SALUTE 52 Show Report - The Extended Cut

Welcome to the Extended Cut of my Salute 52 coverage — the ultimate photo and video review of the UK’s biggest miniature wargaming show! This extended version features exclusive extra footage, bonus photos, and deeper coverage of the most stunning display boards, painted miniatures, and tabletop setups from Salute 2025.

#Salute52 #Salute2025 #WargamingShow #MiniatureWargaming #TabletopWargaming #HistoricalWargaming #MiniaturePainting #WargamesConvention #MiniaturesShowcase #WargamersUnite

Best Wargames Show Ever? - What is your favourite and why?

Are UK wargaming shows the best in the world? In this video, we explore the huge benefits of attending wargame shows, especially in the UK. Whether you're a seasoned historical wargamer, a passionate tabletop gamer, or a dedicated miniature painter, this deep dive into the wargaming convention scene covers everything you need to know. From getting inspired by stunning demo games and dioramas, to discovering indie miniature ranges, meeting fellow hobbyists, and picking up exclusive hobby supplies—there’s something for every wargamer.

 

SALUTE 52 (2025) Photo Report

I've been to SALUTE 52 today and as usual I took a LOT of pictures! Join me for an in-depth photo review of SALUTE 52, the UK’s biggest and most exciting miniature wargaming convention! In this video, we take a close look at the stunning display tables, beautifully painted miniatures, and epic battlescapes that made Salute 2025 an unforgettable event for wargamers and hobbyists alike.

Whether you're into historical wargaming, tabletop miniatures, sci-fi and fantasy battles, or just love the art of miniature painting, this photo showcase has something for every tabletop gaming enthusiast. I highlight some of the best miniatures, terrain builds, and independent creators that make Salute the heartbeat of the hobby.

Perfect for miniature wargamers, historical gamers, tabletop strategists, and anyone seeking hobby inspiration or industry insights. If you couldn’t make it to Salute 52, this is your front-row seat to all the action, artistry, and creativity.

If you want even more SALUTE 52 then tomorrow I will be posting an even longer extended cut video, with additional pictures and video from the show. 

#Salute52 #Wargaming #MiniatureWargaming #TabletopGames #HistoricalWargaming #MiniaturePainting #WargamesShow #Salute2025 #TabletopWargaming #Miniatures

Posties Rejects and Miniature Adventure TV at SALUTE next weekend

Its early April so that means just one thing for many wargamers, SALUTE is coming around again. This year, as with many previously, Posties Rejects will be attending the show en-masse, and this year I have recruited the guys to help me cover the show for my channel. I will of course be there in my Miniature Adventures shirt, but Ray, Stuart and Steve will be sporting the red of Posties Rejects. Please come and say hello if you see us wandering around. We really do enjoy meeting followers of our blogs and channels. 

If you think bumping into us in a hall filled with thousands of other wargamers is a little random then we have arranged the usual 'blogger' meet-up at 1pm roughly in the centre... see the big red dot on the floor plan below! 

I know that SALUTE is not for everyone and there are always a long list of comments on my channel explaining why the show is either terrible, or the best thing ever! Each to their own of course, but I love this show. My knees are already hurting in anticipation, I have stocked up on painkillers and snacks, but I am going to thoroughly enjoy myself as always. I'm looking forward to exploring the demo games, visiting the traders and I'm also hoping to find time for one or two of the Panels which have become a popular staple of the last few shows.  I will, as always, be taking far too many pictures and video, and will once again attempt to get a show video out by the end of the day. Then I'll need buckets of painkillers, an ice bath (like the hairy, overweight, walrus athlete that I am) and several days to recover. I can't wait. 

