This illustration will be recognised by the knowledgeable as being that of a HISTOREX 54mm model and its inclusion in a magazine primarily dealing with smaller scale wargames figures is entirely due to the fact that I have before me their most impressive catalogue obtainable from Historex Agents, 3 Castle Street, Dover, Kent CT16 1QH, at rl.70p post free. Although, for the purposes of description, it is called a catalogue, this is really a very fine book packed with coloured illustrations of Napoleonic infantry and cavalry plus a host of black-and-white line drawings and containing the fullest information about the composition of units and the dress of the numerous 54mm figures available in this incomparable range. In addition, there are first-class articles such as that on horses by Eugene Leliepvre and Leslie Barlow, which give more information on the colouring of horses than anything I have ever seen.
The same writer has another article on making up dioramas then there is a most valuable contribution "Constructing and Painting Your First Historex Kit" by that well known modeller and painter Caesar Milani. There are many pages of colour, including photographs of dioramas, which go to make this a really notable publication.
It seems a long time since last I received for review any HO/00 scale AIRFIX wargames figures. Perhaps the ready availability of such vast ranges of metal figures has rather tended to diminish our appreciation of these beautifully modelled and inexpensive figures which, not so many years ago, probably started wargaming on its present successful path. The latest from Airfix are a pack of 48 scale pieces of WORLD WAR II U.S. PARATROOPS modelled in a suitable shade of green s that they need a minimum of painting. Every figure is in an action pose, either firing or ready to erupt into violent combat. If I have any criticisms they can only be that I think there should have been a BAR gun somewhere in the kit, because these were extensively used in World War II and Korea at least, the other comment lies in the fact that I am not quite sure who really wants American World We II paratroopers and I feel there are many other types of figures of far more popular military eras that could have been put on the market to much greater advantage. I say this both as a wargamer and as a mercenary holder of stock in the Airfix organisation!
Peter LAING who markets the most comprehensive range of 15mm metal figures, has been working har again and his full range now approaches 500 individual figures. He has bowed to popular requests and brought out a modest introduction of Napoleonics which includes British infantry in Belgic shako in various positions and others wearing stove-pipe shako similarly action-posed; then there are French Line infantry and Imperial Guard; Prussian infantry; Personality figures of Wellington and Napoleon plus British Household Cavalry. The range includes officers, drummers, standard bearers, etc., and would seem to be a reasonably comprehensive introduction to this period.
At the same time Peter has put out additions to his Ancients range including Egyptians, Hittites, Assyrians including chariots an a Peleset ox chariot. Then there are "LINK" items suitable for use with 100 and 300 series of the Seven Years War etc., including Austro-Hungarian Foot and Cavalry, Pandour Cavalry, etc.; Dragoons, both mounted and dismounted of the English Civil War and some more Colonials including a Maxim gunner Indian gunners and British and Indian muleteer with pack mules and a mule carrying gun wheels. Also a field guide, a priest with a cross, and unarmoured axemen with kite shields. Peter has a wholesome horror of "over-reaching" himself by making his range so vast that he is unable, single-handed, to adequately cope with despatch - at the moment he proudly claims that usually he can return an order o the day he receives it. Referring back to the number of figures that Peter can now offer - his lates output consists of over 60 figures and now his Ancients range now consists of well over 100 items.
From R.D.Pengel of 70 Balden Road, Harborne, Birmingham 32, I have received a pamphlet written b himself and G.R.Hurt entitled FLAGS OF THE FRENCH INFANTRY DURING THE SEVEN YEARS WAR - Part A. With the pamphlet came-m letter - "My colleague and I have produced this pamphlet over the last few months I have felt the need to try and use some of the information I-have collated over the years and give the younger enthusiasts a fairly authentic picture of the French flags of this period. There will be mistakes and inaccuracies but as you will possibly agree this is inevitable with the passage of time and the difficulty in obtaining first hand information. At the same time I have contemporary information in my possession and have drawn on this extensively. It is not really a commercial enterprise. As you can readily imagine that at the price we are attempting to sell it, our outlay will hardly be covered but we are trying to get directly to the organisations and societies who cater for youngsters who can use our information. We would obviously prefer bulk orders as these cut down the present high rate of postal charges."
