By Jonathan Aird - Tumbling Dice - Medieval and Dark Ages Ranges - From 96 Sandfield Road, Arnold, Nottingham, England, NG5 6QJ or Brookhurst Hobbies in the USA.

Two new ranges of 1/72 scale figures, designed, so the adverts say, to complement available plastic figure ranges. As a first statement it's nice to see a company go for something other than the obvious ACW/Napoleonics, especially as there are an ever growing number of releases of ranges of plastic figures in this scale for these periods (e.g. Airfix, Esci, Revell, Imex, HaT). All of the Tumbling Dice figures are cast in lead free pewter and are nice crisp mouldings, with minimal or no flash. The medievals are designed for the Wars of the Roses/Burgundian Wars period, and in build are a perfect match for the Revell 100 years war plastic figures (and the older Airfix Robin Hood/Sherriff of Nottingham range). For period the different armour styles of the knights means that the plastic and metal ranges are not really suitable for mixing, however most of the non-knight foot figures can be mixed in, making the metal figures an ideal way of bulking out, say, the number of crossbowmen in an earlier period army.

Taken as a stand alone range the choice of figures offers all the troops needed for a late medieval army: mounted and foot knights and sergeants with a variety of horses from full Gothic plate to a smaller hackney for the mounted infantry, crossbowmen, longbow men, handgunners (I particularly liked the handgunners), artillery and crews, billmen and pikemen. All the foot figures have armoured and liveried variants. There are also equipment packs of weapons, pavises, and stakes. Something I hadn't been expecting was variation in each figure in armour (mainly helmet style - sallet, "kettle" helm, bascinet). This was a nice surprise since it helps maintain a non-uniform appearance. Well worth a look if you game the period in this scale.

From the Dark Age range of figures I got some Normans and Anglo-Saxon figures, Vikings and Bretons are also available. These are larger than the medieval figures (a true 25mm figure, if a 6 foot high man is assumed), and match less well with the available plastic figures. Taken on their own merit, however, they are very nice figures with a pleasing amount of detail. Being slightly larger, the faces are better defined than was the case with the medievals. The range comprises Huscarls, Great and Select Fyrd spearmen, Norman knights and sergeants, crossbowrnen, foot spear and archers. Each nationality also has a leader pack available. Very nice figures in this scale.

Figure prices are foot or rider figure 35p; horse 70p. There are sample, starter and army packs for all the ranges which offer the figures at a discount, basically the bigger the pack the bigger the discount (up to 20% off).

By Len Brewer-"SCENIC EFFECTS. INC." WATERlOO 1815 SET #1. Scenic Effects, Inc. P.O. Box 70332, Point Richmond, Ca. 94807. This boxed set consists of 6 pieces. They consist of the large farm gate, high wall section, a large three story farm house, village trade house, farm house comer unit and another farm house comer unit with out buildings. This is a 15mm set for the Napoleonic period. This set is made from polyurethane resin. As to be expected there is a wealth of detail on these buildings and walls. There is a small amount of flash on the base of some of the models. They fit in with the other buildings by SCENIC EFFECTS, and HOVELS. This set number is WL-12 and the cost is $80.00.

The companion set to this is WATERLOO 1815 SET #2. This boxed set consists of 5 pieces, which includes a large stone barn, a 2 story farm house, windmill with onion dome, a Belgium church and a base with a wall section and graveyard. On this set there was no flash on any of the buildings. Once again the detail was outstanding on all of these pieces. You can see examples of where there are missing shingles on the church and where the plaster on the walls are flaking off. Another nice feature is that the church fits on the base very nice. Around the church you can see where the tombstones has been pulled up and thrown against the church in order to allow the defenders more protection from the stone wall that surrounds the church. This set number is WL-I3and the cost is $85.00. Included with this set are several color pictures of these items painted which is very helpful.

