WIP Culloden charge - 1/16 Miniart Conversion.

[DioramaArt]

New diorama started. Depicting the highland charge against Barrell’s 4th Foot at the Battle of Culloden 1746. The last great battle and defeat; shattering the dream of Jocobite uprising, known as the 45.

I’m using the same 1/16 Miniart Roman legionary figure as starting point as my last completed work. First stripping all the kit detail making a basic mannequin, then repositing legs and Re-pinning the arms/hands before Re-sculpting.

I’ve only roughed out a couple of figures so far. The sword will be replaced with Glasgow style basket hilt broadsword and many other details to be scratch built and added.

I will be sculpting plaid and 4th foot regimental uniforms. With muskets, pistols and replacement heads from Reedees Miniatures.

 

[Peter Day]

Another epic begins. A great subject too.

 

[Richie]

Hi Marcus,
Having watched your previous project from the sidelines I thought I woud jump in early on this one before things are set.

I know you are basing the figures from the painting, but the figures in the painting look stiff, stoic and undynamic and it has transferred into your two mannequin's for me.

You have the skills so I would go for something more fluid, dynamic and interactive, something with a sense of movement
like below.


I could even supply you two 120mm mannequins if it would help you out.
cheers
Richie

 

[Nap]

Hi Marcus

Certainly a great scene to depict , from Rome to Scotland now .......look forward to seeing how this progresses especially the uniforms and tartan plaid

Richie has a good comment IMO , the painting looks a little rigid

Popcorn delivery due soon

Why not enter a piece into the class of your choice in our May's FOTM comp and also vote in Aprils classes as well

....And enter in Vignettes & Diorama #3 which will be running till 31/12/21 with voting till 31/01/22

Happy benchtine

Nap

 

[NeilW]

Another interesting and challenging project... I'll follow with interest

Tend to agree with Richie ref the painting's static poses (though the Royalists did of course go by the drill book) and good of him to offer the mannequins, but there's so much scratch building that I can't help wondering whether you may as well start from scratch building on basic wire armatures?

I'm sure that you'll do this, but it also needs a good study of how C18th tartans were used (eg trews and jackets, often on the bias and of mixed setts) and feileadh mhor/belted plaids worn (a few may have worn the feileadh beag prototype kilt, or even just their undershirt), so as to avoid falling into the neatly pleated C19th kilt trap.

Some useful links:
Ancient Highland Dress | Scottish Tartans Authority
The Birth of Tartan | Scottish Tartans Authority
The Scottish Register of Tartans (tartanregister.gov.uk)

(2) The Belted Plaid (Great kilt): a MULTIPURPOSE, Outdoor Garment? - YouTube
(2) How I Get Dressed in a feileadh mor - YouTube


As an aside, sources suggest that few rank and file Jacobites carried targe and broadsword, with most being armed with French or Spanish muskets and bayonets.

Also, curved bladed (according to the Peniculk contemporary sketches, falchion-like) basket hilted turcael (turkish) swords were not unknown.

BoL

 

[Fransab]

Hi Marcus, you're great, another beautiful and interesting challenge. I'll follow it.

Cheers,

Francisco

 

[valiant]

My thoughts are that the painting is for inspiration, not reference. The poses are clearly tacked together, ATM and Im sure that the final incarnation will be up to the usual high standard of animation shown in the Roman Diorama. Im taking it as a very early starting point

 

[NeilW]

I realise that you're a long way off painting Marcus, but this site gives info on (likely) tartans worn around the Culloden period (note that strictly regulated 'clan tartans' didn't really exist): Pre-Culloden Tartans. Matthew Newsome, GTS, ©2001 | by Rev. Mr. Matthew Newsome | Albanach

I cross referenced them with the tartan register if the links may be useful?

 

[callmehobbes]

Following with interest.

 

[Larsen E. Whipsnade]

Wow! What an ambitious undertaking. I can't wait to see how it develops.
Rick

 

[DioramaArt]

Hi Marcus,
Having watched your previous project from the sidelines I thought I woud jump in early on this one before things are set.

I know you are basing the figures from the painting, but the figures in the painting look stiff, stoic and undynamic and it has transferred into your two mannequin's for me.

You have the skills so I would go for something more fluid, dynamic and interactive, something with a sense of movement
like below.
View attachment 418195

I could even supply you two 120mm mannequins if it would help you out.
cheers
Richie

Hi Richie,

I really should wait a little bit before posting, the first post is a very very rough rendition, I tend to remake each figure at least twice at an early stage before I’m happy with the composition. I appreciate the offer of the mannequin, maybe for the next project. It Would probably save me some time composing, so thank you for that very kind offer.

The painting is of Culloden, with my only reference for the scene being the 4th foot depicted, but read that even the pocket direction on their redcoat is probably incorrect, but the cloacking book of 1742 is also inconclusive. Agreed, the painting scene is not very dynamic and neither were my two early renditions.

 

[DioramaArt]

Hi Marcus

Certainly a great scene to depict , from Rome to Scotland now .......look forward to seeing how this progresses especially the uniforms and tartan plaid

Richie has a good comment IMO , the painting looks a little rigid

Popcorn delivery due soon

Why not enter a piece into the class of your choice in our May's FOTM comp and also vote in Aprils classes as well

....And enter in Vignettes & Diorama #3 which will be running till 31/12/21 with voting till 31/01/22

Happy benchtine

Nap

View attachment 418217 View attachment 418218

Thanks mate, I agree with the comments and not using the painting for composition so all good. I have the Osprey book as well as 14 other books on the subject for reference and joined several groups of reenactors, who might not be out and out experts, but collectively seem to know lots of useful detail. I still welcome comment on PF as some have made led similar and far more knowledgeable on the subject than me.

will enter my last build into the comp when I get a minute.

