As the principal (the most indispensable) items in wargaming are the model soldiers we use,
it is always exciting to inspect and handle new ranges of figures. This month is really exciting because there are no less than FOUR different maker's products to review. Whilst, at Miniature Figurines, I was shown the first of a really exciting new range of figures which could almost revolutionise many of our concepts of wargaming - these will be reviewed at great length in a later issue.
The first figures under review are made by the incomparable Charles Stadden and are available from Tradition at 188 Piccadilly, London. When paying a Christmas visit to this breathtaking establishment, I was informed by Roy Belmont-Maitland (a man who truly has his finger on the pulse of the model soldier and militaria field) that the recently announced reductions in price of Stadden figures also applied to their 30mm wargames range - which have been reduced to HALF their original price and now sell at 10p per infantry figure! This throws wide open the wargaming field for those who are fighting in the 30mm scale and, with good reason, bitterly complain of the grave lack of availability of these figures.
This Stadden range, made with the same skill and clarity that goes into his 54mm figures, covers Napoleonic, British -Colonial, Seven Years War and World War I periods with a very fair variety of figures in each. Specialist figures such as musicians and standard bearers cost 20p each whilst cavalry cost 60p. These beautiful figures are available from the Tradition shop and I have been asked to point out that one of the factors that have made this fantastic reduction possible is that they are basically for personal shoppers as this very busy establishment just does not have the time to pack and post figures. So if you live too far away from London and want to avail yourself of this reduction, then ask a friend in the area to visit the shop and purchase your requirements - there are no lists available of these figures. In passing, I might also add for those who collect Britain's 54mm figures, that there is a vast selection available here.
For some time Les Higgins Miniatures (The Square, Earls Barton, Northamptonshire) have turned out superb wargames figures in 20mm and 30mm scale but the former have never really received due credit if only because, being made in true 20mm scale, they just did not fit in with those of other makers and with Airfix, all of whom are really making figures in 25mm scale. Therefore Les has got his head down and has come up with a very extensive range of 25mm figures which fit in very well with those of Miniature Figurines, Hinton Hunt and Airfix.
As the enlightened are aware, Les Higgins figures are quite something and this range puts at the wargamer's disposal yet another source of extremely worthy figures to grace their battlefields. The nicely illustrated catalogue gives pictures of all figures in the 25mm range which includes Napoleonic und British Colonial periods at the moment. They are sold in packs of four foot figures or two mounted figures for 29p per pack. The 30mm figures sell in single figure packs at 24p per foot figure and 48p for horses. There are also artillery pieces in 20 and 25mm scale at 38P per pack of parts. As I have said, one of the exciting things about wargaming is seeing new figures so, if you are not familiar with the Les Higgins range I urge you to write at once for a catalogue and for a sample grouping of these figures at prices mentioned above plus 8p postage up to 50p order and 15p postage up to a £ 1.25 order.
Peter Gilder, who makes the very fine Hinchliffe 25mm figures has the happy knack of sending me samples that are coated and polished so that they rather resemble pewter. Not only does this give a very impressive effect but also enables all the details of the figure to be clearly detected. The latest range that Peter has sent me include some very fine Foot and Cavalry of their Colonial range, including Afridis in various firing positions including lying down, British Infantry and three gorgeous mounted figures - a Native warrior brandishing a tulwar, a Bengal Lancer and a mounted officer with binoculars from whom any wargames figure would find it a pleasure to take orders!
