On the right is the latest addition to the Airfix 54mm Collectors Series - an infantryman clad in one of the styles of uniform adopted by the patriots after the declaration of the War of the American Revolution in 1775. One of the five different configurations provided in the kit. Because of the many variations of uniform, the model provides great scope for conversions and ideal for a small diorama. The kit can be made up in at least five different ways - as an N.C.O. carrying the spontoon; as a standard bearer; as a trooper carrying a musket or tomahawk or as an officer with a sword. The pack is embellished with close-up colour views of the model which can be used as a painting guide and there is a template to be used when cutting the belts and straps of the uniform from the thin plastic sheet provided. This 21-part kit produces a model approximately 2 inches high with fine detail of musket, water bottle, ammunition pouch, back pack and uniform Its price is 23P - and you can't do much better then that! Coming down the scale a little - how would you fancy being able to churn out as many 40mm vargames figures as you like? This is now within the reach of all of us by using the fine Tincasting kits obtainable from the sole U.K. distributors K. and G. Marketing Limited, 8 Front Street, Cullercoates, North Shields, Northumberland. The kit sent me costs C2.56p and contained a rubber mould for a modern (presumably Swedish infantryman), a ladle, a clamp and three small ingots of casting metal. The kit comes with full instructions and the back of the package is made exciting by numbered pictures of the range of available moulds. They include a ten-piece set of modern Swedish infantry and cavalry; sports figures; cowboys and Indians (the cowboys could well be used for American Civil War) but perhaps most exciting of all a sixteen-piece set of cavalry and infantry of the Seven Years War period. I imagine the latter, painted up, would look great and would certainly make a fine wargames army. I do not know whether the moulds can be purchased separately but I imagine that this is possible. Naturally, I like to include in this review all the latest wargames figures but these arrive on the scene so quickly and in such large numbers that unless manufacturers actually tell me what they are putting out it is hard to keep track. For example, when escorting my son to MINIATURE FIGURINES the other day (he has become sufficiently misguided to start collecting and painting Middle Earth figures!) I saw large numbers of miniatures completely new to me. Neville Dickinson, seemingly the only man who works on Saturdays down there# said that they were some of their latest out-pourings and I have no details. Suffice to say that whatever you write about Miniature Figurines range is out-of-date before the page gets printed! The same obviously applies to HINCHCLIFFE Models Limited (the latest news I have from them is culled from their adverts which reveals that Mediaeval infantry and cavalry were the latest range at that time). GREENWOOD AND BALL keep up the good work as their latest advert indicates. In smaller scales we have news of an extensive range of 1/300-modern Micro armour and Infantry made by HEROICS, that enable you to re-fight Korea, the Arab-Israeli Wars or Warsaw Pact vs NATO hypothetical conflicts. Of course, they are in addition to their earlier ranges of Romans; American Civil War and Napoleonics. TRADITION have really moved fast with their 25mm range of wargames figures and their latest list is an eyeopener. Do you know that you can obtain in the Napoleonic range - British (including Royal Marines); French; Austrian; Polish; Bavarian; Spanish (including Irregulars); Russian; Prussian; Dutch-Belgian and Brunswick figures in both infantry and cavalry. The English Civil War range, which can also be used for most armies of the Thirty Years War, then the 18th Century are well covered by the Marlburian Period; the War of the Austrian Succession (these figures are suitable for most European armies of the period); the Jacobite Rebellion 1745; the Seven Years War range includes British, Prussian (including Potsdam Grenadiers); and French. The American War of Independence is coming to the fore with its bi-centenery next year and Tradition have turned out a fine range of figures covering the British Army (line, light and artillery); the American Army (including Continental infantry in hunting shirts, riflemen in coonskin caps and Red Indians) plus artillery. Prussian figures of the Seven Years War period can be used for the German mercenary regiments in this war. The Crimean War period is very well covered and includes British Army foot figures of Guards, Line infantry, Rifle Brigade, Highlanders, Foot Guards in greatcoats, British Line infantry in greatcoats; there are Foot artillery and British mounted figures of Light Dragoons. The Russian Army includes infantry and foot artillery. The American Civil War (my first love and one which still holds considerable attractions) has a good range of Union Army foot figures including General Staff, infantry, the 5th New York Volunteer Zouaves, Berdan's Sharpshooters, the Garibaldi Guard (39th New York), the Iron Brigade plus Union artillery, dismounted cavalry and cavalry, including Rush's 6th Pennsylvania Lancers. The Confederate Army have their General Staff including Lee and Stuart then there are infantry including Zouaves; artillery and cavalry, including Terry's 8th Texas Rangers. British Colonial Wars are very well covered and include Victorian line infantry, Highland infantry, Gurkhas, Indian Army and Indian Army artillery. There are 21st Lancers so that you can simulate their charge at Omdurman and Indian cavalry. The enemy are represented by Zulus; Dervishes of the Sudan including Emir, Hadendowsh (Fuzzy