Ahkteton, USA, R.D. 1, Box 125, Philadelphia, NY 13673 (315-642-3235) was kind enough recently to send me a selection from their fine line of fortifications, structures and figures. Included for review were a number of really good looking plaster-cast 20mm and 25mm items including a 20.25mm mealie bag and biscuit box wall section ($1.10) which is 3½" long. IT is well done and I could have used it and will fit right in with my Zulu games. From the 25mm Barbarian line came a Celtic round daub hut with thatched roof although I think I will glue it in place. A 20mm WWI large machine gun bunker with interior ($3.95) is exceptionally well done (see illustration) measuring 5" x 7". From the 20mm Vietnam range came a 2-man rifle pit sand bag emplacement ($1.15), a sandbag mortar pit ($1.40), and a sandbag bunker with removable roof ($2.80). Even the interior is detailed. A small (3" x 5") rice paddy field ($1.40) will be very useful. The largest item was a 7" x 10" 2½" high, "small" sandbag Special Forces encampment ($11.30) with removable roff which is just GREAT!! From the 20mm WWI entrenchment system came a destroyed house with entrenchment and sandbags in the foundation ($3.10) and a sandbag troop shelter in hillside with removable roof ($4.00) measuring 8" x 4½" x almost 3". I can not say too many positive things about these items as they completely fill the wargamer's requirements: they are functional, highly visually attractive, well detailed, and inexpensive. Some time ago, I mentioned in MWAN that although I love scratch-building, the multitude of well-done fortifications and buildings on the market make it unnecessary and a poor expenditure of time. Ahketon, USA's quality products are a match for Fallia or any other top-notch manufacturer producing items in this area. You can bet that I will be purchasing items from their Colonial line (Afgan hill fort and buildings) as well as their 25mm Roman (fort) and Barbarian (huts) lines for armies in this period. They also have 25mm Inca, Medieval Castle, Fantasy structures and a dungeon tile system. The last two ranges would be good for medieval structures and they report that they fantasy line is interchangeable.
Also included for review was a selection of 20mm WWI figures covering Anzacs (5), France (6), England (6), Russia (5), Turkey (5), Germany (13) and Austria-Hungary (6). These are fine figures and look great with the WWI entrenchment system. I can already envision great skirmishes being carried out with this line of figures and terrain. The figures are in action poses with the exception of a finely done "at ease" French infantryman. I was especially impressed with the advancing poses, actually running, and a three-man Turkish Maxim .08 machine gun crew and MG. Single figures are .40 each while the three-man MG crews and gun is only $1.40. They also have available three WWI 1/76th (20mm) metal tanks, a British medium MK.A Whippet ($7.60),a French Schneider tank ($8.00) and a French St. Chamond tank which should be available soon. Also listed is a WWII 1/76th line of metal vehicles.
I should also mention that not one item was even slightly damaged by the trip through the mail, great care being taken to protect them. This is a most important factor with plastic models. I think it would be a good idea of mount them on a base for both visual and protection purposes. These items should paint up exceedingly well and grace your wargames table.
Tim Acheson, who runs Ahketon, USA, reports that they do not have Red Wing Boxer Rebellion figures available as I reported they did. He was kind enough to provide me with an address for these figures: The Model Shop, 190-194 Station Rd., Harrow, Middx, HA1 1JU, England. Secondly, he states that they will (Ahketon USA) will be releasing 25mm figures for the Texas War of Independence, 20mm Spanish Civil War, Assyrian figures (no mention of scale), fortifications from the late empire and some redesigned Roman fortification. A company worth supporting!!!!!!
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© Copyright 1985 Hal Thinglum
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