PENDRACON MINIATURES, 1549 Marvlew Dr., Westlake, Ohio, 44145 (216-871-4587) has available the new WARGAMES FOUNDRY 25mm Zulu War figures and I order a batch of them to be used for my Early Sudan project. Thus far I have received three foot officers of the 24th foot, one infantryman kneeling at ready, thrusting with bayonet, lying dead, thrusting with bandaged head, two different lnfantrymen in shortsleeves (one with glenngary), mounted lancer officer and mounted lancer enlisted man. These are superb figures as you would expect from WF; stateside cost was $1.10 per foot figure and $1.40 per horse. Also received a biscuit box length perhaps six inches long which is made of resin and very good. Wish I'd had these available to me before I redid my model of Rorke's Drift. The biscuit box length is perhaps six inchesw long and made of resin. It costs $2.75. The infantrymen in shirtsleeves have open hands and separate rifles. Oh, there is an additional infantry I received, at ready with helmet by his right foot. There are additional figures firing, etc. These are slightly larger 25mm and fit in perfectly with the VICTORIAN CLASSIC Sudan War figures. The officers are very well done; one being Lt. Bromhead firing pistol and holding a rifle with bayonet. One of the officers has a separate arm and you get a choice of three arms. They fit in nicely, by the way. The third officer is wearing a patrol jacket. Highly recommended! I was a bit disappointed in the horses as they appear to be generic horses and do not have the usual British saddles.
20MM HINTON-HUNT NAPOLEONICS ELAN ENTERPRISES, 8812 State Rd 52, Hudson, FL 34667 has 20mm HINTON-HUNT Napoleonlc Pruealan Cenera1 Staff (B1ucher, Gneisenau, General "spyglass, ADC to General) available for those 20mm Napoleonic wargamers. 20mm seems to be experiencing a comeback as of late, doesn't it? These are nicely cast figures; two of the mounted figures being one-piece castings.
WOMEN WARLORDS Blandford Books has released WOMEN WARLORDS (Tim Newark) and it is available from Sterllng Press Co., Inc., 387 Park Ave So., New York, NY 10016-8810 for $14.95 paperback ($19.95 in Canada). It is 160 pagea long and has 16 pages of color drawings; the type we have come to expect from Blandford. I read this book upon recelvlng it and wasn't that interested in it although I suspect there may be a few wargamers who would like to have women represented in their wargames. I did enjoy the section on Joan of Arc as I hadn't read anything about her since my childhood and found it interesting to find out how and why she came to be a leader.
THE COLLECTOR'S GUIDE TO NEW TOY SOLDIERS ARGUS BOOKS has released THE COLLECTOR'S GUIDE TO NEW TOY SOLDIERS (Metal figures from 1973 to the present day) by our prollflc Stuart Asquith (congratulations, Stuart!). This is a 111-page hardcover book with 16 color pages and hundreds of black/white photos of toy soldiers. Stuart informed me about a year ago he had an interest in toy soldiers but I was surprised to know the extent of his interest! My very first metal soldier was a 54 mm A Q Confederate Infantryman from Brusslers (remember them?) which I parted with $1.50 for after looking through their catalog (no pictures, just listings) for days upon days dreaming about what it would be like to have all those toy soldiers! In the last year or so, I've managed to obtain half a dozen toy soldiers from various MWANer.s (Howard Whitehouse has sent me a British officer (Lt. Col. Hal Thinglum of the 24th Foot) and FFL Legionnaire (Legionnaire Hal) while Mark Weitz, who shares my interest in the Legion sent me a great Legion Officer firing his pistol. I've also painted some 54mm ACW foot figures for friends who enjoy the ACW period but are not into the hobby at all. I don't eee myself ever collecting 54mms as I already have a hobby whtch is quite expensive, but I can appreciate "toy soldiers" in any size! Anyway, Stuart's book was quite enjoyable. I found myself looking for British Colonia1 soldiers - as I always do - and thinking "Um, if I bought perhaps a few dozen, I could do a little skirmish game in".. However, I did, after an hour or so of daydreaming, return to a normal(?) state of mind! Stuart reports that today's manufacturers of New Toy Soldiers appear to have the following philosophy in their production:
- To make figures which look good alongaide a colleotion of Britians.
