Claimed by AIRFIX, its makers to be a new approach to dioramas, this Forward Command Post presents an authentic wargame setting in kit form, as opposed to the conventional clip-together pack. Many of the accompanying accessories are not fixtures so that they can be used in other wargames setting and, although typical of many Northern European buildings found during World War II, this terrain-piece will serve equally well for World War I or, with tank tracks, etc., obliterated, could be used for many periods even back as far as Napoleonic. Moulded in khaki colour plastic, the kit contains 79 fully detailed parts that make up into a shell-torn house with falling roof tiles and crumbling walls. The pre-formed base has finely moulded raised characteristics that provide an interesting foundation for construction. The kit parts cover a wide variety of articles that includes ammunition boxes, coils of barbed wire, corrugated sheets, jerry cans and cable reels, sign boards, pick-axes, shovels, rifles, bicycles, log barriers and a motor bike. In addition are three figures in British Army gear which provide the modeller with the beginnings of a military contingent that can be developed by using the HO/00 figures and tanks in the Airfix range. At 79P the Airfix Forward Command Post is good value for the money because it not only provides a very realistic and useful piece of wargames terrain but it is also more interesting kit for the modeller to build. Also new from Airfix are two 1:35 scale model construction kits which would seem from the parts and diagrams to be likely to make up into very realistic vehicles that could be used by the Individual Skirmish wargamer for his activities. The first is the Dodge M6 36mm anti-tank gun carriage. This is one of the best known and widely used American light trucks of World War 11 and on its chassis were fitted numerous bodies for a variety of tasks. The 37mm anti-tank gun carriage, known as the M6, was the only armoured vehicle in the range and saw service with American forces in Europe between 1944 and 1945. Then there is the Dodge Command Car, one of the best known American light trucks of World War II, this 3 ton four-wheel drive had numerous bodies suitable for a variety of tasks fitted to its chassis and a tribute to the vehicle's reliability was that it remained in American service until the Korean War in the 1950s. Unfortunately never as fashionable as they deserve but the mainstay of many wargamer's armies when there were only a few of us and figures were difficult to come by are the Spencer-Smith 30mm plastic figures. A recent sincere word of praise for them came from R.D.Pengel Mrrently writing some fine articles on 18th Century Armies for the Newsletter) when he said in a letter "I very much agree with the sentiments you express about Spencer-Smith's miniatures. I think they are first class in this period and very cheap for the younger enthusiast who cannot afford the more expensive metal figures." Large enough to be easily painted, cheap enough to be converted without worrying about wastage, and including some very fine figures that truly catch the spirit of the period (particularly Seven Years War, American War of Independence and American Civil War ranges) these are fine figures and the latest American War of Independence range that Ronald is producing are well designed and moulded in a fine hard white plastic which, unlike Airfix plastic, can be glued and carved without tending to become furry. At the price of about 40 for £ 1 how can one go wrong? In a much smaller scale but equally praiseworthy and certainly by far the most complete Colonii range for my favourite war - that in the Sudan in 1882 to 1898, are the JACKLEX models sold by the Model Shop, 29/31 St. Ann's Road, Harrow, Middlesex. I have just received samples of their latest camel men for this war - an Egyptian officer and other rank plus three Baggara rifleman, swordsman and standard bearer. The extensive range of figures available for the Mahdhi's army makes them by far the most complete of all Colonial opponents and anyone thinking of taking up Colonial warfare for the first time should certainly consider this range (and the 15mm figures put out by Peter Laing. The camels are beautifully designed and I imagine that, when painted up, they will look great. The JACKLEX range is in the true 20mm scale so that they do not really fit in with any other Colonial range in a different scale - although men and animals are NOT the same size and with a little licen( it is possible to mix them. Only yesterday I saw a picture in Cassell's "History of the Boer War" (a set of pictorial volumes published at the turn of the century) depicting a British mounted troops and an Indian rider on a very small pony - and that was real life! It rather looked like mixing 20mm with 35mm but then I remember being a little