Courier Dispatch

News of the Hobby

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PENDING BILL IN CONGRESS THREATENS TO DESTROY HOBBY!!

Senate Bill S.2637 has been put forth to reduce the lead content of various products to non-hazardous levels just one year after the legislation becomes law. I don't have the data on each category of lead containing material, but to show how ridiculous the terms are consider that solder would be required to contain less than 0.1% lead (it usually contains 40% or so). This would destroy the electronics industry in this country -- a $235 billion industry. The electronics industry has the money and lobbying powerto fight for their part of the Bill to be remedied; the hobby does not.

Each category will be considered separately and the main ingredient in our hobby is considered (and perceived by the uninformed) as TOY soldiers. Since the Bill purports to concern itself with reducing lead exposure in children, one can imagine how they will try to reduce the content of lead in "TOY" soldiers! Without lead the price of figures will skyrocket if they can be made at all. The product will also be so brittle as to be unusable in wargames. So if you don't want to go backto using card board cutouts and counters it is imperative that you write your Congressmen NOW. Get all your friends, relatives, acquaintances, hobby shop owners, everyone you can to write to defeat this Bill or to at least eliminate miniature figures from being covered by it. The Bill's sponsors are Senators Harry Reid (D-Nev), Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn), Bill Bradley (D-N.J.), and Daniel P. Moynihan (D-N.Y.). Write to them and your own congressmen, do not delay. DO IT NOW!

STOP PRESS! FIGURES STOLEN AT HISTORICON
$100 REWARD POSTED BY HMGS

Ed Mohrman is a fellow who more than most has made Historicon and Cold Wars a success over the years by putting on record numbers of games -- often 10 to 12 a weekend. Well to show his gratitude to Ed for all that he has done for the hobby some Jerk walked off with a 30mm Napoleonic army of oil painted Surens and Staddens. In the hope that he will try to sell them off to a gaming buddy, hobby store or pass them off as something he bought we are hereby issuing a detailed description of these figures. The reward is for information leading to the return of the figures.

  • 20 30mm Suren French Old Guard Grenadiers in full dress uniform 1812. Marching at the slope. Painted in oils.
  • 20 30mm Stadden French Old Guard Grenadiers in full dress 1812 uniform. Figure standing, musket at rest, butt of weapon against right heel, muzzle in right hand, weapon extended at 45°. Painted in oils.
  • 20 30mm Suren French Line Fusiliers, advancing, musket held forward. No bayonet. 1812 campaign uniform. Oilskinned shakos.
  • 20 Scruby 30mm Sappeur du Genie in helmet painted in blue with white leggings.
  • 20 Scruby 30mm Marins de la Garde in 1812 uniform. Figure in "march attack" position.
  • 20 SAE 30mm French. Standard "mix" of types of infantry/poses, usual SAE paint job.
  • 20 30mm Scruby "battery cast" French Line Fusiliers. Wargame paint job.
  • 20 30mm Command Post French Line Fusiliers 1809 uniform.
  • 1 Erickson 30mm Mounted Napoleon.
  • 1 Hinchliffe RA 9# gun with crew.

Send any information to The Courier, P.O. Box 1878, Brockton, MA 02403. Your name will be held in the strictest confidence.

ORIGINS AND/OR BUST

By Bob Coggins

It was a great trip, a new record, 2½ hours from my office near the Baltimore Airport to the Atlanta Hilton and Towers, site of Origins. As I entered the swank atrium-lobbied building I espied a sinister character in a black robe laying hands on a young man in civvies. The young man was stating very forthrightly and a little too loudly, "You can't kill me, I'm invisible!" If only he were. Inaudible would have been okay too. This statement summed up the entire convention, for the crowds, if they were there, were invisible. Ah, Origins, where have you gone?

In recent history the gamer has been the last person convention organizers consider. The only time he is thought of is when he is not there and this year, due to his absence, he was thought of a great deal. In my prejudiced opinion the attendance was off from 40 to 50%. The product, guys, is the gamer, provide enough of that product and the rest is easy.

This lack of gamers was reflected in the sales in the dealers' area. I know of only one company which was satisfied with its sales. The others were crying the blues for lack of customers and I'm not just talking about miniatures manufacturers or dealers. There was plenty of griping among the fantasy/scifi dealers and manufacturers.

