By Len Brewer - 20MM MURFF TURF CUSTOM BUILT TERRAIN - Murff Turf, Terrain to Fight Over, 20028 Pinegrove Drive, Mokena, Illinois 60448. 1 recently received a terrain piece I had ordered from Mr. Murff. I ordered eight buildings that were set upon a base for our 20mm WWII project. I received a terrain piece I had ordered from Mr. Murff. I ordered eight buildings that were set upon a base for our 20 mm buildings. Two of these are on a base that measures 4" x 9". All of the buildings are in various destroyed states. They have the right amount of rubble that looks nice. All of these buildings are grey in color and they have the proper highlighting to them. The next building is 6 '/2" x 5" that is 5" tall on a base. A basic two story building with a lift off roof This is a wood building that has some WWII posters on one side. Next we have another two story building that measures 6" x 8" and is 8" tall. Another nice building with lift off roof and middle floor. This is a stucco type building with a small courtyard on one side. We have another two story building that measures 7 1/2" x 6" that is 6" tall. As with the other buildings, this has a lift off roof and middle floor. A very nice large balcony and a small section of flat roof highlights this building. We now come to the town hall. This is a impressive building that measures 8 1/? x 6 1/2" that is 8" tall. A very large three story building, with a lift off roof and floors. The first thing that you notice on this is the nice German flags on both sides. The town clock was an old watch that looks very nice. The last piece that we come to is the museum. This piece measures 9 1/4" x 9 1/4" and is 6' tall. On the front on this you have four large columns. Above this you have five 15mm ancient Greeks that are set into the front of the building. This is another stucco type building that looks big and impressive. All of the buildings go very well with each other and the buildings that you can purchase from your local hobby shop. If you are looking for some good buildings or terrain pieces then you should contact Mr. Murff for your needs.
By Hal Thinglum - IRREGULAR MINIATURES ITEMS - - Irregular Miniatures, 3, Apollo Street, Heslington Road, York, YO1 5AP, UK is an English firm which most of us are aware of, at least their name. What the majority of us are not aware of, me included until a short time ago, is the wide variety of wargaming items they offer in 2mm, 6mm, 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, 25nim, 42mm and 54mm! Amazing stuff indeed! To look their through their 2, 6, 10, 15, and 20mm catalog is to be in a wargamer's dreamland! Not only do they offer figures, but they also have lines of terrain and wargames accessories which are outstanding and very useful for our tabletops. I am always looking for the "unusual" and they certainly do offer it. Let's take a look at what's available from this interesting and customer-orientated firm!
2mm - Yes, I said 2mm. Many years ago, perhaps fifteen or so, at a Seven Years War Convention in Indiana, I ran across some 2mm metal blocks. They were perhaps an inch square with little dots of lead in rows Now, not only could I not make out what they were supposed to represent, I couldn't see anything else other than little lead dots on that square lead base. I assumed - you know what that makes me - that they were "state-of-the-art" boy, was I wrong! IM offers 2mm ranges for Ancients, Renaissance, Horse & Musket, and 20th Century periods. I obtained samples from the Horse & Musket range, though I wish I would have ordered some Renaissance as well! BG 15 has infantry in three ranks (39 figures total) for 16 pence (about twenty-five cents and you get two such figure blocks for that price) in a line just under three-quarters of an inch long and an eighth of an inch wide. It is clear there are three ranks and one can easily discern a flag in the middle of the figure block! BG5 is a single rank of close order cavalry consisting of eight figures, again with a standard in the middle (same price as for the foot blocks and again you received two such blocks). My favorite is BG6 artillery battery and single trail limber (one for 16p) which includes the gun and four crew on one base and the limber with four horses and two riders. Even though my eyesight is terrible at this time, I can still make out these figures and I am amazed at the detail IM is able to provide with this scale! There are thirty listings for Horse & Musket including wagons, ammunition caissons, pontoon wagons, and even a regiment in square. By the Way, this period covers 1700-1875 and of course, the figures are small enough so as to be painted in any uniform color of that period. They also offer complete armies - let me give you an idea: figure scale is 1:25 with 24 figure blocks representing 600 men; eight cavalry figures representing 200 men and artillery batteries representing six guns. They recommend a ground scale of 1mm equals 12 yards (6" = 1 mile); now couldn't you do any battle ever fought on your tabletop using that scale? A complete Prussian army for the SYW, for example, has 45 infantry battalions, four Cuirassier regiments, four Dragoon and four Hussar regiments, one Bosnaik regiment (all of 24 figures); three companies of Jagers, six artillery batteries and limbers, and brigade, corps, and army command. What would this cost you? Six Pounds(!), my friend! Unbelievable! Painting would be quick, wouldn't it! Ancients has 25 listings, Renaissance has 35 while the 20th C. range has infantry, artillery. vehicles, boats, and aircraft (two German Panthers will cost you a total of 6p! All right - you are tempted, but what about terrain? Well, they offer 57 terrain features including trees, railway bridges, villages, Roman marching fort, hills, walls, and towns, as well as much more. There are nine 20th C terrain items including towns, factories, dockside area, and fields, and eight " miscellany" items including pill boxes, trenches, emplacements, armoured train, and railway gun/etc. WOW!
6mm - I've long had a "hankering" for 6mm as I love doing large battles - Waterloo type of stuff I've done this in 25mm - Battle of Islandhlwana with almost 5,000 figures - but it requires a huge playing area. Well, 6mm takes care of that rather nicely and IM's 6mm lines are perfect for this type of approach! They offer extensive 6min lines for Biblicals (37 listings), Imperial Rome & Enemies (45), Macedonian & Punic Wars (5 1), Dark Ages (3 5), Medievals/Feudals (18), Conquest of Mexico (22), Samurai and Asian (38), Italian Wars 16th C (32), Late Renaissance (59), Restoration/League of Augsburg (10), 18th C (60 - my personal favorite!), Napoleonics (128 not including another 38 listings for "miscellany" including larger figure blocks), Wars in India (70), Crimean War (76), Italian Wars of Liberation(4), Colonials (48), Maximilian (20), Franco-Prussian War Q 9) including Austrians (6), ACW (26), Plains Wars (14), WWI (96 not counting aircraft - 30), Spanish Civil War (3 0), WWII (175 not including aircraft - 26 and vehicles - 179), US Mexican Wars (18), Vietnam (34), and moderns (71), as well as 29 pieces of equipment for all periods (including trains, wagons/etc), 20 pieces of fortifications/buildings, civilians (16 listings), personality packs (9), boats (6), cars (20 different types), and scenic rural items (61), In addition, they offer fantasy and science fiction in this scale! I ordered a "sampling" of the 6mm "18th Century" range and was very pleased with the figures. Figures are in "close order" (shoulder to shoulder 3.5mm frontage per figure); "loose order" (5mm frontage/figure); or "open order" (7.5mm frontage/figure). The close order horse (line cavalry) are on one "block" (metal stand) with four figures and have a 20mm frontage while the open order horse (light horse) have a frontage of 30mm. Close order foot (Line and grenadier infantry) have a frontage of 20mm with six figures and open order foot (lights) have a frontage of about 43mm, again with six figures; they are spread out with some prone figures. All units have command stands, including cast on metal flag, except for the light units. I love the artillery; there are three crew cast on the stand with a separate gun. They look great! The limber features three horses in tandem with a rider on the lead horse, and limber on a stand 50mm long. There are several wagons which are very well done. This scale has great potential for very large battles and I remain very tempted by it! I can see how they would paint up quickly! Prices are as follows: A strip of foot is .16 pence; horse are .32 pence; a gun/crew/limber is .55 pence. As to quality, I really liked all of the figures, except for the light infantry. This may be because the light infantry, due to their increased frontage, are not seen as a "block" of figures, but rather, are viewed "individually". I also obtained some of the 6mm metal buildings: The European farm (8.00 pds) is on a metal base 3" X 4" with three buildings and walls. I also obtained a stone bridge (1.20 pds); village pond (1.20) which I am using for my 15mm terrain; walled orchard (2.60); set of three fields (6.20); wooden windmill (1.75); stone fence (.32 pence each); and hedgerow (.65 p). These are all very well done items. I can recommend them highly for gamers interested in 6mm wargaming! If I go ahead with 6mm, there is no doubt that I would do the VOLLEY AND BAYONET rules as I think a group of 6mm figures would look great on the V&B stands!
Irregular Miniatures also offers a number of 15mm and 25mm lines with a growing number of 10mm lines (18th C; Dark Ages; and ACW, ECW, and Plains Indians presently); there is also a 20mm line of Spanish Civil War and a 42 and 54mm line.
