The set of figures pictured are Scruby Miniatures, made in America by this veteran wargamer who was one of the first commerical manufacturers of wargames figures. When you study the picture, bear in mind that it is reduced in printing to about 60% of its original size. Beginning at the left is a 20mm French Grenadier of 1810; the next is the same figure in 25mm scale; then a 1 inch size Grenadier of the French Imperial Guard of 1870; a French Grenadier of 1810 in 30mm scale; then comes a 40mm scale. Hungarian musketeer of the Seven Years War and on the right a 60mm Saxon Grenadier of 1812. The purpose of printing this picture is to pictorially bring out the respective difference in size of the various scales of model soldiers. At the moment there is a considerable amount of disquiet in the wargaming world because the so-called 20 or 25mm scales of one manufacturer beer no resemblances in size to the some named scales of "other manufacturer" hence a wargamer buys a make of figures different to those of the bulk of his army, anticipating that they will add colour and a different aspect to his forces, only to find that they are either midgets or giants when compared! Seemingly, the disparity arises from the fact that there is no clear out code as to the way in which the master figure is measured some designers measure from the sole of the foot to the top of the head; others from the bottom of the base to the top of the head and yet another measurement is from the top of the hot to the underside of the base. At present most manufacturers seem to label their figures 20mm; 25mm or 30mm so that it is possible to avoid confusing 20 and 25mm figures although a further complication arises from the fact that Airfix call their figures HO/00 scale! Roughly speaking it seems to me that one can say that Airfix figures and the original range of Miniature Figurines 20mm figures will blend in with each other whilst the new Hinchliffe World War II 20mm figures have been specially designed to fill gaps in the modern range put out by Airfix. Higgins, Lamming, Garrison, Douglas and the recently arrived Springwood plastic figures will all blend in with each other. However, Minifigs 25mm figures and Hinchliffe figures of the same scale will NOT match each other because the latter more closely resemble a 30mm, figure (and in fact some of their Colonial range have been painted up and fight alongside my 30mm Scruby, SAE and other makers figures). Coming back into favour are my favourite scale -- the 30mm figure which, at the beginning of wargaming in this country and America was the universally accepted size. Here again there is a considerable disparity in scales. Originally the only available 30mm figures were those made by the Swedish African Engineers long since out of production and now almost collectors items), figures sold by Jack Scruby and made by himself, Tom Cox and Bolger Eriksson of Sweden; then there were the also discontinued range of very cheap and excellent Plastic 30mm figures put out by Ronald Spencer-Smith. Large numbers of figures by all these makers in this scale grace my wargames table and the shelves of my room and can be seen in all the photographs that illustrate my various wargaming books. Then Tradition began to sell what are perhaps the most beautiful wargames figures of all, the 1-inch (Crimean War range) and so called 30mm range designed by the great Charles Stadden. The 1-inch range was to my mind about the finest wargames figure ever made, both for its design and convenient size but unfortunately for reasons best known to themselves Tradition only turned out a very small range of English Infantry figures of the Crimean War period and have never shown the slightest inclination to turn out a Russian enemy or any other period in this size. The 30mm Stadden figures are enjoying a boom because of the incredible reduction of 50% in their price so that they can now be obtained for 10p each (although the cavalry are still comparatively expensive at 60p each). This range of figures covers Seven Years War; The American Revolution; Napoleonic; British Colonial; World War I and World War II. But, in reality they are a 35mm figure and will not fit in with the 30mm figures of makers already mentioned -- some idea of the respective differences in sizes can be obtained by saying that a Stadden "30mm" figure and any other 30mm figure are about as different as the middle two figures in the picture on the top of the previous page. Recently, Miniature Figurines have begun to bring out a line of what they call "True 30mm figures" but they are also a 35mm figure and whilst they will blend in perfectly with the Stadden range they are too big for the other 30mm ranges. Well, all that was written to try and clear the air but on re-reading it it seems to me to be a bit confusing! However, I hope that the readers can sort it out so that it will be of snme use to them. As a general rule of thumb I think that one can use the photograph above and say that there is a respective disparity in sizes between a 20 and a 25mm figure as indicated by comparing the first two figures in the picture; that there is a respective disparity between the usual 25mm figure and the Hinchliffe 25mm figure by comparing figures two and three; and that the respective disparity between the normal 30mm figure and the Stedden/Minifig 30mm figure can be assessed by comparing figures three and four. There is nothing that appears in this Must List that is of