Tuesday 12 December 2017

Another little Road Trip to the past - Miniature Warfare Magazine

In 1968 when Miniature Warfare was first published I was but 11 and missed out on the first two and a bit years of its publication, I did manage to get the odd issue from volumes 3,4 and 5 but never managed to get complete sets.

Over the years I've always kept a look out for the mag but to no avail and I refuse to pay the current £6-£11 an issue currently being asked on eBay.

Out of daftness I emailed John Tunstill, who first published the magazine, and  who is still dealing in figures and asked if he had any spare copies, his reply was great he had a set of five volumes and in binders for a price that I couldn't get 6 mags on eBay.

They arrived yesterday so I'm going to do a bit of wallowing in nostalgia.

Having had a quick flick through what strikes me with the magazine compared with those of today is that apart from the production quality the articles were generally more inclusive, detailed and not promoted to selling a brand or range.

In fact it didn't take long to find the (in)famous article on 'screw' armies and at last I could read all the articles on the ACW campaign held using maps of Ireland.
(can't understand why this is upside down! sorry)
Of course the late Peter Gilder also started his 'In The Grand Manner' articles in this mag and what an inspiration they were.






12 comments:

MSFoy said...

Excellent result - my grannie used to say, "Those that don't ask don't get"! - full marks for initiative - that's quite a haul. Very envious...

Carlo said...

How brilliant Graham! Looking forward to hearing and seeing a lot more of these in future posts mate.

Graham C said...

Certainly was, when John gave me a price I assumed it was per volume but when he said it was for the lot I nearly jumped in the car to go and collect.
No you're right sometimes asking out loud can bring pleasant rewards.

Graham C said...

Carlo,
Lots to look at and indeed I think there will be a few more posts to come

marinergrim said...

A great find. Hope you enjoy them as much as I am envious of you having them.
It is interesting to see the change in article quality and the lack of depth in may presentations today compared to the first days of Miniature Wargames even.

Aly Morrison said...

Graham...
I also re-bought my Miniature Warfare mags from John... a really nice man to deal with.
I find them interesting and inspiring ...even today.
I remember as a lad painting some screws as per the infamous article...
When finished they looked remarkably like painted screws...
I am not sure what my father thought when he found them in his tool box.

All the best. Aly

Independentwargamesgroup said...

Well done Graham, now if my prayers are answered and Donald sends me down the first five volumes of Wargamers Newsletters.

Graham C said...

Aly,
Yes indeed he is a gentleman and as you say the mags are still inspiring- I do remember getting all my dads jam jars of screws out the garage and lining them up but was soon distracted with a half crown and a new box of airfix figures 😀

Graham C said...

Paul,
You're right it's a pleasure to sit and read from cover to cover, not something you can do very often these days.

joppy said...

Well, that's your Christmas reading sorted out, then

DaveD said...

oldies but damn goodiesGraham

Tony Adams said...

Only just come across your blog and these comments. With regard to the infamous article on using screws for war gaming in miniature warfare magazine have a look at "thewoodscrewminiaturearmy.blogspot.com". You may find it interesting.