They also offer a wide variety of wargames rules. I obtained three sets: RENAISSANCE TO RESTORATION (Pike & Shot), BLENHEIM TO BALACLAVA (Age of the Musket with 2mm armies); and MARLBOROUGH COUNTRY. Prices are reasonable; no matter what your period of interest is, you'll find a set of IR rules. What I like, is the fact that many of the rules are written for specific scales (i.e., 2mm, 6mm, etc) and there is a lot of information to look through and steal ideas from. Something we all like to do with rules sets!
Check them out; I know you'll be very surprised at the variety and the number of items you'll find that will be of great use for you on the wargames table! Highly recommended!
By Hal Thinglum - FOUNDRY 28MM ASSYRIANS - NEW RELEASES - Guernsey Foundry, Mount Street, New Basford, Nottingham, NG7 7HX, UK (Phone 0115 979 2002; FAX 0115 979 2209) has released additions to their 25mm Assyrian line. There are five packs of figures: AASS 15Auxillary Slingers, AASS18X- Mounted Lancers; AASS19X Mounted Archers; AASS21X Mounted Command; and AASS27Z Four Horse Chariot 11. First of all, the slingers - there are three different poses in this pack of eight although each of the eight figures has different facial features. Three are releasing; three are "winding up"; and two would appear to be "loading" the sting. The beautifully done horses with lots of detail and four riders. The riders have differently posed heads and three of the four are carrying their lance upright while the fourth is carrying it straight forward. The horse archers are simply great! The two firing have separate torsos, allowing you to create a really "individualized" unit; the third is reaching in his quiver on his back for an arrow; while the fourth is holding his bow in his left hand. Again, beautiful horses! The mounted command pack has a standard bearer with beautiful separate standard(!); "homist" holding one horn in his right hand with another on his back; officer w/mace with separate quiver and bow; and officer with "hatchet". Outstanding stuffl. Lastly is the four man/four horse heavy chariot 11, which comes in nine pieces for the chariot, four beautiful horses, and two sets of two figures each. Each of the two figures is cast together as one casting. The first set has a lead figure firing a bow, while the spearman right behind him has a separate right arm with shield. The second set has what would appear to be a "General" or high officer with separate right arm and command "baton", while the figure to the rear of him is a spearman with separate shield arm. This is quite a model! There are no instructions for chariot assembly. This chariot makes a nice addition to the one they released last issue. Outstanding detail, very little flash, great animation, and clever ideas re figures riding the chariot. Cost for the packs of foot and horse is 6.50 pounds each or $12.00. I don't know the price for the chariot but I am sure it is more expensive as it is a beauty! Most highly recommended to you MWAN Ancients players out there. Foundry also announced that their ANCIENTS CATALOG is now available consisting of 84 pages with a color cover and black/white illustrations of the entire ancients and medieval range. Cost is 6.50 pounds but you get a voucher for a free blister pack. Call for a copy! Most Highly Recommended and fine job, Foundry! I'd also like to commend The Foundry on being the first, to my knowledge, to call their figures what they really are - 28mm!
By Hal Thinglum - SIGNIFER 25MM FLAG RELEASES - Signifer, 20001 E. Lohman, Suite 149, Las Cruces, NM 88001 (505-525-2378) has released a set of 25nun Pirate flags. Pirates are very big this year apparently. Everyone is coming with a line of them and there are some beautiful ships available out there. I remember years ago, when we did a gaming night once a month at my hospital, Greg Novak came up from Champaign with two handmade pirate ships which were great! Inspired me to paint up several hundred pirates! Anyway, there are sixteen large flags (two each of eight different flags) for $5.00; you really get your money's worth with this pack! Kevin Schwebel of Signifer reports that they are using a different printing method so as to get a "cloth-like" texture. It does feel a little different, but the main thing is that the flags are high quality with great color defination. Signifer has a very extensive line; I simply can't believe what is available in flags today! Their flags are always highly recommended!
By Hal Thinglum - WARGAMER'S FLAGS - I hadn't heard of this product previously, however, I happened to drop a line to an old friend, Andy Dumelow, 53 Stanton Road, Stapenhill, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs, DE15 9RP, UK (01283-530556) and he sent me a listing back as well as well as selection from the line. You may remember Andy; he published a miniatures magazine about twelve years ago in the UK. He also has a "second-hand" figure business and has the following lists available: Unpainted 15mm Ancients, Medievals, 18th C., Napoleonics, l9th/20th C; 25mm Ancients, 17th/18th/19th C., Napoleonics. Painted 15mm Ancients, 17th- 19th C., and Napoleonics. He also has 20mm plastics. Send him a letter with several International reply coupons (get them at your local post office) for a listing but ask for a specific list as I suspect they are quite long. Anyway, the flags. Andy offers an extensive line of 25mm and 15mm Napoleonics (55 different sets); Late 17th/Early 18th C (26 sets); SYW (23); AWI (8); Renaissance (20); ECW (21); TYW (7); Medieval (35); ACW (12); FPW (1); Crimean War (5); and "General" (18; including fantasy, Japanese, Pirates, British, Scottish, Korean War). Four flag sets were sent for mention: 15mm Napoleonic British, 25mm ACW Confederates Army of N. Virginia; 25mm Napoleonic Brunswick/Nassau; and Medieval. There are anywhere from six to 12 flags per sheet with prices from 1.20 pounds to 2.00 pds. Colors are good and I can recommend these flags!
By Hal Thinglum - B&B MINIATURES 20MM FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR - I finally took the plunge and purchased large amounts of this beautiful and extensive line! These are great 20mm figures with a "chunky" look with lots of character. There are sixteen packs of French foot (16 per pack for $17.50); 11 packs of French horse (12/$32.50); six guns w/three crew, one Mitrailleuse w/crew (all guns and crew are $11.75); two limbers (line foot and line horse; foot have two horses and horse have four) at $11.75 and $14.98. The guns are four and 12 pounders. In addition, there are four packs of French staff, two mounted (3 for $8.75) and two dismounted (3 for $5.50). The Germans are even more extensive! Eighteen packs of foot encompassing Prussians, Saxons, Bavarians, Baden, and Wurttemburg Guards, line infantry, and Jagers. These come 20 figures to a pack for $22.50. There are eight packs of German horse - Prussians, Saxons, Bavarians, and Baden at $32.50/12 figures. All horses within a pack are the same pose. Within the infantry packs, there are a number of different poses. Each pack is either marching or advancing and within that pack, there are many variations of each figure. Each pack has a command section with two differently poses foot officers, a drummer and flag bearer. The flag pole is usually separate and you have drill out a hole in the hands for the flag pole. The figures are packaged for THEY DIED FOR GLORY, and although I like the rules, I really don't like it when figure companies package for a specific set of rules. It makes things very difficult, and more expensive, for gamers who wish to base their figures for another set of rules. I think it is a mistake on the part of the figure companies. But, hey, this is such a great figure line that I couldn't resist it! As to German artillery, there are eight limber sets and nineteen guns and crews - very extensive. The guns are 4 and 6 pounders with horse guns also available as well as gun riders for the horse guns. Guns have to be assembled, of course, but the ones I've received have been assembled easily and are great looking models! The Gennans have eight staff packs, four mounted, four dismounted. OK, what do I like about this line. One, the figures are beautiful; the line is extensive with the appropriate German allies present, including artillery crews; there are many variations within each pack of foot. The only horse unit I've purchased had separate arms with the lances attached to the arm so that I can pose the lances differently within the unit to obtain a different look. I love the look of 20mm; there is very little flash on these figures; I love the marching and advancing poses for this period. The figures are well animated and have lots of character - some have beards, some don't. What don't I like besides the packaging? Well, the infantry figures suffer from broken bayonets, perhaps 5-10% because they are cast in scale, I believe. They are a little pricy - a little over $ 1.00 per foot figure and just under $3.00 for the horse. All horses within a unit are in the same pose. However, given all that, I can't resist this fantastic line of toy soldiers and am anxious to see how great they will took on the tabletop! I've purchased some 20mm European buildings from Sentry and Scenic Effects for this project and am looking for bridges and other 20mm terrain items. It seems to me that 20mm has a growing place in the marketplace for us given that a great many of us, including me, are getting older and have difficulty seeing l5mm (whoever thought that would happen to us!) and it is difficult to have "large" battles in 25mm on our tabletops. Can it be possible that we will make a return to 20mm in our later years? This doesn't mean I am giving up 15mm and 25mm scales, however. Actually, it is just the "beauty" of this 20mm line that made me commit myself to this project. If you can't tell by now, I do recommend this line although I don't like their packaging. Beautiful stuff indeed! Available from Brookhurst Hobbies, 12188 Brookhurst Street, Garden Grove, CA 92840 (714-636-3580; FAX 714-636-9150-, e-mail: inf6(-0,)brookhursthobbies.com; Web Site: http://www.brookhursthobbies.com), who provide quality. efficient, fast mail order service (I ordered via e-mail; yeh, me, Mr. Computer "know-nothing" well, I'm impressed!). By the way, Brookhurst Hobbies, who imports a great many UK lines, in my professional opinion does everything it can to keep prices down on these imported lines. If you don't believe this, check out their extensive catalog and prices for imported lines. Available in the UK from B&B Miniatures, 37 The Queensway, Hall Road, HU6 9BE, UK. In 20min, by the way, you can take advantage of all of the HO scale railway plastic building kits that are available!
