes. The fences and such are nice but were those actually fence types used by people in the Shenandoah. Do may want to make the out buildings part of the mansion's property than arrange streets and roads like a small town.
 
Scott said:
You might want to skip the ruined mansion unless you have an actual location where one was was. The fences and such are nice but were those actually fence types used by people in the Shenandoah. Do may want to make the out buildings part of the mansion's property than arrange streets and roads like a small town. There are people who will notice.
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Hey Scott!
Calm down, its the kraal at Rorke's Drift , Natal:D
Mike
 
I've been down there. Just trying to help. Does that read as not calm?
 
I think it looks great so far Mike and I am looking forward to seeing your next set of posts :)
 
Thank you Scott (britfarmer) and Mike. I lost my computer internet for more than an hour. I had to finally get my provider to reboot my modem. I had three more pictures to show tonight. I'll have to get to them tomorrow.

As far as historical accuracy goes, all I want to say is its my diorama and my fun - after all life is to short. As far as the plank fencing goes and the outbuildings - they were made specifically for the Valley series and I do believe the staff at Wm Britain does very good research as to what's right or not. As far as the use of the manor house, well I have one that I am going to use to "play" with - the ruin is too nice looking not to use. And I must emphasize that this whole location is strictly my imagination of what could have been, not what actually was. The only facts that pretain to this whole diorama is that the Valley Turnpike Road ran east and west through Winchester and Strasburg and points beyond. There were farms and larger houses along the Pike. The 7th OVI was in the Strasburg area on recon 3/18-21/1862. The Union regimental flag carried by the WB figure is of the 7th OVI. Nuff said . . . .

I'll put up the other three pics I have tomorrow night -

Mike
 
Hi Mike,

I eagerly await your next installment of pictures and explanations! I am especially interested to see how you blend your historical knowledge with your imagination and creativity. Creating something that is historically accurate demonstrates your knowledge and skill. When you apply your creativity to the project, you create something unique. It is the uniqueness of your project that will make it special to me. I very much appreciate you sharing your talented efforts with us in a step by step manner!

Thank you for letting us watch your skill and creativity at work!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat :)
 
Mike (Mestell), from what you posted already, I know this is going to turn out AMAZING!:D

Vick
 
Looking good Mike and let your imagination run wild if you want to- as you said it's your dio and your figures. Most viewers will know it's ACW and not Arnhem and exacting detail in a fun dio is not necessary as it would be in a historical museum commissioned piece.

And as an aside you are in very good company ;) I too get flak for most of the dios I post :D

Reb
 
UKReb said:
Looking good Mike and let your imagination run wild if you want to- as you said it's your dio and your figures. Most viewers will know it's ACW and not Arnhem and exacting detail in a fun dio is not necessary as it would be in a historical museum commissioned piece.

And as an aside you are in very good company ;) I too get flak for most of the dios I post :D

Reb
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Bob, that's your own fault for having the limbers pointing the wrong way :rolleyes:

Mike, I'm sure this is will be as good as your other dio's and I can't wait to see more. :)

Jeff
 
aujj65 said:
Bob, that's your own fault for having the limbers pointing the wrong way :rolleyes:

Mike, I'm sure this is will be as good as your other dio's and I can't wait to see more. :)

Jeff
Click to expand...

You still at it :D I also had US on a Union water bottle and I portrayed the Alamo in bright sunlight instead of a pre-dawn pitch black cos I guess I wanted you guys to see it.
My movie recommendations also garner some doubts as well.
I could go on but I'm pretty resilient :eek:

Reb
 
I am looking forward to your work. All the excellent ACW diorama postings make collecting this range very tempting.
 
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