1/72 scale.....Scratch building the Hospital, Rorke's Drift, circa 23rd January 1879.

[Guest]

Thanks Ron.
I saw the film that long ago I can't remember much off it at all.:crying:
What's the roof made of, card ? Nice correction, I'd have been none the wiser!
453.

[Gern]

I'm guessing that, as you're going for the real building rather than the film version, you won't be including the post where Pvt Hook scratched his initials? Pity 'cos it would've made a nice detail for you to include!

[spanner570]

Thanks chaps.
Rick - With the thatched roof having been on fire and all the collapsed timbers, I don't think the bunks would have survived, or much else. Good suggestion though, I might yet squeeze one in....

Dave - If the model had been bigger who knows what I would have carved on a post. 'Tunnocks For Ever' perhaps?

453 Race - Waste not, want not.... :thumb2:
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The loft added. Made from card with the boards just marked in pencil because not much will be seen.
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The main boarded floor glued down. The weather bleached verandah can be seen clearer now. Plus a couple of bust down doors added.
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I've made a start on the external fixed doors. Made from plastic card.
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Thanks for looking.
Ron

[Jim R]

Hi Ron
Looking good. As always a lesson in how to model on the cheap and still get superb results.
Jim

[Mini Me]

I now see what you mean, The contrast between the veranda and inner flooring is remarkable. Good eye!
Cheers, Rick H.

[Guest]

More great work Ron, and thanks for the escape diagram.

Fortunately there were some picks and other tools in the first room which the inmates used to make the holes in the walls. Bayonets, as depicted in the film, wouldn't have done the job, which took at least twenty minutes each using the picks. I gather that the delirious Maxfield was in the Witt's bed and in the middle room alone, where he died. 'Zulu' is a great film, but I've often wondered why they messed about with the story so much, especially as the feats of the individual VC holders were perhaps more exceptional in real life.

[spanner570]

Yesterday I started the roof timbers. I cut coffee stirrers into strips for the spars.

If a building is to modelled wrecked by explosions, where possible I usually make the complete structure then wreck it. This is different, as a good portion has been consumed by fire, so there is no point in building every bit of the roof construction 'cos it will have literally gone up in smoke.

Here's the progress thus far.

The rear roof timbers slotted into the walls.
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The verandah roof. This will be supported by posts and rails.
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A top view of the two sections of roof.
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Here I've roughly placed the card which will support the thatch roof. These last two images show why it would be pointless making the whole roof.
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This shows nicely the different floorboard shades. Done by simply adding more water to the paint mix, thus making the shade paler - or vice versa.
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Next I will complete the roof by adding a few main roof spars at either end and then fix some surviving thatch support battens across the spars.

Cheers all.
Ron

[Jim R]

Hi Ron
Looking very good. Starting to get exciting now - bring on the smoke/fire damage.
Jim

[scottie3158]

Ron,

Really great work especially given the materials used.

[Gern]

You make this stuff look so easy! Did you notch the top of the walls for the roof timbers? If I tried that, I'd end up with a zigzag roof 'cos I'd never be able to get all the notches level!

[Mini Me]

Ron, shaping up nicely. Looking forward to the fire effects!
Cheers, Rick H.

[Mickc1440]

Some great work Ron, very neat build. Will Mr Race be in charge of burning it down? :smiling::smiling::smiling:

[Guest]

That's it. Mr John Race has Zulu blood! Explains a lot.

[spanner570]

....and you should see the size of his assegai!.... :surprised:

[Gern]

....and you should see the size of his assegai!.... :surprised:

You been peeping in the showers again Ron?