By Hal Thinglum - COTTON JIM'S FLAGS - Jim Russell, 2113 Walpole St., Virginia Beach, VA 23456 (757-427-5725) has a line of 15mm and 25mm ACW and Napoleonic flags which I saw at Historicon. I'd been looking for 25mm SYW Spanish infantry flags and couldn't find them anywhere. Imagine my surprise when "Cotton Jim" came up with theml I bought three packs as I have six battalions of Spanish line and one of Grenadiers (all from Vince Clyant of the London War Room). I'd been told that I could use Spanish Napoleonic nags for the SYW units. If someone knows this is not correct, please keep it to yourself as I don't want to know! There are two different types of flags in each of the packs - one National flag and one regimental flag for $3.60. 15mm flag sets arc $3.00. His list for ACW and Napoleonics is quite extensive with 65 ACW and perhaps 50 Napoleonic. As with all other flag lines, except for REVO (who has a self-adhesive backing), these flags can be cut out, folded over, and you apply Elmer's White glue and you are set. Nice stuff.
By Hal Thinglum - PATRIOTS & LOYALISTS - AWI WARGAME RULES - Scott Holder, who has an outstanding reputation in the AWI period, has published his wargames rules - PATRIOTS & LOYALISTS with "assistance" from Arty Conliffe. This is a professionally done effort of 39 pages with a pull-out playing chart in the back. Scott tells us the rules are intended not only for the AWI, but for the FIW period as well. The "ftmdamental units if PAL are the infantry battalion, the cavalry regiment and the artillery battery." Furthermore, Scott states "PAL focuses on the correlation of morale to a unit's ability to deploy and fight, therefore, details of firepower are deliberately simplified." The rules were written for 25mm. figures although 15mm measurements are provided. Figure ratio is 1:15/30 while cavalry is 1:15/20. Basing is three foot/two horse/two to four (depending upon the size of the gun) artillery crew to a stand. D I O's are used for play. There is a section of unit organization (British line have seven stands while Continental line have six). Time scale is not mentioned, to my knowledge. Units are given "permanerif 'morale markers and once the number of markers matches the number of stands in the unit, the unit is removed from play. Sequence of play is as follows: Action Determination (this die roll determines how many actions two to four - each unit can perform); Move/Fire; Move; Move to melee support, formation change, rally, load, fire, evasion (of charge); preemption; reaction; melee; and Brigade Morale Phase.
Movement is rather slow with infantry moving 3" in line or 4" in column. There is a section on optional rules and four scenarios (Bunker Hill, Princeton, Freeman's Farm, and Guilford Court House) are offered. These rules have many illustrated examples and are well presented with an excellent table of contents which guide the gamer to the correct page. Available from Wargames, Box 278, Route 40 East, Triadelphia, WV 26059-0278 (304-547-0000; e-mail: shood@ict.org). I don't recall the price. I am impressed with these rules in all aspects except for the "slow" movement rates. Take a look at them; they might be the best AWI rules available on the market!
By Hal Thinglum - THUNDERBALL! 3-D MINIATURE WARGAMING RULES FOR UNDERWATER COMBAT - Goblintooth Enterprises, 35 Baincroft Road, Malden, MA 02148 (781-397-9401) offers this interesting rules set - underwater combat! Urn! What next?! Written by Tim Mullen and Brian Reddington-Wilde, this is a 58 page booklet inspired by the James Bond movie "Thunderball". Brian, in his "designer's notes", states "The rules reflect the flavor of folktales and anecdotes, not actual behaviour patterns" and provides a motto for this game "Real life as seen in the movies" - a nice approach, I think! The rules are offered for three different levels of play: basic, advanced, and expert. Each turn equals one minute; figure scale is one to one, including "sea creatures"; ground (water?) scale is 1:72nd equals 6 feet; 15" of movement in one game turn equals one mile per hour; and D6 are used for game play. Brian states that a full range of 1/72nd scale metal divers, seasleds and creatures are available from his company. Preparation and painting information is provided. One of the main features of this rules set is that it allows the "divers" to be "3-D" with the addition of Brian's stands which came out of his aircraft rules. Each player has a "control" sheet to maintain track of their figures which contains info re name, figure equipment, number of "action" dice, modifiers, wounds, spears, and action points. Each figure has a number of "action" dice which determine the number of action points the figure has for that game turn. Modifications are made to this roll (wounds, etc). The player with the highest action points moves first. Action points are expended in a number of ways; movement up, down or laterally; combat, etc. There are charts for all sorts of "sea creatures" including sharks, reptiles, rays, mollusks, jellyfish, fish, and cetaceans. Brian offers a section on types of military and paramilitary underwater strike forces as well as three scenarios. These rules are simply written and would offer a great convention game. Recommended and cleverly done! Cost is $12.00. I should add that Brian included a listing of his stands; you might check these out if you are into air warfare!
By Hal Thinglum - CHARIOT MINIATURES 15MM WARGAMES FIGURES AND 10MM AIM FIGURES - Division after Division, c/o Roger Dospil, 167 10 Bradbe Road, Fisherville, KY 40023 (502-267-8146) carries full lines of both Chariot and AIM figures and I must admit these are both very fine lines! First of all, the AIM 10mm - there is something about 10mm. that is very appealing - OK, I know I say that about every toy soldier! - Roger sent samples from the Napoleonic line - Austrian/Hungarian 1800-15 - Fusilier (1800 and 1809) command; and Austrian-German 1800 and 1809 Fusilier command. Simply outstanding metal soldiers! Detail is unbelievable; cast-on flags which I love; no (as in NONE) flash; simply outstanding! 24 foot/I 2 cavalry/5 guns for $3.85/pack; what is that, under . 15 per foot figure? GEEZ!!! The AIM line also has ancients, ACW and ECW lines. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! The Chariot 15min line is equally as well detailed. Roger sent Selucid war elephant with howdah, pikeman, spearman, and bowman. The animal comes three parts ($5.65) and looks very good assembled! I really like the pikeman leaning over the side "poking" away at troops below! Samples for Successor and Greek Cavalry as well as Summerian and Republican/Late Rome periods were included as well. As mentioned, detail is very good; no flash; nice poses. Eight infantry/4 cavalry are at $3.25. Good stuff here!
By Len Brewer - LEVA PRODUCTIONS PILLBOX - Leva Productions, 11260 Rue Bellevois, Montreal-Nord, Qc. Canada HIH 3E2, has a Pillbox with a KV-1 turret in 20mm scale (72-F-05) with a cost of $13.00. 1 obtained this nice model from Stuempfle's Military Miniatures, 13190 Scott Road, Waynesboro, PA 17268 and it is a nice 72nd scale Russian pillbox made in resin consisting of five pieces which fit together very nicely. On top of this, the turret fits into the hole provided very well. On the turret, all you have to do is glue the turret gun and machine gun on. Very nice and easy fit. This model goes together very fast, fits with the various tank models and figures that are available.
By Len Brewer - US CAST GERMAN 88MM GU - US CAST, PO Box 3229, Santa Cruz, CA 95063 has a German 88mm gun mounted on a 12-ton half track ($15.00) in 1/76th scale. Also available from Steumpfles. The half-track body, tracks and gun are very nice and the parts go together with ease. The problem I had with this kit was that the wheels, front axle, seats and gun shield were encased in excess flash that needed to be trimmed off prior to use. The model looks very nice with other WWII vehicles in this scale.
By Len Brewer VAC-CAST PLASTICS WWII JEEPS - Also available from Steumpfles; a nice line of 1/76th scale resin kits; I looked at VS- 10 1 and VS- 102, different versions of the WWII jeep. Care must be used when cutting the body pieces out. Detail is sharp and clean and all pieces fit together very well. After completion, these jeeps compare very well with the Dixon's that I have in my collection. Cost is $4.00 each. If you need lots of jeeps for the Americans or British, you should consider looking into this line.