CHATEAU HOUGOUMONT 1815 is a new super set that totals 15 pieces which includes 5 different buildings, walls sections and a base. Fully assembled this set measures 36" by 23". Once again there was no flash on any of the pieces. The detail is even better that the other sets. All of the buildings fit together with no problems at all. In this set you have several buildings with thatch roofs along with shingles. There is plaster coming offof the walls in several place, plus there is hay bales being stored along several of the buildings. This set is in 15mm scale and fits in with other buildings. If you are into I Smm Napoleonic gaming you owe it to yourself to look at any of these sets. The only drawback to this set is the price. HOU-1 is priced at $165.00 for everything. This will turn a lot of people away, but this set is worth the price. Another quality product from a quality company. All of these sets are highly recommended. OLD GLORY, ESSEX, BATTLE HONORS and most other 15mm figures fits in very nice on all of these models.

By Stephen Lawrence - 25MM OLD GLORY "WARPAINT" FIGURES - I just received some samples of the two new bags of figures for the Warpaint/Old West range from Old Glory, and just say WOW! These are just great! The bags are Sheriffs, Marshals & Bounty Hunters, and Outlaws & Gunmen. The figures are some of the best yet from Old Glory, and capture the flavour of the period. There are several readily recognizable fellows here:

1. a tall, slow-walking, seldom talkie' marshal from a certain Mexican city of gold.
2. an un-named bounty hunter in serapi
3. a sallow-skinned horseman who likes his towns painted red
4. three lawmen-brothers and a shotgun-toting dentist from Tombstone
5. A wild fellow who was good with a gun, but should have kept his back to the wall and avoided calamity.

Also, there are included a short, rotund, chubbycheeked lawman, a longhaired gunman in fur-lined coat crossdrawing, a shotgun toting deputy, an outlaw with shotgun and a bandana over his face, several fancy fellows in coat or vest and broadbrimmed hats, and one fellow with a sack over his shoulder, another with saddlebags over his shoulder, and a third fellow with a McClellan saddle over his shoulder, all three with revolvers drawn.

These fellows are very good and quite a nice variety of poses. They will be the standard 30 figures for $21, and provide a wonderful selection of fellows for any Western town or a great range war! So git on down to yer local Emporium and round up a bag or two of these range critters, or you'll be caught short handed when them varmints come a callin'to rustle the herd.

By Hal Thinglum - BATTLE HONORS USA WWII 25MM EASTERN FRONT

GERMANS/RUSSIANS - When Steve Dake informed me, some time ago, that Battle Honors USA would be releasing a new range of 25mm WWII figures, I was quite anxious to see them. Then the Steve(s) of BATTLE HONORS USA (346 River St., Coopersville, MI 49404 (616-837-7045; FAX 616-837-8568) sent me a listing and I immediately (late Saturday) called an placed an order for a pack of each which arrived on the following Wednesday! Great response time, wouldn't you say?

There are three packs of Germans: GR25-1 Waffen SS 1944-45 in helmet; GR25-2 infantry in field cap; and GR25-3 Waffen SS in side cap. The Russians have six packs: RU25-1 infantry in helmet; RU25-2 in side cap; RU25-3 in summer dress w/winter cap; RU25-4 winter gear with helmet; RU25-5 winter jacket in winter cap; and RU25-6 NKVD infantry. There are 15 castings in each pack which sells for $15.00 and covers the 1944-45 period. There are a variety of poses within each pack with a mix of riflemen, SMG, radiomen (one in each), officers (at least one in each), and LMG crews. From what I can determine, some packs may have three figures of the same pose, while others have less than that. All of the German packs have two-man teams of LMG crews "moving". None of the figures are prone; very little flash on them. The figures are "slighter" in build than "1st Corps" though they will fit in well with them. They are sculpted more like the "Battle Ground" 25mm WWII figures. After viewing the RU25-5 Russians in winter jacket w/winter cap, I was wondering if they could be used for "Red" Chinese for the Korean War? Quality figures and a welcome addition to this growing scale! Highly recommended!

