From Bob Burke

I may have asked you once before, but do you know any old time wargamers that I could contact about Savage & Soldier? I have put together a complete run of Savage & Soldier, except for Volume 1, #3. 1 would dearly love to get a photocopy of it. I wouldn't mind getting a better quality photocopy of some of the other early issues too. If you know of anyone that I could check with, please send me their name and address, or you can give them my name, address and phone number and ask them to contact me.

I've already checked with Milton Soong and I will be sending letters to Pat Condray and Larry Brom (Just in case those names came to mind).

(Editor's Note: Sorry, Bob, but I don't have any idea of who might have this back issue. If any one has a copy, perhaps they can contact you)

From Ken Hafer

I've been a subscriber for nearly a year now, since Vince Clyant and others introduced me to MWAN. As a reader of Jack Scruby's mimeographed WARGAMERS DIGEST and the slightly later (and better produced) TABLE TOP TALK, I was thrilled to find a similar magazine being currently produced. Of course, MWAN benefits from thirty-something years of growth in the hobby. And yesterday's publications and products are highly filtered through the rose-colored glasses of memory. (Mimeograph was often nearly impossible for young eyes to read, and it fades relatively quickly.) Back to today. I'm writing to tell you about BAYOU WARS '98. Membership grew slightly to 210 attendees. There were between 40 and 45 games. There was a DBM tournament hosted by the Baton Rouge Society of Miniature Wargamers, that was played over the three days of the convention. There was a DBA tournament hosted by Steve Wirth and the River Parish Garners, a HISTORY OF THE WORLD tournament hosted by Greg Schloesser, and a WARHAMMER FANTASY tournament hosted by Lucas Cuccia and Galatic Games. None lacked for players.

The London War Room hosted two 18th century Spanish in North America games using his marvelous soldados de cuera. Chris von Fahenstock hosted his monstrous 1944: Battle of Krakov, with over 300 vehicles. In addition, there was a banquet, a speech by Dean West, FINAL ARGUMENT OF KINGS, and between 15 and 20 dealers. Needless to say, I am slighting most of the gamemasters by not mentioning, but the attendees (myself included) certainly appreciate their here unsung efforts.

Before I close, I would like to share two tips for quickly painting skin tones. For Caucasians, I first paint the skin areas with Ral Partha's D&D Pink (formerly known as Tentacle Pink). This is a very intense hot pink. I then wash this with a 50/50 mixture of Windsor & Newton Burnt Sienna ink. This will produce a very warm skin tone. You will find that it will not be necessary to highlight lips or cheeks. Some may find the tone too pink, but that's not a complaint that I normally receive on my finished figures. Chinese skin tone: prime the flesh areas in white. Wash the skin areas with full-strength Koh-I-Nor burnt sienna. This will give you a quite acceptable skin tone. I'm sorry but you will have to buy both inks. The two colors are not interchangeable. Windsor & Newton's ink is thin and very yellow. Koh-I- Nor's ink is a thick wash and a much browner tone.

From Robert Abra

Just got around to reading MWAN #92 and I have a suggestion for the TYW. The British historian, C.V. Wedgwood wrote a great one- volume history "The Thirty Years War" which was first published in 1938 and re-issued by Penguin Books in 1957. I'm not sure if it is still in print. It is a narrative history, with no special attention to military history, but gives a wonderful background to the period. Incidentally, she also wrote a trilogy history of the ECW; "The King's Peace", "The King's War" and "The Trial of Charles I", which are still in print in Penguin and an excellent read.

(Editor's Note: Thanks, Robert; I've read her TYW book and have been lookingfor the trilogy)

From Mark Stevens

'm into Tricome now. I'm painting Spanish and Austrian armies for 1740's. Vince Clyant of London War Room has nice Spanish plus various French/Austrian figures can be used. Have you thought of a "Best Wargame Figure" poll? I like to use as many figures from different manufacturers as possible, but Wargames Foundry/Guernsey Foundry seem to be the best overall. The Redoubt ACW are just as good, however, maybe better! I have bought the following brands of Seven Years War figures: Guernsey Foundry: the best, full of character, good detail, anatomy, clean castings. Elite: the best guns! I really like the figures; detail is not so good, but very animated. Full of life. OLD GLORY:Good all-around figures; it's hard to beat the price. Some figures are quite good. Anatomy can be weird at times. Dixon: Great detail with gargoyle heads! His best figures were French in Egypt 1801 - different sculptor. Front Rank: Great detail; good solid figures, easy to paint. Some heads too big however. RSM: not much detail but very good anatomy and poses. The right painter can really make these look good. I've also a few Minifig and RAFM units; they are small but well painted. Hope to see you at Historicon. Vince and I hope to do a 1750's Spanish vs Moros (Phillippines) game (bomb ketch, pirates, etc) and a 1740's Spanish/French vs Pedmontese/Austrian in Italy. I wonder if you have any Italian readers who would have information on Flags/uniforms/etc for Italian Wars of the 1740's (War of Austrian Succession).

