Supreme amongst makers of artillery Pieces, the HINCHLIFFE Confederate gun and crew depicted here, is a fine example of the model maker's craft. In 54mm scale, this gun and team are matched by a French Napoleonic Horse Artillery of the Guard and other Napoleonic artillery pieces and their crews. With the ever growing interest in Skirmish Wargaming, these larger scale figures of the highest quality will certainly provide stimulus and incentive to whoever has the honour of fighting with them. Of course, I don't have to tell you that Hinchliffe are constantly increasing their exciting ranges of 25mm wargames figures. Their regular advert in these pages keep you up to date and, if they get around to letting me see the odd sample figure, I'll tell you more about them! When first I began wargaming, there came a time when there were just no wargames figures available in Great Britain and delays of up to six months in obtaining 30mm figures from U.S.A. Then to my rescue came Ronald Spencer-Smith (66 Long Meadow, Frimley, Camberley, Surrey) whose 30mm plastic wargames figures, selling at ridiculously low prices, came to my notice and were purchased in their hundreds. Easily converted, they took their place as troops of almost every conceivable period and are still regularly used in our Tliursday evening wargames at 69 Hill Lane, Southampton. I now hear from Ronald that after considerable and frustrating delays, his new "CONNOISSEUR" range of 30mm American War of Independence figures are shortly to be available at the low price of 44 infantry for £ 1.00p. The range includes British Grenadiers and Light Infantry with officers and other ranks; British Line 'Battalion Company Infantry; an American ranger; Lafayette Light Infantry - officers and privates; Loyalist Light Infantry officers and other ranks with hatchets (can also be painted as American Dr British). In addition there is a new American Civil War cannon which sell at four for £ 1.00p or £ 1.60p with crews. These guns can also be painted up to represent a Napoleonic British 9-pdr field gun. if you really want cheap figures, larger than Airfix but of a size that enables them to fit in reasonably with the present 25mm scale ranges, then send a stamped addressed envelope for a price list to Ronald Spencer-Smith. Of course, his standard range from the old days of Modern Army, American War of Independence, American Civil War, Napoleonic, Seven Years War, etc., are still available. He is prepared to allow 33% discount on minimal orders of £ 1O on any figures from his entire range. Greenwood and Ball Ltd (61 Westbury Street, Thornaby on Tees, Cleveland County) are a long established firm making excellent model soldiers. Now they have come out with a series of uniform reference booklets - the first No.1 UNIFORMS OF THE SEVEN YEARS WAR - PRUSSIA. The prime object of these book 7 lets is to present the uniforms as fully as possible, in an easy to read form, concentrating on the men themselves as the history of the war has been so frequently covered in other publications. Mainly due to the very high cost of colour printing, the book retails at 85p but I do not think they need to apologise for the price because this is a most comprehensive and valuable publication. Both with illustrations and a most comprehensive text the booklet details all that one requires to know about Infantry Headdress; Infantry Uniforms; Frei Corps; Infantry Standards; Hussar Uniforms; Dragoon Uniforms and Standards; Cuirassier Uniforms and Standards; Guards du Corps and Artillery. In addition to many pages of black and white line drawings the book includes a full-page in colour of Infantry and Cavalry Standiards and three full colour pages containing 22 Infantry and Cavalry figures of the Prussian Army of the lperiod. Over and above the uniform information there are details of the principal battles of the War !including the numbers engaged, guns and losses and also technical details of the Artillery used by the Prussian Army. If this series is able, in these days of high inflation, to continue at a reasonable price then when complete it should be an invaluable source of reference to both military modellers and to wargamers. The colourful range of figures on the right are the latest 54mm metal figures from ROSE MINIATURES of 15 Llanover Road, London SE18 3ST, consisting of Mesolithic People; Cantinieres; British officers and Light Infantrymen; British officers and Light Infantrymen of the American Revolution period. Never' forceful or pushing, this highly talented firm of commercial manufacturers continue to regularly turn out the highest grade of model soldiers. Their small range of 25mm and 30mm wargames figures is worthy of attention. the ROSE MINIATURES catalogue costs £ 1.00p and supplements are sent free afterwards. For 25 and 30mm lists only, send a stamped addressed foolseal envelope. The small but pleasing range of wargames scale figures put out by ROSE MINIATURES are worthy of your attention. A new maker of wargames figures whom I have not previously encountered is ROS FIGURES of 93 Wolfington Road, London SE27. They advertise a "Budget" series of 25mm figures consisting of packets of 10 infantry or 4 cavalry for 45p per packet. Their current series includes Roman Infantryman, Asiatic Archer, Roman Cavalry, Cataphract, Greek Successor Phalangite, French Guard Grenadier, French Line Grenadier, French Line Fusilier, British Flank Co. in stove pipe shako, British Battalion Co. in stove pipe shako, Highlander. All figures in advancing positions, fully detailed, precision white metal casting. In addition, ROS FIGURES turn out 1:300 scale micro-armour with a reasonable range of German, U.S., U.S.S.R. and British tanks. One interesting facet is the 79th Armoured Brigade which consists of Churchill Bridgelayer, Churchill Are, Churchill AVRE, Churchill Crocodile, Sherman Flail and Sherman DD. Post and packing you must include: 10p for up to first 10 tanks, then 5p for each group of 10 tanks thereafter. 