How to Convert an OG Hussitte War Wagon into a Carroccio

A few months ago I traded something (which I can't even remember now) with a fellow TMP member for an Old Glory Hussitte War Wagon. A few flailmen and crossbowmen were even included. I wanted to see if I could convert the wagon into the Army Standard carroccio for the Clerical HRE army. I did some quick research and realized that there aren't very many images of carroccios - at least on the internet. I did read an account of the Battle of Worringen which mentioned the Archibishop of Cologne's carroccio resembled a wooden castle.

Here are the components of the Old Glory kit - or at least what I received in the trade. I believe it comes with two sets of wagons. I think the piece at the bottom of the photo is for a raised protective shield on one side of the wagon. It also appears one sidewall of the wagon has stuff (straw?) sandwiched between it.

The Armies of Chivalry WAB supplement allows for up to ten defenders for the Army Standard carroccio. Of course, these all won't fit inside, but I did want to be able to fit at least a few in there. I ended up sawing the wagon in half, down the center.

The piece for the raised sidewall was used to fill the widened gap for the base of the wagon. It just so happens that it made the bottom of the wagon about 40mm wide - just enough to allow to four figures on 20X20mm bases to fit (as in the first photo). The base for the Army Standard takes up the center - if not six figures could actually fit inside. Plasticard was used to fill the gaps in the walls.

I used part of the original axle frame to support new wire axles. A piece of plasticard was also glue to the bottom center of the wagon to add support.

Although the account I read mentioned the Archbishop of Cologne's carroccio looking like a castle, there was no detailed information, nor images of it. I decided to add plasticard to form crenelations along the walls to make it appear like a castle. These pieces were scoured with an engraver to simulate wood grain. The plasticard walls were covered with modelling putty and then sanded and grooved to simulate the planking and wood grain.

I then remembered I had an old Academy Roman Warship model kit that included a fighting tower. I added a piece of plasticard to the top of the tower and drilled a hole to allow the Army Standard to fit through it.

Now I need to get two pairs of oxen to pull the carroccio. I think I'll base the carroccio and oxen separately - the carroccio doesn't move once placed on the battlefield anyway. I'll post more photos after the model is painted - and with its standard.

So far, I've only been able to find these two period illustrations of carroccios. The first one depicts the Carroccio of Cremona at the Battle of Cortenuova in 1237. Both paintings probably date from the early 14th Cent.

This is a modern day recreation of a carroccio in Italy. The oxen appear extremely large; like 28mm animals with 20mm human figures.