Keith Perks

Two items I thought might interest YOU

1. The formation of a new free information exchange on the internet for those interested in Victorian uniforms. For further information mail victorian-uniforms- request@lists.best.com with the single line "info"

2. Must declare my interest here as my company Thin Red Line have a new website which I'm Sure YOU Will find interesting. Even if you don't want to buy anything! Website address: http: //wWW. users.global net.co.uk/-thinred

Best wishes

Thanks for the info.

Patrick Wilson

Sorry I've not written you sooner, but I'll have to hide behind the weak-but-true defense that I've been swamped lately.

I only wanted to thank you for your kind mention of BY JINGO! in each issue of The Heliograph and printing even my most obscure notices to the News Group. By doing so you keep the lights on over here and let people find us, and for that, if nothing else, I will always be grateful.

I would love to give you the "other" Richard Brooks' e- mail address, but he is not on line!

You can get messages to him (and possibly material) by writing to his friend, Mr. Bob Cordery who is listed (with e-mail address) among the Contributors and at his website for Wargamcs Developments, also on the LinksPage. Apparently, to be named "Richard Brooks" is to be creative, charming, and charitable. Indeed, maybe you both are the same fellow....

The latest Issue of The Heliograph is excellent and the review of AK-47 Republic was especially useful as I have heard much but seen little about it. I may just have to buy the damn thing for myself! The Ashanti article and rules are neat and I'm Kelley Green that You got 'em!

Ever the slave of duty, I hereby forward to you this news Item which rightly belongs in the next Issue of The Heliograph!

----- Original Message --- --

From: Lori Brom
To: patrick.wilson@cwix.com
Date: Tuesday, April 27,1999 8:32 PM
Subject: [Fwd: Mid-Year 1999 Release for TSATF/20th]

Could you please post this on my TSATF site when you get a chance.

TSATF/20th Anniversary Edition Scheduled for MidYear 1999

Twenty years after its initial release, THE SWORD AND THE FLAME will be available in an updated edition that will be bigger and better than ever. Included in this Anniversary Edition will be "THE SWORD IN AFRICA", a unique variant of TSATF allowing for gaming of the African Explorations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In the future, gamers can expect the release of an expanded version of the currently out of print, CHASSEPOT AND NEEDLEGUN, now encompassing the European wars of 1854, 1859, 1866 as well as 1870.

Also underway is a battalion-level British Colonial Wars rules set, as yet unnamed. The design of these new rules is a direct result of the massive armies created by gainers using TSATF who desire something above skirmish-level rules.

AND THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS ... /Publishing Division and Larry Brom eagerly anticipate publishing these future releases. According to designer Brom, "If you thought TSATF was radically different when it came out, just wait. Remember, I've been playing with lead soldiers for 45 years, so after observing and participating in countless games, it appears to me that for some reason game rules have reached a plateau of sameness. This too, shall pass."

Contact:

And that's the way it was...

URL - http://www.thewayitwas.com

Email - loribrom@thewayitwas.com or lorbrom@Interpath.com

Anyway, my issue #112 was actually numbered "110", which was a bit confusing, however I eventually figured it out and it was, as I tried to say, one of the best issues in a while with a good variety of ideas. I still say I especially appreciate the Ashanti article and rules ideas.

I'm learning what you and other editors go through to make these things fly and, consequently, I am much busier than I really wish to be and just don't find the time or energy to respond to each issue as I once did and help you out with a little "filler" by way of my comments.

Please just keep doing what you're doing! The Heliograph is still more valuable to me than even the MWAN, so just keep crankin' 'em out.

Glad you weren't too confused, thanks for the info on TSATF

Aaron Liebling

I'm still reading Heiiograph through magweb... I really do plan on getting a paper subscription soon but you know how these things go (not really an excuse, but I have to try!).

I wanted to pass along word of a new mailing list that I've started up solely to discuss Victorian/Colonial uniforms. Although the emphasis is on British and British-colonial uniforms, we're glad to discuss just about any type. There are some definite experts on the list who are glad to answer qucstions/debate details It's been a great resource for getting communication going between Colonials fans around the world.

