Project GOK (1 Viewer)

[blaster]

Hi all

i modified a couple of old microscope boxes. Removed the doors and added wood struts. I now have ready made sturdy boxes with handles for my dioramas. Just need to find suitable frames.

 

[blaster]

Here’s the boxes all stained and varnished nicely.

 

[blaster]

GOK is Gordon of Khartoum. So I’ve always wanted to build this diorama based on a famous ptg but then realised that JJD had actually done a set based on the same ptg. And then I forgot all about it.

Recently It was my friend who had acquired the bldg piece with Gordon who asked me whether I could build this as a shadowbox diorama for him if he got the rest of the pieces. So we waited until all the pieces were in hand and he passed them over to me.

We both agreed that it would be interesting to put the whole scene inside a converted microscope box, compact and easily hidden out of sight when the wifey walked by.

 

[blaster]

Placed more figs into the box to test the placements. Decided to create some visual perspectives to make it more interesting. I tilted the bldg pics by adding a couple of steps. The figs on the stairs were repositioned to fit according to the ptg.

 

[blaster]

I also started to change the position of selected figs to fit the ptg.
example is this dying fellahin where the head was repositioned

Bldg walls were added from cardbd. The last pc shows the angles of all the structures so far.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Victor,

This is going to be quite interesting for me to follow. I actually have the prototype of this set (John gave it to me at a New York Symposium years ago), and I had Dave from TM Terrain build me a diorama of the rest of the building and courtyard. I am looking forward to seeing how you interpret the painting!

 

[Mike Niederman]

Perry Miniatures also do a vignette based on the Joy painting, although I can't get past the dwarfish proportions that are the accepted 28mm figure standard. Also, any ideas on what Joy was intending with Gordon's left arm and hand gesture? Never understood it. https://www.perry-miniatures.com/pr...on-the-famous-painting-by-george-william-joy/

 

[blaster]

Hi Louis and Mike,

thx for your inputs. I knew I shldn have embarked on this piece. Too Popular a theme - Victorian, Sudan, last stand, etc. Man, am I feeling the pressure or what? HahahahH.

I know the ptg is highly romanticised but it does capture Gordon’s character. Obviously a brave man to wander in alone to resolve a dangerous situation, prob reckless and eccentric travelling globally Chinese Gordon etc.
I like his pose in the ptg. IMO, the right hand with pistol down to show that he has a weapon but would deign to use it, the left hand raised over his chest in haughty disgust at the mob below….

I am making changes to the JJD figs as I see fit to make them conform to the ptg. Luckily the figures are cast in malleable tin lead which can be cut. I have removed figure bases and intend to make more changes to the figs.

i ptd the bldg.

Rgds Victor

 

[Horus]

Yes you certainly have taken on a challenge there Victor, but with all the experience you've shown with your past projects, one that I'm sure will turn out to be artistically pleasing to the eye !

Louis, it would be interesting to see, please share a photo or three of your own JJD one with the TM additions.

 

[blaster]

Hi Steve

thanks for yr comments. JJD has produced an excellent set which seems to be suited for display as a diorama. I don tk anyone can do a less than stellar presentation with these figs. Hahaha.

Here I’ve whitened the bldg. Placed it inside the box with black ptd interior.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Yes you certainly have taken on a challenge there Victor, but with all the experience you've shown with your past projects, one that I'm sure will turn out to be artistically pleasing to the eye !

Louis, it would be interesting to see, please share a photo or three of your own JJD one with the TM additions.

As requested, some photos of the TM Terrain diorama:

 

[blaster]

Hi Louis.

Wow! That is an excellent diorama! I think it cries out for more figs to populate it. $$$. Whew! Hahaha.

Rgds Victor.

 

[Horus]

Thanks Louis :salute::

Now I see these photos I think I may of seen them a few years ago, but had forgotten I had !
Mmmm, I'm starting to have senior moments !^&grin

Yes John certainly did an excellent job on recreating the dramatic scene on the balcony and David's buildings makes for a great expansion of the scene in miniature !

And Victor's friend will also have a great little diorama when it's finished.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Hi Louis.

Wow! That is an excellent diorama! I think it cries out for more figs to populate it. $$$. Whew! Hahaha.

Rgds Victor.

Victor,

Those are old photos from when I first received the diorama from Dave at TM Terrain. I will have to get upstairs and take some photos later, as it is now completely overpopulated (and, frankly, Gordon and the British are kicking the Mahdists' butts with the help of a Gatling Gun and a Rolls Royce Armored Car crashing through the gate).{sm4}

 

[Louis Badolato]

Hi Louis.

Wow! That is an excellent diorama! I think it cries out for more figs to populate it. $$$. Whew! Hahaha.

Rgds Victor.

Some shots I just took of the diorama: I think Gordon is going to survive in my little world :salute::

 

[blaster]

Hilarious and totally great fun! Brings back a lot of memories for me in my earlier days, fooling around with my wargames troops. I have a rather decent Susan Boer war army always protecting an Airfix FL fort against a horde of Mahdist Indian army. My colonials would have a Gatling, some mtd camel troops (all 20mm Jacklex) versus the natives armed with elephants and old artillery ( ship models). The natives were Airfix Esci and numerous HK plastics. Now and then, the Mtd cavalry would sally forth and break down the native ranks.

 

[blaster]

An update on the piece. I elevated the height of the piece to heighten the tension. Added a roof and tested the placement of all the figs.

 

[Horus]

An update on the piece. I elevated the height of the piece to heighten the tension. Added a roof and tested the placement of all the figs.

View attachment 299200

I like what you are doing there Victor, also with the scene being higher up, will leave room for a plaque describing the scene.

 

[blaster]

Hi Steve

thx for yr inputs. I added slats to the roof. Seen from the side, the angles for perspective are very obvious

 

[Horus]

Hi Steve

thx for yr inputs. I added slats to the roof. Seen from the side, the angles for perspective are very obvious

View attachment 299206

Yes your roof is coming together, enjoying seeing this project of yours come together. :salute::