By chance, I happened to be standing near the entrance when the dealers' room opened on Saturday. In the past, hundreds of gamers would storm the booths once the opening bell rang. This year 12 gamers stormed the booths -- I counted all 12. The organizer, Dragoncon is, of course, accountable for the poor attendance. Though I suspect the location did nothing to help, throughout the Spring I heard complaints that nary a preregistration form could be found and a number of dealers at the convention claimed they still had not received a dealer's package.

It seems that the Dragoncon guys fell into an old trap. They expanded their money on the big names. For us wargamers they brought in Tom Clancy. Now Tom appears to be a nice enough guy and he writes okay too. Problem is I don't go to wargame conventions to hear professional novelists spout military doctrine or political theory.

Every other year or so, one of our fellow miniatures gamers who is not as familiar with or sophisticated in the convention biz gets recruited into running the miniatures program at an Origins or some other Fantasy/Scifi convention. This year it was Bill Froelich's turn and I think he did a yeoman's job in putting together a representative miniatures program. I suspect if the others involved in Origins had worked half so diligently, this year's convention would have turned out differently. I hope Bill and his friends continue to work for the promotion of historical miniatures and I look forward to working with him in the future.

Of special note were the new miniatures gamers I met from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and, surprisingly, Colorado. Their enthusiasm was great and I was pleased with their interest in HMGS and in Historicon. Some even on short notice attended Historicon this year and more, I suspect, will be attending Historicon 91. Their interest indicates a potential for HMGS Societies in the Old South and in the West.

No matter how competent, no hotel is ever prepared for hundreds or thousands of fantasy guys and gals roaming the hall and stairways, or even worse, riding the elevators. The Hilton had 10 elevators. I used the past tense because I think no more than 3 were ever in operation at one time. I can picture an elevator repairman working manfully to keep one or two elevators operating, sweat pouring and circuit breakers popping as over loaded lifts scurry up and down. Kudos incidentally to the escalator guys; I only saw one breakdown.

Speaking about down, board gaming was very poorly represented. The largest existing manufacturer brought a very reduced stock and indeed gave an Atlanta distributor permission to sell its games at the convention. For much of the convention its designers could be seen languishing, lonely as clouds, in the booth manfully attempting to stay awake. If the board wargamers continue to abandon Origins at the current rate I can foresee a time when there will be none. Observing the Baltimore bunch, I wonder why they bothered to come. Certainly their customers did not, at least in the numbers that would justify their attendance. How long are the board wargamers and manufacturers going to continue to suffer such ingominy?

Why do I always come away from GAMA (Game Manufacturers Associa tion) meetings feeling like a horizontal Charlie Brown who suddenly realizes that Lucy, despite her promises, has once again withdrawn the football? Rats! Though I must admit that this time no promises or representations were made, I always get the feeling that most GAMA members think it's all HMGS' fault. We're raining on their profit parade and they don't know what to do about it. Perhaps they could lower their convention prices and get away from holiday weekends. Of course, then the manufacturers wouldn't have a chance to take a semi-vacation in a nice city and write it off to business.

In order to avoid another Origins 90 disappointment, the GAMA Board of Directors awarded a 3 year contract to a corporation called GEMCO, which was formed to run conventions, specifically Origins. This corporation, not surprisingly, consists of the outgoing Executive Director of GAMA, Howard Barrish, and Wes Coates and Jim Burnette, ex of Atlanticon. In exchange for their expertise the boys have, to paraphrase the board, a right to earn a profit. This statement was made in response to a suggestion from Tod Fisher, he of The Emperor's Headquarters and a member of the HMGS Board of Directors, that the new corporation should consider significantly lowering the ticket fees from the average $30 at the door. I have no idea what other groups were considered but obviously they would have had to make their profit also, so one's no worse than the next.

Next year they'll show us how it's done in Baltimore -- $30 tickets, $80 rooms, $300 dealer tables and $10 a day parking. Of course I could be wrong -- nah! The only thing that will be guaranteed in 91 is that Gemco will make a handsome profit, but for whom and to whose benefit? As a native I am able to guarantee the fireworks, provided by the City of Baltimore, will be free.

Recently, I have come to understand how valuable GAMA is to its members. GAMA's annual Trade Fair in Las Vegas puts the retailers together with the manufacturers and distributors all with valuable product and business information. It is where business is done. This I understand. What I do not understand is the necessity for Origins as a GAMA function. As well as Origins once served, I think it has outlived its usefulness as a GAMA vehicle. The only thing GAMA can gain by remaining in the Origins business is a bad reputation. Why not sell the name to say, Gemco, and let the market rule? There are dozens of conventions which can pick up the slack and do a better job to the ultimate benefit of the gamer.

