Who was it that said "He with unpainted lead (soldiers) will never die?" It was probably the same one who said "He who dies with the most toys, wins." I have been developing a condition that only an individual who has a wargaming hobby will understand. The unpainted lead in the basement is slowly decreasing. I am feeling a little light headed. Is this because my blood level of lead is down, or does it mean it is time to order more figures?
Should the new figures I order be selected to expand a war game period I already have in my collection, or should I be like the legendary Polish Prince (rumored to be currently living in exile in Glendale Heights, Illinois, when not wandering lost on the highways of the Nation), and start a new, generally obscure period every month or two? Lets see, Maya, Caveman, Moros, Aztecs, Heros of Studio Wrestling, Gangsters (Like, ...um, Prohibition), Dinomania with a working volcano.... none of these are really my cup of tea.
Hey, I though of a period to begin collecting that hasn't occurred to even him. Does this period meet the criteria for a real challenge? Yes, ...it is an obscure period, nobody makes figures for this period, existing ranges can probably be converted with some trouble to fill the need, there is little literature on this period, and there are one or two movies to watch to obtain the usual accurate historical scenario, uniform and terrain information to stage games, and did Robert Preston ever play a character in a movie on this period?
All the answers to these "qualification" questions for starting a new period can be answered with a resounding yes! Here we go with the Canadian Mounted Police. They fight Indians, smugglers, bootleggers, Russians, seals, Eskimos (yeah, lets build an igloo), general bad guys, rustlers, car thieves, terrorists, rabid sled dogs, moose in heat, and an occasional caribou run amuck. The uniform hasn't changed ever (I think) so the figures can be used for a wide historical period and they have mounted, marine, dog sled and airborne units, not to mention neat hats. And there is that Frasier character with his faithful dog Defenbaker, on the television series that we can use for a model. What a period this will be! If anyone knows a company (preferably Canadian) that makes Mounty figures, let me know.
The Zouave Ivor Janci of 725 Ranch Road, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 - The American Civil War magazine formerly edited by David Reynolds of the Command Post in Alliance Ohio, has transferred to another post. After six years at the helm of the magazine, David is passing the publication to another. The new publisher of the Zouave is Ivor Janci of 725 Ranch Road, Wheaton, Illinois 60187. The December issue of the Zouave was the last one from the David Reynolds period.
Mr. Janci claims that history and gaming will be intertwined in the 1998 Zouave. There will be new editorial directions taken to provide the readers with information to heighten understanding of the American Civil War. Mr. Janci is looking for advertisers and dealers and contributors. He has also announced that contributors will be paid ("a small payment should be made to at least cover some of their costs"). If interested please write to Mr. Janci for particulars.
The Foundry Limited, 1549 Marview Drive, Westlake, Ohio 44145, USA, 440-871-4587, Fax 440-892-5887 or Huberts Lane, Off Doyle Road, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, Great Britain, GY1 1RG, phone 01481 714241, Fax 01481 714905 - These guys, Neville, Nick, Toby and Bryan at Foundry Mail order have been great. I ordered their 4 ACW gun crews set November last year, by calling the Ohio telephone number.
A few days later, an international mail package from Guernsey arrived in my mail box with the ACW artillery crew figures and a photocopy of their figure catalog. I was intrigued by the images of their figure offerings in the wild west period, notably the "sets" they offer of "Custer's Old Sweats," "Benteen's Men," "Reno's Reinforcements," Sgt. O'Brians Detail," "Tom Custer's Troopers, "Geronimo's War Band", "The Apache Deal," "Voice Like Thunder's War Party," and the Dog Soldiers andYoung Bloods." These sets (except the Apache Deal) offer mounted (with horses) and dismounted poses of each of the figures in the sets. This is very useful feature for the skirmish gamer.
With these figures Custer can die on foot or mounted, or maybe even escape to fight another day in the right scenario. While I have not had time to paint any of these figures yet, they appear to be very nicely molded, with little flash or mold lines. The poses of the figures are well animated.
The size of the figures runs large for 25mm (officially being called 28mm). I will have no problem using them with my terrain and buildings and other Dixon and Old Glory figures for this period.
Then in December, 1998, I received a Christmas card from The Foundry and the above mentioned blokes in Foundry Mail Order, with a 25% discount return envelope for my next order. After ordering these wild west figures, I promptly received another package from Great Britain by mail. After delighting in the figures, I discovered one foot figure missing from the order and communicated with The Foundry by e-mail through their "unofficial web site" (below). Within a few days the renegade from the shipment was soon in my mail box, with a few free friends.
