Reviews and testimonials

Here's a great review from a customer in the US who I supplied with a load of Deluxe Resin Rivers in 2020, including some custom-made sections for his bridges:

"Last summer I  commissioned a set of custom rivers from Take Cover Scenics that incorporate bridges from Hovels in the bridge sections.  I asked for the rivers to come unflocked so I could add flock, static grass, and tufts (from Tajima 1) to match my existing scenery.  I've finally finished that process (it was quite a bit of work) and wanted to show them off.  

As you can see, the rivers are absolutely incredible.  The construction is rock solid and durable, so I have no doubt they will be around and in great shape many years from now.  Plus, they are incredibly realistic looking.  I'm not sure what acrylic product Take Cover Scenics uses, but it has great visual depth and the color is spot-on to my eyes.  Plus, the rocks and ford are truly well-done.  Easily the best rivers on the market.  While not cheap, the price is fair and reasonable, especially for the quality.  Take my advice and buy a set for yourself."

Here's the link to the customer's full review (including loads of gorgeous photos) on his Blog:

https://www.fantasticlegions.com/post/custom-rivers-by-take-cover-scenics?fbclid=IwAR1YDgKXuXItW1CWwVHr1BcQDf0tDEQoYbs6QbobsQswwWAbVRm7R-oJL1Y

January 2021  

This is a terrific review from a client who I've supplied with a lot of scenic items over the past couple of years, including Deluxe Bocage, Roads, Trees, Rivers and Ponds. The above photo shows just a fraction of his Take Cover Scenics collection:

"John produces the kind of beautiful terrain pieces that you see in photographs in magazines or on blogs, and think you could never recreate yourself - even if you had the time! He has produced 28-mm scale rivers, streams, trees, orchards, ponds and bocage for me – each piece shows the kind of care and attention to detail you would expect as if he was building it for his own collection. He is tremendously friendly and helpful on the phone – talking through exactly what you want with the understanding of a real wargamer, and is passionate about the hobby. Amazing though they look, the photos on his website fail to represent the quality you see in real life. Having made some disastrous orders from other companies in various countries, I was so glad to find John’s services – there is nothing out there that matches the quality and customer service."

Alistair, UK customer February 2021  

Photo reproduced courtesy of Mark Goddard from Breakthrough Assault (see more in the Gallery).

TAKE COVER SCENICS – DESERT ROAD REVIEW

BY MARK GODDARD • JUN 13, 2017  

Introduction

I must admit I spend a ridiculous amount of time thinking and reading about Flames of War, however by checking out all the main Facebook pages and the occasional searches of Ebay you often find new and interesting products.  I am always pleased when I find a source of pre-painted scenery.  For me scenery is one of the main draws of 15mm.  The scale allows you to model so much and give loads of set up options.  However for some reason I can not stand painting scenery so I am always drawn to anything that can be used ‘out of the box’.

Take Cover Scenics

It was on Facebook that I first noticed Take Cover Scenics, and just at a time when I was buying up stuff for my new desert board.  For those not familiar Take Cover Scenics create hand made scenery across various scales including hedges, roads, fields, vineyards as well as commission work. I wanted some desert roads and the Battlefront dirt roads I have just don’t look right for it.  Luckily Take Cover Scenics have some at a reasonable price and I managed to get a set to spruce up my board.

The Desert Roads

So lets look at the desert road set and see what you get.  Well for £24.99 plus postage you get

• 4 x 12″ straights
• 2 x 6″ straights
• 4 x 45 degree angled wedge shape curves

As you can see below this is enough to create a single long road stretching across an 6×4 ft board – all you are likely to find in most deserts!  The roads are flexible so they can be laid over hills creating a natural look to the board.  This is a real bonus over the battlefield in the box sets which are relatively inflexible and so have to deviate around hills and dunes. The roads balance flexibility and strength quite well; they aren’t so flexible that they can bend and then get stuck in that position.  This is something I’ve seen with some other products, especially after transportation in a box with other scenery to a tournament. Finish wise, the roads are nicely drybrushed which really highlights the tank and wheel tracks which would be pretty evident in a sandy environment!  The edges have a little flock which represent the roads not being in the more arid desert areas.  However, if you prefer a more barren look, you can ask for your order not to have flock on the edge.  Personally I like the flock as it means that these roads can also be used on a Russian Steppe board for my EW Barbossa force.  They will also work well for Pacific games.  As the image below shows the road also matches the new BF matt rather well. As for as value for money, you are looking at the same price as a set of Battlefront Rural roads (4 x 12″ straights and 2 x curved pieces).   While the Battlefront ones are wider. this set is longer.  Additionally the curve wedges makes them easier to vary and set up in different configurations.Additional pieces can be purchased with your order, with 12″ straights coming in at £5 and £6 for Y/T junctions and crossroads.  All in all I think they are very fairly priced and fully competitive with other products on the market.

