IN THE STEPS OF THE WARRIOR

             This is where it all began so many years ago. I had a few Napoleonic figures from Hinton Hunt plus a handful from a new supplier called Minifigs. Then a company called Airfix produced a small range of cheap and easily converted soft plastic figures that introduced me to the world of figure conversions and ancient wargames. Six boxes were produced of real interest. Romans, Ancient Britons, Robin Hood, Sheriff of Nottingham, Arabs and the US 7th cavalry. There were many more but these were the modellers delight. Armed with a hot needle I attacked the boxes available. Remember, back in those heady days, there were virtually no wargames reference books, lists or rules.. Wild woolly days indeed. I chose the middle east in the 600 to 1200 period. Armies of Arabs, Turks and the mighty Ghazanavids with their Britain's baby elephants rolled off the production line. Next came the Early Imperial Romans and Celts. I did eventually reproduce my early eastern armies in metal 25mm but none gave me greater pleasure than those hand carved early figures. Then came 15mm and 5th and 6th edition rules and a lot of the "fun" disappeared. I tentatively bought a Republican Roman and accompanying Carthaginian army from minifigs. Crude compared to today's wonders. However my heart wasn't in it and the figures never saw a lick of paint. My interests turned to modern warfare and strategic games and the ancients gathered dust on the shelves.

              When Jenny and I moved to Spain the old plastic figures were lovingly dusted off and packed into boxes and for many years that's where they stayed. Then about 8 years ago I discovered DBA and its progeny DBM. I also found a wargames club here in Spain free from the taint of "competition gaming". Inspired by this collection of players I launched once more into the joys of ancient gaming. With a wild fury I attacked the treasure trove in the garage in search of those old minifigs. At some point during the search I rediscovered my old Airfix conversions. Whilst rearming, painting and basing my 15mm armies, I lovingly restored those old figures and rebased them for DBA. I have never had the chance to use them but they still have pride of place on the wargames shelves. Pride indeed, they are where it started.