dismayed when I first saw Ted Suren's "Willie" range of Gurkhas because they seemed to be out of scale until I realised that the typical Gurkha, although of the world's finest fighters, is a small man and to design him at the same size as the British infantryman would be grossly inaccurate. Reverting back to this new exciting JACKLEX range - these figures sell at 35p each for rider, camel, saddle, weapon and reins. Bob O'Brien of WARGAMES RESEARCH GROUP mentions that it is quite likely that by the time this is in print a set of rules by George Gush for the period 1480 to 1660 will be available. This will be in their usual format with the ready reference sheets as before and an added bonus in the form of 4 pages of classifications of troop types for practically everybody who was anybody in that period. Provisional price, including postage in U.K. is £ 1.30p.; U.S.A. including surface mail $3.00, air mail $5.00. George Gush probably knows as much about the Pike and Shot wargame as anybody in the business and his armies are always a colourful delight. George has done a great deal for the hobby and is always willing to help younger and less experienced wargamers so that he deserves every little bit of support that he can be given. Bob O'Brien also tells me that they hope shortly to have some news of Ian Heath's "ARMIES OF THE DARK AGES" before long. In this issue for the first time you will find an advert placed by SIMULATIONS PUBLICATIONS UK undoubtedly the leading organisation in this country for the vastly popular board wargames. Devotees of those games will be interested to know that Simulations Publications have a special pre-print run offer of any of the following three games for as little as £ 1.99p (usual price £ 3.99P). The games in question are SEELOWE; NORMAXTDY; and SINAI. The first covers the German invasion of Britain 1940 and includes three German invasion plans, paratroops and air forces, Home Guards, Partisans and weather factors. NORMANDY, as the name implies, deals with the Allied invasion of the 6th June 1944 and includes details of Regimental combat D-day to D + 6, six German Orders of Battle and provisions for naval gunfire whilst SINAI covers the Arab-Israeli Wars of 1956, 1967 and 1973 and provides scenarios for the three major conflicts plus hypothetical mid-1970's scenarios, US/Soviet intervention rules, airstrikes, paradrops, SAM missiles and airmobile operations. It is possible that the deadline for this offer may have been passed by the time you receive your Newsletter but, if you mention that you read about it within these pages it is possible that you may be granted some form of advantageous dispensation! In the latest SIMULATIONS PUBLICATIONS list are over 100 titles covering every period of history from 3000 BC to the far future. There are different types of games - Simulations Series Games, Quadri Games and Folio Series Games. Simulations Series Games and Quadri Games are attractively packaged using a specially designed compartmented plastic try (these games are also available at a lower price without packaging). The physical components of all games are generally similar, consisting of a playing map printed on cardstock or heavy paper (usually 22" x 35"); 100/400 die-cut cardboard playing pieces and complete rules. The low-priced Folio Series Games are handsomely packaged in an illustrated 9" x 12" glossy foldier with an interior pocket to hold components; they have 17" x 22" maps and 100 counters. Most of the Folio Games may also be had as a part of a Quadri Game - a set of four related Folios packaged in a single plastic box. The full list includes games of the contemporary era; games of World War II; Games of World War I; 19th Century games; Pre-19th century games; plus all types of game design equipment and also boxed games by other makers. If you are a board game addict, then you will already know SIMULATIONS PUBLICATIONS - if you are not and are firmly wedded to miniature figures, still have a look at these board games because they enable you to become involved in authentic period conflicts at levels different and often impossible with scaled down miniature armies on table-top terrains. Strangely coincidental with the currently running Bi-centennial celebrations in America are some recently advertised games, rules, etc covering the American War of Independence. Published by the American wargames magazine The Courier (45 Willow Street, Brockton, Mass. 02401, U.S.A.) at $2.00 is a set of rules THE WHITES OF THEIR EYES - Wargaming in the War of the American Revolution by Steve Haller (well known to readers of this magazine is a true fan of this period). these rules seem to be promising in that they only occupy six small pages of print and because they are written by a man who knows this period and its participants as well as anyone in wargaming. I have not played to these