Amazing how things just fall into place. Now I am knee, OK, chin deep in wargaming armies and need another one like another die that refuses to throw a 6. So when a friend of mine lent me a book by Garry Jennings, 'Aztec' (ISBN 0708820646), I thought nothing about it until I got into reading it. Unfortunately it appears to be having the same effect on me that 'Shogun' did which resulted in clans of 15mm Samurai invading my tabletop and a developing interest in the country during that period and their style of warfare.
Having convinced myself I did not need another army, in an area and period that does not tie in with anything else I have got, I settled down to get back to my mature student studies. Then a friend showed me some photographs of 25mm Aztecs in a glossy and I was not at all impressed. He also pointed out that Essex had brought out a new range in 15mm and perhaps I would be interested. With Vapnartak in York due shortly I thought I would wait until then and just have a look, but the snow put a stop to that, in that we were snowed in that particular weekend.
However, at Triples in Sheffield the other week I just 'happened' to come across the Essex Aztec range, as I was buying some Egyptian ships and was hooked! Purchased a few command packs and some PBI just to get a skirmish force together - famous last words. I don't have time to do a review but they are very detailed and looked excellent when painted. I did spot another firm, at the show, who were doing other South American nations of that period but failed to get their details, there is always next year.
The letter by Matthew Leighs, in Slingshot #212, who referred to Robert Richardson's series on the Aztecs got me delving through my back copies of 'Slingshot', to have another read. I also believe that Osprey has a book on the Aztecs being produced, but do not quote me on that. Just to add to my theory that someone is ganging up on me, Wargames Illustrated is running a series on 'The Land of El Dorado'. Do I jump, before I am pushed?
I have considerable figures to finish painting and basing plus I am putting magnetic bases on all my chariot armies because I am fed up constantly gluing them back onto their stands. A lot of work to do, before the Aztecs get attacked with my 2" paintbrush but the figures and period are extremely tempting. You have been warned. Now where is that 'Master of Olympus - Zeus' computer game? I'll show those Trojans a thing or two with my Spartans.
[Ever stopped to think just how you got into a particular period? Next editions 'special' will be "Why I solo game in..........." Do let me know how it all started. Kenn]
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