On Maneuvers

Elite You-Walkerloo portrait soldiers  pictured on manoeuvres in the garden in training for a secret mission.  This is the first time Google Panto Horse corporate beasts have been seen tamed and ridden. If one is making obscure models of the world in the world for wider effect and your black cat wants in I believe one should prosper by it - all pictures are a kind of magic.   

These paper soldiers are hand made portrait troopers (1:27 lucky number scale).  I'm portrayed in the civi-clothed pointer. A paper soldier constructed from a painting made from the photo of me pretending to be a soldier for my real toy soldier army (used as the tone/expression model for the British General in my original [2008] and the subsequent Russian [2012] Waterloo Walkerloo paper soldier productions).   Our Davey leads the charge of  Napoleon's Polish Guard Lancer troopers which includes a niece, a nephew, a sister-in-law, an auntie and a good friend.  For realism some had to be moustached.

A FaceBook Toy Story - Walkerloo Retaliatory Strike

The Battle of Walkerloo Facebook Encampmant

In 2011 I began to make paper soldiers that were not wholly related to historic war.  These forces were conceived as participants for the contemporary real pretend war that is the Battle of Walkerloo (see Chinese coal miners and Google Panto horse corporate beasts).  I completed yet did not publish a depiction of Facebook with Mark Zuckerberg as Pharaoh Ramses II leading a chariot army at Kadesh/Qadesh.  Photos of my prototype model were published on Flickr in 2012 and have been seen over a thousand times. Why Zuckerberg as Pharaoh?  Even back then he seemed to be garnering godlike personal power over the human story - I had better get him in mine.

Just before publishing this set a professor of history e-mailed admiration for my work.  A specialist of ancient warfare he agreed to cast a critical eye over my next release.  The professors one criticism was that the skin tone of my Egyptian warriors was almost certainly too pale for Nile inhabitants of that period. ARGGGGHH - I always try to maintain an historical accuracy but there was no easy remedy to change all the warrior skin tones - especially for the complicated pdf layouts I'd spent days creating.  Apart from the Flickr image of my prototype models Pharaoh Zuck and his war chariots were shelved - until now!

In preparation for a bold new offensive in the Battle Of Walkerloo I patrol the social media site for paper soldier intelligence.  Facebook mediates a virtual turf for its own ends but the convenience of the platforms monopoly is all seductive.  With my updated model as a PDF vanguard I opened the Battle Of  Walkerloo Fb page and the Battle Of Walkerloo Fb group.   Members of this group have access to the Zuckerberg Pharaoh Printafntry model in Facebook corporate colours.  Come join 'us' deep inside the belly of the beast... Pharaoh Mark Is our protector.

CHALLENGING TOYS: Part 1- The Origins Of The Battle Of Walkerloo circa 2009.

My paper soldiers first public deployment was on the battlefield of Waterloo in Belgium,18th June 2008.  It was the 193rd anniversary of the battle and we were installed alongside re-enactors in the courtyard of  Napoleon's last battlefield HQ.  Throughout 2008-10 I presented my toy soldier army at history events, markets and fairs throughout Europe & USA.  I boasted my armies original form and notable qualities:

• The armies size  < 200,000 Soldiers & 6,000 cannon! 
• The armies strength < 'THICK BABY BOOK STRONG' 
• The armies ethical, considered creation = 'MADE IN ENGLAND & IN FRANCE WITH 80% RECYCLED MATERIAL'   

I attended these events as a 'trader'.  Successful traders bring to market a set of products which have evolved (traditional goods) or have been selected for sellability through market research.  People were surprised to see a new product presented by its creator.  Most of the toys our children encounter in shops are remote from the hands of the toy author/maker.

In 2009 I began to imagine the real pretend war that is 'The Battle Of Walkerloo'.  A fantastical romantic vision aimed at picturing and provoking the prevailing boys-action-toy-TV/movie-industrial-complex.

In autumn 2009 my poor father was approaching the end of his life due to Mesothelioma, an industrial lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure.  I moved back home for a month to spend time with him.  Organising my trip I discovered an 'Empty Shop' submissions initiative in Newcastle by Newcastle City Council and made draft a proposal.   I met with the submissions 'officer' at the council offices but the project was not realised.  My father died a few months later and I returned to Normandy.

High street shops that have formed our town centres have lost ground firstly against peripheral super stores and now against giant virtual retail forums.  What can we do to invigorate the public space at the heart of our towns?

The Battle of Walkerloo empty shop project was formulated to deliver a 'richer than retail' space in the centre of Newcastle, the need for such town centre visions grows.

These 2 PDF's comprised the synopsis for The Battle Of Walkerloo in Newcastle 2009.  They are the first documents to outline the real pretend war I continue to depict.

The Battle Of Walkerloo Newcastle HQ 2009 picture sheet.

The Battle Of Walkerloo Newcsatle HQ 2009 written pitch.

The Battle Of Walkerloo part 2 - "They Started It..."

A Global Walkerloo Print-Fantry Presence

Thank you!  I'm continually grateful for all the mailed reports on Walkerloo Print-fantry in action. They boost moral and help me understand my wider strategic position on the globe consequently informing Walkerloo's future.  Below are digital photos included in a few of those reports.  YES! that is a 1:20 scale Brunswick Lieb-Battalion firing line and Belgian Light Dragoons and French Caribiniers (- both types) and look out for 1:32 scale Polish Guard Lancers (the officer is my big brother) about to confront Russian Hussars!

Peter's Walkerloo Army Of The Rhine, near Frankfurt, Germany

Steve's Walkerloo Fusilier Columns in Australia

Leonid's Coldstreamers and Russian Infantry, St.Petersburg Russia

Howard's Walkerloo Borodino forces in the USA

New Forces with New Faces

Early 2016 and two new regiments are added to the Walkerloo base on Wargame Vault. Primed for world wide digital dispatch are Napoleon's Guard Polish Lancers and foot gunners of the British Royal Regiment of Artillery.  Each unit's creational motivation was boosted with the inclusion of YouWalkerloo portrait troopers, these paintings, now the property of their patrons.

You too can fight at the Battle of Walkerloo - new regiments are always recruiting.  Details on my website.

2015 was the bicentennial year for the Battle of Waterloo.  Note no 'Battle of Walkerloo' blog posts were recorded that year and only one Napoleonic flavoured regiment, the 5th Belgian Light Dragoons were deployed.  However 2015 also marked the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt.  A unit of English Archers inspired by that battle were posted on the wargame vault.

2015 also saw the release of a new StarWars movie 'The Force Awakens'.  According to Wikipedia 250 Million dollars were spent promoting the film but it's supposed cultural significance made news media giddy.  It was widly reported throughout the worlds independent press.  Star Wars toys advance.  I have my work cut out,,, cutting out soldiers... have you?

Walkerloo Print-fantry at Wargame Vault.