King & Country
Captain
- Joined
- May 23, 2005
- Messages
- 5,015
Hi Guys,
Almost a year ago one of our leading collectors approached us with a request to design and construct a large 20 foot square battlefield diorama to display some of his very extensive collection of K&C Napoleonics.
Our friend had seen a 15mm scale model of ‘The Chateau Hougoumont’ in a magazine and wondered if we could use that as a general guide.
I explained that if he wanted the entire Chateau in 1:30 scale he would need a 100 square foot dio not just 20 square feet!
I then suggested a simpler but still exciting solution... Adopt elements of the Hougoumont design and add some items from our own imagination to create something vaguely familiar but still original and unique.
Here are two sketches I submitted to the collector. The first submission had a ‘water’ element in the shape of a stream / river complete with a small hump back bridge.
I also proposed constructing the dio in 2 x equal parts each measuring 4’ x 3’ giving a total square footage of 24 square feet.
Our friend liked the general idea but asked us to delete the water and the bridge thus allowing him more space to put more toy soldiers onto the ‘green field’ area.
Because of my own work commitments and, alas, the passing of my brother Gordon, I knew I had to enlist the services of our other good friend and occasional working colleague, David Marshall in the U.K.
Like me David was enthusiastic about the idea and readily agreed to combine with K&C on the project.
After several discussions we adapted the original design to include a large ‘Stable Block’ and a ‘Dovecot’ at the rear of the Chateau’s main buildings to help contain a courtyard.
So, here are some of my sketches and a detailed design plan for the ‘Stable Block’ which I sent to David.
In the following days you will see some very exciting photographs of the finished diorama as well as a large number of various ‘Set Ups’ covering widely different historical periods that K&C has produced series of figures and fighting vehicles for.
All of them are living proof that a great display offers a huge range of imaginative display opportunities and possibilities.
All the best and enjoy!
Andy
Almost a year ago one of our leading collectors approached us with a request to design and construct a large 20 foot square battlefield diorama to display some of his very extensive collection of K&C Napoleonics.
Our friend had seen a 15mm scale model of ‘The Chateau Hougoumont’ in a magazine and wondered if we could use that as a general guide.
I explained that if he wanted the entire Chateau in 1:30 scale he would need a 100 square foot dio not just 20 square feet!
I then suggested a simpler but still exciting solution... Adopt elements of the Hougoumont design and add some items from our own imagination to create something vaguely familiar but still original and unique.
Here are two sketches I submitted to the collector. The first submission had a ‘water’ element in the shape of a stream / river complete with a small hump back bridge.
I also proposed constructing the dio in 2 x equal parts each measuring 4’ x 3’ giving a total square footage of 24 square feet.
Our friend liked the general idea but asked us to delete the water and the bridge thus allowing him more space to put more toy soldiers onto the ‘green field’ area.
Because of my own work commitments and, alas, the passing of my brother Gordon, I knew I had to enlist the services of our other good friend and occasional working colleague, David Marshall in the U.K.
Like me David was enthusiastic about the idea and readily agreed to combine with K&C on the project.
After several discussions we adapted the original design to include a large ‘Stable Block’ and a ‘Dovecot’ at the rear of the Chateau’s main buildings to help contain a courtyard.
So, here are some of my sketches and a detailed design plan for the ‘Stable Block’ which I sent to David.
In the following days you will see some very exciting photographs of the finished diorama as well as a large number of various ‘Set Ups’ covering widely different historical periods that K&C has produced series of figures and fighting vehicles for.
All of them are living proof that a great display offers a huge range of imaginative display opportunities and possibilities.
All the best and enjoy!
Andy