(Editor's Note: I pretty much agree with you, Mark, re your SYW figures. I'm glad you included London War Room's Spanish figures as they are quite good It's Junny; I remember when RSM first came out. It was so exciting because they were such quality figures. Although no longer "state of the art", they still have a certain appeal for me. As with you, Mark there is just something about the SYW figures that is so fascinating to me. I think it might be the "stately" poses. Your idea about the "best wargames figure manufacturer" is a good one; will try and remember it when I put a survey together, hopefully for 1999)

From Steve Leopard

In my search for Scots ECW flags and uniforms I have found bunches of flags the Irish regiments may have used, but not much on the other regiments in Montrose's army and some on the Covenanters. Uniforms are probably hopeless as all sources so far point back to hodden grey for every one! How dull! Now I will have to search for "field signs" such as white handkerchiefs or oak leafs in the bonnet! A real curiosity in the European sources especially English/Scots is it seems that the "wars" are not yet over!

Here I am looking for uniforms and flags and I come across paragraph after paragraph of either praise or hatred for Montrose! He was either a genius or a poltroon that was very lucky, and he wrote his own history to inflate his exploits! Highlanders are not safe either! They are either a fearsome unstoppable foe or a rabble easily seen off with a volley or two! I can remember many arguments about our own Civil War, but most of us believe it is over and nearly all of us agree that Lee was a pretty good general and that Grant and Sherman were the right men for the Union. I seldom hear either Southerners deriding Grant or Sherman as idiots nor do Northerners run down Lee or Jackson. We have put the war behind us and generally love talking about it without too many "opinions" getting in the way. The English are still fighting - they are even fighting the War of the Roses and sometimes even fighting the Norman Conquest! I personally believe poor old Montrose was an adequate leader that was charismatic - he had little military experience before the ECW started.

And Highlanders? I believe they are like many other irregular fighting men such as Cossacks, American Indians, Zulus, etc. When well lead they accomplished brilliant feats of arms, but when left to their own devices or lead poorly performed as typical irregular troops. They either failed to act or blundered into a disaster. How you can rate these men is beyond me. I usually give them high melee values, low fire combat values, and require leaders to be attached for anything to happen.

Another short letter turned into a lecture. I still laugh when you confess about your "homer" reviews. I will not fault you and it seems all our brother readers are happy with the way you see to like all figures. Who am I to go against the flow! I just order samples, make my decisions, and continue to march. Regal Miniatures does have some great figures. The Hallmark Figures seem small, but are very nice. Lastly, shame on you for tempting with 20mm ECW!!! SHAME! SHAME! Let's see ... one more scale - where are those Howard Whitehouse ECW rules? Four 20mm or sixteen 6mm on a base, was it? If I start painting tomorrow ... ? ... ?

(Editor's Note: Geez, Steve, sorry. Can I help it if I am spineless when it comes to wargames figures? Re your mention of Montrose and the Highlanders: since becoming interested in the ECW, I have seen a lot about these two subjects in particular. It's made me change my opinion of Highlanders during this period!)

From P.J. Audere

A friend told me about the possible free figures that you might have. I would like to get into wargaming but am limited by figure prices. I'm a student and must watch my budget. My areas of interest are: American Rev (15mm), FIW (15mm), ACW (15mm), Saxons/Vikings/Normans (15 or 25mm). However, I would be happy with whatever would be available. Thank you.

From Bill Widrick

MWAN readers are the best! I have had a great response to my Sutlers Wagon ad. It has been a great tool for me to unload unwanted, excess items. Some trading, some selling and some giving. I had 300+ Adler 6mm ACW figures plus flags that were given to a history teacher for his class. I've made some good deals in the past but this was the most gratifying. As MWAN and MWAN readers have proven over and over, wargaming is much more than pushing figures around on a game table.

(Editor's Note: Good to hear from you again, Bill, and glad to hear that you've found the Sutler's Wagon of value)

From Orv Banasik

Spent the last month building a new war game table. As this may be the last table I make, I made it pretty fancy. The legs are all turned and the sides are routed and beveled. Really turned out nice. Still have some work to do to finish setting up my new wargame room. I turn 50 this November and have got most of my projects done. Seemed when a time limit was put onthe projects it was much easier to scale back and become more realistic about what I expected to get done.

With the new wargame room, I will concentrate on playing more games and enjoying the hobby. I am still amazed at how you keep putting out MWAN on a regular basis. It sure has improved over the years. I have all my copies on one shelf of my book case. I have space for 12 more issues. Might be time to "retire" after 12 more issues so I don't have to move books or buy a new case!

(Editor's Note: I don't know why it sticks in MY mind, Orv, but I recall years ago how you planned to be finished with your projects at the age of 50. I could use some of that organizational ability!)