Modelling WW1 Trench Warfare

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Andy,
Received mine safely from Darren, haven't had chance to do more than a quick flick through it so far, but like the other Crowood modelling books I've seen it's absolutely packed with information & an excellent reference. It won't be far from my desk whenever I paint Tommy's War figures.
Also, I like Mike Butler's idea of giving his figures names. Gives them personality & a sense of character, & a life of their own,

Thanks for comment Chris, funny how that small point has resonated with many. I’m getting into my book & current draft Content page has 35 little personalities named.
Will be pleased if I can share all these.
MikeTheKiwi

 

[Andrew Belsey]

I've just been shown this review from Military Modelcraft International. I'm delighted with it except for calling Mike Butler WILL??????

 

[Dr Bison]

I can only underline what Military Modelcraft International says in this review (apart from the "Will" bit, of course). I have also found your book extremely well written, highly informative (both re modelling and trench warfare), and it has re-kindled my interest in WW1 again. Thanks for all of that.
Karl

 

[Steve Ski]

Badabing, badaboom, got mine ordered thru Amazon, of all places, the link provided was a no-go from here. Feb 3 is my delivery date, looking forward to this one Gents!

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

I've just been shown this review from Military Modelcraft International. I'm delighted with it except for calling Mike Butler WILL??????

I’ll forgive the reviewer mate

I can only underline what Military Modelcraft International says in this review (apart from the "Will" bit, of course). I have also found your book extremely well written, highly informative (both re modelling and trench warfare), and it has re-kindled my interest in WW1 again. Thanks for all of that.
Karl

Badabing, badaboom, got mine ordered thru Amazon, of all places, the link provided was a no-go from here. Feb 3 is my delivery date, looking forward to this one Gents!

Hi Karl, Steve, Et Al.
Confirmation this week from publisher my companion book:

”Modelling and Painting WW1 Allied Figures”
Planned for release in July.

Trust it will prove to be a useful & complementary to Andy’s book for those who have it.
Lots more to do to bring title to life & will update as more info comes in.
MikeTheKiwi

 

[Nap]

Hi Guys

Great review on a fine book ...in my collection and extremely good and interesting to read and learn much about the trenches in use and construction

Highly recommended


Mikes or Wills ( bet the reviewers not happy !) book will be joining this volume for sure

Nap

 

[Dr Bison]

”Modelling and Painting WW1 Allied Figures”
Planned for release in July.

YES!
So, another reason to look forward to this summer (up in the northern hemisphere at least...)

Karl

 

[Gary D]

just ordered mine through Amazon as the original link supplied didn't work. Crossing my fingers that there's something for us oil painters in there too!

Gary

 

[Jed]

I thoroughly enjoy my copy and often flick through it. looking forward to being able to get your book too Mike

 

[Steve Ski]

”Modelling and Painting WW1 Allied Figures”
Planned for release in July.

Standing by for this one, Mike!

 

[Steve Ski]

Just got mine the other day, reading before racking out every night since then. Impressive the amount of research you did on this Andrew, not to mention the art from the guys. I'm enjoying the heck out of it, an era I never considered modelling. Great work, Buddy!

 

[Andrew Belsey]

I have recently had the following review of my book by Andy Robertshaw. You will see that he is one of top experts in the world when it comes to WW1 trenches and having his approval of my book is wonderful! Thank you Andy R.



I have had the great good fortune of being given the opportunity work with archaeologists excavating British and German trenches on the Western Front in both France and Belgium. Using this experience as a background I was able to combine my reach into the archives, photographs and film of the Great War to build a series of full scale replicas for teaching culminating in the Railway wood trenches at the Kent Show Ground. This led to the opportunity to work with film directors such as Sam Mendes and Stephen Speilberg to build trench locations for films such as '1917' and 'War Horse’. Although I work 'full scale' and assume that I know quite a bit about the subject Andy Belsey's book 'Modelling World War 1 Trench Warfare' came as a revelation. Drawing on unimaginable skill in creating miniatures and backed by in-depth research his book is a 'must have' volume for modellers, but will be a useful guide for armchair historians of the period and battlefield tourists. It should be on your book shelf or better still in your car as you tour the battlefield where, very largely, the trenches are now the 'battlefield beneath our feet’.
Andy Robertshaw, Director
Battlefield Partnerships Ltd

 

[Steve Ski]

Awesome, Andy, Congrats!

So, I'm thinking your book would feature quite well in the museum on sight gift shop of the Kent Show Ground??

 

[Andrew Belsey]

Awesome, Andy, Congrats!

So, I'm thinking your book would feature quite well in the museum on sight gift shop of the Kent Show Ground??

I am in discussions with Andy about showing models and selling books at the open days of his latest trenches in Maidstone called CEMA. We'll see what happens??

 

[Steve Ski]

Good deal andy, Ruck On, Bby!

 

[Andrew Belsey]

Hi guys,
It coming up to two years since my book was published and it has sold well for a hobby book. But you don’t get a lot of money for the hours it takes. I am proud to have a successful book published, so no regrets!
Did any of you buy my book through Amazon? If so, could you leave a review of the book on Amazon please.
The reviews on there are growing gradually. I’m happy with all of them except one, which is critical. What bothers me is the guy obviously hasn’t looked through the book properly. He wanted step by step instructions for making things like sandbags and corrugated iron. If he’d bothered to look through the book he would have found what he wanted - the book does have that, which I find really frustrating! The guy ends by suggesting that he should write a book on making trench models. Let him try, if it’s that easy!
Anyway rant over, it just irritates me that there is no way of responding to unjust criticism!
If you guys could help me with some more reviews, that would be great please. Just be honest, but please read the book.
Thanks for your support.

 

[David Spencer]

Ooh, this looks interesting.
The last books such I bought were the (still useful) Shepherd Paine ones in the 80s (yep, I'm an old bugger too).
I have at least two vignettes/dioramas to build from WW1. So this makes sense.

 

[Andrew Belsey]

Ooh, this looks interesting.
The last books such I bought were the (still useful) Shepherd Paine ones in the 80s (yep, I'm an old bugger too).
I have at least two vignettes/dioramas to build from WW1. So this makes sense.

You would probably find Mike Butler’s book Modelling and Painting WW1 Allied Figures helpful too. Mike’s one of the best figure painters on this forum. He wrote an excellent book. Both our books are published by Crowood Press.

 

[Andrew Belsey]

If any of you have bought Mike Butler’s book through Amazon I’m sure he would appreciate you giving reviews on Amazon too.

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

If any of you have bought Mike Butler’s book through Amazon I’m sure he would appreciate you giving reviews on Amazon too.

Congrats on reaching this milestone mate!

And yes I would appreciate reviews to help spread the word.
Thanks for kind call out Andy.
MikeTheKiwi