Take a tour through the Vault and read some classic Wi articles. “Ok, ok, settle down and bring it in everyone. That’s it … gather closer my brave time travel recruits and listen up! Today’s a big day, you’re about to head out on your first field trip; we’re going into the Vault … Shhh! Shhhh! Warren, I know you’re excited but please stop your yapping! “I’m sure you’ve heard the stories, the legends, the tall tales … well most of ‘em are true! The Vault’s a magical place packed full of old issues of Wi. There are thousands of articles, pictures, and hobby ideas stuffed into it but you’ve gotta be careful. There are some who have headed into the Vault and got lost in the search; they’ve emerged days later, hungry, and unwashed … if they made it out at all … “You can get all turned around in there and lose sight of the humdrum of reality so it’s important to use your FtV guide on your travels. “Right, everyone ready? Hold onto your butts, we’re opening the Vault and heading in!” Wargames Illustrated 007 – March 1988 An opportunity missed here to do a bond-themed issue? Perhaps! I suspect then Editor Duncan never dared to guess that Wi would hit 100 issues (let alone 400+) and thus require a ‘double oh’ before the seven to make a digital, online Vault search work better! The first full article here comes from Richard Brook and includes loads of siege gaming ideas. In ‘Besieged by the Mahdi’ he examines the Siege of Khartoum and presents vast lists of suggestions for things you could introduce to this battle between the British and Mahdist. The article layout and some word choices are very much of the time but there are fine wargaming possibilities and some great photos here too. The Crimean War doesn’t get a huge amount of wargaming attention, but Stephen Allen’s investigation of its small actions might be a good ‘in’ if you’ve ever considered building a collection around it. Barry Edwards writes about the Battle of Salamanca and his article has some very nice photos accompanying it, then there’s Peter Dennis’ Wars of the Roses rules. These take up just three pages. How about comparing them to Never Mind the Billhooks? Wargames Illustrated 126 – March 1998 Jump ahead ten years and March 1998’s opening article - ‘Wolseley and the Fighting Cop’ -covers Garnet’s attempts to subdue the Pedi people to the north of Zululand. The accompanying photo shows Boers around some scratch-built buildings and the caption’s “Not quite right for this article, but as near as we could get!” nimbly excuses something we would never do these