more importance than model soldiers so I am very pleased to be able to mention a number of different makers again this month. I have in front of me the new Miniature Figurines catalogue, a large 12" by 8" publication with a very colourful cover. I cannot see the price of the catalogue anywhere but it is such a nicely produced affair with so many pictures that I imagine that it will cost something in the region of 25P. Neville Dickinson tells me that his talented designer Dick Higgs has just completed a very impressive set of mastets to cover all the Ancient figures described in the book "The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome 150 BC to 600 AD" by Phil Barker (reviewed in the June 1972 Wargamer's Newsletter). Seemingly great minds think alike, because I am told that Peter Gilder of Hinchliffe Figures has also turned out the same range! So you take your pick (bearing the varying scales in mind of course!) Last month I reviewed an excellent range of Napoleonic Cavalry sent me by Hinchliffe Figures. Last Saturday I took them down to the monthly meeting of the Wessex Military Society where they were much admired, numerous attempts being made to buy or swap some of them from me but they are so impressive that I intend the Personality Figures, trumpeters, officers, etc, to take their place in the ranks of my Napoleonic armies - although I am constantly swearing dreadful oaths to the effect that I have enough figures and do not intend to get any more but these manufacturers keep bringing out such mouth-watering figures that I just do not have the will power to resist them! Earlier on in this feature I mentioned figures made by Jack Scruby of P.O. Box 3125, Visalia, Calif. 93277, U.S.A. Because of postal and customs problems together with the inevitable long wait after ordering, Jack Scruby's figures have never received the credit or popularity in this country that they deserve. Therefore it is a great pleasure that I mention his latest list which includes a very nice little range of 30mm miniatures of the Zulu War of 1879, with British Infantry in campaign uniform in various positions plus some very attractive British sailors in those lovely straw hate they wore at that time. Then there are British Cavalry in campaign uniform (including Frontier Light Horse); Zulu Warriors in a variety of positions and a small range of British Infantry in dress uniform wearing the pickelhaube helmet. Then, in the 25mm range there are some new Napoleonic figures French infantry marching with their muskets slung; French infantry standing at attention with a musket at the carry; Sappers, Voltigeurs, Battalion Commander (on horseback) and some French Artillery Units in sets consisting of three gunners in various poses with an officer and a choice of 4 lb, 6 lb, 8 1b or 12 lb guns - this range includes Guard and Line Foot Artillery. Of course there are literally thousands of other figures in Jack's catalogue which is a very fine booklet in its own right. A new Scruby idea seems to me to be very attractive is his Neuchatel Battalion which is available in both 20 and 25mm scale. This is a Historic Tactical Wargame Unit on a 20mm model soldier ratio and consists of 37 infantry, 1 mounted officer and 1 cannon organised as follows: The Command Company: C.O. on horseback, two sappers, one drummer The Caribinier Company: Five Carabiniers advancing with slung muskets The Voltigeur Company: Two Voltigeurs kneeling firing, two kneeling on guard and one hornist. The Four Chasseur Companies: each composed of five Chasseurs advancing with muskets slung The Artillery Company: 1 6lb gun, one officer and three gunners. The price for the Neuchatel Battalion in 20 or 25mm is $11.50 per set including postage -- this is about £ 4.50 but 20% extra has to be added for overseas postage. Neuchatel Battalion History It is fitting to point out and add to the novelty of this Napoleonic Unit. By Emperor Napoleon's decree, Marshal Berthier became Prince of the Swiss principality of Neuchatel, and on May 11, 1807, the Neuchatel Battalion (of infantry) entered French service. In command was Colonel Jean Henri de Basset, a native of the town, who had already served with distinction in the Grand Army. Because of their unusual yellow uniforms, the men of the Neuchatel battalion were quickly nicknamed "The Canaries", and in 1809 they commenced a long series of combat actions that did not end until Napoleon's abdication. The "Canaries" had one company of artillery (two guns of six pound calibre) added to the battalion in 1808, giving them an additional punch they found useful against the Austrians at Wagram, and in two years service in Spain against guerillas and Wellington's army. In 1812 the Battalion made the long march into Russia, and after much desperate action during the Retreat, they emerged with seven privates, thirteen officers and no guns or equipment from this debacle! Reformed once again up to strength in Switzerland, they fought at Dresden, Leipzig and in the 1814 defence of France. When Napoleon abdicated, the Neuchatel Battalion was disbanded. The Neuchatel was a Light Infantry (Legere) battalion, and at full strength had 840 men, including the artillery company, artillery train, sappers and engineers. They were organised in the regular French system of one company of Caribiniers (Grenadiers), one company of Voltigeurs, 4 companies of Chasseurs and one company of artillery. I am told by Alex Collet, the maker of the new Springwood