Publications, Figures, and Other Products of Interest

1. Soldiers of the Queen, issue 118. I’m missing the first and last pages of this issue but still several good articles. There is a pictorial on the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, mostly in dress uniform. Two interesting articles to read: “The Zulus and the Horse” by Keith Smith interesting article and artwork; and “The Second Afghan War: Sherpur, October 1879-August 1880” by Dorothy Anderson, this is a great article—with some very useful illustrations.

2. Black Hat Miniatures, Nyetimber, Norfolk Farm Road, Pyrford, Surry GU22 8LF UK, available from www.fighting15s.co.uk

New figures for Mars/Barsoom include British infantry in gas masks/breathing apparatus, Imperial Matians, and Martian Askaris, also four armed Marians. The figures are, I understand, 18mm foot to eye.

3. Wargames Illustrated, issue 204. A continuation of “Back (again) to the Dark Continent” by Chris Peers, The Ambush at KOR Raby, December 1919, a tribe on the Upper Nile in the Mongalla Province revolts, 3,000 Dinkas with spears vs the Equatorial Battalion (no machineguns, if they did they weren’t used). An interesting scenario with some nice ideas to use.

Issue 205

Several interesting ads and two articles for the colonial period (well, sort of), Pulp Figures has a new ad showing Japanese Naval Landing Forces and Zeppelin troops. Pretty nice figures!!! Redoubt Enterprises has an ad for their new Boxer Rebellion line. It’s a full-page ad but the photos are really crap, but at least you get an idea of the poses. Too bad this could have been an outstanding ad. Howard Whitehouse has two articles this issue, one on making “The Waterfall of the Mohicans”. This is a very nice, well designed, piece for a corner/edge of your table. It includes cliffs, waterfall, and several levels of caves within the cliffs. Well Done Howard!

Howard’s other article “Drop the Roscoe! Or What’s with the Pulp Stuff, Buddy?” did you know that Howard’s the Masked Avenger! WOW, but wait I thought he was killed by Rhinos or Gorillas, or captured by White Apes in the 1880s or such, hmmmm. I’m confused (Yes, my general tendency), but who is this man really? This is a great introduction to Pulp fiction and gaming possibilities. Very nice photos of terrain and figures (both done by Bob Murch of Pulp Figures). Contains a detailed roundup of 28mm figures and rules for the era. Another Well Done Howard!!!

4. Harbinger: The Miniature Gaming Magazine, from Griffin Miniatures, 12 Clos Nant Mwlan, Pontprennau, Cardiff CF 23 8NA UK.

Articles, reviews, gaming rules scenarios, interesting reading, decent reviews great color photos of the figs. Colorful mag, pretty nice if you are interested in articles and reviews of figs written by manufacturers. A couple of interesting articles: an interview with Tom Meier (Ral Partha), and one on making a “Barbarian Village” by Chris Abbey that could be used for some colonial structures.

5. MWAN, #131 $35.00 from Legio X, inc. PO Box 241, Williams Bay, WI 53191 www.mwan-magazine.com

Nothing Colonial this issue, practically no letters section (I think everyone is still writing to Hal). Howard Whitehouse returns to his column “Skulking in the Rear” and tells us what he’s been up to in the Pulp Era. Also that he lost a couple of boxes of figures from the Colonial Room at Historicon after cleaning up his mega production game. Contact Howard at HowardW@allstream.net or 416-921-0962 if you know anything about his missing WWII Germans, Zombies and chunky robot. Howard also makes some of the best terrain pieces around, so contact him if you need terrain or figures painted. I have a number of Howard’s terrain pieces, so I speak from experience, they are very good. Highly Recommended!

6. White Dwarf, issue 298. There are several terrain making articles this issue that are well worth reading. I highly recommend reading Paul Ridge’s “Creating the Battlefield” a modular terrain system made for a specific scenario but the ideas are well worth stealing, er borrowing and includes a step-by-step guide for 2x2’ modular terrain pieces that can be created and easily transported to a convention. There is also an article on making banners and standards out of plasticard worth reading.

Finally, there is an article on constructing a caravan/wagon. If you need a gypsy wagon or one for your Wild West Snake Oil salesman this is a great article with loads of ideas and templates – Very useful.