I am very pleased with these figures, and would heartily recommend doing business with this company based on the products and their customer service. I have seen no company perform better in getting an order to me promptly and correctly. The added bonus of the Christmas discount was also great.
Timothy N. Peterson, Foundry Web Page http://www.icenter.net/~gisby/, Free Catalogues! Free Rules! Via E-Mail! He runs a 'semi-official' Foundry web site. He doesn't work for them, but they support the site with 'semi-regular' updates. Timothy claims to be a fan of Mark Copplestone's work, and he was Guernsey Foundry's designer Timothy said via an electronic interview through e-mail:
"When I got my computer & e-mail, I was going to set up a web page. I thought about the sorts of things I like in a web page: Figure info, & free useful stuff. GF had just released 'The Rules With No Name' through a magazine and mentioned they could be had free on disk.
So... I contacted them and asked if I could devote my site to their range, and distribute their rules via e-mail. They countered with 6 sets of rules and an 'OK.' About a month later GF took over Wargames Foundry, and their six page catalogue became around 150 pages.
So, I handle some customer relations, distribute rules & catalogues, answer questions, make figure suggestions, etc. In the process I've helped folk find other gamers, other ranges of figures that have what they need, gaming accessories that they cannot get in their own country.
I've helped one guy (in Belgium) search for a lost ex-girlfriend, (in Africa) answered innumerable uniform questions, mailed peanut butter & cookies overseas to gamers' girlfriends, and advised or helped a number of other figure companies set up sites.
I've also made some very good friends, and been amazed at the friendliness and generosity of perfect strangers in the gaming community. For every strange request I've helped someone with, I've had someone help me with one.
Of course you can mention the site in MWAN: You can tell 'em what a great site it is, what a hell of a guy I am, and of the great service you get from Foundry. Or you can just mention the URL. You can review the site, whatever. I'm easy...
I am trying to make it one of the best gaming sites on the net: It may not be for everyone, but I want it dam' good for those who'll care!"
Contact this site at: (Http://www.icenter.net/~gisby/index.htm, e-mail gisby@icenter.net)
Rocket's Red Glare - A Guide to the War of 1812, Published by the Canadian Wargames Group, Box 172, Station M, Calgary, Alberta, CANADA T2P2L7 (76 pages) - This is a guide to the War of 1812, published by our friends at the Canadian Wargamers group. (I bet I could call them about the Mounties!) This book covers the period, causes, tactics, and combatants of this war, and has wargaming rules (including naval rules), scenarios, and a bibliography.
Architecture for Doll's Houses, Joyce Percival, Guild of Master Craftsman Publications, Ltd., 166 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1XU, 1996, ISBN 0 946819 98 X - Yeah, I have two daughters and it is about time to do the doll house thing. But, this is a useful volume for building styles: Tudor, Stuart, Georgian, Victorian, small cottages, and other useful information on construction details of building model buildings (or doll houses). Stuff like the photos of style, influence of local materials, pitches of roofs for the various materials such as thatch, tile, stone slabs, slate, lead, pantiles, etc. I'll bet you didn't know that pantile covered roofs should be sloped between 30 to 45 degrees! Did you also know that there are various types of brickwork, such as English bond, Flemish bond, Stretcher bond, and Tudor brickwork, etc.
Raventhorpe Miniatures, 4827 Treeview Terrace, Rockford, Illinois, 61109, 815-8745351, fax 815-874-4829 - The sole importer for Raventhorpe Miniatures in the U.S. They also have a fine line of 20mm figures representing the soldiers of Germany, Italy, Japan, America and others. Also offered for sale are Crusader Models, Battle Group 25mm WWII, and the Redoubt Enterprises entire line of 25mm figures. The Robert Bowling Painting Service is available at this address for your unpainted figures.
BIG GUNS - (Really Big Guns on ships in the pond) Has anybody else out there ever heard of this hobby? I confess that I have thought about this kind of pastime, but had no idea it was as developed as these internet sites reveal. If any of you are involved with this activity, please get in touch with me to tell me about the hobby. These sites contain good descriptions explaining this hobby, so I have included two, downloaded from the referenced sites. Look out momma,... I need the bathtub tonight! There are quite a few sites covering this hobby out there .... The Queen's Own Scale Model Warship Club, Western Warships, Task Force 72, Swedish Sea Battle Club, Australian Battle Group, etc.
www.netwalkcom/~popev/bg/articles/tim-Story.htm - As quoted from this site: "Battle Stations' Battle Stations! This is not a drill. Repeat this is not a drill. The Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. Indianapolis lurches hard to starboard. Her two forward turrets slowly turn toward her target, the German Pocket Battleship "Deutschland." Her six forward guns in A and B turrets fire. Water explodes around the target. A direct hit! The Deutschland immediately takes on a list.
