The Frontier

Deep in the forests of colonial North America, a small frontier homestead stands isolated at the edge of the wilderness. The silence is broken by the approach of armed men emerging from the trees.

A detachment of European soldiers, possibly Hessians, advances cautiously alongside a group of Native American allies. Their intentions remain uncertain. Are they searching for supplies, pursuing an enemy, or preparing to attack the isolated settlement?

Inside the house, a colonial family watches their approach with growing anxiety. The husband stands beside the window, gripping his musket and keeping his eyes fixed on the figures outside.

Behind him, his father-in-law tries to protect the man's wife and her younger sister. The younger woman has seized a kitchen knife from the dining table, determined to defend her family if the strangers prove hostile.

For a brief moment, nobody moves. The soldiers continue their approach, the family waits in silence, and the fate of the homestead remains uncertain.

The Frontier – a Playmobil historical diorama set in colonial North America.

A Family on the Edge of the Wilderness

Life on the colonial frontier could be marked by uncertainty, isolation and the constant possibility of conflict. In this scene, I wanted to capture the tension of an encounter whose outcome is still unknown.

The family has little time to decide what to do. Should they remain hidden, attempt to negotiate, or prepare to defend their home?

Inspired by John Ford's Frontier Films

The inspiration for this diorama comes from the frontier films of director John Ford, particularly Drums Along the Mohawk (1939) and The Searchers (1956).

I have always been fascinated by the way these films portray isolated settlements, vast wilderness landscapes and the suspense of encounters between different groups of people.

Although the scene is fictional, I imagined it taking place in the middle of the 18th century, during a period of colonial rivalry and conflict in North America.

A Story Without an Ending

What interests me most about this scene is the uncertainty. The approaching soldiers may be enemies, or perhaps they have come for an entirely different reason.

For the family inside the homestead, however, the danger feels real. Every movement outside the window could be the beginning of a tragedy.

I wanted this Playmobil diorama to capture a single moment of suspense, leaving the viewer to imagine what happens next.

Lego Imperial Guards

A company of LEGO Imperial Guards marches through a wooded landscape, led by its officer and standard-bearer. Perhaps they are heading towards a distant colonial outpost, or preparing for another encounter with the pirates who threaten the Empire's possessions.

Inspired by the classic LEGO Pirates theme of the late 1980s and 1990s, this miniature scene recreates the appearance of a marching regiment, complete with its commanding officer, soldiers and regimental colours.

LEGO Imperial Guards on the march, led by an officer and a standard-bearer carrying a custom regimental flag.

A Custom Flag for the Imperial Guards

One of my favourite details is the regimental flag, which I made using fabric and decorated with the iconic Imperial Guards emblem.

Rather than leaving the flag looking brand new, I deliberately gave it a weathered appearance. Its worn fabric suggests a long military history, as though the regiment has already fought countless battles against pirates.

I have always enjoyed imagining the Imperial Guards as a proper military force, with officers, standards and organised formations, rather than simply individual LEGO minifigures.

Behind the Photograph

To photograph the marching company, I used a woodland image displayed on a television screen as the background. The photograph was captured in RAW format, allowing me greater flexibility when editing the final image.

I also added real soil in the foreground to create a more convincing transition between the miniature soldiers and the woodland scenery behind them.

Another view of the Imperial Guards company, photographed against a woodland backdrop.

Original LEGO and Compatible Parts

The company combines original LEGO pieces with compatible accessories purchased from AliExpress. I enjoy mixing different components to expand my regiments while preserving the classic appearance of the LEGO Pirates theme.

My aim is to recreate the feeling of the old LEGO Pirates adventures, but with larger military formations and additional custom details inspired by historical armies.

More Knights

The collection of five photos captures Playmobil knights with heraldry inspired by both Game of Thrones and LEGO factions. First, we have a Playmobil knight bearing the heraldry of House Bolton, with its sigil of a flayed man, embodying the brutal and ruthless nature of the house. Alongside him is another Playmobil knight, this time with the sigil of House Frey.

In the next image, a group of Playmobil knights proudly display the Bull's Knights emblem. Complementing the display are two Playmobil knights sporting the heraldry of the LEGO Crusaders.

Finally, in the last photo, a Playmobil knight with the Fright Knights emblem adds a dark and eerie contrast to the other figures. The Fright Knights, known for their sinister aesthetic.

This collection serves as a tribute to both the storied factions of Game of Thrones and the bold and imaginative world of LEGO, blending medieval symbolism with the craftsmanship of Playmobil figures.

