As mentioned earlier,I managed to make it to Cold Wars 1992, and visit the various dealers and companies to see what's new in the hobby. One current theme throughout my mail is that of readers asking questions as to where they might purchase different items. To help them out, we are running an extended S4 this issue.
20mm
DIE KAISERZEIT: This company makes 20mm figures dealing with "The Great War". Them am over 100 figures offered, including German soldiers in both Pickelhaube and Stahlhelm, as well as different types of Jaegers, Storm Troopers, Saxons, British in caps and helmets, ANZACs,French,Russians and Austrians. The figures are very similar to thee old Airfix line and sell for 50 cents a foot, with the mounted figures costing 40 cents, with the horses selling for 80 cents. For a catalog send $2.00 to: DIE KAISERZEIT, 82 Atlantic Street, Keyport, NJ 07735
COMBAT MINIATURES Todd Fisher has acquired the rights to the MLR line, and is reissuing it, along with some new figures, as Combat Miniatures. Dave Alsop, the lines original sculptor, will be making additional sets of figures. Current packs have 6 figures, and sell for $4.50. They include the following sets:
GR 1 German Command & Casualties
GR 2 German Firing
GR 3 German LMGs
GR 4 AT - Combat Engineers
GR 5 Assault Group
GR6 Patrol Group
GR 7 Advancing
SS1 SS Infantry Command
SS2 SS Infantry Firing
SS3 SS Infantry Attacking
RU 1 Russian Infantry Command
RU 2 Russian Rifleman
RU 3 Russian Platoon Weapons
US 1 American Infantry Command
US 2 American Infantry Attacking
US 3 American Infantry Firing
BR 1 British Command & OP Party
BR 2 British Infantry Advancing
BR 3 British Infantry Firing
BR4 British Bren Guns
BR 5 British Platoon Weapons
BR 6 British Support Team
BR 7 British Infantry Advancing
BR 8 British Infantry 44 Firing
BR 9 British Infantry 44 Advancing
BR 10 British 44 Support Group
BR 21 Vickers MG ($6.00)
BR 22 3" Mortars ($6.00)
BR 23 Stretcher Party and Casualties ($6.00)
Future plans include Japanese, USMC, and Paras for the Americans, British, and Germans, as well as Heavy Weapons Packs for the Infantry and Russians. To order, contact: The Emperor's Headquarters 5744 West Irving Park Road Chicago, IL 60634 1-800-59-EAGLE Fax 312-777-4828
WARGAMES FOUNDRY: Two years ago, Wargames Foundry first started releasing a 20mm line, and they have been adding to it ever since. As we are working on a Bathtub North Africa expansion of Bathtub Barbarossa, I ended up picking up several handfulls of figures from North Africa to help out the cause, as well as some wonderful Finnish figures, including a fantastic soldier on skies. Later this year, they will also be importing the Raventhorpe line of WWII figures as well.
Their current list of figures includes the following types:
GERMAN, includes North Afrika and Para - 31 figures, 4 weapons sets
BRITISH Europe, North Africa, Commonwealth i.e. Indians 12 figures, 7 weapons sets
RUSSIANS 6 figures, 1 weapon set
FRENCH 4 figures, 1 weapon set
ITALIANS 8 figures
UNITED STATES 7 figures, 3 weapons sets
POLISH 1939 4 figures, 3 weapons sets
JAPANESE 3 figures
CHINESE 3 figures
FINNISH 5 figures
RESISTANCE 6 figures, 1 weapon set
The equipment groups are sets of machine guns and mortars, with each set having a weapon and crew. Figures cost 75 cents each. A complete catalog of all the items carried costs $2.00, and should ordered from: PENDRAGON MINIATURES 1549 Marview Westlake, Ohio 44145 216-871-4587 Fax: 216-892-5887
THOROUGHBRED FIGURES: A new entry to the field, this company produces some of the nicest 20mm vehiclesd that I have seen: The M3A1 Halftrack has one casting for the chassis and one for the bed, and assembles with ease. The tracks and wheels are well done, as well as the ftont roller, .50HMG, and assorted tools and other items.
These vehicles will go with any 20mm figure quite nicely, and the rear bed will accept a stand. Additional variants of these 3 HalfTracks are due out as well as a 20mm Sherman. Currently, they produce the following items:
TV01 Jeep with .50 HMG $6.50
TV02 Jeep with radio $6.50
TV03 Jeep $6.00
TV04 Dodge 3/4 Ton Weapons Carrier $8.00
TV05 M 3 Halftrack $12.00
TV06 M 3AI Halftrack $12.00
To order, contact: THOROUGHBRED FIGURES 1212 Wilbur Avenue Chesapeake, VA 23324 804-545-6514
MINIATURE FIGURINES: Minifigs will be entering the 20mm field sometime later dus year They have acquired the rights to the Hinchiffe/Skytrex line of 20mm WW II vehicles. No details yet on price or release date.
