In The Pipe

New Titles & Products Now in Development for
The Virtual Armchair General
The following items are in varying stages of completion, so keep an eye on TVAG for news and release dates.

"On To Abomey!"

A Wargames Source Book for the Franco-Dahomeyan Wars, 1890, 1892-94

Years in development by renowned compiler of Colonial Wars OB's, Andrew Preziosi, this will be the definitive resource on these exotic wars of Empire in West Africa against the Fon people, their King Behanzin, and world famous "Amazons." Packed with period maps, illustrations, sidebars with fascinating facts, and the OB's the author is famous for. Not merely the soldiers and battles, but full details of the all important coastal and riverine aspects of the campaigns are included. Using not only the most recent sources, but contemporary histories and reports in their original French have been culled for the sort of details that wargamers want in order to get the full flavor and nuances that make these wars unique and fascinating. Heavily illustrated in color and period B&W from magazines, newspapers, and travelers' sketches, as well as obscure and hard to find photos, this will be the last word on the subject from the point of view of military history buffs and wargame players looking for something unprecedented for their table tops.

Tentatively Scheduled for Release by the end of 2024.

"The Sun Never Sets" Miniatures Collection

The Most Extensive Range of 15mm Colonial Wargame Figures Ever

...And that's no brag. Just fact!

Over a year has already be invested by veteran sculptor, Chris Ferree, to make a collection so complete in all respects that we think nothing will have been overlooked. Not only will there be every distinct British uniform type represented among the figures (Regular, Highlanders, Rifles, Naval Brigade, Royal Marines, Guards Camel Corps), but also Royal Artillery 9-pdr RML, "Screw Gun," Dragoons, Lancers, etc), 9-pdr & 24-pdr Hales Rockets, and .45 "Broadwell" Gatling, 3- & 5-barreled Nordenfelt, 2- & 5-barreled Gardner machine guns, several broken down for transport by mule/camel/or elephant!) There is also a complete range of transport options for general support including pack camels and mules, GS Wagons, "Colonial Wagons,"ox-carts, and more. There are also a number of 15mm Gunboat designs in the mix with a wide variety of appropriate weapons and fittings. Native forces of the Empire are also represented by Sikh Infantry and Bengal Cavalry, Ghurkas, Natal Mtd. Police, Stanger Mounted Rifles, and Natal Native Contingent, and more.

But what are Imperial troops for without their opposition? And such opposition! Alphabetically: The Abor (NE Frontier), Afghan/Pathan Irregulars, Afghan Regulars (artillery, Herati & Kabuli infantry & cavalry, "Highlander" infantry, and Herati Guard Cavalry), Ashanti, First War Boers (foot, mtd., & "Ras" artillery), Burmese (foot, horse, & war elephants), Imperial Chinese Yung-Ying and Bannermen infantry (sword, spear, bow, matchlock, jingal armed), with lt. & hvy. Cavalry, Tigermen, lt. & hvy. jingals & artillery), Maori's, Egyptians (infantry, cavalry, including "Chainmail," Krupp artillery), Sudanese Infantry, Bashi-Bazouks (mtd. & afoot), Mahdist's (Riverine Arabs on foot, cavalry, camelry, artillery), Fuzzy-Wuzzy's (foot, cavalry, Hademdowa camelry & cavalry), and last, but never least, Zulu's (at least ten poses representing several Regiments)!

All foot and mounted figures will be metal castings, but some of the artillery and machine guns will be offered as 3D resin printed models. As of this addition to "In The Pipe," the figures remaining to be completed include the Ashanti, Maori, British troops and allies uniformed for the Ashanti War, and an extensive line of Imperial Chinese. Please notice, therefore, how much of this range has already been finished and is ready for production!

Tentative release will be late 2024 or early 2025.