By Hal Thinglum - CASTAWAY ARTS 25MM COLONIAL FIGURES - Castaway Arts, PO Box 7599, Cairns Q 4870, Australia (phone/fax 0061-07-4041-2079; e-mail: castawyarts@ozemail.com.au; www.castawayarts.com.au for catalog) is run by Gerry Webb, an Australian wargamer. He has figures for the Ashanti Wars consisting of 13 British (West Indian regt; Haussa infantry, native scouts and British infantry). There are 13 natives including a leader, swordsmen, drummer, and musketmen and one holding a severed head(!). These figures appear to measure 30mm from the top of the base to eye level and thus, would fit in well with the "large" 25mm Colonial figures. I am surprised how many wargamers I've talked to who would be interested in the Ashanti War if figures were available. Well, now they are! Detail is fairly good on these figures. It would appear that only two natives require a separate weapon (rifle) which included in the pack. I particularly like the kneeling native figure w/rifle. Within the British line, the native scouts are very nice w/unusual headwear! The West Indians wear a Zouave type uniform; one of them requires a separate musket. The Haussa infantry are wearing a fez and I would think could be used for any number of native infantry in Africa. Gerry provides painting information as well as a rules set "The Green Hell - Colonial Warfare in West Africa". Cost of figures is $1.30 Australian; postage is charged at cost. He accepts MasterCard/Bankcard. An interesting line and nice figures!
By Hal Thinglum - FIGURES, ARMOUR, ARTILLERY 25MM SPANISH CIVIL WAR FAA, 17 Oakfield Drive, Upton Health, Chester CH2 ILG, UK (Phone 01244-379399), run by John Bruce, was one of the first UK companies I dealt with through MWAN, and it was a very pleasurable experience! John kindly sent along a pack of each of his new 25mm. Spanish Civil War line. What is it about 25mm WWII/20th century figures that appeals so much to me? I had "mounds" of Wargames Foundry WWI French for my French Foreign Legion collection; started collecting 25mm WWII, and now John tempts me with the Spanish Civil War for which I've been saving articles in a file for years! There are currently ten packs and John reports that there are more to follow! SCWO I Moroccan regulars in turban: eight differently poses figures including what appears to be an NCO. Wonderful(!) Figures about 27/28mm high from top of the stand to eye level; four advancing; two firing; one loading, and the NCO. Outstanding detail and animiation - no flash!! SCW02 Moroccan command has five figures - great officer in US-army service cap advancing and waving on his men as well as an officer in fez w/pistol advancing. I assume the other three are NCO' s, one w/separate arm running crouched low! SCW03 Foreign Legion infantry 1936/37 and SCW04 command: the EM pack has 8 figures - all differently posed as the whole line is so I won't mention this anymore - two kneeling (one firing), standing firing while the rest are advancing (2 w/separate rifle arms). Great officer poses; one standing w/pistol in air and motioning; another advancing holding pistol high and firing; all figures in sleeves rolled up(!); another w/submachine gun. This line has such character, detail, and appeal that they are calling my name! SCW05 Assault Guard infantry and SCW06 Command: this stuff gets better and better! Wearing the US-type dress service cap mentioned previously; a great kneeling cocking his rifle figure, the standing firing figure is leaning slightly forward; the NCO standing w/rifle at side pointing to his side. Again, fantastic officers - my favorite thus far is an advancing slightly crouched with machine pistol! This command set has two separate arm figures. SCW07 F.A.I. Anarchist Militia are in sidecaps w/rolled sleeves and wearing neck scarfs. SCW08 Nationalist regular Infantry in sidecap - NCO w/separate rifle arm; two firing, others advancing. SCW09 Nationalist infantry in helmet & shirt sleeves: OK, John, I give up - I'll start collecting Spanish Civil War! Beautiful figures - what else can I say! German WWII type helmet and gaiters. NCO w/separate rifle arm. All with blanket rolls! These are my favorites! SCWIO Nationalist infantry w/mixed headgear and jackets: this pack has seven helmets and one sidecap. NCO w/separate arm; six of eight w/blanket rolls. Cost is 5.00 pounds/8 figure packs and 3.50 pounds for 5 figure packs. Well, that's it. Don't think I could take any more excitement! A great line - congratulations, John! Looking forward to the heavy weapons and vehicles (Bilbo armoured car, armoured lorry w/turret, and Renault FT tank!)! This conflict would seem interesting to do in 25mm scale; single mounted figures as with my WWII 25mm collection I'd love an in-depth article on the Spanish Civil War - what do you say, Pat Condray? Did MWAN publish your SCW rules, Dick Larsen?
By Hal Thinglum - WARGAMES ACCESSORIES METAL BASES - Jeff Lista of Wargames Accessories, 7566 20th St., St. Petersburg, FL 33702 (813-522-6203) offers an excellent selection of metal movement stands. I personally think this is the way for anyone building wargames armies to go - I've remounted all of my figures on metal stands except for my 25mm SYW, which is far to large to go back and remount. Jeff offers 55 different sizes and custom cuts to your specifications. I've found his response time to be very quick. For $4.00, you get a pack of either 24 or 36 stands, except for Y'0" stands (15). Very reasonable prices indeed. Highly recommended to all gamers!
By Hal Thinglum - BATAILLENFEUR GAMES 20MM SYW FIGURES - Hap Jordan, 14 Parkview Ave., Jamestown, NY 14701 (phone 716-488-1586) has done what many of us have thought of - having a wargames figure line made for him and offering it to the public! Hap is a SYW gamer and has a 20mm line which is very good. I've been getting Prussians and Austrians and am very pleased with them. Thus far, the Prussians have Musketeers, Fusiliers, Grenadiers, Dragoons, Cuirassiers, and Hussars in Mirlton and busby as well as three gunner figures. The Austrians have Musketeers, Dragoons, Grenadiers, Grenzers, Cuirassiers, and three gunners. There are three guns available - Austrian 3lb, 6lb and 12lb (guns are $6.00 for two of the same type). Figures are .50 each with horses going for .75. Hap also offers British, Hanovarian and French figures for the SYW. These figures are little beauties! I was very surprised when Hap sent me some samples sometime ago as I did not expect this type of quality from a small line! Hap informs me that the Prussian Hussars can also be used as Austrian Hussars and that limbers and limber horses are in the works. All of the foot figures have two poses - march attack and advancing, both of which I like - and there are four Grenzer figures, including an officer. There are flag bears, officers and drummers for all expect the Grenadiers don't have standard bearers. Flag poles are cast on. I plan on using the 3 pounders as battalion guns with two crew and the 6 and 12 pounders with four crew I'll be anxious when he releases the limbers and limber horses! By the way, I have the 6 and 12 pound guns and they are simply outstanding! Great detail! The figures are posed very well; have very little flash; and I can recommend this line most highly - even though I have a huge 25mm SYW collection, I want to have large Prussian and Austrian armies in this scale and from Hap's line. Hap has a set of rules which he will be submitting to MWAN soon. I am following his unit sizes of 24 foot/horse for the Prussians and 30 foot/horse for the Austrians. He also has a line of 20mm Napoleonics which I haven't seen. Congratulations on a fine line, Hap!
By Hal Thinglum - 25mm SYW LIMBER/TEAM FROM DAYTON PAINTING CONSORTIUM LTD - The Dayton Painting Consortium Ltd., PO Box 24185, Huber Heights, OH 45424 (937-667-1037) is offering the old 25mm RSM line. I had just gotten into SYW gaming when the RSM line came out and it was, by far, the finest 25mm SYW line available at that time and still is good. I needed some limbers for a British 25mm SYW battery and found these at Historicon. Two limbers, four horses and two riders for only $7.00. The horses are in tandem (one ahead of the other, right?), so I will use only one horse per limber. I am very satisfied with the quality and especially the price! Recommended!
Hal Thinglum - JR MINIATURES WARGAMES BUILDINGS AND K&M TREES - While at Historicon, I was able to pick up some JR Miniatures, 1049 Townley Cr., Longmont, CO 80501, through GEO-HEX, 2126 North Lewis, Portland, OR 97227 (phone 503-288- 4805; FAX 503-2888992; e-mail krs@geohex.com website http://wvrw.geohex.com). You know how I love wargames buildings, well these are quite nice and I couldn't pass them up! I picked up one 1/285th pack of three stone bridges ($4.25); from a listing on the pack, it appears as though they offer 32 packs of buildings in this scale. Very good detail on these bridges, all of which are identical. In 15mm, I picked up a really nice large bridge (2 1/2" X 8" ) (code 1667) which I plan on using for both 15mm and 20mm. I needed more farm buildings so I got 41660 long thatched house~ 1663 two piece worker's quarters (2 houses); #1659 brick/thatch barn; and #1657 stucco/thatch house. There appear to be twenty buildings in their listing. All packs in 15mm were at $4.75. Good value for the money and I can recommend these attractive structures!
For years, I've been looking for a source for the great K&M trees - these are the best wargames trees available in my opinion. I have written numerous letters to K&M in the UK and even sent them several copies of MWAN, but they have never responded. Strange business practice, I would think. I finally found them at MEN-AT-ARMS, 309 S. Westmore Ave., Lombard, IL 60148 (630-889-9606). By the way, Bill Krieg at Men-At-Arms had some very interesting items which I was surprised at. If you live in the area, check him out! Anyway, GEO-HEX is now carrying K&M. They come in 6mm (24), 15mm(16) and 25mm (9) in four groups: deciduous assortments in green, blossom, autumn, and evergreen assortments. Cost per package is $24.00. I've seen all three scales and have the 15mm in my possession - great stuff. They also offer 15mm and 25mm hedges - I purchased the 25mm years ago - 15mm is 6" long (2/$5.95) and 25mm is 7" (258.50). K&M trees are made of steel wire, fine black plastic bristle and covered in flockings. Tree bases are available (6/$2.50) made from .020 sheet styrene Highly recommended trees!
