Well, here it is; fifteen minutes before midnight on New Years Eve and I'm here at work for Y2K! Obviously, as you now know, nothing is happening re Y2K and nothing i's going to happen. It's been a quiet evening with not much to do except to run an errand once in awhile to obtain status reports from the various areas of the hospital. I might be better off here at work as Kate, our fourteen year old, is having a New Year's Eve party with a number of her friends at home!
I've been thinking today about New Year's resolutions - I haven't done this in some time; perhaps the fact that I rarely follow through with them might have something to do with that. Anyway, my thoughts have been evolving around the subject of my hobby and I'd like to share them with you. In the year 2000, I would like to:
1) Enjoy my hobby more fully: for far too many years, I've planned, organized, made purchases, and painted figures without getting around to actually doing any table-top wargaming. Once we make our move to the new house, I want to host some wargames in the basement and play some solo wargames. The few times I've tried setting up troops and terrain on the table, the next MWAN arrives from the printer and I end up picking everything up and spreading boxes of MWAN all over my 6' X 16' tables to get ready for the mail! After a number of attempts, I just plain gave up on trying to play a game. My new basement will give me the room to have a separate table area for MWAN so I will be able to set up a game on the wargame table and let it sit for as long as I want. I also want to host a game at a convention; it's been a very long time since I've done so. I must admit that I got tired of lugging hundreds of pounds of figures, terrain, etc., to conventions and setting up/taking down, but it does sound like fun to do it once or twice a year again.
2) Write at least one set of rules: I used to spend a fair amount of time putting together a playable set of simple wargames rules for whatever period I was working on. This was a big part of the enjoyment of putting together a project. You read everything about the period you can get your hands on, take hundreds of pages of notes on your reading, and do your best to write a set of rules which not only reflects what happened historically, but also, something that fits into your view of what you want to see happen on the tabletop.
3) Write up at least one scenario that I've played for MWAN: I've always had a desire to play a wargame and write up a detailed account of what happened. I admire the MWANers who can do so and make it enjoyable reading.
4) Complete one wargaming period: For many years, this has been my goal, starting with my SYW 25mrn project quite a number of years ago. This was the most exciting project I've ever worked on - the Zulu War came close, but it wasn't as well planned out as the SYW Project., I made all my figure purchases in advance, planned to paint one "unit" per week, actually pretty much adhered to my schedule. I obtained a great deal of personal satisfaction in doing so. I also took my time painting and even raised my "average wargames painting standard" up a notch by doing so. Even though I don't paint anymore, I can still concentrate on one period and I have decided to tackle the Franco-Prussian War in 20mm with the great B&B MINIATURES line. This decision gives me direction as to which set of rules to work on.
5) Get more organized hobby-wise in my new basement: Actually I enjoy organizing my toys and accessories and always have done so. I think I've mentioned that I have five brand new plastic-type storage shelving units each with five shelves. This will allow me to store all of my figures and accessories as well as back issues of MWAN/etc. in the basement storage room. Figuring out the best way of doing this as well as determining an effective and efficient MWAN work area will be something that I will greatly enjoy! Tied in with this goal is a desire to reorganize my MWAN materials so I can do things faster and better.
If anyone out there put together hobby resolutations, I'd like to hear about them.
WWII
I've been doing some thinking about WWII, both in 15mm and 25mm, My interest in this period is limited to the Eastern Front and everyone carries figures and equipment for the Germans and Russians; however, hardly anyone covers the Italians, Romanians, Hungarians, and Finish for this conflict. I am sure that in some cases, German figures can be effectively used, though I don't know for sure. I do know that TRUE NORTH in Canada are coming out with 15mm Romanians and Hungarians so I am anxious to see them. What brought it to mind was that I was reading a book about the Spanish Civil War and it stated that there were a number of Spanish fighting for the Germans on the Eastern Front. I don't know if they wore different uniforms than the Germans, however, I had the idea that they were a distinct unit. FAA in the UK (see their ad in this issue) offer a very nice, and expanding, line of Spanish Civil War figures and I was thinking that perhaps the some of the FAA figures could be used for some of the German Allies on the Eastern Front. I called John Brewster of THE EMPEROR'S HEADQUARTERS who is going to send me some OSPREY books on the subject. I am sure someone out there must know an awful lot about this subject; if so, please put together an article on it. There must be other people who would be interested in the subject.