Models of 00 and HO scale plastic Napoleonic figures that there was a very good response to his advert in the July issue of the Newsletter so that he has repeated it in this issue. Wargamers are strongly urged to support this striking piece of private enterprise which turns out a small range of most convenient and readily adaptable figures together with full colour details both of uniforms and their standards for the remarkably low price of 48 figures for 29p (to which must be added 4P postage). Steve Curtis of Bristol tells me that they have sold so many of their Western Gunfight Wargames Rules that they are having to reprint a second edition this Autumn and that the Wargames Championship Convention will be featuring the Western Gunfight in the Individual Championships. Mike Blake, Ian Colwill and Steve Curtis, together with Ted Herbert, are compiling a set of Colonial Skirmish Rules which will be on sale during September and Colonial games using these rules will be fought in the Individual Championships at Leicester. These rules are based on, or rather, have developed from the Gunfight rules, keeping the idea of small groups of individuals skirmishing at close range but streamlining things to allow larger groups (15 to 30 men per side) to be used. Personalised wargaming with plenty of colour and dash is still very much the keynote. Instead of ordinary dice, these rules use the percentage dice allowing much flexibility. Western Gunfight Rules at 50P and the Colonial Skirmish Rules 80P ($4) can be obtainable from Steve Curtis the latter from September onwards. Steve also tells me that he has obtained the "Star Trek Battle Manual" from Lou Zocchi in America and that it is very well produced, neat, comprehensive with plenty of chat and thought provoking idea. It is ideal for two or three people for an evening's battle or with more players and spaceships it is perfect for Club meetings with inter-galaxy fleet actions. Lou Zocchi has produced some excellent top-side scale drawings of the various spaceships and using these rather then plastic models a fleet can soon be built. Being a boardgame nut, Steve says he may convert the game for play on a board which should speed things and make for possibly more action. Details of the Star Trek Battle Manual were given in the July and August Wargamer's Newsletter. From Neptune Models Limited of 39 Boroughgate, Otley, Yorkshire, I have been sent the current catalogue of plans for making 20th Century British Warships and a variety of other vessels including l9th century sailing warships. These seem pretty specialised but then Naval wargamers usually are fairly specialised sort of people! Bellona Military Vehicle Prints 32 and 33 have been received. The former covers the German tanks Panzerkampfwagen III Ausfuehrung J (5cm KwK L/42); Penzerkampfwa gen III Ausfuehrung J (5cm KwK 39 L/6o) and Panzer IV/70 Zwischenloesung (Sd Kfz 16211). Pamphlet 33 covers three Italian vehicles -- two armoured cars and a tank. Information on Italian vehicles is hard to come by and World War II wargamers will find this pamphlet very useful. Similarly the latest Squadron/Signal publication Armor Number 3 "German Halftracks in Action" is an absolute mine of information, containing 48 pages of excellent wartime photographs of these most adaptable and valuable German vehicles. If I were a World War II wargaming enthusiast then my mind would be boggling at all the scope offered by this book which is obtainable for $3.95 (about £ 1.75P including postage) from The Publisher, 3515 E. Ten Mile Road, Warren, Michigan 48091, USA. Another new model soldier manufacturer has come on the wargaming Beene POGGFIGURES (3 The Grove, Bletchley, Bucks) have a small but interesting range of 25 and 30mm Napoleonics plus a few American Civil War types. The 30mm infantryman and mounted soldier that I have seen, whilst they do not possess the professional design and 'polish' of better known makers, are considerably cheaper also! Certain technical difficulties in their casting are apparent but no doubt this will be overcome and POGGPIGURES will creditably add to the ever-growing range of wargames figures. Chevron Service Stations in U.K. are offering 11.5" x 14.75" colour prints (16 to a set) for every 4 gallons of petrol or 1 pint of oil. These are reproductions of well known paintings and, in addition to nine sea battles and two air dogfights, include 'The Thin Red Line'; 'Isandhlwandl; 'Charge of the Light Brigade' (by Caton Woodville); 'Dettingen' and 'The Captive Eagle' (Waterloo). Wooden frames to hold these prints can be purchased for 90p. The offer ends 30th September 1972. Micro-Mold Plastics, 1 Unifax, Woods Way, Goring-by-Sea, Sussex, have produced an excellent Roman Marching Fort -- an authentic model to 4mm (OO/HO) scale, with a palisade wall supplied on an additional sheet, to stick into special fixing slots in main fort base. Size 17" x 11" 53P per set (9p postage). Ready at last is the Bellone Booklet compiled by Terence Wise. Tells you how to make the best use of your Bellons models, how to paint and enhance them with lichen, etc., how to combine various sets together, and other useful information. Includes complete list of all Bellona and Armtec items with illustrations. Price 12 1/2P (including postage). Back to Table of Contents -- Wargamer's Newsletter # 126 To Wargamer's Newsletter List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1972 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