#hobbyheroes #SALUTE52 #salute #salutehobbyheroes #scifi #fantasy #crafts #highlanders #southlondonwarlords #wargaming #tabletopgaming #tabletopgames #historicalwargaming #scifiwargaming #fantasywargaming #wargamingevent #gamingevent #gaming #miniaturewargaming #wargamingminiatures

SALUTE 51: Full Photo Report

SALUTE 51 was another fantastic expo for the wargaming hobby in all its forms. Games big and small, from fantasy to historical and Sci-Fi were on display at the 2024 show. Here is a quick photo report of the games from the premier wargames event in the UK.

Salute 2024, or Salute 51, takes place in the Excel exhibition venue in London Docklands, a fifteen-minute drive from my home. I attended with a camera in hand as always and shot hundreds of pictures. This is a huge event, and getting around the nearly 100 games and several hundred traders in just seven hours is a challenge.

Review of Salute 2023

It's the morning after Salute 2023 and time for a review of the show. Needless to say, I think it went very well indeed. I had a brilliant time and spent all day meeting friends and chatting with subscribers to this channel. Thank you to everyone who came and said hello.

Salute 2023 Blogger (& Vlogger) Meet-up

I'm going to be at Salute 50 on Saturday and, as usual, I will be loitering near the center of the hall at about 1pm for the 'traditional' Blogger meet-up. I thought I would widen the parameters a little this year to include those of you who also have a Vlog...ie a YouTube Channel. Salute is a busy show with thousands of visitors, so randomly bumping into people you know or follow online isn't a very efficient way to meet up, hence the time and the map below!

Normally people gather for half an hour to say hello, swap stories and brag about their show bargains! So if you get time between eagerly spending money or playing in the many participation games, pop along to the area indicated on the map at about 1pm for a quick chat. 

Salute Loot and a New Project Alert!

So, I went to Salute on Saturday (see my show report here) and this time I went with a very focused shopping list. Some of what I wanted I didn't get because the trader concerned pulled out of the show, but I still managed to come home with a significant haul of lead and other goodies. 

A serious shopping haul

Lots of bases for my new project...and I still need to buy more! 

A few random figures for the Painting Challenge

A new Desert Battlemat from Geek Villan

Tufts and paints for my new project

And the 'first batch of minis for my new project - The French Foreign Legion in 15mm. These are Blue Moon miniatures which I bought from Old Glory UK. Also, features is an MDF fort from BLOTZ, a bargain at just £30. 

The Foreign Legion project will be my main task during the Painting Challenge this year. Hopefully, I will be playing with these by spring next year.

SALUTE 2021: After Action Photo Report

I went to Salute 2021 yesterday at the Excel Centre in London - just a short drive from where I live. The show was a bit quieter than usual, with noticeable gaps in trade stands and games tables, but at least the show went ahead. I certainly had a good time and spent a lot of money with those traders that were able to attend. Visitor numbers were down on previous years (to be expected) but I fully expect this to be a temporary phenomenon and the show will bounce back. 

My main disappointment with the event was my usual gripe about signage on demo games. Some games didn't make the video simply because I couldn't identify either the group running the game or the game itself. Many of the games listed in the show guide were different - presumably because the list was made a while back and hadn't been updated. Whatever the reason it made correctly labelling some photo's impossible...so those pictures didn't make the cut!

Aside from this, it was a great day and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. 

Salute 2019 Photo Report - Part 3

The Marathon show report is two-thirds done, but there is plenty of more eye-watering goodness to see. I must admit that by the end of the day I was 'flagging' somewhat. My knees were screaming at me in protest by the end, but despite this, I had a fantastic day. I talked myself horse, spent a small fortune on my new lead mountain and got pretty much everything on my shopping list. One of my jobs today (aside from posting my pictures) is to go online and order a couple of the items that I couldn't find. 

Kudos and a shout out has to go to 4Ground for their customer service yesterday. I couldn't find something and two members of their team spent a good ten minutes looking through their stock for what I wanted. They didn't have the item I wanted but told me I could place an order at the till and would send me my item post free. Going the extra mile for a customer is always a good thing but this was at 4:45 when they must have been knackered and footsore after a long day, so I appreciated their help all the more. 

