Jeff Johnson

Here is another follow up on Timothy Boyd's inquiry from Heliograph # 136 concerning the 1781 battle at Pensacola. Please forward the info on to him.

There are now three sets of uniform plates available from Uniformology of Weatherford, Texas. In case you haven't found them yet, they are on the web at www.uniformology.com. The link in this email will connect you with a page listing the three sets and showing full color preview images of the plates.

I can recommend this firm very highly to you. They reproduce old uniform plates by the masters, Knotel, Detaille and others, in full color and with corrections and restorations to fix the fading seen in the originals. The images are digitally copied and then printed on high quality stock.

They offer good sets of French colonial forces, German colonial troops and   many series of plates for major european armies in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. (Also some good sales to those on the email alert list!)

I'll write up a review for you to use in The Heliograph, but I wanted to rush the info to you today so you could look at the Spanish plates and send the info on ASAP.

Very nice, I will pass this on to Timothy.  Yes please go ahead and write a review for the Heliograph.  I will also print your email next issue.  How about something from you about what you are gaming, club? Colonial rules, campaigns----well you get the idea.

Scott Hansen

The above article has 10 tips for running better wargames at conventions.  I hope I don't sound too bitter or negative.  I have listed a few bad experiences I've had at conventions as examples.

I will try to send you a simple Sudan or FFL scenrio later or describe how the "Battles For Empire" rules work.

I enjoyed your article on your terrain squares and glad you got them completed.  My main goal wargame wise is to paint up some Dervish and British Calvary so I can have a wider variety of games.  I need more British infantry units so I can game a British Attack scenario.

Jim Zylka

Enclosed is a short article on my colonial project in 6mm. I hope to follow up with three more covering 6mm figures and conversions, rules and my solo system, a game report (oh no!) some what ifs and conclusion.

I apologize for the handwritten material as I am not entangled in the computer age. I don’t own a fax machine, cell phone or microwave either, but I do enjoy wargaming all periods/eras. My other hobby is building a log cabin on a bluff top in Southwestern Wisconsin. I believe I am regressing.

I hope the material is of use and interest despite concentrating on 6mm, not a very popular scale, they are indeed Little Men for Little Wars.

Thanks for keeping the Heliograph a quality newsletter.

Thanks very much for the praise and even more for the first article. I very much enjoyed reading it and looking up the availability of figures. I find your life style of no modern appliances appealing.

Gerry Webb

Our latest releases should be available by the time this Heliograph hits the streets, please see our ad.  These are the first of the North African opponents for the Foreign Legion.  Fittingly, the first to arrive are all mounted troops, camelry and cavalry.  In the pipeline are infantry to support these "Wolves of The Desert', plus additions to our existing Sudan, Foreign Legion and Ashanti War ranges.  We also have more Franco-Prussian pre-release figures done.

Readers who dabble with infernal machines may wish to visit our all new website.  The address remains at www.castawayarts.com.au

We hope our customers will approve of the new look, clearer images of the miniatures, and additional pics of painted figures.  Those who prefer more traditional means of communication can still write to us, phone or fax.

I'd like to express my thanks to John Baxter for his generous loan of his vintage copy of "From Korti to Khartoum", which formed the basis for my latest submitted article, and also to Don Featherstone once again for his wonderful collection of contemporary images from "The Illustrated London News".

Finally, credit for the "Solo Sudan" article I've passed on to Heliograph belongs to Bob Corcoran, staunch companion and cunning foe in many a Colonial battle.

Best regards, and keep up the great work.

Patrick Wilson

Yes, I believe it was "The Kris And The Flame" that I was running when you came by.  Again, please excuse my equally--too-brief half of our first meeting.  If I ever go to HistoriCon again, it would be either ONLY to "Sell" OR to "Game," rather than attempt both.  At least if I was running games all the time, I'd be in one place and could be found between events.  Anyway, I'm personally very sorry that we didn't have time to talk. 

