If I am to be influenced by my critic on the "Letters" page, then this month's reviews of new items could well be dripping with vitriol. However, I trust that I have adequately stated my case in the Editorial and that, both today and in the future, the "Must List" will be read with greater understanding of my aims and objectives.
I have often said that there are really no bad wargames figures but that is not to say that they are all equal in quality - as in the book "Animal Farm" some are more equal than others! I have before me a prime selection of this last category in a batch of 26 Foot figures of the American Civil War from the re-designed Miniature Figurines range covering that War. As was the case with their re-designed English Civil War range, they are so improved as to arouse sympathy for the wargamer who has laboriously collected and painted-up the original range. Because, at the sight of their new ranges in both American and English Civil Wars he will be green with envy and thoroughly dissatisfied with the armies that have served him so well in the past. This' is not meant as a reproof because things cannot stand still and no commercial organisation worthy of its salt can no, other than endeavour to improve its products as Miniature Figurines have so ably done. The range I have before me includes both Union and Confederate infantry in a variety of action poses, plus officers, artillery crews and musicians - there is even an Indian figure to cover those who fought with the Confederates. Painted up, all will look 9 -joy and I say that with confidence in my fellow wargamers likes and dislikes because, I have just the faintest reservat ons because of the chunkiness of the figures - weren't there any slim, lithe men in the American Civil War? Also included in the review parcel, to my son's delight who is assiduously collecting them, were a couple of Middle Earth figures - one a sort of walking frog/ape and the other an armoured infantryman who could well take his place in a Mediaeval set-up.
They are the only actual figures I have had for review this month but I am certain that all the other makers, including those who do not advertise in this magazine, are industriously turning-out inspiring little silver castings as fast as they can go. One such manufacturer whom I always admire for his "cottage-industry" is Peter Laing whose 15mm range has increased amazingly during the short-time he has been in existence. Pete tells me that, although he is overwhelmed with work arising from his move, that he has managed a further 46 new models which he will introduce when he has moved. They are a range of new Mediaeval figures and some Scots, to cover the 1715 and 1745 period and Montrose's army. Both originated from suggestions from his friends Iain McLellan and David Baillie of South-East Scotland Wargames Club. Peter has also turned out a few odds end ends for the Colonials, Marlburian wargamers etc.
Bob O'Brien of the Wargames Research Group tells me that they now have amendments ready for the Fourth Edition of their Ancient Rules. As usual, these amendments are free but they must insist on a stamped addressed envelope or the equivalent in international Reply Coupons if you wish to have a set. The Wargames Research Group also sent me a review copy of their game "SEASTRIKE" about which I calnot, in all fairness, say very much because 1 have not played the Pame nor have I had a great deal of time to study it. Suffice to say, contained in an attractive "wallet" , packs of cards, sheets of press-out symbols of ships, submarines, aircraft, etc., and 9 rule book made out in the usual W.R.G. style with the rules summarised on handy cards for easy reference. It looks good and I will be happy to give a detailed report on the game's playability when I have had it tested. Designed by Robin Wyatt and obtainable from the Wargames Research Group it sells including V.A.T. and postage for £ 4.50P (U.S.A. $10.50)
I understand that from NAVWAR, 48 East View, Barnet, Herts, England, it is possible to obtain a 20-page rule book covering Individual wargaming with the 25mm Samurai figures available from Miniature Figurines. Who is going to be the first one to cash-in on the Martial Arts?
My progress in a rather interesting Peninsular War wargame was rather sadly affected the other evening when I was overcome by inspirational ideas for some rather original rules to cover wargaming with 5mm. regimental blocks. Obtainable from Miniature Figurines, these blocks are the answer to authentically recreating the really BIG battles of history. Oddly enough on the following morning I had a letter from Peter Gouldesbrough, that perennial wargaming enthusiast from Edinburgh, saying that he had just finished the first version of his rules for 5mm games and once Charles Dick (another highly knowledgeable table-top character) had had a chance to do his hatchet job on them, Peter is going to write an article on the subject for the Newsletter.
In the past I have mentioned the Military Band records obtainable from N.W.Hartley, 41 Swanmore Road, Boscombe, East Bournemouth, BH7 6PD. From this source can be obtained a fair selection of imported military records from all over the world and his latest list is no exception as it contains a large selection of German military marches and soldier's songs; French marches including those of the Foreign Legion and Napoleonic marches plus a selection of Russian, Soviet, Polish, Czech, Spanish and Austrian marches. There are also a number of records of Nazi ceremonies, songs, marches and speeches by their unlamented leaders at rallies in the 1930s -- I found them repulsive but I suppose some nut will buy them.
I have received from Putnam the publishers a list of their Aeronautical Books and, although I am not exactly an enthusiast in this field, I noticed numbers of books which must bring tears of joy to the eyes of those who are. For example - "British Aeroplanes 1914-1918"; "Aircraft of the R.A.F. since 1918"; "British Naval Aircraft since 1912"; "Armament of British Aircraft 1909-1939"; "The British Fighter since 1912"; "The British Bomber since 1914"; "United States Military Aircraft since 1908"; "United States Navy Aircraft since 1911"; "German Aircraft of the Second World War"; "German Aircraft of the First World War"; "Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War"; "Polish Aircraft 1893-1939"; and a host of other intriguing titles. These books can be obtained from all good bookshops or from the publishers Putnam and Company Limited, 9 Bow Street, London WC2E 7AL.
