From Tom Dye I have been a proponent for the smaller scales of figures since about 1974, when 15mm first came on the scene. The arguments for their use remain the same now as back then; units that more closely capture the "feel" of a unit, space restrichons for many, ease of painting (yes, with smaller surface areas, less detail can be seen thus less time to paint .... an article for the future), the ability to get closer to ground scale to figure scale and still remain on the tabletop, and associated costs involved in raising an army.
During the years, many of us have come to enjoy the benefits of these smaller scale figures. ORen, we had to wait for rules for small scale figures (most came from the UK) before we could begin to fully appreciate their advantages. This article should be viewed as a module to ANY set of rules that one likes to play. The article will allow anyone to use these smaller scale figures with existing sets and bring dramatic new visual vistas to their gaming tables! Another feature of this article is to introduce addihonal uses of the Command Status Stand concept. Supply and Logistics has always played a major role in every campaign in history! Sadly, most of us ignore this fact when we play our miniature games. In fact, many regard the inclusion of supply and logistics as merely "bean counting .... no fun!" To this, I challenge their understanding the historical factors of their games. Not all units started battles with full bellies, had plenty of rest, were fully supplied with ammunition and had full compliments of men. While the article does not address all of these things, it does provide a means to address ammunition (and for modern periods, fuel) without extensive bookwork. I hope this article will provide utility for those that game with smaller scale figures. While I personally own painted armies from 2mm to 25 (28)mm, I am not claiming that one scale is better than another. Each scale has it's advantages and disadvantages, biased by ones personal preferences.
One major obstacle has been availability of miniatures. Indeed, I have seen many comments on the Intemet to the effect that "I sure wish that these figures were available when I first started gaming; I would have chosen that scale." My comment is, "Why not do both?" Due to the inexpensiveness of most lines (GHQ excepted). many will find it really affordable to collect both sides for the cost of one in larger scales.
From Darryl R Smith After spending many years buying MWAN at various hobby shops and flea market tables at Cold Wars, I am finally putting off the procrastination tendencies and sending you a check for a year's subscription to the best gosh dam miniatures magazine out there! Seriously, I picked up my first copy of MWAN (Issue #55) back in 1992 on my first of many trips to Metalcraft, Miniatures, & more in Elwood, Indiana. I have always enjoyed the "friendliness" of MWAN; it's like a high school reunion that's gone right. I ~ looking forward to receiving MWAN for years to come. A bit of news from the gaming scene here: I have been an active member of HMGS Great Lakes for what seems like years now. I saved four years as president part of that time spent as a board member as well. I am currently serving a two year term as Secretary, so l guess I have been with Great Lakes as long as it has been around. We are a small chapter, nearly the 200 member mark this year, and trying to grow outside the Buckeye State. We actively encourage local gamers from westem New York, westem Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan southem Ontario, and of course Ohio to be a part of a truly "gamerfriendly" chapter. We offer a bimonthly newsletter (The Herald), which is filled with hobby news, figure reviews, and articles relating to our hobby. We also have hobby shops in the region who honor our members with a discount on purchases. We think we are just the right fit between HMGS East and HMGS Midwest. The Board of Directors consists of five GAMER'S, guys just like the MWAN readership who have far too many periods, and not enough time to fit it all in. If anyone is interested just write to me. We hold an annual convention, called Advance The Colors. in Dayton, Ohio during September. This year marks our third ATC, and we consider it a mini version of the HMGS East shows; quality events. great dealers, and a good time. but with a twist: we have only historical events. It's not that we feel that other forms of gaming are "evil", we just believe that HMGS should be all- historical and that the other forms of gaming have plenty of their own venues already. This yeses ATC will have 40-45 events. 10- 12 dealers, a flea market on Sunday, and the annual Great Lakes membership meeting as well. We are also proud to host one of the two HMGS National Board meetings this year as well. I would like to invite everyone who lives in the eastern Midwest to come out and join us for a fun weekend. If you are online, contact Ray Garbee at Garbee@aol.com or check out our webpage at http:////www.erinet.com.bp/advcolor.html for more information.
