GLEANINGS
SLINGSHOT (Bill Thurlow, "Courtenay", 15, Longfleet Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2HN, England; bimonthly, price unknown): SLINGSHOT is the official journal of the Society of Ancients and issues #123-124 were submitted for review. Number 123 contained articles on alternative Roman wargames, the art and archives of Ebla, Battle of Maldon, and an in-depth review of the W.R.G. 7th Edition rules set as well as a number of shorter articles. Main articles in issue #124 included a complete rules set for Roman wargames by Paddy Griffith, Nikephorian Byzantines, the use of a computer in wargames, and environment and national character. I cannot imagine a hard-core Ancients wargamer without a SLINGSHOT subscription!
MINIATURE WARGAMES (Available from hobby shops or A.E. Morgan Publications LTD, Stanley House, 9 West St., Epson, Surrey KT18 7RL, England for 18 pounds surface mail or 28 pounds airmail; monthly): #35 and 36 on hand. MW has completed its third year of publication and continues to provide a quality publication for historical miniatures wargamers. Issue #35 featured articles on uncertainties of the Napoleonic battlefield, the Devi Dynasty, Battleof Maldon 991 A.D., cavalry during the Russo-Japanese War, Culloden '46, firebase defence, and the armies at Tennenburg 1914 Part 1, while #36 had articles concerning a 15mm boarding action, the battle of Sacile-1809, Part 11 of the Tannenburg article, a battlefield simulator, the Chinese invasion in 1950 of Tibet, the French Civil War 1648, Vietnam wargaming, the Matebele Wars, and Malaya 1948-60. MW seems to continually provide well-written articles on the lesser known periods and every article has an applicability to the wargames table. The color pictures should not be overlooked as they provide many hints for improving one's terrain. Highly recommended as usual!
THE GRENADIER (3833 LakeShore Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610; bimonthly $15.00): This professional publication deals entirely with boardgames but issue #27 was devoted almost 100% to the Spanish Civil War and may hold considerable interestto the historical miniatures wargamer because of the information contained. Articles in this issue provided an historical overview of the war, information concerning weapons and organization of the armies, and a boardgame "No Pasaran!" which was approved for use with Game Designer's Workshop's Spain and Portugal module for EUROPA. I found the articles to be well written and informative. The wargamer interested in this period may wantto consider Ahketon's line of wargame figures for this period. I particularly enjoyed the editorial which dealt with the problem of complex rules in boardgames, something the field of historical miniatures wargaming has faced. '
SAUVE QUI PEUT! (Edi Birsan, 950 Alla Avenue, Concord, CA 95418; irregular publishing schedule, $2.00 for five issues): #45-46 on hand for review. This amateur publication is devoted to the Napoleonic period and specifically to the EMPIRE III rules system. It contains information regarding Edi's wargaming group's campaigns and at times provides the subscriber with reams of material concerning modifications/interpretations/etc. of EMPIRE Ill. A most worthwhile publication for Napoleonic wargamers, especiallythose interested in EMPIRE Ill.
GAMELOG (James B. Lurvey, POB 27, Belcourt, MD 58316; 12 issues for $7.50): Numbers 68-71 on hand for review. This amateur publication is a most interesting pieceof literature in that it appears to be concerned with details regarding new products in the role-playing, boardgaming, and historical miniatures wargaming fields as well as information regarding conventions the editor has attended. The wargamer interested in hearing about new releases in the above areas would be well served with a subscription.
WARGAMES FIGURES NEWS
Falcon Miniatures, Suite 102, 1 High Street, Meford, Massachusetts 02155, has just released a number of 25mm figure lines. The Western Barbarian line consists of 19 different packs of figures and includes a command group, Gauls attacking (2), Britons attacking (3), German Light Infantry, Germans attacking (3), Barbarian Light Infantry, Barbarians attacking (2), Slinger, Archer, Gaesati Warrior, Light and Medium Cavalry, and a British Chariot ($7.00). They have added six packs of Austrians to their Seven Years War which previous to this had consisted, of Prussian infantry and artillery crew. The Austrian releases include an infantry command group, two musketeers, one musketeer and a grenadier in Hungarian uniforms and a regular Austrian grenadier. Falcon did not forget Colonial gamers in their expansion and have released seven packs of Boers (command group, three Boers on foot, two mounted, and one artillerist) as well as eight packs of figures for the Sudan including a command group, two Dervish, two Fuzzy Wuzzies, a Jihad rifleman, one Dervish cavalry and a Dervish Camel trooper. Packs have six foot or three mounted figures and are $4.00. Future releases from Falcon Miniatures will feature Prussian SYW cavalry in 25mm and a 15mm line of Franco-Prussian War figures as well as 25mm Saracens, Knights, and equipment for the medieval line and 25mm U.S. Marines for 1900.