The Deutschland, with her heavier cannon, return fires, but the Indy has since completed a hard turn to port and the incoming rounds scream by, narrowly missing her. With her stem now facing the enemy, the Indy lets go with a blast from her rear guns in C turret. The three rounds find their mark, hitting the Deutschland well below the waterline. Water rushes in, quickly overwhelming the Deutschland's pumping efforts. She starts settling by the stem. Her Captain realizes she'll never make port. The stem goes awash, the bow rises, pointing toward the sky. Finally, she slips beneath the surface. Her blasted hulk rushes toward the bottom below. Davy Jones awaits her.
Back on the surface, debris from the sinking vessel litters the surface. The Indy circles the area in triumph. A float suddenly pops to the surface. Another craft approaches and a man grabs the float. He slowly pulls in the string attached to the float. He reaches over the side, placing his hands in the water, and lifts the Deutschland back into-the light.
Hold it, hold it! What's going on here? Lifts a sunken Battleship? "Yes Sir! All 4 foot, 4 inches of her.
"Welcome to the hobby of radio controlled, scale model warship combat, affectionately called Big Guns" says the Deutschland's Captain, Tim McCarty, of Warren. Tim's son, Jeffrey McCarty looks on and smiles. After sinking his dad, his model of the Indy continues on to raid an Axis convoy. Rotten kids!
Big Guns is a fast growing internationally established hobby. "We have clubs in the U.S., Australia,Canada, New Zealand, and Sweden." said Tim. "Our members, bored of building model ships that justputter around the pond, construct World War Two era warships. They can get up to eight foot in length! The ships are armed with low pressure C02 powered BB-guns of various calibers, and used to blast their foes in mock battles."
Ship hulls are covered with thin balsa wood sheets, easily penetrated by the BBs, or the flick of your finger. Radio electronics are sealed from the water. A small pump on board takes care of minor flooding. Sunken ships are easily retrieved and patched. Often times their put back into battle within the hour.
Models of Battleships, Aircraft Carriers, Cruisers, Destroyers, Submarines, Minelayers, and Transports all play. With a sparkle in his eye, Tim said "Task Forces form up, war is declared, and off you can go into battle to route your enemies! Or ... you might go out on lone raiding mission with the DKM Graf Spee. How about running a escort with the Carrier U.S.S. Franklin, or provide convoy cover protecting an unarmed freighter from the monster DKM Tirpitz."
Within the Metro Detroit area, there isn't currently an established Big Guns club. Area battlers travel to the northeast comer of Indiana to play. There they form up in teams of Axis and Allies fleets, both of which comprise the Mid West Battle Group (MBG). "The MBG," Tim says "is the world's largest RC Combat Warship club. We have over fifty members and are growing by the day. Members play the second Sunday of each month, coming primarily from Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana."
What kind of people play? "We have people from all walks of life." Tim said, "Doctors, lawyers, engineers, students, and even a couple of moms. Younger kids aren't allowed to join, but may attend with a parent and run an unarmed transport. Older teens, still with a parent attending, may battle."
BB-cannons huh? What about safety? "Safety goggles are worn at all times." Tim said "We haven't had a single incident, as far as I know, in the hobby since it's inception in the mid seventies. Safety is first!"
So what does it cost to play? "Dues is $25 a year, which includes a monthly issue of the clubs newsletter- The Combat Information Center. You can build you own ship from scratch, buy a fiberglass kit, or buy a previously constructed model. Costs vary according to ship type and how many guns you want her to carry. Members sell used transports, without radios, for less than $50. Or, on the other extreme the largest fully armed ships sell for over a $1000." Tim quickly reminds us "Please don't be scared away by cost. If you build and fly model airplanes you're basically in the same price range. And," he continues with a wink "try recovering that $500 plane after it burns into the ground. Some of our ships have been battling for ten years."
The MBG is looking to expand, and wants to rotate it's battles between the various mid west states. "We're looking now for an acceptable pond, or shall I say battle site, in the metro Detroit area." Tim said. "If any of your readers would like to offer any suggestions, we would be glad to hear from them. "
Off in the distance the rumble of a sea battle is heard. Tim peers onto the water and say "It's war out there, and loads of fun. Big Guns has it all, modeling, camaraderie, strategy, gunnery, and luck..."
