The following is a guide for beginners in the hobby, I have adapted the original version as best I can in this site. If you would like a copy of the MS Word document, please email me at bcoleary@worldnet.att.net. Please note also, that the Appedices are directed mostly at the U.S. market, and will often mention U.S. retailers as opposed to those of other countries, and that the whole project is generally focussed at gamers in the American midwest. An attempt has been made to familiarize new gamers with many venders related to gaming, this document is not intended as an endorsement of their service. More of the links will be activated as time permits
Compiled by Brian O'Leary with contributions from the members of HMGS-Great Lakes
Introduction
Getting started in the hobby of historical miniatures gaming may
seem quite daunting, but in reality, everything you need is readily
available. It is just a matter of knowing where to look. The following
is a step by step process explaining what is needed, what must
be done and where to find the items needed to participate in a
game.
Finding an Historical Period to Game
Most of the gamers that I know have started out by gaming a period
in which they have already had an interest. Whether it is the
second world war, a crusade to the holy land, or defeating Napoleon
at Waterloo, you will follow the similar steps in fielding that
first army.
The most obvious sources of inspiration are movies and books. What have you seen or read that has drawn an emotional response from you? That might be the period for you. Appendix 3 offers a list of books for many historical periods that may assist you in choosing the period and scope of your games. Another idea might be to find a local gaming club and find out what periods they game.
If you have no historical period in mind, consider what type of warfare attracts your interest; sword wielding barbarians holding back the Imperial legions of Rome? Lines of muzzle loading confederates fighting for the life of their young nation? Or, rolling across the Steppes of the Soviet Union in your new Tiger tank? Consider the technology, whether infantry, cavalry or motorized troops offers the most appeal, whether pageantry, flags, and colorful uniforms or camouflage and tracks instill a sense of excitement. Another thing to consider is the terrain in which the battles were fought; the greenery of Europe or the yellows of the desert might have an impact on the interest of the game.
Scope of Battle
Consideration needs to be given to the level of combat and command
that most appeals to you. Miniature games can be played at different
"levels". One person may find that maneuvering a squad
(8-12 soldiers) or platoon (3-4 squads) of Marines through the
jungles of Vietnam has the right flavor, while the next guy prefers
to order regiments or divisions around Gettysburg.
Rules are generally designed around portraying the manor in which units operated on the battlefield. The rules will emphasize the command and control characteristics at the chosen level; at squad level, small unit tactics will be emphasized, while at division level, effort will be made to portray divisional command and maneuver. Rules are available for almost all periods of land, sea, and air warfare.
Rules
Once you've determined the historical period and scope of game
that you wish to pursue, you must choose a set of Rules. You will
find that most periods are supported by one of more sets of rules,
and that some rules are intended to be use for more than one historical
era. Often rules that cover multiple eras will make some compromise
in "accuracy" or detail in order to make one set of
game mechanics work with the evolved tactics and technology of
the periods covered. Generally, the greater the span of time covered
by the rules, the more compromise you will find.
Rules complexity must also be considered. One of the greatest debates in the hobby relates to playability vs. accuracy and detail. One set may have 4 pages of rules and a few accompanying charts, while the next has 250 pages and 45 charts and tables. You will need to decide what best suits you. If you are detail oriented, complex rules may work well for you. If you want to be playing 20 minutes after starting to read them, try a simple set. If you are in a toss up, try a simple set and if they do not feed your hunger, move on to a more involved set. If nothing else, simpler rules tend to be less expensive and fast to learn; you are not out much if you out grow them rapidly.
Figures, Troops and Proportional Representation
Within the hobby, the smallest or lowest level of play is skirmish
level; at this level, players typically control a half dozen to
40 figures, and each figure usually represents a single soldier.
This gives a very personal feel to the game, where the actions
of the soldier are almost role-played. In order to play larger
battles on a reasonably sized game table, most rules systems will
use a proportional representation of figures to troops, with the
base size of the figures representing a "frontage" corresponding
the type of unit represented in the real world.
In a proportional representation, each figure can represent anything from two to hundreds of troops. In this way, large battles involving many battalions, regiments, or divisions can be represented without the player needing to purchase hundreds or thousands of figures.
Generally, games using proportional representation of figures to troops use a figure scale for the troops and a different ground scale for determining weapon ranges and movement distances. While this may seem anomalous, the rules have been designed to allow for this and through their mechanics will present a reasonable way of working around the conflicts that might seem likely to occur.
Figure Scales
Gaming figures come in a wide variety of scales. While the scale
you use may be dictated by the rules that you settle on, you may
want to consider which scale or scales are the most pleasing to
you prior to purchasing rules. Generally, the smaller the scale,
the more figures you can, and probably will put on the game table.
Most figure scales are referred to by a number of millimeters (such as 25mm, or 15mm); this usually refers to the height of a soldier from the soles of his feet to his eyes while standing. The result is that a 25mm figure is a little over and inch tall, a 15mm figure is a little under an inch tall, etc. Figure scales are a little ambiguous in that all manufacturers are not standardized. The result is that one 25mm figure may be 1/64th scale while the next may be 1/68th scale. You will need to investigate figure compatibility when buying, but don't panic, virtually all manufacturer's figures are compatible with some other manufacturers. To determine figure compatibility, you might refer to some of the sources in appendix 4. Also, you can request samples from manufacturers; they may or may not require payment for a sample.
Most rules will recommend a figure scale or scales to use with the system; some are designed to be universal in that they will work with any scale. When looking for rules, keep in mind what scales are preferable; you will probably not be happy with the game if your heart is set on 25mm figures and the rules call for 6mm.
Common Miniatures Scales
The most common scales are listed below with approximate modeling
scale equivalents; some figure scales are considered different
modeling scales by various sources and that is reflected here:
5mm 1/300 Micro scale commonly used for
armor battles
6mm 1/285 Micro scale commonly used for armor battles
10mm 1/160 Newer scale gaining popularity, is also N gauge model
RR scale.
12mm Newer scale gaining popularity.
