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Thanks much, friends.

Yes, indeedy, the subject is the 1879 battle of Rorke's Drift during the Zulu War. The most popular mainstream recounting has to be the Stanley Baker/Michael Caine film Zulu. Stitch counting aside, it's not a too bad telling. Allowing and understanding the hurdles of a large scale production, I'd say the errors were minor in an otherwise great adventure movie. The fact that it still retains so many fans after over 40 years is testament that the formula for putting butts in the seats was successful. Like any other similar subject, if you want a documentary, watch a documentary.

The Zulu are all scratchbuilt. Considering they basically have an apron, front and back, that's not much of a boast.

Their weapons and shields are totally scratchbuilt. The DiD Private Williams figures, of which two are present right as they come from the box, also come with a zulu shield accessory. Those two are the ones on the "ground". The only changes to the two privates are that I removed the helmet crest/shield (as required by regulation when regiments entered Natal and the war) and gave them a wash to simulate the effect of tea or coffee staining of the helmets to reduce visibility thereof (the effect of which has been nearly obliterated in these pics).

Zulu shield colors denoted impis or regiments. Those taking part at Rorke's Drift were primarily married men in their forties as evidenced by their white with brown shields. A few younger men, with their black and white shields, were also present. These forces had been held in reserve to the battle of Isandlwana and had been spoiling for a bit of their own glory.

The DiD shields are pretty good for a mass-produced item, but when viewed from the back clearly need work. I made mine before ever seeing a DiD one, and think they're pretty ok. Still have about 16 more to make, as well as the same of asagai or stabbing spear of the Zulu.



DiD shield on the bottom, and one of mine on top.



DiD on left, mine on right.



Asagai. Also known as "ikthwa" (sp?) by the Zulu after the sound made when entering and exiting an opponent.

The DiD figs each come with six nicely done "mealie bags" which were used to create defensive walls. I hadn't seen any before making my own, and they are nearly identical in size. I just eyeballed actors in the movie carrying them, transferred that pose to a fig, and measured. I have 96 of those bad boys made and need many more. I also need "biscuit boxes".

The screaming sergeant is wearing DML's Sgt. Jones' uniform. I sculpted that head quite some time ago for a screaming US Marine. It was seen on the screaming german officer fig in my WoH wagon-in-the-mud dio entry a few years back. I cast up this one and did a bunch of modification/hairing technique on it for a more period looking representation.

This is going to be a pretty big undertaking by three of us in the area. Not quite WiP shots, these were mainly used to test colors, posing and dynamics etc. It will be some while before it's complete.

Thanks so much, again, for the comments and replies.