"OLD BRITISH MODEL SOLDIERS 1893-1918" by L.W.Richards (London, 308.-d.) There have in passed years been several books which have dealt with model soldiers in general, but none has covered in detail the early models by William Britains or other early British makers such as C.D.Abel, BMC, A.Fry, Hanks Brothers, John Hill, Reka, Renvoize and Russell. Now at last such a book is available for collectors and its publication marks a definite milestone in the historiography of model soldier collecting. Richards' volume contains sixty black-and-white plates, each plate showing four rows of figures. A minimum of text identifies each figure in the photographic plates. The bulk of the figures shown are those made by William Britains, but the early figures of the other makers above-mentioned received excellent coverage. One plate shows early box covers (and the collecting of these is a hobby unto itself) and one plate shows early model cannon. No book on early Britains figures will please all collectors and one of the obvious criticisms will be that the volume lacks coloured plates (think of the cost before you criticise). Certain models are omitted such as the famed Set No-39 of Britains, The Royal Horse Artillery, and some of the early types such as the U.S. Navy sailor with fixed arm are not shown. In general, however, the figures shown do more than enough to provide the collector with a guide to early figures. One is struck by the quality of these early models, their verve, detail. and proportions, and one is also struck by the use of basic castings with slight variations to make a great many different types. One of the most charming figures shown is a John Hill trumpeter of the Royal Scots Greys, an animated, nicely proportioned model which this reviewer had never seen. One is also amazed at the examples of models pirated from Britains (some of which are quite good and difficult to distinguish from the original figures). Mr. Richard's work is an outstanding contribution to an ever-growing number of books on model soldiers. Its value lies in its appeal to Britains collectors but also to those who are fascinated by antique toys and models. There has been, thus far, no book as well-documented by photographs as this and no collector, whatever the genre he specialises in, can afford to be without a copy. One only hopes that Mr. Richards and his publisher will undertake to follow this volume with one dealing with later British model soldiers, say to 1939. "THE MODEL SOLDIER MANUAL" by Peter J.Blum. 9 1/4" x 5 3/4", soft covered. 36s. from A.A. Johnston, Pitney, Langport, Somerset, England. The illustrations in this book are by the American model soldier expert Clyde A. Risley and as a "basic guide" it is certainly a most thorough and comprehensive piece of work. The illustrations are excellent and, guided by them, it is difficult to see how even the most ham-handed hobbyist could fail to come up with a reasonable model; As Arthur Johnston says himself "seems expensive at 36s. -d. but the informs us illustrations are very good". I concur with those remarks but would say that, even at such a price, I think it is a book that every hobbyist should have. It contains step-by-step accounts, with progressive series of illustrations on how to assemble figures, horses and guns; how to convert them, paint them (including horses, Highlanders etc). There is a section of Diorama Building and displaying. A very nice and valuable little book. "FRENCH ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES: No.1. CHARS DIASSAUT" by P.Touzin and C. Gurtner (Bellona Publications, size 9" x 7": 53 excellent photographs; text in English and French. Stiff cloth card covers. 12s.6d. plus 1s. -d. postage and packing). This most valuable little book is the first in a series devoted to French Armoured Fighting Vehicles by two noted experts. Eventually these books will cover all the vehicles of French construction which have been in service since the beginning of the century. To the wargamer who wants to branch out into a different and unusual field, this book is strongly recommended betcause it contains information and material that I have never seen elsewhere in any English translation. Bellona Publications are going to be congratulated on putting out another most useful book. "GERMAN COMBAT UNIFORMS 1939 to 1945" by S.R.Gordon-Douglas. (24 pages, all four covers in colour; extensive descriptive text and photographic coverage, plus detail drawings of uniforms, equipment and badges of rank. Price 12s 6d. Almarks Publioations Uniform Series). This is a very useful book, giving as it does a basic coverage of Army, Waffen SS and Luftwaffe ground troops uniforms and insignia. It is difficult to see how the wargamer fighting in the World War II period could be without this book and at such a price there is no reason why he should be. "MODERN BRITISH TANKS AND FIGHTING EQUIPMENT" by Peter Chamberlain and Chris Ellis. Arms and Armour Press. 20s.(More than 100 illustrations). I found this a fascinating and most heartening little volume, revealing admirably the current British strength in armour and guns. For the wargamer who is fighting the conflicts of today, this book is essential reading. As always, Chamberlain and Ellis have done their homework superbly and the depth of their knowledge and research is breathtaking. This is a highly recommended addition to the "modernists" bookshelf. Back to Table of Contents -- Wargamer's Newsletter # 101 To Wargamer's Newsletter List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1970 by Donald Featherstone. 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