The pleasing figures depicted here are a set of
40mm half-round Prussian and Bavarian 1900-1914
infantry figures cast in a lead/solder alloy by
serving soldier Greg McCauley of LAD REME, Echelon 2
LI, BFPO 801. If they take your fancy then he can
supply them but he would prefer it on a swop basis. He
must have got hold of some of the metal moulds which
were floating around when I was a boy because I
distinctly remember getting hold of the two far
figures, one standing and one kneeling, on either side
of the photograph some 40 years ago a there was a time
when one could buy these moulds from advertisers in
boys magazines and such journal as EXCHANGE AND MART.
On rare occasions I managed to buy such a mould but
rarely got much out of it except burned fingers
although I am sure the knack is not hard to acquire
and has something to do with coating the impressions
in the mould with smoke from a candle flame before
casting. A year or so back there was reviewed in these
pages a similar kit of moulds with casting metal and
ladle imported from Sweden and I believe quite a
number of wargamers cast large armies of their own -
if only they had been in 20 or 25mm scale how much
more popular they would have been!
On some of my forays into the Continent I have purchased and later described in the Newsletter boxes of 20mm plastic figures (not unlike those produced by Airfix) under the trade name of ATLANTIC made in Italy but also sold in many toy shops throughout France. The range was described at some length in these pages by Italian wargamers who kindly wrote in and gave details and at the same time mentioned that these figures could also be obtained in 54mm and that the range included many Wild We figures. Suddenly I find that they are readily available in this country and during the past couple weeks have seen them on sale in large numbers, in each case in a news agents with a small toy counter together with boxes of Italian made plastic kits of tanks, guns, etc.
This afternoon I saw large numbers of smaller boxes at 20p a box of 20mm figures of Custer's Last Stand, Sioux Indian camps and bison hunts, German Panzer Grenadiers, American rangers and British "Royal Fusiliers" of World War II and numerous other ranges. These figures are not as good as Airfix but are very capable of conversion and at the price who could bother about mistakes? They provide a new range of figures - both i wargames scale and suitable for the Individual wargamer (particularly he who wants some new Wild Wes style figures) and when painted up and suitably mounted should look quite pleasing. If they are not turning out Napoleonies and Ancients then they want their brains examined -- if they are then they ma well be worth seeing and I shall keep my eyes open for them. Just in case they are not in the newsagents in the side streets of your district then you can obtain them
from a newsagent/post office at the top end of Lymington in Hampshire and at a newsagents opposite the Eye
Hospital in Bedford Place in Southampton.
As a shareholder in Airfix I am regularly sent their well produced coloured AIRFIX NEWS which deals with all their latest products and contains some excellent photographs of various executives o the company including John Gray who is well known to many wargamers if only because they have argued with him about what Airfix should turn out! Sifting through its details of model railways, children prams, basins, shoes and other plastic items dear to the heart of the shareholder, I notice that the claim to now be producing nearly 500 Airfix kits with over 30 new additions this year which include some of interest to wargamers and military collectors - new 8th Army and Afrika Korps figures and Bengal Lancers! The new range of trains includes a Wild West Adventure train set which incorporates action features that introduce more human involvement and excitement other than watching the train around the track. This particular kit allows for train hold-ups, exploding bullion wagons, etc. -- might be very suitable for the Individual wargamer! I also notice that there is to be a new Airfi "Multi-pose" figure sets of Desert Rats and Afrika Korps containing 100 parts to enable models to be made in a variety of positions as each set contains a variety of torsos, limbs, heads and weapons. Obviously these are 54mm figures but they may well fit in to some of our plans.
This month the book page is rather full so, as these are advance notes and not reviews, I would like to take the opportunity of referring to two new books to be published this Autumn by G.Bell and Sons Ltd., both of which could be of the greatest interest to the wargamer. First we have Peter You and W.Emberton who have selected a carefully chosen variety of "SIEGES OF THE GREAT CIVIL WAR" to be published in November at approximately £ 7.50p. Then there is an exciting sounding book by Philip Warner (author of "Sieges of the Middle Ages") MAKING MODEL FORTS AND CASTLES. This is claimed to be a simple instructional model building book in essence, explaining the reasons for the development of various styles of fortification and examining in particular the Roman fort and camp, the mediaeval motte and bailey castle, Harlech castle and the North American settlers' forts. Illustrated detail are provided for the construction of models of each of these. No price is announced for this book but it certainly sounds as though it might be right up our street. Further details later when I hop to review it in these pages.
