In 1972  Shep was contacted by Monogram Models, who wanted some dioramas for their military vehicle series. This gave birth to a group of about 20 scenes, which eventually incorporated aircraft models as well. 

   The diorama tip sheets that were included in the kits were very popular, and many modelers today claim that they were inspired to get back into the hobby as adults by reading the sheets.  Today, the Monogram tip sheets have become collectors' items, and original copies can often be found on eBay. 

Shep says that the Monogram dioramas were a lot of fun to build, but they were done under some pretty severe restrictions.

   First, they could include no competitor’s products (a serious limitation, because Monogram produced no accessories of their own) and second, they had to be ready in time for the tip sheet to be inserted in the production run for the kit. This meant that there were rarely more than two weeks between the time the first test shots came out of the molds and the deadline for sending the camera-ready pages to the printer. For this reason, most dioramas had to be completed in a week.

The sheets are posted in PDF Format.  if you don't have a PDF reader, you can download one for free at:

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

To save a copy to your computer, just click on the [picture below and click "save" when the sheet appears on your PDF reader.

All sheets are reproduced here courtesy of Monogram-Revell, who own the the copyright. All reproduction rights are reserved, and copies cannot be disseminated without their permission.

CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO SEE THE FULL SHEETS.

  WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

  The dioramas were the property of Monogram Models, and for many years they decorated the offices at their headquarters outside Chicago.  During the 1980s and 90s a significant number of them were given away as gifts to distributors and other business associates.  About half a dozen of them (all aircraft) can still be seen at Monogram-Revell today.  A few others have found their way into private collections.  The whereabouts of the remaining pieces is a mystery.

   If you know the location of any of these dioramas, we would be interested to hear from you  Please contact the webmaster by clicking on the link below.