Paul and I attended the TRIPLES show at Sheffield in March, being kindly put up for the weekend by John and Amanda Watson of Glossop. You may have unwittingly seen us running our public participation game '10 Minutes At Agincourt' (which incidentally won third prize), on behalf of the Lance and Longbow Society in the control hall. I normally thoroughly enjoy Sheffield and my enjoyment this year was only marginally marred by the poor attendance, which was causing glum faces all round. If takings by the traders and various societies are anything to go by then numbers were down by half, with the blame placed both on a home match and a rugby international. Incidentally, I noticed an apparent drop in the number of mature gamers, those who may be home owners, perhaps with families who might be finding things a bit tighter this year. Game Displays Of the game displays, my favourite was Acocks Green Guards, Seven Years War Siege. A well constructed 15mm town defended by Vauban fortifications was under attack by beautifully pointed troops struggling through siege trenches, it wasn't on too grandiose a scale either, and it didn't seem impossible for one or two enthusiasts to construct for themselves. The Struggle For Stettin, April 1945, was a beautifully drab WW2 Eastern Front game set in a town. There was a model railway and a tram with overhead cables as well. In the river, which was the gap mode between two tables, a fantastically realistic destroyer (?) gave fire support. Well done! A 15mm Samurai game had good visual appeal, as did 15mm Chickamauga, ACW. The Battle of Tewkesbury was fought over wonderfully sculpured terrain, but there just weren t enough troops to cover the wide expanse of table. Humberside Worgame Society's 15mm Napoleonic game demonstrated the drawbacks of using computer rules anywhere but in the home, as the operator sat glued to the monitor from which protruded a large cable running to the mains and hod to be judiciously avoided. Breakfast in the Bastion had another outing of Sheffield and was still hilariously funny. Gamers role-playing French Musketeers were seen stuffing dry crackers into their mouth's as fast as they could, whilst at the same time trying to say "Load the musket", only to be handed on envelope or something similar as their words were almost unintelligible. If you see it at a show near you, give it a try! News and Gossip At least without the crush, it was possible to inspect latest releases more thoroughly and have a good chat with the traders and manufacturer's without being politely pushed to one side because there were another dozen gamers clamouring to be parted from their money. I had a long chat with Janet and Steve from S.D.D. of Wolverhampton who you have probably seen advertising Dad's Army (Home Guard) figures and equipment. They were full of enthusiasm and eager for ideas on expanding existing lines and starting new ranges. They were showing me their new 16mm Chinese Junk, Pirate's ship and Naval gunboat. I convinced them to produce a medieval cog or two for use with Might and Main, Freezywater Publication's medieval naval rules. They also had the start of a comprehensive range of Spanish Civil War vehicles in 20mm and are looking for a scupltor to begin a complimentary range of figures. Steve admitted that no matter how hard he tried, the figures he sculpted invariably turned out like a Spanish 'Home Guard' ('Antes de comenze, puedo ir a servicio Senor Mainwairing?'). Worth sending for a list to: 40 Coatway Road, Wolverhampton, WV3 7LZ. Still on the Spanish Civil War theme, Matchlock Miniatures (Partisan Press) and F.A.A. (MLR) will both be producing ranges towards the end of the year. The MLR figures will hove many variants and this time heavy weapons and artillery are promised. It's rumoured that The Old Glory Corporation (no less than 13 drummers and 20 wounded in a bag of 100 15mm 1745 English) will be importing the old Hotspur range by the late Dave Allsop, now only available in the U.S.. For those of you interested in the period there's a good, informal and occasional newsletter "El Aficionado" available from Brian Cunniffe, 9 Alderwood, Chinehorn, Basingstoke, Hants. RG24 BTU. I believe that It's free, but sending a book of stamps would be a nice gesture. If S.D.D. were said to be enthusiastic then Rob Baker of 1ST CORP'S was bordering on the fanatical. He has brought out the first in a 25mm range for the Mexican-American War 1846-48. These figures are superb and really feel like they give you value for money at SOp each. There are 14 Mexican and 23 US Infantry types to date with the first of the cavalry and artilleryreleosee. Each figure has up to four head and equipment variations, and I can see this range taking priority over their new Seven Years War in India range this year. Of the latter I recommend CS31 British Infantry March Attack for any SYW or Jacobite Rebellion gamers, again a superb figure. More details are available from 44 Cheverton Avenue, Withemsea, North Humberside HU19 2HP. Peter Helm of Redoubt Enterprises is one of the nice blokes of the hobby. He has always tried to make time to talk to me at the shows. He is helpful, knowledgeable and eager to please, a true professional amongst so many amateurs. I must admit that I wasn't Impressed by Redoubt's original Colonial range, the figures just looked that something. However, they have been maturing as the range has expanded and certainly the latest Zulu War releases which Include personalities, figures and accessories for Rorkes Drift are excellent. I urged Pete to odd personalities (mounted and dismounted variants) for the death of the Prince Imperial to his range. The photographs I've seen of his English Civil War range just do not do the figures justice. Seeing them in the 'lesh'so to speak, I was grateful that I'd left the other credit card back in Aberdeen with Heather. The most realistic and accurate range of ECW figures in ANY scale to my mind. There's even one pikeman in the push of pike, turned round pushing with his book leaning hard against those facing the front. Go see them for yourself. One trader did manage to stop me dead and empty my wallet then and there. B&B Miniatures of Hull have introduced a new range of 20mm Russian Revolutionary figures and equipment. Red Guard, Whites, Bolshevik's, Czech Legion, Cossacks and more, with machine guns, artillery, limbers, flags, rules and uniform charts. The detail on the figures is very good and again