- To form a homogeneous series of figures in a distinctive style that stands on its own.
- To provide a mass of figures at a reasonable price.
- To provide a variety of good-looking set pieces.
- To be all things to all men.
I would think, from viewing the many pictures, that they have succeeded in these goals as although I know very little about 54mm toy soldiers, the photos resemble the "old-time" 54mms that I am aware of. Stuart provides information as to the individuals producing the figures - something which I found interesting - as well as what the line(s) consist of. Interesting book - availab1e from Combined Book Services, 406 Va1e Rd., Tonbridge, Xant, TN9 1XR, UK (17.95 pounds plus 1.50 pounds for postage); credit card orders (0732-357755).
25MM GUNFIGHTERS FROM PASS OF THE NORTH Jeff Caruso, who started PASS OF THE NORTH WARGAMES, 1060 Esplanada, El Paso, TX 79932, has released a set of 25mm wildwest figures BALZIN, SIX GUNS, based upon the MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (plus one, as there are eight figures) selling for $12.00 per pack with shipping charges of $3.00 (checks should be made payable to Jeff Caruso). These are nicely done "standard-sized" 25mm (true 25mm) figures.
I saw the movie years ago and know that Yul Brenner was in it and I was able to identify his figure but I really don't know who the others are. There is one rifleman firing; one is wearing a sombrero and fanning his pistol; "Yul" is firing a pistol; another is drawing his pistol and throwing a knife; one is firing two pistols; another advancing with pistol and rifle; another firing his pistol; and the last one is also fanning his pistol. The figures were flash-free, well animated, and should be a welcome addition to those wild west gainers! Jeff also has 25mm fiqures for the Mexican Revolution including US troopers so check him out! He plans on adding peasants/villagers with open hands for weapons and tools, trotting horse, and a new advancing Mexican with open hand for different weapons. Jeff would like to let us know that "Pass of the North Wargames was in business a couple of years ago before another company of similar name came out that company changed its name at my request. I have never had had any interest or part in the running of any other said company."
20MM WWII MLR FIGURES MLR, 17 oakfield Drive, Upton-By-Chester, Chester, CH2 1LG, UK (0244-379399) has been around for awhile although I had never seen any of their 20mm WWII figures. They recently sent a number of packs of Soviet Sailors from the Black Sea Fleet for review. BSF1 is A command pack consisting of officer firing flare pistol; CPO adv w/PPsh SSMG and sailor advancing w/rifle (separate arm). BSF2 is a Guard detachment consisting of CPO standing firing PPsh SMG; sailor advancing w/SVT40 rifle and sailor standing firing SVT40 rifle. BSF3 consists of three various sailors advancing w/rifle. BSF4 has two sailors firing (one kneeling, one standing) and one kneeling observing. BSF5 is a gun team consisting of one sailor lying firing DP LMG, one prone firing rifle w/sniper scope, and one firing PPsh SMG. BSF6 is an assault party of a sailor kneeling firng a rifle grenade, one throwing a petrol bomb, and one standing firing PPsh SMG. All of the above packs of one pound each. BSF7 is a heavy machine maxim MG on wheeled mount with four crew is costs 1.90 pounds. I was most impressed with these figures.