15mm 1/100, 1/108 Probably the most common, offers good compromise
between
figure size and figure cost
HO 1/87 Often referred to as Roco scale after the armor manufacturer,
also
model RR scale
20mm 1/76, 1/72 Not as popular as 15mm , but offering a similar
trade off in
size vs. price, it is a reasonable scale for skirmish level games.
25mm 1/68, 1/64, 1/72 These are the "smallish" 25mm
figs, some claim to be 1/72, but
most tend to be larger toward the 1/68 to 1/64 range.
28mm 1/60, 1/56, 1/48 This is an off-shoot of 25mm (it is sometimes
called Heroic
scale) and is considered to be interchangeable with 25mm by some,
while the figs tend to be more toward 1/60 scale, many used 1/48
scale accessories with them.
Naval scales include 1/600, 1/700, 1/1200, 1/2400, 1/4800, and 1/6000 and are not typically referred as millimeter scales. A few ships are made in the millimeter scales for naval battles, but these are generally for use in skirmish, boarding actions, or as peripheral elements of land battles as opposed to naval battles.
Aircraft are available in several of the naval scales such as 1/2400, and in larger scales such as the "micro" scales and in 10mm and 15mm scale. Plastic or resin models are also often used in 1/144, 1/100, and 1/72 scales
Rules
Now that you know the period that you want too game, and have
an idea about figure scales, the scope of the battles, and rules
complexity, it is time to find your rules. Look at Appendix 1,
in it you will find rules and manufacturers of different scales
of figures for many historical periods. You can find information
about these rules by talking with gamers, playing them with clubs
(a list of clubs is on the HMGS-GL web site, see Appendix 4),
inquiring at hobby shops, or on the internet. Appendix 4 has a
list of web sites, many of which address rules for certain periods.
The most comprehensive site listed is probably "The Miniatures
Page". Many Rules and historical periods also have discussion
E-groups on Yahoo or SmartGroups. You will generally find that
most of the people accessed through these many sources are happy
to help a new gamer. You may also find free rules available through
enthusiast and manufacturer web-sites.
Purchasing your rules before buying your figures will help to keep you from buying a bunch of figures of the wrong scale, or that are otherwise not usable. Read through the rules to make sure that they seem to capture the "spirit" that you are looking for. After becoming acquainted with the rules, begin acquiring the other components of the game.
Scenarios and TO&Es
The number and types of miniatures that you need will be dictated
by the battles that you will fight. Many rules come with some
game scenarios included. Others will have companion scenario books.
Try to get an idea of the theatre of operations (for example:
the Eastern front of WW2) or scenarios that you will be fighting
before purchasing miniatures.
There are three slightly different types of lists that can be used to describe the figures needed to make up your miniature army. They are the army list, the Order of Battle (OrBat or OOB), and the Table of Organizations and Equipment (TO&E).
An army list is a list of unit types, their composition, and often a rules related point cost. Army lists are frequently used for tournament type games, where the player chooses a certain number of points worth of troops to build or design his table top army.
The order of battle is usually a scenario related list of troops available for a specific scenario. Sometimes a TO&E is still needed in conjunction with an OOB. An OOB may tell you how many companies and battalions to use, but not the composition of those companies and battalions. A TO&E is then consulted.
TO&Es list the equipment and number of troops making up units within an army under ideal circumstances. Sometimes incomplete or special units will be needed in a scenario. In these instances, an order of battle will usually detail those special unit compositions.
OOBs are usually included as an integral part of a scenario; while, army lists and TO&Es are often marketed separately. More information can be found from sources in Appendices 2 and 4.
Choosing and Buying Figures
Now that you have selected a period, and have your rules and/or
an army list, you are ready to select figures. Refer to the Appendix
1 for a list of figure manufacturers for various scales, and to
Appendix 2 for sources of those figures on the web, also inquire
at your local hobby shop; they will probably be happy to special
order items not carried in their shop. Many manufacturers and
retailers on the web will have pictures of their figures, for
those that don't, try checking some of the sites listed in Appendix
4. Other sources are hobby magazines (listed in Appendix 3) or
in catalogs from various manufacturers. Some of these catalogs
will be free, but others can cost as much as $12.00.
When buying figures, consider the quality of the sculpting, casting quality (lots of flash means more cleaning time), packaging (must you buy 100 figs when 12 are needed), completeness of the manufacturer's line of figures, and the style of sculpting (are they slight or robust in stature?).
Basing and Painting Your Figures
Once your figures have arrived, you will need to clean, base,
and paint them, not necessarily in that order. You will need to
develop your own method here, but the following should be somewhat
helpful.
If your rules call for individually based figures, you can base them before painting. Depending on your methods, this may or may not be advantageous. If your rules call for multiple figures per stand, you will probably want to paint the figures before basing them. This will ease the painting process, as multiple figures on a stand may not give adequate access to each during the painting process. Many figure painters temporarily mount the figures on sticks, empty paint bottles, etc. to facilitate painting.
Cleaning Figures
Cleaning the figures simply consists of removing sprues and flash
created during the casting process. This can be done with hobby
knives, small needle files, and diagonal flush cutters (wire cutters).
These tools can be found at many hobby shops, or ordered on line
(see Appendix 2 for tool suppliers).
On some occasions, figures may have mold releases on them. This will result in paint not sticking to the figure. Usually, washing the figure in warm soapy water will adequately clean them.
Types of Paints
There are a wide variety paints suitable for painting your figures.
These include model and hobby enamels and acrylics, various craft
acrylics, artist's oils and acrylics, etc. Appendix 5 offers a
list of brands and sources for these paints. Model enamels will
require solvent cleaners and often leave off dangerous or annoying
fumes. Acrylics are water-soluble and tend to be more user friendly.
Uniform and Equipment painting Guides
Proper uniform and equipment colors can be found in a variety
of sources, most notably in uniform painting guides printed by
a variety of publishers and on some web sites. Some of these are
listed in Appendices 3& 4. Once you have the appropriate colors,
you are ready to paint.
