For those of us that can attend the annual Historical Miniature Gaming Society's (the HMGS East chapter) convention called HISTORICON, it's a great venue to see what's new and available from the hobby sculptors, manufacturers and dealers. According to the convention's program booklet, there were 98 product represenatives attending the show!

The ZOUAVE (i.e. me) also attended, sharing a table with Mark Fenlon of MARK FENLON MINIATURES. For brief times, I was able to leave Mark and Jim (Mark's friend from Australia who helped at the table) so that I could see friends and other vendors, and espcially to find out what was available to add to one's ACW gaming collection. Some of those friends/vendors have such beautiful miniatures that I wanted to alert the reader to them.

Starting off on the opening page from Joel and Teresa at MERRIMACK MINIATURES (aka J&T MINIATURES) are new items in the 15mm and 25mm scales. Shown are two views of a 25mm Railroad Cannon that will fit HO-scale model railroad tracks. An all-metal kit, this item represents the timber and iron railroad car with 321b. smoothbore cannon as used by the Union forces outside of Petersburg, VA.

The other photo is of the 15mm General Bragg (ACW28). A resin, metal and wood kit comes with excellent instructions. See their ad in the ZOUAVE for contact information so that one can get current pricing and availability.

At left are the latest from Toby Barrett's THOROUGHBRED FIGURINES. All in 1/600 scale and cast cleanly in pewter. Left and lower left views are of the HMS Royal Sovereign (TS63), a British turreted defense monitor.

At right are Maury-Class Gunboats (TS67) which come two to a pack. The South proposed to have about 100 built, but only three were made.

Next shown at left is a photo of the Confederate Davids (TS66). These torpedo boats come four to a pack.

At right, two views are of the USS Benton (TS65). The coin next to the ship is a penny.

Other recent releases available but not shown are the CSS Tuscaloosa (TS64) and Union Timberclad (TS68). See THOROUGHBRED's ad elsewhere in this issue for pricing and ordering information.

For those that prefer their fighting on land and in 28mm, there are new figurines from two talented sculptors. The top two photos at right are of the latest from Chris Hughes of SASH AND SABER CASTINGS. These are the first 10 figures (CS5a Confederate Infantry Skinnishing) of at least 40 Rebels in great action poses. My favorite is the one biting the paper wrapper of a cartridge.

Mark Fenlon of MARK FENLON MINIATURES is continuing his ACW line that debuted last year with Confederates. He made his first trip from Australia to the US to attend Historicon'01, as well as to see our battle fields. He exhibited his new Union infantry in advancing, marching and firing poses. The bottom two photos at right are the ACW6 Firing Line figurines in a variety of action poses (loading, ramming, capping, cocking, etc.) and equipment. Mark pointed out that he's improved some details since his Reb figurines appeared, such as the figurines shooting in the photos at left. Note how the fingers on their left hands hold the rifle. He plans on 'retro-fitting' this to his Rebels.

The last photo shows how both Chris' and Mark's figures compare to each other, and in my opinion they fit together very well.

All of these companies have elevated the quality of ACW miniatures to a higher plane of excellence. By ordering from them today, we'll show them that we want to see more!

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