I was born in Deventer, a mid-sized town in the east of The Netherlands, in 1964. I remember quite well how my dad build a model of D’Artagnan, a Heller kit if I remember correctly of unknown scale, but looking back it must have been around 120 mm. That kit, and the joy of sitting down with my father, lead to a lifetime of modelling plastic kits. It started off with the two and three coloured Matchbox kits, but when money became more available it shifted from Airfix to Tamiya and finally to those kits on the high end of the market.
I must admit that I wasn’t interested in WWI related subjects until a couple of years ago. Like most modellers my focus was on everything from WWII up to this day and age. The abundance of kits that were available was overwhelming: from planes to armour and figures, in a variety of scales, with aftermarket kits and super detail sets, and of course the enormous number of figures and diorama accessories. Over the last number of years much became available for WWI oriented modellers. Airplanes, detail sets, decal options, pilot figures, completely new and innovative brands—it all boosted the subject tremendously. I wrote a number of books and participated in some, mostly around the theme of WW1 airplanes. More recently I started venturing into building diorama’s and its exactly this that I’d like to share in this book with you. As always, I have tried to give you a comprehensive step by step approach. It is intended to help you get the basics right and leaves enough space for your own interpretation of techniques. There are many roads that lead to Rome, and of course what is described in this book is based solely on personal taste and techniques. Find your style, your way of doing things, and enjoy the process. I’m sure it will lead to many great and inspiring builds!
Momentarily I live in the south of the Netherlands together with my lovely wife Daphne. In my spare time I enjoy long walks in the countryside, trekkings in the Alps and visits to Norway. Although not as active as I would like to be, I’m a proud member of the KMK model club. If you have any questions or remarks you can always reach me through PM on my Facebook page. I hope you will find this book worth investing your hard earned money in. Stay safe, enjoy our wonderful hobby!