Anyone is welcome to join (it's free). All one needs to do is send an email to: victorian-uniforms-request@lists.best.com with the single line "subscribe" in the body. Although a good chunk of the subscribers ard reenactors, there are a few miniature's people as well (and lots of folks like myself who do both!).

Glad to see Heliograph chugging along successfully!

Aaron readers like you keep the Heliograph high on magwebs charts thank You

Ian Knight

Many thanks for the latest Heliograph, which I have enjoyed browsing, as ever.

I am thrown into a fit of guilty conscience by your comment that Age of Empires has not appeared for a while. Although Dave Ryan's publishing schedule tends to be a little eccentric, the fault on this occasion is definitely mine. I've been so preoccupied for the last nine months that I've let it slip horribly - in apologies to all subscribers.

However, I have just sent the copy for the next issue off to Dave, and he tells me he does intend to continue publishing. The next issue should contain a colour spread on the January re-enactment of Isandlwana.

Did you know 1st Corps have launched a range of' Cape Frontiers Wars figures in 25mm? At present only a few Brits and Xhosa warriors are available, but an extensive range is planned, including Cape Mounted Rifles. I think this is quite exciting, as the Frontier Wars deserve to be much better known. At some point I hope to write a few magazine article for wargamers about them.

Lastly, can I plug a couple of my own books, which so far don't seem to have got much publicity? At the end of last year I had Great Zulu Battles published - a study of ten Zulu battles, from the 1830s through to 1906. It includes the obvious 1879 ones - Isandlwana, Hlobane, Khambula - but quite a few unusual ones, which hopefully might lead garners off into new directions. It's illustrated with photos and maps, and published by Arms and Armour Press. And earlier this year from the same publisher I had the companion piece, Greatt Zulu Commanders - a look at ten of the great Zulu commanders, from Shaka through to the 1906 Rebellion.

Hope that's of interest.

You bet it's of interest. I have not seen these books listed but will keep an eye out and let the readers know where to purchase them. Anyone want to write a review of these books send it in.

John Baxter

Review of one of the latest Sudan books follows. I noticed that you were talking about some Foundry pirates in the last edition. I am sending you some 25mm pirates designed here by a bloke called Mike Broadbent and cast/sold by Nic Robson of Eureka Miniatures (he casts all Gerry Webb's figures). I know that they aren't quite our period, but they are really nice figures with excellent weapon and arms swaps.

I managed to borrow Nic's copies of the two latest Foundry books which you reviewed last time and I can only agree on your thoughts. I had never really thought of the Boxer Rebellion or Taiping Rebellion, but I've now borrowed a book on Frederick Ward. I hope I can avoid temptation.

I have just finished painting a heap of figures for a Darkest Africa participation game at this months Western Suburbs Open Day, which will be based loosely on the Stanley scenario I wrote in Issue 110. Next plan is a Masai v Zanzibaris at Mombassa extravaganza.

I bought a copy of Service and Adventure with The Khakee Ressalah or Meerut Volunteer Horse (Indian Mutiny) which was reviewed in the last SOTQ. It is an A4 typewritten copy with some of the original prints. An interesting idea and well worthwhile when the original sells for about 600 pounds!

Nic Robson also has the whole Vallejo paint range which are sensational. A huge varieties of colours which leave any other acrylic for dead. I can see myself replacing all my Citadel acrylics and Humbrol enamels over the next 12 months or so.

Any one know if Vallejo paint range is available here, I cannot remember seeing it? As always thanks for the info John.

TO: Uniformology 5-9-99

Gentlemen

Being an avid collector of Colonial period materials for reading, research and editor of The Heliograph Newsletter for Colonial gamers etc. I was most interested when I saw your Moritz Ruhl The German Army - Colonial Troops and ordered it from Dennis Shorthouse, On Military Matters.

