There you go, the first issue of 1992 out of the way. I hope you enjoyed it. I had to make a few changes to the planned articles in this issue, as illness has struck in all camps around the country. Not least affected is Leon Parti, who having withdrawn to his country retreat at Nantes, suffering from what he describes as `terminal' gout, has withheld his planned epic battle. Leon has asked me to tell his reader that he will be putting quill to vellum in the near future. On a personal note I must apologise to Leon for not spelling his name correctly in the last couple of issues, to be honest I didn't think there was much difference between i and e. But there you go. Sorry.

And now for something different, an opinion for discussion and debate. You the reader of this magazine are killing your own hobby. Oh yes you are. Why, well to put it simply the wargaming hobby is undergoing a not immodest contraction. The reason. Simply lack of marketing.

The hobby is becoming less and less visible to the general public. Why is there a lack of marketing? Because every product that you buy is grossly undervalued. Whether it be a figure, uniform guide or terrain piece, you are not paying full whack. Lucky me, you think, wrong its not lucky you. Your hobby is an endangered specie. How would you feel about being thrown back to the sixties and having to laboriously convert every figure for your army from a totally different plastic figure.

Take a look at fantasy wargaming. Twenty years ago it was in its infancy, now look at it. Virtually every potential teenage wargamer has been converted to a space orc or dwarf. How many blister packed Historical figures do you see hanging off peg boards in the large stores that these creatures inhabit?

In 1975 a 15mm figure was 4p, a 25mm figure was 8p. Seventeen years later a 25mm figure is around 40p and 15mm around 12p. Allowing 10% inflation for every year, (and for those that can remember there have been some years in that period with inflation way over 25%), a 15mm figure should now be selling for 20p, a 25mm for 41p. These final figures are of course still grossly under valued. Some figure manufacturers are putting their prices up to 50p for 25s and 18p for 15s, and already I've heard people complaining. To those people publicly berating these increases -- I say shut up! Or you might not have anything to complain about.

If you doubt what I say, buy a 25mm wargaming figure, buy a similar sized fantasy figure and then to really open your eyes go and buy a 25mm Railway Model figure (OO gauge).

The solution. There is none. Not unless all the manufacturers get together and agree a minimum price for their products and customers accept the necessity. Economy of scale just does not come into it, yet manufacturers are artificially forced to sell their products as if they were selling millions a year.

The alternative, the hobby contracts and more wargame traders go out of business. I admit that I am as culpable as any other manufacturer or wargamer and maybe I'm to pessimistic, but surely it would benefit the hobby and all concerned, if the situation was turned around and `Historical Wargaming' was presented to a wider audience. Greater profits, lead to improved products, choice and presentation. Am I wrong or am I right, you tell me?

Lighter Note

Finally, and on a lighter note - Napoleon, my part in his downfall. Recently while chatting about matters historical and military, with Ian `Iron Duke' Barstow, the subject of what our ancestors had done came to the fore. Ian was able to offer, apart from the fact that a more than average number of his ancestors found their way to Australia by means of sheep stealing, that one of his line was a drummer with the 32nd Foot, who legend has it, forgot to duck, during the closing moments of Waterloo.

Myself, I claim two, both cursed by the infamous `Watkins luck'. Firstly, Pvt. Watkins of `B' Company 24th Foot, who allegedly in his eagerness to get to grips with the mighty Zulu, declined the option to remain at Rourkes Drift, and volunteered to go with the main body to Isandwala. Need I say more!

In the second case Trooper Joseph Watkins of the Kings Dragoons Guards, who having served many years with the regiment and no doubt thinking about jacking it in, survived most of the day of Waterloo, only to fatally encounter, possibly, the only non routing Frenchman on the field at the close of play.

So what's the point. Well it occurred to us both, that many of you may have taken the time and trouble to find out what great-great-great-great grandad might have been up to during the Napoleonic period and might have some fascinating and amusing tales to tell. If so write in and I'll try to make a feature of it.