best ref books for groundwork?

Osprey produced a previous book called just "Terrain Modelling". Its different enough that I've bought both. Its a little more rare and expensive than the advanced edition.

I've just received a pair of books called "Lets build a diorama" by Laszlo Adoba from Hungary.

Vol 1-Urban Scenes

Vol 2- Terrain and Vegetation.

Nice little books, I like them. I believe they were like $35 for both shipped from Hungary. Here in about a week.

If interested you do have to specify the English version.

Osprey makes a book "Advanced Terrain Modeling".   The work in the book is extremely well done and the how-to is easy to follow.

thanks - I am UK based so can easily get hold of those...

are there any more suggestions please?

I find some of the best articles in magazines... particularly ones such as Military Modelling out of the UK. Magazines that are geared more towards figures often have very good terrain modelling suggestions. There was an issue some years ago featuring Marijn Van Gils' "Santa is Coming to Town" diorama that won best of show at Euro Militaire... i must have read that article 50 times as it was VERY in depth on how the ground work was done.