Sunday, January 2, 2011

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.

9 comments:

  1. That I like. Nice looking conversion.
    The idea of using wagons as mobile defensive positions didn´t seem to catch on that well considering that it is in fact a great idea...What could be better...cavalry have virtually no hope against it and even attacking infantry would have a difficult time
    Cheers
    Paul

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  2. Nice conversion work and looks quite good.

    Cheers
    Christopher

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  3. Thank you, Gentlemen. I appreciate the positive comments. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out as once placed on the battlefield it remains stationary. I'm thinking with the Army Standard on it, it could become the focal point of the battle. Dean

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  4. It will be a formidable defensive position that will have to be overwhelmed with large numbers of troops. There will be a lot of shooting, should be interesting to see how well heavy knights survive the crossbows to charge home. Scott

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  5. Wow, glad to see these being put to good use, I really like the conversions you did!

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  6. Hey Dan! Looking back at the TMP PM's I now remember it was those Great War Minis German Jaegers that I think I traded you for the wagon. Warm Regards, Dean

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  7. Lovely idea Dean.

    Looking forward in seeing the finished product.

    Cheers,

    Helen

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  8. Very interesting post Dean and a delightful model. Please don't forget to come back and update it when you've finished the piece.

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