There's so much to tell you about, some for immediate sharing with your readership, and some projects still only in development. I can try to describe some things in this note and you are welcome to quote from it, in whole or part, as you wish.

I also need to be sending you some samples of the 15mm resin cast ship models to support "The Kris And The Flame" for you to review.  I may also be sending you a sample of my "Boats In A Bag" line of 25mm Colonial Gunboat "kits" when I release them publicly, perhaps next week. Regarding your questions, I'll answer what I can.

"The Sword In Africa" is the supplemental rules set that appears under the cover of TSATF 20th Anniversary Edition.  If you've got that edition, you've got that game. 

"Sword In North Africa" is, indeed, a full blown variant of TWO games-- TSATF and Larry's old "French Foreign Legion" boxed game published by Yaquinto.  The game title is about to be changed to "The Sword In The Sahara" and will supported with more game accessories, as well as already being linked to Castaway Arts fine FFL 28mm figure line.

"Gunboat Diplomacy" was released at HistoriCon '03.  It sold out almost immediately and is in a second printing already.  The next printing will include an extensive re-edit to include several errors and unclear portions that – naturally -- never showed up until in the hands of our discerning readership. 

Things you DIDN'T ask about--but I'll tell you anyway--include the fact that the rules for "B'hoys!" were also released at HistoriCon and have done well.  I was pleased that these rules, which are a serious, well researched and original system. I'm very busy every day (8, 10 hours a day) developing new products.  At the moment, the aforementioned "Boats In A Bag" is taking most of my time. I brought a sample of one to HistoriCon and it sold in a minute.  Lori logged some 17 more names of people who were interested enough to make sure they were notified when the first models became available. The first release will consist of five different 28mm models.  All are designed with actual gaming in mind and to support "Gunboat Diplomacy." 

Indeed, each model will come with a Ship's Log from the game providing it's complete stats, ready play, as she is built.  Of course, depending on the buyer may wish, the model can be "up gunned" from what it will officially be carrying.  All fittings are Richard Houston's castings now being sold by The London War Room.  Weapons are also his, but these are probably only going to be made available (at cost) to the buyer if he requests them.  It is, frankly, too expensive for me to buy all weapons and fittings and still be able to sell these models within the range I wish to, and still see a profit. Obviously, I'm still wrestling with the best way to do this.

The hulls are all made of cut pine, 12" long and 4" on the beam, and 3/4" thick.  Each of these first "Boats In A Bag" will be one of five basic designs (matching those of "Gunboat Diplomacy"): One each Wooden Vessel that is Screw Driven or Side Paddle Wheel, one each Protected Craft Screw Driven or Side Paddle Wheel, and one Ironclad, Screw Driven.  Each model comes with printed, full color cardstock sheets from which decks, the hull sides, and deckhouses may be cut and assembled.  Interior surfaces are printed as well and models designed so that secondary decks and/or deckhouse roofs may be removable. Some models will include acetate pieces for Wheelhouse windows. Buyers my also request, gratis, a printed sheet of 28mm, full color flags from a range of likely nationalities to fly from their vessel. 

Each vessel will be designed to carry specific weapons, all of which are available from The London War Room.  Most will have one Cannon of small to moderate size, and one medium to light Machine Gun.  Some designs will have Pom-Pom's instead, but all can be "up gunned" somewhat at the builder's whim from what is available.  The Iron clad will mount at least a 4.7" Cannon, and can accommodate up to a 100-pdr rifle.  Full details will appear on the Website for each design.

The only tools needed to build any of these "Boats In A Bag" will be a good pair of scissors, an X-acto knife, a dull edged blade for scoring parts to be folded, a drill (small bits), standard White Glue, "super glue" and/or contact cement for some fittings.  All metal parts will be provided primed white.  Signals masts (where provided) and funnels will also be painted base white and black, respectively.  The only painting by the builder that might be necessary would be detailing some fittings.  Each kit, when all parts are already in hand, takes only a couple of hours to assemble and only the most basic skills are required.