Painting Method
Everyone has to develop a technique of their own, but there are
certain basic methods that can be discussed briefly below. More
about painting techniques can be found on some of the web sites
listed in Appendix 4.
Priming
Priming your figures can protect them and will promote more consistent
paint coverage. There is a variety of hobby primers available,
ranging from white through various shades of gray to black. Different
techniques will require different colors of primer. White or light
gray primers will allow the bright colors such as red and yellow
to remain bright. Darker primers often dull down these bright
colors a little. Depending on the technique, black primer can
be incorporated into the paint job to produce antiqued or shadowy
looking figures.
Painting
Painting can consist of a base coat of color on the various parts
of the figure, a flesh-tone on hands and feet, appropriate colors
on the tunic, packs, boots, etc. Many gamers prefer to shade the
colors on the figure (especially larger scales such as 20mm, 25mm,
and 28mm) to bring out details and make them look more realistic.
There are several methods of doing this.
First is true shading through blending the colors. This is done much the same way as when painting on a canvas, applying some paint to the figure and then applying and mixing darker (in recessed areas) and lighter colors (on raised areas) as is needed. The fast drying nature of some acrylics can make this method challenging at times.
Washing involves painting all of the base colors and then applying a very thin stain that seeks out the recesses in the figure. The effect is to darken the deeper or recessed portions of the figure. Stains can be mixed by thinning a dark color, usually a black or brown, sometimes a blue or other shade. The ratio of thinner to paint can range widely, but I would suggest starting out generally with a 9 or 10 to one ratio of paint to thinner/water (depending on the type of paint). You will need to experiment to find the right mixture of wash to fit your taste.
Dry-brushing involves painting all of the basic colors onto the figure and then highlighting them with lightened shades (i.e. light green on green, light blue on blue) of the base colors. To dry-brush, a small amount of the lighter shade of paint is applied to the brush, most of which is then wiped off on a cloth. The paint remaining on the brush is gently brushed onto the high points or raised details of the figure. The result is that a light dusting of paint is actually applied to the figure. Dry-brushing can be applied after staining to maximize the contrast in colors.
Any or all of these methods can be used to paint your figures. More information regarding figure painting can be found in books dedicated to the subject and at the sites listed in Appendix 4.
Sealing Figures
Most gamers will apply a clearcoat or seal their figures after
painting to protect the paint from wear during handling. A variety
of dull or matte, semi-gloss, and gloss sealants are available
both from hobby venders and other paint suppliers. Hobby sealants
come in both spray and brush on types. Some sources listed in
Appendix 4 will offer detailed methods of sealing figures. Depending
on the method, sealing after basing may or may not be favorable;
you will need to judge for yourself.
Basing Figures
Many rules systems use specific basing methods that relate to
various unit frontages tied into the mechanics of the game. Others
will offer recommendations, while yet others will have no specific
basing restrictions. Note the base sizes for the various types
of troops listed in your rules. Bases can be made of various paper
card stock, Bass or Balsa wood, Styrene plastic, or metal. Balsa
is easy to cut to size but very soft and not very durable, while
Bass wood is a bit harder to work with, but much more durable.
Styrene sheet is easy to work with, just scribe and snap, and
quite forgiving if the stand of figures is dropped. Metal bases
offer two advantages; they are very thin and unobtrusive on the
table, and storage boxes lined with magnetic rubber sheet will
hold your troops nicely during travel. Round washers are often
used as bases for the larger scales of figures. Bases can be finished
by simply painting them, or a combination of texturing, painting
and flocking with many of the same materials discussed in the
terrain section below.
Purchasing Painted Figures
If painting figures is not your thing, you can contract a figure
painter. There are basically two methods in which this is done.
Some painters will require you to purchase the figs and possibly
clean and/or base them, and then send the figures to the painter,
ready for paint. Some figure painters will purchase them and work
the figure cost into the painting charge. You can find out more
about this through the gaming magazines and towards the end of
Appendix 2.
Some venders have pre-painted armies already on hand; these can be new or used depending on the vender. You simply need to contact them and order the painted army. You may also find fellow gamers who have simply changed interests, and wish to sell their old painted army. Some sources for these can be found in Appendices 2 and 4.
Terrain
The amount of detail and realism that you give to your terrain
will depend on personal preference. Some features of the terrain
may be dictated by the rules that you use. Be sure to read the
terrain related sections of your rules before making terrain pieces.
Please refer to the appendices for suppliers of tools and materials
for many of the terrain components addressed below.
Cloth Terrain
About the simplest terrain that can be made consists of a cloth
or felt sheet of an appropriate color (green for woodlands, tan
for desert, etc.) with strips of various colors of cloth cut and
laid over it to represent roads, streams, etc. Even hills and
forest can be represented by simply laying irregular shapes of
cloth on the base sheet. The elevation of hills can be indicated
by layering concentric pieces of cloth on one another. Placing
blocks or books under the cloth can create rolling hills.
Terrain Mats
The next step in terrain is to make or purchase terrain mats.
These are basically a painted or flocked material mat that can
be rolled or folded for storage, but with the painted/flocked
surface offers a much dressier battlefield when done.
Hills
Free-standing hills can be made by shaping chunks of foam, or
layered sections of acoustic ceiling tiles, layering pieces of
cardboard, etc. The foam can be shaped with a serrated knife,
sanding blocks, Surform tools (ask at your local hardware store)
and/or hacksaw blades. Interesting effects can be achieved by
simply breaking off pieces of ceiling tile and gluing them together
in layers together with an appropriate adhesive or glue (white
glue, thick craft glue, hot melt, or Super 77 spray adhesive by
3M are options). Any of these materials can be finished by any
combination of painting, texturing, and flocking as addressed
below. These free-standing hills can be used in conjunction with
clothe, terrain mats, or any other modular terrain system.
