WARGAMING AT FIREPOWER  Miniature warfare at the Royal Artillery Museum

Visitors to the Museum can see a number of historical battles (and even the odd Science Fiction game) being played out among the world class collections. This is wargaming and the players are the Firepower Wargamers. It is essentially the hobby of recreating battles in miniature using scale armies of figurines made of metal or plastic. The models can vary in scale height and size depending on the playing area available and the rules used by the gamers. There is also scope for 'what might have been' battles in addition to historical ones.

The battles are fought out on a table, usually eight foot by four foot although sometimes smaller depending on the size of the armies and the type of engagement being refought. The terrain for these battles can vary from vinyl mats and terrain tiles for sea and air battles respectively to tabletops festooned with finely detailed scenery for land battles.  

Themes have included the Greek & Persian Wars (both armies and their galley fleets), the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, air combat ranging from World War Two to Korea and even the popular science-fiction 'HALO' game. More periods of warfare will follow in due course.

The wargamers meet one Saturday or Sunday each month and are always keen to include visitors in their games and answer questions on their hobby. 

Don't miss our big wargames event on May 31st!