"Historicon 18 Article @ www.wargamer.com" Topic

As promised, the followup article to the 282 pictures I posted on Historicon 2018. All in all I had a really good time. There is a link to the rest of the pictures at the bottom of the page. Ciao.

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Colonel Bill

wargamer.com
ageofeagles.com

Thanks for all the pics, I enjoyed that. One game I could not quite figure out though – the Russian troops – 28mm game – attacking somebody? Looked a bit like Russian Civil War or Back of Beyond stuff.

Whatever it was portraying, it looked great.

mghFond,

Not sure if this is it, but I checked the Historicon PEL and found a Thursday night game using 28mm figures fighting an action from the Russo-Polish War of 1920. I believe the rules used were a variation of Trench Wars. Does that sound like the one?

So by Fire and Sword is popular in the US? Lucky you. No one here is interested, after I had 500+ figs painted😟

I think the game you are referring to is mine… Dunsterforce 100th Anniversary Game: Battle of Menjil Bridge, 12 June 1918.

This pitted Russian Cossacks allied to Dunsterforce, with two British armored cards, a troop of 14th Hussars, and a plane, against Jangali tribesmen in the Caucasus area.

This scenario will be part of my 16-scenario book – The Miniature Adventures of Dunsterforce 1918 – slated for publication hopefully by the fall this year. It will be available from Partizan Press in the UK (the publisher) and On Military Matters in the US.

Thanks guys, yes, ECWCaptain, it had to be yours.

Ember52, thanks for trying but I'm familiar enough with RussoPolish War (I used to play it in 15mm) to know there were no Poles nor did the terrain resemble Poland.

Exotic battle alright and your figures are excellent!

Herr colonel
1848 Honved and co 15mm

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An obscure tudesk manufacturer. Plus more Östereicher with Mirliton, ok 1859, too lazy to see if much different.

Then Irregular also has a very decent line for the whole shebam.

I might one day buy their serezaners to add to Eurekas for a band of bandits for some dalmatian skirmish.

Jcfrog,

Thanks for the PM and yes, I did consider the Honved line but decided against it. They seem to be a small company and given the quantity needed and the cost of overseas shipping (and with my luck, an el Presidente uber Alles EU tariff to boot), the cost was prohibitive. And besides, even they didn't cover all the whacked out uniforms the Hungarians wore. Same for Irregulars.

So going down to 10 mm with a 40% discount for a domestic substitute line seemed the best solution. We'll see as I plan on doing 3d Komorn for November's Fall In convention.

And, yes, you folks are correct. That was Bob Gs game. Love the Russian regimentals, and nice to see someone got them right.

Ciao, Colonel Bill

wargamer.com
ageofeagles.com

Her colonel, pretty sure that if you plan it well ahead some Brits going to Historicon can carry for you a kg of minis.

Great article, Colonel Bill.
Thanks for sharing all the amazing pictures.

Glad you enjoyed the War College presentations by the "SPI Guys." I didn't get a chance to go (too busy playing games), but I heard the lectures were well attended and well received.

Speaking of the HMGS War College, when are you going to give a presentation? IIRC, the last time I heard you speak to a group was at a JodieCon (remember those?) years ago. Many of us would gladly listen to you (and your fellow game designers) discuss past, present and future projects and topics. As you mentioned in your article, one of the best lectures at Historicon was by Dr. Greg Dryanski on the Russo-Polish War of 1919-1921 (as opposed to the RPW of 2019-2021?), which was followed up a few hours later (by coincidence) by the Russo-Polish War game mentioned above. HMGS conventions (and the hobby in general) could use more lecture-game combinations in the future. After all, we are supposed to be students of military history. If not, we're just a bunch of old guys playing with toy soldiers.

Finally, one small correction to your article: the tours of the downtown Lancaster Convention Center were hosted by HMGS Treasurer John Spiess, not past HMGS President (and current Secretary) Paul Trani. John listed the tours in the Historicon PEL and several gamers, club coordinators and vendors took advantage of the ride program. Like you, I've seen the new venue and agree that it will be a VAST improvement over The Host. What many failed to realize this past convention was that this was "The Last Historicon" (to borrow a phrase from "Star Wars"), at least where the Host is concerned. It had a good run (20+ years), but its time has passed.

Hope to see you at the LCC for Historicon 2019.

Yes, I was aware that John was the action officer, but just listed the President as head of the organization as I assume he had to obviously have known about it. Paul was listed as President when I checked the Website, so I assume this changed after Historicon and we have a new el Presidente Uber Alles?

As for presentations, dunno, haven't given it much thought recently.

Ciao, Bill

You are correct on the change in the HMGS Presidency, Colonel Bill.

As for the HMGS BOD, past, present and future, never assume anything.

Finally, don't underestimate your draw as a speaker. FYI, seminars for the War College at HMGS conventions can now be submitted just like games. Check the HMGS web site for details.