From Bill McHarg
The mentions recently in MWAN about gamers going to older, more simpler rules sets has struck a responsive chord. I have been doing just that lately. My brother came up to visit last weekend and we set up a game using 30mm figures and some rules gleaned from one of Wally Simon's PW REVIEWS. It took about two hours and went about 30 turns before coming to a conclusion. More fun than I've had in a long time.
From Nicholas Stern
I especially enjoyed Kevin Fitzpatrick's article on opening up a hobby store and your own interview with Stuart Asquith. The instructions on 25mm Bayonet repair are worth the cost of subscription alone. In fact, despite your smaller readership I felt myself plugged into a far more interesting and vital group of wargamers than I have with other publications.
From Capt. Alex Key
Just bought the latest MWAN and I like what I read. As a matter of fact, 1 couldn't put it down till I finished it - at 2:30 in the morning! Although my interests are primarily in WWII and modern micro armour, I found almost all of the articles interested (#24) especially the one titled NORMAN, SAXON $ VIKING RULES. (Editor's Note: Would be glad to publish more re WWII/Modern gaming if articles are submitted.).
From Mark Keigwin;
Two of the books cited by Lynn Bodin in the bibliographies of his Matabele War articles in MWAN 21 are currently being offered by Discount Books Inc., 427 Ferry St. Newark, N7, 07105. These reprints originally sold for $27 and $22.50 respectively and are now out of print so it's a good buy. S-591 The Downfall of Lobengula by W. Wills ($11); S-843 With Plumer in Matabeleland by F. Sykes ($9). Both are Negro Universities Press reprints. Discount Books Inc. charges $2.50 per order for shipping l insurance, I wrote to WARCAMES re #15 Bits $ Pieces in MWAN 23 when I received it; without reply so far. Today I saw MINIATURE WARGAMES #41 and it gives a different address - Wargames, Box 278, Route 40 East, Triedelphia, W,V, 26059
From John Butler
In response to Hal's thoughts and Greg's attempt at disassociation from the firm he now represents in the last "Tales From a Goldfish Bowl". Greg's disclaimer is a typical example of the quality of the people and their honesty who make up the wargaming community. Even if he spent most of the column just plugging his firms figures, who would it benefit? The company by increasing its sales and making everyone rich? I hardly think so. The wargame hobby is entirly to small for that. The sales increase would be very slight just for the fact that not many people recieve MWAN. But the gamer would benefit almost exclusively by being told of the new figures just out and the various other ranges that his particular firm sells. One of the things I have noticed over the years is that most wargamers do not subscibe to very many publications, if they get any at all! So all those individuals that only get MWAN would hear about lines that have existed for years but are only now getting interested in that period or have just never known about them because he or she do not recieve any magazines from any other sources. Now this is not to say that whoever has a column should do just that, namely make it just another large Ad. That would defeat the purpose of creating the column altogether. But a few plugs now and then would not hurt anyone. In fact, if the columnist did work for a miniature firm it would indentify one of those nameless and faceless people who produce and handle all those miniature lines so we the public know who to complain too!
From Michael Montemarano
I finished the attached letter, and, immediately prior to sealing it, remembered the request that you made concerning research concerning Hougoumont for your planned 25mm recreation. I'm sure that you have a working knowledge of the major works on the campaign; Becke, Ropes, &c. Scotty Bowden's book has a quite complete annotated bibliography which will be of use to anyone interested in the campaign. My advice will be of a slightly more practical nature. Living in Matteson, you are within striking distance of The University of Chicago, or, to be specific, The Joseph Regenstein Library, which occupies most of the four block area between Ellis Avenue and University Avenue on the west and east, respectively, and 57th and 56th Streets, on the south and north.
The Reg, as we alums (A.B., Early Modern European History, 1979) fondly refer to it, is an outstanding facility, with an easy 3.5 million volumes in open, clean, orderly, well-lighted stacks, and collections that encompass a vast range of works, including, most-importantly, many old, rare, and out-of-print titles.
For example, the ranges (shelves) for the period of French history upon which I was focussing when I wrote my senior thesis, about 1600-1800, was about seventy-five feet long, and the usual seven to eight feet high. In comparison, when I tried to do some research during the summer at the Eisenhower Library at Johns Hopkins, I found about fifteen feet. This is no exaggeration; in fact, I may be erring on the conservative side, since I am writing from memory, and haven't been back since 1980.
Sorry if this starts to sound like propaganda; you ought to hear me when I get excited. Your best bet would be to contact the Library office during normal business hours, and inquire about using the library for research. Reference privileges, which don't permit borrowing, should not be hard to obtain for a minimal fee. To be honest, without some sort of institutional affiliation you'd probably not be able to get borrowing privileges, anyway.
When I last was there, it opened at 0830 M-F, 0900 St, 1200 Sn, and closed 0100 Sn-F nights, 2200 St. I would call your attention to these following works, which are listed with their call numbers. Garros, Le Champ de Bataille de Waterloo, DC 242.F.G27 Charras, Atlas Special (Waterloo), DC 242.C47
The former has detailed unit strengths, by batallion, with officers, etc., and several useful drawings. The latter I don't recall as well, but I mention it in order that you not overlook it. Both are, of course, in French, but this is not as much of an impediment for basic research. There is undoubtedly a great deal more to be found, and thorough research will locate more than you can use. I did have these two books in my research files from way back when. Feel freeto use my name as a reference, if you think it will help. Also, if you find out about something that you need, but can't, pet hold of, I might table to help. The Library of Congress usually has everything. Keep me abreast of your progrss, and best of luck.