Afterall, there were many Italians, Hungarians and Romanians serving on the Eastern Front. In another book on German tanks of WWII just purchased, I noted that when the Germans upgraded their tanks, they gave many T-38's to the Romanian Army. Also some Panzer III's and IV's late in the war. Now I need to find information on Romanian tanks as well!
Since writing this, John Brewster of EHQ sent me several OSPREY books which have turned out to be very useful. THE ROMANIAN ARMY is the one I have studied the most thus far, from what it looks like, FAA's Spanish Civil War "Nationalist"figures (three packs; in helmet, in sidecap, and mixed headgrear) is almost perfect as they are wearing puttees and the helmet looks very close to the Romanian helmet. I think I shall use them as Romanians. I understand FAA is coming out with a Renault tank as well as a Panzer I, both of which I could use for Romanian Tanks. Exciting stuff!.
OSPREY also has books on The Spanish Civil War and the Spanish who fought for Germany on the Eastern Front. I'll have to get my hands on them as well, I didn't know that Romania was both the third largest Axis power as well as the fourth largest allied power in WWII.
I was also thinking, after pulling out my FAA Spanish Civil War figures that I should get some OLD GLORY Arabs for the FAA Spanish Foreign Legion figures! That could be interesting - although the Riff War was in 1921-22, I believe, I would still use the Spanish Civil War figures for this conflict. I haven't seen the OLD GLORY Arabs, but I am sure they would fit in well with FAA and look good! Arabs are always easy to paint up. It's been some time since I read anything about the Riff War. What I may do with the Spanish Civil War period is to terrain them with my "sand/grass" method so they could be used for both the SPW and the desert. I obtained some Lake Michigan sand years ago and paint the stand with a GEOHEX/HOWARD HUGHES tan, drop the sand on, let it dry, put drops of Elmer's Glue on the stand, drop on some grass, then let it dry. Very easy and effective means of terraining for the desert.
I just finished the Battle for Stalingrad and the Battle for Berlin taped off the History Channel. Excellent movies which definately get one's wargaming blood going. These are two hour productions and feature outstanding film footage. I understand that a six hour special on the Spanish Civil War was done by either PBS here in the states or in the UK - I would assume the UK If anyone has this taped, I'd love a copy of it!
A lot of resubscriptions have been coming in and I am very appreciative that you continue to support MWAN - thank you very much! It is personally rewarding to read your notes, especially when they comment favorably on the people who do the writing for MWAN! I do notice, however, a change. People aren't writing letters as they used to do when they would resubscribe.
It used to be that when most of the resubscriptions were due, I would have a massive amount of letters to put in the "Letters" column. Many people have commented that the first thing they read - after my editorial, of course - is the "Letters" column, to see what everyone else is doing with their hobby. My article bin is also bare at the present time and I am holding off on sending this issue off to the printer because of lack of sufficient articles. The situation is so bad that I even had a dream last night that I received an article! If you find the time, I'd appreciate you putting together an article, a letter, review, or anything at all you'd care to send. Thanks for your consideration of this matter!
I want to thank John Butler again; John maintains the address labels for MWAN and does a fine job! He's done this for at least fifteen years! Thank you, John! I appreciate your assistance!
I recently had the chance to talk with Russ Dunaway of OLD GLORY who related that they are going to releasing a number of new 25mm lines very soon, starting with COLD WARS. One of the periods he mentioned was 25mm WWII which, of course, got me excited! Russ mentioned that they currently have about twenty-five vehicles finished so I am anxious to find out what they are. Will let you know more about this when I find out.
I hate to keep bringing up the subject of my "move", however, here I go again. The deal with our third buyer fell through; thus, we have given up all hopes of moving to our new house within the foreseeable future, if at all. Thus, please send any correspondence to my "Old" address:
ADDRESS CHANGE
- 22554 PLEASANT DRIVE
RICHTON PARK, ILLINOIS 60471
I am sorry for any inconvience this has caused any of you.
