(ED NOTE: the following report is put together from information received from Scott Holder, Jay Hadley and Dick Bryant).
The Flagship convention of HMGS has completed another great show. With over 900 pre-registrants, it is no surprise that some 3500 gamers attended. Over 250 games and seminars were available for the attendees, not counting the Ancient Tournaments and pick-up games. The Courier sponsored 14 games which were supported by prizes from Pendragon, Wargames, Elite, Pass of the North, and Raventhorpe miniatures.
The games had their usual great variety with quite a few skirmish games taking place. Modern (WWI - Present) had the most games with a total of 80, 15 of which were air and 21 naval. Naval was well represented with 34 games including 1 ancient, 2 SYW period and 2 Medeival! Western Gunfight type games had many examples of various rules being played. The ACW was in evidence everywhere with the gem of the lot being the terrain put together for "Longstreet's Assault" hosted by Dave Bonk and Chris Hughes.
NOVEMBER SHOW TO DEBUT IN 1977
The HMGS East member's meeting on Saturday morning had some interesting announcements. The BOD announced that "FallCon" will be added to the HMGS-east list of conventions. The first will be held November 7-9, 1997 in Gettysburg PA at the Eisenhower Inn and Conference Center which is just off the battlefield. Bob Giglio will be coordinating the convention. The dates for the next 3 Historicons and the next 2 Cold Wars have been also set for the Lancaster Holiday Inn (Formally Lancaster Host) hotel. See the Calendar for details.
The Bi-election results confirmed the 3 incumbants that were running for the BOD; Bob Giglio, Dick Sossi, and Tobey Barrett. The first Scholarship was awarded to Matt Wolney from Brick NJ. Matt will receive $1500 each year for four years. Matt happens to be a gamer and a member of HMGS East, though that is not a requirement. Finally Bill Gray, HMGS-East newsletter editor has accepted the position of Coordinator on the National Board of HMGS.
ANCIENTS TOURNEYS
The tourneys mirrored the overall increase in attendence at the convention which pulled in around 3500. A large Armati turnout brought the attendance to 250 players filling 280 tournament slots. The Bronze Age theme, while no more popular than any other we've done over the years, is certainly the most distinctive looking event. All those wheels, camels, and carts really do stand out, more so than just about any other theme.
Despite his usual reluctance to do so, Arty Confliffe umpired the Armati tournament. Scott Holder reports that through his efforts NASAMW ensured a happy group of Armati gamers and their continued ability to offer games using 4 different systems.
There was a record number of 19 Sportsman nominees. Jevon Garret was awarded based on his multiple nominations.
Terrain held a few suprises. The winner, Dan Promutico, scratch built a great Gallic human sacrifice mound which he used as his DBM camp. The requirement for on table camps in DBM does make those games look better because camps are something you can devote some time to and they tend to be easily transportable. Other notable terrain efforts were by Tom Thomas (his usual buildings), and Tony Reid (who had a wonderful array of palm trees, oasis, etc for the Bronze Age theme).
There were two armies that were clearly above the rest in the 25mm Best Painted contest: Chris Walsh's Japanese and Greg Croyle's Incas. Chris thad the edge due to the effort to string bows, etc. In 15mm, Best Painted went to Kevin Kelly's "Central Asian City States" army which was really nothing more than a collection of his figures thrown together, but very nicely done.
Sponsors of The Ancient Tourneys were: Thistle & Rose, Silver Eagle, Wargames, MiniFigs, Pendragon, TCS, Viking Forge, Ral Partha, Old Glory, Armory, Mr. Miniature, Outland Games, Pharoahs Arms, Gladiator, and Simtac.
PAINTING COMPETITION RESULTS
There were 93 entrants which is close to a record if not an actual record. I have indicated with a (?) those winning units which have some question as to their description. The descriptions are those of the entrants taken from the entry form. In future it would be better to make a more detailed description on those forms. Congratulations to all the winners. The judges point out that it gets harder each year to make the awards as every entry is such a gem.
| MASTERS CATEGORY | |
|---|---|
| GOLD MEDAL | |
| Jan Wantuchowicz | Polish Rennaissance Army |
| John Spiess | Celtic Army |
| Rod Langton | Sailing Ships |
| SILVER MEDAL | |
| Doug Mudd | Syracusans |
| Ed Durkin | French Napoleonic Infantry |
| Mat Bickley | Austrian Napoleonic Lancers |
| Gregory Croyle | Inca Army |
| Jan Wantuchowicz | New Kindom Egyptians |
| Joe Miceli | Sharpes Rifles |
| Ed Durkin | French Napoleonic Artillery |
| Jim Moffet | Naval Display (?) |
| Andy Simpson | French Napoleonics |
| BRONZE MEDAL | |
| Doug Mudd | Archemidans |
| Ed Rohrbaugh | WWII Micro Armor |
| Ed Durkin | ACW Infantry Bde. |
| Dana O'Hara | Musketeers |
| Robbie Flam | Hoplites |
| Bob Giglio | Colonials (?) |
| Dave Bonk | AWI British |
| Scott Thompson | Late Romans |
| OPEN CATEGORY | |
| GOLD MEDAL | |
| Andy Ringlet | Imperial Romans |
| John Jennings | Sioux Warriors |
| Mark Sorensen | AWI(?) |
| Mark Saunders | Highlanders |
| Mike LaVigne | Aircraft(?) |
| Gene Philipps | British Colonial Ship & Barges |
| SILVER MEDAL | |
| Don Hansen | Spartan Army |
| John Stanoch | French & Indians |
| Mark Saunders | American Indian Raiders |
| Mark Stevens | Bombay Indians |
| Robbie Flam | French Guards |
| John Stannoch | WWI Aircraft |
| Peter Hume | Gunboat(?) |
| Robbie Flam | Romans |
| BRONZE MEDAL | |
| Mark Stevens | Elephant Gun |
| John Jennings | Prussian 7YW Infantry |
| Butch Lareson | Austrian Line Infantry |
| Jeff Hobbs | 52d Foot |
| John Jennings | Geonese Rennaissance Infantry |
| Mike LaVigne | WWI Germans |
| Craig Harrison | ACW Army |
More Dispatch
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Charles Sweet Honored
Stone Mountain Honored
Tennessee Wargame Club
HMGS Military "GI" Members
Product News
Magazines
Convention Calendar
Back to Table of Contents -- Courier #71
© Copyright 1996 by The Courier Publishing Company.
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