Beyond my official duties with Great Lakes. I have a widely varying collection of lead (well, mostly lead), most of which I doubt I'll ever ftnish painting. I may be showing signs of getting older (currently 34). as most of my purchases at Cold Wars this year were either terrain, rules or books. I only bought three 25mm War of 1812 figures (US sergeartts from Wargames Foundry - still waiting for Old Glory to do 1812) and a painted Thoroughbred Figures ironclad (the CSS Columbia). Toby Barrett does such wonderful work, it seem that I can never leave a Cold W ars without something from his 1/600 ACW naval fine. We are currently using Smoke on the Water for this period which although being an English set of rules (not trying to start another conflict), are rather well- explained, easy to play. and just downright fun. I picked up my copy from Campaign Headquarters. and I know that Grandiosity carries them as well. I am still looking to obtain more Horizon Bleu Serbians and Montenegrins for my 15mm WWI effort. Luckily, fellow MWANer Paul Hartnah was able to send me one or two figures for each figure in the line (THANKS, Paul). Horizon Bleu used to advertize in these pages (Issues 49-58), but seem to have some sort of problem shortly after starting. If anyone knows how I can contact Gary Hirel or Joel Haas to obtain more figures, if that is even possible, I would like to hear from you.
Although we all try to focus on a handful of periods, I find it very hard not to try everything. My favonte periods are the conflicts here in the, States, from F&IW through ACW. A few of us have a pretty fair collection of the Wayne's Legion figures from Old Glory (hey, we do call our local group the Wayne's Legion Historical Gamers, after all!), and both myself and Craig Charron have ran my homegrown set of rules at local cons (Spartacon, Pro or Con, and Rally 'Round the Flag - Great Lakes' old convention). Those rules aren't fancy, being a conglomeration of things I like from Woodland War's and Gentlemen of France Fire First. Maybe one day I'll clean them up and send them in to MWAN. I have been slowly collecting Old Glory and First Corps Mexican-American figures in 25mm as well as War of 1812 figures from Wargames Foundry (not many-still waiting for Old Glory, hint, hint). I have a fairly large collection of Empire/Heritage ACW (mostly Federal) in 15mm (enough for two and a half corps at Gettysburg), and I have been seriously thinking about doing the Second Schleswig War (Austrians & Prussians vs. the Danes in 1864), especially as both Rank and File and Feudal Castings are making Danes. I picked up a copy of the Second Schleswig War campaign guide from On Military Matters at Cold Wars, and it is packed with information. I haven't bought any figures as of yet but it is tempting!
Hal, I did want you to know how much I have enjoyed MWAN. Knowing how much time you have to give up to put together such a massive production, I hope that all MWANers will take the time every now and then and say thanks by sending in an article.
From Dave Durocher I am an avid miniatures wargamer. I started, like most of us, in the mid- to late seventies on Avalon Hill stuff and through attending our local conventions offered by Metro Detroit Gamers (Michicon, Wintercon), I became hooked on the visual appearance of miniatures. I took up WWI/WWII naval (1:2400. Clear for Action), WWII Ground Combat (1/285, Jagpanzer, then Command Decision) in the mid 80's. expanded into 6mm ACW (Fire and Fury), then 15mm War of the Roses (Tactica, Flower of Chivalry). I am now painting SYW 15's and I plan on using Volley and Bayonet. (Any sources you could recommend as a painting guide for the Reichsarmee and Saxons would be appreciated.) I like the "Supergand Tactical" approach to these rules and the fact that banle lines don't stretch from one end of the table to the other. I find games like that to be dull (probably because of my WWII origins and the fluid nature of those type of conflicts).
I am currently the Miniatures Coordinator for MDG. If you know of anyone in the Detroit area that is interested in running miniatures events at our conventions, please have them contact me at Durocher2@AOL.COM or my address.
From Bob Burke I have one slight change to make to the end of my article on 20mm Napoleonic figures. The last line should now read: RSM 95 (Dayton Painting Consortium) has a new address and phone number: PO 24185 Huber Heights. OH 45424; 937/6671037. ()ne last question. I remember reading an article or a review that contained a reference to a painting guide for Prussian Infantry 1700-1715 (the Marlburian/Great Northern War period). I can't find the reference to save my life. By any chance. did it appear in MWAN?