Last week I took two days off, rented a U-Haul truck and moved everything back home from the other house. I've been rearranging my hobby stuff and enjoying it very much. I got rid of all of my old metal storage shelves and purchased plastic storage shelves which look and function much better. I have found that this gives me considerably more room in the basement. I also went out and bought a number of plastic storage boxes for terrain items.
Except for my quite large hill pieces, I was able to fit my terrain to plastic boxes which store much easier than my old system. I set up three of my 4 X 8' tables and am looking forward to getting a game set up on it. Things are looking up hobby-wise! I am getting considerably more organized; however, while putting this issue together, I think I spent more time looking for "things" than I spent in actual typing!
You know how this goes; "I remember it was in a folder and I used to keep it right over here before I packed everything up for the move!" I do appreciate the patience everyone has shown with me regarding this issue for the last six months. I used to keep a file of correspondence I needed to answer; however, I no longer know what file that was! I think I am just going to have to "forget" what I "was" (past tense) supposed to do, and "do" what comes up from this point on!
When I finish this issue, I have three boxes of "papers" in the basement which I'm going to spread out on the table and sort out once and for all. I am looking forward to doing this as it end up with me getting organized!
Graying of the Hobby
In the Nov-Dec 1999 issue of HMGS-East Historical Miniatures Gaming Society Newsletter, Editor Bob Lieble writes an interesting piece on "The Graying of the Hobby" in which he states
- "It distressed me when I first
learned that MWAN used to be the magazine
for a thriving wargaming society, and that
that society has vanished from the face of the
earth, leaving MWAN, like the unburied head
of the Sphinx, to bear witness to their
passing."
Gosh, I rather like the sound of that - melodramatic, just as I like to do things! Reading this set me back for awhile as I never think of MWAN as coming out of the local wargaming group we had back in the very early 80's, but I suppose it did. I also never thought much about how our group ceased functioning, thinking that this was sort of a "normal" thing - groups have a way of running their course: people do things until they no longer see a reason for doing it; then they stop!
When I think back, we had, I suppose, at tops, perhaps thirty people attending our games. I can't recall how often we met - I don't think it was weekly - perhaps twice a month or so. I can recall scheduling two or three games an evening so I suppose we had a fairly good sized group. I don't think our group was much different than most other groups; there was a core of wargamers who had the figures and ran the games. There were others who had unpainted figures but never got around to painting them, nor did they run games. Then there was the last group - the "true" gamer who would play anything yet did not possess any figures nor did they have any interest in doing so.
If I had to attribute a reason for our group "vanishing from the face of the earth" I suspect it was a mixture of personalities, "core" people getting tired of running games, family obligations (the majority of us were in our late twenties/early thirties) - probably no different than what happens with most other groups of gamers after awhile. I really don't remember how long we kept going. I finally stopped attending when a fellow gamer took responsibility for the group and I can remember feeling relieved that I didn't have to do that anymore.
I went back perhaps once or twice after that to run games and it just wasn't the same. Different people with a different view of the hobby than my own more "gamers" than people who enjoyed playing with "toy soldiers". I do miss, thinking of it now, the contact I had with a number of fellows from that group-, again, people who loved "toy soldiers" instead of being there just for the "gaming." Anyway, Bob; thanks for the poetic description! Might almost be worthwhile to have a reference to this on the cover of MWAN!
THE TOY SOLDIER COMPANY, Riverside Dr., New York NY 10024 (201-792-6665; www.toysoldierco.com) sent me two catalogs of their 54mm plastic figures; good stuffl. Got me thinking of 54mm plastic figures. When I went to HISTORICON last year, Greg Novak and Tom Harris, my travel companions, stopped in Gettysburg at a hobby shop which had lots of 54mm plastic figures and it was very hard to make myself walk out without purchasing some of them. Looking through this catalog was the same sort of thing! It would seem as though there is more mention in MWAN of 54mm plastics led by Charles Elsden who is now doing a regular column on the subject. I think it would be very interesting to have a 54mm collection for perhaps the American Civil War. Maybe I could paint the larger sized 54mm figures. Check out their catalog; I think you'll enjoy it if you have even the slightest interest in "toy soldiers!"
