Thank Heavens for Historicon!. Every year in the month of July, we are treated to a virtual explosion of new figures, books, & rule sets. 1998 has been no exception.
First on the list is OLD GLORY. They have introduced their `Phase 10' series of 25mm ancients and, not only are there an enormous variety of figures, they are all first class. The list of eras include New Kingdom Egyptians, Hittites, and Assyrians, Punic Wars Alexandrian and Indian, Thracians, Greeks, Seleucids, Sythians, Republican Romans and Carthaginians, Imperial Romans, Dacians, Parthians, Sarmatians, Late Romans, Sassanids, Goths, Huns, Franks, Lombards, Palmyrans, and Carolingians. Whew! And that does not even cover the New Landsknects and Swiss! They scale out at 25M on the Barrett scale and they appear to be free of most flash. The only downside is that all of the spears and pikes must be fabricated from your own brass or steel wire, and the hands of the figures drilled out. This is a personal view as a lot of folks have told me they were rather do this as they would not suffer broken pikes or spears from wear and tear on the wargaming table. A truly excellent effort form OLD GLORY.
As a companion to these fine figures, Warhammer has released their long awaited Ancients rules, appropriately entitled WARHAMMER ANCIENT BATTLES. After a quick read through, they appear very usable for either skirmish or larger battles. Similar to their `1644' rules, they do seem to leave room for interpretation, but they organized quite well and include chapters on making terrain and painting your figures (with beautiful color pictures showing the Perry brother's outstanding work). It might not be a bargain at $30.00, but they are definitely worth a look.
On the 20mm front, FAA has announced the release of their World War II Royal Norwegian army, German infantry in greatcoats, and the 1939-44 Italian army figures. They have also finished up their Gallant Belgian range with the release of Ardennes Rifle troops and support weapons. In the same vein, SHQ has released a very nice Belgian T-15 Tankette kit.
Also in the World War II range, Battle Honors has released their 25mm American Airborne figures which include the 82nd and 101st (in Mohawks) as well as a heavy weapons pack complete with Browning MMG, Bazooka teams (moving & firing), and mortar team. They scale out at 25M Barrett which makes a little smaller and lighter than the existing First Corp figures and they are a little `Tinny' in appearance and texture, but the variety of poses and facial expressions is outstanding. Plus they are the first American figures to be released in this era and scale. Also soon to be out is the Battle Honors vehicles to go with the figures. They are releasing a Tiger, six different 251 halftracks, an M-3 halftrack, T34/76 & 85, T-60 & 70, an SU-85, and German and Russian Anti-tank guns & crews. More on these next time..
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