Terrain Modelling (Modelling Masterclass) [Hardcover]

Richard Windrow (Author)

Book Description

Series: Modelling Masterclass | Publication Date: August 25, 2001

This title helps modellers who wish to display the results of their efforts to the best advantage in a diorama. This book provides detailed information on how to create many different types of terrain; the paints, glues, tools and materials that will be of help to the modeller; and how these can be obtained both in Europe and the USA. Illustrated with some 200 photographs and written by a master of diorama modelling with a lifetime's experience, this book provides the essential and invaluable guide to the materials and techniques needed to create top quality terrain for anywhere from Ancient Rome to the Western Front.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"While this is part of Osprey's Masterclass series, Richard Windrow's excellent book will be of enormous value to modellers of every level of ability. With the sheer variety of topics covered and the clear, detailed way in which they are discussed, Terrain Modelling deserves a place on every modeller's bookshelf." -Rowan Baylis, Armorama (October 2004)

"It is without a doubt worth his money.Very, very highly recommended... The book that every diorama builder needs at his desk." -Ronny Noben, Armorama (February 2003)

From the Publisher

Osprey Masterclass - acclaimed modellers from around the world reveal the secrets and expertise which have made them masters of their chosen fields. Achieve Gold Medal standard with Osprey Masterclass.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (August 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841760625
• ISBN-13: 978-1841760629
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.5 x 12 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #937,066 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The professional and effective way to build dioramas, November 7, 2002

By 

"davidotto_ch" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Terrain Modelling (Modelling Masterclass) (Hardcover)

Richard Windrow's book is a must if you are seriously interested in terrain modelling. The professional skills on display within make it definitely worth his price.

In my country, the author is known as the artist behind the several magnificient paleolithic and medieval dioramas displayed at the Cantonal Museum of Early History in Zug - in the odd 1:62 scale, which means he had literally to build everything from scratch.
Each chapter of the book is dedicated to a particular scene or technique to model a specific environment in a step-by-step manner. Essential details about how to integrate human figures and vehicles effectively into a diorama are also adressed in the same way, and so are widespread mistakes. By the way, did anyone ever notice how many military dioramas lack any trace of tracks or tires in the mud around vehicles, as if those had fallen right out of the sky ?
Richard Windrow's solutions to this and many other common problems you may run into when building your diorams are simple but effective.

In front of the enormous wealth of details I found it pretty difficult to pick a favorite scene among all those discussed in this book. Perhaps the two most puzzling and therefore not to be missed are the jungle (Indeed, no other seems to have tackled that subject in such a depth before), and the fantastic Sherman Firefly armour diorama.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must read" for any dioramist or model railroader . . ., April 13, 2002

By 

MTCS1947 (EAST BERLIN, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Terrain Modelling (Modelling Masterclass) (Hardcover)

Don't hesistate for a moment to click the "ADD TO SHOPPING CART" button for this one! Windrow's book is excellent! This book will guide you through the construction of just about every scenery element found in dioramas or model railroad platforms. It contains plenty of photographs, step-by-step illustrations, and concise commentary. The chapters devoted to twisted wire armature trees, seasonal scenery, and water effects are extraordinary. 5 Stars . . .

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good starting point but outdated, February 25, 2010

By 

tskross - See all my reviews

This review is from: Terrain Modelling (Modelling Masterclass) (Hardcover)

As someone else mentioned this is a good but not great book. After looking at some of the photos in the 'look inside this book' feature I thought it would be a great resource. The truth is that many of the techniques are outdated and for modellers today not detailed enough and out of scale. The photos are only so-so as well (in print quality) And there aren't really many step by step pictures to help explain the text instructions.
Some of the positives are that there are some decent reference photos of real world equivalents in the different sections and it is fairly well written (except for the section on trees which is excerpted from another book)
For military modellers I think Shep Paine's book is a better buy, and more suitable for beginners, although it is also rather outdated.
Some of the newer xtreme modelling publications are much better than these books (not available through amazon though)