While at HISTORICON, I had the chance to meet MWANer Brian Lewis of Canada who was running a l5mm English Civil War game using his own rules FOR GOD & THE KING, which I hope will be released soon. The game and rules system looked quite interesting. Brian can be reached at lewisb@pov.on.ca - looking forward to your rules!
CROMWELL PRODUCTIONS LIMITED, Freepost MID20594, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BR, UK sent me a full color catalog of their historical films covering a wide period of time. What grabbed my interest was a movie called STEEL HELMETS (14.95 pds) the gritty story of a trapped German unit during the closing days of WWII. All is clearly lost, but the fanatical Commander continues to fight in the face of certain defeat." Sounds good!
MWANer David Jackson of TRUE NORTH PRODUCTIONS, PO Box 579, Merrickville, ON, Canada K0G-1N0 (613269- 2557;http://underworld-fortunecity.com/grandprix/623) is releasing a new 15mm line of WWII Dutch, Poles, Rumanians, and Hungarians as well as 15mm French Napoleonics. He also carries the 10mm PERRIN MINIATURES range of WWII, ACW, FPW, and colonials. I'm not familiar with this line and would like to see what they look like. I do plan on gettin g some Hungarians and Rumanians for my Eastern Front Project. He also has 1/144 th scale REALMERKS aircraft thus far consisting of Grumman Martlett, P47D, F417, Yak 9, Petlyakov Pe 2, and Macchi C200. Would this be 15mm scale? Anxious to see David's line!
I picked up OLD GLORY'S catalog while at HISTORICON and it is so impressive to see what they have available in 25mm scale. I saw two new packs Of 25mm American Revolutionary War figures in pewter ($30/30 figures) with a lot of different poses and it was hard to turn them down. It also lists their 15mm WWII line which continues to grow. Russ Dunaway informed me that they are now producing the 20mm WWII SKYTREX line from the UK. This is good news for 20mm WWII gamers! I'm not going to list all of their lines in 25mm - if you send them $5.00, I bet they'll send you the latest catalog, but they are amazing as to their output, quality, and price! They also carry the HUDSON & ALLEN and ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE buildings as well as a building line of their own. Here are some periods they are currently working on over the next two or three years: Age of Arthur, Hundred Years War, Ottoman Turks, Dracula and the Turkish Frontier, Eastern Renaissance, Maori War, Afghan and Sikh War, Way of 1812, Spanish Napoleonics, and Pirates. Stephen Lawrence is writing a set of rules for their Pirates and J&T MIMATURES has produced a 25mm pirate ship which Russ tells me has to be seen to be believed.
MUSEUM MINIATURES, a 15mm line, is now available from THE COLONIAL CONNECTION, 226 Wareham's Point, Williamsburg, VA 231858923 (Phone/Fax 757-229-1499; e-mail: colconx@webtv.net). Their lines are quite extensive. I've only seen their ECW line which is quite good. In addition, they make a large range of transportation vehicles.
HEISER'S MODELS, INC., PO Box 6187, Lakewood, CA 90714-6187 (phone/fax 562-860-1362; e-mail: heisermodels@earthlink.net) has an extensive list of 1/87th resin cast items.
MWANer Phil Fry, 6766 Woodlake, Toledo, OH43617 published a set of naval rules for the "Age of Fighting Sail" FIRE AS SHE BEARS ($23.00 including P/P) which are billed as "fast playing, moderate complexity, emphasis on fleet actions." They are supposed to be suitable for all scales.
Chris Brantley (e-mail: brant@erols.com) has a website for ancient and medieval wargaming (http://fanaticus.jiffynet.net) for De Bellis Antiquitatis.
Ever get the urge to fly to the UK and spend a weekend playing wargames? I met the personable Shaun McLaughlin of THE BUNKER, 7 Bramble Dene, Woodthorpe, York, Y024 2RL, UK (0 1904705399 email bunker29.freeserve.co.uk), what a "gentleman". Here are some of the games they offer: Spartacus, Indiana Jones, Wild West, Guns of Naverone, Cross of Iron, The Eagle has Landed, and many more. Wouldn't it be something to do this?