Regards,

Marcus.

 

[DioramaArt]

Another interesting and challenging project... I'll follow with interest

Tend to agree with Richie ref the painting's static poses (though the Royalists did of course go by the drill book) and good of him to offer the mannequins, but there's so much scratch building that I can't help wondering whether you may as well start from scratch building on basic wire armatures?

I'm sure that you'll do this, but it also needs a good study of how C18th tartans were used (eg trews and jackets, often on the bias and of mixed setts) and feileadh mhor/belted plaids worn (a few may have worn the feileadh beag prototype kilt, or even just their undershirt), so as to avoid falling into the neatly pleated C19th kilt trap.

Some useful links:
Ancient Highland Dress | Scottish Tartans Authority
The Birth of Tartan | Scottish Tartans Authority
The Scottish Register of Tartans (tartanregister.gov.uk)

(2) The Belted Plaid (Great kilt): a MULTIPURPOSE, Outdoor Garment? - YouTube
(2) How I Get Dressed in a feileadh mor - YouTube


As an aside, sources suggest that few rank and file Jacobites carried targe and broadsword, with most being armed with French or Spanish muskets and bayonets.

Also, curved bladed (according to the Peniculk contemporary sketches, falchion-like) basket hilted turcael (turkish) swords were not unknown.

BoL

Thanks Neil, agreed getting the Plaid correct will be a challenge, part of my motivation in wanting to tackle the subject in part to learn about the subject then the technical challenge.

I will be depicting the belted plaid, so thinking how to model the 5yds of cloth, even watched a few YouTube videos of it being folded and put on to give me ideas to depict.

Ref f the weapons, yes from the 1745 battle of Prestonpans where the Jacobites were poorly armed, by Culloden most were carrying musket into battle supplied by both the French and Spanish. For the scene I will be using a couple Charleville Muskets, with only the lead Jacobite carrying broadsword and Targe. I’m even depicting the use of pistol, will model a pair with highland scroll grips for authenticity and the broadsword will get a Glasgow style hilt.

Thank you for the links, very very useful indeed.

Regards,

Marcus.

 

[DioramaArt]

Hi Marcus, you're great, another beautiful and interesting challenge. I'll follow it.

Cheers,

Francisco

Thank you Francisco.

 

[DioramaArt]

My thoughts are that the painting is for inspiration, not reference. The poses are clearly tacked together, ATM and Im sure that the final incarnation will be up to the usual high standard of animation shown in the Roman Diorama. Im taking it as a very early starting point

Thank you,

You are correct, I posted the famous painting of the battle of Culloden, just for context. Also it depicts the point in the battle where the highland charge was semi successful against Barrell’s 4th Foot, the government soldiers I will be depicting in my five figure scene.

My wife’s family are Scottish and I gave her the choice of what battle, they had all heard of Culloden, I’m not sure she realised that it was the final defeat that led to the collapse and end of the Jacobite rebellion, nevertheless I’m depicting the part of the battle where the government troops were getting a kicking, so everyone should be happy.

Regards,

Marcus.

 

[DioramaArt]

I realise that you're a long way off painting Marcus, but this site gives info on (likely) tartans worn around the Culloden period (note that strictly regulated 'clan tartans' didn't really exist): Pre-Culloden Tartans. Matthew Newsome, GTS, ©2001 | by Rev. Mr. Matthew Newsome | Albanach

I cross referenced them with the tartan register if the links may be useful?

Thank you again for the reference link Neil, really really useful and appreciated.

regards,

Marcus.

 

[DioramaArt]

Following with interest.

Thank you.

 

[DioramaArt]

Wow! What an ambitious undertaking. I can't wait to see how it develops.
Rick

Thank you Rick

 

[DioramaArt]

The scene is still at a very early stage,

Ive added three more figures from my first post on the new project. The aim of the scene is to show a successful highland charge, something my wife’s Scottish family requested.

This will be a five figure diorama, three Jacobites in a charge against a couple of government soldiers of the 4th Foot regiment. It depicts the point of the battle where the Jacobite regiments had some minor success against the centre of the Government forces. The Government troops stood their ground, but in doing so took the heaviest casualties of the day with 17 killed and 108 wounded. Their sacrifice was not in vein as it gave the other redcoat regiments on the field time to prepare and win the day.

Unlike battles like Prestonpans, a year earlier than Culloden where the famous highland Broadsword, Targe (round shield) and Lochobar were successful as the main weapons of choice, at Culloden most Jacobites were carrying musket. Whilst a lethal volley of ball could be deployed against the enemy this change toward conventional warfare became a distinct disadvantage to the highland regiments of the Jacobites, who lacked the discipline of the government forces. The Jacobites, were facing hardened veterans of continental wars deployed on the Culloden battlefield, trained to defeat the highland charge with volley and bayonet. The boggy ground at Culloden and these new tactics destroyed the Jacobite dream that day.

 

[callmehobbes]

Just thinking Miniart ought to make a basic mannequin in 1/16 with optional hands etc.