The internet blurb for the December show in London said it would feature a wargame arranged by James Opie and Replica Metal Soldiers & Models so I thought I'd take a look (well I was going there anyway for a Christmas get together with the lads)
The table was laid out for the Battle of Tell el Kebir, a good choice for a display game as it needs very little terrain (important if you're the one transporting the stuff) and the two sides are easily identifiable, Egyptians are in white, Brits are not. I don't know the purpose of the bits of paper dotted all over the place but this sort of clutter on the table is a pet hate of mine.
Nice to see that I'm not the only person who resorts to mounting toy soldiers on 2p pieces! Cavalry are mounted on lengths of transparent Perspex which are all but invisible, I was very impressed with the table mat which appeared to be just hand painted cloth but executed so much better than my own efforts.
I was told that the rules being used had been written by James Opie, based on Wells' Little Wars but with some modern twists (no matchstick firing cannon!). It's nice to see a display wargame returning to the London Show but I do still miss the old Skirmish Wargames Group games.
James Opie was on hand at the nearby stand for C&T Auctions and was joined by Luigi Toiati who was promoting his new book "The History of Toy Soldiers". Regulars at the London Show in the late 1980's and early 90's will remember the affable Luigi as the man behind Garibaldi Toy Soldiers, I've had his book for a while now but haven't had time to read through it (pictures look nice though) so a review will have to wait a bit longer.
In the meantime James and Luigi were promoting another new book "La dinastia degli Antonini a Roma" which is a privately printed history of three generations of the Antonini family who have been making toy soldiers in Rome, their FIGIR composition figures are well known but not their lead creations so I've written to Santa for a copy, but as my emails to Rome haven't been acknowledged I'm not confident it will get here by Christmas!
That IS an impressive cloth, very nicely done and the clear bases seem to work well, I thought at first that they had been painted to match the table. 'Pretty nice' collection of figures too.........
ReplyDeleteOn closer inspection you're right Ross, the clear bases are only on the cavalry, the infantry are on movement trays that have been painted to match the mat, and as you say,very nicely done.
DeleteThe figures and cloth are very well done! The undulations in the cloth look so natural. Luigi's new book is securely wrapped and waiting under the Christmas tree. One of many reasons to look forward to Christmas morning this year! Thanks for your excellent pictures Brian. I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThe cloth was heavy enough that it could be ruched up to form sand dunes, very effective on a table with little terrain or cover. Good job the book is securely wrapped, I could never overcome the temptation to take a quick peep! Best wished to you and yours, and here's looking forward to lots more battles with toy soldiers in 2020.
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