I thought the presentation and drawings were just great, however, since I already had a copy of the originals I compared them. Your colors are off quite a bit particularly on the following plates R-27- 2, R-27-3, and R-27-4. According to my source material, besides the Moritz Ruhl plates I have all show fieldgreen or even blue cords not green. I wrote a review of the booklet stating so and also wrote that I would contact you for some sort of explanation of the off colors.

I would appreciate an answer to print in the next issue of the Heliograph, 21 June, as a large number of my readers are interested in these uniform plates considering the up coming issue of the Foundry's German African figures.

I would also like to know if you have any plates or booklets on French, Belgian or Italian Colonial troops as they might be a good bet for the Foundry's continuing Darkest Africa figure line.

sincerely, Richard Brooks

Philip Cranz, Uniformology 5-9-99

Speak of the devil- Just happened to be finishing up some stuff on line- I have just redone the book- the originals being quite old and not printed on the best paper we have just done some rescans- if you will send me your address I would like to send you a couple of samples before we reissue the book- I am finishing the Italian army of' 1890 and the Spanish Army of 1896- I also have quite a few more plates of the German Colonials and lots of Marines and Naval troops of the period. Please feel free to give me a call at the office on our toll free line- 1-888-806- 2196.

Forgot to mention we are also doing a number of Brits from Simkin and Indian Army as well.

5-12-99

Have revisions to send to you if you will send a mailing address- P. Cranz

5-13-99, P Cranz I greatly appreciate this Richard Brooks RT 6 Box 771 Saluda SC 29138

5-14-99 I will have a set in the mail to you today- let me know what you think.

5-17- 99 Will let you know When I receive them. I tried calling last week several times but got no answer, when are you in to talk to?? for the Heliograph review. Richard

5-17-99 Am here most of the time between 7:30 and 5:30 cdt

Well here it is 6-20-99 and I still have not received anything from Uniformology, I will let you draw your own conclusions.

John Baxter

The VMS site is a One.List thing where you need to be logged on the site by Dave Baltes, the site organiser. Its easy, just email Dave on DBaltes@aol.com

Patrick Wilson

I have just been informed by Mr. Richard Houston that as of TODAY he has discontinued casting his Colonial Artillery line ("Big Sticks"). Orders for existing stocks will continue to be filled, but once gone they will Join the Dinosaurs and Clinton's virginity in the Museum of What Once Was.

Pre-orders are HIGHLY recommended now. Please don't send payment until you know what you want is on hand.

Further, I ask that you all disseminate this news ASAP to your own and direct any queries to me.

John Baxter

A couple of queries:

Do you, or any Heliograph reader, know of - any manufacturer who makes African "acacia" type trees? Has anyone out there made some themselves. I don't think tLt the normal trees made by most suppliers fit the bill for an East African savannah environment;

Have any readers out there run a participation style game where the irregular or native side is controlled by the players? The traditional multi-player game in our period normally pits small groups of regular troops, each controlled by a different player, against a wily tribal foe controlled by the umpire, cards or any other such mechanism. What I want to do is run a Masaal v Zanzibaris game where the players control the Masaal and the Zanzibarls are run by the umpire. Can anyone help with game mechanism where the Masaal players dont have too much control over what their forces do?

Any responses would be appreciated to baxterj@mpx.com.au

On another note, I have just Joined the Indian Military Historical Society. It releases a journal called Durban every two months. Last issue (Vol 16 No 1) included a review of "Frontier and Overseas Expeditions from India" (orig pub 1908), an investigation of the Chillianwalla table of the 24th Foot and The Battle of Chillianwallah. Well worth joining for readers especially interested in India.

Enquiries should be sent to the Treasurer, John Tamplin at 10 Hugh St, Victoria, London SW1V 1RP, UK or the Secretary/Editor A.N. MMcClenaghan, 33 High St, Tilbrook, Huntington, Cambs., PE18 OJP, UK.

We ran the test run our Darkest Africa game today and it went well.

