1. Wargames Illustrated, issue 178 I suppose the most interesting ad is Copplestone’s Back of Beyond: Daredevil Adventure in the 1920s – The East Ablaze, Central Asia. I like this time period, it is not quite Victorian Colonial but the flavor certainly is. See the figure review.

The Chiltern Miniatures ad has a nice close-up photograph of jungle for their Vietnam range, the jungle plants are made from aquarium plastic plants – very nice.

There is only one colonial article this issue but two others are of interest. “Hour of the Gun – A Western gunfight mini-campaign” by Mike Blake (a rules set, nice photos, interesting rules) and “The Battle of Voltuno 1860” by Riccardo Cappelli (the battle, OB, notes for wargaming – very nice, nice map – scenario set up for Warring Empires). The Colonial article “Naval Battles of the Russio-Japanese War – part 1 (part 2 next issue) includes brief descriptions of the engagements, lists of major vessels involved and a brief wargaming section. Both parts are well worth reading if you are into naval actions.

Issue 179

“The East Ablaze, 1919-1926: Some ideas and army lists for a Central Asia Campaign” part 1 by Chris Peers (does this man really exist or is it several people who write under this name, he seems never to quit with great stuff). This article is based on using Contemptible Little Armies (I just bought a copy through Copplestone and will report on it in a future issue). I really like the choice of photos in the article that discusses the Bolsheviks, White Russians and the Army of Baron Von Ungren-Sternberg, very useful information for understanding the period and area. Nice ad page for Copplestone Figures.

There is also a very nice article on a terrain system by Peter Goss.

“From our special correspondent in Darkest Africa The Battle of Ngazia, June 1886” by Chris Peers (see there has got to be more than one Chris Peers writing this stuff). The scenario, while written for “In the Heart of Africa” rules could be used with TSATF – good scenario, well worth using.

Issue 180

Two articles this issue, are well worth reading (this first article I have my eye on for future gaming, as soon as I get my FFL and Mexicans painted)”Skirmish Scenarios: Three scenarios for playing in the Mexican War of 1861-1867” by Andrew Barrow.

Silver train – get the train from the mine off the table, Wagon Train – get the wagon train to the troops, and At the Bridge – destroy the bridge and stores. With the article are three-color photos from a Maxmillian Adventure put on by the Derby Wargames Club.

“The East Ablaze 1919-1926: Some Ideas and Army lists for a Central Asia Campaign, The Army Lists part 2” by Chris Peers. The list this issue includes: Chinese Warlords, The Bismachis (Muslims with a hatred of Russians), Afghan Army, Japanese Army, The Bandits, Dinosaur Hunters and The Campaign. And no the Dinosaurs hunters are after the skeletal remains not real ones, although that might be interesting. Again this is very nice stuff.

2. Military Classics Illustrated, Summer 2002.

This issue contains four slightly off topic articles two concerning Custer, “The Villista Soldiers in Sombreros and Suit Coats” by Phil Spengenberger, this is a great article with wonderful photos. And finally, “Sun Talker: The US Army Heliograph” by John Langellier a great article with photos. This contains enough information to write a section of special rules for TSATF, very good! I am giving myself too many ideas.

3. Soldiers of the Queen, issue 109

As always SOTQ has loads of great articles to read, nothing really spectacular – there are a few ideas for scenarios and a very nice period map of Afghanistan and Northern India. The most interesting article of the issue, to me, is “Four Feathers, a new film version” by Graham Gillmore (of the Die Hards). The article includes some nice photos, as well as text. Some colonialwars Yahoo Group individuals have mentioned seeing the trailers in England for the September opening and said the movie looks great.

The 1930 something version of The Four Feathers along with Gunga Din and The Charge of the Light Brigade brought me into Colonial Gaming 45 years ago and I’m still going strong, this should help keep the interest up.

4. The Four Feathers and The Lost World

Two of my favorite books made into movies are on tap to show within two weeks of each other. The Four Feathers movie is scheduled to open in the US on 20 September. The Lost World BBC production is scheduled to air on the A&E channel beginning (two episodes) on 6 October. Both A.E.W. Mason and A. Conan Doyle have new editions of these books available in the bookstores.

