The Blenheim Project

1st November 2003

A few weeks ago I received a phone call from Dr David Chandler inviting me to make a model of the Battle of Blenheim for his Grace the Duke of Marlborough . (How is that for a spot of name dropping?)

2004 will see the 300th Anniversary of the Battle and there is to be a special Exhibition staged at the Palace from May to September to commemorate the victory. My first problem was to choose a scale of the model. I rejected the idea of concentrating on the area immediately around the village of Blenheim. I wanted the model to tell the whole strory – how Eugene had tied down the French left flank, so allowing Marlborough to isolate Blenheim and then smash their centre with his guns and cavalry. A model of a battle must depict the freezing of one second in time and I realised that for Blenheim this could be achieved by depicting the climax of the battle.

Examining maps of the disposition of the armies in their start positions I realised tha Holsten-Beck’s ten battalions, formed in two lines covered about half a mile . If I adopted a scale of some 30cm or 12 inches = half a mile then my model would require an area some 300cm (ten feet) by 120cm (four feet). Having decided on the size of the model, the next step was to choose a figure scale. 25mm and 15mm figures would be too large. I decided on 6mm figures and this is where Baccus miniatures came into the picture. Using their infantry strips of four figures, then a French infantry battalion could be depicted as two strips wide by four strips deep, while an English battalion (always slightly larger), would require three strips wide and three strps deep. Six cavalry figures would represent a squadorn. I had cracked it – everything fitted.

I phoned Baccus, gave Peter Berry a complete breakdown of the figures required, visited the Palace and there I explained my ideas and requirements. The model is now under construction. It consists of five 4 foot by 2 foot MDF boards. Unto these I glued and pinned a thin layer of plywood (having cut out the river bed). Low hills were made and carved to shape using industrial polysterene boards, Tetrion filler and Plaster of Paris bandages. The entire model was then ‘boxed’ in plywood and painted black. It is now set aside while I engage on the task of painting over 6000 figures.

10th February 2004

Having finished the basic model in its five sections, it was now time to concentrate on the figures. I had obtained the Order of Battle for both armies, so I cut out rectangles of card, one for each battalion or squadron. These I named and placed on the model in their approximate start poitions. This enabled me to realise how much ground each brigade would require. It also meant that I could inform Baccus exactly how many of which type of figures I would be requiring.

As I finished a battalion or squadron, I glued it to a base. The photographs show the work in progress at this stage. I was playing about with the attack on both villages, but nothing – not even the houses – was fixed onto the model. It was obvious from this layout that the centre of the model over its entire length was empty. Now a model needs to tell a story. It needs to be full of action. My reading told me that by about 5.15 pm the entire front would be engaged. This would be my ‘second in time’.

I am now completing the painting of the figures and re-locating them in their final positions. The model should be completed in about another month . It will go on display at Blenheim Palace on the 29th May 2004.

29th May 2004

The official exhibition celebrating the Tercentenary of the battle of Blenheim was officially opened on Friday 29th May 2004. The stable block has been given over to celebrating the famous victory of the Duke of Marlborough, and amongst all the panels, models and interactive exhibits stand the model created by Charlie Wesencraft.

I went down on the day armed with my trusty digital camera in order to take lots of pictures of the model. only to be foiled by a combination of the poor lighting (which meant that I had to use flash), and the fact that the model is behind glass, (which meant that when used flash my pictures were ruined by glare!). I did manage to salvage a couple of shots

The village of Blenheim can be seen on the left, being assaulted by the British redcoats. Those of you with sharp eyes may be able to make out the Duke and his staff in the left of the picture in between the two lines of allied horse...

A shot from the centre looking towards the Allied right with Oberglau appearing in the centre background.

Charlie Wesencraft standing proudly beside his master work.

The final seal of approval - David Chandler, who was extremely enthusiastic about the model and its portrayal of the battle.

Blenehim Palace is always worth a visit, but especially so in this special year. The exhibition continues until September 2004. After that the model will be moved to a permanant home in the Place itself.