Mr. Pengel is a Member of the British Model Soldier Society and of the Fren Society Sabretache and he is obviously not going to make a fortune at 30p including postage. If this venture is adequately supported, Mr. Pengel and his associates are going to produce many such pamphlets which will have information in depth from authentic sources. They intend to cover the Prussian Army Flags next and then a detailed description of French uniforms of the period. Well, I have closely studied this booklet and, if this is your period, then it is literally priceless!
If I had only seen it at the time when I was building up my armies of the period it would have saved me a lot of work! I contains a breakdown of grades of regiments into (a) Royal regiments; (b) Regiments of the Princes; (c) Regiments raised by noblemen; (d) Provincial regiments and (e) Special regiments; General information on the flags themselves plus pages of black-and-white illustrations of them. There is also an appendix which gives details of the change of names of various regiments and those disbanded. This an immensely colourful period in which to wargame and has many aspects which make it ideal for table-top G 1 battles. With regiments accurately equipped with the colours they historically carried, then even more colour comes onto the scene. This enterprise deserves everyone's support.
A couple of years ago when I went to Spain with the Military Historical Society, a friendly and lively member of the party was Clifford Mansfield who came along with Frank Hinchliffe. Cliff revealed immense enthusiasm and knowledge of military matters and it is no surprise to find that he has now one into business under the title of MILITARIA ANTIQUES at 4 Spring Avenue, Hyde, Cheshire, with a Mitaria Shop at 225 Market Street, Hyde, Cheshire. Cliff had a stand at the recent Northern Militaire 75 in Manchester where many goodies were displayed, among them was a very appealing 54mm figure of a ritish infantryman of the late Victorian period, wearing a pickelhaube helmet and Slade-Wallace equipent. Although I do not collect figures in this scale, I cannot resist anything to do with my beloved ictorian Army so I rapidly cast around in my mind for somebody who could paint the model for me and, ettling on just the man, I ordered one of these models which arrived the other day. Most impressive, his and the other figures in the range are exclusive to MILITARIA ANTIQUES and are the work of Peter rmstrong, being the first of a series of specialist figures which will be produced in limited numbers ver the next 12 months. The next figure is a 54mm mounted Hussar of the 1900 period. Price of inantry 1.30p plus 10% postage and packing. Have a look at this range - you will not be disappointed!
From Kenneth Clark of the Aberdeen Wargames Club (138 Walker Road, Aberdeen, Scotland,) I have received a booklet "ABDN WARGAMES RULES" which cover the Napoleonic period and seem to be sufficiently irief and concise to give an enjoyable game. Their compilers say that they have played a large number if games with the various editions, especially re-fights of specific historical situations to see if ;hey gave the same result. They found the book "Firepower" by General Hughes to be very valuable inteed in this connection. The rules primarily came into existence because Mr. Clark and his associates ;fired of the manner in which sets of rules are becoming lengthier and more complicated causing the tames to take too long. So they have gone back to simple rules but accurate rules and they are of the ipinion that in this set they have not done badly.
At 17p including postage they are not going to make my profit, in fact they may well make a loss but all they want to do is for people to use them, to Like them and to help them develop further sets. They want to avoid a situation that too many rule takers become involved in - for every new situation brought to their attention they devise a new rule ;o that, in the end, they have a massive tome as a rule book. Their approach was not to start at the )eginning and hope that, by addition, they would get accuracy, but to take each situation individually find by whatever means they could end up with a correct result - with suitable opportunities for the inexpected happenings. Mr. Clark tells me that he has drawn up in map form all the re-fights they did so that by looking at the map anyone could set them out - they have done Quatre Bras, Bautzen, Salamanca, Talavera, Vittoria and are about to try Leipzig. I have not personally played to these rules but they certainly seem to be easy to understand and - how can you go wrong at 17p including postage?
