From Byron Champlin The first issue of MWAN I received was your special Mex-Am War issue. It was so full of information that I started ordering and painting up 25am figures to start gaming this novel period. I've been somewhat stalled due to painting commitments with my 15mm SYW armies (Austrian and French) but I manage to paint a few Mexicans or Gringos every month. I'm 35 now and started gaming with plastic toy soldiers and redskins. I was eventually introduced to Avalon Hill's old TACTICS II and began playing boardgames as an adolescent. It wasn't until 11-12 years age that I ca full circle and began playing with plastic soldiers again (painted up Airfix Napoleonics) and became hooked on miniature battlegaming. Fortunately, I have two brothers who share my interest so I've never had problems finding opponents. I read about, your newsletter in Bill Protz's SYWA Newsletter and through these two publications, I truly feel part of a national hobby. I'm afraid I haven't been able to think of a now name for the MWAN, although I agree with you; the broad readership seems to require a more all-encompassing name. I do like the new format. I only hope you don't find it too restrictive. One of the things I enjoy about MWAN is the wealth of information it contains. I was going to add my two cents worth on fantasy gaming after your provocative editorial in Vol. 4, #2, but feel that others have already commented sufficiently. However, I will say that one of my criteria for an interesting and companionable gamer has been someone who can step out of the hobby and carry on an intelligent conversation on other matters. So far, I have not met a fantasy gamer who can talk about anything but third level demons and the like. I want to comment on the matter of carrying cases for figures, which was broached by Bill Pretz. On a visit this summer to the L.L. Bean department store in Freeport, Maine, I purchased a tackle box which does the trick nicely. It is made of a resilient high-impact plastic and stands 11.5 inches high by 14 inches wide by five inches deep. A handle on the box gives the case the appearance of a small briefcase. Unlike a briefcase, this box opens on bath sides when upright. Inside the tackle box is divided into a number of compartments with removable partitions. All the compartments are 2" deep by 2" high. With all partitions in place, there are 28 compartments 2" wide, 4 compartments of 4.5" wide, 4 compartments 2.5" wide, and 12 compartments 3" wide. There are also 9 shallow 3/4" X 1.5" X 11" compartments and deep 11 X 4" X 5" compartment. These are perfect for my l5amm SYW figures which are based for Barry Gray's KOENIG KRIEG rules. The removable partitions give it the flexibility for a number of base sizes. One added advantage is that the two lids are translucent so you needn't explain to airport security that you're carrying toy soldiers. The name of the product is MAGNUM and it is made by a company named Plane. Price at Beans was $15.00. Looking forward to many more issues of MWAN. From Lynn Bodin I have a suggestion which I used with my Sudan battle reports for trying to keep track of what is happening. I got the idea from Terry Griner of Spokane who does the Ancients' campaign which appears on the last page of every S&S. He makes a careful map of the battlefield and the initial set-up, then uses a micro cassette recorder (dictation type. .about $30-50) and tapes little running accounts of the action. Then, at a later date, he transcribes the battle report from the cassettes to a written form. It works really well and allows you to play and/or referee the game with little or no time delay! From Doug Carroccio Noticed you wanted Tom Ostrander's address, the one who made me the French-Indian War fort. If you think the fort looks good, the mill he completed for me just knocked me off my feet! He's also going to build a French star fort and complete Indian village and chruch with cemetery. When I game I feel like I stepped into a time machine! The scenery really makes a difference in helping you get into the period. From Carl Kish I'm sending my subscription to MWAN, I've been reading a friend's copy and enjoy MWAN a great deal. Being an old time wargamer, I find your publication refreshing and reminiscent of Don Featherstone's newsletter is the coincidence by design? (Editor's Notes Yes, it is, Carl, I always enjoyed Den's publication and am pleased that readers feel there is a resemblance.) From John Duffy You raised the question about the size of Britannia 25mm's. These are large 25's and are compatible with Essex, Foremost and Peter Gilder. I bought some Napoleonic cavalry from each of these companies. The Britannia figures are the best 25's around. Cost $2.00 each from Asp Miniatures. From Chuck Hamack After reflecting on the idea of a name change for MWAN, I wouldn't. I live the west coast and am