RSM, Ltd., Historical Miniatures, 513 E. Maxwell St., Lexington, KY 40508 has some additions to their 25mm SYW/French-Indian War/American Revolution in the form of artillery pieces. A light and heavy gun, medium licorne, and light and medium howitzer, each $2.00, are now available. To their 20mm American Civil War line, they have added a 3" Rodman rif le, 6 lb. Napoleon, and 10 lb. Parrott, each $1.00. Their May, 1986 catalog also lists 27 figures from their SYW line which can be used for the American Revolution.
Iron Brigade, 2345 N.W. 121st, Oklahoma City, OK 73120 now offers a new line of water reducible acrylic paints. They come in 1 oz. jars, encompass thirty different colors at this time, and are priced at $1.25 per jar. Also new from Iron Brigade are thirteen different packs of pirates including Moro pirates, pirate flags, and ships' guns. The pirates include officers, gun crew and an interesting assortment of figures with boarding weapons. The guns include a 4 or 6#, 12#, 18#, 24#, 32#, and carronade and are $2.00 each while the officer/personality sets are $2.50 as are the gun crews, and the other pirates (6 to a pack) are $4.00. They have also added three WWI 15mm tanks consisting of British Mark I Male, Mark IV Female, and Mark I Male, each priced at $4.00. Also available are the full-color uniform platesof the Napoleonic War previously produced by the old Custom Cast Company. The twelve Plates, 81/2"04" each contain between 13 and 24 attractive figures encompassing infantry and cavalry for Austria, England, Prussia, France, and Russia and cost $2.00. Printed on card stock, they would make attractive additions to your wargames room in addition to providing painting information.
Wargame Foundry, 21 Villers Rd., Woodthorpe, Nottingham, England, is a most interesting company. The designers are involved in producing fantasy figures and from time to time design historical wargames figures in the 25mm scale. Thus far they report they have English Civil War, Ancient Gauls including chariots, Marlburians, mid-19th Century figures, and Dark Age castings. I have only seen lists and figures for the ECW and the Franco-Prussian War but was most impressed by them. The ECW line has forty different infantry, ten cavalry, five artillerymen, and a Saker gun. An interesting feature about this line is that each individual figure has up to five variants, a factor which greatly increases the number of different figures. Skirmish wargamers may be interested in the civilian figures available from the ECW line which include a preacher, gentleman, various poses of farmers/peasants/females/etc. They also offer a Sedan Chair, Mortar and crew, Petard and crew, and miners/sappers. Foot figures are 30 pence (approximately 45 cents before postage) while cavalry are 68 pence. The Franco-Prussian War line has 39 figures, again many with up to four different variants of the samefigure. They feature French infantry, Zouaves, Prussian infantry, jagers, and Bavarian infantry.
Wiseacre, Ridgebourne, 1/84 Church Road, Netherton, West Midlands, DY2 OJJ, England, produces 15mm card buildings covering a number of historical periods. The Colonial range has twelve different offerings including buildings for the Northwest Frontier, Rorke's Drift, Zulu War, Boxer Rebellion, and a Nile steamer. Four Samurai structures are available as well as several 19th Century dwellings. They also offer buildings for the Roman-Britain era, medieval, Anglo-Saxon/feudal period, and ancient Egypt. These structures range in price from 75 pence to 120 pence.
Geo-Hex, 528 NE Hancock, Portland, OR 97212 is offering a line of wargaming terrain which seems to be hexagonal in shape and allows gamers to create their own terrain. The hexagons are finished on both sides and Woodland Scenics are utilized as flocking. The basic set is described as containing 76 assorted inclined face pieces, 36 full hexagon pieces (12" in diameter), 50 corner locks, and has green turf or desert flocking. It is said to cover a 5'x7'table and is priced at $165.00. A "rough" accessory set is priced at $110.00 and contains 76 assorted vertical face pieces and twelve transitional pieces which are described as face changes from vertical to inclined.
Ulster Imports Ltd., 618West Union, Champagne, IL 61820 announces that beginning in September, they will be importing Platoon 20 (WWII and modern) and Friekorps 15 (ACW and Mexican War). They also report that prices for these lines will remain consistent with those currently being charged by the respective companies in Ireland, a real plus for gamers. Ulster Imports Ltd. states that they will be importing additional lines in the future.
RAFM, 19 Concession St., Cambridge, Ontario, Canada NiR 2G6 has added ten packs of figures to their Flint & Feather line. New additions include British light infantry, infantry in North American Kit and Braddock Campaign, and French infantry in waistcoat, Marines, and North American command group; and female settlers. They have also released two new lines, the Jack Tar line consisting of 14 packs of figures encompassing American, British, French, and Turkish sailors as well as guns (24 lb. carronade and 12 lb. deck gun). Jack Tar figures are $2.50 for a set of three while the guns are $2.50 for both. This up and coming company has also released seven packs of figures for the Seven Years War period consisting of British line infantry, grenadiers and line command group as well as a British marine, and French line infantry, grenadier, and line command group. These figures, as well as the additions to the F I int &Feather I ine are dressed in the 1759 uniforms and are priced at $4.00 per pack of six. Both lines contain a valuable guide for painting and organization of the troops concerned which I feel is a good idea for gamers just entering the hobby or the period. In addition, the command groups contain foil flags which are quite effective.
