One year ago, in the editorial of MWAN, I announced that MWAN, effective with Volume Four, would be annually recognizing the efforts of someone within the hobby who made a significant contribution. There can be few dissenting voices concerning the first choice, Donald Featherstone, who perhaps has done more for the hobby of historical miniatures wargaming than anyone else has or will do in the future. For nineteen years, Donald turned out 214 (!!) monthly issues of the "classic" WARGAMES NEWSLETTER, wrote numerous books and articles concerning wargaming, and was the "prime mover" behind making wargaming as popular as it is today. There can be no doubt that had it not been for WARGAMER'S NEWSLETTER, you would not today be reading MWAN, as it is shamelessly patterned after my favorite wargaming publication of all. My collection of WARGAMER'S NEWSLETTER encompasses some 80% of the 214 published issues and I frequently still review them from time to time and find them entertaining and informative yet. My favorite wargames moment was finding some fifty early WNs on sale at a hobby store for fifty cents each, bringing them home on a late Sunday afternoon, and having my back go out on me (really!) requiring a stay of several days in bed during which I read and read and read. Thanks to those of you who donated funds to Donald's plaque, which is now in his possession, and those who took the time to write a few lines as to his influence upon your approach to the hobby.
In the "why do editors perceive themselves as so clever/humorous" category; several editorials ago I "lashed out" at fellow editor Tony Adams for allegedly considering me "irrational" for painting so many Zulus. I did this, I thought, with tongue sufficiently planted in cheek however, several readers, whose opinions I respect, mentioned they felt my statements regarding Tony were less than positive and the reader stated this my well be good fun between friends, which it was indeed as I consider Tony a good friend, though outsiders may not see it as such. It did make me think that perhaps MWAN has surpassed the "local" wargaming scene, even if only 500 copies are printed of each issue and that such remarks as I made my possibly be misinterpreted by those who are outside of the area, which would be unfortunate. I guess I shall have to be on guard for that in the future.
I would like to thank everyone who called or wrote re inquiring about my well-being following my recent car accident on my way to Historicon in August during which my car, Zulus, and British met their Waterloo, so to say, while I personally escaped serious injury. Also to be thanked are the individuals at the convention who "took care" of me following the accident when I was more confused than usual. You can expect an article soon on how to submit insurance claims for damaged figures. Actually, it would appear as though only about 25% of the collection was ruined and I should be able to reconstruct the entire setup in time. I should also thank everyone who offered to paint my figures for free to enable me to restore it completely and Atley Turner, of Frontier Miniatures, who sent me two hundred Zulus. Your concern is much appreciated!
I'd like to "plug" the HISTORICAL MINIATURES GAMING SOCIETY-MIDWEST (HMGS MIDWEST) of which I am President and chief letter writer. When the organization was initiated approximately me and a half years ago as an off-shoot of the parent group out east, I had no idea it would be as effective as it seems to have been. As a matter of fact, I worried quite a bit that we would not be able to live up to expectations -- something every new "volunteer interest" group runs the risk of -- though I suspect recent involvements should prove that the organization has been as effective is is possible, especially given the volunteer nature of the group. HMGS- MIDWEST has assumed responsibility for LITTLE WARS, sponsored the historical miniatures events at the recent GENCON on short notice (40+ games and over 300 players), and was responsible for obtaining the right, by TSR, to hold a joint GEN-CON/ORIGINS in the midwest in 1988 during which TSR will conduct the convention while HMGS MIDWEST will handle the historical miniatures. The efforts of Todd Fisher are to be lauded for all of the above although he has had the support of the HMGS MIDWEST executive board in all of his dealings. Again, I urge you to consider supporting HMGS-MIDWEST by joining ($2.00 annual membership fee) and if you are sufficiently interested, by volunteering your tim to work on me of any number of projects designed to increase the visibility of historical miniatures wargaming.
Please do not forget that the deadline for submissions of articles for MWAN's Fourth special issue is January 15, 1987, Anything concerned with Colonial wargaming, including the French-Indian Way and American Indian Wars is appropriate. I have already began typing and it promises to be another good, meaty issue!!
David Corbett, a long-time writer for MWAN, recently returned his survey and suggested what I feel is an excellent subject for a future special issue, namely, that it be devoted to battle reports of famous battles in history. They would, in my opinion, provide a brief historical background, information regarding order of battle, figure ratio/ground scale utilized, rules used, any rules modifications, course of the game including how the rules affected the course of the battle, maps, outcome , and analysis of the game/battle including a rules discussion. I think if everyone followed the above approach to writing it up, it would be of much interest to virtually everyone. Just within our local group, any of the American Revolutionary Way battles would be possible as well as Napoleonic actions, War of 1812, ancient Romans, naval actions, English Civil War, American Civil War, Normns/Saxons/Vikings, Seven Years War, and many, many others including Colonial actions. Think about this idea and drop me a line if it sounds good to you!
I have recently regained the interest/motivation to paint figures again following a very slow sunney during which I did not finish a single figure compared with last year's output of nearly 2500 25mm figures, I found myself sitting at my painting table staring at hundreds of primed castings for the Napoleonic era and not really getting any of them started, much less finished. I then decided to again set myself on a painting schedule of painting six figures per day and have been able to achieve over ten per day while painting from 6:00 to 7:00 AM and 9:00 to 10:00 PM every day.
Lastly, please note my NEW ADDRESS which hopefully by the time you receive this issue, I should be residing in.
Thanks for your continued support of MM! Hope to hear from you soon.
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© Copyright 1986 Hal Thinglum
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