Detail is good, there was no flash, animiation was good, and a large variety of poses are available. The prone figures have a lead base to them, which I always like. Other figures available are Falkland Islands 1982; Policing & Counter-Terrorism in the 80; Spanish Civil War; Russian infantry and cavalry for WWI, Waffen SS infantry, Fallschirmjager 1940-42, US WWII infantry, British Dominion infantry for northwestern Europe 1944-45 and also for the Mediterranean Theatre 1940-45; German infantry for the Mediterranean Theatre 1940-45; Afghanistan 1984, Granada 1983. They also offer "La ultima Cruzada-A Wargamer,s Guide (5.45 pounds), Arriba Espana! - Wargames rules (3.25 pounds), Tanks & Trucks of the Spanish Civil War (4.25 pounds) and Man-at-Arms #74 Spanish- Civil War (5.99 pounds). I know its crary, but from time to time, I've thought about doing the Eastern Front in WWII! If anyone is interested in WWII, you couldn't go wrong with these figures! Hope to eee more from MLR in the future.
By Mark Weitz -- Revell 1/72nd Scale Plastic Figures-- World I War I French Infantry. At last, a new manufacturer of figures for those of us who like to wargame in plastic. Revell of Germany is putting out a whole line, which is shaping up as an even broader line than Esci's. The Revell line currently includes Normans and Anglo-Saxons; Romans and Celts; Cowboys and Indians; Imperial and Swedish Infantry of the 30 Years War; Northern and Southern Troops from the American Civil War; World War II German Paratroopers, German Infantry, Australian Infantry, and U.S. Infantry; and, most recently, French and German World War I Infantry.
I had heard a lot of good things about these figures, but when I finally purchased a box of 44 Frenchies, plus two small sandbag emplacements and two Hotchkiss machine guns, I was just thrilled. The quality is excellent--matching Esci in detail and sculpting. The figures are all in good action poses, dressed in the typical French infantry gear of greatcoat and Adrian helmet. To give you some idea of the quality of these guys, even the prone figures are fully molded top and bottom, whereas many plastic prone poses just have a flat, unsculpted bottom.
The best part, to this wargamer, was the Hotchkiss machine guns, of which you get two. They are, without question, the most detailed machine guns I have seen in metal or in plastic. The gun's mechanisms and features are clearly visible. Naturally, I intend to use these guns with my French FOreign Legion forces.
Three quibbles: First, the torsos of the men seem to be a little more compressed than they should be. Second, the pistol firing officers are all in steel helmets; just for the sake of tradition, I would have liked one or two in kepis. Finally, the Hotchkiss comes with both a gunner and a feeder. The feeder is using a continuous belt, whereas the Hotchkiss was fed with clips. However, this is more than made up for by the gun itself actually having a slot through which to feed the ammo. Anyway, these quibbles aside, at $6.00 a box it would be difficult not to be pleased. For the size freaks out there, the Revell are a tad shorter than the Esci, but I think they will fit in very nicely and they match Airfix perfectly.
By Mark Weitz -- Small Wars by Col. C.E. Calwell. Here is a volume for all you colonial wargamers--the British Army textbook on fighting colonial wars. Originally published in 1896 and revised in 1899 and 1906, it has been reprinted by Greenhill Books. This 500-page volume is a treasure trove of tactical and strategic information for fighting colonial wars. The author, a veteran of the Second Afghan War and the First and Second Boer Wars, as well as adviser to the Greek Army in one of the Greek-Turkish Wars clearly knows his stuff.
What is greatly appreciated by a gamer such as myself, who prefers French colonial wars to the British ones, is that he takes his examples from a broad range, including the Russian campaigns in Central Asia, the French campaigns in Indochina, Madagascar and Algeria, the Spanish fiasco in Cuba, German African campaigns and, of course, the many small wars of the British Victorian Army. The book is not, however, an easy read. Written in the formalistic style of the late 19th Century it is, to the modern reader, excessively wordy, somewhat stilted, and repetitive. Nonetheless, it is a fascinating insight into the knowledge the British Army developed for fighting small wars. The table of contents gives some idea of the breadth of the book, including chapter titles such as "Squares in Action on the March and in Bivouac," "Principles of Laager and Zeriba Warfare," "Bush Warfare," "Camel Corps," "Machine Guns," and "Night Operations."