By Hal Thinglum - OUTLAND GAMES 25MM FRFDERICK - Outland Games, PO Box 457, Phillipsburg, OH 45354 (phone 937-884-8822; FAX 937-837-1413; e-mail outland@erinet.com; web site http://www.w-n-s.com/seirvices/OutlandO/index.htm) has released a great 25mm figure for Frederick the Great at Kunersdorf ($2.95). 1 had to have this figure! Frederick is sitting on a tree stump and looks great! Chris tells me that he is going to release additional "character" figures such as this. I'm looking forward to them! Please note that Outland Games has a new address. Chris is now offering the 15mm and 25mm Limeys and Slimeys ships that were so popular sometime ago and should remain so with the interest in pirates!
By Hal Thinglum - ADLER 6MM SYW FIGURES FROM STONE MOUNTAIN - Stone Mountain, PO Box 594, Broomfield, CO 80038 (phone 303-654-7989; FAX 303-659-9024; toll free number 877-654-7989; website: http://www.HistoricalMiniatures.com) manufacturers the 6mm Adler line available in the UK. I'd heard of these figures but never had a chance to see them. I received samples from 7150 Austrian Hussars, 7092 Heavy field gun in three pieces - carriage/barrel and two wheels; 7130 artillery crew; 7000 Prussian Musketeers marching; and 7007 Prussian Grenadiers advancing. Foot figures come four to a sprue while horse are two to a sprue. Adler figures seem to be about 8mm tall from the top of the stand to eye level and possess a great amount of detail. Sometimes the end of the weapon has some flash, but this seems easily disposed of. I am told that 6mm paints up very quickly and these are beautiful figures and surpass the detail of 15mm not long ago. Prices are very fair - $7.25 per pack of 60 foot/30 horse/10 guns/30 limber horses. Command packs for the infantry are in separate packs while horse packs have command included. I would love to see some well-terrained/based Adler figures for VOLLEY & BAYONET - I'll bet they would look great! Highly recommended. I'd love to see more 6mm articles submitted to MWAN, especially on basing and organization as well as painting! Send Stone Mountain $5.00 for their new catalog which is very impressive!
By Hal Thinglum AB MINIATURES FROM EUREKA MINIATURES - Eureka Miniatures, 10 Woorayl St., Carnegie, Victoria 3163, Australia (phone/fax 613-9568-4085; e-mail: nicr@eurekamin.com.au Web site: http://www.eurekamin.com.au) carries the 15mm AB line of Napoleonics and ACW which are quite extensive. Eureka is run by Nic Robson, who is a real gentleman and recently received an award for best mail order business from an online magazine in the UK! Congratulations, Nic. After meeting Nic at Historicon, I can tell why he has such an outstanding reputation! AB figures are designed by Tony Barton, who designed the Battle Honours figures. I am told that the AB line is a little bigger and more detailed than the other figures he has done and I can believe it after seeing a few samples of the AB line. These would appear to be 18mm figures from the top of the base to eye level and they are very good figures. Very little flash and good animation! I have two casualty figures, one enthusiastic infantryman, and six lancers, all of which are great figures. After seeing these figures, I made up my mind to do the Peninsula with them - they are that good! There are French (1798-1806 and 1806-1812) , British, Austrian, Spanish, Portuguese, Peninsular British (perfect for me, wouldn't you say!), Brunswick, Saxons, Bavarians, Wurtemburg, Prussians (1806 and 1812), and Russians (1805 and 1812). They state that there are between one and 12 variations within each figure listing. The lancers I received had a nice variety of well animated horses with different poses. The lances and pennants were cast on to the figure, which I like, and were very well done! They also have a line of 20mm WWII tank and vehicle crews which would be very helpful to the WWII gamer. Highly recommended! By the way, the AB catalog has many photos of the figures. Drop Nic a letter with several International Reply Coupons for a listing of the line. You won't be disappointed!
By Hal Thinglum - MUSKET MINIATURES HEKI TREES - Musket Miniatures, PO Box 1976, Broomfield, CO 8003 8 (Phone/FAX 303-439-9336; e-mail musketmin] @aol.com) offers the fine imported HEKI tree boxes. I've purchased a large number of the Heki trees years ago for 25mm gaming and felt they were outstanding trees. While I was thinking about 6mm, I thought I'd order a box of Heki mini-forest evergreens (100 trees 1 1/2 to 3" for $19.99). They are outstanding trees as well; I wasn't disappointed! There are no bases, which I prefer, as I like to send them to Andrew Doyle of 3-D Contours who bases them for me and does a great job. Highly recommended trees!
By Hal Thinglum - REDOUBT ENTERPRISES 25MM ACW/NAPOLEONIC/AWI RELEASES - Redoubt Enterprises, 49 Channel View Rd., Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN22 7LN, UK has released more items for their ACW and Napoleonic lines in 25mm. Peter Helm continues to do a quality job with these extensive lines! First of all, they have released a 25mm ACW train which can also be used for Europe, Russia, Africa and India, according to Peter. There is a locomotive and tender, including crew (65 pounds), long flatcar (15 pds), short flatcar (12 pds), Guards van (20 pds), and Resin 12" track and bed sections (4.00 pds). Now for this train, Peter offers ACW train guards seated w/muskets; all come with separate heads. There are four different packs: shirt order, shell jackets, sack jackets, and frock coat (4.00 pds each). In addition, there is a pack of six rifled muskets (1.00 pd)for the ACW as well as ACX32 a set of high command Confederate officers in conference seated on two church pews with separate heads and ACX33 same except they are Union officers. Each are 4.00 pounds each. The seated figures are very interesting and would be great for dioramas; I've seen photos of them sitting in the second floor openings of barns, etc. Very well done!
For the American War of Independence, they have released Loyalist cavalry. AWIC6 Queen's Rangers officer w/hand raised and AWIC7 trooper w/sword on shoulder, as well as three horses; standing, walking/trotting/galloping. Figures are .65 pence and horses are .95 pence.
From their Napoleonic line comes British Highlanders consisting of officer, ensign, piper, and four EM: advancing w/level musket, advancing w/musket held across chest, charging, and standing firing. Also British horse artillery crew with five figures including officer and EM with wormer, bucket, trailspike, and rammer. There are also British foot and horse artillery limber horse riders as well as French foot and horse limber horse riders along with PX11 pair of British limber horses and PX 12 pair of French limber horses (2.00 pds). Also new are PX 13 two British horse artillery riders to sit on the limber and PX14 British foot crew for limber (1.30 pds). The figures high quality stuff- Whatever Redoubt measure out to about 27mm tall and are very well detailed Enterprises makes, they are at the top three figure manufacturers in my opinion. Just wonderful quality! Their horses are outstanding! Highly Recommended!
By Hal Thinglum - NAISMITH 15MM ECW FROM REGAL MINIATURES - Regal Miniatures, run by Darryl Sheldon, 1980 N.W. 94th St., Suite D, Clive, Iowa 50325 (phone 515-2530907; FAX 515-251-3906; www.regalminiatures.com) is now carrying the 15mm Naismith line and I picked up some ECW packs at Historicon. They offer Montrose's Army (15 packs), New Model Army (9), artillery park (3 guns, galloper w/two horse team, and gun team and limber), and Royalists (15 packs). I always like mounted officers and guns (you can never have enough guns, can you?) So I got EC41 heavy gun (two for $2.79); EC 14 Scottish Army Command including Montrose, Leslie and Dundee mounted, EC24 Mounted Commanders for the New Model Army with Essex, Fairfax and Cromwell, and EC33 Royalist army command with Charles 1, Lucas and Rupert. All have separate horses and are nicely done, especially the horses and guns. I should have picked up some gun teams and limbers as I would like to see what they look like. Within Montrose's Army, they have the Irish Brigade/lowland musketeers, pikerrien, Lowland and Highland Command, mounted Scottish officer, Highland archers, musketeers, sword & buckler, Lochaber Axe, and 2-handed sword as well as a mounted Highlander and Scottish Dragoon and Lancer. The only figures I still need for my massive ECWrrYW 15mm collection are those for Montrose's army. I'll have to pick up some packs of these - highly recommended as is Darryl's service and very pleasant personality!
