DioramaArt
A Fixture
The British Terra Nova expedition of 1910-13 led by Robert Falcon Scott
A modelling project I’ve wanted to depict for a long-time. Inspired by a painting (see below) of Scott's team ascending the Antarctic Beardmore glacier, before the long journey across the plateau to the south pole.
All five of the final British expedition team never made it home, including Captain Scott, in part due to poor planning and a reliance on horses and untested tracked motor sled (precursor to the tank), rather than dogs preferred by the Norwegian team led by Roald Amundsen. The extreme snow storm, frostbite and exhaustion finally defeated Captain Scott's team on the 900mile return trip from the south pole. Captain Scott died alongside his remaining colleagues, just 11miles short of a stores depot and just over 100miles from safety.
Ironically one of the reasons Captain Scott didn't use dogs for the plateau journey was his lack of experience and disbelief they could be trained to haul the sledge up the Beardmore Glacier; something Amundson did to great success. Using the same animals Amundson crossed the 900mile snow plateau, overtaking the British expedition and reaching the South pole some 33days before Scott arrived, with his exhausted and defeated team.
Modelling the scene
The ascent of the glacier as the 54mm diorama setting will hopefully create a bit of elevation and drama.
It’s a small start creating the sledge, based on the type used for the 1910-13 Terra Nova expedition, on display as part of the Australian Powerhouse collection. The original is made from Gum tree wood with some of the expedition equipment including skis made from Bamboo, something I hadn't realised before starting research on the project.
Most of the snow scene (my first go at snow and ice) is going to be scratch build, including five figures, that included captain Scott and Oats (the biggest guy) who famously said, "I'm just going outside, I may be some time" as a self sacrifice. Oats due to frostbite in his hands and legs had slowed the remaining team who were all attempting to reach a large supply depot.
Inspirational painting for the diorama scene
A modelling project I’ve wanted to depict for a long-time. Inspired by a painting (see below) of Scott's team ascending the Antarctic Beardmore glacier, before the long journey across the plateau to the south pole.
All five of the final British expedition team never made it home, including Captain Scott, in part due to poor planning and a reliance on horses and untested tracked motor sled (precursor to the tank), rather than dogs preferred by the Norwegian team led by Roald Amundsen. The extreme snow storm, frostbite and exhaustion finally defeated Captain Scott's team on the 900mile return trip from the south pole. Captain Scott died alongside his remaining colleagues, just 11miles short of a stores depot and just over 100miles from safety.
Ironically one of the reasons Captain Scott didn't use dogs for the plateau journey was his lack of experience and disbelief they could be trained to haul the sledge up the Beardmore Glacier; something Amundson did to great success. Using the same animals Amundson crossed the 900mile snow plateau, overtaking the British expedition and reaching the South pole some 33days before Scott arrived, with his exhausted and defeated team.
Modelling the scene
The ascent of the glacier as the 54mm diorama setting will hopefully create a bit of elevation and drama.
It’s a small start creating the sledge, based on the type used for the 1910-13 Terra Nova expedition, on display as part of the Australian Powerhouse collection. The original is made from Gum tree wood with some of the expedition equipment including skis made from Bamboo, something I hadn't realised before starting research on the project.
Most of the snow scene (my first go at snow and ice) is going to be scratch build, including five figures, that included captain Scott and Oats (the biggest guy) who famously said, "I'm just going outside, I may be some time" as a self sacrifice. Oats due to frostbite in his hands and legs had slowed the remaining team who were all attempting to reach a large supply depot.
Inspirational painting for the diorama scene
