Finished this one this morning.
This diorama is a representation of the shock and disbelief felt in Ulster when news of the casuaties from the first day of the Somme reached Ireland. 5500 men from the 36th Ulster Division were lost in the first two days.
The model shows members of the 11th Batt. (South Antrim Vols) Royal Irish Rifles. The stretcher bearers are from 108th Field Ambulance RAMC attached to 36th Ulster Division unable to take in the scene of human destruction before them.
Figures are converted from various Airfix multipose pieces, hornet heads and hands were necessary and plenty of Magic Sculpt Scalelink rifles and barbed wire. Painted in oils.

A superb piece of work Stephen. This would be the scene in front of the Schwaben redoubt.
Despite massive casualties it must be remembered the 36th Ulster Division was one of only three Divs. that managed to take their objectives.

Roger

You really have captured the horror with this one. Very nice work!

Stephen, it's brilliant, I love it.

Cheers

Very moving, Stephen. Well done.

I echo Tony's comment Stephen - brilliant! A very evocative and inspiring (in its' own way) vignette. Very well done!

All the best,
Dan

Excellent work Stephen. I like the composition of the story you are telling with figures.

Well done Stephen, you are showing more and more skill with every piece you complete...a very worthwhile subject to realise in miniature.

Bravo mate...

Roy.

Good work Stephen.
You captured the horror of WW I in this vignette.

Marc

very nice work it definetely captures the horror of it all.

Steve

Hi Stephen
lovely work.I'll be seen this in the flesh on Saturday.
I'll give you a call this week
See you soon
Roberto

Superb diorama

Hi Stephen,

See the above comment! I am delighted to know that there are modellers out there who use Airfix and Scalelink parts. Great fun eh?


Rgds Victor

Thats really a big workmy friend. Nice setting of the scene , and nice work at all

best Regards


Costas

Hello Stephen,

This is figure modelling at its most poignant.

Like with every good vignette, every part (even the groundwork) contributes to the story.

I don't know if you've done it consciously but I like the way you accentuate the contrast between the living and the dead by placing the former on the luminous, drier ground with some lumps of grass (life?) and the latter in the dark, rotting and muddy underworld.

Hats off, Jake!

Quang

Excellent work Stephen. I like the story you done through figures.

Great work Stephen,
your diarama certainly shows the horror that the Somme really was. No glory, just destruction of the 36th. Ulster and the other divisions that took part.
Great groundwork and I like the fact that the only living figures are from the RAMC not the 36th.
If I remember correctly the Somme was their first and last battle due to the horrific losses they suffered that day. All they acheived was for nothing due to the ineptitude of the generals.

Don

Excellent work!! Congratulations!

I'm sorry Don I will have to disagree with you there. A lot was achieved, admittedly at a very high price.
One of the purposes of the British advance on the Somme was to relieve pressure on the French Army at Verdun, which it did.
Over the coming months ground was gained and the German army also suffered terrible losses which it didn't recover from.
I'm afraid the "ineptitiude of the Generals" doesn't hold water, who won the war, those same inept generals.

I also think it's good that Stephen's dio has sparked some discussion like this, well done mate.

Roger

Great work as always Stephen , not an easy thing to portray in miniature but you have pulled it of .Hope to see some of your works at Euro this year.

All the best David

Thank you all for your kind and encouraging comments - the next 2 r 3 dioramas will be different periods but I am drawn back to WW1 so will be back at it soon.