From David Smith
There seems to be so much to read regarding historical gaming, and some of the best stuff comes out of MWAN. Thanks. PACIFICON was held, as usual, at the San Mateo Dunfry's (near San Francisco) over Labor Day weekend. In the WRG ancients room we (myself and Eric Narveson) set up a DBA "drop-in and learn" session, attracting some dozen garners (and more who just wanted to watch) over the four hours we were in operation. Our sign read: "No experience necessary," and we meant it. Over half of the gamers experienced their first miniatures game. Two of them (one fantasy gamer and a lad of what I would judge to be 13 years old) retired to the dealer area to buy ready-painted DBA armies (for $30) offered by one of our local shops. Who knows, next year we might actually get in the program and thus, attract more new blood to the miniatures cause.
I've been toying around with the rulebook THE COMPLETE BRIGADIER. I find that scale most attractive because my favorite period, 19th C. Canada, lends itself to small battles and campaigns. I would like to ask the readership if they know of any articles written about these rules. i've always had a keen interest in the history of this hobby. Recently bought a stack of WARGAMERS DIGESTS from the 1970's. It's not that I don't think we have a great selection of new 25mm figures, but looking at some of those old photos I can't help wondering what became of the old? A couple of months ago I sent a note to Scruby asking for a wargame figures catalog and received in return their "Old Toy Soldiers" catalog. It may be a hasty conclusion, but it looks as though Scruby has stopped production of these figures. I guess that what I'm getting at is that it's too bad we can't have some of the old figures back in production. In the Old Toy Soldier hobby, these discontinued molds would have been bought up and put back into Production (they're very good at not letting miniatures "die out") I wonder if others in the hobby feel the same way, and I also wonder if anyone knows of retired lines out there, waiting to be put back into production. As always, I'd love to hear from anyone interested in Canadian military history (1930-1900), the history of the hobby, and anyone' remotely close to this place, on the edge of civilization, I have to call my home.
(Editor's Note: Thanks for kind words, Dave, and good to hear from you. Say hi to Eric! Your DBA "drop-in and learn" session sounds like a very good idea! Glad it went so well! Re COMPLETE BRIGADIER - THE COURIER had a number of articles on this rules set sometime ago but I really can't recall exactly when. The author of these rules is an MWAN subscriber; maybe he will drop us a line with some information about the rules! Your ideas re the dropped figure lines - yeh, I used to spend lots of time looking for where to get lines out of production; not so much anymore because there is so much to choose from, however, I recall spending lots of time looking for the Minot Zulu War and Sudan line. It's fun to do if nothing else! Good luck and let us know what you find out about Scruby's miniatures!).
From Chris Leach
I was glad that several people responded to my letter concerning the oxidation of my figures. I have thousands of 25's and am worried about the longevity of both the painted and unpainted figures. I wonder if pewter oxidizes in the same manner?
(Editor's Note: My experience is that companies using low grade lead have this problem - oxidation. I don't know about pewter, though I really wouldn't worry about it too much, Chris).
From James Bailey
Enclosed is about seven pounds of lead; mostly it is Mike's Models but once I got into a cleaning frenzy, I realized there was a lot more stuff I wasn't going to get painted, so rather than let it rot on the shelf ....
(Editor's Note: Thanks, James. Wish you wouldn't have sent it on to me - your postage was nearly $10.00! James sent hundreds of 15mm Mike's Models unpainted ancients figures as well a pack of ACW sharpshooters & 3 packs of Minifigs WWI for gamers who don't have funds for their hobby. My good friend Len Brewer brought up 44 stands (88 figures) of painted 15mm Napoleonic cavalry which is also based and grassed for the same purpose. If there is a needy gamer out there who could use these figures - and I can't give you more information about the figures than I already have -let me know; include a postcard so I can respond to you. I would insist that you send Mr. Bailey $10 for his postage and would prefer that you cover my postage costs. MWAN used to do this quite a bit - serve as clearing point for people wishing to provide figures to MWANers who can't afford them. If there are MWANers out there who wish to give some figures away, what I would suggest is that you send me a listing of what you have. I will either list them in MWAN or contact an MWANer who could use them and that person could contact me first so that the "giver" doesn't have to concern himself with selection or answering lots of letters. Then the "giver" could send them off to the person I ask them to and that person could pay the postage. If there are MWANers who wish to give away figures and aren't concerned re having their postage paid, just send the figures to me and I'll take care of everything. That way we only incur one set of postage instead of two. What do you think? By the way, I have an MWANer who could use 20mm WWII items).