By Hal Thinglum - FROM BROOKHURST HOBBIES - Brookhurst Hobbies, 12188 Brookhurst St., Garden Grove, CA 92840 (714-636-3585) E-Mail - Brookhobby@aol.com - Web Site - http://users.aol.com/brookhobby is always kind enough to send a number of new releases. Received were the following:

20MM B&B MINIATURES FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR - Oh, Geez; here we go again! One of my favorite periods (FPW) in my new favorite scale (20mm)! Beautiful little figures; chunky in that characteristic B&B manner with fantastic sculpting detail! Submitted were FPHI-I Prussian Guard (20 figures/$17.98); FPGA-3 Prussian 4 pd Horse Gun w/3 crew ($9); and FPFI-7 French Zouaves marching (16 figures/$14.75). The packaging of figures is apparently done for THEY DIED FOR GLORY by MWANers Dave Waxtel and Robert Burke, a most attractive set of rules, by the way.

If you use this rules system, you'll be happy with the packaging; if not, you may resent ending up with a lot more officers than you need. I assembled the Prussian 4 pd gun and it is a beauty! Has an officer, gunner w/shot, and gurmer w/spike. All packs include command (officer, standard bearer w/o staff, and drummer). The faces of the Prussian Guardsmen are full of character, not to mention facial hair! Outstanding quality! The folds of the clothing on the Zouaves is great; a good painter could really do something with these! As of now, there are Bavarian infantry (Guard, Jagers, infantry marching, advancing, and 4 & 6 pder foot guns and 4 pd horse gun); French Guard Grenadiers, Zouaves and Line Infantry marching & advancing, Cuirassier, Chasseur, & Chasseur d'Afrique, 4 & 12 pd foot guns/crew, and line 4 pd horse gun/crew. The Prussians have Guard, Jagers, Infantry advancing and marching, Uhlans, Hussars, Cuirassiers,. 4 & 6 pd foot guns/crew, and 4 pd horse gun/crew. Think I see a new period coming up!

20MM FAA WWII FRENCH/GERMAN - FAA have long been one of my favorites in 20mm WWII. AFV5 French 1940 AFV crew dismounted (5/$5.40) and AFV7 German 1939/40 AFV crew dismounted (5/$5.40). These would be very handy figures for a wargame as I am always on the lookout for dismounted AFV crew! The usual high quality we've come to expect from FAA! All figures are standing in a fairly relaxed pose with one figure in each pack being armed with a SMG. One of the German figures is clearly holding a map and each pack contains an officer.

OUTPOST WARGAME SERVICES - Well, an unusual item from Outpost from their new "Highwayman Range" in 25mm - HWM.2 Robber in Scarf w/pistol - figure in cape w/broad-brimmed hat and long pony-tail holding pistol w/left hand with aimed barrel resting on right hand w/covered face. Nicely done; bulky style. There are a total of 6 robbers, 6 victims, 4 "Bow Street Runners" (Dragoons), and 4 Militia ($1.20/figures). I'd like to see the Dragoons; maybe they could be used for wargame units. From their expanding 20mm Korean War Range comes GB.2 British Rifleman moving (5/$3.75); one marching, one advancing w/o headgear, two running, and one charging. Nice figures; thus far there are eight packs of British, 8 of Chinese, and 11 of Americans. Quality figures and recommended!

Lastly, from their vast 15mm Franco-Prussian War range comes FPFA.16 French Mitrailleuse (2/$1.98); very cleanly cast guns w/good detail. Let me tell you this: 46 French packs with an additional 21 command packs, 18 artillery packs, and two General Staff Packs! That's not all, MWANers - 41 German packs, 18 command, 16 artillery, and three General Staff! You want Wurtemburgers, Garde Mobiles, Zephirs, Foreign Legion, Saxons, Bavarians, limbers(my personal favorites!) - its all here! Prices are friendly: 50 foot/25 mtd for $11.98; 8 crew/2 guns/8 command for $1.98. If these guns are any indication of the quality of the line, these are very inexpensive prices!

PETER PIG 15MM ACW/WILD WEST/SPANISH CIVIL WAR - I've long admired the Peter Pig ranges; quality figures "/extensive listings! 2-58 "Elderly" ACW Command(8/$3.10); you may well ask, "What are 'elderly' ACW command?" Well, there are three bald officers w/"generous" beards; three "tired" standard bearers leaning heavily on the staff; and two drummers who look pretty "normal" to me! A good idea and nicely done figures! Th'ere are sixty packs of ACW figures including "Rude" infantry; "Boy" soldiers; Mr/Mrs Lincoln; personalities; and "ragged" troops.