MINIATURE FIGURINES PO Box P Pine Plains, NY 12567 518-398-5166
DIXON FIGURES: Dixon will also be entering the 20mm field sometime later this year. The first items will deal with the Western Desert, and will include vehicles as well as figures. For information, contact WARGAMES PO Box 278 Triadelphia, WV 26059 304-547-0000
FALCON: Falcon has come out with Command Decision packs for American and Japanese Infantry Battalions, as well as a 1944 American Tank Company (2 Sherman 75s, 1 Sherman 76), as well as an Armored Infantry Company (3 Halftracks, 15 figures). Future plans call for the release of a "Bataan' range of American figures, as well as the manufacture and release of Matchlock Miniatures line of 20mm figures. The last includes 5 different German WWII figures for the Eastern front, as well as a line of 11 figures for the Korean War.
For further details, contact: FALCON FIGURINES PO Box 444 Medford, MA 02155 Orders 800-829-4541 Questions 617 488-3541
FIGURES, ARMOR, ARTILLERY: This is an English company, and I must confess that I have not seen their figures yet but Hal Thinglum, esteemed editor of MWAN, assures me they are quite nice. (But then what does Hal know?) They have a set of 6 packs of Japanese Infantry, with 3 figures perpack, and one pack with a HMG and crew of 4. The regular packs sell for one pound each, while the weapons pack is 1.9 pounds. If interested, write: FIGURES, ARMOR, ARTILLERY 17 Oakfield Drive Upton Heath Chester CH2 ILG United Kingdom 44-244-379-399
AHKETON: Ahketon makes many of the rarer items needed for WWII. They do a wonderful set of Russian Cavalry, and three versions of the T-26, the BT5, the BT7-1, and the BT-7-2. They also do some Italian armor and infantry, as well as a M-10 TD and a M-18 TD. Newer additions include a Polish Wz-29 Armored Car, and British A-9's and A-13 Cruiser Tanks. In addition, they do a line of building and entrenchments for the modern era. For a catalog of items and buildings, write: AHKETON RD 1, Box 125 Philadelphia, New York 13673
PLATOON 20 - RAFM - ULSTER IMPORTS: As mentionedin the last CP, these figures are now being made in Canada by RAFM They havejust come out with wonderful 9 figure set of Soviet Black Sea naval infantry. They are beautiful little figures, and paint up very well. They cost $4.50 a pack, and can be ordered from: ULSTER IMPORTS PO Box 4 Mason, IL 62443
In addition, PLATOON 20 in Northern Ireland is starting to release a 20mm line of figures for the First Indochina War, 1946 - 1954. If interested in this or any other of their many unusual lines, contact: PLATOON 20 Model Figures and Hobbies Lower Balloo Road Grmnsport, Co Down Northern Ireland BT19 2LU
RAFM RAFM is continuing to turn out vehicles in 20mm. Their current, and future list include the following:
Italian Autoblinda Armored Car - two Versions - MG
Turret and 20mm gun Turret
Italian 47mm AT gun
Italian L6 Tankette
British Staghound Armored Cars, Mk I and Mk 3
British Mark VI Tank threeversions, ie. MG. 15mm gun, and AA Model
British Bren Gun Carrier - To be redone this summer
American Sam Tank Series, including.
M5 Light Tank
M8 Assault Gun (75mm Howitzer),
USMC Satan Flamethrower,
British M3 "Honey" version.
American M-8 Greyhound Armored Car
American M-20 Scout Car
French H-39 Medium Tank
French R-35 Medium Tank
German RSO, Tractor
German 88mm AT Gun on PAK mount
German 250 Halftrack (Box version)
For additional details check with your local hobby shop or RAFM. This summer they will be adding German and British Paras to their line, as well as British Infantry for Northwest Europe 1944-45. RAFM 20 Park Hill Road East Cambridge, Ontario Canada NlR lP2
HISTORICAL PRODUCTS COMPANY: Pat Condray has acquired the rights to the old Hotspur line of Spanish Civil War Figures, and is marketing them under the title of the Historical Products Company. This is a very interesting period of history, and is due to be the subject of a future Command Post Supplement. There are currently some 35 packs of infantry, and infantry weapons available for purchase. Packs have 20 infantry for $10.00, with 6 command, or 3 LMG with crew, or 2 MMG with crew for $5.00. For a complete fist of figures, send a SASE to: HISTORICAL PRODUCTS COMPANY c/b Pat Condray 8234 Kings Arms Drive Alexandria, VA 22308
15mm
MINIATURE FIGURINES: Minifigs has issued packs of Turks and Anzacs for WW I. They will be putting out the Red Eagle line of 1/144th scale aircraft later this year, and are planning to issue some other figures for the WW I range. Details will follow at a farther date.
