Having trouble viewing the flipbook magazine? View and download it instead! As we go to print with this, the December issue of Wargames Illustrated, things around WiHQ and indeed the rest of the county are feeling decidedly un-Christmassy. In a few days this green and pleasant land (read: dark and wet land at this time of year) will be heading back into a national lockdown. For any publisher the biggest challenge thus created comes with the fact that shops across England will be closing – adding to a number of our stockists that are already shut across Europe and likely to close across the US. All this meaning that we - and other small publishers/businesses - need to tighten our belts. We were planning on including a free ‘How To …’ modelling supplement with this issue of the magazine, but I hope you will forgive us for the fact that the uncertainty of not knowing if there will be stores open to sell this magazine means we are not able to throw money at that particular ‘freebie’ at this time. However, looking on the bright side, plans are afoot and agreements in place for some smashing cover mounts throughout 2021. Doubtless next year will see the wargames show circuit reborn, clubs around the world reopening their doors and gamers again meeting across the table to enjoy some social un-distanced pewter and plastic pushing and joyful dice rolling. Here’s hoping! Dan Falconbridge Editor and Owner QUICK FIRE! Our regular look at what your fellow readers have been up to over the last month. OBSERVATION POST New and forthcoming products in the wargames world. FULL PAPER JACKET Your monthly book preview column. THEME: TALES OF THE RIVERBANK Noel Williams has been thinking about boats and how to incorporate them into wargames. IT’S ONLY ROCK ‘N’ BARK, BUT I LIKE IT James Morris shows us how to use pine bark to create great looking rocky terrain. THEME: ESTUARY ENGLISH Barry Hilton contributes to this month’s theme by taking us on a hazardous journey up the Vlie estuary in search of plunder and mischief. LOUIS IX. SAINTS, HOOKERS AND MERCENARIES ON CRUSADE Crusader expert Dr Steve Tibble tells us a bit more about Saint Louis and the ill-fated Eighth Crusade. THEME: GUNBOATS AND RIVERINE EXPANSION FOR DEATH IN THE DARK CONTINENT Regular contributor Nick Buxey takes his custom built French Cannonière upriver and into the ‘Dark Continent’ of Colonial Africa. TEST OF HONOUR: SENGOKU The first expansion for Test of Honour is here, bringing clans and more to the Sengoku period skirmish game. Graham Davey, the Daimyo at Grey For Now Games, gives us all of the details. THEME: A BRIDGE TOO FAR? Neil Smith