a now subscriber. The quality of MWAN is what sold it. The name clearly gives credit to these who have worked and contributed to it's original success. From Mike Creek I think Glenn Grundei had a good idea to change the name of MWAN. I also like your idea to keep the initials the some. In keeping with these ideas, I offer the following suggestions; Miniature Wargamer's Association Newsletter (to emphasize the importance of miniatures ever computer and board games); Military Wargamer's Association Newsletter(to emphasize that these are military games, net fantasy, D&D or science fiction. When I first subscribed to MWAN, the midwest did put me off a bit. Now I know better. From Mark Keiqwin Issue 3 of Volume 4 was good as always. I found Paul Hinson's Matabele war articles of particular interest. I had recently read a short account of the war and was thinking of looking up some further info with a view to gaming it! The following might be of interest in regard to artillery. In a letter written after the battle at the Shangahi, one of the participants mentions the Salisbury column as having gatlings and gardners and that the Victoria column had left Victoria with several maxims, a 7-pounder, and a hotchkiss. The hotchkiss used locally fashioned shells firing buckshot. The 7-pounder was set on a smallish low mountain type carriage. (Editor's Note: I've received a number of letters praising Paul's article as well as an article by Lynn Bodin on the subject.) From Loren Wiseman I feel I must respond to Doug Carrocio's letter stating that "They are just beginning to prove and document that D&D...is producing suicide, a loss of self-esteem, a changing of the personality, etc." I (as a wargamer and as a manufacturer) have investigated this subject rather thoroughly. Nobody has proven a connection between D&D and suicide or between any game and suicide. A few people who have played D&D have committed suicide. Would we be concerned if the word "football" or "chess" were substituted for D&D in this last sentence? No, that would be silly, we would all say. As for the charge that it leads to involvement with the "occult", this is a valid argument if you believe that ghosts, werewolves, vampires, evil spirits, devils, and demons really exist. If you do, don't play the game. Don't read any ghost stories or horror stories. I must emphasize again, whether wargamers see themselves as having anything to do with role playing games is not important. Much as we do not like it, to the great American public, we are all one and the some. (Editor's Note; Loren sent me a large amount of printed material regarding this subject; several newspaper articles were included regarding parents of children who committed suicide and were thought to be caused by D&D. The parents denied such charges.) From Larry Brom My suggestion for MWAN's new name is MWAN MILITAIRE. From Mark Stevens Again, I thoroughly enjoyed MWAN. I don't know that a name change is needed. All the good ones such as HELIOGRAPH and THE COURIER seem to be taken. How about something like the MWAN BUGLE or the MWAN HOWITZER. Paul Hinson's articles were very good. Here is some more specific BSAC police uniform information from the Feb. 77 SOLDIERS OF THE QUEEN. Grey felt hat with left side turned up. Yellow (gold for officers) puggaree and three black longitudinal stripes. (2) Black patrol cap with red piping along the crown seam. This is similar to the cap worn by the British in the Boer War. (3) dark brown jacket with brass buttons, a twisted yellow cord was on each shoulder (gold for officers). (4) khaki trousers or brown cord breeches. (5) dark blue puttees and brown beets or brown knee boots were worn. Belts were brown, haversacks white and canteens grey. (6) dark blue circular patch was worn on the hat brim (up-turned part) "British South Africa Co Police" was printed in red around the edge. In the center was a gold lion standing upright clutching an ivory tusk. NCO's wore silver rank stripes on each sleeve. Minifigs mounted and dismounted infantry figure would be perfect for this figure. The BBP were dark brown hats (pinned up on the right) with white puggarees, khaki pants & jacket, and blue puttees. Belts and equipment were brown. 