Conclusion

Take Cover Scenics desert roads are a lovely product that I would fully recommend. As you can see in the images they fit in well with a variety of other ranges including the BF buildings and game mat.  They are well priced and the wedge pieces make building the set up how you want a lot easier.  Additionally the flexible material allows them to hug scenery like gentle hills, which makes them look a lot more natural. 

In June 2020 I supplied this customer with a custom set of  Mediterranean/Desert hills with added grassy and heather patches.  

Here's what he had to say about them when they arrived:

"I like the substantial size of the hills, plus the fact that you have cleverly designed the slopes so figures can stand up on them almost everywhere. First impression of the trees is also how big they are, but that is also good as most wargames trees are far too puny.   I will certainly recommend you to anyone looking to get some top quality terrain". 

Chris, UK Customer June 2020  

 I emailed this returning customer to thank him for his latest order, and to advise him that waiting times are currently pretty long due to the volume of incoming web orders and bespoke commissions.  Here's his reply:

"I realise you are busy, which I think is a good thing. Delay doesn’t bother me. Reliability and quality are what matters to me, and you’ve always provided both."

The photo shows part of his previous order.

Craig, Australian customer January 2021

 It's always nice to be recognised for your work, and here's a great review from a client in the US who wanted over 70 feet of Deluxe hederows and a stack of roads... 

"While I make much of my own terrain, I don't make all of it.  We are living in a golden age of high-quality wargames terrain, and for my money Take Cover Scenics is among the very best.  I wrote an earlier blog post reviewing a river set I ordered.  Today I'm showing off the roads and hedges I ordered.  These get a 10/10 in my book.

These were a custom order based on existing products:

• The roads are in 15mm scale (1.5 inches wide), but are otherwise a match for Take Cover Scenics' 2" wide flexible rural roads.  I ordered a large number of straight lengths in various sizes, as well as intersections of every configuration imaginable.  I ordered the roads textured but unpainted so I could paint to simulate dry, dusty roads in the height of summer, and add flock and static grass to match my existing terrain.  I did also add a little reptile sand before painting for a sharper texture.  That was actually a fair bit of work, for which I am deeply indebted to my friend Sean (of Sean's Wargame Corner fame).
• The hedges are basically Take Cover Scenics' 6-10mm deluxe hedgerows but slightly higher and wider, and with slightly different color combinations.  My aim was to get something that would work passably for 15mm and 28mm.  I have not done any customization work to these hedges.  I will probably add some static grass to the bases, and maybe repaint some of the dirt openings in the hedges.

I am absolutely thrilled with these.  The roads are flexible enough I can have them running up hills with no problem.  Plus the texture is great, and really looks the part of a dirt road with time-worn tracks.   But the hedges really take the cake.  I've never seen hedges this good-looking and natural.  The variation in size, shape, and color really turned out great.

 That's all, folks!  Let me know what you think.  And definitely head over to Take Cover Scenics if you need some terrain."

 Here's the link to the client's full review on his Fantastic Legions Blog, which includes a load of lovely photos:  https://www.fantasticlegions.com/post/roads-and-hedges-by-take-cover-scenics

April 2021  

I received a really nice email from one of the Committee members of a Games Club that I supplied with a stack of stuff in early 2021, incuding a load of trees which are pictured above (the photo shows their actual trees taken on my workbench).

" We’ve finally been allowed into the club and the scenery is a massive hit with the Guys. Thanks so much for all your talented and hard work in getting it finished for us. We’d like to order some more and it’s another epic." 

Steve from the Contemptible Little Wargames Club, North Tyneside, UK

May 2021  

Here's a really nice message from one of my Australian customers who emailed me to say that his 28mm Scale Standard Hedges had arrived...

"Hi John,

Parcel received. Thanks so much I'm thrilled with the hedges!

I bought these because unlike cheaper alternatives they looked thick and durable on your website and that's exactly what I got. Couldn't be happier with them.

I'll definitely be looking at future orders given the high quality."

Ben, Australia

July 2021