From Jonathan Aird
May I take this opportunity to say how much I enjoy reading MWAN? It took an issue or two to get into, but it certainly has had an influence (i.e., I've just finished painting an AIRFIX French Foreign Legion fort and the FFL figures are doing a forced march to reach the head of the painting table!). I notice a lot of American gamers seem to use AIRFIX and ESCI figures, but I don't recall any mention of the huge ranges from Revell (Saxons, Normans, English & French knights, Celts, 30 Years War...) - are they available in the US? For Mark Serafin in MWAN Letters #65, NAVWAR are certainly still around - my bank balance can vouch for it! - their address is 11 Electric Parade, Seven Kings Road, Ilford, Essex, 193 8BY. A question in return - does anyone know if the Hinton Hunt figures are available through a UK supplier? I was interested to see that Bill Amick played Warhammer and lived; may I suggest that interested historical garners might like to give the Society of Fantasy and Science Fiction Wargamers (SFSFW) a try out for a year? Membership Secretary - Karen Blease, 4 Old Acre Rd., Whitchurch, BS14 OHN UK. Colonial players especially may be surprised - Victorian/Fedrickian SF is very much in vogue at the moment. The society puts out a bimonthly magazine - MWAN sized but only 50ish pages an issue. Membership is 18 pounds outside Europe - magazines sent airmail.
(Editor's Note: Thanks, Jonathan for info; NAVWAR is also available in US from DIVISION BY DIVISION - see next letter for address issue. Can anyone help Jonathan re UK supplier for Hinton Hunt figures?)
From Roqer Dospil
Responding to Stuart Schoenberger, yes Heroics & ROS are still in production; my company specializes in British imports and I stock most of their ancient line and can special order any other line. I also stock NAVWAR renaissance ships in 1:1200 scale. NAVWAR also makes a simple rules set called a 16th Mediterranean Galley Wargame - very fast six pager - Responding to Brent Oman, Feudal Castings has a line of Sikhs. I stock their dark age line and have received samples of Sikhs - well detailed. Responding to Mark Serafin - NAVWAR is still in business. I've been stocking selected lines since last October. What I don't have can be special ordered. I also work with Table Top Miniatures.
(Editor's Note: Thanks much, Roger - good to hear from you and appreciate the information!)
From Terry Briqqs
Read the latest MWAN today from cover to cover in a single day! A new record! Of course, the fact that I'm sitting here in a hospital bed may have something to do with that. Any ideas on a good or not so good reference book on Clive in India? I'd really like to do these armies for A.O.R. But no elephants and camel gunners in the lists in AOR (Age of Reason).
(Editor's Note: Hope you are feeling better, Terry! Can anyone help Terry re Clive in India?).
From Eric Narveson
Enjoy MWAN and look forward to each issue! Just finished co-hosting an open DBA tournament/demonstration game at PACIFICON with my good friend Dave Smith. We used our own armies as well as drop-in armies guests brought with them. The boards were home-made on the cheap. I'll write a short article on how to make geomorphic square terrain for about .75 a square foot if you'd like. (Editor's Note: Would like to see article on terrain, Eric! Say hi to Dave - see above!).
From Edward Wilson
I have been following the debate over pewter vs lead as the material for the figures with which we game. I have a large collection of lead figures, but in future, I will be buying only pewter figures. The threat of lead as a health hazard, especially to very young children, is clear and as the father of a newborn son, I cannot see exposing him to what I see as an unnecessary threat. The new pewter figures are not noticeably inferior to the old lead ones and the price increases seem a small price to pay for eliminating a health risk. OLD GLORY increased their prices by about 20%; this is pretty steep, but at $18.50 for 100 figures, I am Still only paying about 18.5 cents per figure.