In the October MUST LIST I mentioned a new set of Wargames rules for "Tolkien's Middle Earth an the Great War of the Ring" devised by N.M. Faulkner of Engelburg, 57 High Street, Pembury, Kent, selling at 25p. I passed these over to my son and his cronies for user-testing. Unfortunately, as is the custom in youthful wargaming circles, Middle Earth wargaming has gone off the boil at the moment and Napoleonic is all the rage so apparently they have had no opportunity of actually playtesting these rules. However, my son has gone carefully through them and gives the opinion that the seem to be relatively uncomplicated so as to form a suitable basic set for the wargamer becoming interested in this period that does not wish to be put off initially by anything that is too intricate or requires a lot of brain bashing. If I have offended their devisor Mr. Faulkner by saying this th I can plead in mitigation that I am all for simple rules and, in my eyes, that gives them a head start.
It was early in the year that I heard self-satisfied whispers from Peter Gilder about the HINCHLIFFE MODELS forthcoming range of Russian Napoleonic artillery and crews and I too felt a little smug as I was aware that the guns were based (with permission) on an excellent illustrated article published in WARGAMER'S NEWSLETTER a year or so ago. At last these figures and equipment have appear before me and I think that there are few of us who would disagree that the five Horse artillerymen in crested helmets will be a most colourful addition to our wargames armies. The other offerings in the Russian Napoleonic range are a musketeer and musketeer officer in greatcoat and shako and two Moscow militia, one with a pike - the latter are very colourful bearded figures and, as I believe they are unique in that no one else produces them, might well start a rush for colourful if low quality militia units! There are a pair of beautiful Russian Ulans - again I am told that no one else puts this particular type of Russian cavalry out. - if I am wrong then I shall expect heated letters from Neville Dickinson and others! Purposely I have left to last that HINCHLIFFE speciality the artillery equipment and I must confess that I am reviewing it. without ' having made them up but it is quite evident from the beautifully detailed pieces that when completed all are painted, a clever photographer with a suitable background could fool its into believing they were the real large-as-life item. There are three of titles - a 6pdr gun, a limber and a 10pdr Licorne (howitzer).
Also there is all American War of Independence 3pdr Galloper Gun which can be purchased separately for 54p or part of a group with the horse to pull it, a horse and rider and all attendant. The horse and rider are superb and the designer has really caught the feeling of the man, slightly tired, and sitting in rather than on his horse. The guns look as good as one always expects from Hinchliffe.
Dave Jarvis is the new designer producing figures for HINCHLIFFE MODELS and in front of me are his first two offerings: 90mm figure of Young Guard Tirailleur Grenadier and on officer of the 9th Lancers 1820. For some reason it was thought necessary to put on the bottom of the list that "These figuros represent his first efforts, therefore at these standards and with a natural improvement as he gains experience, we expect his work to become one of our major lines which can only be to our mutual advantages. Well, if this is how he for starters when he realty becomes good at it the results should be breathtaking! While I con appreciate the work and craftsmanship that goes into the: large-scale figures and that, when completed are works of art, for some perverse reason they do not really do a great deal for me but I feel that this 9th Lancer is quite superb and I have no doubt that it will become one of those figures (in the same way as the Ray Lamb Samurai) about which people will talk and which will turn up at many figure competitions. I have no real interest in lancers of this period -- I wish he had done a 10th Lancer of the Sikh War era! Nevertheless, I advise you to have a look at, both of these excellent first efforts if assembling and painting large-scale figures is one of your interests.
I was very amused last Week when it) Brussels to greatly impress a layman-comrade when in an arcade in the centre of the city we saw some unpainted castings set out for sale. Involuntarally I said "They look just like Hinchliffe models" and my comrade, who was around the far side of the case all I could read the labels was most impressed that I recognised them for what they were because they were indeed Hinchliffe models on sale in Belgium's capital!
Still with Hinchliffe, I note that they are putting out on a direct mail basis only, a new series of FOREMOST MINIATURES which they claim to be their new Connoisseur range for game and collector alike with foot figures abd cavalry riders at 9p each and horses at 12p (although their advert does not yet show any mounted figures). At present, the range consists of the Imperial Guard at Waterloo with Old Guard Grenadiers, Pioneers, Officers and Chasseurs in various positions; the Young Guard, with Voltigeurs and Officers and Guard Gronadier in wounded poses. Then there are the "Landknechts at Pavia 1524" a set which includes a Heavy Renaissance gun with Landsnecht gunners in appropriate positions and equipment. If this lot matches with the superb Landsnechts reviewed in October, then the Pike and Shot gamer is in for a treat.
