the Nordic Edge Model GalleryVol.2
145 pages, soft cover
Published by Canfora Grafisk&Forlag
Byggmastarvagen 7
168 32 Bromma
Sweden
Review by Jon Bailey
Success breeds success and so the publishers of the Nordic Edge present book two in the series. Following a brief forward by Toni Canfora the book is again broken up into four main sections as follows; Diorama & Vignettes, Figures Gallery, Historical Article and Vehicle Gallery. Each section contains between six to eight articles, with exception to the single article in the historical section. The same production values remain giving the reader a very high quality selection of models to view.
Its always hard to repeat an unqualified success and must have been a difficult decision to produce a work of this nature without almost any of the ‘German sells’ models you would expect but I think the models featured do justify that decision.
Once again the central theme is on the photography and the finished model or diorama and not on construction or finishing techniques, although this time there is certainly more information and a few ‘how to’ sections. One on face painting another on basic SS camouflage uniform painting and a wonderful section on painting faded and chipped wood by Per Olav Lund.
The Diorama & Vignettes section has the bulk of the Euro-grade drop dead dioramas this group are known for. I found Per Olav Lund’s Norwegian panzer 1 diorama extremely effective, especially as it contained a very good section on weathering wood as previously mentioned. The same modeller also produced a stunning train wreck working from a real photograph although I fail to understand why he didn’t emulate a similar camouflage scheme as shown on the train in the photo?
The Figures section is the largest with eight articles including a large scale bust and an amazing scratch build of a 1/16 scale Finnish officer by Pekka Nieminen. There are some well made conventional figures but a 3-man vignette by Johan Fohlin is an absolute show stopper, using 3 DML stock G2 figures (upgrading with Hornet heads) he has created an evocative scene of late war German infantry desperately fighting, absolutely stunning.
Mirko Bayerl has contributed an interesting piece in the Historical Article section relating to an action fought in Hungary at the end of the war. This continues the emphasis on the historical research of modelling outlined in the first edition. However, as there is no model or vignette to go with the article and it’s the only article in the section it does look a bit out of place. More of this next time, please.
The Armour Gallery features some excellent work but nothing stands above any other piece. I think Lars Brändström’s Dodge WC-51 Beep is well built and finished, the spent rounds and link in the back from the mounted .50cal M.G. are particularly effective. As is Toni Canfora’s own model of a Sherman in Sicily.
Surprisingly many of the models showcased can be seen on the internet for nothing and one wonders if you really need to buy the book at all? However, the quality and portability of the photographs in the book more than justify its purchase. I do think the editors should reconsider this practice in the future.
I didn’t find this edition as ‘edgy’ as the first volume, nonetheless, it is still well worth the asking price. It has 156 model photographs with another two dozen how-to or historical shots (plus one map) within the 145 pages which represents very good value.
It’s interesting to note there are now several other ‘national/region collective’ show case publications either available or in the pipeline. The producers of the Nordic Edge should take credit and solace from the movement they have started.
Highly recommended
See the nordic edge website for full details
Thanks to Toni Canfora for the review book.