Work in Progress

Antietam 17th September 1862

Posted by Beano Boy on 26 Jan 2020, 17:27

Bravo! Yes you are improving upon your roadway of self learning.

Those two girls are one of my all time favorites. BB
Beano Boy  England
Supporting Member (Gold) Supporting Member (Gold)
 
Posts: 8083
Member since:
03 Sep 2013, 14:45


Posted by Susofrick on 27 Jan 2020, 09:18

Agree with Paul (BB)! Great houses, lovely gals and promising officers!
User avatar
Susofrick  Sweden
Supporting Member (Gold) Supporting Member (Gold)
 
Posts: 7678
Member since:
19 Feb 2008, 12:10

Posted by C M Dodson on 05 Feb 2020, 23:12

Infantry organisation

I have commenced painting up the troops required and whilst not up to some of the phenomenal standards of the forum, I am quite pleased with the ‘look’.

Image

I am using brigade units of approximately fifty troops per unit. Whilst not exactly correct as some units were smaller or larger than others I feel from past experience they work well.

The organisation and troop figures are taken from the excellent Maryland Campaign part 2, Antietam by Ezra A Carman.

Colonel Carman actually fought at Antietam and in 1864 was hired as a historical expert to investigate the campaign.

Based on his exhaustive research, edited by Thomas Clemens and based on a one to twenty representation I will need 1500 Confederate infantry and 2400 Union troops.

On top will be the artillery and associated cavalry, staff etc.

These figures represent the troops present that took an active part in the action following the actions at South Mountain etc.

One of the benefits of Civil War troops is that apart from a few select units, The Iron Brigade for example, the uniforms are simple and homogenous.

This allows troops to be painted up as firing lines, marching etc and mixed as appropriate for the situation they find themselves in.

Happy modelling.

Chris
C M Dodson  United Kingdom
 
Posts: 2568
Member since:
01 May 2015, 18:48

Posted by C M Dodson on 11 Feb 2020, 12:14

Confederate cavalry.

I have painted up my conversions and am quite pleased with them.

There is a little tidying up required for my horse holder it seems, the camera is merciless!

Image

Lots to do.

Chris
C M Dodson  United Kingdom
 
Posts: 2568
Member since:
01 May 2015, 18:48

Posted by C M Dodson on 11 Feb 2020, 12:27

Incidentally, I found this wonderful link regarding cavalry actions and the inherent problems for commanders which is applicable to all eras I would suggest.

https://smallbutimportantriots.com/2018 ... e-charges/

Chris
C M Dodson  United Kingdom
 
Posts: 2568
Member since:
01 May 2015, 18:48

Posted by lobo on 11 Feb 2020, 13:25

Very promising and accurate project Christ!
lobo  Spain
 
Posts: 102
Member since:
25 May 2019, 07:30

Help keep the forum online!
or become a supporting member

Posted by Susofrick on 11 Feb 2020, 14:08

Great cavalry! But I love the bases!!! Childhood memories!
User avatar
Susofrick  Sweden
Supporting Member (Gold) Supporting Member (Gold)
 
Posts: 7678
Member since:
19 Feb 2008, 12:10

Posted by C M Dodson on 13 Feb 2020, 20:01

Ambulances

My very good friend Thomas Mischak sent me along with some other goodies the Imex ambulance set as a birthday present recently.

The set is basic but effective and depicts a Rucker ambulance.

This ambulance was very popular from the mid war replacing a host of inferior designs but, unfortunately was not around for Antietam.

I did some research and found this fascinating article.

https://civilwarhome.com/ambulancewagons.html

From this it seemed a Rosecrans, named after the general, would be satisfactory, so out came the knife.

I found this wonderful replica, also called a Wheeling to base my design on.

Image

Image

Image

Following chopping I redesigned the suspension with card for the springs, balsa for the brake and riding board.

Image

Piano wire and balsa made a step for the rear.

Image

The horses are Revell with green stuff and Hat Austrian artillery chains.

The main pole is balsa again with some chain from the bits box.

The reins are cotton with a little PVA to stop the fraying. A special mention to Mr Crynns for that tip!

Image

Image

Image

It’s not 100% accurate, but I think it gives a good ‘feel’ of the original and I have plans for it in the future.

Many thanks to Thomas again.

Chris
C M Dodson  United Kingdom
 
Posts: 2568
Member since:
01 May 2015, 18:48

Posted by Bessiere on 17 Feb 2020, 01:26

C M Dodson wrote:Confederate cavalry.

I have painted up my conversions and am quite pleased with them.

There is a little tidying up required for my horse holder it seems, the camera is merciless!

Image

Lots to do.

Chris


Is that Rooney Lee in front? Great looking bunch of rebels Mr. Dodson. Your commitment to craft is worthy of emulation,
Bessiere  United States of America
 
Posts: 1114
Member since:
23 May 2019, 15:50

Posted by C M Dodson on 17 Feb 2020, 09:09

Hello Mr B and thank you for your kind comments, they are much appreciated.

The chap with the hat is just a generic officer I am afraid.

I did a little digging and it seems that Mr Lee was injured by a falling horse at the South Mountain engagement.

As a result he did not participate at Antietam.

However, you have set me thinking and another Mr Lee from the artillery might be a useful figure.

Thank you
C M Dodson  United Kingdom
 
Posts: 2568
Member since:
01 May 2015, 18:48

Posted by C M Dodson on 17 Feb 2020, 11:07

I have looked into Robert Lee Junior and he was a private in the artillery at Sharpsburg.

