A LITTLE BEAUTY

Australian modeller and wargamer, Phill Sporton has kindly sent this contribution for the blog. Thank you Phill.

"This model is a little beauty! All the elements are nicely cast with lots of detail to bring out. The Oxen are particularly well done, and I chose a range of dark colours with just one or two in lighter hue. The eyes are large enough to be easily picked out and the long horns make a very interesting animal. I found it difficult to fit both seated figures on the limber (although it could be done) so I chose to place one on the gun cross member. The 4.7" Naval gun is a very attractive model and the addition of the bucket adds to the ambiance. I use a colour called 'Wolf Grey' (Vallejo 72.047) for the British gun blue. I feel this is a reasonable representation based on comparisons with guns resident in reputable museums. All the figures are nicely done, and I particularly like the Ox handler figure (and I do plan on getting a few more of these). That said, the crew figure with the separate rifle is also a very handsome figure. The yokes and associated hardware are a work of art, with a bit of careful painting with basic wood shade, along with a woodgrain wash and a tan dry brush bring these up a treat. I also detailed the ropes and pins to bring the detail to life.

There will be many ways to mount these figures, I noted on the Jacklex site that the oxen are based in pairs with the connecting rod linking the pairs. Whilst I experimented with this configuration, I felt it was a little too fragile, so I chose to mount the whole model on a single base 29cm long x 45mm wide. I mounted the model on 1459 gsm card. Whilst this is adequate, it is a very heavy model and in hindsight I would have probably been better to mount it on a similar thickness plastic card.

On my bases I like to blend in the model bases with gap filing plaster (Polly filler in Oz). I colour this with some Humbrol acrylic 83 to give a sand colour using a piece of sponge to provide texture. Once dry, I then top this with Tamiya Diorama Texture (Grit Effect) Light Sand and then add various rocks and logs (from the garden) as well as a few model railway tufts. Finally I use my Finescale Model Railways Static Grass applicator (50% white glue, 50% water) to apply static grass to taste (have you ever been zapped by one of these things? Dang they hurt!).

When building artillery models, I like to do two. One drawn by a limber and one in firing position, allowing these to be swapped out on the wargames table depending on the circumstances at hand. So, having completed the 4.7" Naval Gun and Ox train, it was time to do a version in firing position.

For the gun I used the Vallejo 'Grey Wolf' and outlined the various barrel and carriage detail in black wash (a common practice these days) combine with the judicious use of a dark blue wash in various crevasses, with washes I have found 'less is more' however I seldom follow my own advice here and usually end up doing it. I do always struggle with white over dark colours but edging the white straps and the like in a black wash helps hide errors and highlight the shadows. I used my usual base techniques but this time added a couple of boxes and a wheat bag just to add some interest. I raid various 1/72 kits for these sort of items, WWII sandbags make a great substitute for grain sacks which I use a lot. 

A very enjoyable build and a great model, highly recommended. Phill"  

Phill's article prompted me to add the following..... 

CAPTAIN PERCY SCOTT RN AND IMPROVISED TECHNOLOGY IN THE SECOND BOER WAR

• Improvised Carriage. Captain Percy Scott RN, commanding HMS Terrible, was one of the most inventive gunnery specialists then serving in the Royal Navy. He had already designed and tested a field mounting for 12pdr guns, dismounted from ships. This mounting consisted of a baulk of timber as a trail secured to the wheels and axle of a Cape cart onto which the gun was seated. It was fitted with a telescopic sight. Elevation was by a simple screw mechanism and laying by shifting the trail. Spotting was by an officer with a large magnification telescope taken from the flag deck and mounted on a tripod adjacent to the gun position.'
• Armoured Train. Scott constructed an armoured train with Maxim guns and a 7pdr manned with sailors and capable of carrying a company of infantry. The train was used to conduct reconnaissance tasks.
• Searchlights. The Royal Navy provided two mobile searchlights, fitted with signal shutters, mounted on railway carriages which were used for long range communication.
• Long Range Guns. Made aware of the Army's request for long range guns, Scott asked for all the resources of the dockyard to be made available to him and within 24 hours had produced two 'transportable' mountings (later wheels) for 4.7inch guns consisting of four baulks of timber, fourteen-feet long and one foot square to be dug into the ground in the form of a cross to which the base plate was bolted. Onto this mounting the gun was secured. Each gun required six wagons to transport it. Within 36 hours two of these 4.7inch guns were on the way to Durban in HMS Powerful. Scott also mounted a 6inch on wheels for use by General Buller.

Source. 'The Victorian Naval Brigades, Lt Cdr Arthur Bleby, Whittles Publishing, 2006. 

I have to say that I rather admire the ingenuity and speed of action of the Victorian Royal Navy. I also think that there are some great ideas for the wargames table. A Jacklex armoured train sound like just the thing!!