Modular terrain
Modular foam terrain can be purchased finished, as unfinished
kits, or made from scratch. Both square and hex shaped pieces
of precut terrain are commercially available. Additionally, pieces
of white beadboard foam, or even better, polystyrene insulation
board ( pink, green, or blue foam board from the home improvement
store) can be used. It can be cut with a straight edge and sharp
razor knife or power saw, and shaped and sanded with hacksaw blades,
serrated knives, surform tools, small orbital sanders, and foam
sanding blocks.
The terrain can be textured with plaster, spackle, and/or acrylic pastes, and finished with acrylic paint and/or colored ground foam flocking materials found at the model railroad shop. Acrylic artist's matte medium can be used as a glue for affixing flocking materials. An alternative to the ground foam are acrylic artist's gels that have a grit suspended in them. Gels of various coarseness can be applied with a brush or putty knife to achieved various textures and painted to represent earth and foliage.
Roads, Streams and Foliage
Roads, streams and rivers can be built into the terrain, or purchased
as modular units that rest on your terrain boards. Various companies
offer both rigid resin castings and flexible latex pieces that
are quite attractive
Underbrush and even trees, depending on game scale, can be represented with lichen. This is a dyed plant that grows especially well in tundra areas, and is readily available at model railroad shops. Additionally, a variety of trees, finished and in kit form, are offered commercially for the model railroad and game industry. Trees and foliage can also be scratch-built from natural materials and supplies from hobby shops and craft stores. Dried or artificial flowers can be used with cuttings from bushes to produce natural looking trees, though durability of natural materials may be a problem. Palms and ferns can be made from artificial fern fronds and leaflets. Trunks can be made of pipe cleaners, wire covered by wood or modeling putties, or wire wrapped in craft tape. Be creative.
Buildings, and Other Constructs
Buildings can be purchased finished or unfinished, some as one-piece
castings, others as kits, or built from scratch. The scope or
level of game being played may dictate the types or details of
the buildings being used. For example, a skirmish game may require
large structures, with interior detail or access, while a regimental
level game might only require a few small, solid buildings to
represent a town. Refer to your rules for information relating
to the types of structures needed.
Buildings can be scratch built from foamcore, cardboard, plastic sheet, or wood. Detail items such as windows, doors, exterior siding or finish materials, chimneys, etc. can be purchased commercially from model railroad suppliers, or made from scratch-building supplies. While some items are peculiar to a certain railroad scale, they often can be used in other game scales; for example, a medium sized window made for HO scale railroads would simply be a large window in 15mm scale.
Fences, stone walls, light posts, fountains, etc. can also be purchased or built as per the buildings above. You can also often find items in craft stores or toy stores that are of use.
Miscellaneous Gaming Items
Other items that you may need include dice of various types, rulers,
string or small toy periscopes (for determining line of sight),
graph paper, etc. Refer to your rules to see just what is needed.
Some of these items are available at many discount stores, others
are specifically game related and will be found at appropriate
hobby shops, or at sources in the appendices.
The 3 R's: References, Resources, and
Research
Finding information needed to assemble the games is probably the
most complex part of historical miniatures gaming. Depending on
the level of interest, you may put quite a bit of effort into
it. The most readily available sources are books, and websites.
A wide variety of new and used books are available through various
internet and mail order stores, additionally you will find a lot
of free information on enthusiast and hobby manufacturer websites.
Other sources are, libraries, historical societies and organizations,
museums, and sometimes private collections. Not so obvious sources
can Government organizations and publications, antique and collectable
items, survivors of actual conflicts, etc.
Government bookstores offer a variety of publications that can be useful to gamers. Maps printed by state and federal Departments of Natural Resources can sometimes be useful, as can their foreign counterparts. Companies specializing in old or antique documents and maps can provide some interesting information. Old/antique post cards and calendars can be of help with historical sites, ship colors, and uniforms. Within the realm of commercially available books, texts on archeology, architecture, and various other subjects related to history can often provide useful information. Don't limit yourself to searching just military history, you will miss much of what is out there. Specific resource information and sources can be found in the Appendices 2 and 4.
Time to Game
Hopefully, this has given you enough information to get started,
or at least have made you aware of things to look for and considerations
that should be made. If you have further questions about getting
started in the hobby, please email me at bcoleary@worldnet.att.net
and I will attempt to answer your questions or put you in touch
with someone who can.
Appendices and Glossary
1) Historical Miniartures Gaming Periods, Game Rules, and Figure
Manufacturers
The historical periods below consist of general historical periods
and specific wars. In some cases the specific wars are also are
a portion of more general periods listed, but have specific rules
and/or miniatures that support the specific war and are broken
out as such for the reader's convenience. The list below is not
comprehensive, but lists many of the more popular periods, rules,
and miniatures.
