I found Capt. Claud Williams memoir of the Light Car Patrols performing recon, ravaging enemy supply columns and, most importantly, mapping large areas of the at-that-time largely undocumented Libyan desert fascinating. Capt. Williams memoir and the way others, including many senior officers describe him leads to a picture of an unassuming, hard-working officer given a near impossible set of missions to accomplish more or less simultaneously with meager resources. That he does any of these jobs well is remarkable, but that he did all of them with great success and inspired other officers and enlisted to rise to the occasion is heroic and inspiring.

To be fair, others apparently came up with the idea to use the Ford Model T modified to fit desert operating conditions, but, given the tool, he and his fellow officers of the Light Car Patrols made damn near inspired use of it in my opinion.

So - just the bare beginning of my little homage to the LCP and Capt. Williams... Early WIP with a long way to go.

I'm putting together and modifying two Model Ts from various kits and a total of four figures - all in 1/16th scale.

One vehicle is being repaired in the field by mechanic and driver. Eventually the mechanic will be holding a spark plug. The vehicle will have an engine added. Lots of mods to do on the vehicles including adding the extra radiator the LCP used to maintain engine temperature and hold extra water. Lots of equipment to add including a Lewis gun mounted on a stalk near the passenger seat. The vehicles will be slightly different in appearance and make-up and both will show damage from desert operations.

Second part. An officer is checking a large and detailed map. He holds a compass in one hand and a pencil in the other. This officer will wear a beat-up service dress peaked cap with visor. All the other three figures will wear Wolseley sun helmets. All four will be wearing Khaki Drill tropical uniforms and kit. A sergeant figure is also holding a compass and pointing into the distance.

As you can see from the photos, I need to straighten up the sergeant figure and probably make some corrections to the mechanic's pose as well. I may put another one of the figures in shorts vs. knee britches.

Comments and critique welcome.

All the best,
Dan

Looks a very nice scene.

Marc

Wow. That will be a very unusual scene. Great

Reminds me of the old 1971 TV series "Bearcats!" Though they used some Stutz Bearcats for patrols. Look forward to seeing the finished diorama!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bearcats!






Good luck!

Patrick

Cheers Marc, Ulrich and Patrick!

I think I might have missed the TV show "Bearcats". Hollywood writers - where do they get their daffy ideas? Actually in 1971, I believe I might know where...

Forgot to mention that the LCP was the forerunner to the WW2 LRDG. Many of the same missions, but much better equipment and training.

All the best,
Dan

Dan,

Another image of the Australian light car patrol. Just click the blue text.

Chris

What an original idea and how enlightening text.I love both.Looking forward to seeing this materialize.

Oda.

Chris - Thanks a lot for the photo!

Oda - You are most kind and generous, sir!

All the best,
Dan

I should have mentioned that the maps produced through the explorations of the LCP were still being used by British forces in WW2. They were classified top secret and were not declassified until well after the end of WW2.

All the best,
Dan

Some additional WIP photos...

You should be getting some feel for what this will look like when complete. The groundwork will be a mix of rock and sand and a little scrub. There will be a slight increase in grade behind the cars and figures.

The mechanic will be leaning over an engine, looking at the spark plug he's removed. I'm planning to add a small canvas hold-all of wrenches and tools on the side of the car.

The officer in the 1902 cap - stiffener removed and neck cover added - is reviewing the map, holding an open compass in one hand and I think I'm going to add 'dividers' in the other hand (see photo).

The standing Sergeant also has a compass and is generally of indicating a direction.

The driver is relaxing and paying a little attention to a dust cloud that has just appeared a long way off to the West/Southwest.

Lots more to do!

All the best,
Dan

Wow, this is gonna be sweet!

I'll be following your progress here Dan, and I'm going to hunt for a copy of that book too!

Joe

That's looking good Dan.

I'm beginning to feel like I'm stuffing more details in, but I suppose as long as they are sensible and fit the story it's OK. Somebody tell me when I've gone too far!

The book is definitely worth it, Joe! Thanks for your comment! Never had any of my little thingies referred to as 'sweet'.

Από τη στιγμή που κάνετε τόσα πολλά ελληνικά σύκα, σκέφτηκα να σας ευχαριστήσω αυτόν τον τρόπο! Ευχαριστώ πολύ! Πολύ εκτίμησα, Ρότζερ!

Roger - Since you're doing so many Greek figures....I'm using the English to Greek online translation. If even half of it is correct, I'll be surprised. If any of the above refers to you as a 'blue donkey', please remember it's the software - not me.

All the best,
Dan

I managed to piece enough of that together with my limited knowledge and understood it Dan, cheers.

Check these guys out.

That's cool, Roger! what kind of lorry is that?

All the best,
Dan

This project is coming along very nicely Dan. Looking good, and will be a great vignette when completed.

Cheers
Chris

Now you're asking.

Maybe a Dennis?

All the best,
Dan

Thanks Chris!

All the best,
Dan

This is going to one superb vignette.
The interaction of the characters is excellent.

Cheers,
Andrew