Introduction

MrBlack Publications lately released the 4th volume of World War II Special series. The book includes articles of figures, busts and dioramas in different scales by old and new contributors but all inspired by the events that took place between the years 1939-1945.
As all former books, this one is also in A4 format with a matt laminated cover and a strong binding which will never let pages break up though reading it many times.

Inside the Book

There are hundred of color photos for step-by-step articles and finished models on 84 pages. The book includes 9 articles for World War II Axis and Allies figures, busts and dioramas in various scales.

Ramcke Brigade, Libya 1942 ; Lieven Terryn builds a desert scene with an abandoned Kettenkrad and German paratrooper figures. He uses 1/35 scale Dragon Models figures with Hornet heads and paints oils over acrylics and enamels. He starts in the construction of the Sd.Kfz.2 Kettenkrad and explains painting and the weathering of this small vehicle. Then he tells how he painted the figures in wet-in-wet technique with his color codes. Next he shares how he cretaed the scene, painted the base and details like goats, signs, ammo crates and vegetation. 10 photos for Kettenkrad,6 for the figures, 6 for the construction of diorama and 11 for the finished scene. A very nice desert scene and an useful article.

Waffen SS Machine Gunner 1944 ; Ernesto Reyes Stalhuth paints Young Miniatures 180 mm bust of a young German soldier. He explains painting of eyes, flesh tones, helmet in camo cover, SS camouflage smock in Palm tree camouflage, neck scarf, field gear and MG42 machine gun. Step by step article in 13 photos supported in color recipes and 11 photos of the finished bust. Great painting on a very nice sculpted bust

Dansei No Meiyo ; Another top quality step by step article of a 75 mm Japanese Officer from Paciific War. Eduardo Fernandez Rodriguez paints Semper Fidelis figure in AK-interactive paints and pigments. 68 photos in numeric sequence all supported in explanatory texts in numbers. 6 photos for the finished figure. Useful and easy to follow step with photos.

Brothers in Arms in Northern Italy 1944 ; Fabrizio Marini brings an article on scratch-building and conversion on figures. He uses Darius and Mantis Miniatures figures with Fabrimore Soldiers heads to create WW II Italian Army figures on a wall section scene. 19 photos in numbers and texts for the process and 4 for the final scene.

British Paratrooper, Operation Market Garden 1944 ; Another Young Miniatures bust in 180 mm. This time Toshihiro Sano paints in enamels. He shares his technique on painting flesh tones and Denison Smock camouflage. 12 photos for the head, 5 for helmet, 30 for the uniform and Sten gun. All in numbers and color recipe text added. 7 photos for the finished bust.

The Last Bullet ; A nice diorama article by Selu Casanova and Carlos Munoz de Bustillo including a Simca 5 staff car, an original sculpted German figure and Black Dog’s Ruined house base. 23 photos for the painting of the base,25 photos for Simca and 3 for the finished scene.

This part of the book is really interesting because it includes two successive articles for the same 180 mm bust of Young Miniatures. Ernesto Reyes Stalhuth paints American Paratrooper - 101st Airborne Division WWII Currahee and Kirill Kanaev paints the same bust modified for the 10th anniversary of Young Miniatures. Both are exceptional paintworks. Ernesto’s article includes painting step photos and color codes as Kirill’s only has photos of the painted bust.

Battaglione Barbarigo ; Fabrizio Marini paints a converted 1/35 scale Italian Marine Infantry figure on a Darius figure base. After a short historical note, he shares his built in 12 photos and short texts.

After the Battle 1944-1945 ; Toshihiro Sano paints Rado Miniatures Waffen SS Grenadiers in winter uniforms in Tamiya enamels. This article is more like a review of the kit with 22 photos of kit parts and 8 photos for the boxart painting.

Conclusion

Standard quality of MrBlack Publications with high resolution clear photos,substantial text content and adding new contributors habit. Variety of scales, different techniques, useful tips and color codes of well known paints make it a useful and helpful reference for all level painters especially for bust and 1/35 figure World War II painters.