| Period | Rules | Scale/Figure Manufacturers |
| Modern | A Fist Full of Tows, Challenger 2000, Modern Africa, Sand Oil & Blood |
28mm Brittania, Devil Dog, Brooke Miniatures, The Assault Group 20mm Platoon 20, SHQ 15mm Cannon Fodder, Quality Castings, Peter Pig, Irregular, Quick Reaction Force 1/285 GHQ, CnC, Heroics & Ros |
| Cold War |
A Fist Full of Tows, Challenger 2000, Combined Arms, Battle Captain |
20mm Platoon 20, SHQ, Skytrex 1/87 HO Roco, Kibri, Komo(Premo) 15mm Cannon Fodder, Quality Castings,Peter Pig, Irregular, Skytrex Quick Reaction Force 1/285 GHQ, CnC, Heroics & Ros, Skytrex |
| Arab Israeli / Middle Eastern Conflicts | From Sinai to Golan {Clash of Armor}, IDF, East of Suez, Battle Captain |
20mm Platoon 20, Skytrex 15mm Quality Castings, Quick Reaction Force, Skytrex 1/285 GHQ, CnC, Heroics & Ros, Skytrex |
| Vietnam | Charlie Company, Mekong |
28mm The London War Room, Eureka, Baker Company 20mm Brittania, SHQ, Platoon 20, RAFM, Skytrex 15mm Quality Castings, Peter Pig, Quick Reaction Force, Skytrex 1/285 GHQ, CnC, Skytrex, Irregular |
| Korea | East of Suez, Battle Captain |
20mm Skytrex 15mm Quality Castings, Quick Reaction Force, Skytrex 1/300 Skytrex |
| World War 2 |
Command Decision 3, Mein Panzer, Battleground, Where Panzers Dare, Clash of Armor, Battlefront, Spearhead |
28mm Battle Honours, Westwind, Foundry, Black Tree Design,
Artizan Design 20mm Brittania, BP Cast, FAA, SHQ, Irregular, Platoon 20, Raventhorpe, Skytrex 1/87 HO Roco 15mm Quality Castings, Peter Pig, Old Glory, Yucca, Outcast, Skytrex 10mm GHQ, Perrin, Quick Reaction Force 1/285 GHQ, CnC, Adler, Heroics and Ros, Airpower (SDD), Skytrex |
| World War 2 Naval | General Quarters, Command at Sea |
1/2400 GHQ, CnC, Superior 1/4800 CnC |
| Spanish Civil War |
Que, Viva El Cristo Rey!,Wargame Rules for the Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939 |
20mm SDD, Irregular 15mm Quick Reaction Force 6mm Irregular |
| World War 1 | Over the Top, Trench |
28mm Renegade Miniatures, Honourable Lead Boiler Suite,
25mm Irregular 20mm Irregular 15mm Peter Pig, MiniFigs, Freikorps, Feudal Castings 6mm Irregular |
| World War 1 Air | Red Baron, Blue Max | 1/144 Skytrex |
| World War 1 Naval | General Quarters2, Fear God and Dread Naught | 1/2400 GHQ, CnC |
|
Colonial (Victorian Wars) Boxer Rebellion Boer Wars Spanish American War Sudan Zulu War Indian Mutany Colonial Adventure |
The Sword & the Flame, Fields of Honor, Volley and Bayonet, |
28mm Old Glory, Foundry, Castaway Arts, Black Tree Design,
Cannon Fodder Miniatures, Mark Copplestone, Honourable Lead Boiler
Suite, Scheltrum, Parroom Station 25mm Monday Knight Productions, Reveresco, Irregular 15mm Essex, Battle Honours 10mm Perrin 6mm Irregular |
| Old West/ plains Wars | Desparado, Warpaint, Dog Soldiers, Fields of Honor |
28mm Old Glory, Foundry 15mm Freikorps 15mm Peter Pig |
| Franco Prussian War |
Fields of Honor, They Died for Glory, In the Age of Bismarck
& Napoleon III Principles of War, |
28mm Castaway Arts, Battle Honors, Foundry 25mm Helion 15mm Essex, Rank & File, Minifigs, Outpost, Freikorps 10mm Chariot, True North, Perrin |
| American Civil War | Johnny Reb 3, Fire & Fury, Brother against Brother (skirmish), Mr. Lincoln's War, Rally 'Round the Flag |
28mm Old Glory, Dixon, Mark Fenlon, 15mm old Glory, Essex, Battle Honours, Irregular, Museum Miniatures, Muskit Miniatures, 10mm Irregular, Perrin 6mm Adler, Baccus, Irregular |
| American Civil War Naval | Smoke on the Water |
1/600 Thoroughbread, 1/1200 NavWar, Houston's Ship, Langton |
| Mexican American War | Santa Anna |
15mm Musket Miniatures 6mm Irregular |
| Texas Independence | Santa Anna | 28mm Cannon Fodder Miniatures |
| Napoleonic Era | From Valmy to Waterloo, Le Petite Empereur, Le Grognards {Piquet}, Napoleon's Battles, Shako, Age of Eagles |
28mm Foundry, Old Glory, Miniatures, Essex 25mm Calpe 20mm Irregular 15mm Battle Honours, Old Glory,Essex, SHQ, Museum Minatures, Freikorps 6mm Adler, Baccus, Irregular |
| War of 1812 | Dawns Early Light |
25mm Old Glory, Foundry, Front Rank, 20mm Irregular |
| American War of Independence | Patriots and loyalists, The British are Coming, Volley and Bayonet, Guns and Liberty |
28mm Old Glory, Dixon 25mm Front Rank, Musket Miniatures 15mm Essex, Battle Honours, Musket Miniatures, Freikorps |
| Seven Years War | Age of Kings, Koenig Kreig |
28mm Old Glory 25mm Front Rank, , Sash & Sabre, 20mm Bataillenfeur 15mm Old Glory, Essex, Battle Honours, Quick Reaction Force 6mm Adler |
| French & Indian War | Woodland Wars, Habitants and Highlanders |
28mm Old Glory, Dixon, 25mm Front Rank, Irregular 20mm Irregular 15mm Irregular |
| Golden Age of Piracy | Pirates, Buccaneer, Broadsword & Blunderbuss, Blood & Swash / Thunder & Plunder, Limeys & Slimeys, Pieces of Eight |
28mm Old Glory, Foundry, Dixon, Eureka, Buildings-Old Glory, Hovels, Grand Manner, |
| English Civil War | Forlorn Hope, For God King & Country |
28mm Renegade Miniatures, Essex 15mm Irregular, Museum Miniatures, Freikorps, Tetsudo 10mm Irregular 6mm Baccus |
| Thirty Years War |
Dutchman, Spaniard, Switzer, Swede DBR (De Bellis Renations) |
15mm Irregular, Freikorps, Testudo |
| War of the Roses | Flower of Chivalry |
25mm Front Rank 15mm Feudal Castings |
| Hundred Years War | Flower of Chivalry | 25mm Front Rank |
| Dark Age, Middle Age, Medieval, Norman Conquest, Crusades,etc | Days of Knights, DBA, DBM, Armati,, Battlelust, Flower of Chivalry |
28mm Old Glory, Testudo, Foundry, Essex, Gripping Beast,
Scheltrum 15mm Essex, Irregular, Museum Miniatures, 6mm Irregular |
| Ancients (Biblical and Classical) |
DBA (De Bellis Antiquitatis ), DBM (De Bellis Multitudinis), Warhammer Ancient Battles,Archon {Piquet}, Armati, Tactica, WRG Ancients |
28mm Old Glory, Foundry, Essex, Black Tree Design, Irregular,
Navigator Miniatures, 15mm Miniatures, Peter pig |
2)Retailers, Manufacturers, Book Sellers, and Miscellaneous
Supplies
Sources are presented below for most of the product lines addressed
elsewhere in this document. The products listed for the game venders
are not comprehensive listings and changes in product lines occur
constantly. All URLs were active as of 01/12/03.