The move to pewter will actually allow me to resume buying figures. When my wife and I began trying for a pregnancy I stopped buying any new lead and was careful to spray paint all of the unpainted figures I had with a primer coat to seal in any lead dust. I decided that in future I could only buy plastic (not an appealing prospect) or pre-painted lead (very expensive at $-$1.25 per 15mm figure). Now I have dusted off all those army lists I was working on and am looking for items to buy. Mention of OLD GLORY brings me to the second subject of my letter, a request actually. In the interest of helping out gamers such as myself who wish to continue buying figures, but only lead ones, could you print a list of the manufacturers who have changed over to pewter? From an item in THE COURIER #61 and from checking manufacturer's advertisements and product reviews, I have found the following firms offering pewter figures: Stone Mountain (may include Adler 6mm), Museum Miniatures, Falcon Miniatures, GHQ, Ral Partha, Grenadier, Games Workshop, Quality Castings, Soldiers & Swords, Musket Miniatures, Minifigs - please note I have no way of verifying any of this information. (Editor's Note: I've checked with Russ Dunaway of OLD GLORY and he reports that pewter figures are available from OLD GLORY at cost; individuals interested in pewter from OLD GLORY should contact him. I know STONE MOUNTAIN does pewter and so does PASS OF THE NORTH, however, I can not be sure of who else.)
From Phil Wood
I have had a very hard time getting the figures to complete my 6mm DBA project; I can't believe the poor to terrible service that I have received from the majority of wargaming retailers over the past 18 months. I can understand it only a little bit. I think that most wargaming retailers get into the business to finance the hobby for themselves and really have no clue as to the proper way to treat customers and are completely ignorant of the role that they must play in the relationship. I'm sorry but that is the only way that I can understand some of the things that have happened to me. I have also been very lucky in meeting up with some of the best retailers in the hobby or anywhere else for that matter. Mr. George Johnson (GAJO), the fine people at WARGAMES, and Mr. Roger Dospil of DIVISION AFTER DIVISION are some of the best people I have found to do business with.
(Editor's Note: Good to hear from you again, Phil! I don't know what type(s) of problems you've had with suppliers, Phil, so it is hard for me to say anything. In the first place, however, I have to agree with you about the gentlemen you mentioned as being very good to deal with. If there is a more trusting person than George Johnson, I would love to meet him! I've only known Roger a short time but have been impressed with him greatly, and I always hear good things about WARGAMES. However, how about the places I don't hear good things about; how about the places that do not supply good service? I think you have a point, Phil, regarding your opinion as to why some suppliers do not provide good service. I've had many experiences with suppliers personally and had many letters from MWANers asking me to intervene with a supplier on their behalf. What I fall to understand is when a supplier does not notify the purchaser that he is unable, at this time, to provide the product in a timely fashion. What is incomprehensible to me is when the purchaser contacts the supplier to find out what the problem is and the supplier does not respond. I am sorry but when this happens, the supplier has a major problem and should do himself and the hobby a favor and get out!)
From Wayne Downey
Really enjoyed #65; especially Mark Serafin's article on the ACW and Patrick Bailey's article on the French Foreign Legion. I'm gonna havta remember Patrick's plaintive cry of defense next time my wife asks why I'm buying more of something - "But Dear, it's all Hal's fault!" Yeah, that's it. Blame it on Hal. Ha ha ha. Was pleasantly surprised to read of another MWANer's interest in the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-78. For Scott Hansen or anyone else interested in this little-gamed war, RANK AND FILE MINIATURES has begun producing an outstanding line of 15mm figures appropriate for this conflict. The figures are about 18mm tall from the bottom of the base to the top of the headgear. They're cleanly cast and beautifully sculpted, with lots of raised detail and animation that make painting fun and rewarding.
If you can't tell by now, I'm very enthusiastic about Chris Atkin's work. Not only does Chris sculpt great figures, he and his wife are also truly nice people who provide terrific service. RANK AND FILE produces an extensive line of figures for the Franco-Prussian War and the War of Italian Liberation. If you are at all interested in the European Wars of the mid to late 19th C., you need to check out these miniatures. Currently available from RANK AND FILE for the Russo-Turkish War are Russian infantry in furushka or kepi, greatcoat or tunic, firing or advancing. There are also infantry officers/ensigns wearing a furushka in greatcoat or tunic. In addition, there are light guns (probably suitable for mediums, too), artillerymen (cast with separate accessories), and four different cavalry: Uhlans, Cossacks, Hussars, and Dragoons. The Russian infantry are great! I especially like the firing pose. These are sturdy fellows who are determined to free Bulgaria from Turkish suzerainty. Before discovering these I was never a fan of figures in greatcoats. But these guys are really neat. After cleaning the figures, I prime/base coat them with Testor's Light Earth spray paint. Dry brushing with Polly S khaki gives the greatcoat a near perfect match with the pictures in Boris Mollo's UNIFORMS OF THE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN ARMY. For the figures in green tunic, I spray-prime in black and for the guys in summer white linen I use a medium gray. All of these figures paint up exceedingly well and easily by drybrushing. I would think those fans of the wash technique would find these figures equally satisfying.