The book is also filled with principles and aphorisms, such as "Tactics favor the regular army while strategy favors the [natives]-- therefore the object is to fight, not to maneuver." Although this advice may not help you in your tabletop gaming, since after all we generally game only so that we may fight, the author's point is a good one: namely, that in colonial wars the object of the colonial power is not to outmaneuver the enemy forces, who can return to their villages to fight another day if outmaneuvered, but to engage the enemy and defeat it.
The author gives a fair amount of attention to logistics and lines of communication, but also discusses tactics such as the importance of feints in colonial warfare. While Col. Calwell displays some of the prejudices of his time, he also is fair enough to give. native forces the credit due them for their bravery and fighting' skill. All in all, a fascinating read. I doubt it's the kind of book where you'll sit down and read it cover to cover in one evening, but if you take it one chapter at a time, you will really enjoy it. I bought mine from Sidney Kramer, a Washington, D.C, military bookseller. Regrettably, I cannot locate his address or phone number, but it should be available from Washington information. If you are at all interested in military history, you might want to be on his mailing list.
By Mark Weitz -- Osprey No. 233: French Army 1870-71-Franco- Prussian War I Imperial Troops. Yet another high quality job such as we've all come to expect from osprey. Authored by Steven Shan and Louis Delperier, this volume describes the various. components of the French Imperial Army and its weapons and is accompanied as usual with eight beautiful color plates. For those of us whose image of the French Army of 1870 is blue greatcoats, red pants and kepis, the variety and color of uniforms is somewhat surprising. In some respects, the French Army of 1870 looked more like the army of Napoleon I than I had thought. Delperier is an expert in this field, having authored several excellent articles for Uniformes magazine on the French Army of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Osprey plans a follow-up volume on the Republican Troops. I can't wait.
By Mark Weitz -- Lyzard's Grin l/76th Scale Pack Mules. If you do colonial wargaming and your scenarios include columns of the occupying power entering into dissident territory, you've got to have pack mules. Even if you don't use a lot of logistics in your rules, they can't be beat for atmosphere. Lyzard's Grin makes a real nice set (SM-73). These come with two long ammo boxes, one lashed to each side of the mule. Well sculpted and cast, they'll go great with 20mm armies, but might be a little small for 25mm forces. The vagaries of sizing being what they are, it was interesting for me to compare them to the Esci pack mules, which can be found in their Italian Alpini sets. The plastic mules are actually bigger than the Lyzard's Grin mules, by a millimeter or two. I prefer the Lyzard's Grin mules, however, since the Esci mules are sculpted in a "stubborn mule" pose with the mule resisting advance. (Esci also provides an Alpini mule handler who is pulling on the mule's harness.) Anyway, the Lyzard's Grin mules are highly recommended.
By Mark Weitz -- Lizard's Grin German Limber with Horses This is set SM-72, also in l/76th scale. It features a limber which must be assembled and four horses, two of which have riders and two of which are loaded with various packs and bed rolls. The limber itself includes two Germans. The horses are very nicely done, as contrasted to the Germans, who are somewhat rough-hewn . Nonetheless, a very nice set. As Hal suggested to me, a little filing and shaping of the German helmet, and you could transform the riders into any number of other nationalities.
By Mark Weitz -- Lyzard's Grin Russian Forage Wagon This is set SM70, done in l/76th scale, and features a wagon, two drivers and two horses. The Russians are wearing service caps which have been used by many other armies and, therefore, I consider these guys somewhat generic. The wagon base and sides simulate wood nicely and the horses are up to Lyzard's Grin's usual high standards. Best of all, the pack comes with a small set of instructions, always helpful for cretins like myself, since I'm still trying to figure out how to assemble the Lyzard's Grin Hotchkiss.