| Gaming Venders | URL | Miniature Brands Carried |
| Adler | http://home.clara.net/adlermin | Adler |
| The Assault Group Assualt Group | http://www.theassaultgroup.com | (American Heroes) |
| Baccus | http://www.baccus6mm.com | Baccus 6mm, Buildings |
| Bataillenfeur (Outland Games) | http://63.97.38.229 | From Outland Games |
| Baker Company (19th Century Miniatures | http://oldglory15s.com | From 19th Century Games |
| Battle Honours (19th Century Miniatures) | http://oldglory15s.com | From 19th Century Games |
| Black Tree Design | http://www.black-tree-design.com/index.html | From Brookhurst, |
| Brigade Games | http://www.brigadegames.com | Alternative Armies, Eureka,Castaway Arts, Black Tree &more |
| Brittania (Combined Arms) | http://www.combinedarmsinc.com | Available from Combined Arms |
| Brookhurst Hobbies | http://brookhursthobbies.com | Black Tree, Gripping Beast, FAA, SHQ, |
| Cannon Fodder Miniatures | http://canfodmins.com/CATALOG.htm | |
| Castaway Arts | http://www.castawayarts.com.au | Available from Brigade Games |
| Chariot Miniatures | http://www.kbnet.co.uk/chariot | |
| Combined Arms Inc. | http://www.combinedarmsinc.com | Brittania, Monolith Design (Buildings), Battlefront Design |
| Devil Dog Designs | http://www.devildogdesign.com/home.htm | |
| Dixon (Wargames) | http://www.dixon-minis.com | Available from Wargames |
| Copplestone Castings | http://gisby.org/copplestone.htm | Available from RLBPS |
| Essex (Wargames) | http://www.essexminiatures.co.uk | Available from Wargames |
| Eureka | http://www.eurekamin.com.au | Available from Brigade Games |
| Feudal Castings | http://www.feudalcastings.co.uk | Available from Rampant Lion |
| Foundry | http://www.wargamesfoundry.com/asp/nocookie.asp | |
| Freikorps | http://www.gtns.net/freikorp | Freikorp 15, Platoon 20, and A&A Miniatures |
| Grandiosity | http://www.warweb.com | Battle Honors, Bicorne, Dixon, GHQ, Grip Beast, & more |
| Grand Manner | http://www.grandmanner.co.uk | Available from RLBPS |
| Gripping Beast | http://www.grippingbeast.com | Available From Grandiosity, or RLBPS |
| Helion & Company | http://www.helion.co.uk | Available from the Miniature Service Center |
| Heroics & Ros (H&R) | See The Last Square | Available from The Last Square |
| Honourable Lead Boiler | http://www.helion.co.uk | Available from RLBPS |
| Irregular | http://www.irregularminiatures.co.uk | From Silver eagle Wargame Supplies |
| GFI Minifigs | ||
| GHQ | http://www.ghqmodels.com | Also available from Grandiosity |
| Hovels Ltd | http://www.hovelsltd.co.uk | Available from Wargames |
| Langton Miniatures | http://www.rodlangton.com | Available from Brookhurst Hobbies (Ships and Buildings) |
| The Last Square | http://www.lastsquare.com | Merrimack, H&R, Thoroughbred, Westwind, Muskit &more |
| The London War Room | http://www.thelondonwarroom.com | Parrom Station, Newline Designs,Redoubt, Houston's Naval |
| Mammoth Miniatures (Scheltrum) | http://website.lineone.net/~model.design.craft/modelhome.html | Mammoth, Scheltrum, Denizen |
| Main Force(Hallmark aka Noble) | SeeLast Square | |
| MiniFigs (GFI Minifigs) | http://www.minifigs.com | Minfigs, Heriatge Crest |
| Monday Knight Productions | http://www.geohex.com/mkpindex.htm | |
| Museum Miniatures | http://www.museumminiatures.co.uk | |
| Musket Miniatures | http://www.musketminiatures.com | |
| The Nafziger Collection | http://home.fuse.net/nafziger/index.html | Books and OOB's |
| 19th Century Miniatures | http://oldglory15s.com | Baker Co., Battle Honors, Old Glory15mm, Quality Castings, + |
| NavWar productions Ltd. | http://www.navwar.freeserve.co.uk | Available from Regal Miniatures |
| The Miniature Service Center | http://www.miniatureservicecenter.com | Redoubt, Front Rank, Battlegroup, Abbotts, Black Tree & more |
| Old Glory Miniatures | http://www.oldgloryminiatures.com | Also available from Grandiosity |
| Outland Games | http://63.97.38.229 | Bataillenfeur, Outcast Minis, Flags, Ships, and more |
| Outpost Wargames Service | http://www.outpostwargameservices.co.uk | Available from Brookhurst Hobbies |
| Parroom Station | http://www.parroomstation.net | From The London War Room |
| Perrin | http://www.perrinminis.com | |
| Peter Pig | http://www.peterpig.demon.co.uk | Available from Brookhurst Hobbies |
| Quick Reaction Force | http://www.quickreactionforce.co.uk | |
| Rampant Lion | http://ourworld-top.cs.com/rampantlionac8/myhomepage/business.html | Feudal Castings |
| Rank & File (19th Century Minis) | http://oldglory15s.com | Available from Wargames |
| Raventhorpe (RLBPS) | ||
| Redoubt Enterprises | http://www.redoubtenterprises.com | Available from the Miniatures Service Center |