5. MWAN issue 118

Well no Colonial articles this issue, there is a favorable review of Monday Knight Production’s (Geo-Hex) Banana War Range by Darryl R. Smith. These are 25mm figures that will, because the actual people involved but not the Americans are generally of smaller stature, fit with 28mm figures. A good read as always, well-done Hal.

6. Lone Warrior issue LW139

While there is nothing Colonial there are two articles of interest. “Let Jesse Rob the Train” by Marvin Scott a western scenario, interesting ideas for the planning stages adaptable to most any period. “Solo Hidden Movement: A Waste of Time?” by Nic Birt. A well reasoned article worth reading.

LW has increased its price for the first time since 1995 going from $20 to $25 for four issues, still well worth the money for a good read.

7. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, volume II

This comic is always full of VicSciFi ideas, the volume begins of Mars with John Carter (of Edgar Rice Burroughs fame) and will eventually bring in Wells’ War of the Worlds. Nice characters, artwork etc. An interesting read.

8. Miniature Wargames, issue 230

This is the June issue, I thought that the April issue had some Colonial stuff in it and went looking but could not find anything colonial in the April issue but this had so….

“Queen Victoria’s Army and the Battle of Rorke’s Drift 22nd-23rd January 189” by Gary Mitchell. If you never read anything about Rorke’s Drift this should be a good starting point, it’s brief but good. There are five color drawings of British Soldiers and Sailor and a Gatling gun as well as a color photo from a Sudan Game. Very nice article, with a good map of the buildings at the Drift for the game table.

9. Castaway Arts, PO Box 7599 Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia,

email: sales@castawayarts.com.au Figures are available in the US from Brigade Games.

The latest from Gerry ‘down under’ are his British Camel Corps for the Sudan. I have not seen them yet but they look good on the web site. There are three definite figures for the Camel Corps (those wearing goggles) DC3 at the ready, DC7 advancing, and DC10 mounted trooper.

Three other figures are mounted DC 8 and 9 troopers and DC11 an Officer. The troops are $2.05 AUD each and the camels, previously reviewed, are $4.15 each. Each of the troopers comes with a separate weapon.

I am not sure I like the stance of DC3, but the Officer DC1 looks outstanding. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Gerry must have read my mind when I was thinking about a Sudan Campaign and needing a few coys of British Camel Corps several months ago when I ordered all those Egyptian and Fuzzy Camel figs. Well, this will make me actually figure out how many more camels I need as well as ordering a unit or two since I already have one, from Connoisseur or Hinchcliffe I think.

10. And That’s the Way it Was. 213 3rd Street NE, Hickory, NC 28601-5124

http://www.thewayitwas.com Voice: 828.324.0751 Fax: 828.324.6486

From a Z Shop at http://www.amazon.com/shops/loribrom

I purchased (look under Toys and Games) "The Sword in Palestine - WWI in the Desert and The Sword in Mexico - French Intervention   1863-67”, and "The Sword in the Philippines - The Moro Rebellion” for $5 each plus $1 postage. There are several other titles which includes: "The Sword and The Pike" - Early Renaissance "The Sword, Cross and Gold" - Conquistadors & Aztecs "The Sword in India" - Indian Mutiny 1857-58

11. Foundry, 23-34 St. Marks Street, Nottingham NG3 1DE

Foundry sent me a copy of their Compendium and Painting Guide as a promotion to test their new web site. I am glad I did not purchase this when it first came out as it contains no colonial figures, it is only their latest offerings from past ads. Color printing is not cheap so this cost a bundle, but I think the money could have been better spent. I will say that it is very attractive, nice figures, if you like this stuff, excellently painted and packs nicely layed out. But at $2.25 to $3 a figure I am not likely to buy stuff I really don’t want I don’t care how well painted it is. If you like the foundry Ancient Greeks, Romans, Am. Rev., Prussian and Russian Napy, New Old West, Pirates, Orcs and Elves, Street Violence, or WWII then this is for you.