PROBLEM OF THE MONTH from J. Hardcastle.
Where can I find out the uniform of Austrian artillerymen of the Napoleonic period - those with bi-cornes and hats turned up at the side?
RULE OF THE MONTH by M.B.Warriss.
Wind direction and weather are vital in a sea battle change is not rapid and 180 degree shifts of wind are possible but unlikely. The following system controls weather in any gamemove being based on the preceeding conditions.
Three dice give a total score between 3 and 28. The probability of any given score is as follows. The table shows middle scores to be more likely.
| Score | Probability | Wind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | /216 | / | - |
| 3 | 1 | .5 | backs 14 points |
| 4 | 3 | 1.4 | backs 12 points |
| 5 | 6 | 2.8 | backs 10 points |
| 6 | 10 | 4.6 | backs 8 points |
| 7 | 15 | 6.9 | backs 6 points |
| 8 | 21 | 9.7 | backs 4 points |
| 9 | 25 | 11.6 | backs 2 points |
| 10 | 27 | 12.5 | Steady |
| 11 | 27 | 12.5 | veers 2 points |
| 12 | 25 | 11.6 | veers 4 points |
| 13 | 21 | 9.7 | veers 6 points |
| 14 | 15 | 6.9 | veers 8 points |
| 15 | 10 | 4.6 | veers 10 points |
| 16 | 6 | 2.8 | veers 12 points |
| 17 | 3 | 1.4 | veers 14 points |
| 18 | 1 | .5 | veers 16 points |
| - | 216 | 100 | - |
Suppose the wind starts northerly. According to the dice, it veers (shifts clockwise) or backs (shifts anti-clockwise). A point is 11 1/4 degrees, so e.g. wind northerly for 1st game-move. Dice show 8 so the wind back to Nor-west, for the second game-move. On the third move the dice show an 11 so the wind veers to Nor 'Nor 'East.
This can be shown by two concentric discs spindled together. The outer shows the points of the compass, while the inner has the dice scores 3-18, in order with an arrow at number 10. The disc is turned until the dice score is at the old wind direction, the arrow now shows the new wind direction.
In weather, and in morale and many other wargame veriables, gradual shifts are more likely than extreme ones; and the multiple-dice principal can be adapted to this, The more dice, the more unlikely are the very high or very low numbers.
HINT OF THE MONTH
To temporarily fix Airfix figures, in irregular groups and spacings as for skirmishers, use Scotchtape. They can be rapidly detached when becoming casualties and the transparent tape enables them to look realistic on the table-top at the same time as they stand steadily and can be moved quickly in groups.
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© Copyright 1974 by Donald Featherstone.
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