By Hal Thinglum - HELION AND COMPANY 25MM FIGURES - Helion & Company, 26 Willow Road, Solihull, West Midlands, B91 lUE, UK (phone 0121-705-3393; FAX 0121-711-1315; e-mait: wargames@helion.co.uk and website: http:Hwww.helion.co.uk) is headed by wargamer Duncan Rogers who started a book business several years ago (contact me re info on books), but has been releasing 25mm 19th Century figures. First of all, he offers Carlist Wars 1833-40 with 38 Carlist foot and artillery crew and 12 Cristino foot figures. He also has 25mm ACW with 20 foot and six gunners; seven Old West Gunfighters; and 1850 Austrians with four Hungarian and two German infantry. What really grabbed my attention, however, is the 25mm 1866 Austro-Prussian War line. All figures have separate heads and there are three parts of the Prussian line infantry: "moving forward (15 figures), Firing Line (not yet released), and Mounted Command & Casualties. The Austrian-German infantry will follow the same approach. For example, there will be skirmisher figures to cover the column; front rank figures will be crouching low to avoid the chassepot fire(!); and other ranks will be posed accordingly. This would make a great diorama, wouldn't it I I have a few samples of these lines and I like them very much. The heads have long sprues which will need to be trimmed. The figures are essentially flash-free with very good detail. I really like them! Foot are .70 pence while mounted are 1.50 pds. Duncan takes MasterCard and Visa cards. Duncan reports "All of the ranges save for that covering 1866 were previously available under the Valiant Miniatures banner. We have plans to extend a number of the existing ranges, including the Carlists, remodel the ACW figures, and, of course, greatly expand the 1866 range.,, Duncan will have a fine line of 19th century figures when he finishes the line. These figures are compatible with Wargames Foundry and Battle Honours 25mm lines. Nice figures and I am looking forward to future releases!
By Hal Thinglum - MINIFIG RELEASES Thomas Dye of Game Figures, Inc., C/O Attactix, 15107 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora, CO 80014 (phone 303-699-3349; FAX 303-699-3428) is the new owner of the Minifigs line in the USA. Tom sent along some 15mm Minifig samples from their Napoleonic and Marlburian lines. First of all, the Napoleonics: the figures are about l6min from to of base to eye level; they possess fair detail and are more animated than the "old' Minifigs figures. One of the great things about Minifigs in the past was that they had the most extensive lines of all periods; that may still be true for Napoleonics in 15mm scale. Tom is using a lead-free pewter now. There were no horses included, but the riders, including a Hussar and several what would appear to be mounted Generals, are nice figures. There is also an Austrian Napoleonic 12 pound gun which comes in five pieces, including the two wheels. Looks as though it would be assembled easily enough. The infantry standard bearers have cast on flag poles. Tom announces they have a new packaging approach, 50 foot including four sets of command will sell for $11.95 while 12 cavalry including one set of command will sell for $7.95. Six guns/24 crew for $11.95. Limbers, wagons and special sets will vary in content and price. The Malburians were at a true 15mm and Tom included musketeers advancing, march attack, firing, and Grenadiers as well as command figures - officers, drummers and officers. I like the march attack poses and the command figures are nicely done.
Minifigs has released a brand new scale and period - 12mm WWII. Many years ago Hinchliffe released a l2mm line - System 12, was it? 12mm may be a really good scale for WWII gaming - I don't know. Anyway, they have released a large number of German, British, and American figures and vehicles. One vehicle/two small guns or small vehicles are priced at $2.95; five vehicle platoon packs are $13.95; four are at $11.50; three at $8.50; an infantry pack of 36 figures is $6.95. All guns come with crews. A tank was included for mention; I don't know what kind it is, however, it comes in five parts: body, two tracks, turret, and main gun. Nicely done nothing wrong with this model! Also included was a nice looking antitank gun with five differently posed crew members. I really like the infantry. You can easily tell what they are and detail is good as is animation. A wide variety of poses. I think this line has promise; it just depends upon whether WWII gamers want to go down from 20mm and 15mm (many seem to be going down from 20mm to 15mm right now!), or up from 1/285th to 12mm. Will be interesting to find out what happens, however, this line looks good and would be great for the wargames table for WWII - you could really have infantry with your tanks in a small enough scale so as to give you a lot of territory on your wargames table. This line is highly recommended!
By Hal Thinglum - IGAJO'S 25MM PAINTED ARMIES - George Johnson (Mr. GAJO), 930 Mellish Drive, Lapeer, MI 48446 (810-664-5655) is one of the nicest guys in the hobby, no doubt! I've known him for some fifteen years and he's one of my best friends - sounds as though I may not keep my usual "critical, analytical distance" while doing these figure "reviews" (Frank Chadwick at Historicon '99 described my "What's New in Hal's Mailbox" approach to reviewing figures as "Hal's never met a wargames figure he didn't like"). Hey, we all have good friends in the industry! Anyway, you know George buys and sells painted armies and also has been offering painted armies for sale that he has painted for him. George gave me a 24-man unit of British Highlanders from the French-Indian War - Old Glory figures - painted and mounted three to a base. Now, I can't really tell you the price because he didn't tell me and I am not sure I can match up the figures to the figures listed on his catalog so I'll just say that you should contact George and request to be put on his mailing list. The 24 figures had two standard bearers with "tattered" flags; two drummers; piper; sergeant, and officer. The paint job is quite good - I can never judge "how" good paint jobs are - they surely are better than anything I've ever been able to do and would certainly, in my book, qualify as "professionally done" figures. While I might not be able to adequately comment upon paint jobs, I can easily comment that George is the most honest man I've ever met. He sends out his painted armies upon approval and gives the purchaser ten days to decide if he wants the armies. Then the purchaser pays for them. In all the years George has been in the business, there has only been one case, he reports, who did not pay, and George, after a period of a year or two, made a personal visit to his house where he picked them up. George stands about 6-3, weighs in over 200 pounds, and is an ex-police officer. I personally would make a practice of paying for his figures! In his painted figure listings, he offers a large number of 15mm armies for sale, and some 25mm. Give George a call if you are interested in buying painted armies; you won't go wrong! Highly recommended! If you want to sell your painted armies, give him a call. Oh, let me give you a Mr. GAJO hint re sending painted figures - go to your local food store and purchase a bulk pack of puffed rice. Put the figures in the box along with the puffed rice and send it out. George claims it works great. I won't argue with him! "Of course, you're right, Mr. GAJO!" Thanks, George!
By Hal Thinglum - THE LONDON WAR ROOM - Vince Clyant of The London War Room, 41 Beverly Hills Loop, Petal, NIS 39465 (phone 601-584-8533; gave me two painted battalion guns with three crew each for his 25mm Spanish infantry while at Historicon. Vince converted all three figures and then cast them. Two of the figures are in front of the gun pulling it with the ropes over their left shoulders - I've never seen a gun crew prolonging a wargames gun and it looks good! The third figure was converted so as to hold a rammer in his left hand a bucket in his right. With the second gun, the third figure is using the trail spike to assist the two figures putting the gun! The bases are terrained very nicely and realistically with grass and small stones. My point in mentioning all this is that Vince is very clever and can do just about anything you request of him as far as construction of wargames buildings and terrain and figure conversion and painting. Give him a call or e-mail with your needs. Very helpful fellow! Thanks, Vince and Sharron!
By Hat Thinglum - "RUN THE GUNS" ACW NAVA.L RULES - J&T Miniatures, HC 83, Box 15, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472 (218-568-7447), who make Merrimack Miniatures 15mm ships, has released RUN THE GUNS - Naval Action in the ACW by Joel Gregory ($12.95). This is an 18-page spiral bound booklet; the rules are designed to be played with 15mm ACW ships. No information is provided re time and ground scales. Each ship is graded as to speed, tonnage/draft, armor and size of ship, special specifications such as ram, torpedoes, etc., type of guns, and ship's crew. Sequence of play is as follows: repair, movement, ramming, combat, morale, and boarding. There is a special section of the rules encompassing the use of forts, which would be very useful. Who amongst us has not thought of doing an ACW naval battle with ships and a fort?!!! There is a two-side "cheat sheet". These are simple, straight-forward rules, the type I like very much! Cheek out Joel's line of 15mm ships; he also offers guns and coastal fortifications, Recommended! Good work, Joel!
By Hal Thinglum - VILLAGE GREEN BUILDIN(jS - Village Green, 17 Rotunda Road, Eastbourne, BN23 6LE, UK (phone/FAX 01323-738882; e-mail resinseenics@telinco.co.uk) years ago produced a 15mm Southern European building set which I obtained and thought was great! I never got around to getting it ready for the wargames table, but when I was putting together my 15mm European buildings, I pulled them out. There were seven buildings which I had planned on using for one complex - a convent, actually. I then realized that walls were available and I had never obtained them. I wrote to Village Green about this and they sent their new catalog along with two wall sections for mention in this column. There are a total of eight different types of wall sections which can be used with the buildings mentioned previously, or by themselves. They are called stucco rendered wall and can be used for 15/20/25mm, which I believe. They consist of straight, curved, comers with steps, high to low wall section, low walls, and gate with pillars. Prices range from 1.65 to 2.65 pounds. These are quality items and I think my "convent" when completed, will be a real showpiece on the wargames table. Highly recommended. They are available in the US, though I don't know where. They have recently released a 25mm Spanish Main Fort (60 pounds) for 1550-1815 - Pirates, again! Also new is a 25mm ACW Mortar Barge (17.50), which looks great in the illustration, and an ACW siege mortar (3.50). Drop them a line for their catalog - include several International Reply Coupons. They have fascinating items and their quality is outstanding! Highly recommended!
