'Durnford's Last Stand' Diorama ?

[Razorback]

Anyone know of, working on, or hoping to create a 'Durnford's Last Stand' diorama using 54mm figures ?

This was from Battle at Isandlwana in the Anglo-Zulu War 1879.

When I first got connected to the internet, I had hoped to find a diorama of this specific stand, which is similar to the idea of a 'Custer's Last Stand' diorama, which I have seen a few of.

The 'Durnford's Last Stand' diorama would consist of the following -

Col. A.W. Durnford, Royal Engineers - Senior officer at Isandlwana.
Natal Carbineers - Volunteer Unit.
Natal Mounted Police - Volunteer Unit.
24th Regiment - British Imperial Regiment.

A diorama based on this specific incident would have looked fantastic, especially if not having been considered previously.

 

[btavis]

So, make one.

 

[Razorback]

I saw an image of a painted and unpainted 54mm Col. A.W. Durnford, R.E. figure at 'Alpha Models', as well as unpainted 54mm British 24th Regiment and Zulu Warriors from 'Conte Collectibles' and 'A Call To Arms'.

I'm not qualified enough to build a detailed diorama, but I could put together a combination of these figures to get an idea of what I want, although N.C. and N.M.P. are not available in this scale, and I'm not sure if there are other figures which could be altered to represent them.

I would very much have liked the diorama to be partly based on the last stand scene in the film 'Zulu Dawn', which had Col. Durnford (Burt Lancaster) standing on top of a wagon shooting down at the Zulus with a revolver, while his men from the combined units fight on the ground against the encircling warriors. It would make a fantastic model.

 

[Dan Morton]

Knock yourself out, Razorback! Sounds like fun!

All the best,
Dan

 

[jjgurk]

Go for it!

John

 

[Razorback]

I've managed to trace images of a 1/32 scale Britains Ox-Wagon, from what was their Durnford's Last Stand set ! - on e-Bay.

Also, a 1/32 scale Bell Tent used by the British Army at the time of the AZW 1879, by a company called 'The Armoury of St. James'.

I'm unable to get these items at present, but would appreciate any assistance on where I could purchase items of a similar nature still in production by a company ?

Additionally, on looking closer at a couple the officers in the 'Conte Collectibles' British 24th Regiment figures sets, I see that there may be a possibility they can be slightly altered to make N.C. and N.M.P. troopers, who had by the time of the last stand, resorted to using revolvers.

These officer figures are hatless, which could allow a separate sun helmet with small spike on top to be added to complete the uniform. Is this type of headwear supplied anywhere in 54mm scale ?

Lastly, Battlefield Debris - ammunition boxes, barrels, etc., to emphasise the ongoing destruction going on, both in the stand and in the surrounding area ?

I apologise for asking so many questions, but I'm very new to this subject.

Thank you in advance for any information and details you can supply.

 

[Razorback]

Further to the above.

I managed to trace 2 companies that made Zulu War items - Quartermaster Corps, Clash of Arms.

However, I can't seem to find any details about the companies, the figures they supply or ordering details.

Please can someone let me know if they are no longer manufacturing, or if you have obtained figures, models, or accessories from them.

 

[captnenglish]

Razorback, I can't answer most of your questions, though it sounds like a great project, but as far as the battlefield debris is concerend, SMA had a couple of set that are just what you are looking for. Great models has the Zulu set (SMA 3028) and I know that SMA had a British set, but cant seem to find a listing.