Humbrol Authenticards Series 1 # 15 Luftwaffe Markings (1939-45)

Humbrol Authenticards Series 1 # 16 RAF Markings (1939-45)

Humbrol Authenticards Series 1 # 17 US Markings (1941-45)

Humbrol Authenticards Series 1 # 18 Churchill Tank

Humbrol Authenticards Series 1 # 19 Sherman Tank

Humbrol Authenticards Series 1 # 20 Panzer IV Tank

Original review of Charles Grant's "The War Game", from Wargamer's Newsletter # 116, November 1971

THE WAR GAME by Charles Grant (10" x 7½”: 191 pages; 25 photographs; 28 maps and diagrams. Published by A. and C. Black £3.00).

I had read and enjoyed most of the contents of this book when originally published in "Tradition" magazine and now this most lavish and pleasingly presented book makes re-reading it a pleasure. My enjoyment was increased because I have actually fought with Charles Grant using the figures depicted in the beautiful photographs in the book and on the same battlefield. In that connection I am very impressed with the manner in which Charles Grant remains satisfied and loyal to his rules because those given in the book are exactly the same as we used on pleasant if argumentative Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings some eight to ten years ago. I say this with some feeling because my own rules are constantly being changed or amended as some new situation arises that causes dissatisfaction.

It is a most pleasingly presented book presumably aimed at the beginner whom it takes in carefully explained steps through the mechanics of fighting that neglected but fascinating and colourful warfare of the mid-l8th century. Charles backs his theories with historical illustrations and, whilst there is nothing particularly new or original in the book, it admirably does what it sets out to do - to arouse interest in a pleasing period of warfare without once straying from the fact that it is an enjoyable game that is being described and not a highly technical and intense simulation of real warfare. It may be because the wargaming careers of Charles Grant and Brigadier Peter Young have been blended together for so many years and because both fight in the same period, but "THE WAR Game" most strikingly resembles "CHARGE!" by Brigadier Peter Young and Lieutenant-Colonel J.P. Lawford in that both are exactly the same size books, both beautifully presented with gorgeous and stimulating coloured jackets, the interior lay-out, style and standard of photographs and method of presentation is remarkably similar.

The principal difference lies in the style of writing where Charles lacks the whimsicality of the Brigadier and occasionally I found irritating his over-wordy, slightly old-fashioned style of putting words together as though they were directed at youngsters. However, this may be carping because after all Charles Grant's credentials for writing such a book arise from him being an experienced veteran wargamer and not a writer.

All-in-all, this is a most pleasing contribution to the ever growing literature of wargaming and, speaking with some experience, may I say that I think that Charles's publishers have done him proud!

Robert Louis Stevenson

Stevenson at Play, from Scribner's Magazine December 1898

I am afraid I can't remember whose blog it was I spotted this link on yesterdayto Bob Beattie's posting of this famous article about RLS and his wargaming activities.

Written by Lloyd Osbourne it incorporated a large extract from RLS's wargames campaign diary, with"mimic war correpondent" reports.

For ease of reading I am reproducing it below.

Something different...

I don't think I have seen much in print, on the internet or on forums about people taking the Situationist International as a starting point for wargames, but there is a first time for everything.

I am indebted to Richard Barbrook for piquing my interest in the Game of War by Guy Debord, with some pictures of Minifgs S Range Hapsburg and Ottoman figures on a gridded terrain.

At first sight reminiscent of the gridded wargames of Gerard de Gre and Joseph Morschauser, it turns out that the Game of War was designed as a board game. Richard's set using these figures is very visually appealing.

The Class Wargames site has much more information on Guy Debord and the Game of War, including a fascinating 25 minute film, viewable as five five-minute segments, a description of the game, and its rules. Figure wargamers may be interested or reassured to see Mark Copplestone's name in the section on players of the game.

Any short summary I could try to give here would not do justice to the material so if you are interested I would suggest you visit the web site through the link above.

If you are interested in seeing more on gridded wargames Bob Cordery is currently pursuing the subject of Joseph Morschauser's rules and mechanisms over on his Wargaming Miscellany blog.

Charlie Sweet - The Sports Illustrated article

As referred to in previous posts, Charles (Charlie) Sweet was a hugely important figure in giving wargaming a public profile in the United States. Featured in an article in Sports Illustrated and as a bank president he gave the hobby gravitas and credibility, as well as drawing it to many's attention for the first time. He also appeared on television with Mike Wallace and Walter Cronkite. Much better known in the US than in Britain, he died aged 87 in 2001.

Thanks to a regular source (you know who you are) I am now able to post some scans of the original Sports Illustrated article here. If you are interested in finding out more about Charlie Sweet there is an obituary by Bob Beattie here on miniaturewargaming.com.

Humbrol Authenticards Series 2 Napoleonics

In the long ago pre Osprey and pre interweb days, uniform information was hard to come by. Maybe people of a certain age will therefore remember how exciting the release of the Humbrol Authenticards was. A joint effort to sell Humbrol Authentic Military Colour enamel paints and Hinchliffe 25mm Napoleonic figures, series 2 illustrated Napoleonic uniforms using coloured versions of Norman Swales' line drawings of the Hinchliffe Napoleonics range. (Series 1 included World War 1 and 11 aircraft and WW11 tanks).

I am glad to say that Hornby Hobbies Ltd, who now own both Airfix and Humbrol, have given their permission for me to post the series 2 cards here. I am definitely missing #3, which looks like it must have been British Napoleonic Infantry, and I suspect there may have been a #15 illustrating Austrian Cavalry. If anyone has either of these or can provide scans of them, or indeed if anyone knows if there were other in the series beyond #14, I would be glad to hear from you.

Humbrol Authenticards Series 2 #2 British Napoleonic Cavalry

Humbrol Authenticards Series 2 #2 British Napoleonic Elite Cavalry

Humbrol Authenticards Series 2 #3 British Napoleonic Infantry

Humbrol Authenticards Series 2 #4 British and French Napoleonic Artillery Crew

Humbrol Authenticards Series 2 #5 French Napoleonic Imperial Guard Infantry

Humbrol Authenticards Series 2 #6 French Napoleonic Line Infantry

Humbrol Authenticards Series 2 #7 French Napoleonic Light Cavalry

Humbrol Authenticards Series 2 #8 French Napoleonic Heavy Cavalry