By Hal Thinglum - AWt SCENARIO BOOKLET #2 - MWANer Robert Haworth, Stenhouse Game Productions, PO Box 92, McLean, VA 22101-0092 (stenhousegaines@hotinail.com website: http://www.homestead.com/StenhouseGameProductions/home.html) has released his second scenario booklet for the American War of Independence - 'WITH SUCH MEN AS THESE: More American War of Independence Scenarios for Busy People ($11.95). 1 really enjoyed the first one and this one is the same. It is a 51-page spiral bound booklet with six scenarios - Hubbardton, Klock's Field, Greenspring, Butts Hill, Second Springfield, and Barren Hill. There is a three page introductory section providing information re specifics of the scenarios with a map for each scenario. In addition, Robert provides additional information re table top features. There is a section on "Hints on Play" in which he offers suggestions for playing the scenarios. I very much like Robert's approach and hope that he continues to chum these quality scenario booklets out - someday, I'm going to do the AWI! Highly recommended and good work Robert!
By Hal Thinglum - 20MM FRYING PAN AND BLANKET AWI - Frying Pan and Blanket Amalgamated LLP, 2283 Apache Street, Mendota Heights, MN 55120 offers a quite extensive listing of 20mm AWI and War of 1812 figures and accessories. Although they offer figures, guns, limbers, etc., in packs, they will sell individual figures, etc., something which I always appreciate a manufacturer doing as it frequently saves me money! My 20nim. SYW project using Hap Jordan's Bataillenfeur line had some holes in it and I remembered that FP&B also offered 20mm products which may be useful. I pulled my old samples from this line and found that there was a size difference between the two lines. FP&B figures are more "slight" than the Bataillenfeur line, a matter of wargamer's "taste" and preference. Bataillenfeur infantry standard bearers had the flag pole cast on, while FP&B had cast on flags, something I prefer, thus, I elected to have FP&B flag bearers for my Bataillenfeur foot units. Furthermore, Bataillenfeur did not offer cavalry standard bearers and FP&B did; luckily, the FP&B riders fit nicely on the Bataillenfeur horses, another plus for me. Lastly, Bataillenfeur did not have limbers and limber horses while FP&B had an extensive line of these as well as some interesting sounding wagons. Having figured this all out, I made an order to FP&B which quickly arrived. In addition to their extensive AWI line, they offer a smaller line of "1740-1770" figures consisting of English, Austrian, French, and Russian line infantry and grenadiers. Each pack of 20 figures ($9.95) comes with two officers, two drummers, two standard bearers, and 18 enlisted men. I selected flag bearers for the Austrian line infantry (Box 006) from this line and switched back to the AWI line for German Grenadiers (# 149), German Line Infantry (Box 112) and German Fusiliers (#113) for their standard bearers for my Prussians. FP&B also offers two sets of "I 8th Century Horse" - troopers and command (#'s 150 and 15 1; two officers, two buglers, two guidons in the command box and six mounted EM, 6 dismtd, and 6 horses in the trooper box), so I selected the guidon figure to be used in both my Prussian and Austrian SYW horse regiments. John Grossman of FP&B kindly answered my questions re which artillery pieces and limbers would be appropriate for both field and battalion guns. His 3# work well for battalion guns, the 6# function as field guns and the 12# as heavy guns. John has a very large selection of guns, limbers, and crew and the gun/limber detail is very good. He also offers limber horses and limber horse riders. For example, in Box 120 French IN guns, you get two guns, two limbers and four limber horses for $9.95. Hard to beat those prices! I like the standard bearers - they are "true" 20mm size from the top of the base to eye level and there is no danger of the cast-on standard or pole being broken off - which is another reason I like them! The flags would be easy to paint because they are "draped" over the figure's right shoulder, thus you don't need a lot of flag detail. I was able to get them for. 50 each. John also offers a large number of wagons which I am going to investigate in the future. Recommended for the "hard to find" items!
By Hal Thinglum - WARFARE IN THE AGE OF DISCOVERY RULES - Tod Kershner and Dale Wood, via THE EMPEROR'S PRESS, has released Warfare in the Age of Discovery Miniatures Rules for the Renaissance 1470-1680, a 55-page professionally printed rules booklet ($22.50). 1 have a lot of respect for Tod and Dale's ability to put together a "playable" set of wargames rules. I've known them for probably twenty years - isn't that amazing that time goes by that quickly? One inch = 25 yards; I figure = 25 men; one gun = 1-4 actual guns; and each turn equals 20-40 minutes. D6 are used in the rules. Sequence of play is as follows: Rally/Morale Recovery, Movement, Artillery Fire, Artillery Fire Morale Checks, Small Arms Fire, Small Arms Morale Check, Melee, and Army Withdrawal. I would add that personally, I prefer rules which provide morale checks following artillery and small arms and Tod and Dale always work in a clever "Army Withdrawal" system so that one does not have full control over whether or not their army stays on the field after suffering casualties. Both l5mm and 25mm information is provided in the rules. Units are placed into one of three "divisions" for each side and each division moves only once per turn; movement order is determined by rolling on the "Movement Order Chart", a very clever idea and one which I am going to "steal" for iny own rules - by the way, this system can be used for solo wargames very well - the chart tells you which side, "A" or "B" moves first, and then it tells you the order of movement for the other divisions for the rest of the turn (i.e., the sequence may be such: B-A-B-B-A-A. The player commanding "A", for instance, determines which of his divisions are moved when it is his turn to move. Movement rates are good - pike move 4" in 15mm and 5" in 25mm with other foot moving 6" and 8". 1 can live with these movement rates. There is a "Master Game Charf' which is cleverly done - the types of weapons are across the top (five types) while the morale grade (0-40) goes down the left side. This allows one chart to cover a wide variety of "results" events. Base sizes and unit organization is provided for both 15mm and 25mm; foot are mounted two (skirmishers) to four (musket/pikelbowmen) to a base with unit strength (number of figures) varying depending upon the type of unit. For example, Landschnechts have 18 figures. There is a section on Army Lists for the period; information on setting up scenarios; terrain generation; and a supplement "Warfare in the Age of Treason" which covers the English Civil War and the Thirty Years War and offers rules modifications for Age of Discovery can be used for these two periods. Tod and Dale also offer army lists for the ECW and TYW periods. Lastly, they have one scenario. Tod informs me that extra army lists are available from him (free, but include a SSAE) at Tod Kershner, 27679 Featherstone Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091. I do plan on printing them in this issue of MWAN however. Tod can be reached for questions at: kershner@net-link.net - thanks, Tod!
By Hal Thinglum - 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF THE SWORD AND THE FLAME Larry Brom has released his TSATF revised rules, including the all-new THE SWORD IN AFRICA - Small Unit African Skirmish Variant - and it should be a welcome addition to the hobby given the success of his rules set published twenty years ago. TSATF, when it came out 20 years ago, had a terrific impact on the hobby, including me. It made a colonial gamer out of me. However, it's very success, in my opinion, sounded it's "death knoll", as everyone loved it so much that we painted more and more figures until such time we put so many figures and units on the board that TSATF couldn't handle the huge armies we had built up as it wasn't intended to do that. Anyway, I feel TSATF was one of the most influential rules sets published in our hobby and certainly, one of the most gamer-friendly and enjoyable! I'm glad to see Larry back in the saddle again! It is available from AND THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS, 213 3rd St., NE, Hickory, NC 28601-5124 (www.thewayitwas.com); price I believe is $25.00. This edition is a 52-page professionally printed effort, in the same format as the first. The first section provides information on the forces, organization, the gaming table, acquiring and painting figures, and uniform information. The rules themselves cover 13 pages (I like that!) and a scenario is provided - the same, I believe, as in the initial edition. As an aside, I used to read and reread this scenario prior to playing a TSATF game as Larry presented it so well! Larry has added new rules for pinning defenders, two ranks firing, overhead fire, pass-through fire, limited ammo, as well as volley and independent fire. There is also a new section for providing "balanced games" which game masters should find helpful. The section of THE SWORD IN AFRICA is ten pages long and is a welcome addition at the present time with the current interest in wargaming in Africa due to Guernsey Foundry's beautiful 28mm figures for this period. Larry writes "The cast of characters in this fascinating drama of Colonial Exploration is endless. There are heroes, adventurers, rogues, cads, slavers, native levies, traders, missionaries, explorers and always, the imperiled native African tribal people." There are seven short suggestions for scenarios and gamers should have no difficulty dreaming up additional ones on their own for this interesting period! The same card system is used but "jokers" are left in and represent "catastrophic episodes". "Random Episodes" are possible in the following areas: Catastrophic, mystical, wildlife, terrain and leaders/characters. These possible events would really spice up a game! Two cardstock reference sheets are provided as are two sets of reference cards designed as player game aids. If you are a TSATF player from years ago, a garner who hasn't played TSATF (is there such a garner?), or a brand newcomer to the hobby, get these rules! They are for everyone. What a wonderful rules system to use to introduce someone new to the hobby. Highly recommended and good to have you back, Larry!