From their Wild West 15mm line comes 15-93 Outhouses (2/$3.10) with separate doors; everyone needs a set of these for your Wild West setup! Hey; there are 93 packs in this line! Get a catalog from Brookhurst (I don't know; send them $3.00 or so)! The Spanish Civil War has 29 packs; #29 is gun crew in beret (8/$3) has three kneeling crew, three w/shell, and two pointing. How does "no flash" sound to you? Included in this range is a T26 tank ($7.65) and CV33 tank ($3.00). From their excellent 15mm WWII line (182 packs thus far!) Comes Pack 151 Brits having a brew(!); three officers in soft hat holding cup by chest and five enlisted men in helmets (two drinking from cup and three w/cup by chest; all EM w/rifles by lefl side). I'm sure you'll want a "platoon" of these interesting figures! Someone will want some, won't they!

TUMBLING DICE 1/72ND WAR OF ROSES/BURGUNDIAN WARS - Tumbling Dice has an extensive and interesting l/72nd pewter WWI range; now they've added WOR and Burgundian Wars in this interesting scale! There are 7 sets of mounted (12 riders/$8.50; packs of 6 horses/$8.50) packs; 5 horse packs; 14 foot packs; one command; three artillery; and four accessory packs (all packs are $8.50). Submitted were Knight Jousting "/separate lance 8: armored horse; and four command figures (2 mounted and 2 foot each "/standard and trumpet). I like these figures; especially the armored horse although they may be a little light on detail, except for the horse.

SHO MINIATURES 20MM WWII - SHQ has an extensive 20mm (1/76th) WWII line, and Vietnam line, as well as a small Gulf War Line (British/lraqi). Submitted were British "Mediterranean" infantry in khaki drill shirt, trousers, and "37" helmet" (3 figures/$2.70) BD-23 riflemen moving (two advancing; one running) and GC-2 German cavalry/mounted infantry (1939-41) GC-2 3 NCO's/Troopers w/MP40, mounted ($4.70). Excellent detail; horses are standing and well done; exceedingly little flash; good weapon(s) detail! They also offer an extensive line of equipment /vehicles in l/76th scale as well as Polish and Dutch troops, which might be hard to find elsewhere. Some good stuff here!

QUALITICAST 20MM ACW/NAPOLEONICS/CIVILIANS - I like this line; they offer an extensive 1/72nd (20mm) ACW line and a growing Napoleonics offering. From their "Peninsular Campaigns" line comes French line Dragoons in long tail coat mounted (4 troopers/$3; 4 horses/$4.25); excellent detail w/no flash with these pewter figures. They've added Portuguese to this period. In addition, they offer a Napoleonic 1815 line "/British, Brunswickers, French, and Prussians thus far. From their 20mm ACW line (53 packs of foot; 30 cavalry; and eight artillery) comes infantry in battle shirt and in frock coat and Cavalry standard bearer in kept. Very well done horse; excellently done kepi figure in frock coat marching, and fair infantry in battle shirt firing.

I say fair because there seems to be a bit of a difference in the detail on the musket for the firing figure vs the marching figure. Lastly, from their civilian line (9 packs) is man firing rifle; looks like a Winchester (4/$3.25). Some handy figures in this line including women, mountain men, horse casualties. BROOKHURST would like us to know that Qualiticast prices are going up ($3 packs to $3.30; $3.75 packs to $4.25).

TWO DRAGON PRODUCTIONS 15mm WARRIORS OF THE DARK AGES - Been awhile since I've seen any Two Dragons figures; very extensive line: Vikings (36 packs); Rus (22); Anglo-Normans (20); Cavalry (18); villagers/peasants (25); personalities/command packs (7). 10 foot/three 1-piece cavalry for $4.79. Submitted were figures from their Norman foot line and I must admit to being extremely impressed with these little 15mm gems! First of all, no separate weapons (I like that) with some separate shields (I can live with that). Lots of animation, many poses, very good detail, in general, an excellent line!