7 pounder muzzle loading guns were used --Ral Partha Zulu War gun would be perfect - as well as Maxim guns. Falcon, Minifig, and Lyzard's Grin all make nice Maxim Guns. I see nothing wrong with fantasy and historical gaming being inter-related. The only way we can have a decent wargame convention here in Mississippi is to organize with the fantasy gamers. Separately we have nothing but together we have a nice convention. Lots of things produced for fantasy gamers can be used by wargamers, i.e. Ral Partha's Oregon red - a beautiful deep red perfect for many uniforms. If a local hobby store stocks paints and brushes for the fantasy crowd, then wargamers also benefit. As far as D&D being about magic and demon worshipping, that is arnotion worthy of Joe McCarthy. In a D&D game, a group of adventurers representing good attempt to gain some object and are opposed by forces of evil such as orcs, witches, dragons, etc. D&D is based somewhat on the works of JRR Tolkien, a Christian writer, who was a contemporary and friend of C.S. Lewis, another very popular Christian writer. Talkian's stories represent the triumph of good over evil. I have played D&D and enjoyed it very much. The game has the flavor of a medieval romantic adventure somewhere like Robin Hood or St. George vs. the Dragon. As a Christian, my characters follow the same moral guidelines that I would use. Indeed characters in a D&D game that deviate from accepted guidelines are often punished. Someone who would commit suicide at the loss of character would probably commit suicide no matter what he was infatuated with. Well, enough moralizing. On painting I have several useful tips. I trim and clean with detergent all figures before painting. I use Pactra flat spray paints for base coats. Zulus--two coats dark brown, with awsh of black and touch of blue. Mahdists and other figures clothed in white get base coats of white followed by brown wash to shade the clothing folds. Dry brush with pure white as the figures won't have a muddy look. Most standard uniforms get a base coat of white. I usually water the basic coat color a bit so that the clothing creases are dark with raised areas appearing lighter. The creases and shadows can be emphasized with a brown or black wash. Europeon flesh I use straight with a red wash (or brown wash for darker complexions). Buttons always look better if a dot of black is put down first followed by the metallic color. Continue with the interviews and ideas from everyone - they are the best part. I would also like pictures of other people's work if possible. (Editor's Note: I hope to include some pictures in this issue; the only problem is expense although with the increased advertising MWAN has attracted, this becomes less of a problem.) From Bill McHarg Could you get the person who made the French-Indian Wars fort mentioned in the last MWAN to write up something concerning dimensions, construction materials and methods, etc. I'd like to do something along these lines myself and could use some help. Also do you or any of MWAN's readers know anything about a set of books called BRITISH BATTLES ON LAND AND SEA? It's a 3-volume set I recently picked up in a used book store. The author is James Grant and there is no other information in the book - no date of publication even. It must have been toward the end of the 1800's as the latest battle mentioned is in 1875. While presenting an extremely partisan British view, it is entertaining and contains many maps and illustrations. (Editor's Notes Regarding Tom Ostrander, who made the fort for Doug, I sent him a copy of MWAN and a letter a while back but haven't heard from him; will do so again. My French-Indian War fort was constructed from an article in THE COURIER, Vol. II, No. 3, Nov-Dec-80, CONSTRUCT A WOODEN FORT by Jim Bartles. I have made three of them thus far and they are not difficult to construct.) From Howard Whitehouse The Sudan rules are in "fine-tuning" stage and I rather hope to have something to send you in the next month or so. I've delayed typing up what I expect will be the umpires handbook until I got the close combat results exactly where I want them, which means mere home tests. Our recent game worked very well, but in the two melees ( a cavalry vs cavalry charge and a Fuzzy Fuzzie charge the square) the British players threw such good dice that both were tremendous victories for the Imperial forces. One of the "little touches" which I like is a rule that says that any Imperial stand that rolls a "6" in the final volley before contact (part of melee sequence) puts out such a wall of fire that no enemy unit will approach the particular stand and will hang back or veer towards other stands. On this occasion, the Brits threw five sixes with eight die rolls! My variant of VLB (Variable Length Bound) seams to work, with about lLj hours of "game time", divided into quite a lot of "3 minute turns" and "1 minute turns" (crisis moments), but also a couple of "10 minute" and "20 minute" turns when the action slackened, taking about three hours to play. Compare this with a normal game of 1 minute/2 minute/5 minute moves and it seems rather good. Then again, I'm biased. Yes, MWAN could use a name, perhaps with MWAN underneath. Not sure what, though. After the VEDETTE and THE COURIER, hew about. THE DESERTER. Well, maybe not.... Back to MWAN # 20 Table of Contents Back to MWAN List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1986 Hal Thinglum This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com