I don't know whether this is the place to put it but we are talking about new things and I suppose that function such as NORTHERN MILITAIRE '74, which is claimed to be the first sponsored wargame and militaria exhibition tn be held in the North - is worthy of being mentioned here as much as anywhere else. Sponsored by Hinchliffe Models Limited it includes all sorts of events and items likely to be of the greatest interest to Northern wargamers whom I suggest direct their footsteps towards the Lancastrian Hall, Swinton, Manchester, on November 9th and 10th at 10.30 a.m.
Walter Luc Haas of CH-4053 Basel, Achiles Bischoff-Strasse 6, Switzerland, is a Swiss subscriber to WARGAMER'S NEWSLETTER and he has recently started a magazine EUROPE which he takes me to task for not mentioning. The reason that this is the first I have said shout it is simply because I hpve never seen the magazine! However here is what Walter writes:
"I wonder why you don't mention that you have go+ my first issue of "Europe" (issue la) - you should have got it in the end August (8 pages; infos about Clubs. Cons. Open Houses, news of AH, SPI, WRG etc., news, books, zine contents. Next issile will be out in the end of this month, at about 20pp includes reviews, a'ho--e (regular') columns etc. The next issue will be a double-number, i.e. 2/3. Subscription fees: 8 numbers for SFr. 6.40 (at about 90p.), including the postage fee.
Collecting (and publishing) addresses of wargamers in Europe. informing about events and clubs, giving news and infos of all kind, I hope to reach as many European wargamers as possible and to make it possible in this way that they can contact and find each other. My first issue was sent to 220 addresses. the next one will be sent to 100-150 addresses probably, then to subscribers only."
Although, as Walter says the main interests of his magazine is board-wargaming he wants to have sections dealing with wargaming using miniature figures and requires someone who could write a column on this. He asks if I know anybody who would be interested to do it although he cannot pay anything for it as his magazine is not a commercial affair. So if you want to achieve a Continental reputation (and I can think of a few wargamers to whom this might appeal) then write to Walter.
Some subscribers might be members of the Military Historical Society and know of their Band Section but if neither applies then I urge that you write to H.L.S.Plunkett, 93 Springbank, Lakenham, Norwich NOR 84 C. Mr. Plunkett (whom I met in York during a Marston Moor trip back in the Spring) is an enthusist who puts out a very informative Newsletter dealing with the history of military bands, the latest records and tapes of military music, events both home and abroad at which military bands are featured, the story of famous military music composers and a host of other items of interest to the man who likes collecting records and Regimental music. I have only seen two of these Newsletters but have purchased three or four records from information contained therein and would probobly have known nothing of them had I not read this journal.
One of the best known and most enterprising model soldier makers in the United States of America are BUGLE AND GUIDON Inc., P.O.Box 248, West Carrollton, Ohio 45449, U.S.A., whom I strongly recommend to the wargamer/collector who is looking for something that is not only different but absolutely first-class. With a beautiful spirit of independence that does the heart good in this day and age, Bugle and Guidon almost exclusively follow the individual historical line of Custer's last stand, one of the most romantic periods of American military history involving the Indian fighting army. Their range of 54mm figures (available in kit form only) all come with full painting instructions and include a colour photo of the finished figure. The range includes Custer himself and other personalities of the epic battle at the Little Big Horn plus cavalry troopers and Indians in every conceivable position, selling for about $3.95 to $7.95 each (some of them are small vignettes).
Also in this scale can be obtained a Colonel of the Confederate Cavalry in 1862; a French Foreign Legionnaire; Saxon cavalryman of the Napoleonic period; a 7th Cavalry Officer 1876 and a Gurkha rifleman 1910. But of more interest to wargamers is their exciting 30mm range of metal figures of the Indian Wars which sell at 75 cents each for infantry and $1.75 for cavalry or you can obtain diorama sets like the one depicted below. Included in this range are foot figures of cavalrymen and Indians in every conceivable position including casualties; with Personality figures of Custer, other officers and Indian scouts. The cavalry are beautifully designed and it is possible to obtain interesting little sets of battlefield debris. The mind boggles at the opportunities for Indian War skirmishes and pitched battles made possible by this range of figures, each of which is a masterpiece in itself. Bugle and Guidon also have a very interesting list of Military books not only concerned with Custer and the West generally but also dealing with other aspects of American military life in the 19th century. And did you know that there is an interesting non-profit making educational research society THE LITTLE BIG HORN ASSOCIATES, devoted to the study and clarification of all facets of this battle. Membership includes a quarterly magazine and 8 Newsletter issues. If you are interested write to Mr. G.O.Harris, 6717 - 46th Avenue Southwest, Seattle, Washington 98116, U.S.A.
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© Copyright 1974 by Donald Featherstone.
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