I think it’s about time I wrote to say thanks for the latest Lone Warrior. As always it’s an interesting little read. As my personal circumstances dictate that for the time being at least, I’m a ‘fringe wargamer’ you might like to know why I support Lone Warrior. I’ve always been a supporter of small press magazines for particular interest groups even if I can offer little personal involvement.
I have had a life-long interest in military history, modeling and wargaming, but I never got into wargames due to lack of opponents. The variety of articles and materials offered by Lone Warrior appeals to my particular interests, often giving an unusual perspective not found elsewhere.
For myself, I’m still a relative newcomer to wargames; I find that many of the rule sets available are too complex for novices. I’m slowly, gradually working my way towards a set of rules for my own use, and reflecting my particular interests. If ever I get them completed I may be able to offer them to Lone Warrior. One day, I keep promising myself I’ll find a way of getting solo wargames going to my satisfaction, after all I only have to please myself! Meantime, keep up the good work!
I’d like to pass on a few suggestions for those of us who find money for our wargames and modeling tight at times. As we’ll shortly be moving again, I write from experience…….
The pound shops and discount shops can sometimes offer unsuspected bargains - they’re worth checking out. For example, I’ve found 12 packs of dice and three packs of playing cards for £I each. From similar outlets and discount toy shops I’ve found trading cards and with the current interest in science fiction games Star Wars micro machines at 3 or 4 items per pack from £1. These can easily be painted or converted as required for SF games, recently featured in Lone Warrior. If, like myself, you find castles and terrain etc hard to store and collecting dust between battles, try the clear and opaque plastic storage boxes on sale in the same outlets. They’re also very useful for protecting fragile models if you’re about to move as we are - I’m currently investing heavily in these boxes!
Do not be misled by the claim of the Ultimate Wargames pack! It is however a box of simple plastic models of 3 or 4 parts each. The set contains modern AFVs, aircraft and helicopters, and warships and submarines, about 20mm to 40mm length, with diorama accessories such as brick walls, barrels, signs etc. I threw out the crude figures, but the other items could be painted and detailed as required.
Useful sources of books, and occasionally other items are not just the discount bookshops, but also charity shops. For example, I recently found a whole stack of mint condition Warhammer books at £2-95 each in our local Scope shop, and the Mind shop recently had a table full of Military History books at £2 to £3 each. I’ve found many out of print bargains in these shops so they’re worth a look if you’re passing and have a few minutes to spare.
Boot fairs can be another source of bargains. I’ve found plastic model kits and soldiers, indeed one my first bargains was several thousand assorted plastic 20mm figures at £1 a bag! From time to time there are aviation and military history videos, with odd items to be snapped up - I got two volumes of War Monthly in binders for £2! I also found somebody selling old stock Gloy model paint last year, mainly authentic Luftwaffe colours. I bought the lot, over ten dozen tinlets at less than 10p each - if anybody can use some let me know, otherwise that little lot will keep me amused for a few years. Another early bargain was roughly 100 Skytrex/Davco 1/3000 scale 20th century warships for a fiver!
So there you, if the budgets biting hard, and you want to keep wargaming and modeling, shop around - there are bargains to be found, sometimes including discontinued lines or out of print books if you look around the more unusual outlets and seek them out - happy hunting!
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