By Hal Thinglum - THE FINAL ARGUMENT OF KINGS - Dean West, author of this SYW rules set, was one of the first "wargamers" I met about 20 or so years ago. I don't recall how I became aware of him, but I called him and he invited me over his house in Indiana and showed me a beautiful 15mm ACW setup on his wargames table; I'll never forget the sight! Dean uses a flexible rug of some sort and places books under it to create hills. He gave me a prepublication copy of JOHNNY REB and took the time to explain the rules to me. I've always appreciated the time he took and he hasn't changed! Dean is deep into the "historical" aspect of wargaming; is very well read on the periods he's interested in, and tries very hard to represent "history" on the tabletop. This rules set covers the period 1734-63 and is a 68 page booklet (8 1/2" X 11") and was written for 10/15mm but is compatible w/25mm. Dean reports "Final Argument is not a 'beer and pretzels' game" and states he is "striving to gamers a 'feel' for warfare in this period by focusing on the 'battlefield environment' more than unit organization or army lists." Figure scale is 1:40 thus an infantry battalion is 12/16 figures. Armies are organized in brigades and function as such. Simultaneous movement is used; ground scale is 1" = 45/50 yards and time scale is one turn = 20 minutes of real time. Dean is an excellent writer and explains the rules concepts well!

There are 12 phases per turn: mark orders, move routed units, rallying, revealing orders,- checking cormnand control, first fires, movement of disengaged units, resolving charges, normal movement, moving fires, melees, and officer casualties. Each phase is individually explained. There is a "Grand Tactical" movement section, which I enjoyed reading about: all movement during this period is doubled and an "initiative" concept is used where each army cormnander rolls modified dice to determine who moves first. This, from what I can gather, allows ''gifted'' army cormnanders, such as Frederick The Great, to maneuver his army to his advantage. Some good thoughts here! Another concept I liked is the "Front to Flank Maneuver" which I think was designed to simulate the unique characteristics of the period. $20.00 from OLD BATTLEFIELDS PRESS, 5 East, 600 North, Valparaiso, IN 46383. Dean is also working on "scenarios" and included one for the Battle of Chotusitz which was very well done. Drop them a line for more information!

By Hal Things OUTLAND GAMES FLAG SHEETS - Outland Games, 1061 Bertram Ave., Dayton, OH 45406 has released 15mm ($3/sheet) and 25mm ($6) flag sheets and fantasy banners. There are sets for AWI, Turks, Burgundians, ACW, Wars of Religion, TYW, SYW, Napoleonics, FPW, Marlburians, Samurai, and Mexican-American War. I have 25rmn sheets for SYW Prussian infantry (21 full color flags) and Austrians (10 infantry and four horse). Chris Fahnestock of Outland Games did a very nice job on these quality flags. Highly recommended and excellent value for the money! Chris also offers a painting service.

By Hal Thinglum - WARGAMES FOUNDRY/GUERNSEY FOUNDRY 25MM NEW RELEASES

Please note that these two fine companies now share the same address: The Foundry Ltd., Huberts Lane, Off Doyle Rd., St Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, Great Britain, GY1, 1RG.

First of all - 25mm Plains Wars US Cavalry: Sgt O'Brien's "detail"; can't say too much about this line or others OF has been offering - each "character" has a mounted and dismounted figure to represent him! Have skirmish gamers ever been better served? I think not! Sgt. O'Brien is standing at ready in kepi w/sword resting on right shoulder. There are nine total figures mounted and dismounted and three horses. One trooper has a separate right arm while another has a separate rifle. Horses are great!

Detail, as you would expect is fantastic w/very little flash. OF also sent along mounted/dismounted figures of G.A. Custer; outstanding figures! $42/18 figures & nine horses "/painting guide. New from WE are four new "heavy" horses (NPH43-46) to be used with the new Scots Greys. Beautiful, big, heavy horses! Also Scots Greys - bugler, officer w/sword raised high over head, and three troopers (two "/separate sword arms). With the exception of the of ricer, they have "covered" fur caps. Excellent stuff indeed! Another new range for WE is their 25mm "Northern European Bronze Age C.1200-9OOB.C. with 23 castings; these figures are from Scandinavia, Britain, Ireland, France & Germany. Three leaders, warhorn, spearmen, swordsmen, javelinmen, priest, and village figures. Some of the spearmen have separate weapons & shields are all separate. Interesting range with a lot of applicability I would think!

