OK, this is a bit esoteric, but it could be useful. Wondering what will happen when you douse your plastic wargames figures in acetic acid? Use this chemical compatability site to find out.
Abandoned Mind Games has a new (simple) (free) wargames rules system.
And if you want simple (shameless plug!) The Abandoned Mind Games Simple System works well (IMHO) for small scale skirmish. I also have a one page PDF Single Stat system that is good for larger altercations. The weapons table at the site does not have much in the way of modern weaponry, but you don't need a weapons table or chart, if your opponents are equally matched or if you can use your imagination a bit. The game is all about flexibility and making the game play smooth. I will be adding the modern and future/SF weapons table when I roll out the full system. I am in the process of editing years of notes and cleaning up quickly made charts to look more professional. That and making time to sculpt my miniatures. http://users.bestweb.net/~mzart/simplsys Give it a try and send me any feedback, I will give anyone playtest credits to anyone who provides constructive feedback.
My friend Jim Vesper loves to run dreadnaught era naval miniature wargames. Here's a good scenario for the Battle of the Yellow Sea from Bill Madison of the Naval Wargames Society.
Miniature Wargaming is part of the "adventure games" hobby, which includes r ole p laying and board games. Wargamers recreate battles on the tabletop with toy soldiers, like a more complicated game of chess. Models range in height from 6mm to 28mm tall, with 15mm and 25mm being the most popular. There also is a growing interest in toy soldiers and military models, such as the 1/32 and 1/35 scale plastic soldiers from Conte, and Marx.
The most popular miniature wargames are fantasy and science fiction based, such as Warhammer, Warhammer 40K, Warmachine and The Lord of the Rings. World War II games such as Flames of War and Axis and Allies are new favorites. Other favorite historical periods include Napoleonics, the American Civil War, and ancients, such as Romans or Greeks. Other gamers enjoy miniature naval wargames, recreating battles like Trafalgar, Jutland and the Coral Sea.
Hobbyists research historical periods and paint their tiny soldiers in accurate uniforms. Others develop "historically realistic" rules sets or build scale battlefield terrain using model railroad techniques.
For pictures, visit the gallery.
Some of the bigger hobby companies are Games Workshop, which produces Warhammer, Wargames Foundry and Old Glory Miniatures. Wizards of the Coast produces several lines of pre-painted miniatures games, such as the Star Wars and Dungeons and Dragons miniatures games, and a historical game with pre-painted miniatures: The new Axis and Allies game. Wizkids produces a fantasy collectable miniatures game, such as the Mage Knight and Heroclick fantasy games, the science fiction games MechWarrior and Rocketmen, as well as the quasi-historical Pirates of the Spanish Main.