Frei Korps 15, 25 Princetown Road, Bangor, Co Down, BT203TA, Northern Ireland, just released a number of new figures. The Seminole War 18351842 possesses six packs of figures, Seminole warriors, which includes escaped slaves, and Seminole command; and US infantry, command and artillery crew. To the Pike & Shot period they have added a number of guns including a frame gun, battalion gun, Gustavus Adolphus leather gun,6 lb. saker, 12 lb. culverin, 24 lb. demi-cannon, mortar,42 lb. cannon, limber with driver and horses, gun crew and auxiliary gun crew. TheSeven Years War 6,12, and 24 pounders have all been redone and Frei Korps 15 announces that customers who already have the old guns will qualify for a 15% discount when purchasing at least six guns. The American Civil War line has been expanded to include infantry/cavalry/artillery casualties and four packs of mounted cavalry. Terry Wise's American Civil War rules which include supplements for the US-Mexican War, Maximillian Expedition and Great Paraguayan War are available from them for 2.95 pounds ($6.50 including postage).
Palm Trees: Garners interested in the Sudan period may wish to check out palm trees available from either Party Express, 1238 S. Beach Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92804 or Walter Molzahn & Company, 1050 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago, IL 60614. Prices are very inexpensive (144 31/2" trees - stock #2832 from Molzahn and 7" or 4" trees from Party Express running about 30 cents each).
Quality Castings, Inc., PO Box 11714, Alexandria, VA 22312 announces that they have the old Comet Metal Products WWII vehicles and figures which were at one time produced by the old Custom Cast Company. Originally made during and following WWII for the US Army to be used as recognition models, they may well qualify as the first 1 5mm figures! There are over 100 vehicles covering the United States, Germany, Russia, and Japan and they announce that a number or improvements have been made to the various vehicles and anew detailed line of 15mm infantry has been developed. Vehicles run about $4.75 each while 15 infantry sell for about $3.25.
Ahketon USA, RD#1, Box 125, Philadelphia, NY 13673 has added an Afghan Hill Fort to their 20/25mm British Colonial range. It consists of straight wall section ($2.50), steps ($2.30), corner wall section ($2.50), gate section ($4.25), and building with interior ($4.50). Soon to be released to add to this fort will be a fort tower with interior.
The Little Mini Shops, RD 2, Box 243-A, Flemington, NJ 08822 announces that they will soon be releasing a number of 1/285th scale items including foxholes, bombed out buildings, chateau, townhouse, German bunkers, and ridges with trees.
Peter Gilder of Connoisseur Figures has released more 25mm figures to his Napoleonic range. Eight Bavarian infantry, one mounted colonel, and two cavalry as well as five Saxon infantry and four cavalry have been added. Peter announces that he is currently working on artillerymen in shirtsleeves which can be used for a variety of countries and sappeurs as well as artillery pieces to accompany his Napoleonic lines. He further states that his intention is to provide the most complete Napoleonic line available on the market.
Battle Honors has added six 15mm Napoleonic figuresto their line. These consist of Landwehr lancer, Portuguese line infantry, French Chasseur, Hussar, and Dragoon, and a Polish lancer.
Warfare In The Age Of Reason, a set of miniatures rule~ for the midEighteenth Century is now available for $9.00 from Tod Kershner, 27679 Featherstone Road, Stu rgis,.Ml 49091. These rules are designed forl5mm25mm figures and have a 1 to 50 figure ratio with rules amendments for 1 to 20 scale.
Hinchliffe has released additions to their Ottoman Turks line which are based on the Osprey book on the Ottoman Turks. They consist of an Ottoman Gazi, West Anatolian infantryman, Ottoman Belkanyaya and armoured infantry, Wallachian Voynik Auxiliary, Janissary billman, Acemi Oglan Arquebusier, North African marine crossbowman, and Janissary officer.
Lancashire Games, 8 Ducie Street, Bardsley, Oldham, OL8 2RD, England has introduced a 15mm line for the eastern Renaissance period with 39 different figures as well as guns and fortified wagons. Figures are priced at 9 pence for infantry and 18 pence for cavalry.
Corvus Miniatures, 1 Observer Way, Kelvedon, Essex, C059NZ, England offers 25mm Burgundian 15th Century infantry (10) and cavalry (6) and announce that they will soon be releasing figures for Republican Rome.
More News
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