In all fairness I must remark that Hinchliffe's 25mm figures do NOT fit in with the 25mm figures produced by Miniature Figurines and Les Higgins and in fact they are nearer 30mm- On the other hand, neither do they match in with the already mentioned Stadden 30mm figures which are in fact more like'a 35mm figure. This makes life very complicated for the wargamer whose reactions are pretty fairly summed up in a letter I have received from Chris Speedy who says:
"With regard to the Must List reviews of figures. With the increase in the number of new manufacturers all of whom seem to interpret scales as Plus 5mm there is a need when reviewing figures to give an accurate measurement from base to head. For example, encouraged by glowing reviews in the Newslettert I recently purchased a battalion of the new Hinchliffe figures. True they are very good but whereas they would fit beautifully with your 30mm Scruby and SAE they look out of place with my 25mm Miniature Figurines. I think it would be very helpful to wargamers like myself who live far from model shops if all figures reviewed mentioned both the maker's scale and the actual scale."
Last but not least I have received some figures from Warrior Metal Miniatures (23 Grove Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire), a new maker whose figures improve with each lot I see. This time Ray Seton has gone into the 25mm range and has turned out some very pleasant little figures in the English Civil War period. In addition to a supply cart with supplies at 45p and a cannon at 25P, the figures include personalities such as Charles I, Rupert and Cromwell plus a preacher, a general with a map, a Highlander, a musketeer and a Royalist Mounted Standard Bearer. These are very worthy additions to the available ranges of 25mm figurer. and will particularly attract the English Civil War wargamer who needs "personalities" that might not be available from other makers. The prices were not indicated with the samples I received but the Warrior advert would seem to say that foot figures are 5p whilst cavalry are 12p but there may well be an extra charge for these personality figures.
I went to the new National Army Museum the other day and can only suggest that readers take the first available opportunity to tear up to London and wend their way around this beautifully laid-out and vitally interesting museum. In addition to all the items on show, there is also Reading Room facilities and a Library (open to hold ers of readers' tickets which may be obtained by applying in writing to the Director of the Museum). It is possible to obtain a considerable number of plates, prints and books from the bookstall.
One of the interesting features of the Museum is a recording appliance which, when a button is pressed, one hears Regimental Marches and songs sung by soldiers back in Victorian days. In the last connection, Argo Records (of the Decca Recording Company) have produced an LP "Songs and Music of the Redcoats" containing a selection of songs from Lewis Winstock's book of that name (published by Leo Cooper at £ 3-50)
Dave Watson at Harlow Minitaria has some most interesting plastic coated Outline maps which can be used with water based marker or chinagraph pencil which can be rubbed out and used again. The maps are 32 1/4" x 43 1/4", contoured, county or state border; North America, Scotland, Great Britain, Asia. Uncontoured U.S.A., England and Wales. They sell at 50p each with 15p extra for postage. 20p postage for 3 and more than 3 are sent post free. These excellent maps, scaled about 10" to the mile are absolutely ideal to use for campaigns and you had better get in quickly because Dave only has 200 of them!
British readers are probably aware that it is possible to obtain through Wargamer's Newsletter all Avalon Hill games and details of prices, delivery, etc.9 can be obtained by writing to the Editor. The latest game turned out by this enterprising organisation is called "ORIGINS OF WORLD WAR II". It is a re-creation of the diplomatic conflicts between 1935 and 1939 with each player taking the part of the diplomat of his Nation making alliances and peace agreements with other Nations. The player whose strategy of power-politics best contains Hitler's Germany wins. Where conflicts arise a diplomatic attack occurs which must be resolved either by secret agreements with other players or through diplomatic muscle. For realism, diplomatic muscle is allocated to players exactly as it accrued historically. This game is available through Wargamer's Newsletter at £ 3.90P Plus 85P postage and packing.
Also available at the National Army Museum are a series of Military Covers these are envelopes on which is printed a coloured picture, they can be used as normal postage envelopes or retained as a collectors item. They cover a number o Regiments and many of the outstanding military events of British history.
I have previously mentioned Disques Serp of 6 Rue de Beaune, Paris VII, Fran:e, I have just received their latest catalogue and note with interest that they have put out a new range of LPs, mostly reflecting French history (and in that language) but also including records of military music of many countries including England, America, Russia, France, Imperial Russia, etc., etc.