"Mean Streets Scatter" Collection

A large range of 28mm 3D printed resin items to complete the look of your "Mean Streets" or other mid-20th Century city layout for Pulp, Gangster, Horror, and all other RPG's. Items already completed include, but are not limited to, traffic lights, police call boxes, fire hydrnts, roof top chimneys/ventilators, shoe shine stand, window awnings, trash cans, street lights, steps and stairways for buildings, mail boxes, and more. The range will also provide push carts, junk wagon, popcorn/candy cart, flower stand, and other "portable" businesses.

But that's not all! Furniture for interiors is being designed such as iron beds, safes, tables, chairs, sofas, desks, barber's chairs, hospital beds, shelving, book cases, floor lamps, candlestick phones, etc. The plan is to be the last word in such detail items to furnish your "Mean Sets" or your own interiors.

"Mean Streets Scatter" will be released with a wide selection available from the start, either later in 2024, or early 2025. And if anyone has something they need of this type in the meantime to complete a miniatures game, please E-mail us with your suggestions!

The Big House!

Easily the craziest project yet that has grown out of "Mean Streets/Mean Sets"--and which has spawned things you've likely never thought would available for wargames and RPG's--including a new range of 28mm miniatures of the very highest quality!

First, "The Big House" is a set of four cardstock models including 1) The Prison Yard & Main Gate, 2) A Cell Block, 3) The Dining Hall, and 4) The Warden's Office and Infirmary. Any number of RPG scenarios can be set within these walls as your Heroes are captured by the Enemy, or simply captured by The Law. Like all TVAG cardstock models, the sets are designed for "atmosphere" and with appropriate details that call to mind any of the classic Prison Movies of the 1930's and 40's. All models are sold for self assembly via "Mean Sets" as PDF's for $10.00 each, delivered free via E-mail, but-- buy all four for $30.00!

All four sets come with the option of buying specially designed 3D printed resin accessories to complete the effect for each. For example, the Cell Block can be furnished with bars, bunk beds, commodes and sinks; the Prison Yard & Main Gate can be outfitted with siren, searchlight, wall top railings, and a machine gun: the Dining Hall comes with cardstock tables, and may have an iron railing to mount on the guards' catwalk above the floor; and the Warden's Office & Infirmary come with more cardstock models of furniture, while 3D printed hospital beds may be added. Indeed, other details are in the works and should be available when the entire project is released.

But crazier yet, an entirely original range of figures will also be offered. Designed as 3D printed masters for sale as metal castings, three sets of figures will also be available. The first (already completed) is a set of 6 separate Convicts. Showing authentic anatomy (a rarity!), and fully compatible with all existing "28mm" Pulp, Gangster, and Horror figures, these unique figures come with a selection of 12 unique heads/faces, half with caps, and three sets of separate arms in three "modes": 1) empty handed, 2) carrying a variety of improvised weapons (clubs, knives, tools) as during a riot, and 3) firearms, including a Tommy Gun, lever action rifles, revolvers and semi-auto pistols. All tools and weapons have also been designed from 3D masters for the ultimate in detail and correct scale to the figures.

But they won't be alone for long! Already nearing completion (as of mid-August 2024) is a set of Female Prisoners! Five women in authentic period prison clothing, with one particularly nasty Matron! These figures, too, have arm pairs that are empty handed, and others with firearms. Again, these castings are anatomically correct (but not to say "provocative!") in feminine height and build, with more unique faces, though no caps.

And finally, what's a prison--male or female--without Staff! Still to come will be another set of 6 figures: The Warden, four uniformed guards, and their Chief. Their two sets of arm pairs will carry canes instead of weapons in the first, and a variety of lever action rifles, riot guns, and a Thompson. Again, all dressed in proper period styles and ready to be the bane of your Convicts lives--and their opponents during that Riot or full scale Bust Out!

As for so many of these new projects at TVAG, release date will depend on how quickly everything can be brought together, but still possibly by the end of '24 or into '25.

19th Century Chinese Flags Collection!

The next additions will be the huge Imperial collection for the Manchu/Qing as they fought throughout the century.

FAVORITE LINKS
to war gaming and history sites on the web

Fall Back to The Virtual Armchair General's HOMEPAGE

Names of individual product lines are trademarks (TM) of the manufacturers.