| Renegade Miniatures | Available from brigade Games | |
| Reveresco | http://www.tin-soldier.com | |
| RLBPS (Robert Bowling) | http://www.rlbps.com | Copplestone, Front Rank, Gripping Beast,HLBS, & more |
| Sash & Sabre | http://www.sashandsaber.com | |
| Scheltrum (Mammoth Miniatures) | http://website.lineone.net/~model.design.craft/modelhome.html | Available through Mammoth Miniatures (Model, Design, & Craft) |
| Silver Eagle Wargame Supplies | http://hometown.aol.com/eaglewars/private/sews.html | Irregular, Tin Soldier, Ainsty |
| The Squadron Shop | http://www.squadron.com | Models and books |
| Stone Mountain Miniature | http://www.historicalminiatures.com | Adler, Stone Mountain, Denizen, Buildings, Flags |
| Thoroughbred | http://www.thoroughbredmodels.com | Also available from Grandiosity |
| True North Productions | http://underworld.fortunecity.com/grandprix/623 | |
| Wargames | http://www.speartorifle.com | Dixon, Essex, Quick Reaction Force, Buildings, books &more |
| West Wind Productions | http://www.westwindproductions.co.uk | Available from Grandiosity |
| Book Sources | URL | Notes |
| Amazon | http://www.amazon.com | Online book store |
| Barnes and Noble | http://www.barnesandnoble.com | Online book store |
| Edward R. Hamilton Bookseller | http://www.edwardrhamilton.com | Discounted and close out books |
| Ebay | http://www.ebay.com | On line auctions |
| On Military Matters | http://www.onmilitarymatters.com | Military History Books |
| RZM Publications | http://www.rzm.com/main/main.cfm | Military History periodicals and Books |
| Schiffer Publishing | ||
| Scholars Bookshelf | http://www.scholarsbookshelf.com | Military History Books |
| Figure Painters | URL | |
| All About Miniatures | http://hometown.aol.com/jleahy5555/page3.html | JLEAHY5555@aol.com |
| Dayton Painting Consortium (DPC) | RADETZKY@PRODIGY. NET | |
| Outland Games | http://www.outlandgames.bizhosting.com | Outland@erinet.com |
| Robert L. Bowling Painting Service | http://home.earthlink.net/~rlbpsb/frameset.htm | rlbpsb@earthlink.net |
| Tool & Supply Sources | URL | Notes |
| Micromark | http://www.micromark.com | Miniature and model building tools |
| Plastruct | http://www.plastruct.com | Plastic shapes for model builders |
| Small Parts, Inc. | http://www.smallparts.com | Misc. small hardware |
| Walthers, Inc | http://www.walthers.com | Model railroad supplies |
| Maps, Ship Plans, Misc | URL | Notes |
| Maryland Silver Company | http://www.marylandsilver.com | Books, ship plans, ship kits |
| Taubman Plans Service Ship plans |
3) Reference Books for Various HiHistorical Period Title, Author
(focus of book)storical Periods
The titles listed below have been thought useful with respect
to gaming. No book is all encompassing and the focus of the title
is often summarized at the end of its entry below. Not all books
listed below will be in print at any one time, though those out
of print may be available through Ebay or used book shops.
| Historical Period | Title, Author (focus of book) |
| Modern |
Jane's AFV Recognition Handbook by Christopher F. Foss
(armor) Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden |
| Cold War | Weapons & Tactics of the Soviet Union by David C. Isby (equipment, TO&E, tactic) |
| Arab Israeli |
The Arab -Israeli Wars by Chaim Herzog (history '48-'82) The War of Atonement by Chaim Herzog (History of '73 war) |
| Vietnam |
We Were Soldiers Once and Young, by Col. Hal Moore Osprey at least 4 MAA titles, 3 Elite, and 1 Campaign title available Squadron/Signal In Action Series- many titles available |
| Korea |
Korea by Max Hastings Osprey MAA 174 The Korean War 1950-53 Forgotten War by Clay Blair |
| WW2 |
The Second World War by John Keegan ( overview history
of the whole war) The Polish Campaign 1939 by Steven Zaloga & Victor Madej (history) Blitzkrieg in the West; Then and Now by Jean Paul Pallud (History of 1940 campaign) The Russo-German War by Albert Seaton (history of Eastern front) Battle of the Bulge by Danny S. Parker (history) Closing with the enemy: How GIs fought in the war in Europe, 1944-1945 by Michael D.Doubler (Inf Tactics w/summary of TO&E and equipment) Encyclopedia of German Tanks of WW2 by Peter Chamberlain & Hilary Doyle (armor) Panzer Truppen (vols. 1&2) by Thomas L. Jentz (armor, TO&E, History, tactics) The Armed Forces of WW2 (uniforms) Blitzkrieg by Steven J. Zaloga (camouflage & markings '39-'40) Soviet Tanks and Combat Vehicles of WW2 by Steven J. Zalogo & James Grandsen Osprey- Obver 20 MAA titles, numerous New Vanguard and at least 6 Campaign titles available Squadron/Signal In Action Series- many titles available |
| WW2 Naval |
The United States Navy in WWII by Samuel E. Morrison, (13 vols.