FORTRESS STUDIOS, 558 McCarthy Dr., Furlong, PA 18925-1006 (215-349-4953; e-mail: rhoegermey@aol.co specializes in creating 25nun terrain and painted buildings.
BATTLEFIELD TERRAIN CONCEPTS, 754 Ray St., Roanoke, VA 24019 (540-977-0696, e-mail: Dklein186@aol.com) is run by MWANer Doug Kline and offers scratch-built terrain and painted buildings/terrain.
REALISTIC MODELLING SERVICES, 49 Guildford Ave., Whifield, Dover, Ken, CT16 3NG, UK (Phone 01304- 825849; FAX 01304-825845, e-mail: http://www.kentweb.co.uk/realistic_modelling) offers a painting and terrain construction service.
The naval rules LIMEYS & SLIMEYS - 15mm Age-Of-Sail Naval Warfare are available from OUTLAND GAMES OF OHIO (see their ad in this issue for address).
HAUS OF STUFF, 2029 McMullen Ave., Dunedin, FL 34698 (phone/fax 727736- 5436; e-mail stuff1@gte.net) has the complete range of 25mm FRONTIER figures.
STUEMPFLE'S MILITARY MINIATURES, 13190 Scott Road, Waynesboro, PA 17268 (phone/fax 717-765-0201 e-mail: stumpfle@mail.cvn.net) reports they carry the "largest section of 1/72, 1/76th, and 1/87h scale armor, armies, buildings, bunkers and accessories."
HERITAGE BOOKS, INC., 1540E Pointer Ridge Place, Bowie, MD 20716 (phone 800-398-7709; fax 800-276-1760; e mail: heritagebooks@pipeline.com http://www.heritagebooks.co ) has a 70- page catalog re history, genealogy and Americana books and CD-ROMs.
TERMINAL HOBBY SHOP, PO Box 3039, Milwaukee, WI 53201-3039 (800- 487-2467) has outstanding color catalogs encompassing N-Gauge, HOGauge, and more including terrain and buildings. I get my static grass from them.
ZENITH BOOKS, PO Box 1, Osceola, Wl 54020-0001 (phone 800-826- 6600; e-mail: mbibks@motorbooks. com; web: has a 72 page color catalog concentrating on aviation but also includes military vehicles.
TOY SOLDIER HQ, 312 Cedar Ln, Largo, FL 3370-4001 (phone: 727- 5846996; e-mail: sprecherko@aol.com) has 1/72" HO figures, 1/32n MARX, 1/32n' USA makers figures, and 1/32 nd nonUSA figures makers.
WARGAMES, Box 278, Rt 40 East, Triadelphia, WV 26059-0278 (304-547- 0000 e-mail: wargames@hgo.net httm://www.speartorifle.com has the new 25mm DIXON pirates consisting of crew (21), swivel gun. Treasure chest, six pd gun, four gun crew, laborers (4), and personalities (6). In addition, they have two 25mm pirate ships (single masted 6-gun sloop for $99.99 and twin masted merchantman $139.95), large rowing boat ($12.49), stone jetty ($47.49), large raft ($17.95), and two sets of trade goods ($7.95 and $12.49).
IHF, PO Box 29035, Chicago, IL 60629 (773-927-9091; www.Historicvideos.com) has a 47-page catalog of military videos which is very tempting!
ARTICLES OF WAR (e-mail: warbooks@aol.com my all-time favorite military book store has moved, I believe, to Arizona.
QUALITY CASTINGS, PO Box 11714, Alexandria, VA 22312 (phone 703- 354-5469; fax 703-354-0610; e- mail: qc@qualitycast. com; Web: www.qualitycast.com) has a number of new releases in their 15mm WWII line: US LCM landing craft w/coxswain, Matilda II, Matilda II close support w/3: howitzer, log/earth bunker, Russians (casualties, scouts/snipers, 120mm mortar crews, 122 and 125mm crew), 120mm, Mortar crew Germans, French 75mm/105mm/15mm crews, Marine BAR man added, M8 Scott 75mm SP Howitzer, M5Al Stuart, M3 Stuart, F6F-3 Hellcat, UK M3 Stuart, UK 5.5" gun/howitzer w/crew, Russian T26 M1931 (7 versions!), M18 Hellcat. All spoked wheels for their wagons and limbers have been redone. Good work, Chuck!
