The Diorama manufacturer, Monro Perdu Studios have just announced a new release which could conceivably become a real ''show-stopper'' within a carefully constructed diorama. The New item is MPD043 - European Windmill which is a 1/35th scale reproduction of a typical European structure. The full story, include a selection of images, can be seen:

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Its quite amazing how realistic it actually looks. The poster on the side is certainly a nice touch.

Its going to have to be quite a large diorama setting to accommodate this one though.

This is what I love about this hobby... Never knowing what's around the corner! The ripple effect of someone buying this is potentially great, with more oompfh put into larger dios and subsequent research to boot...

Anyone wanting to take the time to see the difference try this Site Dutch Windmill

If you have to put something in I guess $54.00 (S&H not included) and having to put it together, this isn't so bad.

But hopefully if you are willing to take the time to get the tank at least close you would also attempt to get the building on your diorama close.

Sorry but please research before buying.

Bob

I couldn't agree more. Too much in the hobby is let down by sloppy or inexistent research. In fairness though, windmills are damned tricky beasts to get RIGHT - easy enough to build the basic form, more difficult to get the look right...

Yep, right on the button.

This is good for a quick fix, and a couple of changes and this would be close. Just lower the stage to between the door and the bottom of the sail blade. With the stage lowered the Tail and winding mechanism will need to be replaced with a scratch built correct one and it would be real close.

Bob


Or it might be easier to replace the Tail and winding mechanism with automatic winding by means of a fantail on the roof of the cap, maybe much easier to build.

Hi Bob,
Respectfully, this is not supposed to be a particular windmill and it is not Dutch in character. It is based on examples in France and it is "stylized" to the extent that it will fit on a smaller diorama base, with vehicles next to it.

Ref: Samuel Chamberlain, ex pat., lived and sketched in France for several years between the wars.

Many of the details can be altered/improved with some simple scratchbuilding as the modeler chooses. This kit is the complete basis for a subject that might otherwise not be undertaken, perhaps like a tank kit.

No offense intended.
Michael Bishop

Well I have looked at the windmill several times now and I think the biggest problem so far is the name... Not that it is not a nice name or so... But the name suggests that it is a windmill that you can practically place everywhere in Europe.

Living in Holland (Windmill Country) And having choice in more then 40 examples of several types of windmills where I live I have to say it does not even come close to what you see or saw here in the early days... But you stated that already mister Bishop.
I think it is safer to assume that this is the type of windmill to be found in Southern France and Spain or at least close to the mediterenean.
I haven't seen thes emills in Belgium and not in Germany... Visited some countries in the western part of the balkans either and there you don't see this type of mill either..

I think the comments of mister Card were probably caused by the title of the kit.

That said it probably has some possibilities in converting it to a Dutch windmill but it would mean some really heavy scratch operations in mainly the top part of the mill... It looks like a nice kit though... Although I have no clue what "Stylized" means in this case.

With friendly greetz

Robert Blokker

None taken. I am very interested in any reference items you may have for this because it is different than what I have been trying to reproduce. The Tail and winding mechanism is of great interest in this type of mill.

If based on a sketch or drawing by Samuel Chamberlain I would also enjoy seeing that.

Thanks for any help you could provide,
Bob

Hi Robert and Bob,
It's good to get your input and comments. This is all part of the internet territory and ultimately, very helpful. The name of the kit could perhaps be a problem but since the rendered tower and wood sails are simple enough to be incorporated into an customized example to fit other locales besides the places you mention. I didn't want to label the kit as specific to one geographic region as it truly has elements taken from reference images in more than one region. The instruction notes mention this.

The kit is "stylized" in terms of scale as any taller or larger would increase weight, cost and the footprint needed to use it in a diorama.
All the components are included but the modeler can add cloth sails, balance arms, lightning rod, wood ornamentation and any further details desired, based upon personal experience or images.
For those not wanting to go further, the complete windmill allows for a relatively quick build and an enjoyable painting experience. To that end, the kit is probably not for everybody. I decided on the cone shaped roof both because of the look and realizing that a slab sided structure would be easier for anyone to scratchbuild if they wanted.

Samuel Chamberlain created an immense catalogue of renderings, etchings and pencil sketches. He published various books containing windmill images and more. "France Will Live Again" and "Etched In Sunlight" are both superb references. Samuel Chamberlain was not our sole source however.
I'm very anxiously looking forward to seeing what people do with the kit to take it beyond the box art example.
Mike

For those interested, this is an excellent model and can be used in a number of ways to create a nice windmill. Build as shown for a more southern European windmill or with some creative adjustments to get a more Dutch look.

Just the main windmill structure by itself is a nice starting point. This is the area it took me the longest to create by scratch building.

So with a little research you should be able to make a convincing windmill.

Just wanted to set this straight As Robert was discussing, there’s probably just as many windmill variations as Sherman variations. A lot of different types and models.

Bob

Thanks Bob.

As well as places like St. Malo, as the instruction notes indicate.
Yes, it's a perfect platform for customizing.

Mike