Ea.covers a specific campaign or theater.) Jane's Fighting Ships of World War 2 |
| WW2 Air | Squadron/Signal In Action Series- many titles available |
| Spanish Civil War | Osprey MAA 74 The Spanish Civil War |
| WW1 |
The Price of Glory: Verdun, by Alistar Horne Oprey MAA at least 6 titles related to WW1 Europa Militaria 3 - World War One Infantry in color photographs by Laurent Mirouze |
| WW1 Nava l | Janes: Fighting Ships of WW1 |
| WW1 Air | Squadron/Signal In Action Series- many titles available |
| Colonial |
Queen Victoria's Little Wars by Byron Farwell (history) Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860-1905 (encyclopedia of ships) The Colonial Wars Source Book by Philip J. Haythornthwaite (general history) Battle in Africa by Howard Whitehouse Osprey at least 8 MAA and 10 Campaign Series books available Boxer Rebellion- The Fists of Righteous Harmony by Henry Keown-Boyd (history) Osprey MAA 95- The Boxer Rebellion by Lynn E. Bodin (uniforms, history) Boer Wars The Anglo Boer War by Michael Barthorp The Boer War by Thomas Pakenham Spanish American War Brassey's Spanish American War 1898 by Ron Field (uniforms) Sudan The River War by Winston Churchill Indian Mutiny The Great Mutany by Christopher Hibbet |
| Old West/Plains Wars |
Osprey MAA 163 American Plains Indians Osprey MAA 168 US Cavalry 1850-1890 |
| Franco Prussian War | The Franco Prussian War by Michael Howard |
| American Civil War |
Battle in the Civil War: Generalship and Tactics in America,
1861-65,by Paddy Griffith, (1986)(generalship and tactics) Osprey- At least 10 MAA, and 5 Campaign series available. |
| American Civil War Naval |
By Sea and By River: The Naval History of the Civil War".
Bern Anderson.1962. (Good one volume reference to the ACW naval war) Thunder on the Mississippi by Jack Coombe (hist of the Mississippi River campaign Capital Navy by John Coski ( coverage of the James River Squadron) |
| Texas War of Independence | Osprey MAA 173-The Alamo and the Texan War of Independence |
| Napoleonic | Osprey MMA -there are over 30 Men at Arms titles for this period. |
| War of 1812 |
The War of 1812 in the Old Northwest by Alec R. Gilpin Published
by MSU Press. Ft. Meigs and the War of 1812 (Orderly Book of Cushing's Co. 2nd. US Artillery) The Personal Diary of Capt. Daniel Cushing ed. by Harlow Lindley, pub. by The Ohio Historical Society. |
| American War of Independence | Osprey MAA 273 General Washington's Army |
| Seven Years War | The Anatomy of Victory: Battle tactics 1689-1763 Nosworthy, Brent. (1992) (18thC. Tactic) |
| French & Indian | Osprey MAA 228- American Woodland Indians |
| Pirates |
Pirates 1660-1730 by Angus Konstam & Angus McBride, Osprey(
history, uniform Pirates! Brigands, Buccaneers and Privateers in Fact, Fiction and Legend" by Jan Rogozinski (Pub: Facts on File, Inc.)(encyclopedia of pirates fact and fiction) The History of Pirates" by Angus Konstam (Lyons Press) Piracy from antiquity to the modern day, illustrations and maps) Pirate" by Richard Platt (extensive illustration) |
| ECW | Osprey MAA 14 English Civil War Armies |
| Thirty Years War | |
| War of the Roses | Osprey MAA 145 The War of the Roses |
| Hundred Years War | |
| Dark Ages/Medieval | Osprey MAA-There are more than 20 titles for this era |
| Ancients |
Osprey MAA-There are more than 15 titles for this era Europa Militaria Special 2 - The Roman Legions Recreated in Color Photographs by Daniel Peterson The Roman War Machine by John Peddie |
| Magazines | Focus | Source |
| After the battle | B&W, history of WW2 | RZM Imports |
| The Courier | B&W, Wargaming articles, all periods | On Military Matters |
| Historical Miniatures | Color, Figure painting, uniform source | RZM Imports |
| Military Illustrated | Color and B&W, history, all periods | |
| Military Modeling | Color, all periods, figures and vehicles | On Military Matters |
| Miniature Wargames | Color, miniature wargaming articles, all periods | On Military Matters |
| MWAN | B&W wargaming articles, all periods | On Military Matters |
| Steel Masters | Color, vehicle modeling, French language | RZM Imports |
| Vae Victus | Color, wargaming aticles, French language | On Military Matters |
| Wargames Illustrated | Color, miniature wargaming articles, all periods | On Military Matters |
| Historical Book Series (soft-cover) | Sources | |
| Armes Militaria Magazine | 8.5"x12", 80+pp,B&W w/many color plates, WW2 history, French text | RZM Imports |
| Arms & Armor Press | Various military periods and subjects, some B&W, some color, also some in hardback | |
| Concord Publications | 8.5"x 11", 70+pp, B&W w/some color plates, 20th century history. | Amazon |
| Europa Militaria | 7.5"x10.25", 60+pp, color uniform guides | RZM Imports |
| Europa Military Specials | 7.5"x10.25"96pp, color uniform, living history/re-enactment | |
| Osprey Campaign Series | 7.25"x9.75", 96pp, B&W and color, campaign and battle histories, various periods | RZM Imports, On Military Matters, Grandiosity |
| Osprey Elite Series | 7.25"x9.75", 64pp, B&W w/color plates, uniform guide with general history | RZM Imports, On Military Matters, Grandiosity |
| Osprey Men at Arms Series | 7.25"x9.75", 48or more pp, B&W w/color plates, uniform guide with general history | RZM Imports, On Military Matters, Grandiosity |
| Osprey New Vanguard | 7.25"x9.75", 48or more pp, B&W w/color plates, vehicle and equipment history | RZM Imports, On Military Matters, Grandiosity |
| Osprey Warrior Series | 7.25"x9.75", 64 pp, B&W w/color plates, uniform guide with general history | RZM Imports, On Military Matters, Grandiosity |
| Schiffer publishing | 8.25"x11.75" B&W, 50+pp, WW2 equipment (usually German), also many hardback title. | RZM Imports |
| Squadron/Signal In Action Series | 11"x 8.25" approx. 60pp, B&W w/ color plates, each covers an aircraft, ship, or vehicle. | The Squadron Shop |
| Squadron/Signal Publications | 8.5"x11" approx. 80pp, B&W with some color, various 20th century equipment and campaigns | The Squadron Shop |
4) Historical Miniatures Gaming Resource Web Sites
The following sites were all active as of 01/12/03. Please remember
that sites and hosts change constantly. Also remember that content
of most sites and discussion groups is offered by enthusiasts
and errors do occur.
| Research Sites | URL | Content |