Reality of War

There are some fantastic dioramas of Waterloo in 20mm, but if I have one criticism it is that they tend to be too neat and take too little account of the grim reality of the battle.

There are some honourable exceptions, notably the Winchester model and C M Dodson's very evocative photographs which look every inch the part.

When I eventually get round to putting my figures on my diorama, my representation will show the full horror of the battle.  It is said that the casualty rate at Borodino was equivalent to a packed Jumbo Jet crashing into the battlefield every seven minutes.  I don't believe Waterloo would have been much different.

Through John Cunningham, I commissioned half a kilo of Napoleonic heads - a mix of shakos, helmets and cocked hats.  The 2nd Hussar below thus has a plastic torso and metal head.

People will recognise a Les Higgins Foot Dragoon painted as an Empress Dragoon.  Behind, is a Strelets figure from the Crimea with a pair of converted Atlantic figures from Custer' Last Stand

The Line Lancer is Esci with different legs.  The stretcher bearers are Airfix WW1.  The Cuirassier wrapped in a blanket is Strelets.

The Italieri British Dragoon AWI horse

The wounded Cuirassier is by Eric Bahlouli

WW1 Airfix wounded British converted with a shako

Some Red Lancers, originally ACW

Steelets drummer

Surgical team in the background do their worst.  The Cantiniere is S Range

Wounded limp from the field

Strelets Chasseur from their sledge set with an Art Miniaturen Lancer.

Cuirassier, Airfix conversion.

I had too many Napoleon's, so he lost his head and got this shako.

Contemplative Red Lancer.

The Horse Grenadier was Italieri 7 Years War

I like this 8th Hussar - Imex with a Hat head.

The French train driver on the left is of unknown metal origins.

The Airfix wounded trio converted from the Washington AWI set.

Mostly Art Miniaturen