At the Northern Militaire '75 in Manchester recently I renewed my long-standing acquaintance with that amiable character Bill Lamming who, in company with other "smaller" manufacturers, turns out figures with a distinct style and personality of their own so that his colourful stand displayed an interesting range of figures - painted for display purposes. Particularly, I was attracted to his range of 25mm Normans and Saxons of the 1066 period - surely one of the most neglected eras in wargaming? I have now had the opportunity of studying this range more closely and can thoroughly recommend these interesting figures if you wish to go into a new period. Those I saw included Saxon Fyrdman; Saxon Huscarl; open hands to take - shields: Norman Teardrop, Round Cone, Oval; Saxon Age, Spears, etc; Norman Light Archer and Heavy archer Chain Mail; Norman Knight - Open hand sword or spear - underarm; Norman Knight - Open hand - Sword or spear - overarm and Norman Knight - crouched lance. Other recent additions to the LAMMING range include Lady in Waiting; Princess; Serf; Wizard; Light Archer; Foot Knight - charging - open hands for various weapons; Light Footman; Mounted Footman Light Archer/spearman, open hands for weapons; Viking Ulfhednar (Wolfman) with double handed axe or spear; Sassanid Foot Archer and Slinger and Egyptian Foot - open hands for various weapons. Another pleasing new item are the little 1:3000 scale model galleons selling at the ridiculous price of 5 for 25p. Painted up, I thought these looked most attractive and the Naval wargamer could so easily acquire enough ships for a very reasonable battle at low cost. Naval wargaming is flourishing these days and, in addition to suggested rules in my own book NAVAL WARGAMES (obtainable through this magazine) there are professionally produced sets on the market. Oh oh, what naval games in all periods I would have if only I had the time!
PHOENIX MODEL DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED have put out a new line of 30mm figures at 25p each - they are all in marching position and represent the Services of today. At present the range includes Guards Brigade; Royal Marines; general Line Regiments; Parachute Regiment; Royal Navy; and musicians such as the Household Cavalry mounted trumpeter and Irish Guards piper, etc.
GREENWOOD AND BALL have put out some new GARRISON 25mm wargames figures - Gallic troops as Carthaginian mercenaries or as part of a Gallic National Army. The range includes warrior, chief, standard bearer, warrior with sword, light archer, a mounted Gallic chief and warrior.
HINCHLIFFE MODELS LIMITED have some new Napoleonics and American War of Independence figures - details in their advertisement in this issue. Similarly, cast a look at the new listing of figures for the Wars of the Roses 1450-85 as detailed in the MINIATURE FIGURINES advertisement in this issue. I have seen (and reviewed) some of these figures and found them most exciting - the trouble with getting a selection of figures for a range for review purposes is that it always excites me into wanting to build up an army of those particular figures!
I have read of, but not seen, a new range of 25mm wargames figures for the American War of Independence period. Made by GRENADIER FIGURES, 118 Lynbrooke Road, Springfield, Penn. U.S.A. 19064, the range is said to cover more than 200 figures including Americans, British, French and Hessians, with foot, cavalry and artillery well represented. The same firm also sells figures for the English Civil War and Ancient periods and a range for Western Gun Fight Individual Skirmish wargaming. A list is available from Grenadier Figures - send along 25p worth International postal reply coupons.
From Ted SUREN of 60 Lower Sloane Street, London SW1W 8BP, come some additions to the "WILLIE" range of 30mm pewter figures - from the American War of Independence. The range includes two females of the period, and two male civilians; British Light Dragoons; Tarleton's Legion; officers, N.C.O's and men of a Battalion Company in various action positions with similarly posed Grenadiers. Undercoated ready for painting they sell at 50p for foot figures and £1.25p for cavalry.
Back to MINIATURE FIGURINES who are now turning out some new 15mm scale accessories, the first being a two-span bridge in 12 moulded pieces measuring 175mm x 35mm which put together.
From NEW HOPE DESIGN come the latest G.H.Q. packs of 1:285 scale Micro Armour vehicles - G.M.C. 2.5 ton truck and Dodge 1.5 ton truck at 75p per pack including VAT. Although not strictly for wargaming, worthy of consideration are the new 54mm Coldstream Guards figures of the 1895 period sculpte by Roger Saunders include officers in Undress Order, Regimental Sergeant-Major, an Orderly Sergeant in Drill Order, and an Officer's lady - they retail at £1.51p including VAT and are high quality figures From the same firm comes a Roman Auxiliary Cavalryman of the 2nd century A.D. by Malcolm Dawson retailing at £3.13p including VAT; the figure is complete with full accoutrements including skin cloak, spear, saddle bage and shield.
HARROW MODEL SHOP (31 St. Ann's Road, Harrow, Middlesex) who frequently support this magazine with advertising, list an interesting range of JACKLEX 20mm wargames figures. I have never seen any of these figures so cannot comment upon their quality but their unusual range intrigues me, particularly as it is so much in keeping with my own wargaming interests. Their latest list includes some fine native warriors for the Sudan Campaign; Gatling Guns and crew; mule gun teams; field guns and limbers Naval Brigade; Colonial period 1890-1900 British Army; Indian Army Regular; British Army for the Zulu War and some suitable opponents; Indian Frontier Tribesmen; Russian Army 1900 and First World War - i they are 'true' 20mm then the wargamer would probably have to restrict his collection entirely to this range but if they match in with existing scales then this selection must truly answer many problems!