Anyway, one with the photo's. Here is the third and final instalment of my Photo Report. 

Newbury & Reading Wargames Society present the Battle of Heraclea 275 BC

Greek Pikes verses Roman maniples

My daughter was shopping for models to use for D&D and other roleplay games. Nothing wrong with that, RPG'sare where I entered the hobby, but what was her best purchase of the day......Guinea Pigs! Honestly, Sarah, you're embarrassing me! 

South London Warlords - The Pilum or the Pike, a demonstration game using the Sword and Spear rules. 

South London Warlords - The Pilum or the Pike...my money is on the Pike

South London Warlords - The Pilum or the Pike

Ardhammer - The Second Sino-Japanese War 1937

The Second Sino-Japanese War 1937

The Second Sino-Japanese War 1937

George Moaitis & John Kersey - Alexander: Conquest Fulfilled

This supplementary board allowed the movement of troops towards the main battlefield to be represented...and also meant some stunning units could be on display. 

Whitchall Warlords - The Panthers Claw - Helmand Province, Afghanistan 2009

Whitchall Warlords - The Panthers Claw - Helmand Province, Afghanistan 2009

7TV - Apocalypse

7TV - Apocalypse

Skirmish Wargames - Mag Force 7 - "We deal in laser bolts, friend!"

Wargames Association of Reading - Mammoth Hunt

Mammoth Stampede

Tin Soldiers of Antwerp - Warande Park 'battle' in Brussels

Tin Soldiers of Antwerp - Warande Park 'battle' in Brussels

Crewe & Nantwich Wargames Club - The Horror of Aughrim 1691 

Crewe & Nantwich Wargames Club - The Horror of Aughrim 1691 

Looking downhill. There were a lot of excellently painted miniatures in this game. 

Looking uphill

All the terrain is the sort you could find in any well-stocked club. 

No apologies for posting so many pictures of such a great looking game. 

Royal Air Force Wargaming Association - Stargate 

Wings of Glory Aerodrome - WW1 Western Front in the morning and this pictures shows the afternoon game, set in the skies above the Western Desert in WW2

Delauppror - Battle of Danholm 1807 - Stralsund - Swedish Pomerania

The Battle of Danholm - Excellent custom built terrain along with some modular items and lots of wonderfully painted miniatures. 

As well as lots of troops there was also several excellently painted boats in the waters around the penninsular. 

This Star Fort was made using bought Gabions and fencing incorporated into scratch built embankments. 

One last photo of this beautiful game

A Very British Civil War

Crawley Wargames Club - Conquestadors attempt to escape the jungles of El Dorado

Some excellent looking scratch built terrain

Warlord Games - Cruel Seas

DMB Games - Rosebyrne

Horror in Limehouse

So we're nearly at the end but I have left one of the best for last. I'm a big fan of Simon Millers To the Strongest! rules and I always love to see Simons demo games because they are always spectacular. 

Simon Miller - Mancetter 61CE

Simon in his trademark bright shirt! 

The map shows the bloody path cut by Boudica's army

Every model on this table is excellently painted and the basing looks fantatstic. 

Jaw dropping...this is a lot of figures. 

The Romans had a really bad day....looking down the hill towards the British

Another wide view of the table... Everything is neat at the moment as Simon was waiting for players to arrive for the afternoon participation session. 

One last picture. I really love this. That hill looked steep! 

Ok, that's it, all my pictures have been sorted and the best are now on the blog. I have had a great time reviewing my pictures and remembering a great day out. 

One last picture, my shopping! I picked up pretty much everything that was on my list. My best purchase of the day was two Indian Army packs from Baccus. This should provide enough figures for my Classical Indian (4thC BCE) army. I also picked up some Normandy buildings for What-a-Tanker and more buildings from Peter Pig.  

For me, Saturday was one of the best Salutes I have been to for a long time (despite the loud protests from my body today). I'm already looking forward to next years show, but I'd better start saving some money in the Piggy Bank first.