On Saturday night as I waited in my room on the 6th floor for Tod Fisherto arrive to go to dinner I suddenly heard rock music. As we arrived in the lobby we found that there was a rock concert on the 2nd floor, the same floor as much of the gaming, had just begun. Though I heard no real complaints I was amused to think that the organizers think that a rock concert should be part of a gaming convention.

After a leisurely Sunday breakfast and a slow tour through the dealers' area, as the afternoon shadows grew deeper I mounted my trusty plane and once again bid farewell to another Origins and to Atlanta and the great looking working girls who populated the rooftop lounge. Alas, the two blondes who were obviously smitten with me (I could tell because they waved), were scared off when an adventure gamer with tatoos and a scraggly beard sat down at the next table. Considering the hotel's clientele, with a little negotiating they might have been the best value at the convention. Skin-tight dresses and they could really wear 'em, too.

ANCIENT TOURNAMENT RESULTS FOR ORIGINS '90

DANIEL F. BURKLEY

Twenty-two 15mm players and eight 25mm players participated in the Ancients Tournament at ORIGINS '90 in Atlanta. Results of the tour naments are below:
First Place 15mm David Stier
(Teutonic Knights)
1st Place Plaque
ORIGINS ‘90 notepad
$50 gift certificate from WARAMES
2nd Place 15mm Ted Greenspan
(Kushite Egyptians)
$25 of Babylonian figures from STONE MOUNTAIN
First Place 25mm Derek Downs
(New Babylonians)
1st Place Plaque
ORIGINS ‘90 notepad
$50 gift certificate from RAL PARTHA
2nd Place 25mm Frank Scarci
(Sicilian Normans)
$25 gift certificate EMPEROR’S HEADQUARTERS

There was a very nice mix of armies at the ORIGINS tournament. This allowed many players to face historical opponents, or at least armies of the same period. I was very happy to see chariot-age armies in 15mm: Kushite Egyptians (Greenspan), Neo-Assyrians (McBride), and New Babylonians (Ray). Two chariot armies were in 25mm: Han Chinese (Ramoy), and New Babylonian (Downs).

There were at least 3 demonstration games hosted separately by Robert Ramoy, Larry Essick, and myself. My demonstration was an Egyptian civil war battle between Kamose and Apophis (from "The Children of the Lion" series by Peter Danielson). I am not aware of what the other two demonstration games were, but I heard numerous Punic War cries from Larry's game. Jim Hill put on some demonstration games of WRG's new 'quick play' rules. Kruse Smith was also present to learn the new 'quick play' rules.

Results for the tournaments have been reported to the Head Umpire, Scott Holder. Recommendations have been made to have David Stier, Ted Greenspan, and Derek Downs eligible for the National Championships. In the event that David or Ted are already eligible, Don Carter should be then made eligible (as the third place player). If Derek is already eligible, then Frank Scarci should then be eligible.

ERRATA

"THE CAMPAIGN FOR CALIFORNIA
(in COURIER IX-3)

Only one person mentioned it but the 3 maps in this article had the titles left off by the printer. I don't know if the lack of complaint is because you are all so forgiving or because none of you read the article. In the latter case -- where are all the people who voted for the Mexican American War as a theme year? In any case duplicate maps can be found inside the front cover of the dummy wrap, ready to paste into the article.

Non-Subscriber's Note: The "dummy wrap" comes on subscriber magazines. If you want the duplicate maps for your copy send a LEGAL SIZE, STAMPED, SELF-ADDRESSED envelope to THE COURIER , P.O. Box 1878, Brockton, MA 02403.

HMGS COLD WARS 90: ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL CONVENTION

This year's Cold Wars was held where Historicon is usually held, at the Penn Harris hotel in Harrisburg, PA. Cold Wars (formerly HMGS Mini-Con) was supposed to be the small winter convention but has now almost reached the size of Historicon. This year Cold Wars boasted 132 dealer booths, 100+ events and about 970 attendees. Historicon will be bigger (over 150 events in the pre-registration form!) and may soon outgrow the Penn Harris.

Once again there were a great many dealers in painting services and painted figures. How things change -- not five years ago you would not have found even one full time dealer in painted armies.