STEVE BARBER MODELS, I Avon Pl., Hawkslade, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 9LF, UK (Available in US from RLBPS, 4827 Treeview Terr., Rockford, IL 61109; phone 815-874-5351) has released 25mm (I assume) "prehistoric settlement" figures and terrain. Stephen Lawrence put out a very good game/rules on this subject some years ago.
IRREGULAR MINIATURES, 3 Apollo St., Heslington Rd., York YOI 5AP, LTK has released 54mm lead WWII SS figures (11 poses/2.50 pds each) with British, Russian and anti-tank guns on the way.
Haven't mentioned WARRIOR MINIATURES, 14 Tiverton Ave., Glasgow, G32 9NX, Scotland, for years. They offer 15mm and 25mm. figures for many different periods.
PIQUET, the rules set, is available from PIQUET INC., 165 Charles St., Vestal, NY 13850 (e-mail: piquetsales@piquet.com website: www.piquet.com) for ancients, medieval, renaissance, 18th C., Napoleons, ACW, colonial, and WWII.
USA HARLEQUIN MU-41ATURES INC., PO Box 50081, Amarillo, TX 79159 (Phone 806-372-1268;is offering the Dr. WHO miniatures - I love Dr. WHO!
GRD, POB 591, Grinnell, IA 50112 (phone: 800-236-7442-1 FAX 515-236-6666; www.grdgames.com) has released "game 2" of the Great War Series (western Front 1916-19) plus WWI in Africa and the Mexican/American War (What if) for $99.00.
THE METAWARGAME GROUP (communities.msn.com/MetawargameGroup) has a service for wargamers offering storage for member pictures, e-mail list, links, etc.
REAL US HISTORY.COM, 2033 Ralston Ave., Suite 54, Belmont, CA 94002 (phone 650-592-7656; fax 650-592-6030; [williams@realushistorv.com) is offering an "e-commerce site" and information portal for history enthusiasts. They are starting with Civil War America and plan to cover Early America, Frontier America, and 20th Century America.
Jim Mitchell, 147 N. Jackson St., Crown Point, IN 46307, is now publishing THE SEVEN YEARS WAR ASSOCIATION JOURNAL. First issue is already out and James did an excellent job on it! Congratulations, Jim! $30.00/four quarterly issues. He's added a color cover and increased the length to 72 pages. Highly recommended
It was great see our old friend, Stuart Asquith, back in print with PRACTICAL WARGAMER - YEARBOOK 1999! Stuart is far too good at what he does to be without an editorialship! This is a 98-page glossy, full-color effort with nineteen articles covering the ACW, Battle of Poitiers, Stuart's 6mm figure collection, terrain-making, Adrianople 378AD, Nagashino 1575, Culloden 1746, Maida 1806, 6mm cutout color houses, rules for skimish games, Wargaming the Second Anglo-Boer War, Seymour Relief Expedition during the Boxer Rebellion, Malta Convoy 1942, Gun Boats on the Nile, a scenario involving Arnhem 1944, an article on writing scenarios, and two fantasy articles. All excellent stuff - if you enjoyed PRACTICAL WARGAMER, or any other wargaming publication, for that matter, you will really enjoy this annual! The only negative factor is that we will only be able to see Stuart in print on an annual basis! Congratulations, Stuart - nice job!
BOB'S BITS, PO Box 76. 16, Parliament Stree, Ramsey, Isle of Man, LM99 4JG, LTK (phone/fax: 01624-816106; e-mail: pwa@wargrid.demon.co.uk web: http://www. wargrid. demon. co. uk) offers computer generated graphics for terrain and buildings. Included are railways, beaches, roads, motorways, highways, rivers, French/Italian/British buildings, fields & hedges, and "orders counters." A starter pack including 10 sets of components & buildings & fields/hedges tailored for Horse & Musket, 20th Century, or the Modern Period is 21.50 pounds.
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© Copyright 2000 Hal Thinglum
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