Sunday, 13 April 2025

Salute 2025

Went to Salute yesterday, and played with Rich and Nick of Two Fat Lardies. They were demonstrating version two of their Chain of Command rules.

I helped Nick marmalize the British Paras with our adhoc German force of reprobates in recreating an action at Arnhem. We played for about two hours, and the result were pretty much replicated the historical action, despite my dice rolling.

 

After which Susan and I had lunch, and enjoyed a much needed sit down after standing for so long.

This modern game by The Friends of General Haig called Breaking the Stalemate: Iran Iraq war, 1986 in 15mm caught my eye.

Then we looked around the show and pick up a couple of items. I had in mind getting an Osprey book, but none of the dealers had the recent Boots on the Ground by Leigh Neville, so I'll have to order it online.

I also wanted Pro Acryl's Glaze & Wash Medium, but again I came up empty handed. But, learnt that Element Games have opened a new store in London in Drury Lane. So, I intend to pop in and get the glaze medium from them come time next week.

I did buy a Artis Opis  texture palette for drybrushing.

We also came across Crow games who do STLs for Starship Troopers and some rather nice starships too.


And of course there were a ton of other wargames and traders at Salute too, but by about three o'clock my feet hurt enough that I decided to call it a day.

 So that was Salute 2025, which also felt a lot busier than last year. Catch you all on the bounce.

Addendum:

Whilst archiving the photos for this post, I rearranged the files and discovered I missed going to Salute between 2017 to 2023.

These dates coincide with my rheumatoid relapse, and also cover Covid, and my compromised immune system making me reluctant to expose myself to large crowds.

Salute is huge. It might only last a day, but it host thousands of people. So, I added this note, as I do understand why people find going overwhelming.

20 comments:

  1. Looks like a grand time. I could take macro photos of all them lovely minis all day long. Cheers!
    - TZH

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    1. I didn't take my camera this year as I wanted to travel light (problem of still having some discomfort from the bout of shingles I had over the new year). Hence phone pics.

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  2. Glad you enjoyed yourselves. However Salute is not for me now. Simon

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  3. I am sorry but Salute just looks like hell to me

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    1. It can be.

      To paraphrase Confucius, there is no material difference between heaven and hell, except for how one deals with the problems (using four foot long chopsticks to feed each other rather trying to feed oneself).

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  4. Not my thing either I am afraid, too many people. It’s just not enjoyable anymore. Paul

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    1. Agree, the crowds are a thing, but find your friends and things become better.

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  5. Interesting to find a blog post on Salute - not many around now s days . Looks like you had an ok day .

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    1. The bloggerverse is not what is used to be. I keep mine going as an aide memoir. I had a very okay day. Playing the new version of Chain of Command was a real treat.

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  6. Great to see you got out and about and even rolled some dice!
    Those Crow Starships look very nice indeed actually...

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    1. Cheers. The ships are STLS that come from the Crow Patreon site.

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  7. Sounds like fun! It's a one day convention, correct? If so, is that normal in the UK? Most gaming cons here in the US are typically full weekend conventions (Fri/Sat/Sun) with some big ones spilling into the preceeding Thursday (like Gencon and Origins when I last went years ago admittedly).

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    1. Salute is one day. There are some two day events, or have been, but Britain has tons of wargame shows, and more importantly wargame clubs (despite me moaning that I can't find one near me). Horses for courses.

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    2. Thanks. It just seems like alot of setup/takedown for both companies and groups/clubs for a single day of events!

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    3. It is. I took a game to Salute circa 1991/2, and can attest it's a brutally long day, but me and the team were young and full of beans back then.

      For the traders, I imagine the sales boost makes it worthwhile. For the game clubs it can mean new players with associated membership dues.

      I'm too old for this game.

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  8. Thank you for sharing your trip Ashley, very much appreciated.

    Willz.

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  9. Nice post, Ashley. Sorry I didn't see you at the show for a chat.

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    1. We passed each other like majestics ships in the night, or some such bollocks. It was too noisy for you to hear me shout.

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