From James Kocur
I take pen in hand to tell you once again how much I enjoy MWAN. It's like getting a letter from a good friend than just a newsletter or magazine, Also wanted to pass on some info about two books I just read both journals, one great and one pretty bad, REBEL YELL and YANKEE HURRAH is an excellent ACW book. It is an interesting journal containing loads of deliteful bits and morsels, A book which would give you a better "feel" for the period would be hard to find, THE FRENCH CAMPAIGN IN PORTUGAL by Pelet on the other hand is, in a word, BORING. I found it hard to believe that anyone who lived through such exciting times (the guy actually met Napoleon!) could write about it and make it sound so incredibly dull, Practically nothing to recommend it to a wargamer..unless he's suffering from insomnia,
From Joe Gretsky
How about a listing of all of the MWAN subscribers by state, and make it a permanent column with additions and dropouts. There might be someone I can game with in my back yard.
(Editor's Note: I have thought of doing this, at least adding the names and addresses of all people who subscribe as they join, I have started to include a space on the resubscription slips asking if it is OK if I list their name address, You might see this in the future).
Prom Dan Rakowski
On the wargaming front, I've been trying to fit in o flew games when possible. T suppose Dave Corbett has filled you in on our OTR ACW series, So far, so good, although I haven't had the pleasure of commanding a winning force as of yet, Every game has been exciting. I've written Paul Koch, autliur of OTR, asking him some questions and his answers were very welcome indeed! My small Waterloo collection has grown to include Russians, Bavarians, Poles, and a few Saxons (15mm).
Prom Mark Stevens
Thanks for another great issue. I find it hard to criticize anything in MWAN. I made a good friend through MVAN, Byron Champlin. He came to Mississippi and we fought a very nice Mexican-American game. I was old Zach at Buena Vista and lost miserably. My Mississippi Rifles formed a "V" but did not stand though we had a very good time. Byron has a standing invitation for a game anytime he is around here. I've got some ACW Illustrations you might use and would be willing to illustrate any articles after a fashion, Keep up the good work.
(Editor's Note: Would be glad to have your illustrations, Mark, thank you!),
From Michael Harrison
As for comments/suggestions, I can only say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" MWAN is excellent and its strength lies in the variety of information, ads and viewpoints presented. As for special issues or periods to be covered, I don't have specific recommendations -although with all the recent interest and figure production in lesser blown wars (Franca-Prussian) I find it surprising that the Crimean War has not been given match attention. . George Johnson's article (ACW in 5mm) was interesting - using figures in this scale/hex, printed "battlehex" or sheets, one can create 3D boardgames. Hex sheets can be colored with color pencils or markers, For hills, simply paste 1/4" or 1/2" thick balsa wood and score the wood to match hexes. On troop stands, use transfer sheet numbers.
I ordered an Alamo set from Knight Designs. Buildings excellent and microscale in scale. The 109 figuresa re awful. John Duffy's rules were worth reading because all the basics were on one page. Sometimes, too many rules can weaken a game--have fun.
From Ken Bunger 1836-1848 Texas-American War period. Convert ACW Union artillery to the period: cut off kepi just above cap band, round off square peak, adda glob of epoxy to top of cap band to emulate 1846 forage cap. I've found taking ball 1/2 the size of a BB and squishing it on the cap works. This can be used on other ACW figures.
The Diary of Capt. Jose Enrique de la Pena "With Santa Anna in Texas" is useful and of great interest to anyone wishing a rare view of the Revolution, On a recent business trip to San Francisco, I took a couple extra days to explore the wine country of the north of the city, The townsquare of Sonoma looks like a movie set from Zorro, There is a small Spanish fort (the barracks) and a separate mission, Both are walled compounds that contain great little museums. On a more exotic note just north of Bodega Bay on the Pacific Coast (where they filmed THE BIRDS) is Fort Ross. This is a perfectly restored Russian 18th C. fort, The log construction of the walls, buildings and church gives one the feel that you're in Europe. There are several cannons as well.
From Dave Petrowsky
(Editor's Note: Dave had sent me a very nice photo of a good looking castle and I wrote back asking him for details).
Glad to see that you liked my castle. It is from Gallia Reproductions except for the square tower which I got from Castle Hobbies in Bradly, Illinois. All I did was clean it and spray auto primer on it, then painted windows and doors. The ladders are just wodden rods from the local hardware store and elmers glue. The towers I scratch built with balsa wood, Most of the buildings were given to me by Dave Searing. The mantlets: one-half are hand made while the other half are from Essex. The covered battering ram is from RAFM. The figures inthis battle were all mine, Some are original "Alexander Nevsky" from Minifig and almost every company who has made figures-of this era are in this battle. We had about 1400 figures in this battle and as one of the defenders, we were lucky, and won!
We are trying to build interest in pre-gunpowder gaming in this area so on November 22 in Argenta at 9:00 we are having a battle royal. All "Human" armies and figures from any period that is pre-gunpowder will be challenged by all armies vs the Decatur, Illinois group's armies. Mounting differences will be all right. This will be a giant game of FUN. No real history; no monsters.
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© Copyright 1987 Hal Thinglum
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