WWII in the Desert

WWII in the Desert
Andy Singleton
Pen & Sword, 2019
Reviewed by Neil Smith

I do not intend to start an internet versus book debate here, but I had wasted an awful lot of time looking for painting tips and lessons in the virtual world before Andy Singleton’s WWII in the Desert fell through the letterbox, and what a game-changer it has proved to be.

Singleton’s more than handy little book provides everything a prospective painter needs to paint figures for the WWII desert campaign. His book is divided into two parts; the first covers the tools you will need and the basic techniques required for using them. The second part takes you step-by-step through the painting process for all the major armies involved; the British and Commonwealth, Italians, Americans, and Germans. But this is not one of those guides that has you saying “if only…” Rather, Singleton provides guidance for three levels of competency – conscript, regular, and elite – each one building on the other thereby offering hope for us dabbers and dobbers. Singleton includes the paints he uses, which must have made Vallejo happy. He helpfully concludes with a section on basing, another one of my failings.

Singleton’s writing style is that of a big brother guiding your work, which is engaging but still could have done with a polish and a final proofread. Nevertheless, this is a very useful addition to a wargamer’s library with obvious applications for painting just about any figures. My copy is already well-thumbed and no doubt yours will be too.