1966 Beau Geste Movie - (Airfix) Fort Zinderneuf
Dated: October 13, 2008.
When I was about 11 years old, I got to see the 1966 Beau Geste movie starring Telly Savalas, Guy Stockwell, Doug McClure and Leslie Neilsen. I was hooked on the French Foreign Legion since that day. So I walked down the street to a hobby shop and bought my first Airfix Fort Sahara complete with Legionnaires, Arabs and a small, but highly detailed blockhouse.
The 1980's-1990's re-issues are made of a softer hard-plastic than the originals which can be cut with a paper cutter or X-acto knife. I had several extra sets so I cut them and glued the pieces together to resemble the Blockhouse "Fort Zinderneuf" from this movie. Although the stock design is a little small for some people, I love the details and would still rather use the Airfix Fort Sahara in it's plastic, rather than make any other from wood, etc.
I used 4 kits to make this one, but a more skillful collector could do it with 3 kits.
Garrison Clay
USA
Fort Zinderneuf
Many thanks to Mr. Clay.