Thanks to everyone who responded to my request for articles; again, please consider submitting something to MWAN -- an article, rules or figure review, rules set, letter, etc. It takes a lot to fill up 192 pages! Thanks again!
The only hobby activities I've done this summer have been to organize my 20mm Franco-Prussian War project and make sure that I have all of the units I need before I move on to something else. I started this project three years ago and didn't think it would take this long; however, as usual, my intentions "expanded" into quite large armies in this fascinating period. About the only thing I have to do is to add a few more mounted officers: I like the idea of having a single mounted officer for the Brigade level; two for the Division; three for the Corps; and four for the Army Commander in Chief. I also need to put flags on all of the infantry command stands. This should take quite awhile and it is not something I am looking forward to doing!
It is my intention to have my printer send out MWAN bulk mail effective with this issue. Preparing MWAN for the post office is a very time consuming and demanding task and I think I've reached the point where not only do I not want to take the time to do this anymore, it is quite difficult visually. You will notice that there is a number prior to your name on your address label. If that number reads "119", your subscription to MWAN has expired with this issue. You will no longer find a note in your issue, informing you that your subscription has expired. It is my intention to provide resubscription information in this column each issue. I am hopeful this system will work out well; I will not, believe me, miss preparing #119 for the post office!
Please let me know if there are any problems.
Within the "Letters" section, you will find that several MWANers have written about the WARHAMMER ECW rules set from GAMES WORKSHOP in the UK. Although I haven't seen them as of yet, I am anxious to do so; I understand Rick Priestley (author of "1644") had a hand in them and I rather liked what he did with "1644."
Reminded me a bit of the Peter Young "CHARGE" rules of old. The 25mm (or 28mm!) market seems to be exploding over the last few months with several new manufacturers, including the famous Perry Twins (Michael and Alan) producing what appears to be an extensive line and two or three other newcomers as well, including Renegade Miniatures from the UK (15 Treesdale Close, Paignton, Devon, TQ3 3QB; E-mail: info@renegademiniatures.co.uk) Peter Helm of REDOUBT ENTERPRISES has released some beautifully done ECW cavalry to add to his already very extensive offerings in this period. I have never seen the OLD GLORY ECW figures but their figure listings look very interesting and extensive. We've come a long way in the ECW period since I started in this hobby in the middle 70's both in figures and rules availability!
There are very few periods which would be as interesting to game with only a few units as the English Civil War; perhaps the French-Indian War would be another one, but if you had several regiments of foot and another couple of horse with a gun or two per side, you could have a very enjoyable, historical wargame! There were so many small "battles" during this time period and even the "large" battles are not out of reach for us to recreate on the tabletop.
I've been becoming cognizant of the fact that I am nearing completion of several wargaming periods that I've been working on for several years; I mentioned my 20mm Franco-Prussian War project being almost finished after three years. My 20mm American Civil War project is getting close to being done as well; just have to get a few more cavalry and paint up lots of artillery and crew. I don't really need a lot more 28mm WWII figures or equipment, though I am always sorely tempted by new releases in this period. What comes to mind lately is what period should I take on next? Logically, I don't need another period, as is the case for the vast majority of us; we already have more than enough toys to play with or paint!
However you know what appeals to me? 28mm English Civil War! Redoubt, Old Glory, the Perry Twins, Renegade, etc., etc., etc. The VATICAN buildings are perfect for 28mm ECW; the WARHAMMER ECW rules set is available; the uniforms are so interesting and the mixture of pike, musketeers, artillery, and cavalry is fascinating to me! I remember many years ago, Donald Featherstone in his WARGAMER'S NEWSLETTER wrote about how they were initiating an ECW campaign in which players were limited to the number of units they could paint.
Wouldn't that be a fun thing to do with a wargames group? Pick a period nobody games in and everybody paints up some units. Sides are selected prior to purchasing and painting and whoever shows up at the club night with their units puts them into the game. Might result in quite a bit of motivation to paint!
I just finished the "What's New in Hal's Mailbox" column and it brougot to mind the variety and quality of wargames buildings we now have available to us. In the early 80s, I built a 25mm Rorke's Drift from balsa wood using an exacto knife. I used plaster to simulate the thatched roof and I was very pleased with the result. Looking back on it, there is no doubt it was a "piece of junk" compared to what is currently available in the marketplace.
Around the same time, I saw color pictures of Peter Gilder's Napoleon games table and decided to construct my own European buildings based upon Peter's hand- built structures. Actually, they turned out pretty well and I am not handy at this sort of thing. I used a small electric hand-held saw and cut out pieces of double-tempered hardboard and glued them together. The object was, as Peter did, to paint on the details such as doors and windows. I was very proud of those buildings, but again, they wouldn't stand up to "modern" standards. Amazing!
Crusader Miniatures, PO Box 224, Bangor, BT19 1ZG, UK (Website: www.Crusaderminiattures.coiii) has a line of 28mm SYW Austrians and 28mm Fall of France, 1940. I'd sure like to see the SYW line!
Redoubt Enterprises, 49 Channel Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN22 7LN, UK has released a 28mm French & Indian War line. They have also added to their Victorian Range with Russian Cossacks - wouldn't they be perfect for the NWF - a Russian force to oppose the British or Afghans! I've seen the Russian infantry and they are very good; would match well with my Foundry NWF figures. I'm hopeful Peter will bring out some Russian artillery crew, guns and limbers.
Speaking of the NWF, I recently checked out J&T Miniatures Website (www.jandtminiatures.com) and was very surprised to see a line of 25mm Colonial figures from BICORNE MINIATURES; Italians, Abyssinians, Ansars, Sudanese, Fuzzy- Wuzzies, and NWF British and tribesmen. Has anyone seen this line? Sounds very interesting. I find it difficult to turn down 25mm NWF figure lines! This line was only $1.00 each for infantry (no cavalry or artillery listed). The North West Frontier is another one of those great "cross-over" lines. You can use tribesmen for any time from the Sikh War in the 1840's through the 1920's or 1930's. My Indian Mutiny units can take part in the Sikh War as well as conflicts into the 1860's. Afghan regulars from the 1880's can be used against the British or against tribesmen, not to mention the possibility of Russians intruding into the picture they could fight against anyone!
Britannia Miniatures, available from COMBINED ARMS INC (Website: www.combinedarmsinc.com) also offers a 25mm Northwest Frontier line including several buildings. Joe Kelly has made this line very affordable so if you haven't checked out Britannia Miniatures since he took it over in the USA, do so; you'll be surprised at the pricing! Their Highlanders are outstanding!
The OLD GLORY colonial line is not only extensive but fits in very well with FOUNDRY.
Hope you continue to enjoy MWAN!
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© Copyright 2002 Hal Thinglum
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