has matured and improved since their Colonial World War One releases 1 or 2 years ago. This is a fascinating period which can be fought on the grand scale, at dlvlslonalbrigode or on the skirmish level. They are looking Into expanding to cover Interventionist nations and the Russo - Polish War of 1920. Now WHY can't other manufacturer's do this? Everything you need as a wargamer to launch into a new and under researched period. I find myself regularly infuriated by manufacturers who bring out just an infantryman, officer and drummer for each side of some obscure war, proclaiming it as an exciting new period, but who will wait to see customer demand before expanding the range. If they don't have faith in their new range why should I? B&B should be congratulated and I hope, supported by a good number of you. 37 The Queensway, Hall Road, Hull HUB 9BH. Chariot Miniatures are working on 10mm Mahdist and if demand is there, a 10mm Rorkes Drift set. 15mm Medievals will be appearing later this year. Irregular Miniatures had 20mm Eastern Front partisans and Schuma types on their stand and very nice 6mm Boxers and Colonial Highlanders. Old Glory have some new 25mm Nonnans, Saxons and Vikings, all very nice figures, I'll be seriously looking at the Normans this summer. SHO, Drews Militia and Britannia Miniatures all shared the same hall with North Hull Wargames Clubs huge and well executed D-Day game. 20mm D-Day ranges were as expected to the fore. Over the coming months there will be every conceivable D-Day/N-W Europe 1944 figure on the market. Drews Militia get a special mention as they have brought out 1940 Belgians and German paratroopers of Assault Detachment Koch for Ebon Emael scenarios. Perhaps David Barnes' glider landing system from Arnhem Lift in Lone Warrior 106 can be used here Mmmm? John Bruce as cheerfully professional as ever, was in the main hall with Figures, Arms, Artillery (MLR) 20mm World War Two figures. Some of the packs have been changed, and both the US and Japanese Infantry are being withdrawn in June for re-modelling. 1943-46 Germans are ready and US Paratroopers should be available before June. Commandos and Chindits are expected to appear before the end of the year. A pack of 3 Infantrymen is still reasonable at £ 1.05, considering the quality of these figures. I bought the beginnings of a 1940 French Infantry Regiment for Command Decision, and am now wondering about using them for World War One, and in fact WW2. French khaki is similar to the 'mustard' worn by the Foreign Legion in WW1. Second hand traders were out in force this year. A second hand copy of Osprey's Men At Arms series The Wild Geese had a £ 15 price tag. A conversation overheard at one major second hand dealer... "I've done this for 10 years. An armed robber gets less and doesn't have to do the hard labour". Make sure that you check second hand purchases carefully before you buy. One gamer bought a boardgame only to find there weren't any playing pieces once he'd got it back to his table. Well, that was Sheffield. All said and done, a well rounded show with something for everyone. See you there next year! Reporters Are there any brave hearts out there who would like to be reporters for THE GAUNTLET? Reporting in an informal way on wargame shows, with news and gossip from both traders and the gaming public. Perhaps someone from the South-East and another for the Midlands and North. I am limited by both work and geography as to which shows I can attend. Aberdeen to Manchester being a 6 - 7 hour drive, even Edinburgh is over two hours away) More News... I was in London due to a training course a few weeks book and toured the second hand book shops in Charing Cross Road. My favourite just across the rood from Leicester Square Underground, seems to have changed hands and the prices have risen steeply, a quick exit was required. Slightly further up was one selling publisher's remainders and here I bought KINGS IN CONFLICT, The Revolutionary War in Ireland 1689-1750 by W.A.Mogulre, and THE WAR OF THE ROSES by John Gillingham for around 11the pair. From Motor Books in St. Martins Court, a military book meow, I brought home THE ANATOMY OF VICTORY, Battle Tactics 1689-1783 by Brent Nosworthy, of 14.99. This is a MUST for anyone who is interested in late C17th and C18th warfare. Had it had been available 8 years ago, then my 25mm 1690 Wlillamite armies would be three times the size they are today. It has everything from the position arms were carried in the attack, to have a regiment crossed a bridge and formed on the other side (makes an interesting little gamette), and more.... Tumbling Dice Miniatures, who used to go under the name Old Contemptibles have greatly expanded their WW1, 20mm ranges. From German and French mountain troops to Doughboys and Turks with appropriate machine guns and artillery too, in a variety of headgear. 96 Sondfleld Rood, Arnold Nottingham NG5 6QJ. There's 25% off till the end of June, so hurry. Cameron Robinson of Frei Korps sent me a fax (somebody takes us seriouslyl) with the latest releases from M1rlifon, for whom he's the agent. 25mm Celts, Vikings, Saxons and Normans. The Dark Age figures all come with separate heads and weapons for greater variety. in 15mm the excellent little range of Condottieri has been increased by 2 packs of Hungarian horse archers and four personality command packs, including Micheletto Attendoo and Federico li do Montefefiro. Stop Press.... Word is that Ocen filer Models UK Ltd, are looking into producing a new largely fantasy magazine following the success of their newsletters. If their figures are indicative of the quality they'll put into their magazine, then LOOK OUT White Dwarf. On the subject of fantasy, of late there's been only silence from the Independent Roleplayers. If anyone has any news can you please get in touch. Also on the society front, The Solo Wargamer's Association is still alive and kicking. Kenn Hart (Secretary & Editor), whom I spoke to briefly at Sheffield, as he was being industrious behind the Village Green trade stand, is looking forward to having Lone Warrior 107 out in June. £ 12 for 4 Issues, more details from Kenn at 14 Gallows Hill, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 1RF. Back to The Gauntlet No. 1 Table of Contents Back to The Gauntlet List of Issues Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 1994 by Craig Martelle Publications This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com