Category: Community News

SOTCW Journal 70

The Journal, No. 70, from the SOTCW.The latest issue of the Society of Twentieth Century Wargamers (SOTCW) Journal has just arrived in my letter box. As always in recent years it is well packed with interesting articles covering the whole gamut of the Twentieth Century and Ultra-Modern periods. The Journal is an A4 sized black & white publication and issue 70 runs to 56 pages. Included in this issue is a SCW Scenario (for Iron Ivan rules); several World War 2 articles (German River Convoys in 1/300th scale; SS Sturmbrigade Walloon; French Cavalry Tanks overview; Operation Grief in the Ardennes; 3 East-Front Game Scenarios – 2 for Rapid Fire & 1 for Crossfire); 1980 Iran-Iraq Air War Scenario; Ultra-Modern Eastern European terrorist scenario & part two of an account of a modern fictional Naval & Amphibious Campaign; plus articles on gaming via email, converting plastic figures, tank football, the usual product & book reviews and columns, and more.

If you are interested in anything wargaming from 1900 to today and haven’t seen the Journal it’d be worth contacting the SOTCW and perhaps getting a Journal back issue or two to have a look and think about signing up!

And Then There Were 4: WS&S Folds

Final WS&S English Issue No.53 April 2010The various UK Distributors of Wargames, Soldiers, & Strategy (WS&S) sent out word that the magazine’s English Edition has ceased publication (the first word came in late May but I’ve only had confirmation directly from my distributor in late June) – somewhat ironically as it turns out as I had just finally signed up for a subscription at the start of the year (having previously just bought individual issues as and when I saw articles of interest). There was however some sign of a risk of this in recent months as the April issue was over a month late, and there had subsequently been nothing since (so only 1 issue in about 4 months – the first announcement in late May was well past the May issue’s due date). There has been a brief discussion of it at TMP for more information (apparently it was thought the May Issue No.54 would be coming out as the final issue – but looks not to be the case).

WS&S did suffer from editorial issues in the english-language version, some articles did end up nearly unreadable – and this seems to have put some gamers off it in recent years.

Continue reading “And Then There Were 4: WS&S Folds”

Edward Woodward, Well Known Actor & Wargamer, dies

Veteran actor Edward Woodward has died aged 79, his agent has confirmed. Woodward was famous in wargaming circles (like Robin Williams also) for being a celebrity/high-profile actor who participated in the hobby… Read More at the BBC Website.

Battlefront releases more Wargames Illustrated news

WI-cover-newBattlefront (Flames of War) have announced additional news about their plans for Wargames Illustrated Magazine, starting with Issue 260 (June 2009). From that issue the magazine’s page count will be increased by 40% (from 80 to 112) and this will be used for some Flames of War specific content as well as new material. On the whole it all sounds fairly positive and promising. You can read more at the press release… The cover illustration on left is a low-res version of a mock up you can see displayed on the Battlefront Poll Page of the possible new format.

 

 

Miniature Wargames Magazine: New Format

miniwargames314The latest issue of Miniature Wargames (No. 311 – March 2009) has arrived and in the editorial Andrew Hubback has announced that the promised new format will be implemented from the next issue (April). Miniature Wargames Website.

Update: 26 March 2009 – My copy of Miniature Wargames 312 (April 2009) arrived today and features the new layout and type faces. Definitely an improvement to the appearance and the gradual trend for more of the articles to be of more interest seems to continue at first glance.

An improvement in some of the photos as well – again significantly increasing the proportion that are of the standard found in Wargames Illustrated, Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy, and Battlegames magazines.

Battlefront Miniatures acquire Wargames Illustrated & GF9 Miniatures

flames_of_warsmallWI-coverBattlefront Miniatures of New Zealand (the makers of Flames of War) have announced the acquisition of Wargames Illustrated magazine and Gale Force Nine Miniatures. You can read more in their press releases here and here… It will be interesting to see what the future has in store for Wargames Illustrated, and whether Flames of War will become the predominant content of the publication. Wargames Illustrated is the second major UK Wargaming Magazine to change ownership in the last few months – Miniature Wargames was sold by long time owner/editor Iain Dickie to Andrew Hubback around October 2008.

BattleCry 2009

Here in Auckland it’s that time again – BattleCry 2009, the premier Auckland Wargaming Convention hosted (as always) by the AMERICA Club from Auckland University. As always this year includes the 28mm Ancient & Medieval Doubles Competition, New Zealand’s original and first Ancient & Medieval Doubles Tournament – and the only one in 25mm-28mm scale! As with 2008 this year will be played with the DBMM Rules (2007 and previous years having been played under DBM), and Battleline Miniatures will be sponsoring the competition. BattleCry is over the weekend of the 21-22 February 2009. Continue reading “BattleCry 2009”

New Table Top Teasers Book!

tabletopteasers1Battlegames Magazine announces the publication of the first Table Top Teasers wargaming scenario book by C. S. Grant.

My copy of Table Top Teasers Volume 1 has just arrived from Battlegames – and I must say most inspiring. I loved reading C.S. Grant’s teasers back in the 80’s (in Battle, Military Modelling, & Practical Wargamer), and although these are a compiled reprint of the first 12 that have appeared in Battlegames, they are still well worth the money with extra colour and a game report for each one. Additionally the book includes 2 additional ‘bonus’ teasers, including a reprint of the very first ever teaser from Battle Magazine in 1978!

Get your copy now from Henry at Battlegames…