The North American Society of Ancient and Medieval Wargamers put on another well attended ancient competition. they had 84 people participating in the event, 56 in 15mm, 20 in 25mm, and 8 in the BOOK III only tournament (all in 15mm). This was the largest turnout for the "winter" convention in NASAMW history. Also, this was the largest number of 15mm participants ever.

Sponsors of the events included: Alliance, Irregular, Minifigs, Ral Partha, Simtac, and Wargames. As always, these firms regularly provide generous gift certificates for the various events. Many thanks for their continued support.
25mm winner: Dave Stiers, Sicilian Hohenstaufen
25mm runner up: Derek Downs, Seleucid
15mm winner: Bob Plyler, Scythians
15mm runner up: Tom Hamilton, Japanese
Book III winner: Ted Furey
Best Painted 25mm: Danny Weitz, Sicilian Hohenstaufen
Best Painted 15mm: Jamie Fish, Anglo-Normans and
Craig Tyrell, New Kingdom Egypt
The Courier Sportsman Award: Joe Walukonis (anyone who smiles when the first time he ever uses bombards and they explode deserves this)
Terrain: Craig Tyrell

HMGS now gives an award, "POUR ENCOURAGER LES AUTRES" for best of show. This year it went to a group of gamers from suburban Washington headed by Ed Watts for their series of stunning 25mm Colonial games, in particular their game of the storming of the Kashmir Gate.

There were many well attended games of Tactica and Avalon Hill's new Napoleonic Rules were very popular. Every period was covered, but, as usual of prime interest were the many innovative ideas displayed by gamers demonstrating their home grown rules, often in obscure periods.

The painting competition was again almost impossible to judge, but the winners were:
BEST 25mm ARMY 1st Edward Regendahl Late Roman Army
2nd Ben Pescon Mycenian Greeks
BEST 25mm UNIT 1st Steve Aleo ACW Union Cavalry
2nd Mark Kraybill Iroquois War Party
BEST 15mm ARMY 1st John Spiess Union Army
2nd Brad Graper 17th Cen. Poles
BEST 15mm UNIT 1st Tim Wright Saxon Huscarles - 1066
2nd James Dirmaier ECW Royalists
UNDER 10mm ARMY 1st John Dyre 10th Panzer Division 1990
2nd Ed Rorhbaugh Desert Armour 1941
BEST 10mm UNIT 1st John Dyre 79th Tank Destroyer
2nd Peter Evanko Soviet WWII Battalion
BEST NAVAL/AIR Tony Barrett ACW Ironclads

Next issue we will cover Historicon '90. -- DICK BRYANT

PRODUCT NEWS

GHQ has released another batch of microarmor. UK35 is a pack of 104 seated infantry designed to fit their open-topped troop carriers. There have been three additions to the British early WWII vehicles: UK36 has four Mk VI B light tanks and one Mk II antiaircraft tank, UK37 has five A9 cruiser tanks, and UK38 has five AlO cruiser tanks. Two new German WWII vehicles are also available: G105 contains five SdKfz 251/C 16 flamethrower halftracks complete with crews in flameproof suits, while G107 is a pack of five standard late-war SdKfz 251/D infantry carriers. In the modern area the Warsaw Pact offerings have been reinforced with the GAZ 66 2 ton truck, five of which are in the W49 pack, and the four BM 21 Soviet multiple rocket launches in the W48 pack. NATO releases include the US M935 5 ton truck (five each, N86), and the Leopard 1 AlAl (five each, N 87). All packs are priced at $5.50. GHQ, 2634 Bryant Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55408, tel. (612) 374-2693.

Stone Mountain is now producing a 15mm camp scene package for the Civil War (item ACW98). Priced at $28, it contains 20 soldiers in camp poses (almost all different), six Hovels tents, three campfires, a camp stove, six stacks of rifles, a supply wagon, four horses with hitchrack, four dogs and an assortment of packs, bags, chests, barrels, and drums. A catalog is available for $3. Stone Mountain Miniatures, P.O. Box 594, Broomfield, CO 80038.

Pendragon Miniatures is known for carrying Wargames Foundry figures in this country (see new releases below). They now are stocking Irregular Miniatures 25mm figures, with 15mm and 6mm on the way. Already in stock are Irregular's Corrective Punishment, Religious and Rabble, Animals, Personalities, and Set Pieces ranges. If you need a Mongol camp, a group of armed pilgrims of the Crusades, a Black Sea Greek militia infantry spearman, an extrovert Viking general on foot, or the odd crocodile or two, you should check their listings. The catalog is available for $3. Pendragon Miniatures, 1549 Marview Drive, Westlake, OH 44145.

