WWII Dioramas (Modelling Manuals) (Paperback)

by Jerry Scutts (Editor) "While modelling and detailing individual figures or vehicles is satisfying in itself, placing the models in a realistic action setting provides a spectacular backdrop for..." (more)
Key Phrases: lightening steps, burnt olive, base colour, Andrea Miniatures (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Still the most popular subject for dioramas at any military modelling show, WWII gives the modeller the opportunity to try out his repertoire from burnt out buildings to weathered machines and men. This book explores the many facets of the subject and shows how composition is all.

From the Publisher
A perfect combination of easy-to-follow text combined with comprehensive step-by-step photography make Osprey Modelling Manuals indispensable reference guides for modellers of all standards and abilities.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (February 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1902579216
• ISBN-13: 978-1902579214
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #108,036 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Just a Mediocre Modelling Manual, July 26, 2000

By	paul_cheng "K.F." (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

I have read Jerry Scutts' "Advanced Military Vehicle Modelling" in this Osprey series and that one only deserves 1 star. This book "WWII Dioramas" is an improvement but not quite up to standard yet.

This book covers two dioramas and described in detail the making of each component. There are some good advices and some useful basic techniques. However, with over 30 years of military modelling experience, I considered these two dioramas are not yet in the league for publication.

I am not sure if the dioramas are made by Jerry but they are of mediocre quality. The painting techniques mentioned in this book are very primitive and newer ones are not included.

The painting of the 1/32 Matchbox "Citroen" in the first diorama ruins the whole thing. It just looks like a "Matchbox Car" inside a diorama. The painting of the figures are two dull and unlively.

In the second part of the book, a number of pages were used to describe step by step painting of each figure in the second diorama. Poor quality figure painting is well displayed here. Shading is too rough, facial features too rigid and chaotic camouflage patterns.

I have read modelling books from Francois Verlinden and Tony Greenland and their works are still at top ranks at this time. Bill Horan's figure painting techniques is of Masterclass calibre. There are a lot of books and magazines from Japan on military modelling and they are also of very high quality.

I can only recommend this book to beginners in military modelling who would like to build his/her first diorama. More experienced modelling enthusiast don't need this one.

2.0 out of 5 stars Mediocre, April 28, 2009

By	Yoda (Hadera, Israel) - See all my reviews

The book consists of two examples of diarama building. Unfortunately, both are so and so. There are a few useful tidbits of advice (i.e., artificial grass out of brushes and some very basic priming and dry bushing) but nothing that is really for anyone beyond the beginner. Those interested in something over and above basic should look elsewhere.

1.0 out of 5 stars Not a true modelling manual , October 28, 2007

By	danny boy "dbswongv" (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This book claims to focus solely on WWII dioramas. Except for period buildings, and staging the scenes with WWII figures and paraphernalia, some very basic diorama ideas on detailing etc can be gleaned from this offering. The quality of the figures is very poor. I note the very incisive comments by the Hong Kong reviewer on the quality of the car model. Why only two dioramas are presented is another matter, but the whole book feels incomplete and shoddy to me.