Salute is the UK's largest wargames show, held at the Excel Centre in London Docklands. Essentially a vast hangar packed with games and traders. I had to come down to London for work, so a trip to the show fitted in well, along with some research in the National Archives and the British Library. The long queue when I arrived was managed well, and we were inside in no time. I also got to stay all day for the first time.
I was restrained in my purchases because I came down by train. Restraint is challenging when just about every wargame company is there, including several you won't see anywhere else. Over 130 in total. However, I picked up the WW1 air warfare game 'Wings of War' that I had been after for some time. Plus, some Korean War scenario booklets for my next project and a few 1/200 aircraft. Oh, and I joined the throng for What a Cowboy, even though I have no figures and am not a big Western fan. But, I can adapt it for the Russo-Ottoman war!
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Nice to see my new book on sale at the Helion stall. I even signed a couple. |
The extensive trade offerings are not at the expense of games. They came in all sizes, from small-scale taster participation games to big display games. About 90 in all. Here are the ones that caught my eye.
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First up was Austerlitz. Not quite as I imagined it, but well done. |
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An Italian Wars Billhooks game. The ships and castles were excellent. |
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Indian mutiny or rebellion, as you prefer. |
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What a Cowboy! Lots of takers for this. |
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The 2mm madness that is Strength and Honour. The Punic Wars very nearly tempted me. |
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London Bridge on Ice was a popular participation game. |
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This is a fantasy setting called Angaral. |
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Loved this game. Putin's Z men stopped by the Ukrainian tractors. And the sunken Moskva. |
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Grand Zulu game. I was definitely stopping this side of the river! |
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Inchon landings in Korea in 10mm. I'm sold. |
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The Wolverhampton University War Studies Department did this ACW naval action. Mobile Bay. |
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A fabulous Mordheim setting, which deservedly won the best scenery. |
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Finnish War, Battle of Oravais 1808. |
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Battle of Domstadal 1758 with old school flats. |
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And last but not least, the Battle of Ipsus used To the Strongest. It won the best 28mm game. |
The traders I spoke to were reasonably happy, and the numbers looked as if they were back to pre-pandemic levels. The games were indeed busy. The other events in the same venue were the pre-London Marathon event and a show for property developers. Wargamers look a bit incongruous next to the super fit and super rich!
Some great photos. Too busy for me but looked like a good day out.
ReplyDeleteBecause of the size of the hall its less busy than you might think. Other than a few stalls and games there was plenty of room.
DeleteThanks for putting the pictures up- looks like there were some interesting games there. I really must make the trip down there one year....
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Pete.
Nice review. The games look great (nice pics). The show certainly sounds HUUUGGE - with plenty of traders and lots of games too.
ReplyDeleteThe drawback is really just that London is a fair distance to travel and Partizan (at Newark) is only 4 weeks away. I’ll be saving my ££’s.
Cheers,
Geoff
It is unique and back to its best. I'm hoping to get to Partisan this year, as I have never been and enjoyed Hammerhead. I am down south anyway playing golf with some pals.
Delete