The effect of hydrogen reduction on the structure and catalytic properties of "thin film" and "inverse" model systems for supported metal catalysts is discussed. Thin film model catalysts were obtained by epitaxial growth of Pt and Rh nanoparticles on NaCl( 001), which were coated with amorphous or crystalline supports of alumina, silica, titania, ceria and vanadia. Structural and morphological changes upon hydrogen reduction between 473 and 973 K were examined by high resolution electron microscopy. Metal-oxide interaction sets in at a specific reduction temperature and is characterized by an initial "wetting" stage, followed by alloy formation at increasing temperature, in the order VOx < TiOx < SiO2 < CeOx < Al2O3. "Inverse" model systems were prepared by deposition of oxides on a metal substrate, e. g. VOx/Rh and VOx/Pd. Reduction of inverse systems at elevated temperature induces subsurface alloy formation. In contrast to common bimetallic surfaces, the stable subsurface alloys of V/Rh and V/Pd have a purely noble metal-terminated surface, with V positioned in near-surface layers. The uniform composition of the metallic surface layer excludes catalytic ensemble effects in favor of ligand effects. Activity and selectivity, e. g. for CO and CO2 methanation and for partial oxidation of ethene, are mainly controlled by the temperature of annealing or reduction. Reduction above 573 K turned out to be beneficial for the catalytic activity of the subsurface alloys, but not for the corresponding thin film systems which tend to deactivate via particle encapsulation.