Salute 2014, or there and back again. Part one.

 I have just returned from Salute 2014, which sounds quite momentous,and important, and some ways it is because I really didn't think I would make it through the day due to ill health. I wont bore people with my complaints but basically I have been unwell since Christmas and I seem to be getting worse.
 Anyway on to more pleasant things, Salute.
 Firstly a complaint, from previous knowledge it always pays to get to the show early, especially if you have a queue buster ticket. My complaint was this, as stated I wasn't at my best and was sat outside of what I believed was the entrance at 08.30 watching the traders file in. I made the mistake of asking some smart arses in orange wargames club tee shirts if this was where the queue was, the retort from these lard laden twats was ''well the Salute sign above is a bit of a clue'' chortle. [ how I laughed]
 Anyway after 40 minutes I realised that the queue wasn't forming there and asked a security guy who kindly ushered me into a very large hall with thousands queuing for Salute, so much for being early.
 So Warlords next time, please put up a sign where to queue.
  The only consolation was that the lardos in orange were even further back. Oh and by the way, YOUR SHIRTS LOOKED LIKE SHIT!
  Right, how was the show. No doubt the term big, ginormous, etc will have been thrown around in most reviews and Salute is all those descriptions. Effectively it is the biggest wargames trade fair in Europe.
 A lot of new wargaming products are released at Salute, and I would think for some traders Salute can be make or break for them. Salute is clearly going the way of other wargames shows and is all about the trade, because this year I really thought a lot of the games on show were not up to the standard one expects to see at this event. Dont get me wrong there were some beautiful tableaux's, some well crafted games and some first class modelling, but I really think a lot of the games were only average, my opinion and no doubt others gamers will think otherwise. Also I noticed quite a few no shows which is a bit disconcerting.
 Right lets get down to the positives, some of the first class games, I can only apologise for the poor quality photographs, the lighting in the place is not the best.

 The Warlords have always been a talented bunch and Pelennor Fields was a top class game, it shows what a bit of ingenuity can do, bearing in mind the figures were 54mm plastic toys.

I was also impressed by The Battle of Trebia, again using large plastic figures. It was a game I really wanted to get involved in, unfortunately I couldnt find out who put the game on.

I think this game was put on by Red Planet Miniatures, apologies if it wasnt, because it was a really well presented game, one of several based around Steam punk. The back drop was well done and the perspex river was top.  

John and I were excited about the presentation of a wargame about the irish revolt in the 1790's, and the game at Salute was really well done. It was nice to see and meet Duncan Macfarlane again. The game had some wonderful figures on the table and I was itching to push a few of the pike blocks around.

There were several First World war games on show, but not as many as I expected, this game, The Battle of Mons by the Wyvern Wargamers was very well done. The early aeroplane was very effective, and the whole table was neat, in the correct way.

In part two I will show some more games that I thought deserved a mention........................