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
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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.
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.
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
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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