A bit of a pity.

Chris
C M Dodson  United Kingdom
 
Posts: 2568
Member since:
01 May 2015, 18:48

Posted by C M Dodson on 17 Feb 2020, 15:51

Union artillery.

I have been building up and converting artillery for the Union forces.

The limbers are Revell and Imex suitably chopped.

I have used thin wire for the traces which here are loosely positioned.

The cassion is scratch built utilising a Revel limber and then adding a new running board and a balsa box. The handles are thin wire bent to position.

The horses are Art Miniturian together with chopped up Prussian Art Miniturian riders featuring new heads.

I had a few of the Hagen riders but it seems sadly that they are now discontinued.

Image

I have stolen a genius idea from Egbert and I hope he doesn't mind.

By photographing from the wonderful Gettysburg Companion by Mark Adkin and reducing it on a text file, I was able to print out the 12pdr cannon instructions that were pasted into the inside of the limber boxes.

How fantastic is that?


ImageQ

Once again the camera has shown up a few details that need tidying up.

Lots to do.

Chris
C M Dodson  United Kingdom
 
Posts: 2568
Member since:
01 May 2015, 18:48

Posted by C M Dodson on 27 Feb 2020, 20:52

Battery Wagons

I felt that some battery wagons would add interest to the artillery units and found these lovely diagrams from the Osprey book series. This one is from the ACW artillery, (1) Field artillery book.

Image

I first did some measuring and then marked out some thin balsa with the component elements.

Image

The limber is a chopped down Revell item. The box bit is saved to make a ammunition box for the cassions I made before.

The elements are cut out and then glued together.

Image

I then used card to create the iron work and chopped it to size.

The roof section was created out of paper, glued and trimmed to size.

Image


The completed box section was then glued to the chassis, and the wheels added.

I used some modelling chain for the wheel lock and also for the hay rack section pinched from a HAT Austrian wagon box.

The towing hitch was then cut to size and a hook created by melting a ring from the remaining length with a soldering Iron.

I am very pleased with the finished item which is awaiting a delivery of hay to complete it.

Image

Happy modelling.

Chris
C M Dodson  United Kingdom
 
Posts: 2568
Member since:
01 May 2015, 18:48

Posted by Peter on 27 Feb 2020, 21:10

Maybe you still have "lots to do", but it all looks fantastic Chris! :thumbup:
User avatar
Peter  Belgium

Moderator Moderator
 
Posts: 22501
Member since:
25 Mar 2008, 18:51

Posted by MABO on 27 Feb 2020, 22:15

My respect for the battery wagons. Another stunning project, I have to say it again!
User avatar
MABO  Europe
Supporting Member (Gold) Supporting Member (Gold)
 
Posts: 9127
Member since:
12 May 2008, 18:01

Posted by C M Dodson on 06 Mar 2020, 18:06

Divisional commanders and ADC’s

I have been chopping up various guys to make staff as the choice is a bit limited.

Stretlets have some generals but they are a bit dwarfish.

However, they are still useful and when chopped can be quite effective on remounts especially.

Image

The Imex coffee drinker made a most pleasing cavalryman having a ‘ before we go’ drink. Similarly, the Revel saluting ‘fatty’ when slimmed down makes a pleasing ADC.

Image

Lots to do.

Chris
C M Dodson  United Kingdom
 
Posts: 2568
Member since:
01 May 2015, 18:48

Help keep the forum online!
or become a supporting member

Posted by Bessiere on 07 Mar 2020, 23:35

Looking good! this will be another epic battle brought to life. I have to say that is a great way to spend one's time.
Bessiere  United States of America
 
Posts: 1114
Member since:
23 May 2019, 15:50

Posted by MABO on 09 Mar 2020, 14:20

Love the coffeedrinker.
User avatar
MABO  Europe
Supporting Member (Gold) Supporting Member (Gold)
 
Posts: 9127
Member since:
12 May 2008, 18:01

Posted by C M Dodson on 12 Mar 2020, 15:26

The John Flook Farm ( Nicodemus house )

This property is located north of the Mary Loacher cabin at the foot of the Nicodemus heights, approximately half way between them and the D R Miller farm.

The heights overlooking the property were initially occupied by several Confederate batteries under Major John Pelham which very effectively enfiladed Hookers early morning attack.

I found these excellent articles to be most interesting.

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/confed ... 297/page-2

https://48thpennsylvania.blogspot.com/2 ... ights.html

The property is privately owned as it does not lie within the current NPS area and visiting is therefore restricted. Google maps, normally very helpful are not so useful as the house lies away from the main road.

However, I did find this picture taken from the direction of the Miller farmhouse.

The trees, very much in evidence here were not so prevalent in 1862.

Image

However, I found the NPS register of historic places dated October 1982 that states the present building was built in 1875.

https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/3a4f ... f9b5e4257a

Back to the drawing board.

This is a picture taken from the Battery D, 1st Rhode Island artillery position that was engaged in an artillery duel with Pelham looking towards the heights. The building in the mid distance looks very much in keeping with the area and so, using artistic license I have built my building in a similar style.


Image


Image

Lots to do.

Chris
C M Dodson  United Kingdom
 
Posts: 2568
Member since:
01 May 2015, 18:48

Posted by Susofrick on 12 Mar 2020, 16:38

Another very cozy house from your workbench!
User avatar
Susofrick  Sweden
Supporting Member (Gold) Supporting Member (Gold)
 
Posts: 7678
Member since:
19 Feb 2008, 12:10

Previous pageNext page

Return to Work in Progress