By Hal Thinglum - ESSEX 15MM WWII FIGURES - Essex, available through Wargames, Box 278, Route 40 East, Triadelphia, WV 26059-0278 (304-547-0000 e-mail shyood@lct.org) hasjoined the 15mm WWII period with a nice initial offering of German (12 packs; an additional 12 of late war infantry/SS/Panzer Grenadiers in smocks), British (15 packs of infantry and one of Vickers guns) and American (13 packs including three specifically for Normandy) figure packs. I must admit to a "bias" here; I personally feel that Essex make the finest 15mm figures in the hobby. They are consistently of high quality; have extensive lines; the horses are animated and varied as to poses within cavalry packs; they provide cast-on flags for many periods; their artillery and limbers are top-notch, and there is no variation of figure size within ranges. One of their drawbacks is that for most periods they offer, there is no variation of poses within figure packs - you get one pose. That said, let's get to the figures for WWII. Samples from packs US 1 (assorted infantry advancing w/M 1 carbine) and US2 (assorted laying/kneeling w/M 1 carbine) were received, thus it is impossible to tell you what the content of each pack is. However, of the eight figures I received, three were advancing (same pose), one standing with M 1 forward (probably from US 1, one was kneeling firing, two prone with heads up (don't do that!), and one prone firing. These are "true" 15mm figures from the top of the base to eye level. The same approach was used for the Germans with packs GER1 (assorted infantry laying/kneeling) and GER2 (Assorted infantry advancing). Two of the eight are running (same pose) and one at slow advance. One is standing firing, one kneeling firing with a third kneeling loading and two are prone firing (same pose). The British appear to be from a number of different packs. There is a figure firing a Vickers (one piece casting which I prefer) with one loading; an advancing Bren gunner, and two advancing w/rifle (same pose). Excellent figures; a little flash at the end of gun barrels occasionally; nice poses (with some variety within packs); good detail; and in general, a fine line. I am anxious to see the vehicles! This may be just what I need to get me into 15mm WWII Eastern Front gaming! Highly recommended!
By Hal Thinglum - EDITIONS BROKAW 15MM LINES - Pat Condray (June- October address: 8 S. Somerset Ave., Crisfield, MD 21817 - 410-968-2692 e-mail: condrayp@dmv.com and November-May 2225 S. Gulfwater Pt., Crystal River, FL 34439 - 352-795- 1317 e-mail: pcondray@xtalwind. net) has for years offered a l5mm line for the Great Northern War, War of the Spanish Succession, War of the League of Augsburg, and the Seven Years War. While at Historicon, Patrick pressed a nuinber of figure packs into my greedy, sweaty hands; however, he didn't have any identification on the packs as to what they were. Between my visual problems and my lack of knowledge re identifying uniforms, there is no way I will be able to tell you about individual figure packs - I'll only be able to provide a "general" (even more general than I usually do!) impression of the figures. Sorry, Pat! First of all, let me say that Pat Condray also publishes a great selection of handy booklets on the Age of Marlborough - I think I have them all and have found them to be very useful for this period - it is difficult to find information but his booklets are very good. Send him an SASE for a list of booklets as well as his figure listings. He also offers 20mm Spanish Civil War figures! Prices for the 15mm figures are as follows: 10 cavalry/$4; 20 foot/$3.50; 2 field guns & 8 crew/$3.50; 3 battalion guns & 6 crew/$3.50; two 4-horse wagons/$4.50; three 2-horse wagons or limbers/$3.50; Sapper packs/$3.50. Pat also offers army sets (i.e., 10 sets plus command/$30) - very inexpensive prices indeed! First of all, there are three mounted officers - by the way, all of Pat's cavalry would appear to be one-piece castings, which is good! - these mounted officers are in three poses and would appear to belong to period prior to the SYW judging from the wig styles. They are nice figures w/flash noted only on the underside of the base. They appear to be "true" 15mm scale and I will gladly use them for my 15mm Marburian project, if that means anything to you. Next are five packs of cavalry: the first pack has two officers, a bugler, and seven EM (in the same pose holding sword upright); my "guess" would be that these are Dragoons. The second pack appears identical to the first; however, I know that Pat loves to make minor changes - which my eyes can not discern - to figures making them completely suitable (he is a real detail person for uniform details) for a specific country. The third cavalry pack contains a unit of horse grenadiers with drummer and two different poses of EM - one w/sword upright and the second w/sword across his body. The fourth pack has horse grenadiers again with a drummer, officer and eight EM. The last pack of cavalry has Cuirassier with officer, bugler, and eight EM. It appears to me as though there are at least two horse variations in each pack. Pat gave me five packs of foot. They have 16 EM in tricorn advancing w/musket across their body, a standard bearer w/cast on pole, drummer, and two differently posed officers. They measure 15mm from top of stand to eye level. There is flash on the bottom of the stand - I never mind this - with a little bit of flash between the legs on the base of some figures which is easily cleaned off. Pack two has the same mix of figures; these, however, are advancing the musket a little lower than the first pack. Pack three has the same mix but at march attack. Pack four features infantry marching with the musket on the left shoulder. The last pack has Grenadiers advancing w/bayonet w/two officers and drummer. Whoever casts these figures does an excellent job as the flash is very minimal. I am used to emptying bags of figures on my computer table and having pieces of lead scatter around, but not with this line. As to quality, these are not "state-of-the art" toy soldiers, however, they are (1) inexpensive, (2) the line is extensive, and (3) I will have them in my wargames army.
By Hal Thinglum - A GUIDE TO WARGAMING - FREDERICK'S BATTLES - This is a 5 1 page sprial bound booklet by Greg Savvinos, Railway Place, Malmsbury, Victoria 3446, Australia (sav@netcon.net.au) which is produced by Craig Martelle (gauntlet2@hotmail.com), American Embassy, Moscow, PSC-77, DTRO-M, APO, AE, 09721 ($20.00). It is "an unofficial module for use with Avalon Hill game system: Napoleon's Battles." I have never seen NAPOLEON'S BATTLES, thus I am at somewhat of a loss to understand the troop ratings, etc., contained within this booklet. In his introduction, Greg reports that "This module is aimed at helping players to recreate the larger actions of the wars of the mid-I 8th C (1740-63)". Furthermore, he says "It is the objective of this module to assist players in their design of grand tactical scenarios for this fascinating period using the framework and basic rules of AH's Napoleon's Battles game system." There is a one page listing of rules modifications for NB; eight pages of National Information Charts; five pages of General's ratings; a command span chart for 19 armies; nine scenarios encompassing Mollwitz, Prague, Kolin, Rossbach, Leuthen, Zorndorf, Bergen, Minden and Warburg. The author reports that "the format for these scenarios is in the standard NB scenario style" and that "the Nationality abbreviations and figure and gun type tables (provided in this booklet) should be used instead of those provided in NB." Each scenario has a full page map in color. The booklet ends with a two-page section on scenario creation and a bibliography. I suspect this is a very helpful booklet for SYW gamers who like the NB's system; it would also be useful to those, such as myself, who like to have scenario booklets on hand for periods they are interested in. There is only one problem with this booklet - it represents a rules book publisher's worst nightmare - apparently it came back from the printer in completely backwards order! Craig informs me that this will be corrected in the future!
By Hal Thinglum - CLOSE ORDER DESIGNS - While at Historicon, I met Chris Bennett, 17153 E. Wagontrail Pkwy, Aurora, CO 80015 (303-699-8852; e-mail: closeorderdesigns@hotmail.com), a painter of wargames figures (all scales) and designer of wargames terrain and chess sets. He showed me a unit of Old Glory 25mm English Civil War figures he had painted and I was most impressed with the quality of the paint job. I don't know what he charges, but drop him a line and find out if he's within your price range! I liked his basing technique for this period; perhaps Chris will do an article on how he approaches the ECW in 25mm. Haven't you always thought about a chess set with wargames figures? I'd like to hear more about how you do this, Chris, and I think many of us would be interested.
Back to MWAN #101 Table of Contents
Back to MWAN List of Issues
Back to MagWeb Magazine List
© Copyright 1999 Hal Thinglum
This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web.
Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com