(Editor's Note: Thanks for update re RSM 95. Bob. Re reference to painting guide for Prussian Infantry 1700-1715. I don't recall).
From Kenn Hart I remember years ago in MWAN the discussion that went on about the merits of various scale sizes for playing wargames from 2mm up to 25mm and many were the reasons put forward. However, the one reason for swapping from 15mm back to 25mm that I never saw admitted to and it does apply to me is that the poor old pork pies (eyes for our US friends) are not what they used to be! I have been recently painting with my 2" paint brush some of the excellent Redoubt Enterprtse 25mm Musketeer rarge and really enjoyed doing it as well. Needless to say I was introduced to the figures by David Bames reviews both in MWAN and Lone Warrior. Come to thing of it David's reviews on the Wild West figures also started my local club, WOR, off into that period.
Was really amazed when I was sent a
copy of the 'Magweb 100', the most
visited articles in the 6,000 (?) now on
site to see that those from Lone Warrior
had such a good score. Being a specialist
magazine in that we deal purely with SOLO
matters, adminedly of all and every period.
One expects MWAN to be in there with the
leaders. When Graham phoned me up
initially to tell me about it I was delighted,
nay, amazed to see the article I wrote "Stand
To!" had come third overall - knock me
down with a feather! On the Solo Wargamers
Association side membership is steadily
increasing and wonder of wonders we had 70
members resubscribe in April 98, when the
actual date for it is June 98! Very satisfying
from the Committees point of view. I still
enjoy editing Lone Warrior and mainly
because of the support I get from the
members who type up articles for me (The
Team) it make my job so much easier. Free
time is a bit cramped at present because in
September 1997, after a year of an intensive
education course to gain access to university,
I actually started my BA (Honours) degree. I
am classified as a 'Mature Student', which
is anyone over 21 years of age and I can
double that and add some more! So I
consider myself a 'Ripe Student' and in the
main am thoroughly enjoying the experience
but would not have like to have done it when
I was 18, because there were so many more
interesting things to do then.
From Michael Parker Life is
made up of good intentions and too little
time: I've been meaning to write for some
time but haven't made it, not that there is too
much to report. I don't know whether you
ever play ECW but I enclose some notes
from an excellent field day with the
Banlefields Trust walking Cheriton
Battlefield and then visiting the ruins of
Basing House, both with excellent guides. I
also enclose the programme from this year's
"Salute" at Kensington. As always a high
spot in Britain and a good day out. I added
yet more figures from Gripping Beast - if
you haven't seen their ranges of Moors and
Spaniards for the Reconquista. I can only say
they are excellent, and there is a new
Byzantine range I gather just starting.
I also bought some 20mm WWI figures
from IT Figures: that is a period that is
arousing a lot of interest now, and these are
nice figures with some real character,
especially the British Officer with the pipe
and walking stick. Finally, I read with
interest the news of your NWF project.
Maiwand is a very interesting banle to refight
and see if the Afghans can be defeated. but
Ahmed Khel is probably more interesting if
you want to tackle a really big battle.
Stewart. I would argue, was a better
general than Roberts and here, needod to be.
From Eric Starnes While
perusing MWAN #86. I noticed an article
by Robert Priepenbrink entitled "Brigade-
Division Banles of the Smoothbore Era." In
it he lists various battles of between 2,000
to 12,500 men. Does he still need maps and
OOB's for the following battles?
Wilmanstrand, Raclawice and Revolax?
I have most of the info for all of these
battles. including line drawings. OOB's and
maps. I also have a list of various other
battles that meet his requirements. As to
projects, I have been working on several off-
the-wall periods. These are the 1788-1790
Dano-RussoSwedish War, the 1794 Polish
Rebellion, the 1808 Dano-Russo-Swedish
War, and finally, the 1814 Norwegian War
of Independence. I have acquired all the
uniform and army organization for these
periods, all of which will be in 15mm. As
regards figures, well. let's just say it's been
an interesting search.