Edward R. Hamilton Bookseller by Richard D. Brooks Edward R. Hamilton, Falls Village, CT 06031-5000: This bookseller produces a book list catalog about every month. The latest two catalogs have had many pages devoted to Military History (mostly World War II and later), American and World History and the CIVIL WAR. Very good selections here and the prices are generally right for persons with small pocketbooks.
What caught my attention was the NEGRO UNIVERSITY PRESS section. The Press reprints books on slavery and black studies in the US, good for historians but not gainers. On the other hand, they also reprint books on African history. Tides included: With Plumer in Matabeleland: The relief force during the rebellion of 1896; The True Story of the French Dispute in Madagascar, 1885; Mission to Abyssinia, 1892; Correspondence of Sir George Cathcart: His military operations in Kaffraria, 1856; and the Portuguese in South Africa: with descriptions of the tribes during the 16th century. Were a some of the titles that caught my eye. These are just a few of the titles dealing with Africa. The books are reprints dating from an 1848 excursion into the interior to the 1930s. All titles deal with subjects south of the Sahara.
Checking these out at the university library I found a majority of the titles to be excellent sources for campaigns or other scenarios with maps, pictures and photos. Now that I may have wetted your curiosity, the price is even better at $1.95 for each title. I just ordered 17 titles all for $36.15. Service so far from Hamilton has been excellent, the last order arrived within ten days.
By Joel Gregory - STEAM, IRON & TIN WARGAMXS RULES There are two things that I believe this hobby of ours needs: First, a simple miniatures game that is easy to learn and enjoyable for all ages. Second, a miniature game that is complete, featuring the needed miniatures for the basic game that comes with the rules. STEAM, IRON & TIN comes the closest to filling these two basic needs in our hobby.
First, it is a very simple game. Everything about it is basic; movement rate is constant; no need to figure currents, wind, and other elements usually associated with naval games. The ship guns are classified as either rifled or smoothbore, with each type having a given range. There are five types of ships involved in the game, Ironclads, Tinclads, Transports, Steam Launches, and Rams. There are only two charts to deal with: To Hit Chart and Effective Hit Chart, and each fits on a 3x5 card with room to spare.
To put it simply, STEAM, IRON & TIN is a dice game; to some, those may be fighting words, or words that will steer others away from purchasing this fine g am e, but to me, they are nice words. Why? Because they mean that I have a game that I can play with my children, or a game I can play with other gamers that does not involve a lot of instruction. My children enjoy playing SI&T, especially my three year old daughter. I have learned, though, that playing dice games with children is a sure way of losing; my daughter beat me with just three rolls of the dice (all 6,s)! The simplicity and enjoyment of SI&T can be seen in anyone who plays the game. My teenage son and his friends enjoy the game because it is straight forward and easy.
I ran a SICT game at TWINCON '91 and received nothing but good comments. What is also nice about the game is that it is not hard to scratch build ships for 15mm ACW gaming. The guns and figures can be purchased fr om several manufacturers, including MINIFIGS, the producer of SILT; basically, I have built four ships to to the three that I purchased. Secondly, SIGT comes the closest to be ing a complete miniatures game on the market. The game comes with rules, a ship, the necessary figures for that ship and the right amount of guns to arm it. We in the US have be en conditioned to buying complete games in a box. With miniatures, one buys a set of rules here, some miniatures there, and some other miniatures at another place, and after some time, travel, gathering, painting, one only hopes they have enough to play the game. I only wish that SI&T was packaged with two ships together with necessary crew & guns, thus making it a totally complete game with one purchase. SI&T is a product of MINIATURE FIGURINES, LTD. It is designed for 15mm Nava1 action in the Civil War period. The ship w/rules, crew & guns, sells for $19.98 (tinclads) to $24.98 (Ironclads & Transports). I have been able to blend these rules with other ACW rules for combined land and river actions, even though the rules come with two supplements (Field Battle Rules & Siege Supplement). The only disappointment I had with the rules was the painting instructions, too basic for the period and models.
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© Copyright 1991 Hal Thinglum
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