“Salute" Showcase 2026

The doors apparently opened fifteen minutes early - Something I was very grateful for

As I hadn't been able to attend "Europe’s largest wargaming convention" for the past few years, I figured that it was about time to once again travel up to the London ExCel, and once again savour the delights of the South London Warlords' annual show. Indeed, I was so determined to make the event that I actually arrived there with plenty of time to spare (and queue), so spent the first half an hour there rifling through their "legendary and exclusive Goodie Bag" whilst I waited for the venue's doors to open.

Ordinarily, I tackle shows as huge as this one by simply turning right at the door and making my way along the vendors situated up against the building's wall. However, such was the excitement of my travelling companion that I was immediately dragged to the "Archon Studio" stand right near the centre of the hall, and unwittingly exposed to their overwhelming stock of "Starcraft" and "Trench Crusade" miniatures.

Two of the chaps at the "Star Lion Forge" stall

Now having watched numerous "YouTube" videos on both rule systems and their ranges I had a little idea of what to expect whilst perusing the absolutely crammed shelves. Yet I still felt somewhat helplessly compelled to pick up the Polish company's "Starcraft" Two Player Starter Set Founders Edition and take it to the till, even though it was a whopping twenty quid more than I had previously been told it sold for. In fact, perhaps the biggest disappointment of the show was that all of the different boxed sets and expansions for this game that I could see them selling were more than the full-price advertised on their webstore - e.g. I also almost picked up the Protoss Starter Set, which is currently on pre-order for £79 with a Recommended Retail Price (RRP) of £99. At the show "Archon Studio" were charging £100 per box.

The large "Konflikt '47" table at the "Warlord Games" stall

Admittedly, I was ultimately able to walk away from Salute with a big box of miniatures in my hand, as well as not pay international postage and packaging. But frankly this added expense put a bit of a dampener on things for me, and gave me a bit of a mind-funk for the rest of the show - especially as Swedish-based "Free League Publishing" also appeared to be doing a similar sort of thing by disappointingly charging a fiver more for their Alien Role-Playing Game Starter Set than if I ordered it online.

Some of the "Dropzone" franchise goodies on show by "TTCombat"

Happily, despite this quibble there was plenty to see and enjoy at Salute 53, with a number of new manufacturers (at least to me) cropping up all over the place. Furthermore, when I could make my way through the sometimes almost suffocating crowd and physically step up to the front of a stall it was clear just how excited many of these small businesses were to actually be at the event - such as "Star Lion Forge" who enthusiastically showed me all their miniatures for "Aether Punk 28" and "Hypespace".

A few of the goodies on display by "Mammoth Factory" and "Anvil Industry"

Of course, the show's stalwarts were also out in force, with "Warlord Games" showing off some of their fantastic models for "Konflikt '47". Their display table featuring all manner of mechs and zombies was a real treat for the eyes, and certainly seemed to be generating quite a buzz. Likewise, "TTCombat" brought back a lot of memories of when "Dropzone Commander" was first launched at the London ExCel several years ago. This game's universe appears to have been greatly expanded, and I was particularly intrigued by a 28mm incarnation of it sitting upon a tiny tabletop.

Just some of the models on sale by "Tabletop 3D Printing Services"

Similarly as tempting were the number of companies I ordinarily associate with producing STL (Standard Triangle Language) files on "My Mini Factory" actually selling physical products. I own a fair few figures sculpted by both "Mammoth Factory" and "Anvil Industry" (or rather "Anvil Digital Forge"), so was rather surprised to see both manufacturers present with lots to models boxed up ready for customers to just pick up and walk away with.

Some of the figures on show by "Warp Miniatures" and "Crow Industries"

Ultimately though, I simply didn't spend as much as I was anticipating (and had saved up for). Yes, I did succumb to "Archon Studio" and their rather hefty "StarCraft: Two Player Starter Set Founders Edition". But such a large (and frankly heavy) purchase right at the very start of the show meant I had little cash for much else, and so nibbled away at stalls such as "Diehard Miniatures" and "Sarissa Precision" until I decided in the early afternoon that enough was enough...

“Salute 50" Showcase 2023 - Part Two: Traders And Games

"Warp Miniatures" - A selection of "ArcWorlde" monsters

Besides getting the chance to talk to people, my main reason for attending this celebration of "half a century of wargaming shows put on by the South London Warlords club" was to see the latest offerings from my favourite miniature manufacturers, stumble upon some new companies I'd previously not known about, and seek inspiration from the various participation/demonstration tables. "Salute 50" certainly wasn't lacking on any of these fronts, and I spent a good portion of my time at the ExCeL convention centre in Custom House scrutinising all manner of models and scenery; both painted and unpainted.

