Military Model Scene

Title: Creating a Military Modelling Diorama
Author: Terry Booker
Publisher: Crowood Press
ISBN: 978-1-78500-904-4

A new addition to the range of modelling titles from Crowood Press, and the fourth from author Terry Booker. Best known for his interest in model railways, this time he turns his attention to another of his interests, modelling military dioramas. A 176-page soft-cover book.
After the introduction where the author sets the scene for the rest of the book, the rest is spread over 11 chapters. It starts by talking about the Concept of Military Dioramas, the choice of scales (primarily 1/76 and 1/35 feature in the book) and the constraints of space. It also refers to the older models that so many of us have stored away, and getting them out, doing a bit of restoration as necessary, and incorporating them in a scenic diorama. Then it gets into the meat of the subject, with the construction of Simple Dioramas, using some of the old Airfix small scale figure sets, in this case Napoleonics. Then it moves to more specific scenic topics, first with Countryside and then Townscapes, with lots of useful tips for creating groundwork, vegetation and buildings. Next are Variations on the theme, such as making a Shelf diorama, ideal for display, along with both Box and Frame dioramas. For the second half of the book we get to Large dioramas. One figures a lot of figures, a scene from the American Civil War, and rounding off with a major project and very large scene from the Battle of the Bulge, German equipment and troops in the wintery Ardennes in December 1944. Not only the scenery, but batch building vehicles, research and much more. This is an especially large scene, and most impressive.
The book is a good indication that as a modeller, you shouldn't be afraid to look outside your own field of interest for inspiration. Model railway enthusiasts are among the best for creating model scenery, and this is clear evidence of those skills from Terry. This should provide plenty of inspiration for making good looking groundwork of your own, as a diorama to display your military models. Not only for smaller scenes but also for much larger scenes which you can take to shows.
Thanks to Crowood for the review copy.

Robin