It is nice to start off with some glowing praise from an American subscriber Major Jim C. Bean, Jr., of Fort Hamilton, New York, who writes
"Yesterday I received my first order of Phoenix Model figures 25mm Nepoleonics. They are beautiful! They are as detailed as the GHQ Guardsmen figures that I was recommending to you, though not as small and delicate. They should be easier to paint also. If I gripe when your advertisers don't live up to my expectations I must give tribute to the producers who come through with quality figures."
Continuing with words of cheer calculated to hearten in these "hard" times, Peter Kemplay writes - "Despite the economic gloom I am planning for expansion in 1974 - regardless of the prophets of doom I still think there is plenty of scope and I certainly won't rest until I have my business running smoothly." Peter (who run. the Northern Garrison at Knaresborough, Yorkshire) tells me that he has some new Lamming Ancients coming up any day and hopes to be able to offer Spencer-Smith's plastic figures shortly but arrangements have not yet been finalised.
Talking of Spencer-Smith miniatures, those hardy old favourites of fifteen years ago - Ronald has really been working hard and by March hopes to have a new "Connoseur" range of 30mm wargames figures - a completely new line of superb, authentically detailed figures at the very reasonable price of 40 figures for £ 1 or a single figure costing 3p. The new range will consist of Napoleonic British Line Infantry Battalion Company consisting of 6 officers, 6 sergeants, 14 privates standing firing and 14 privates standing at the ready; American War of Independence - a bag of British Grenadiers consisting of 3 officers and 17 grenadiers Plus 3 officers and 17 light infantrymen; a bag of British Line Infantry Battalion Company consisting of 3 officers and 17 privates plus American Rangers 3 officers and 17 rangers in hunting shirts; a bag of Lafayette's American Light Infantry consisting of 3 officers and 17 men Plus 3 officers and 17 Loyalist Light Infantry. Also available are Staff or Field Officers wearing cloaks and suitable for any troops. By Easter or early Spring it is hoped that a completely new range of American War of Independence figures will be available - this range will consist of a bag of German Musketeers (3 officers and 17 musketeers) and 3 officers and 17 French fusiliers; a bag of German Grenadiers (3 officers and 17 grenadiers Plus 3 officers and 17 German fusiliers). These bags will cost in the region of £ 1.00p each. Then there will be a bag of Artillerymen consisting of 4 officers, 4 gunners with linstocks, 4 mattrosses with ramrods, 8 gunners and 8 mattrosses with levers at 85p. Other figures scheduled for the American War of Independence are British and American drummers and colour bearers.
One of the beauty of these plastic figures is that they are so easy to alter and convert and Ronald Spencer-Smith notes that "some of the figures have plumes to their hats but these can be snipped off if required; the American drummers, gunners, mattrosses and the German troops will be wearing overalls so that, if half gaiters or long gaiters are needed, they can be painted on; the artillerymen and drummers can be modified or pointed to represent most armies as can the Field (Staff) Officers." Of course all the original figures in Ronald's line are still available - they are the Napoleonic which include British Lifeguards, French Lancers, British Hussars, British, Russian, Prussian, Bavarian and French infantry, the last including Imperial Guard; Howitzer and field-guns; then there are the American War of Independence and Seven Years War figures consisting of Staff or Field mounted officers; Dragoons; Foot; Artillery; Frontiersmen; guns and 24-pdr Naval cannon.
There are the American Civil War figures which include cavalry and infantry in three positions with officers and buglers while lastly there is the Modern Army in field dress which sells in a bag 0 f 80 for £ 1.20p and includes riflemen advancing and charging, officers advancing and kneeling with binoculars, flame throwers, bazooka gunners, light and heavy mortar gunners, artillerymen kneeling and standing holding shells) grenade throwers, tommygunners advancing and heavy machine gunners, etc. It is worth pointing out that although these figures are 30mm they are the "small" 30mm and will readily fit in with many of the "large" 25mm figures (such as those put out by Hinchliffe and Miniature Figurines.) Here is a very cheap way of increasing the bulk of your armies!
Although I have not seen them, I am told that Airfix have re-vemped some of their boxes of HO/00 scale figures so that they now approximate to 25mm scale. Specifically, I am told that the British Commando set have become a British Infantry unit and that the German Infantry figures are now the Airfix 1:32 scale figures scaled down so that there are some additions which include a flame thrower and there is also a Bran gunner in the British set. I believe the Foreign Legion and Arab sets have also been similarly altered.
In addition, Airfix have turned out the 54mm French Napoleonic Polish Guard Lancer and in the 1/72 scale one can now obtain the Canberra medium jet bomber; the Gazelle military helicopter and the St.Louis 60-gun worship. Then there is the 1:1200 scale Hood and Bismarck, both clipped-together kits; the Hood with 67 parts and the Bismarck with 49. They are both well detailed and have traversing turrets.