Right now I'm working on the first Turkish figures available for the war: infantry wearing a western style tunic, loose trousers tucked into boots, and a fez. Figures from RANK AND FILE'S French army such as the Zouaves in a more traditional "eastern-style" dress would also be useful for the Turks. There was a lot of diversity in the Turkish army of this period. Like the Russian counterparts, these figures paint up very well, and again, the firing figure is especially nice. There are more Turks in the works but for now I've got plenty to keep me busy. I've painted and based over 500 figures so far and am very excited about the period. Like Scott mentioned in his letter, sources on the Russo-Turkish War are very scarce. I've been lucky enuf to find a couple of books on the subject but even more fortunate to have a couple good friends who have found some great stuff for me. I've also been very pleased with the local library's ability to find others. Greene's history of the RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN IN BULGARIA and Cassels HISTORY OF THE RUSSO-TURKISH WAR are probably the best works in English on the subject. But that's not to say they're the only ones. There are a couple of good books by Herbert and Ryan, participants in the great Siege of Plevna, an outstanding compendium of correspondents' reports from the Daily News, and a highly readable account of the Turkish side by Baker Pasha, who would later gain so much fame in the Sudan. Rupert Furneaux's THE SIEGE OF PLEVANA is also a must for any fan/student of this period. Other important titles to look for are CZAR AND SULTAN, THE WAR IN ARMENIA (the Caucasus theater of operations), and ARMY LIFE IN RUSSIA. In addition, look for related articles in the following gaming magazines: MINIATURE WARGAMES (issues 9, 16, 20, 21, 54); WARGAMES ILLUSTRATED (#5); MILITARY MODELING (July and August, 1990 issues). I urge anyone interested in gaming the period to contact RANK AND FILE MINIATURES about their new line of figures. You won't regret it!
(Editor's Note: Thanks for your letter, Wayne; these are the kind of letters I love - lots of information about a period! I'd love to see more on the subject from you in the future! I have several points to make about your article - firstly, RANK AND FILE figures are good; I've got some of the Franco-Prussian War figures - with more on the way - and hris was kind enough to send me a bunch of Crimean War figures tc review in this issue so look at that section to obtain RANK AND FILE's address and additional information. If you are interested in later 1850 C. wars, give Chris' line a look. I don't think you'll be disappointed! Secondly, I recall reading several articles in an English glossy some years ago, Wayne. They caught my attention because. I'd never read anything of the Russo-Turkish War previously; must be the articles you mention. Looking forward to reading more of your stuff on the period. How about an article on units, terrain, buildings, etc. for the period, Wayne? I'd really enjoy that! Thank you!).