Wuzzy); Jihadia riflemen, the Khalifa's mounted bodyguard and Taaishi warrior on a camel. There are also available Boer commandoes both on foot and mounted and a range of North-West Frontier tribesmen - Pathans in characteristic positions. The Franco-Prussian War includes French, Prussian and Bavarian infantry and no doubt cavalry will follow. The First World War has British, German and French infantry and, placed here because I cannot think of anywhere else to put it,a Samurai foot figure. Ancient armies are not neglected and the Tradition range includes Romans both on foot and mounted; Ancient Britons; Gauls; and the Norman Conquest period is covered by Normans and Saxons. The latest Tradition range appears to be Indian Wars of the 1880's and includes United States Cavalry and mounted Plains Indians together with their warriors on foot. One rather novel entry in the Tradition catalogue is the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, renowned for their musical drives and for the firing of salutes on State occasions. The range includes a British RRA 13pdr field gun and limber; six different types of artillery horses with correct harness; a driver mounted on a horse; and an officer and four of the gun-team firing the Salute. This could be used (with a different gun) for say the Crimean War period or it would make a fine mini-diorama. Still going down the scale, I hear from The OLD GUARD (New Hope Design, Rothbury, Morpeth, Northumberland) that they are importing from America a range of 20mm GHQ Napoleonic wargame figures which they say "may be a sop to your disgruntled correspondents". The price has not been finalised as packing may have to be altered for this country but will probably be in the region of 6p for a foot figure and about 12p for a horse and about the same for the rider. David Winter ) the Director of New Hope Designmakes a valid point when he writes "So many people seem to think that figures of quality can be knocked out in vast numbers at little cost. I am sure you know the economics of this business as well as the rest of us and, frankly, we are all subject to competitive pressures. Any decent metal is now costing up to 65P per lb and that means even a simple wargame figure has 1p worth of metal in it. Add moulds, machine time, sculptor's time, casting time and all the rest and it becomes clear that most makers are not profiteering!" I understand that the Old Guard, after their recent move, are getting straight and are remaking a lot of moulds on the Old Guard list and there is a whole lot of new stuff to go through. They hope to be back an schedule by the time you read this. Moving down to 15mm scale, Peter Laing has moved to "Minden", Sutton St. Nicholas, Hereford HR1 3BD. Although madly disorganised by moving, Peter has sent me along a number of samples of his new Medisevals which you will find listed in his advert in this issue. They are a most exciting range and wonderfully detailed for their small size - figure A902 Cannon on elevating mount and A911 the trebuchet has to be seen to be believed. I also thought that A901, the small bombard, is very fine. Peter's new "1000 Series" is a good idea, containing "link" figures which increase the scope of a series. His first items are Scottish but can be used in conjunction with items from 100 and 300 Series for the Jacobite Rebellions of 1715 and 1745 or they can also play their part with Montrose. In the assortment of other new items which Peter lists, the Gardner gun and the Maxim gun sound interesting - I wish somebody turned these out in 30mm scale! This is a fine month for information on new figures which, seeing that its Christmas time, is highly appropriate. Barry Minot of 20 Watling Street Elstree, Herts, now trades under the name of MINOTS MINIATURE ARMOURY. Those of us who have seen his 30mm Napoleonic figures know their superb quality; his range includes some unusual small groups cast on one base such as three guardsmen with a standard and a wounded guardsman being tended by a cantiniere. PHOENIX MODEL DEVELOPMENTS LTD have issued an informative catalogue and handbook which includes articles about the bobby, British Military Band Formations and uniform! colour schemes; painting details for the English Civil War; Marlburian period; British Colonial and Napoleonic periods. The price of this catalogue is about 25P I think but you had better write. From America I hear that STAN JOHANSEN MINIATURES of 41-4 Ridge Road, Naugatuck, Conn. 06770, has a range of 20mm figures which are relatively unique in that they include modern Russian paratroopers; U.S. Army wearing flak jackets; several missile launchers with crewmen and a 120mm mortar with crewmen; Vietcong and Green Berets. All are sold in sets ranging in price from 15 to 50 cents (U.S. currency no doubt). In 30mm they turn out figures for Napoleonic Wars; American Revolution; Japanese Samurai Ancient Egypt; Assyrians; Greeks and Mongols. McEWAN MINIATURES of 380 "D11 Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103, have an interesting list of 25mm figures including Mediaeval; Normans; Vikings; Turks; Romans; Greeks; Napoleonic; Fantasy Pigures plus an extensive list of extra parts. Their catalogue can be obtained plus a sample of two figures for about 75p but again you had better write. ROSE MINIATURES, 15 Hanover Road, Plumstead, London SE18 3ST, have a small but interesting range of wargames figures but this month I am talking about their latest 54mm figures with a recommendation that Individual Skirmish fans take a look at their American Revolution figures. How about this range of Mesoiithic figures for a small Individual Skirmish? There are three objectives present and the spearman can either defend them from his predatory mates or even hold off some fantastic animal! Unpainted