The largest battle ever fought on North American soil is now being recreated in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, the initiative of one man. My name is Stuart Le Crerar and I am the president of the Medicine Hat Model Association, a small non profit group, who's aim is to open a model museum for all to showcase their models of any type with all proceeds going to various charities.

As a model enthusiast for more than twenty years specializing in 1/72 scale, I have hand painted many famous battle recreations. Waterloo, 1066 Norman Landings, the Crusades, Austerlitz and Bunker Hill to name a few. These are displayed in my home.

Three and a half years ago I set out to challenge my skills by doing a complete diorama of the three days of battle at Gettysburg, which changed the face of North America. The task I set for myself is to hand paint more than 31,000 soldiers mounted on ten specifically designed tables, along with supporting canons and calvary. Quite the task.

The models I am using come mainly from two sources, Italari and Imex, along with some Airfix to round off with. Because we are using so many pieces that are the same, the diorama would not be the way it is without the incredible talent of Mr. Neil Olyott. His challenge has been to create the dead and wounded, thousands of changes to the original models that bring to life the realism of this war.

Together working as a team, the final table was finished on June 16th 2005. Looking across the tables and seeing it all for the first time, knowing what we had accomplished, was very satisfying. The goal now is to find a place to show it off, all ten tables together. That has been my challenge for the past 2 years. Since its completion the model has sat, covered in plastic wrap, against the elements locked away in a warehouse to wait the day that it can go on permanent display. That is a day that we are looking forward to.

Until that time arrives, the model can be seen by contacting myself and arranging a time.

To all those who helped with Gettysburg, I would like to say Thank You, for the support and encouragement that kept me pointed towards my goal. Gettysburg was built to be viewed and I hope to get as much pleasure out of it as I did painting it.

Thank you.

Stuart LeCrerar

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