25mm figures 5p per pack. Overseas airmail: 25p for first 10 tanks, then 20p per group of 10 tanks thereafter, 25mm figures 25p per pack. Still on wargames figures, our old friends MINIATURE FIGURINES of Southampton are, notwithstanding the Christmas break, still assiduously churning out wargames figures, including both completely new additions and many re-styled figures. Among the latter are Napoleonic cavalry with horse furniture to suit the individual regiments. There is general agreement that these re-styled figures represent a vast improvement over their original ranges. The American Civil War and the American War of Independence ranges have been considerably expanded of late and, in keeping with the Bi-Centenary of the American Revolution, they have put out such interesting ranges as Haslets' Delaware Blues; the British 38th Regiment; the Queen's Rangers and Hesse Cassel Regiment. There are new Science Fiction Mythical Earth and Rennaissance figure's also available. Recently discussing Miniature Figurines new ranges, a group of experienced wargamers expressed the opinion that their English Civil War range were perhaps the best wargames figures they had ever encountered. Unfortunately inflation has struck in Southampton as elsewhere and the current prices of MINIATURE FIGURINES models are now foot figures 8p; riders 9p; horses 11p; personality figures 10p. Some years ago when visiting Hull, I had the privilege of meeting Bill Lamming - in fact he and his wife, Peter Gilder and I went out for a Chinese meal together. At that time I remember Bill was working very hard producing wargames figures and his wife was doing the casting - she slaved over a hot stove in every sense of the word! Bill has progressed a long way since those days and from 45 Wenlock Street, Hull HU3 IDA, he turns out ranges of 25mm models in Napoleonic, Mediaeval, Ancient aud Viking periods. His catalogue is 12p and contains much of interest to wargamers. ESCI MODELS OF 1:72 SCALE ARMOUR Imported into Great Britain by Richard Kohnstam Ltd., are the new ESCI models of 1:72 scale armour. The latest are German and include the Pzkpfw 2 Ausf F. 150mm Hummel and the 105mm Wespe. I am told that the models are excellently detailed and that each includes a crew figure (two in the Hummel). A feature of these models is their simple construction which follows a purely diagrammatic construction sheet and the kits come complete with a choice of excellent matt finish decals and on the back of each box there are colour scheme drawings for four variants of each vehicle. With the avowed intention of making the Old West live again, Steve Curtis, Mike Blake and Ian Colwill have turned out their "Genuine and original Old West Skirmish Rules 1816-1900" (available from Skirmish Wargames, Steve Curtis, 13 St Decuman's Road, Watchet TA23 OHR, Somerset, price £ 1.30p including postage in UK. only, $3.25 plus $1.75 airmail to U.S.A. total $5.00). This is not just a set of rules but a fascinating handbook on the Old West reflecting the deep enthusiasm and knowledge of its authors. Fascinating information mingles with practical,hints on conversions and workable rules-that even cover smell! The bibliography is excellent and about the only omission in my opinion is from their list of Western movies which does not include the most realistic of them all THE CULPEPPER CATTLE COMPANY. Nothing I write about these rules can approach the description given on their own hand-out, so here it is. Quaint, ain't it? Along with Skirmish Wargames, when thinking of rules ones mind also justifiably considers THE WARGAMES RESEARCH GROUP (whose advert appears elsewhere in this issue). Like the Skirmish Wargamers Group from Bristol, Bob O'Brien and Phil Barker represent all that is commendable and stimulating about our hobby. Admittedly there are commercial aspects to their industry, nevertheless what they are doing is so good for the hobby and has had such effects-in-depth that they are entitled to every reluctant penny they squeeze out of you mean devils who fight wargames. I say that with a smile flickering on my lips because I do not want to upset anyone - nevertheless, I am afraid that, apart from buying actual wargames figures (and then moaning about their price) wargamers do not exactly throw their money around! Anyway, to get back to the Wargames Research Group - recently they sent me their latest game SEA STRIKE which will be reviewed in these pages shortly. Not being particularly bright at these games and, as so frequently expressed, I am not an amateur reviewer who throws around unauthorised opinions, this review is being done by no less an authority than Keith Robinson of Leicester Micro Models. My 13 year old son and his friend were given the game over Christmas and seemep to have got down to it very well which I suppose has some connection with the famous Marx Brothers joke where Groucho is told that a document is so simple that a three year old child