The pirates aren't bad are they! We ran our Darkest Africa participation game at the Western Suburbs Club open day a couple of weeks ago and it was a success. It was based on the Stanley skirmish I wrote about in Heliograph 110 and involved two groups of six Askaris trying to retrieve some lost bullocks/baggage from villages at opposite ends of the table with points earned for getting men, bearers/herd boys and the Leader figure back in the village in one piece. I have attached the scenario for your interest for other readers if you see fit. The Chance cards give the game some flavour and allow for random appearance of groups of Rugas and tribesmen (spear, bow and musket armed). I place these on the table at random locations in groups of 4-6 figures, usually designed to cause maximum grief to the two players. The two players should start from a village in the middle edge of a 6x8 ft table with the two target villages at either corner. The loads/bullocks should be placed in the villages and once the Askari groups reach the village they must spend one move locating the goods. The umpire shouldn't place any unpleasant surprises in the village itself.

The game is designed to last around 45-60 minutes and should be controlled by the umpire as a quick fun game. We had the benefit of more Wes Palmer designed terrain which made the table a spectacular sight. I was able to get some excellent palm and banana trees from a toy shop which, repainted and based, looked very effective.

You will note a Chance card involving Tippu Tib, Zanzibaris and three phrases in Arabic. These I obtained from an Arabic dictionary and I attracted some strange looks from the bookshop staff whilst hastily scribbling them down!

The game was run six times over the day with most players getting some points, usually at the sacrifice of two or three askaris who were left to fight off hordes of tribesmen. The Askarl groups have the benefit of moving second/firing first, but the umpire should use common sense when figures move in and out of cover, or attempt to outrun natives. The Askaris have a higher base factor than the others which gives them an advantage, but beware the spear-armed natives who can very quickly make a mess. Melee is simultaneous. All of this brings me to my point. This game was designed to use small groups of figures fighting other smaller groups, usually one group at a time, but occasionally two groups. There are no morale checks. What I want to do next is a larger game with the following rough OBs:

Zanzibanis 16 Arabs

Say 10 Askaris 2 guns Ruga or warlord 16 Ruga, plus say 10 more Askaris 16 tribal spearman 8 tribal bow 8 tribal muskets

Each side would be split into 3-4 rough groups with leaders.

I don't want to use individual quality factors for each figure (Le D12 for Elite, D6 for novices as per Warpaint or Sons of the Desert rules - this would involve too much record keeping), but I do want to fire figures individually with different weapons (Le some Arabs will have Martinis or Winchesters).

I do want to use morale checks, but on a group basis and I want some random movement.

What rule set does that sound like to you? TSATF? When is this being re-released and where can I get it from?

I have gamed the native with players while - the regulars were either umpire controlled or by players. I have used both TSATF and Sons of the Desert with no changes to rules. I think that the Rules with No Name would also work using the Indians variant.

As to Acacia trees, no sorry. See letters above concerning TSATF. The system described sounds similar to TSATF. Palm and Banana Trees how can I get some have seen few palm trees and no Bananas but would like both to add to the jungle and the Banana wars scenarios. John sent the rules and they will appear in an up-coming issue.

Tranks for the info on the Indian Military Historical Society I will drop them a line.

Patrick Wilson

Please forgive my mass mailing, but this is the new Wargames And Military History Resource Engine which is just starting and promises to be an excellent "one-stop shopping center" for the widest possible range of topics of interest to us all.

Yes! BY JINGO! is on it! Patrick Wilson http://cgi.britishwargames.force9.co.uk/pages/

Ron Lizorty

Many thanks for your input about the "unidentified" Gilder figure I inquired about. I plan to order them soon as money permits.

I was able to take advantage of the Heliograph discount with the Foundry figures- what a great deal that was!

I'm hoping to wargame the Little Big Horn struggle around the 25th of June-using the Guernsey figures with Gilder and Old Glory to fill in. I'm told the Guernsey/Foundry is planning to add on to their Old West Line. I would assume they'll add on the Old West Characters- making mounted counterparts- whatever they do, it'll be before the year is out- hope they do more 7th Cav/Indians.