From Jim Davis
Reading some recent letters, I thought I'd share some ideas on terrain and unit markers. I got tired of the bright fuzzy pipe cleaner markers on my troops, and switched to clear plastic. I get some clear plastictubing at the auto or do it yourself store, and cut thin rings off. A foot will give you more than you will ever need, and it comes in different sizes to fit different scales. So far as woods are concerned, I like definite wood edges too. I make up 4" hexes from plastic foam place mats. the place mats cost .25 at the remainders store and cut with scissors. I paint open woods green, medium woods green and brown, and heavy woods brown. I flock them the same as my terrain hexes and they fit in well, but the edge is still definite. I use hexes of felt to go up hills. The place mats also make good roads and are excellent for bases of 5mm and 15mm figures. Along Hal's line of thought, I individually base my trees on fender washers. I hot glue a 1/2" tall piece of styrene tubing into the hole, then hot glue a twig into the tubing. This makes for a sturdy, flat bottomed tree trunk. I finish it off with Woodland Scenics clumps. I've also been making some quick simple buildings from square plastic downspout (available at stores). Ten feet is about $6 and will make 31 co 41 3 1/2" squaces. I was making wood buildings, but decided that I needed hollow ones for COMMAND DECISION. Roofs can be made from card or plywood wall panel. I tile mine with 3X5 card cut to shingles or use the inside of light bulb cartons to make Spanish tile roofs. I've done thatch roofs from cut up hemp cord, phony fur and wall board compound. The phony fur is trimmed to about 1/2", glued to the roof, then coated with thinned out white glue, and combed into place. It looks the best of the three methods. With the cord, you cut lengths, glue them in overlapping patterns, and trim as needed. It is a lot of work. With wall board compound the roof gets a 1/4" coat, which is then shaped by chopping with a blunt knife as it dries, to get the basic straw look. Brush with a stiff plastic brush to get the finished look. This is the quickest and the cheapest method and looks quite good. Wall board compound is also good for stucco finishes on walls, and for coating over card stone work on walls and buildings. It can be colored with tube paints before you use it. This is the type of stuff that Ian Weekly talks about in his articles as "tetron". Wall board compound, AKA mud, sells in premixed gallon buckets for $2-3.00 and lasts forever. You can even use it to repair walls around your house. I hope some of these ideas will be of use to other readers.
(Editor's Note: Outstanding ideas, Jim; I love to see this kind of stuff! I especially like the woods ideas. Good work!).
From John Horrell
Do you or any of your subscribers know of any companies which produce cavalry figures for France, Poland, German, and the Soviet Union in 1:87, 1:76, 1:72 or 20mm scale for the early Blitzkrieg Period of WWII (1939-41). I appreciate any assistance you could lend me on this matter.
(Editor's Note: John, you may know about these sources, but Ahketon, RD7f1, Box 125, Philadelphia, NY 1367.3 makes four Russian Cavalrymen (officer, cavalry w/sabre drawn, w/rifles slung, and w/sub-mg, and a fifth cavalrymen consisting of a Cossack w/sabre drawn. I think RAVENTHROPE MINIATURES also offers 20mm WWII cavalry. If anyone else knows, please let us know).
From LTC Philip E. Neuscheler
An Army Reserve Wargaming Unit is presently being set up in Washington DC's National Defense University and members of all services are invited to express interest. An Air Force Wargaming support unit already exists; Navy and Marine officers can be accommodated. We intend to create a worthwhile global wargame with all logistical and political inputs worked out (whew!). Perhaps you know some reservists who would like to wargame for pay and could tell them of the new unit forming, or could insert my call for members into MWAN (See below): SUBJECT: Organization of Joint IMA Detachment
DATE: 15 October, 1993
1. The Wargaming and Simulations Center of the National Defense University (NDU) will be the proponent of a Joint Reserve Unit in the first quarter of FY 1995. This memorandum solicits qualified Army officers to become founding members of the unit.
2. There is a growing need for support to the proponent agency. This support will be provided in a phased manner, culminating with formation of a Joint Reserve Unit.
A. NDU and the Wargaming and Simulations Center are located in Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington DC. Facilities and mission are described in an accompanying brochure. Increasingly, NDU and the Center are being tasked to assist the CINCs to develop wargaming and simulation capability. Further joint missions are expected in the future.
B. Only one Joint Reserve Unit exists at the present. This unit, associated with TRANSCOM in the St. Louis area, was created by combining existing Army, Navy, and Air Force reserve units which supported TRANSCOM. NDU will follow this development path. An Air Force reserve unit already exists at the Center, and both Army and Navy reserve units are in the early stages of creation. After each service is represented by a reserve unit, a Joint Reserve Unit will be formed to include all members of existing Wargaming and Simulation Center units. Target date during the first quarter FY95 is perceived as being achievable by those responsible for unit development.
C. NDU will support FY94 AT and ADT tours for initial Army unit personnel. Officers who have completed C&GS or the Intelligence Officer's Advanced Course and wish to either attend FY94 Annual Training/ADT or drill for points only with the IMA detachment should become founding members of the unit. Three more officers are necessary to comply with Army unit initiation procedures.
Back to MWAN #67 Table of Contents
Back to MWAN List of Issues
Back to MagWeb Magazine List
© Copyright 1994 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