Avalon Hill Kriegspiel: New Wargame 1970
KRIEGSPIEL, a game full of new features, original combat systems and a board that allows the game to be expanded to a scale limited only by the physical dimensions of your wargame room. £ 3 8s.
As this is a magazine concerning wargaming, there is little I find more pleasing than to be able to report on the model soldiers that form the basis 8 of the hobby. This month I am delighted that almost the whole of this feature concerns two entirely new makers and their products plus stimulating news of advances in range and scope of two other well-known manufacturers.
Probably a wargamer's fondest dream is to find a shop packed with model soldiers, selling nothing else but wargames figure - - all displayed and ready for purchasing at extremely reasonable prices. This is no longer a dream - it is a fact: At 100A St. Mary Street, Southampton, a shop bearing the proud heading MINIATURE FIGURES has been opened with a window full of beautifully painted figures. On entering one is confronted by a vast series of racks each containing boxes of gleaming silver castings. Dotted around the shop are attractive girls busily painting and Dick Higgs the designer sits on the right hand side of the coop industriously soldering new masters for Neville Dickinson's latest offerings. This is a Mecca that should be visited by everyone in the British Isles! The latest catalog issued by his firm (at 3s.4d. post free) is an elaborate affair containing the fullest details and prices of their most extensive range together with a mine of information on uniforms and organisation of the various periods.
And now for the new suppliers
That minority of wargamers who fought table-top battles prior to World War II will recall what could almost claim to be the forerunners of the small wargames figures of today - the 1/72nd scale military figures, model aircraft and model warships marketea under the name of Skybirds. So long off the market to become collectors pieces, a very ingeniously minded Peter Atkinson of 261 Gower Road, Swansea, has obtained the moulds and is again turning out this rather unusual range. These models are very pleasant and ideal for those who wish to fight between the wars or World War II battles with other than Airfix figures. From the advert elsewhere in this magazine it will be seen that there are going to be vehicles and, of interest to naval wargamers, a range of small-scale ships that may well fill the present gap in this field.
From Bugle and Guidon, P.O.Box 19256, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219, ISA can be obtained a very pleasant little illustrated catalogue of the highly original and excellent range of 30mm American Cavalry and Indians marketed under the name of the Custer Line. These 30mm action fi-gures, mounted and dismounted are very finely sculpted and, as shown in the numerous photographs in the catalogue, are most impressive when painted. I have samples of these figures before me as I write and it is only with the greatest difficulty that I am fighting off the urge to go off on a new tangent and fight the American-Indian Wars of the West in the latter part of the last century. Beautifully designed and with a considerable variety in positions, for both soldiers and Indians, these figures sell at 65 cents for Infantry and about 01.50 for Cavalry not cheap but comparable with other figures of the same standard (such as the Willie range).
Previously mentioned in these pages and elsewhere but very rarely give they deserve, are the 20 and 30mm figures marketed under the name of Les Hi Miniatures. I think it can be said without fear of contradiction that these match any others in the world and, if the range is extended, then they could among the most popular wargames figures. At the moment it is possible to figures in the "Marlborough" Series 1700-1720 and in the English Civil Jar There are some brilliant positions and every figure, without exception, is designed. The Cavalry are sold separately and can be mounted on horses as desired. The prices are extremely competitive - single figures are 1s.6d. each or 1s.-d. each for twelve or more of any one figure. Horses are 1s.6d. each. It must be stressed that these are TRUE 20mm figures and do not fit in with the 25mm figures put out by Miniature Figurines, Airfix and other makers. The 30mm figures are all in the Fnglish Civil War period and, although extremely suitable for wargaming, are of a type that might better fit in to dioramas. The majority of them sell at 4s.6d. each with one or two more complicated types at 6s.
From Merberlen Limited I have received samples of their latest import from America -- the ARMTEC RANGE of 1:76 accessories. These sets cost 38.9d. per set, postage and packing 6d (which covers all three sets) and consists of No.1. 2 machineguns with bipods, A.A. mounts and ammo drums etc; No.2. Set of 10 Jerry Cans; no.4. A set of German Pioneer Tools. For the modernist who wants realistic accessories to go with his armoured vehicles, there kits cannot be bettered.
The Editor disclaims all responsibility for infringements of copyright in articles (other than those written by himself) published in this magazine.
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© Copyright 1970 by Donald Featherstone.
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