From their "Biblical Wars" range in 25mm, they are offering four "vignette": BCE8 Canaanite Prisoners (three prisoners being led by two guards 5.25 pas); BCE9 Egyptian Interrogation( two Royal bodyguards beating a Hittite scout prisoner 3.15 pas); BCE 10 Egyptian Soldiers practicing combat w/sticks (two figures 2.10 pas); and BCE11 Egyptian Noble Household (three noblemen w/two servant girls 5.25 pas). Also new is BC256-259 Egyptian Civilians: three men walking w/reeds, water pots and grain basket, and a woman standing w/basket of bread. These are the types of figures which when painted up, would make great gifts to your nonwargaming friends!

By Hal Thinglum - REGIMENTAL COLOURS 15MM/25MM FLAGS - Regimental Colours, 1416 Forsyth Way, Brandon, FL 33511 (813-661-0641) sent some beautiful 25mm SYW full color flags. They are sold in packs of nine flags (3 regimental colors; King's colors ~ "torn") - no price info; however, they are offering, thus far, in 15mrn and 25mrn, flags for Prussian infantry regiments 1 through 55; Garrison regiments I through 12; and Cuirassier Ret's I through 12. They will soon be doing French & Russian SYW and then AWI. Outstanding color; "Torn"flags are something new for our hobby and these are "tattered" and most attractive. Just use Elmer's White Glue! Great quality and highly recommended! I'm glad that I have some unpainted Prussian 25mm SYW infantry regiments as these will look great on my battalions!

By Hal Thinglum - FROM SIMTAC: NEW JACOBITE 15MM NAPOLEONICS - SIMTAC, 15 G Colton Rd., East Lyme, CT 06333 (203-739-3609) sent a sample of Jacobite's new 15mm Napoleonics, FN18 French Sapper as well as the "old" casting. I must admit the "new" figure is dramatically improved; a "wee" bit taller and considerably more bulky with significantly more detail! Drop them a line to obtain a listing of this extensive line.

By Hal Thinglum - RENAISSANCE INK FIGURE STANDS - Renaissance Ink, 335 Torrance Ave., Vestal, NY 13850 (607-748-4665) sent samples of their wargaming bases. They offer a variety of sizes and types (wood, plastic, and metal) which can also be obtained with magnetic bottoms - a handy feature for wood/plastic. There are 13 different sizes listed and they will "special make" a required stand size. The wood stands are the type that I've been using for years with my 25mm SYW and I like them a lot; these I like even better as the edges are beveled giving them a neater look. With my wood stands - and these as well - they look great with terraining on the base and green paint along the sides. Metal stands are $2.00/20 stands while the wood and plastic w/magnetic backing are .20 each. They also offer magnetic sheets with sticky backs which can be cut with scissors. Drop them an SASE for further information! Some good stuff!

By Hal Thinglum - SAMURAI RULES BY H.G. WALLS - H.G. Walls, 3026 Springbrook Dr., South Bend, IN 46614 has released GE KOKU JO - The Low Overcome the High: Miniatures Rules for Samurai Warfare, a 31-page 8 1/2" X 11" professionally printed set of skinnish rules. Figures are based individually and a unit ranges in size from four to ten figures. The system uses a card-activated sequence in which "characters" each have their own "card" and when their card comes up, their unit is activated. The rules are straight forward; there is a one page example of play as well as point system to create balanced forces. The regular rules encompass only 13 pages in large print with an addition two or three pages of optional rules. There is a short section on introducing "magic" into the game. The section I like the most is the campaign system (6 pages). The rules end with another of my favorite sections in rules books - designer's notes - I find I can frequently learn quite a lot from this section. Nicely put together - no price information.