The Darkest Africa range has a number of figures that can be used for Sudan personalities- such as a Frank Powers type (with Gordon's stewart aboard the steamcr) and other civilians -the Askarl will work for Gordon's men, if using Redoubt's Ansar/Dervish as the enemy.

In putting together a campaign of the early Sudan-with Egyptians vs. Ansar-and leading up to the British entering the fray- I've been able to find that posts/garrisons were in Sermar, Tokar, Dongala, Berber, Sinkat, El Obeid. I wonder where others should be (if any)? Prehaps you or a subscriber might know? The areas I listed will probably suffice for wargaming purposes, don't you think?

Are you in need of more covers for the Heliograph? If so, let me know what subject matter- Sudan, Zulu, Boxer, etc.

I'm somewhat disappointed in what photos I've seen of the Old Glory Fuzzies- they're somewhat stocky it seems-I had hoped they would've done some Fuzzles hamstringing while lying on the ground (a favorite practice when being attacked by cavalry), I don't think there are any at a full tilt run either.

A little tidbit of info gleamed from a scene in the silent The Four Feathers (by the way, the climatic battle takes place during the 1884-1885 period) the Fuzzies ride to the battle on camels - then dismount- and then charge on foot against the square/ They come on so fast that the two lines of British get one or two volleys off before they're swamped by the Dervish -something to keep in mind whan wargaming.

Keep up the fine work.

I always need covers such as Darkest Africa Spanish-American War Sudan NWF Any would be fine the readers always have positive comments.

Edward Mikus

It was nice to meet you at the recent HMGS Cold Wars. Apparently our interest in lead figures began at the same time with Jack Scruby, but I suspect I was a little older. With a family to support my salary must have been more that 10 to 25 cents per hour.

You requested a brief article on our trip to Zululand. I hope the enclosed is sufficient. There is much to see as to sites-which in time may disappear-but very little in standing structures. I suspect the number of tourists willing to go over rough ground in hot and humid weather is limited. The cost of properly securing and maintaining the sites may not be economical when basic services are needed for the general population.

I was glad to go. The accomodations were on the whole very good as was the food, out guides and tour members-one from Wales and eight from all over England. It was not a vacation in the normal sense.

Ian Knight has written books about so many aspects of the Zulu War that it must come to an end soon. I suggested that he do something on the South African Cape Frontier Wars. Brookhurst Hobbies carries some figures (25mm) in a line by Ist Corps. More to come I recommend them.

You have done an excellent piece of work witht he Heliograph. I am fortunate to have all the issues from #1.

It is always nice to meet readers, Obviously your great tales of Zululand trip warrented my asking for the article. I wish I could afford to go. It Is always sad to hear that a country does not have sufficient funding to keep up their parks and historic areas. I hope that South Africa becomes able to afford its' own history before it's too late.

Joseph Seliga

I enjoy reading the articles in every issue. I thank you for the time spent by you in getting the issues together and mailed. I only wish the gentlemen who took over the Savage and Soldier from Milton Soong was able to do the same. The only thing he did was to take the resubscription money of myself and I'm sure many others. Do you have any information on the status of the Savage and Soldier. Will it ever be continued?

Thank you for sending me the four Ruga-Ruga characters. They are lovely figures and will paint up beautifully using the cover of the Foundry's catalog and the article in MWAN as guides. They will then become part of the local opposition either, to the German or the British colonials as the need arises.

Check number 20. in the Intelligence section. This the only way to see S&S now. It is sad because not everyone has access.

Ron Lizorty

Enclosed you'll find some notes about what I choose for color schemes when painting Sudan War figures. Having been a professional comercial artist for some 20 years, this experience perhaps gives me an added advantage as to what colors give the right impression to the eye.

Is Greg Rose a subscriber? He used to do wonderful drawings for Savage and Soldier and would like to see him do some for the Heliograph.

Does any reader happen to have any photos of Duke Siegfried's Aztec Wargames? I'd sure like to see some.

No, sorry, Greg Rose is not a subscriber. I have seen a couple of Duke games (amazing) but not the Aztecs, anyone else??? Thanks for the article, good stuff!