"Fighting Bill"

My latest project is based on the below illustration; I have always wanted to portray this image as a model and here's my version.
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BACKGROUND TO THE MAKING OF THE MODEL.

The striking representation in the Illustrated London News of 6th September 1879 of Capt. Lord William Beresford’s encounter with a Zulu during the reconnaissance of 3rd July 1879. The Zulu scout turned at bay. Beresford parried his spear and, with the impetus of his galloping horse to aid him, stabbed him through the shield and straight into his heart.
The captured Zulu iklwa was to stand as a trophy in the corner of Beresford’s mother’s drawing room.

“Fighting Bill” as he was known, Lt-Colonel Buller’s staff officer and a notorious bruiser and all round sportsman.

Beresford winning his V.C.

3rd July 1879 Beresford accompanied Buller’s reconnaissance across the White Mfolozi Riiver. Buller’s troops were led into a skilfully executed ambush by Zulus, during a hasty retreat towards the river, Sgt. Fitzmaurice of the mounted infantry was unhorsed, and Beresford turned to help him. Fitzmaurice was stunned by the fall as his horse rolled on him, and at first not heed Beresford’s urgings until he famously shouted;

“Come along, you bloody fool. If you don’t I’ll punch your bloody head for you”

As Fitzmaurice struggled to climb up behind Beresford, Sgt. O’Toole of the Frontier Light Horse came to their assistance, holding the Zulu’s back with his revolver. Fitzmaurice was carried to the safety of the White Mfolozi River by Beresford and O’Toole. For this action Beresford and O’Toole both received the Victoria Cross.

The pose of the horse was again important and is converted from the Verlinden Napoleonic horse below.

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Grinding off the unwanted Napoleonic horse tack was a chore, I have scratch built the iklwa and shield although far from complete, still loads of sculping to do on Beresford etc, but I hope you get the idea.


Hope you all enjoy, thanks in advance for your participation.
cheers
Richie
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Hi Richie .
You are fast becoming Legend status mate , I love the way you show the models from the start through to their completion .
Excellent work mate , wish I had the patience and most of all the ABILITY to do something as magnificent as what you portray !
Cheers mate , 90th .

Hi 90th,
Glad you like my latest effort. To quote one of the lads from my modelling website - if you're going to produce models like that, I will break your other leg (that's why I left the background story in as I cut and pasted it from there, not trying to teach my betters to suck eggs) :lol:

I have always wanted to reproduce this scene (as I do for Saving the Colours!), the Victorian's certainly had a gift for illustrating even if some are romanticized. There's is such scope and so many personalities in the Anglo Zulu war they just lend themselves for producing models. I suppose the more I read and uncover the more the ideas for making models will come.

That is why I love this site and reading all the snippets that opens my world up to there people and personalities.

I think patience and running into artistic brick walls at times is why I have so many models on the go at one time. I can swop and put one down if it's not going too well.

Always - only too happy to serve and contribute to this battalion.
cheers
Richie

Hi All,
I have managed to make some progress on this one. I now have Beresford sculpted although this is my second attempt as I had to completely strip the first effort.
THe grass has been put down although no colour has been sprayed yet, it's the natural colour. The grass is made from horse hair the type used in upholstery.
cheers
Richie
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Hi Richie .
Bill is coming along very nicely , excellent work that man !. Dont forget my offer ! , surely you are running out of space ?.
Cheers 90th.

It's a pleasure seeing you bringing Billy to life Richie and looking forward to the final results. Thank you for sharing it with us...........The1stLt

Hi 90th,
Many thanks, still a lot to do on this one. I have never painted a Zulu figure before so the dark skins tones will be a real challenge.

Hi 1stLt,
Thanks for looking in mate, I'm quite pleased so far with the way it is progressing. I always thought to show the progress in stages rather than showing a completed model or scene as it might inspire people to have a go and pick up a few pointers.

I will post some more updates when I make some significant progress. Will not be for while yet, I'm off to the Brecon museum tomorrow.
cheers
Richie