When I decided to start with ACW wargaming about 2 years ago, I asked a friend of mine where I could find good flags with which to equip my miniatures. He pointed me to GMB Flags. Although I would rather have downloaded flags from the Internet than buy them, I followed his advice and have not had a reason to doubt my decision.

GMB Designs has a vast range of flags for the American Civil War in 25mm. There are 56 different units from the US (including such prestigious units as those from the Iron or Irish Brigades) and 46 different sets for the CSA. Those Rebel sets either feature flags from a given unit, state colours, national colours or army flags. GMB also has all Corps, Division, and Brigade Flags for the Army of the Potomac's 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 11th Corps and a part of the Cavalry Corps as of 12th May 1863.

All sets come with two flags, except for the cavalry sets which contain 3 guidons. Regimental sets for the US contain a National and a Regimental Flag each. The Regimental sets for the CSA contain an Army and a State flag each. They are printed with regimental designation and battle honours when appropriate. National, State and Army sets with the CSA come with two similar flags. All flags are researched from primary sources like the actual flags in state or government archives.

The sheets are printed on a high quality lightweight paper. The colour on the sheets never looks distorted or runny. The flags need to be cut from the sheets. To make this easier, there are crosshairs printed at the edges of the flags. Once that is done, they are easily glued to flagstaffs and put into whatever motion is desired. The paper itself is light enough to have them hang limb and still look realistic. The flags are printed with slight signs of use and a shadow where the flag will be wrapped around the staff. I my opinion it is just enough aging. They do not look like they are still waiting to be sent from Tiffany's or from a Confederate stitching circle, but they do not look like someone dropped them into the dirt a dozen times either.

The price per set is 2,75 Pounds Sterling. That is not cheap, but once one has seen the quality, he will agree that they are worth that. While a cheap-looking flag can ruin the look of the bestpainted unit, these flags can enhance the looks of even the worst-painted unit.

For those interested, GMB also has an enormous range of Napoleonics flags as well as good selection for the ECW, AWI, 7 Years War and the Mexican-American War.

In the USA, GMB Designs flags may be purchased from Brookhurst Hobbies in Garden Grove, CA via their website at www.brookhursthobbies.com/gmbdesigns.htm or from the Miniature Service Center at www.miniatureservicecenter.com