these figures sell at £ 1.18p including V.A.T. Moving on to military vehicles, AIRFIX have turned out a much needed HO/00 scale Japanese Chi-Ha tank, their particular model being the commanding officer's tank of No .3 Squadron No.1 Tank Division in Maylaya in 1942. This Type 97 Medium was the main battle tank of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II and saw service in China and the Pacific, although it was no match for Allied tanks. Nevertheless, it provides an interesting and long awaited vehicle and will open up some new Pacific Island battles, using Airfix wargames figures. In much smaller scale are the 1:200 Mercator tanks imported from America by MICRO-MOLD of 1-2 Unifax, Woods Way, Goring-by-Sea, Sussex. These are excellent models with absolutely fantastic detail and finish. The two I have are the Cromwell VII and the German PzSpw 221/22 armoured car. These models are absolutely beautiful but, you get what you pay for and the Cromwell costs 97p and the German armoured car 72p but they are already painted and able to go straight into action. For 8p you can obtain an interesting U.K. price list from Micro-Mold. This firm are in the final stages of preparing some Bellona scenic pieces to compliment the 1/200 scale Mercator models and I am sure that these models and scenery can be used to great advantage along the lines suggested in my book "Tank Battles in Miniature Western Desert Campaign" or in the forthcoming book by Bruce Quarrie "Tank Battles in Miniature - No. 2 The Russo-German Campaign". Of course, both these books are published by Patrick Stephens. Although I haven't seen these Japanese-produced models, one reads about them and they seem to be rather exceptional. From FUJIMI can be obtained a 1:76 scale kit to make the Porsche "Elefant" self-propelled gun. Obtainable from REN-MODELS of 63 Fitzroy Street, Cambridge, at 65p, they can be obtained by mail order. From the some source came the Hasegawa Kubelwagen in 1:72 scale at 40P and a Fujimi 1:76 scale Kubelwagen and BMW motorcycle combinations at 60p. From RICHARD KOHNSTAM LTD the English importers can be obtained Nitto 1:76 Panther G and BMW sidecar kit. HASEGAWA have also put out an interesting 1/72 scale kit of the Chaffee light tank used by the Americans during the closing days of the Second World War but extensively in Korea. At 40P this kit is said to be good value for money and can be obtained from Ren-Models. I am always quite happy to admit that wargaming is not only a hobby that requires model figures but is also (and possibly to a greater extent) practised through the use of boardgames. To attempt to keep up-todate with the prolific outpouring of these boardgames is impossible and readers who wish to do so are recommended to buy such publications as John Mansfield bi-weekly Newsletter SIGNAL obtainable from P.O.Box 830, CFPO 5056, 757 Baden Baden 1, West Germany, at eight copies for £ 1.00p. In his latest issue, John tells a sad story of a fire at the Avalon Hill box plant which has delayed production of their latest game PANZERLEADER. The same firm have seven new games on the stocks - Third Reich; Basketball; Alexander the Great; Anzio; Chancellorsville; Jutland and Panzer Leader. Magazines such as Strategy and Tactics and Conflict, provide games with each copy - the former magazine has just put out a special feature on the American Civil War which included a game and which has been reviewed in this issue of the Newsletter. Of course, if you want to buy games or get catalogues, etc., there is only one place in Great Britain and that is Simulations Publications U.K., PO Box 46, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 6PE. Earlier I mentioned perhaps in rather scathing fashion, that my 13 year old son had gone overboard on Fantasy wargaming. Seemingly he is in good company because Miniature Figurines claim to be selling as many figures for this and Science Fiction games as they are for Napoleonics these days! It would seem that the rules are little different to those used in ordinary wargames because, unlike conventional rules where one infantry battalion has a tendency to act like another. Fantasy rules have to be different and change from one group to another. The most recent British rules are called WIZARD AND WARFARE, composed of 18 large pages that are said to be easy to follow, with an index at the back. The price is 50P and they can be obtained from LEICESTER MICRO MODELS, 50 Walcot Walk, Netherton, Peterborough, England. Of course that is the same place as you can obtain the fantastic range of 1:300 scale tanks and naval vessels in suitable scales for table-top warfare. An indignant letter from Mary Gammage of ROSE MINIATURES says:- "Thank you for showing some of our 30mm Napoleonics and 25mm. Colonial troops in the latest edition of Wargamer's Newsletter. It is just rather a pity that the article alongside which they were pictured did not refer to our models!" I hope that the plug for their latest figures on the previous page mollified Mary, who also writes. "Re the letter from Mr. Kests in November Newsletter - the reason why WE charge extra postage for Forces overseas, along with other people abroad, is to cover the extra time involved in making out Customs documents! This should not apply to magazine sendings, but anything chargeable HAS to have these - not only those on the packet but the duplicates which we have to get stamped by the Post Office and file for checking by the V.A.T. inspectors, to prove that what we say we have exported free of VAT has in fact been sent to an address overseas!" Back to Table of Contents -- Wargamer's Newsletter # 153 To Wargamer's Newsletter List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1974 by Donald Featherstone. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com