The Miniature Figurines regular advert on the inside of the front cover reveals some interesting new figures. It is extremely difficult to do justice to the vast range put out by this organisation because the quantity of their releases is phenomenal - if they are not extending their range they are re-moulding old figures and persistently bringing out new items. They are even going into the Science Fiction range and are now turning out various figures that are rather beyond my comprehension because I know little about Outer Space Aliens. This range includes robots, an antigravity flitter and various other astonishing creations armed with an assortment of rayguns and blasters.
There are even some mythical figures which include a centaur and Pon himself. In the field of 25mm figures, Miniature Figurines have put out a rather compelling line of Aztecs and Spaniards and I imagine it will need some pretty comprehensive rules to reproduce the manner in which small numbers of Spaniards defeated vast hordes of South Americans - but it is a fascinating period to study. Another and far later age which is more to my taste is that of the American Indian Ware and the latest Airfix out-pourings of American infantry, cavalry and artillery for these wars opens up some new vistas.
There's a widely increasing interest in wargaming in the 15mm range which is being tackled by Miniature Figurines on an ever-extending scale. Their 15mm Ancients have 11 standard strips with 5 infantry or 3 cavalry on each strip at 10p per strip. At the moment they are mainly Romans and Gauls although the letter can be pointed up to represent anyone of a number of Ancient nations. I am told that the half armoured catephracts are outstanding. The same firm also have it in mind to put out a range of famous generals of the past and at the moment it possible they'll do such famous commanders as Caesar; Caractacus and Boadicea while they have also re-cast their Napoleonic Personality, figures which include Murat, Ney and all these other well known names whom we represent on one side or the other of our wargames table.
They say that competition is good for business - if this is the case then both Miniature Figurines and Hinchliffe should be doing each other a lot of good! Peter Gilder is working so hard for the latter firm that he has not even had time to renew his subscription to the Newsletter! Although I have not seen them I am told that he has put out a beautifully detailed set of Vikings to add to their existing range of Ancient Romans, Byzantines and Persians. I am still receiving praiseworthy remarks about Hinchliffes new English Civil War range and, although again I have not seen them, I am told that their Personality, figures of Fairfax and Prince Rupert are superb. Future offerings from Hinchliffe will include Indian Mutiny figures; American Civil War artillerymen; Bavarian,and Brunswick Napoleonic artillerymen; Brunswick Uhlans; Prussian hussers and Personality figures of Jab Stuart, Stonewall Jackson and a range of the lesser known Napoleonic generals.
A famous American comedian once used to say he only knew what he read in the papers - well I only know what I read about a lot of figures and other items connected with wargaming! But in case I have read more that some of my readers I will pass on the information. From SOLDIERS, 36 Kennington Road, London S.E.1., (who have NEVER advertised in this magazine!) can be obtained what sounds to be an interesting range of moulds from Sweden to cast 30mm round figures of the Second World War and the Thirty Years War. The sets include cavalry and standard bearers and come complete with ladles, moulds, clips and metal. I have no idea of the price.'
Also sold by SOLDIERS but manufactured by Heroics Figures of 22 Mowbray Court, Mowbray Road, London SE19 2RL, are a fine line in 1:300 scale Napoleonic figures which, although sold in strips of three are sufficiently finely detailed to be cut away and to be painted.and utilised individually. I have seen the French Guard Lancers MFN2 and the casting and detail in such minute figures is really astonishing. They cone in peaks of 20 cavalrymen or 50 infantry or a pack containing 6 guns with 9 5 man crew for each; limbers and tease will be available shortly.
The range includes infantry skirmishers, dragoons, lancers and artillery and I believe that there is also a similar range of American Civil War figures. Heroics also turn out buildings in 1:300 scale -- simple assembly card cutout buildings of Le Haye Sainte, Hugomount and other buildings suitable for the Peninsular War.
Readers will remember that once upon a time it was possible to buy Avalon Hill games through this magazine but for numerous reasons this practice was discontinued. However, I noticed that Michael's Models of 646-648 High Road, North Finchley, London X12 ON1, are advertising all of the boardgames put out by this American firm. Their prices seem pretty competitive when I recall rates of exchange, postage, etc., to say nothing of customs duty! From the same people one can obtain English translations of the various Fancken books at £ 2.75P for Napoleonic Wars and £ 2.25P for the Ancient Egypt up to the present day (two volumes).
A few weeks ago I saw some beautiful 90mm American War of Independence metal figures designed by Alan Caton who is a member of the staff of TRADITION, 188 Piccadilly. Produced by Norman Newton Ltd., they are specially designed to commemorate the bi-centenary of the Revolutionary War. The range includes an American Continental infantry private with a musket, an American rifleman with a rifle and axe; a British Highland private in kilt with a musket; a British light infantry private with a musket; a British grenadier officer thrusting with a sword. They are £ 3.00p each and, painted up, are a delight to behold. I have always found Alan Caton to be an extremely pleasant fellow - I had no idea that so much talent lay behind that suave exterior!
There are few boys around who are not familiar with the "Matchbox" range of diecast model vehicles. Recently this firm branched out into 1:72nd scale plastic aircraft kits and now announce a brand new 1:76 scale range of armoured fighting vehicles. The range includes tanks and armoured cars of World War II plus a scenic base with little detail items such as trees, sandbags, bricks, notice boards, etc. They sell at 25P per set.
