The Virtual Armchair General (VACG) is the distributor for Bobby Jackson’s Thrilling Combat Miniatures New venture “B’Hoys” based on the movie “Gangs of New York”. Not only are the figures available, at least the first four packs of many, but Studio 33, also from VACG, is producing buildings for the game in--three building blocks of NYC. Patrick Wilson the VACG sent two sets of Blocks for review so there are at least 14 sets of blocks available. Soon “And That’s the Way It Was” will be producing the rules for the game.

Buildings

The buildings are card stock and only represent the building fronts and sides, no backs so that figures could be placed within the first floor of each building block. The instructions are simple and I would suggest that you add more stability by gluing the parts to foam core. The colors are bright, computer generated, loads of detail and quite good for the game. ($12-$15 each)

This is no reflection on the production values or the gaming potential, but this is out of my gaming interest so if any reader is interested in both the buildings and the figures if you will contact me I am willing to give them a new home (probably regular mail $2 or priority $3.85).

Figures

On to the figures, the next page has the first four packs of five figs each and they are not to scale. The figures are 27 mm to the eyes and are as good as any Foundry, Copplestone, Castaway or Cannon Fodder fig available, so that means these are very well done figures.

Figure packs now available include:
BG-001 Roach Guards
BG-002 Dead Rabbits
BG-003 Chichesters
BG-004 Plug Uglies

There are some really nice figures in these sets. The poses and detail are very nice. There is some flash, but not enough to mean anything. As to the costumes they are right on target for the time period (1850 to 1890) and will work well almost anywhere in the western world. These can fight the gangs of NYC, Conscription riots during the ACW, almost anywhere that civilians can be used in a riot.

I think that these figures will be a great addition to any gamers lead holdings that are interested in the slightly out of the way gaming for the Victorian period. These would also be especially good for Vampire games and Victorian Science Fiction. Well Done, Bobby Jackson!

Highly Recommended.

Below is a list of potential additions, they almost whet my appetite for a new era, but I am working on other things now may be later.

Projected "B'hoys!" Additions
Women Brawlers (5)
"Crushers"--Municipal Cops (5) or (10)
"Crushers"--Metropolitan Cops (5) or (10)
Tenement Trash--Beggars & Bums (5)
Vendors and Peddlers--Hot Corn Girls, Organ Grinder, Street Sweeper, etc. (5)
Slumming Gentry--Domino masks, sword canes, etc. (5)
Militia (10) or (15)
Gangsters with Longarms (5)
Street Arabs--Junior gang members (5)
Laundry Guards--Younger junior gang members (5)
Urchins and Crones (5)
Rag Pickers with Dog Cart (2 figs + dog and cart)
Saucy Magdalenes (5)
Volunteer Firemen (5) or (10)
More Gangsters (5) or (10)
Tenement Livestock--Pigs, Rats, etc. (5)