For the 1788-1790 Russo-Swedish war,
I contracted out the figures to Falcon
Miniatures of England, via the
Quartermaster in Canada. The line is almost
complete, the only figures I am waiting on
are the Swedish Dragoons, and the quality
and quantity of the figures is excellent. As to
uniforms, I have done the research for
several years and have the information on
most of the regiments involved on all sides.
As to figure to men ratio, I decided on a 1 to
25 ratio,. with battalions being in 4 stands of
6 figures each for infantry. As to cavalry,
well it's use in the various campaigns was
limited, so I decided on having all regiments
of cavalry at 500 men, which means having
20 figures per regiment mounted on various types of stands. The
figures for the other periods are becoming
something of a challenge, however.
Regardless, I will keep you updated on my
search for the proper figures for the rest of
these periods. I can use various figures for
various periods, but there are several that are
missing, so I carmot complete a certain
period. I plan to submit an article on the
uniforms of the 1788-1790 Norwegian,
Russian, and Swedish forces to MWAN in
the future. I could also submit a short article
on the Polish Army of the Rebellion of 1794.
As with the 1788 article, I just have to sit
down and type the thing out! If any of your
readers need or have any information on any
of the above conflicts, they may contact me
at the address below. Thank you for a great
journal! (Editor's Note. Eric:
thanksfor letter. Hope to receive articles
prom you in the nearfuture on some of the
subjects listed.)
From Scott Hansen I didn't
mean to put down the B&B RCW
miniatures, but for the price, I don't think
that the cavalry should have required the
major rework Michael Huskey described. I
finally did see their figures and they looked
good. I have painted 700 Russo-Japanese
War figures and have 250 to go! Encouraged
by an article in 'The Foreign Correspondent",
my next period is going to be the 1876
Serbian-Turkish War. Really obscure, even
for me!
From Bill Widrick I've been
in a painting frenzy! I got about 400 10mm
Napoleonic French, Italian, Swiss, British
and 1908 Austrian infantry, cavalry, guns
and crew. and command painted! All these
to add to the 200 already painted. I had
decided to game the Peninsula, but have
since changed my mind. This due to a book
recently read titled "Napoleon's Last Victory
and the Emergence of Modem War" authored
by Robert M. Epstein. This has me thinking
about trying a campaign. Unfortunately, I
haven't been able to decide on a set of rules
to use yet. I do have rules for a campaign
system, written by Chris Hahn. They are
quick, simple to use and fun. But to game
the battles generated by the system, I've not
yet found what I desire. Chris Hahn loaned
me his copy of NAPOLEON'S BATTLES,
WOW, what a load of information contained.
I liked them and the way they were
presented, but not enough. So I'm still
searching for something fast and simple with
a high troop to figure ratio.
(Editor's Note. Sounds like you are
like everyone else with your "quest" for the
perfect set of rules, Bill.)
From Tom Bolks I would like to be put on the list of folks to receive
surplus figures that other gamers are giving
away. I am a history teacher in a small rural
Virginia school. I have tried very hard to
stimulate an interest in miniature wargaming
in my students. Unfortunately, most of my
students can't afford to buy a lot of figures -
in fact that closest places to get either metal
figures or 1/72nd plastic figures is over one
hour away from our school. I've requested
surplus figures from a couple of the guys
who've written MWAN and offered them to
a good home.
These figures, along with some of my
own, have been pooled to help out my
students in two ways. First, I have worked
into my history curriculum a semester-long
project where students develop their own
historical simulations. It's a neat way to trick
them into getting excited about research.
Some do political or economic-based games,
but others have expressed a desire to develop
wargames, especially wargames with
miniatures. So I help out the kids by
providing some figures where I can. I also
have put some of the surplus figures I have
received into the school's wargame club.
These figures will be kept at school and
will be available for kids to play games with
after they are painted up. I'm trying to coax
some of my kids into trying their hand at
painting, but we have mostly 15mm which
seems very daunting to them. Please let me
know what we can do to get some of the
surplus figures other gamers don't want.
We'll take anything they would like to offer.
We appreciate any asistance you can provide
us with. Thank you very much.
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© Copyright 1998 Hal Thinglum
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