Even before World War II when I was a lad, the ELASTOLIN plastic figures from Germany were as exciting as aanything else else on the market -- and they still are! I note that Peter Kemplay of 1B Chapel Hill, Skipton, Yorkshire, now carries large stocks of these famous German plastic figures in 40 and 70mm sizes, incluing the fabulous range of siege equipment and cannon. The range includes Romans, Mediaevals, Landsknechts, Huns, Vikings, etc., and sample packs can be obtained of one Foot and one Mounted in 40mm for £ 1.50, or one Foot figure in 70mm for the same price, both including postage and packing. A small combat group in 40mm makes for excellent wargaming in a class somewhere between Individual skirmish games and our normal activities.
The Italian plastic hit, manufacturers ESCI have turned out two new 1:72nd scate plastic kits of use to the wargamer -- a Ford FGT quad in one kit anti the limber and 25pdr field-gunn in the other -- that for both kits is £ 1.20p.
NEW HOPE DESIGN (The Old Guard, Rothbury, Morpeth, Northumberland NE6 57QJ) are the English agents for the American MICRO ARMOUR SERIES whose latest output includes modern editions of current NATO and Warsaw Pact vehicles. Superbly cast with separate turrets and sub-turrets, etc., the new vehicles include the American M60A2, the Russian T62, PT76 light tank, ZSU25 SPAA gun, the BRDM2 reconnaissance vehicle and an M113 APC at prices that range from 40 to 72p) plus VAT with five models to a pack.
The recent surge of interest in Fantasy wargaming has put a lot of sets of rules on the market some good and others distinctly indifferent. Claimina that, unlike earlier attempts at Middle Earth rules, their rules have been designed specially for the purpose and not adaptations of existing ancient rules, SKYTREX LIMITED, have just published a new set of Middle Earth wargames rules compiled has the South-East London Wargames Group, presented attractively in booklet form and selling for £ l.05.
SIMULATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS UK have a new "Quadrigame" on the Thirty Years War which provides the four major battles of the period - Lutzen, Nordlingen, Rocroi and Freiburg. Supplied with the usual pre-cut card counters and colourful hex maps it sells at £ 5.-15p.
Illustrated here are the latest AIRFIX HO/00 scale-wargames figures (reviewed in last month's MUST LIST) which consist of a set of World War II German paratroopers the picture ideally illustrates the fine range of figures available in this set at 32p per box. Another new AIRFIX offering of great interest to the Individual Skirmish wargamer who has a feeling for the Wild West is the new 1:32nd scale set of American 7th Cavalry who, led by General George Armstrong Custer, were wiped out in the last great battle between the North American Indians and cavalry at the Little Big Horn River in Montana on 27th June 1876 (described as a wargame in the book "Battle Notes for Wargamers" by Donald Featherstone, published by David and Charles in 1974).
An ideal companion to the set of Indian figures already in the Airfix range, the box contains 24 pieces - 6 horses in varying poses, 6 riders all firing either pistol or carbine and 1 guidon bearer with a trumpet and then there are 6 foot figures which makes it possible to "duplicate" the figures by having dismounted men. Selling at 62p, this is a most attractive set.
A regular supporter of this magazine is my old friend Ray.Seaton of WARRIOR METAL MINIATURES who have just put out a copl etel37 new series of 22 wargames figures for the American War of Independence including Minute men in a variety of positions, Continental infantry, Iroquois warriors, Frontiersmen and British Grenadiers, Scots Light Infantry and officers and privates of British Line Infantry together with figures from various American Continental Line regiments such as the Pennsylvania and 2nd New Hampshires and a private of the Green Mountain Boys. Wargamers know that WARRIOR figures always have a style and personality of their own and, although I have not seen this range, I have no doubt that they are well up to the usual standard of WARRIOR output.
Also available from this firm are two new 75mm figures by Julian Benassi who has designed a World War II Italian Infantryman of an Alpini mountain regiment, wearing a Tyrolean hat with eagle badge and feather, haversack and cape and carrying a battered imitation leather suit case as he is presumably on his way home from the Russian front. Then there is a 54mm Etruscian spearman of 300/400 BC carrying an enormous elaborately engraved shield and wearing a plumed helmet and cuirass. Both these are unusual subjects and, when assembled, will paint up into most attractive models.