Point d'argent, point de Suisses

"Point d'argent, point de Suisses" — "No money, no Swiss." This famous expression, traditionally associated with Swiss mercenaries, reflects the important role played by Swiss soldiers in European armies over the centuries.

In this miniature diorama, I wanted to recreate a small formation of Swiss infantry serving the French Crown during the 18th century, using customized LEGO-compatible minifigures.

From Napoleonic Grenadiers to 18th-Century Swiss Infantry

The figures were purchased on AliExpress and are unofficial, LEGO-compatible minifigures. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and detail of these little soldiers.

They were originally designed to represent grenadiers of the 1st Swiss Regiment in Napoleon's Grande Armée, around 1805, complete with their distinctive fur caps.

However, I wanted to portray an earlier period, when Swiss regiments served the French monarchy throughout the 1700s. To achieve this, I replaced their original fur caps with tricorne hats.

This simple modification gave the figures a different historical appearance and allowed me to use them in an 18th-century-inspired formation.

Swiss Regiments in the Service of France

Swiss soldiers had a long tradition of military service abroad, particularly in France. Their regiments became known for their discipline, professionalism and distinctive uniforms.

For this project, I drew inspiration from René Chartrand's Louis XV's Army: Foreign Infantry and Artillery, as well as the beautiful historical military illustrations of Eugène Lelièpvre.

These references helped inspire the appearance and atmosphere of my miniature Swiss formation.

Handmade Swiss Regimental Flags

One of my favourite details in this diorama is the pair of handmade fabric flags carried by the soldiers.

The first features a white field decorated with golden fleurs-de-lis, representing the French monarchy. The second is a colourful Swiss-style flammé regimental flag, with its distinctive flame-like pattern surrounding a white cross.

I made both flags using my usual fabric-transfer technique. First, I printed the heraldic designs onto special transfer paper. I then transferred the images onto real fabric.

This technique allows me to create miniature military standards with a visible fabric texture, rather than using ordinary printed paper flags.

Custom LEGO-compatible Swiss infantry, converted with tricorne hats and carrying handmade fabric flags inspired by 18th-century Swiss regiments in French service.

Photographing the Miniature Formation

I photographed the scene indoors, arranging the soldiers on a miniature grassy surface against a softly coloured background.

By positioning the camera close to the figures' eye level, I wanted to make this small formation appear more like a real infantry unit advancing together.

The low perspective also emphasizes the muskets, bayonets, tricorne hats and colourful regimental standards.

A Small Tribute to the Swiss Regiments

This project combines my interest in 18th-century military history with my enjoyment of customizing miniature soldiers.

Sometimes a relatively small change, such as replacing a hat and adding handmade flags, is enough to give an existing miniature an entirely different character.

Point d'argent, point de Suisses!

House Swyft of Cornfield

Meet Sir Tyler Swyft, a custom Playmobil knight inspired by House Swyft of Cornfield, one of the noble houses from the world of Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire.

The house's heraldry features a bold blue bantam rooster on a yellow field, accompanied by the fitting motto "Awake! Awake!" — a perfect choice for a vigilant knight standing guard over his lands.

For this miniature, I wanted to capture the atmosphere of a medieval nobleman, combining a classic Playmobil figure with customised heraldic details. I crafted the tabard and shield with the emblem of House Swyft, giving Sir Tyler the distinctive appearance of Cornfield's champion.

Sir Tyler Swyft, a custom Playmobil medieval knight displaying the blue rooster heraldry of House Swyft of Cornfield.

The name Sir Tyler Swyft is also a playful modern cultural reference, but this knight takes his duties seriously. With his horse waiting nearby, he stands beneath the trees, ready to defend and uphold the honour of his house.

The Golden Swan Knight and the Black Baron

In childhood, the Golden Swan Knight and the Black Baron were characters that seemed alive in the vivid world of Playmobil, representing ideals of knighthood and rivalry. For years, I imagined epic battles and chivalrous quests, where the Golden Swan Knight’s noble grace was pitted against the Black Baron’s mysterious darkness, especially in that catalog scene where they faced off near the Black Baron’s fortress, a captive damsel just visible in the background.

In the first photo, I’ve highlighted the Golden Swan Knight with unique elements—a custom caparison, shield, and banner crafted to match his signature iconography. In the second, the Black Baron stands with his loyal knights, each bearing wyvern-emblazoned standards in shades of deep purple, painted and designed to capture their ominous presence. The personal touches here echo the nostalgic memory of that Christmas when my father gifted me a play set with the knight’s tournament tent, alongside a beautiful illustrated book of King Arthur by Howard Pyle, igniting my lifelong fascination with medieval lore.