Portuguese Ox Carts

[Bill Slavin]

I have been itching to model a couple of ox carts for my Allied Peninsula army, and finally got around to it last week. These ox carts were used extensively by Wellington's Army during the Peninsula War, and had a personal appeal because I had seen them still in use until recently on our biannual trips to the Azores. To me what makes these carts especially interesting is the fact that they were built with solid or near solid wooden wheels - as my friend put it, iron age technology!
Here are a few photos of the final models as well as one of the build, but for way more information than anyone would want both on the build and history of these carts feel free to take a look at my blog:
https://tinywarsplayedindoors.blogspot.com/2018/11/portuguese-ox-carts.html

[MABO]

Hello Bill,
thanks for the background informations. You carts are nice and for sure a lifelike addition to you wargaming table. Thanks for sharing the pics.

[Beano Boy]

Smashing super cool project. A real winner in scratch-building. BB

[Bill Slavin]

Thanks, BB. Being so rough hewn they were an easy project - more in line with my saw and hack approach to scratch building!

[Wiking]

Portuguese army is rarely seen in modelling.
If so it is a P38 wit Portuguese national sign.
For the Napoleon time frame much rarer.
But a support line of Portuguese Ox carts is for sure only done by you !

[Michael Robert]

Great idea, beautiful execution

Michael

[Peter]

Excellent work! Like it!

[Graeme]

Excellent, i've seen Portugese ox carts converted from the old Airfix chariot but trhese scratch builds based on existing examples are wonderful. Very nice job on the drivers too.

The extra information on the blog was most interesting.

[Bill Slavin]

Thanks!
The Airfix chariots were my inspiration, but the more I looked at them, the less they looked likely for conversion. The base was too wide, wheels too small...

[carlosfaro]

Very beautiful chart, animals, figures and scenery..looks like real!

[C M Dodson]

Hi Bill.

I have just spotted these and very nice they are too.

You have a knack in my opinion of capturing the ' feel' of the subject.

These chaps look as if they belong to the time in the pictures.

Super wagons. I like using real materials whenever possible and balsa wood has many possibilities.

Best wishes,

Chris

[Bill Slavin]

Thanks, Carlos, Chris. I was pleased with these - a nice break from painting lace and piping!