rules but I should imagine that they might not be unfamiliar because, in his foreword, Steve acknowledges ".... the influence and ideas of several other wargamers over the past few years - Don Featherstone, Jack Scruby, Charles Grant, Joseph Morschauser, Tony Bath and Dick Bryant". A quick glance through them does not reveal anything particularly complicated, off-beat or other than relative basic common-sense - which is a change for rules these days. Then, I am invited to discover the newest concept in wargaming!" as the EMPIRE COMPANIES present REDCOAT The Bicentennial Wargame. Their well produced red, white and blue booklet tells me that this game combines the arts of strategy, tactics and administrative know how during the American Revolutionary War, that it is a campaign game where armies and fleets are manoeuvred across a 17" x 22" map of the North American Colonies and surrounding areas. There are historically authentic rosters and strengths of all participants and include land and sea movement, reinforcements, winter attrition, sieges and logistics as an integral part of "Redcoatts Campaign Game" which is also accompanied by " .... a narrative rules booklet written by veteran game designer Scott C.Berschig." It is also claimed that REDCOAT is a miniatures game and that once you have manoeuvred your forces into battle by use of the campaign game the Miniatures Game rules book takes over and traditional miniatures can be used - this set of rules is written by Scotty Bowden. Then it is claimed that REDCOAT is a reference work, that the wealth of historical information found in its Campaign and Miniatures Game is further enhanced by Redcoat's Historical Analysis volume which includes painting guides, illustrations of unit organisation, designers' playing tips and hints at proper strategy and tactics. This game can be obtained from THE EMPIRE COMPANIES, P.O.Box 5462, Arlington, Tx- 76011, U.S.A. at $11-95 Plus $1.00 postage. Finally from MILGAMEX, Box 133, Wayland, Mass. 01778, U.S.A., can be obtained THE WAR IN THE AMERICAS - tactical wargame rules for battles of the American Revolutionary War and era by Mike Peirce and Arnold Hendrick ($5.50). I quote completely from the leaflet: "Here is one of those rare games with careful attention to scale. Each player is a brigadier general, each turn about 15 minutes of battle, each figure represents 20 historical men, each tabletop inch is 10 yards. The game is designed for 20-30mm or 9-15mm figures. The game uses a four-phase playing procedure to represent command time lag, and to help show very specific tactical aspects, including troops temporarily recoiling, reloading, etc. You write orders once every four bases, though each phase is a miniature turn, with movement, firing, melee and morale. You have some flexibility in each phase, so that different players can pursue a cautious or bold playing style. Order writing is strictly defined, as are formations. Movement is simultaneous within each phase, with a special procedure for closing to melee. A system of firing factors represents different weapons, ranges, terrain and target situations, without becoming too complex. A similar system is used in melee, and in morale. In fact, of all elements, morale is probably the most vital in the game. There are several different types (clearly shown on the summary sheet for easy reference). Morale results have a wide range of effects, from a single phase reverse to a full scale rout. Morale levels for units can go up or (mostly) down during the game, showing how well a unit can stay in combat (regulars hold up must better than militia, needless to say). Despite these novelties, the game is really very traditional. It is designed in a vein that will make it almost an "old friend" to a gamer acquainted with the "musket era". Napoleonic gamers may have an especially easy time adjusting. Included in the 48 page (8 1/2 x 11") rule booklet is a fold-out 11" x 17" summary sheet of charts and tables, three different groups of optional rules, including special weapons such as the Ferguson Rifle or Coehorn Mortar (an 18th Century grenade thrower), strategic off-battlefield movement, long range artillery support, nav4 support, amphibious movement and operations, and more. There are also extensive rules describing in detail the elements of 18th Century fortifications in wargame terms. Many of the important campaign in the war were really siege operations, such as Savannah (1779), Charleston (178O), and Yorktown (1781). In total, the rules run over 40,000 words, about 80 type-written pages. The book is professionally typeset, allowing us to fit much more per page. Fortunately, you don't have to learn it all to play the game! The factor system for firing, melee and morale gives the game great historical flexibility. Although we include a basic troop capabilities list, the vast