Ironclad and American Civil War Naval Wargame Rules have been devised and published by the Naval Wargames Society (U.K.) and can be obtained from the Secretary, 16 Hugo Road, London N19 3EU. These rules appear to very thoroughly handle the period for which they are written and their authors Keith French and John Wallis, have obviously acquired a considerable degree of experience in building them up. At 30P they seem a very good buy and if ever I have time to do any Naval wargaming again I have no doubt that I would get a lot of fun out of testing them.
Published by the Method Publishing Company Limited, Duke Street, Golspie, Sutherland, Scotland, the Army Diary for 1972 (selling at £ 2.95p) is a superb publication. Their first diary for 1971 has graced my desk throughout the year and, turning over the pages for each day, never fails to reveal some interesting and timeconsuming piece of reading about the British Army and its history. This year's diary is packed with pictures and interesting material plus a paragraph for each day relating some little incident or thought of a military nature. Admittedly, when you read this Christmas will be long past but as it is being written prior to the Festive Season, I can only say that if I had not received a review copy of this diary from the publishers, then I would be most upset if nobody included it in my Christmas stocking!
Airfix have brought out a fine addition to their Waterloo range in their new British Hussars set. The box contains 36 pieces which make up into 12 figures in various poses and, of course, 12 horses - usual types but with shabraques and pointed saddle-cloths. The figures themselves have a certain 'solid' look about their full shapes, which, when painted, will look very like their more expensive metal counterparts. A small criticism - in spite of allowing for the size of a colback and the pelisse these men all have shoulders to match Rock Hudson and there is one trooper whose arm is a trifle long ... for if lowered to his side the hand would come opposite the kneel
Nevertheless, they are a good set: 7 are carrying swords in a variety of poses; one has a carbine (not firing); one carries a lance plus pennants; a lovely trumpeter; an excellent kettle-drummer and finally there is that old favourite with Airfix, the cavalryman who will not leave his fallen horse and invariably crouches behind it. Besides the British Hussars that can be cheaply achieved this set provides the basis for every branch that wore the pelisse; conversions will give many new units, but just painting will make K.G.L. Hussars; Chasseurs a Cheval de la Garde; Elite companies of Chasseurs a Cheval and French Hussats, Artillerie a Cheval, etc., etc. The range goes on and on and not only in Napoleonic style. The legs of the figures are notclearly either boots or overalls so that the Crimean enthusiast can form his Charge of the Light Brigade set-up.
It is a superb pack which will give hours of work to many wargamers and hosts of new troops to many battlefields.
A visit to the opening day of the Model Engineering Exhibition revealed a great emphasis on model soldiers and wargaming and even more emphasises the incredible increase in the selection of figures available for the wargamer and collector. Among other pleasing items I noticed the first of the very attractive little 20mm World War II figures being produced by Hinchliffe with the intention of "filling-in the gaps" left by the Airfix kits of that period. The 25mm Warrior range looked very nice on display when painted up and some of the English Civil War figures would do credit to any army of that period. Peter Gilder, who designs the figures and accessories for Hinchliffe, revealed a fascinating programme for the months ahead including vehicles and items of equipment that will add colour to many a battlefield.
Jack Mansfield, that effervescent Canadian wargamer, is now turning out a biweekly Newsletter "SIGNAL" which reports on conventions and events of wargaming interest in Canada and America, on the latest books, games, figures, etc., etc. Inevitably it is largely slanted towards American and Canadian readers who are constantly being recommended to items made and on sale from Great Britain. At the same time one notices new items from America such as a new line of 20mm Napoleonic troops put out by G.H.Q., 20 East 46th Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55409, U.S.A. These figures are reported to be "by far the very best troops we have ever seen in that they have near human proportions" but they are reported to be incompatible with any other troops of 20mm size due to their being very small. G.H.Q. are the American firm that turn out the mini armour tanks and vehicles.
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© Copyright 1971 by Donald Featherstone.
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