Warlord Games" - A selection of their "Judge Dredd" miniatures

One of the first stalls to catch my eye was "Warp Miniatures" and their incredible range of fantasy-based figures. I've been a big fan of this range since its early days when Alex Huntley originally began hand-sculpting the residents of ArcWorlde. Since then there's been both a second edition rule-book and the creation of an STL (Standard Triangle Language) files "Patreon" service, so there's arguably never been a better time to get into the "narrative battle game where warbands, heroes and monsters are pitted against each other in the field of combat."

"Warlord Games" - A selection of their "Bolt Action" miniatures

From a personal perspective though I still own numerous unpainted miniatures from Alex's early Kickstarters, so found the visit to his booth a timely reminder for me to dust off all the metal and resin models from his range I already own, and get cracking on painting them up. I felt quite similar about my trip to the large "Warlord Games" area too, as my 'mountain of lead' based solely upon products purchased from the Nottingham-based company is so embarrassingly overwhelming that it'll probably take me a year or so to pigment everything - even if I exclusively focused my hobby time just upon them.

"Warlord Games" - A selection of their "2000 A.D." miniatures - A.B.C. Warriors

However, I was interested in seeing whether I could pick up their "Judge Dredd" game without buying its figures. As someone with an extensive collection of their old metal Mega-City One range (in collaboration with "Mongoose Publishing") I didn't want to have to buy the same characters all over again. Sadly, although the main book is available separately (and indeed at one point I had a copy in my hand), two staff members informed me that I'd still need to buy both the new starter set and models if I wanted to own the various cards needed for an important rule mechanic. Suffice to say having previously bought big into their poorly supported and now officially dropped "Doctor Who: Exterminate! The Miniatures Game" range - even though I already owned hundreds of other "Doctor Who" figures by other manufacturers - I wasn't prepared to be bitten a second time.

"Brigade Models" - 15mm Monorail Engine, Passenger Car and Flat Car

Another dealer who held my attention for a while was "Brigade Models". Having not yet even assembled a couple of "A Billion Suns" space-faring fleets I bought from the Sittingbourne-situated company at "Colours 2022" I initially only gave their wares a cursory glance. But then I caught sight of an awesome-looking 15mm scale Monorail Engine and its accompanying (heavily weaponed) Scout Cars. I actually own a couple of unpainted "Gruntz" armies and thought this rail network would prove to be an exciting terrain feature to fight over. Uncharacteristically though, I stayed strong, deciding to see if I could paint my British and Neo-Soviet forces up first before buying the train. In addition Tony mentioned putting together some Monorail package deals after the show.

Kaiserschlacht 1918 - Using the "Bloody Picnic: Wargaming The End Of Empire" ruleset

Games-wise I saw loads of awe-inspiring tables during my visit, with several proving particularly influential for some potential future projects. One such battle was Kaiserschlacht 1918 - which featured numerous 20mm plastic figures and was being fought using the "Bloody Picnic: Wargaming The End Of Empire" ruleset. I'd never heard of Dillion Browne's game before, but the display certainly seemed to show off how impactive artillery fire could be. In addition, I was very impressed by the players' dice towers, which were all appropriately painted in World War One camouflage patterns.

Zagory Rebellion: A Night At Heidi's - Using the "Carry On Tintin" ruleset

Equally as enthralling was the vibrantly coloured Zagory Rebellion: A Night At Heidi's by the Cornwall Wargames Association. Played with some homebrew rules entitled "Carry On Tintin" (which can be downloaded for free from the club's website), This "neo-retro and pseudo-nostalgic wargame set in a fictional central Europe during the interwar period" had me utterly transfixed, and reminded me that I had yet to even start applying a brush to any of Mark’s Little Soldiers range by Mark Copplestone which I've previously bought via "North Star Military Figures".

"Para Bellum Games" - Conquest display table

One of the smaller displays I spotted was the Conquest table by "Para Bellum Games", which really helped show-off the size and detail of their "mass battle wargame." Rather sheepishly I must admit to purchasing a few boxes of these figures a couple of years ago and never doing anything with them since they arrived - a familiar story I know. So this marvellous feast for the eyes has definitely galvanised me into digging some of them out - especially now I know you can also download their skirmish core rules Conquest: First Blood for free from the company's website.

Battle Of Leuctra 371 B.C. by Jon and Diane Sutherland

Rounding off Salute's sortie upon the senses was Jon and Diane Sutherland's incredible Battle Of Leuctra 371 B.C. board, which showed off the armies of Thebes and Sparta in splendid fashion. The table was absolutely huge and simply crammed full of infantry, cavalry and atmospheric Ancient Greek ruins. Plus, both fully-painted forces were actually for sale - Though I doubted I could get them to all fit inside my bag...