A few months ago I mentioned the MINOT 30mm range of Napoleonic figures and subsequently received a telephone call from Barry Minot himself who indignantly denied that he was French! I have heard nothing more from him nor seen anything more of their figures but I notice that adverts indicate that the range is steadily increasing and that they have a set to represent the last stand of the Old Guard at Waterloo - this is in addition to their most impressive range of British and French infantry and cavalry. They are positioned in a highly original manner and, whilst this might seemingly make them more suitable for dioramas than wargames, it certainly sets them up as ideal figures to use when fighting Individual Skirmish style wargames.
One thing about suppliers of wargames material and equipment is their unceasing industry! Never does a week or month post without them turning something new out to beguile us into spending our hard earned cash. Life is very difficult when one has to make such unenviable boices between the excellent figures turned out by so many firms and such items as SEASTRIKE - a table-top game of modern warfare put out by our old friends the Wargames Research Group. The game features individual surface ships, submarines, helicopters, aircraft and missile systems and island objectives which may contain operations HQ and SAM sites.
I am told that we can expect during January their new rules for Armour/Infantry 1950-1975 which give all the latest weapons, missiles and greatly elaborated rules for the use of aircraft.
From MICRO-MOLD, 1-2 Unifax, Woods Way, Goring-by-Sea, Sussex, England, I have received a number of samples of their imported C-in-C soft metal castings of 20mm American War Civil War figures. They are very nicely detailed figures although I find the separate heads (which have to be attached by you) to be a bit of a bore. It should be pointed out that these figures are 20mm and will not fit in with 25mm figures which are popular at the moment but they will fit in with the Airfix range of American Civil War figures (at least the original Airfix range!). They are such nice little figures that it will be a pity if their size precludes them from being taken up by wargamers in this country.
Something else that I have not seen is the 20mm military vehicles made by the Japanese firm of Eidai and distributed by A.A. Hales Ltd., of Leicestershire. They are rather sparse in detail I am told and are obviously for wargamers as they are in 1:76 scale with three separate models in each box. They are simple to construct as the wheels push on to metal axles etc. The range at the moment seems to include Schwimmwagen; 50mm Pak Howitzer and German armoured car or another set contains the Kubelvagen, BMW R75 motorcycle and sidecar with iider and passenger figures and an SdKfz69 truck. Figures for the set are 40p each which includes transfer sheets of German markings.
The firm of B. and G. Weatherby of Fairfield, Sickling Hall Road, Weatherby, Yorks, put out buildings and model villages in card under the heading of "Builder". They take the form of press-out sheets wiW each building constructed from a single piece of card which is pre-creased and already adhesive so that it only requires wetting; all the buildings arc already coloured and can be stored in the box in which they are sold. The scale is 2mm to the foot which makes them about right for 15mm wargaming. It is possible to obtain from them an English village of the late 18th century.
The Japanese firm of Hasegawa have turned out a 1/72nd kit of 16 parts to make an early Tiger I kit which includes symbols for a Ti.,er unit in Tunisia. Two crew figures are provided and can be positioned in the turret hatches - it sells at 35P. I have not seen this model but I find it interesting because the very first Tiger tanks encountered by British forces were knocked out by my own Brigade in Tunisia in 1941.
I notice in an advert of Ian R.P.Thomson of 54 Upland Road, South Qroydon, Surrey, CR2 6RE, that, among numerous other items imported from America, he advertises HO wargame metal kits for Renault tank 1918; British Mark IV tank; Bofors twin Naval and quad Naval puns.
I have already mentioned the 20mm figures obtainable from Micro-Mold and in past issues have described the Napoleonic and American Civil War artillery in this scale. This same firm are the English agents for the famous GHQ 1:285 scale Micro Armour which was the very first of this small scale stuff to appear on the market. The samples of these tanks that I saw from America some time ago were absolutely superb and I suggest that anyone interested in World War II wargaming in this Beale should write for a list.
Still on small scale World War II wargaming I see that Operation Militaire of 11 Essenden Road, Belvedere, Kent, are offering Excalibur Micro Armour in 1:300 scale with vehicles in cast metal with separate rotating turrets, undercoated Panzer grey, olive Creen or khaki. They seem to have a very reasonable list of British, American, Russian and German tanks together with some items such as soft vehicles, motcrcycle combinations and anti-tank guns plus infantry groups.
Recently I ordered from Warrior Figures a collection of Austrian Napoleonic artillerymen - four field and four horse. When they came, Ray Seton had also sent along a selection of artillerymen of all the other nations involved in the Napoleonic Wars and a very stimulating crowd they were! It seems to be more the exception than the rule for wargamers to have complete gun teams of the same standard and in the same numbers as their other units. There is no excuse for this because these Warrior Figures are excellent whilst similar ranges of very fine artillerymen can be obtained from all the other miniature manufacturers. And there is little that looks more impressive on the wargames table than a well-painted gun surrounded by its efficient handlers!
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© Copyright 1974 by Donald Featherstone.
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