A photo of the finished kit will appear on a page of assembly instructions, and color photos will, of course, appear at TVAG on the new "Boats In A Bag" page, along with full particulars of each. I will also offer to assemble kits for buyers for an additional fee.

I am still trying to determine my sale prices.  I am aiming at a range somewhere between $30.00 and $50.00.  Considering the prices for Richard Houston's own superb models (starting at over $200.00), and the likely prices for those of the newly announced "Gunboat Company," these will be very affordable.  Indeed, one could assemble a model and game with it that day, especially since it will already have most or all of its information provided on the Ship's Log for "Gunboat Diplomacy."

Depending on the demand, I expect to provide a similar line of Gunboats on 18" by 6" hulls.  Also, as I can have the pieces designed by my colleague, Chris Ferree, I will provide a Stern Paddle Wheeler design, again for Wooden Vessels and perhaps a Protected Craft in the 12" as well as the 18" size. Meanwhile, "The Kris And The Flame" is Chris Ferree's ground breaking work on the era of "Rajah Brooke" and the Pirates of the East Indies and South China Seas.  Designed to be played with the 15mm figures he also sculpted (and sold exclusively by The London War Room), TKATF is, mechanically, a variant of TSATF, but with extensive new rules for naval actions.  The fast playing rules for manuevering vessels of a wide variety of designs still require some thought for effective handling in action. 

Typical battles fought to take Native Forts along jungle rivers in Borneo or Sarawak are possible through the rules for land combat.  A variety of native weaponry, including "Sumpitans" (blow guns), "Tubes" (a particularly crude sort of Jingall), Chinese "Stink Bombs," Gong Beaters, and more help add color and tactical finesse to battles.  The various Piratical Peoples of the region (Dyaks/Malays, Illunan, Pirates, Moros, and Chinese) are represented, each with their own peculiar tactics and practices.  Indeed, the next edition will likely include several more piratical Native Peoples. 

Another innovative feature is the need for some Native Warriors to pump up their "Bravado" before being able to take offensive action.  This and other features help provide a wargaming experience unlike any other.  "The Kris And The Flame" has local color, customs of battle, and other features built in--not "added on"--that make these battles unique, as indeed they were. Chris has also designed a variety of Native Warships specifically for gaming with TKATF.  These include a range of Prahus, a Native War Canoe, and, soon, Chinese Junks and Lorchas.  A British/European Gunboat (steam powered, brig rigged) is available, and a Long Boat for landing parties and boarding actions is in the last stages of design. Native Stockades, Booms and Obstructions, and more have been designed and will be made available upon market demand.

Chris is expanding the rules yet again to cover another new line of 15mm figures for Chinese Pirates, particularly those along the South China coast. These used in conjunction with the coming Lorchas and a range of Junks will provide the water borne facet for the Opium Wars of the 1840's, as well as the numerous British, French, and American run-ins with these Pirates throughout the first half or more of the 19th Century.

The ship models and accessories for "The Kris And The Flame" are available exclusively through The (Virtual) Armchair General (where they are illustrated), while the rules may be gotten from "And That's The Way It Was...," and the 15mm figures of British Sailors, Marines, and all the Native Warriors, may be bought from The London War Room.

For a comparatively very small investment, Players can now enjoy amphibious operations against Pirates over a vast area, mostly unexplored, in an era when Steam was new, not always reliable, and a cool head in a rapidly changing situation could be the key to victory--or simply survival!

Regarding a written account of TKATF action at HistoriCon, I can do so, but just not NOW!  Let me finish my "Boat In A Bag" project, then probably the re-edit of "Gunboat Diplomacy" to fix the idiotically overlooked errors in the ms.  Hell, I've still got to provide you a new ad which will list all the new stuff I've mentioned above, and a lot more to come.