WargamesFoundry continues to expand their existing lines while adding new ones. One new departure is their line of 20mm WWII infantry, with 38 figures in the first release. These include British and Germans for both North Africa and Europe, Italians for North Africa, French and Poles for the early war, Russians, most in winter dress, an Indian for North Africa, and Americans for Europe. Also new are 15mm figures suitable for European wars in the period 1450-1500. The 40 or so castings include a variety of crossbowmen, archers, billmen, halberdiers, pikemen, knights, hand gunners, artillery and crew, and horses.

The Indian Mutiny line, approaching 200 figures, now includes camel troops: an Indian Zamberek with camel, rider, and gun, and a pair of British infantry riding in baskets on a camel led by an attendant. There is also an elephant set with mahout, carrying eight British infantry in shell jackets. A bit less exotic are the British dismounted light dragoon and mounted infantrymen.

Franco-Prussian cavalry has expanded with French guard carabiniers, and versions of all the French cavalry in manteau. New infantry include a Franc-Tirailleur in slouch hat, a Prussian standard bearer, French Imperial Guard officer, French standard bearers in tunic or greatcoat, and Zouave or Turco drummer, bugler, and casualty.

The French Revolution line has expanded to include French artillerymen and enemy troops. There are now a dozen Prussian grenadiers and musketeers and two dozen Austrians: German and Hungarian infantry, Grenz, and Freikorps. A few years later across the Atlantic, 13 new British/Canadian infantry for the War of 1812 have appeared, along with three British infantrymen in full kit and stovepipe shako. The Crimean War also has expanded coverage, with more than a dozen British infantrymen in Kilmarnock caps, both center and flank companies, as well as six riflemen in shakos.

The artillery from all 25mm periods has been reorganized, and a large variety of limbers sets ranging from one to ten horses is now available, as are four new wagons, a chest, ladder, and two horse casualties.

The rate at which Wargames Foundry is turning out new figures of such high quality is nothing less than astonishing. Available from Pendragon Miniatures, 1549 Marview Drive, Westlake, OH 44145, catalog $3.

Quality Castings has released their promised Sherman variants in 15mm. New releases include an early war M4A3 75mm (redone), M4A3 76mm (redone), M4A3 75mm, M4A3 105mm, M4A3 HVSS 105mm, M4A3E8 HVSS 76mm, and a redone British VC Firefly 17 pdr. Each of these vehicles sells for $5.50. Also released were a .30 cal. MG Ml 91 9A4 on pedestal mount (3 for $1.50) and a .50 cal. MG with tripod ground mount (2 for $2.00). A French Panhard 178 armored car is promised but not yet released. Quality Castings Inc., P.O. Box 11714, Alexandria, VA 22312.

Spearpoint, the journal of the North American Society of Ancient and Medieval Wargamers, has recently been catching up on its publication schedule. Along with Society business, there are articles on WRG rules interpretations, and a proposal for an army list for the first crusade. Membership is $10/yr (4 issues). Scott Holder, 4346 Rolling Stone Way, Alexandria, VA 22306.

The Zouave, published by the American Civil Wargaming Society, has changed formats, continuing to improve as they begin their fourth year. The Spring issue includes a short piece on a captain of the 3d Alabama Infantry, a discussion of color schemes for the "City" class gunboats, an article on US Regulars, an extended excerpt from a regimental history of the 24th Michigan on the first day of Gettysburg, and game scenarios for that conflict and for the Confederate right flank at First Bull Run. each issue has at least one flag illustration. 28 pp typeset, $14/4 issues. ACW Society, Brian R. Scherzer, 605 Sadie Avenue, Metairie, LA 70003.

El Dorado has also changed format. It is now folded and stapled. This continues to be the source for South and Central American uniforms, also has historical accounts of actions with which most of us are unfamiliar. The March-April issue has 11 pages of illustrations, ranging from Haitian infantry of 1811 to Brazilian airborne troops of 1960, with descriptions and sources. There is also an interesting excerpt from the memoirs of a British General Miller, who commanded 250 Peruvian cavalry under Bolivar at the Battle of Junin, the OB for which was published in the previous issue. 24 pp 6x8½, US airmail £ 8.30, surface £ 6.20/6 issues, UK £ 4.90. T.D. Hooker, 27 Hallgate, Cottingham, North Humberside, HU16 4DN.


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© Copyright 1990 by The Courier Publishing Company.

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