QUALITY CASTING: Quality Casting has continued to release new items. He now covers the war in North Africa with the release of 8th Army figures and Afrika Korps figures. Later this year he will be offering complete Command Decision sets in 15mm, i.e. a German 44 Infantry Battalion, US Infantry Battalion, etc. These sets will have everything one needs to field a complete CD unit, ie. figures, transport, and weapons. For ftirther information contact: QUALITY CASTING PO Box 11714 Alexandria, VA 22312
HORIZON BLEU MINIATURES: Horizon Bleu Miniatures continues to turn out figures for WWI. The first Turkish Field Gun and crew is finished, while the Turkish cavalry is being redone to provide them with a more irregular look. More Arabs and Senussi are being turned out, as well as British and Dominion troops to oppose them. German East Africa may be on the horizon soon, as well as more vehicles and guns. For further information contact: HORIZON BLEU MINIATURES 1312 Hawthrone Lane Glenview, IL 60025
1/285th
SIMTAC,INC: Simtac, through its subsidiary Sutton Hoo Games, has released a new set of Micro Armor rules, entitled SAND, OIL, AND BLOOD. They are, as the fide suggests, a set of rules for the late war in the gulf and 1990s. It's about 128pp long, and sells for $17.95.
Simtac is currently working on a release of some 75 new & odd vehicles, and 50 or so aircraft in their Scotia range. The new items will include vehicles and infantry for the Belgian Army of 1940, as well as the modern German and Yugoslavian Armies (or, rather, the late Yugoslavian Army) and additional items for the Gulf War, including engineer and support vehicles. For an updated list of velucles and aircraft, contact: SIMTAC, INC 20 Attawan Road Niantic, CT 06357 203-739-3609
GHQ: GHQ has redone their line of WW II Italian armor, and is including a line of Italian trucks to transport one infantry as well. In addition, they have made a number of Russian GAZ light trucks, including the GAZ AAA light truck ofone's Soviet forces. To round things out, they have also remade the Pz II, Hummel, Waspe, and Nashorn. For an updated list, contact: GHQ 2634 Bryant Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55408 612-374-2693
CinC: CinC has sent out a flyer listing several new items, including a Boston and Hudson Bomber, as well as two new German soft vehicles, including a SdKfz 9 Tractor. For additional information, contact: CinC 8090 University Ave, NE Fridley, MN 55432
Irregular Miniatures: One of the nicest lines of WWI figures that I have seen is produced by Irregular Nfiniatures. The Infantry figures are based three to a stand, while the artillery has a stand and separate weapon, which makes them ready to use for OTT The vehicles include all sorts of soft transport including carts, wagons, trucks, as well as tanks and armored cars. For a full listing contact: Irregular Miniatures 8090 University Ave, NE Fridley, MN 55432
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
BOOKS: For those looking for a source of military books, may I suggest the following two places:
ON MILITARY MATTERS 55 Taylor Terrace Hopewell, NJ 08525 609-466-2329
THE ARTICLES OF WAR 8806 Bronx Ave Skokie, IL 6OU77-1823 708-674-7445
Both companies offer multipage catalogs of items of interest to the reader of the CP.
MAGAZINES: Issue #56 of the Courier has an excellent article by Al Coughlin on the 1942 campaign in the Philippines. There are OBs for the American Philippine Division, as well as for the Philippine Army. There is a scenario for the action at Mabatang provided as well.
TERRAIN:
For those interested in improving their terrain, I would like to suggest the following items:
FLEX TERRAIN: Flex terrain is a series of roads and nvers made for wargarmg. They are made out of rubber so they will he flat over terrain, and dry have the ability to bend and form curves. The rivers/streams have banks that can be placed along the water There are sets for 25mm, 15mm, and 6mm figures. The 25" roads are 2 5/6" wide, the 15mm road set is 1 5/8" wide, while 6mm set is 15/16" wide. Small streams are 1" wide, while the wide are 2 1/2" wide. One can purchase either sets of roads/streams, or individual pieces. For further information send a SASE to: FLEX TERRAIN c/o Jim Brokaw 3611 Quail Ridge Lane Matthews, NC 28105
WOODLAND SCENICS: I picked up a pack of Woodland Scenics Trees for $11.98 at a local craftshop - with my 20mm figures. The package, stock number TR 1102, consisted of 14 plastic trees 3" to 5", along with foliage to cover them. The kits use a plastic for the tree trunks and branches which can be twisted and bent to the form that one wishes, after which one attachs the foliage with contact cement. Assembly time for the kit took about two hours spread, out over the course of a day, including attaching the bases to washers, and staining the trunks. For those looking for trees for 1/285th and 15mm, there is a package (stock number TR 1101) with 36 trees from 3/4" to 3" high.
PRODUCT LIST UPDATE
I have received an update from Frederick Kiesche III on his Modern Micro Armor Products List. The price for 1992 will be increased to $7.00. If you am interested in a complete and comprehensive list of what is out there in 1/285, including vehicles, buildings, etc. it's money well spent. Contact: Frederick Paul Kiesche III 123 Rachel Court Franklin Park, NJ. 08823
ROCCO SOURCE
For those interested in a source of ROCCO TANKS, contact: The War Institute 803 4th Street Grinnell, Iowa 50112
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© Copyright 1992 by Greg Novak.
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