From Edward Pauley of 10 St. James Court, Springfield, Ill. 62703, U.S.A., I have received a set of his new American Civil War Miniature Warfare Rules THE BLUE-LIGHT MANUAL. These rules are availab from Mr. Pauley at $6.00 per copy (including postage) and International Money Orders will be accepted. In all fairness I must say that I have not played to these rules but have closely studied every one of the 77 pages which forms the set and they seem extremely thorough. The rules include much informa tion on the organisation and structure of forces from regiment up to Corps and Army together with a section on historical additions such as cavalry raiders, etc. These rules are geared-up to the American method of "Command Stands" with one figure representing 30 men. Seemingly, they cover most eventualities - rather too thoroughly for me I'm afraid as I am well known for being a "set of rules on a postcard" type of wargamer! But for games amongst people who tend to argue, I imagine that most problems can be solved by reference to these very detailed and well conceived rules.
In the September issue of WARGAMER'S NEWSLETTER I briefly mentioned a new boardgame KINGMAKER obtainable at most good toy shops or from Philmar Limited, 47/53 Dace Road, Old Ford, London E32 MG. At that time I had not had the opportunity of play-testing the game and I felt it desirous to obtain the opinion of someone I knew to be relatively expert and experienced in fighting this type of wargame. Such a man is John Lawler of Southampton whose review has just reached me and which I produce here without alteration -
- "Kingmaker is a board game based on the 15th century struggle for the English Crown known as "Th Wars of the Roses". Between 2 and 12 players may participate (more than 12 may play but it becomes crowded) each player controlling factions of Nobles attempting to crown a member of the Houses of York or Lancaster and eliminate all other claimants to the throne.
At the start of the game players are dealt with cards representing Nobles, Titles, Office, Mercenaries, Towns, Bishoprics and Ships. Nobles personal resources vary and may be increased by allocating the other cards to them, e.g. Lord Scrope with 10 Troops could become, say, Earl of Westmoreland (40 Troops) and Marshall of England (100 Troops). However, rank brings responsibility and the more important a Noble is the more likely he is to be summoned away by a chance card to quell revolting peasants fight the Scots, French or Welsh, or counter Pirates, usually causing embarrasment to the player owning him. Town walls are no guarantee of safety either, as apart from the risk of being besieged all walled towns except Calais are liable to attacks of plague (chance cards). Battles are decided by chance card giving the names of Nobles killed (if present) and. the odds the stronger force needs for total victory. The losers are stripped of the assets and may be beheaded if the winner desires it.
Offices and titles of deceased Nobles are held 'in chancery' and may be re-allocated if a player holding the only King calls a parliament (I remember a parliament at Chester which every Noble on the board attended - the breakdown of the municipal sanitary arrangements resulting in a devastating plague).
Kingmaker does not lend itself to such fine analysis as Diplomacy, there is no set opening and players must exploit what chance throws up. Trading of assets and lives becomes common, less frequen are major alliances between players. The game is attractively presented and although the original rules lacked clarity the set now included are well-defined and include useful reference data and even examples of play. Finally, a warning: like wargaming, Kingmaker is addictive."
Now and then I refer to those beautifully produced books published by BOOKS OF RHODESIA Publishing Company (PVT) Ltd., 137A Rhodes Street (14-15th Aves), PO Box 1994, Bulawayo, Rhodesia. In a recent letter referring to my review of their book SCOUTING ON TWO CONTINENTS, the editor says -
- "Towards the end of your review you refer to the possible difficulties of commerical exchanges between the United Kingdom and Rhodesia which prompts me to draw your attention to the fact that all our Rhodesian books may be ordered through our subsidiary Company in South Africa, Africana Book Society (Pty.) Ltd., PO Box 1071, Johannesburg. This applies to all the titles listed in our catalogues. You may wish to draw your readers' attention to the fact that these may easily be obtained through South Africa as I feel that many may have been inhibited at the thought of having to send to Rhodesia for the books."
Back to Table of Contents -- Wargamer's Newsletter # 167
To Wargamer's Newsletter List of Issues
To MagWeb Master Magazine List
© Copyright 1976 by Donald Featherstone.
This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web.
Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com