Since I will now be the new author of this column Hal told me that I should introduce myself and say some nice things about myself, so here goes. I'm 41 years old, happily married with three kids, and work in sales. I started wargaming in 1973 and have been an addict ever since. The miniatures bug hit me in 1977 and that is the main focus of my gaming activity (although I still occasionally play board games and computer games). I am the author of two sets of miniatures rules currently available, "Warfare in the Age of Reason" (with Dale Wood) and "Pig Wars." My mother thinks I am a genuinely nice person.
The Emperor's Headquarters has released their new mail order catalogue and the depth of lines they carry is stunning. Virtually everything the miniatures gamer will need is in this catalogue. Miniatures, buildings, scenic materials, rulebooks, historical books, paints and more. To order the catalogue call 1-800-59 EAGLE or write to the Emperor's Headquarters, 5744 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago, Il 60634.
Among the now items available are the Old Glory 15mm 100 figure packs and the Houston late 19th century 1/1000 scale ships including American and Spanish.
The Plainsman series is a set of paperback historical novels by Torry Johnston set during the plains Indians wars beginning in 1866 and continuing through 1890. The main character is a fictional Irish cavalryman and Civil War vet who participates in the major battles of the period while pursuing a personal quest. The historical background is meticulously researched and the plot is addicting and exciting.
The volumes released so far are Sioux Dawn, The Fetterman Massacre 1866. Red Cloud's Revenge, Showdown on the Northern Plains 1867, The Stalkers, The Battle of Beecher Island 1868, and Black Sun, The Battle of Surnmit Springs 1869. Two more volumes will be released this year with 12 planned in all. Tho publisher is St. Martin's Press and the books are available at any of the major chain bookstores like Waldonbooks or B. Daltons. The price is S4.95 and it's worth it just for the cover art. Highly recommended for Pony Wars fans.
Pass of the North Wargames 1060 Esplanada. El Paso, Texas 79932 has announced an addition to their Bugles and Bandits line of 25mm figures of the old Southwest. The new pack will contain 8 gunfighters with 7 of them patterned after the famous "Magnificent 7" of the Yul Brynner movie.
Foliage Clusters from Woodland Scenics are packs of woodlands looking brush that appears to be a good alternative to lichen since it doesn't deteriorate as much. The packs are 3.95 and come in a variety of green shades. They should be available at most hobby stores.
Warrior Miniatures 14 Tiverton Ave., Glasgow, G32 9NX. Scotland have released a catalogue update list showing a special deal for a 200 piece 25mm Napoleonic army (French or British), or 150 piece Swiss or English renaissance armies for 39.95. Also shown are 4 new listings in the 1:650 ancient ships range, 10 new figures for the 20mm Desert Storm infantry range, 13 new infantry figures in 20mm for the Vietnam War, and 13 new infantry castings in the 20mm Spanish Civil War line.
Peter Jackson Military Books, 23 Castle Green Crescent, Weston, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M9R INS puts out a catalogue of military books which normally contain 20-25 titles on the French Foreign Legion.
The French Foreign Legion: A Complete History of the Legendary Fighting Force. HarperCollins, S40.00. As the title suggests this is a grand general history of the FFL including detailed descriptions of the classic seige at Zaatcha (1848) and the defiant last stand at Dien Bien Phu (1954).
Powder River Reproductions 48 Swan St., Sheridan, Wyoming 82801 have announced a wargaming terrain construction service to go along with their miniature painting service. They have a listing of panel types which can be mixed and matched to make a large variety of terrain. The panels are similar to a diorama they build for the Fort Phil Kearny Museum and the pricing appears very reasonable. The photos received show wargaming terrain that is very functional and of top notch diorama quality.
The Viking Forge 1727 Theresa Lane, Powhatan, VA 23 139, have released a catalogue of 1:2400 scale ships showing 20 pre-dreadnought era ships, 9 WWI, 37 WWII, and 2 modern listings. Also in the catalogue is a large listing of modern U.S., modern Soviet Union, German, and Chinese WWII U.S., British, German 1/285 scale armor and aircraft. Finally a very large line of 15mm Ancient Warriors is displayed. The armies include: Republican Roman. Carthaginian, Parthian, Hun, Palmyran, Alexandrian Macedonian, Early Imperial Roman, Late Macotonian, Tang chineee, Achaemenid Persian, Tibetan, New Kingdom Egyptian, OalliclAncient British, Late Imperial Roman, Rusr., Han Chinese, Generic Feudal, Dacian, Byzantine, Asiatic Hordee, Arab Conquest, Empire, Mongol, Sarmatian, Succcessor, Classical Greek, Sassanid Persian, Viking, Turkish, Mameluke, Norman, and Ottoman Frank. 1000 point and 1500 point WRG armies are also available.
Redoubt Enterprises 49 Channelview Rd., Eastbourne, East Sussex BN22 7LN, 1TR have "leased the "March or Die" range of 25mm figures for FFL gaming. 22 legion and 20 Arab are included with many poses and types including wounded and dead. 1 figure is ''dead up with rifle" and is intended to be used in a fort. A model of a Hotchtiss/St. Etienne machine gun and crew is represented along with mules, Arab decorated horses and several novelty types including taureg camel rider, legionaire firig over dead mule, legionaire carrying wounded comrade, mule for flying column, and an officer on horseback waving.
Village Green 34 Moorgarth Ave., York. YOF2 2DP, UK offer a resin cast FFL fort designed to complement the 25mm Redoubt range described above. The unit comes with a basic fort and can be added to with many add-one. The basic fort starter pack is 42.50 pounds. Village Green also has a catalogue of other resin products for 50p plus a SSAE.
GKG Gaming , 86 Regan Rd., Ridgefield, CT 06877, now carries Mirlton figures. The report is that the service is prompt and professional.
Toy Soldier Company, 100 Riverside Dr., NY NY 10024 212-799-6348 have sent a catalogue of their annual summer sale. The toy soldier lines they list are Marlborough. Trophy, Tradition, Under 2 Flags, James Luck Britains Figures, Steadfast, Nostalgia, and Dorset. The list includes books on weapons, uniforms, and toy soldiers.
Modeler's Mart 1183 Cedar St, Safety Harbor, FL 34695 1-800-223-S260 (orders only) have sent their new newsletter. Amoung the new lines are 15mm frontier ACW brigade packs organized for "Fire and Fury" rules. Also "Legacy of Glory" a new set of boxed Napoleonics rules, new Osprey books. New lead includes 25mm figures from Outpost with 4 new FFL items and 12 French and Indian Wars figures including Indians, frontiersmen, French and British. Other new lead is the 25mm Frontier line of ACW, War of 1812, Pirate accessories (boat, anchor, swivel guns, etc), Alamo, British colonial (including Lord Chemoford and staff). and Vikings. Now rules include ,'Iron and Steam,, for ACW naval, "Battlegroup" for l945-present, and Trench for WWI land actions. GHQ also lists 4 new 1/2400 scale WWII naval items and 4 new 1/285 scale modern aircraft figures.
Miniature Service Center 5910 River Rd. Newport Richey, FL 34652 8138427064 has announced several new items in their excellent, hand made 25mm buildings series. 2 new items in the French and Indian War series include "stone well with overhang" and "guard house." Eight new pieces are listed in the Mexican-American war series mostly differing wall sections plus a well and a 3 building market set (plus stalls). A new series is also announced of Viking buildings including long houses, boat building shed, planked dwelling' thatched roof dwelling. (3), and store houses (2).
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© Copyright 1991 Hal Thinglum
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