T is for Teutonic Troops Trounced at Trenton

Back at the beginning of February Terranova (Brian B) had cause to visit the Museum of the American Revolution (that's 'Terrorist Insurgency' in today's lingo!) in Philadelphia where he found and photographed this frankly rather gorgeous, superbly executed diorama of the action at Trenton in the American War of Independence (AWI).

Presumably; Thomas Temple Allan is the modeller? The figures are reported by Terranova to be 54mm and so may be from Airfix 'Multipose', but I would suspect Historex with a lot of work; however they could be metal and if anyone can recognise any of them other readers will be interested I'm sure - and there may be some 'enhanced' soft plastic toy soldiers?

An overview of the battle, the revolting colonists are nearest the camera, the money-grubbing surrender-monkeys (no, not French this time!) behind the picket fence at the far end of the street, I know it's only two houses, but this is a superb example of a dioramists art, with everything scaled down unobtrusively - i.e. a few figures to represent several thousand men, 3 building for a whole town, two scenes in one, &etc.

I'm loving the woman at the window . . . "Don't you men know it's Christmas? Bloody heathens, with all yer shootin' and hollerin'!" 

A close-up of the American line, the guns probably the ones captured at the fall of Fort Ticonderoga, also due to the vagaries of recruiting and terms of service in the American forces at the time (The first tranche of recruits finished their year's service around this time) Washington had recently seen a complete change of personnel and the uniforms on Boxing Day may not have been quite as 'uniform' as these smart fellows - the brown guys are New Yorker's I think?

Some of these look like commercial 'toy' figures, particularly the kneeling firers?

The Hessians behind their fence, these look to have been heavily modelled; what's under all the straps and webbing I don't know, could be Historex, Multipose or home-cast lead!

Behind the houses is a second whole scene from latter that night - after the battle - which Washington coming down to meet an impromptu victory parade (of a column of prisoners) through the town centre! It really is a lovely and very clever diorama, and the backdrop is a period map of the area blown-up . . . not by terrorist insurgents; by graphic designers!

Close-up of the meeting between the general and the captured troops, the guy in the greatcoat looks as if he's saying "Don't worry George; I've got this one!" and it looks like the Hessians are surrendering their colours, pretty serious stuff!

Thanks as always to Terranova for sending us the shots of this wonderful model.