On Saturday I popped up to London to attend Salute 2015, the biggest Wargames Show in the UK. I met up with my old friend Justin (of the Masterworkguild blog), and we wandered around loooking at the various stalls, companies, and demonstration games.
We also met up and chatted with several people from the 'Oldhammer Community', including Paul/Golfag1 (once someone from a stall stopped waving a flag behind his head!), Steve Casey, and chatted to Kev Adams about sculpting. I think I saw Rick Priestly too, but there were a lot of people in the way.
It was a great and fun day, and I am surprised that I spend so little (about £80) resisting the temptation suddenly start something new, buy a 28mm town, or come home with random stuff. What I did buy and why is further down this update.
What I did learn from Salute 2015 was:
- how much I miss Napoleonic history and would like to start collecting an army soon
- How many small companies are starting up. It's great to see so many little companies prodcuing miniatures.
- a lot of small companies produce in resin, and can produce very excellent detailing. However, some of their miniatures seemed a little too exaggerated in design, and in their pricing. I am aware of the start up costs, but a lot of companies seem to be at the £7 per 28mm (many look 35mm) model. I've noticed this with several of the smaller rules systems, following a GW and Warmachine pricing apporach, meaning a small skirmish force for a game could be easily £100+.
- There were a lot of the 'old companies' still going. I knew this already, but it was nice to see Essex Miniatures, Osprey, Newline Designs, Old Glory, Steve Barber, Foundry, Dixon, and Front Rank.
- So many lovely demonstration games. My favourite had to be the 6mm Waterloo game.
- There seemed to be a lot more fantasy and Sci fi games and compaines than before. Whilst I enjoy both, I hope the the historical element of gaming is'nt squeezed out in the future.
- I like Forgeworld, but I was both amused and depressed by the huge queue for whatever thing they were releasing there. I hope that those in the queue bothered to look at the rest of the show, and did'nt just go to queue!
Anyway, here are a few pictures :)
World of Twilight Miniatures.
They are sort of Goblin/Lizardmen looking, and look excellent.
No Vampires in this Twilight :)
World of Twilight demonstration game.
Warploque Miniatures.
These are from their Albionnican range, some of which I bought. They also do Halflings, Orc/Goblins, Undead, and monsters.
Big Undead looking Whale.
The people at Warploque Miniatures, posing for a photograph.
World War Two demonstration game in Winter.
I think this was a demo game of the Battle of Bersheeba in the First War World War.
They look like ANZAC Cavalry.
French fighting Germans in 1914.
Waterloo in 6mm!
This demo game was one of my favourites, and had the entire battle, including Bluchers force advancing in on the flank.
Close up of the action around Mont St.Jean Farm.
Close up of the French.
Medieval army.
Samurai wargaming.
Battle of Ligny.
Part of a lovely looking scratch build spaceship.
There were too many people in the way to get a clear photograph.
World War Two Allied Paratroopers vs Germans.
A Great Northern War demo game, Sweden vs Saxony.
Apparently the table was made a Swedish person who built the table and painted the models to teach his children about Swedish history. I was informed that the snow board is how the snow looks in that particular area.
Zeppelin being attacked by Bi-Planes.
Sci fi city.
Eye level view of World War Two 20mm Germans in action in 1940 Blitzkrieg game.
Post apocalyptic Zombie killing game.
14th Century ship.
3rd Edition books!
There was a 3rd Edition demo game there.
Most of the models were much later modern models, although there were a few 1980's Citadel, and some Grenadier Barbarians.
The few photos I took were a little too blurred.
Heresy Dragon.
Wicker man!
I have seen a real one of these burnt at the Beltaine celebration at Butser ancient farm.
The game was a SAGA demo game by Gripping Beast Miniatures, the Wicker Man was made by Anisty Castings.
18th Century ship as part of an American War of Independence demo game.
Americans attacking a British fort.
The British defending the Fort.
Skirmishing outside the fort.
Another of the excellent ships from the game.
Lovely and huge Hydra, made by Mierce Miniatures.
A Cthulhu-equse creature which looked pretty cool.
Warmonger Miniatures.
Some of Kev Adam's Beastmen sculpts.
Goblin Jester cavalry.
Napoleonic Rifleman re-enactor.
I did buy a few odd and ends at Salute 2015.
Here is some of the more interesting stuff. :)
Couple of pieces of scenery for the Slann
The Pyramid was from a random stall, the Monolith from Fenris games (who now produce the Monolith Designs products).
Something else for the Slann, a pair of Sabre Toothed Tigers; Smilodons from 'Steve Barber Models. At £4.50 each not too bad.
Warploque Miniatures Albionnican miniatures.
I am quite taken with these. They are a mix of Napoleonic and fantasy. I was looking to do an 18th Century alternative history British army anyway, armed with Halberds, Longbows, etc, using converted Wargames Foundry models. However I might do a smaller army using these, and convert up a few longbows as well.
They could be used as an alternative Empire army.
...and yes, the Halberdier on the right is smoking a cigar!
The Crossbowmen.
They orginally came on 30mm lipped round bases, but I put them on 20mm square to use in 3rd Edition Warhammers.
Warploque Miniatures does have it's own (free to download) games system.
Metal Officer and resin Ogre.
The resin is durable and not like GW rubbish.
Price wise the Ogre was £12, the metal line troopers are 4 for £12 blister, and the personalites are about £5.
I bought the Starter Set, Ogre, and special edition Standard Bearer. I still have a couple of the others to base up. I will do an update on this range in the near future. By the way, I have no links to the company, I just quite like the models!
Here's the website:
Next update should be either stuff I have painted or back to my review/anaylsis of 3rd Edition Warhammer Armies lists.
