Gripen: Early 1500's - Spanish Expedition

My 8th diorama in 28mm depicts a Spanish expedition, somewhere in the New World, early 1500's. Perhaps Francisco Pizarro, Hernando de Soto or Vázquez de Coronado.

I have used lots of bits and pieces from Perry Miniatures, Steelfist Miniatures, The Assault Group, Warlord Games, Wargames Atlantic, Artizan Designs and Bicorne. I have sculpted some things aswell with green stuff.

Francisco Pizarro explored Peru and conquered the Incan Empire in 1532. The small force consisted of only 168 soldiers, 62 of them on horseback. Sebastián de Belalcázar joined with 30 men and Hernando de Soto brought around 100 volunteers. He served as one of the captains, along with Pizarro's younger brothers Juan, Hernando and Gonzalo.

The conquest led to spin-off campaigns into present-day Chile and Colombia, as well as expeditions to the Amazon Basin and surrounding rainforest.

Later Hernando de Soto would explore vast parts of southern United States between 1539 and 1542, venturing into Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North-and South Carolina, Mississippi and Arkansas.

At the same time another big expedition was led by Vázquez de Coronado. Between 1540 and 1542 he explored southwestern United States, beginning with northern Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. His expedition marked the first European sightings of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River, among other landmarks.

I hope I have managed to capture the true look and atmosphere of the time.

At the end are several amazing pieces of art that I have used as inspiration.