I can see how I would talk to my wife about this hobby. Yes dear ... I really would like you to have abackyard scenery pond ... yes.. a really big one would be nice, especially for the kids! I can see how we could work this type of thing into the wargame conventions like Little Wars, Historicon, etc. Afer all, those hotels have pools, right?.)
MORE REALLY BIG GUNS! http://119.82.200/bbg/Welcome.htm - Quote from this site: "This is the home page for the Blacksburg Battle Group. We are a new "Big Guns" club located in Blacksburg, Virginia.
The idea behind big guns combat is simple. You make a remote control boat, arm it to the hilt with C02 powered cannons and try and sink as many other boats as you can!
You probably either think that this sounds like a lot of fun, or you think we are all completely crazy. We don't think it's crazy but don't take our word for it. The Pulitzer Prize winning humor columnist Dave Barry wrote that Big Gun combat "is one of the most important advances in guy thinking since the potato gun." (This is a great column, read it if you have a chance. ed.)
Our rules are based on the BGCWI North American Standard Rules. The rules promote fairness (and thus fun for everyone) and safety while still encouraging people to try new ideas - what we call R&D.
We make every effort to make certain that our rules are compatible with the other Big Gun clubs. This allows members of different clubs to participate in the same events. It also allows the different groups to learn from each other's experiences.
Warning! Warning! Warning (Will Robinson)
I have listed below some internet sites of interest. No guarantees that the sites will be current when you read this column.
http://www.cwc.lsu.edu/civlink.htm -- The US Civil War Center has over 2100 links to Civil War sites.
http://www.sos.state.mi.us/history/museum/explore/museums/hismus/special/flags/flagscen.html -- Rally Round The Flag Exhibit - The battle flags of Michigan in the Civil War, Infantry and cavalry. From 1861 to 1865, Michigan sent over 90,000 men to the Northern forces.
www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/gaflagun.htm - Georgia Info Home Page, Flags that have flow over Georgia, History, etc.
Xroads.virginia.eduk-UG97/flags - This site has a bunch of flags from the ACW with background information, and other topics.
Gripping Beast wwwbath.ac.uk/-ccspgo/gripping.html - The Gripping Beast line of figures, etc. This site is great for figures! It has neat color photos of the painted figures, including the El Cid line, and listings of their products. Temptation again.
www.kwanah-com/txmilmus/thghistIO.htm - Texas Forces in the Civil War. These units are listed for both the North and South, including the First Lancers!
mirkwood.ucs.indians.edu/acw/cwhart.htm - Civil War Heavy Artillery Lots of great ACW artillery information including by gun type, projectile, charge, elevation range of mortars and howitzers, Colombiads, parrots, and Dahlgrens.
www.lib.uchicago.edu/--cjtl/aguns.html Civil War Artillery Weapons - This site includes Basic Terminology, Common Weapons, Ranges, Howitzers, Evolution of Ordinance, (my special love) Carriages, Limbers and Caissons, Artillery Horses, Modem Replica sites and addresses, and additional Links. Additional sections contain information on: Battery Histories and Artillery Reenactors, Artillery Organization and Drill, and Ammunition.
www.cyberfuture.comfian/flags/modify.htm - Wargame Flags This is a real find for wargamers. This site contains many downloadable.bmp images of wargame flags, in both battle damaged and new versions for various periods. This site also has directions to download and print these flags for your use. The periods flags are available for are: War of Spanish Succession, American War of Independence, Napoleonic Wars, American Civil War, The Great World War 1914-45, and Medieval Wars.
members.aol.com/jweaver3O3/tn/tncwhp.htm - The Tennessee Civil War Home Page A virtual central repository for information about Tennessee in the ACW. Lots of good information is available here for this subject area.
www.geocities.com/Yosemite/1852/research.htm Researching Your Civil War Heritage A how to guide for the search for information about your ancestors in the ACW.
rampages.onramp.net/-jtcreate/csapol.htm - Flags and Emblems of the Confederate States of America Flags of the Army of Northern Virginia, Army of Tennessee, the Trans-Mississippi West, and more.
There are more and more sites like these daily on the internet. Remember that anyone can put any information on the internet site and all information should be verified through additional research.
W. E. Hersant, Ltd., Hersant's Military Books, 17 The Drive, High Barnet, Hertfordshire ENS 4JG Phone/fax 0181-440-6816, email berbooks@dircon.co.uk - They specialize in military history books both new and second hand. "When asked we will endevor to obtain any book currently in print. We buy second hand books (please send a list). We will record your WANTS of out-of-print titles." They take credit cards and other forms of payment and ship overseas. They fist books from ancient through WWII and books on wargaming and modeling.
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© Copyright 1998 Hal Thinglum
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