Another supporter of this magazine with regular advertising is the HARROW MODEL SHOP whose JACKLEX 20mm range of wargames figures represent to my mind just about the most comprehensive selection of British Colonial and l9th century figures around. The Sudan Campaign is a great favourite of mine and JACKLEX provide all those wonderful warriors together with the Naval brigades and British infantry of the period plus Gatling guns, mule teams, field guns, supply wagons, etc. Then there are Indian Army figures and Indian Frontier Tribesmen to match plus a British and a Zulu Army for the 1879 Zulu War. If that is not enough they also supply a Russian Army for the 1900 period which opens up vast scope by being able to fictionally represent on the wargames table that nightmare of British 19th century Colonial thinking - the Russian threat to India!
Finally, they have a small but interesting selection of German and British figures for World War I. Look at the JACKLE range if you are thinking of starting out in a new period and you want figures that are just a littl unusual and smaller than our usual wargames scale.
The same thing applies in an even smaller scale by setting up armies of HEROICS figures 1:300 scale figures which are really just about as exciting as anything around because, although they are so small they are wonderfully detailed and perfectly recognisable representations of the warriors th are intended to be. Selling in packs of 50 infantry, or 20 cavalry at 60p, the range includes Napoleonic period with Russian, Austrian, Spanish, Bavarian, Polish, French, British and Prussian plus a new range of Afrika Korps and Second World War figures of Russians, British, American, Germans, et together with modern period NATO and Warsaw Pact figures. The range also includes Ancient and American Civil War and their future plans include English Civil War, Seven Years War, American War of Independence and other periods.
HEROICS also supply modern period Micro Tanks and, with the available infantry figures, could provide at a very low cost a most interesting and little explored wargaming period - the possibilities of modern warfare are relatively limitless if only for the reason that no body knows quite what everybody else has got so the wargamer with the searching mind (and time to spare) could well set himself up in this period. HEROICS and ROS' figures advertise regularly in th magazine and ROS World War II Micro AFVs at 9p each are available in a wide range which also include some interesting railway items of armoured locos, tanks on flats, AA gun tracks, etc., of both Russian and German origin. Take a look at the advert in this issue and see for yourself!
I have always been of the opinion that the "low profile" maintained by GREENWOOD AND BALL has been quite unjustified as the figures they turn out are of high standard and certainly need bow their hea to no-one. Those among us who find shivers running up our spine at the thought of Fantasy wargaming will no doubt rush for their book when they see the new GARRISON 25mm Sword and Sorcery range. Having a passing acquaintance with this period through the esoteric activities of my son and his friends, it does seem to me as a mere layman that this range i quite comprehensive and I have no doubt that once my son's eyes light upon it, the usual scraps of paper will be in evidence as he works out exactly what he needs and how much it is going to cost and with frequent references to calendars, seeking details of exactly how far away Christmas and his birthday might be! If you have to wait that long then let us hope you will find it character-building but if you have some ready cash and this is your metier, then sit down and write now!
PETER LAING continues to turn out models in his quiet and unassuming manner -- in a recent letter he mentioned being uncertain as to his next range of new items but that he was busily studying his masters in an effort to make up his mind! I am very pleased to note that Peter Laing's figures have been taken up in a big way in Australia because they represent an almost unequaled range of figures the 15mm scale, made by a man who has literally devoted his entire life to turning them out, doing s with a sincerity and devotion that some might think is a trifle wasted on the wargames world! We all have dreams of chucking in our jobs and working at something that we really love -- Peter Laing has had the courage to do this and deserves our support because in fulfilling his own ambitions he pande to the wargamers whims and fancies.
MICRO MOLD (who advertise in this magazine) produce the BELLONA items for wargamers and the latest in tneir vac-formed diorama/wargame accessory series is Farm Set D15, including farm outhouse haystacks, a farm trough, a well and a pig pen. All formed out of a single sheet of pale yellow plastic they have to be cut out separately before use but the items are well moulded and will fit in with almost any historical period. Suggested that, because of their lightness, they should be filled internally with Plaster-of-Paris or Plasticene otherwise the battlefield tends to shift during the heat, of the action! The set which is 1:72nd scale so that it fits in with 20/25mm model soldiers, costs 721).
The Individual Skirmish wargamer might find a great deal of interest from DIXON'S MINIATURES (Ash Grove, 17 Royles Head Lane, Longwood, Huddersfield, W.Yorks). Selling at £ 1.56p each, these 54m figures include a Portuguese Irregular 1909; French line infantryman in fatigue dress; -- Spanish Guerilleros; a British Light infantryman 1777; a selection of Boer farmers in various positions and Zulu warrior.
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© Copyright 1976 by Donald Featherstone.
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