detail possible is only fully exploited in the Guide to Troops. Furthermore, if you have different opinions, you can revise a unit's factors without otherwise disturbing the design or balance of the game. After all, the character of the American Revolutionary War was so diverse that many interpretations are possible. Whether you use rules like the written law, or prefer to make modifications, The War In The Americas can suite easily. In a sense, you can have your cake and eat it too!" From the same source can be obtained GUIDE TO TROOPS - Regimental Wargame Organisation for the American Revolutionary War by the same authors, Mike Peirce and Arnold Hendrick at $3.95 - a companion volume to WAR IN THE AMERICAS, that gives every detail on unit organisation in twenty separate listings in chronological order, etc., etc. Wargame specifications are given for each troop type and change from year to year as armies evolved. This book should be a very useful. guide - although I fear not many wargamers seem to be interested in this fascinating period which is tailor-made for table-top battles. MILGAMEX also have some Ancient Warfare rules - wargames rules for Ancient and Medieval battles at $3.95 and SWORD AND SPEAR - Wargame rules for individual combat before gunpowder at the same price. The first set of rules are suitable for 9-30mm scale figures while the second set are not only ideal tactical rules for fantasy campaigns but also suitable for 20-54mm scale figures. Earlier I mentioned JACKLEX models from the Model Shop, Harrow - now I hear that they are working on the British Army General Service Wagon which should fill a very empty space in most wargamerl collection. I presume it will be in their usual 20mm scale which I find unfortunate because for years I have been trying to persuade our manufacturers to turn out a British G.S. wagon in 30mm seal so that my Colonial armies are better served than by the scratch-built models at present trundling along behind them. The many wargamers whose tastes have wandered towards fantasy will be delighted to hear that it is now possible to obtain wargames figures from the McEv%h Miniatures Fantasy and Science Fiction ranges from Wargame Publications Scotland Ltd., St. Georges Buildings, 5 St. Vincents Place, Glasgow GI 2DH. Ranging from Gogroth, a two-headed giant who is 66mm high, there is a red dragon and a web-footed Everett. In the Science Fiction range there is a Thog, a grav-sled (a sort of flying platform) and a selection of 25mm figures from the Starguard, Eli, Dreenoi, Ralnai and Krell Robot ranges. Included with the figures are a variety of weapons, jet-packs and other items dear to the hearts of Science Fiction wargamers. The complete MeEwan catalogue can be obtained from the above address for 25p. From R.D.Pengel and G.R.Hurt of 70 Balden Road, Harborne, Birmingham B32 2EW, I have received their third booklet on the Armies of the Seven Years War - this time it is an illustrated survey of Russian Infantry Flags. Probably with complete justification the authors claim to be bringing out "first" in this country as they cannot find any written information on this subject published either in this country or abroad. Personally speaking I am lost in admiration for these beautifully produced booklets selling at such a low cost and the mind boggles at the vast out-pouring of authoritative information contained in a few pages. Every Russian Regiment of the period is represented by name, with Battle Honours and with the flags of their regiments illustrated in impeccable manner with colours described in the text. Messrs Pengel and Hurt intend to bring the second booklet on French Infantry Flags of the foreign regiments and they will be delighted to hear from any wargamers as to specific areas of the Seven Years War they would like them to cover. If you are under 16, write and tell them because they will probably make price concessions for you - and you cannot get fairer than that, can you? This group are another commercial enterprise and, besides having full-time occupations, work terribly hard in producing these books in a manner that truly exemplifies the reaspirit of wargaming that at times one cynically wonders if --- is still in existence. The latest MATCHBOX plastic kits of 1:72 scale aircraft are PK-405, North American B 25 Mitchell Bomber of World War II fame (with three sets of decals and choice of three full paint plans for the more experienced modeller) at 95p and the PK-115 Messerschmitt BF 110 twin engined fighter bomber, with two alternative sets of decals and paint plans at 60p. Both are moulded in three colours. All parts are clearly numbered for easy assembly and the comprehensive step-by-step instruction leaflet also contains useful modelling tips. Back to Table of Contents -- Wargamer's Newsletter # 173 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