By Hal Thinglum - TAC: WWII MINIATURES RULES - TaC Publications, C. Pringle, 22 Mead Way, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 2BJ, UK has released this set of WWII miniatures rules for brigade level actions (6 pounds plus postage). It is distributed by Irregular Miniatures, 69a Acomb Rd., Holgate, York, UK. Co-author Chris Pringle reports "Being based on platoon-sized elements, these rules are suitable for use with figures organized for SPEARHEAD, which seems to be getting very popular. However, Tac has a quite different flavour: the action is based more on companies than on battalions, and places much more emphasis on morale reactions than SPEARHEAD's "sudden death" approach." This is a 44 page rules set which uses 1/300th or 2mm scale miniatures. Ground scale is 1:4000; one move equals 15-20 minutes; and troop scale is I figure equals a platoon of three to five sections of infantry. D10's and D20's are used. Units are provided with a rating from 4-8 with the lowest number representing the best type of unit. Of course, this rating is used to detemmine what the unit does/can do. The platoon is the basic infantry element. There are nine phases within a move: Order transmission, orders, aircrafl, artillery, movement, location phase (optional), direct fire, morale, and engineer phase. Movement is in centimeters with normal infantry movement at 2.5cm (double for road movement) and movement is simultaneous. Many examples of play are provided. WWII gamers should check out these rules out!

By Hal Thinglum - FLAMBERGE MINIATURE WARGAME RULES AD1250-1500 MWANer Wesley Rogers, 7516 12th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117 has published FLAMBERGE, a medieval set of rules ($8 including postage), a 29-page effort with two sets of playsheets. One Infantry figure = 25 actual men while one cavalry figure = 20 men and one gun = two real guns. 1" = about 25 feet and a tum represents an "undefined and variable amount of time." 1D6 are used and distances are provided for both 1 5mm and 25mm figures. Wes reports "I wrote Flamberge to fit into the rules niche somewhere around skirmish games and 'semi-strategic' games such as TACTICA or DBA." He further states "l would rate these rules as 'medium' in complexity." There are four armor classes (light, medium, heavy, and armored). Stand sizes are suggested for both 25mm and 15mm figures; for example, close-order infantry have four figures per stand while close-order cavalry have 3. An army's ability to "scout" is considered during unit setup and outnumbering your opponent in light cavalry will determine how many units you can deploy in your "setup" zone. There are four phases to a turn and a phased move-countermove turn sequence is used. Movement for armored infantry is 4"(25mm) or 6"(15mm) with armored cavalry at 12"(25mm) or 9")15mm). The basic rules cover 19 pages with another six pages of optional rules. I found the optional rules interesting; they included "uncontrolled advance", "feigned flight", "arrowstorrn" (to reflect the high rate of fire English longbowrnen); supply and pay; and "fallbackrnaneuvei' amongst others. These rules strike me as being very well written and visually presented. In addition, Wes provides many illustrations and examples of play. A very nice effort; congratulations, Wes! Highly recommended!

By Hal Thinglum - COMMANDS & COLORS ACW - MWANer Richard Borg, 319 Haverlake Circle., Apopka, FL 32712 has released COMMANDS & COLORS, an ACW game system ($20.00). It comes with a 13-page instruction book, a deck of ACW cards, 12 ACW blank "battle" dice (useful to any wargamer as they are blank), and stickers denoting infantry, cavalry, artillery, flags and crossed sabres which are attached to the "battle" dice. There are two types of cards: general order cards (identify which section of the battlefield is activated) and special tactical order cards (which denote the tactical action and summarize the action). You will need a hex grid (13 hexes wide X 9 deep) for the garne. The instruction book provides seven scenarios and all battles are scaled so that each side has 10 infantry, 3 cavalry, 3 artillery and 3 officers. Infantry has four stands, cavalry has three, artillery two, and an officer has one stand.

The objective of the game is to remove six of his opponents "flags" (each flag equals one unit) from the game. All of the ACW cards are dealt to the players. A turn has four phases: play one card from your hand; move units; battle; and declare victory/discard & draw. Movement is by hex (infantry & artillery =I hex; cavalry & officers = up to 3). Rich states "the number of units you will deploy has been scaled historically. At some battles, a single infantry unit may represent a division, while at a smaller engagement an infantry unit may represent a single regiment." Rich further reports that most C&C ACW games "play to a conclusion in less than an hour." An interesting concept; Rich plans on coming out with "Battle Books' for 1861-1865 the rest of this year.