I trust you will enjoy this issue on "Innovations In Wargaming". At the time I am writing this, there appears to be a fairly good mix of articles. The inclusion of Dr. Paddy Griffith, lecturer at Sandhurst Military College in England, as the interview for this special issue is quite appropriate when his many accomplishments, including some quite radical in nature ("The Case Against Toy Soldiers") are taken into consideration. I think you will enjoy this in-depth look at Paddy.
Several months ago I was asked to take over the Courier Dispatch and agreed to do so. The Dispatch is intended to be a "newspaper" for the hobby within the pages of the Courier and covers subjects I have long had an interest in such as new figure releases, wargaming publications, etc. I am looking forward to this task. One subject to be covered within the Dispatch is concerned with wargaming groups and/or convention reports. I would be most grateful to readers of MWAN if they would let me know if they are interested in having an article done on their local area group. Please contact me if so. Richard Bryant has assured me that there will be no problems with me mentioning information gathered through me doing the Dispatch in MWAN's Bit's & Pieces, in fact, MWAN's readers will probably benefit from this arrangement in that I will have access to many more wargaming publications and news of figure releases than I normally would, thanks to the materials Richard will send me for the column.
While reading such wargaming publications the last few months as The Courier, The Nugget, Savage and Soldier, SAGA, PW Review, Empires, Eagles and Lions, Miniature Wargames, The Vedette, The Seven Years War Association Newsletter, and The Heliograph, it is amazing how many times I run across articles written by MWAN subscribers. Seems as though it used to be that each wargaming publication had it's own colony of writers, some of whom occasionally wrote for other publications. However, it now appears as though there are considerably more writers and many of these literary minded individuals are writing for a variety of publications. This, I think, benefits everyone in the hobby and I am very pleased to see it happening. I will continue, via MWAN News, to recognize MWAN members who publish elsewhere as their efforts deserve recognition. Every wargames publication usually publishes everything received. Wargamers like to read about what other wargamers do and how they do it.
Is there anyone out there who has a talent for drawing? MWAN could use a staff artist(s). Due to the fact that pictures prior to 1900 or so are copyrighted, I can not use them for illustrations without first contacting the publisher and usually paying a fee, which MWAN obviously can not afford. If anyone is interested, please contact me as soon as possible. I would also appreciate black and white photos of your wargames with information regarding the manufacturer of the troops, how terrain was developed, etc. Although MWAN can not afford to print many of them at this time, I do hope to include at least one picture per issue from now on. I attended the 13th edition of Winter Wars in Champaign this last weekend and had a most enjoyable time. Congratulations to Greg Novak of the Central Illinois Tabletop Warriors (CITW) and the Conflict Simulations Club of the University of Illinois for hosting a successful event. They deserve to be thanked for their efforts as well. It can not be easy to put on a convention where everyone has a good time. I hosted my Isandhlwana game and was quite surprised to find out that Stone Mountain Miniatures, PO Box 33195, Denver, CO, 80233, provided two $15.00 gift certificates for my game and a third gift certificate, in the form of a "special award," for me. The note attached to the certificate reads "In appreciation for the effort he has made to expand the hobby." I mention this not to provide myself with strokes, although I admit, it felt good to read it, but to acknowledge the act itself. I have frequently mentioned within the pages of MWAN that we need to, as a hobby, recognize the efforts of those individuals who contribute to it and Stone Mountain Miniatures has certainly done that. I noticed a number of their gift certificates floating around at Winter Wars as well as some from Lyzard's Grin, PO Box 14522, Oklahoma City, OK 73113. I am aware that other wargames figure companies, including RAFM, 19 Concession St., Cambridge, Ont. Canada N1R 2G6, Ral Partha, 5938 Carthage Court, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45212, and the Courier, do the same. There are probably many others in addition. Such companies deserve our support!!!
I would like to bring this editorial to an end by thanking those individuals who contributed to MWAN's third special issue. I am sure your efforts are appreciated by the readership as well!
Credit for the photo on the cover page should go to Orv Banasik of Marion, Iowa.
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© Copyright 1986 Hal Thinglum
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