could understand it -- so he asked them to send out for an infant of that age to give him some assistance! Once upon a time, it seems many years ago, I wrote a book called NAVAL WARGAMES which has been re-printed about four times and still sells well. It seems that its publication marked the end of any opportunity I might have had to fight Naval wargames but I have always had a sneaking attraction for them and hope to be invited into somebody elses' set-up at some convenient date. When this occurs I have no doubt that we shall be using, in some form or other, some of the products of NAVWAR PRODUCTIONS LTD of 48 East View, Barnet, Herts EN5 5TN. They turn out naval wargames rules for the Ironclad era 1860-ISSO at 60p and also provide 1:1200 scale American Civil War vessels 20p each. They also have naval wargames rules for the Napoleonic era at 60p and Napoleonic 1:1200 warships for 25p each, which includes an interesting range of British, French and Spanish ships. Of course, one of the glories of naval wargaming is that one can fight even the biggest battles, such as Trafalgar, using exactly the same number of ships as took place in the historic conflict - this is a bit of oneupsmanship even on Individual Skirmish wargaming! If you are Naval wargaming then it is almost certain that you will have noticed the advert of MODEL FIGURES AND HOBBIES of Lower Balloo Road, Groomesport, Co. Down, N. Ireland BTI 921U - the fact that they can still continue in business from that strife-stricken area speaks well for their fortitude and industry! However, Cameron Robinson - an old acquaintance of mine of many years standing, is a most enterprising fellow who carries large stocks of ENSIGN waterline ships in 1:200 scale; their main ships in the same scale together with Triang, Fleeting and Mini-ships has a wide range of 1:200 scale spares. MODEL FIGURES AND HOBBIES are also the British agents for the French firm of SEGOM who turn out a rather interesting line in 25mm plastic Napoleonic wargames figures. Send 6-21p stamp for full listings of these figures. Earlier I wrote on a newly arrived firm selling Micro-armour. In all fairness I must remind you that HEROICS FIGURES of 22 Mowbray Court, Mowbray Road, London SE19 2RL, also has a very fine line of 1:300 scale micro-tanks. Personally, I think their 1:500 micro-people are absolutely fantastic in their definition and appearance for such tiny figures. Adding another dimension to wargaming these quarter-inch high figures are not only cheap at 50p per pack of 50 or more infantry, 20 or more cavalry and 6 guns and crews, but they also come in a wide range. The current list includes World War II German, British, Russian and U.S. Infantry and heavy Infantry weapons packs; French Napoleonic Guard, Line and Voltigeurs, Cuirassiers, Lancers, Line, Chasseurs a Cheval, Guard, and Line Foot Artillery, British Line, Rifles, Highlanders, Dragoons, Scots Greys, Horse and Foot Artillery packs; A.C.W. Federal Infantry and Skirmishers, Confederate Infantry and Skirmishers, Federal and Confederate Cavalry, and Artillery packs; Roman Legion, Light Infantry and Cavalry packs, auxiliary Archers, Greek city Phalanx, Gauls and Elephants; Nato and Warsaw Pact Infantry and heavy Infantry weapons packs. Last month I mentioned a new range of 15mm metal wargames figures in the American Civil War range made by SOLDIER ON MINIATURE MODELS, 11 Cyril Road, Springbourne, Bournemouth, Dorset BH8 SQE. Infantry at 15p per pack of 5; Cavalry at 20p per pack of 3 and Artillery guns and crews at various prices. All well designed and detailed these figures are worthy of attention. Their next range, Napoleonies of the Peninsular War period, will inevitably bring them into competition with other already established designers - to the wargamers benefit. To keep costs down, all SOLDIER ON! figures are supplied untrimmed and, where cleaning is necessary a small knife and needle file will give good results. A new and lively outfit seem to be MINIATURE WARFARE LIMITED (no connection past or present with the now defunct magazine but a fully registered Company directed by G. Erik and G. Butler, at 18B The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. They stock practically everything that the wargamer or military collector requires but more than that they are involving themselves in wargaming activities in the area. Their latest "despatches" says:-"1975 CAMPAIGN will introduce promised series of demonstration/talks on modelling and painting militaria - admission by limited invitation -- details will be posted later. MINIATURE WARFARE TATTOO: On Saturday, 1st March, in association with T.Wells Wargamers Society, we are staging a Miniature Warfare Tattoo in which all Wargames and Model Soldier Societies are invited to participate.Guest of Honour will be Mr. PETER GILDER of Hinchliffe Models, technical consultant for the famous "Callan" film - we hope to present the original Gettysbury layout and armies as featured in the filmattractions will include wargames demonstrations - displays - exhibits - stands featuring militaria modelling and painting competitions - prizes will include a superb "CHARLES STADDEN" Trophy and cash/vouchers. Units and rankers can register for participation NOW - full details released soon." Back to Table of Contents -- Wargamer's Newsletter # 155 To Wargamer's Newsletter List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1975 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