SALUTE 53

The day of the SALUTE 53 conference was full of excitement! The crowds were huge and the energy was electric. The Wargames Atlantic booth was buzzing all day.

Max in front of one of the gaming tables.

Everyone getting ready before the event opened.

Marco Capparoni painting an image of Rifleman Harris from the television series Sharpe. Marco paints some of the box art for the sets for Wargames Atlantic and the painting he did of Rifleman Harris is set to be auctioned for charity. To see more of Marco’s art, please visit his website at: https://marcocapparoni.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAb21jcASJphFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81NjcwNjczNDMzNTI0MjcAAaccwSw_eHbwFUW-Nu1oZj2P5H1zlxQaZ0PeMekMfAGNLOIXODzN9pHM8E2PBw_aem_GWumAStMS9D1tmSlQ881vA

Chris Peach greeting his fans. Chris is a famous miniature painter who runs his own YouTube channel full of tips and painting techniques. To see his videos, please visit: https://youtube.com/@peachytips?si=P52d-sVz87I9O1uE

The actor Jason Salkey (left) who played Rifleman Harris on Sharpe with assistance from Karl (right). 

Marco discussing art with one of the attendees of the convention.

Max and the crew from Wargames Atlantic worked tirelessly to restock shelves throughout the day. 

Photo by Max McDougall.

Chris Peach and Jason Salkey. 

Myself and Max.

Max with his friend Michael, who came from Singapore to attend the event. 

Photo by Max McDougall.

Jason Salkey and Max.

Photo by Max McDougall.

Gaz, Andy, and Max.

Max talking with Jason Salkey.

Photo by Max McDougall.

Max and myself. To check out Wargames Atlantic, please visit: https://wargamesatlantic.com/

Set Up for SALUTE

Our third day in London was spent setting up for the SALUTE conference, Europe’s largest independent wargaming event. It was a very special day for Max, who has worked for Wargames Atlantic for years and got to meet his team in person for the first time.

Max outside the ExCel convention center where the event was held.

Charlie and Tom guiding Max on how they wanted the shelves arranged.

Tom and Max.

Artists Chris and Marco in a lively discussion with Max.

Marco and Max setting up one of the gaming tables.

Marco, Chris, and Max.

Marco, Gaz, and Max.

Max, Karl, and Charlie putting the finishing touches on the game. Charlie had built the game table.

From left to right: Charlie, Tom, Arthur, and Max.

After the set up, everyone went to Tapa Tapa for a wonderful dinner. 

Arthur, Max, and Gaz.

From left to right: Karl, Chris, Marco, Charlie, Tom, Arthur, Max, and Gaz.

The discussion was lively as the team brainstormed ideas for upcoming models.

Charlie and Max.

After dinner we headed to The Fox for a drink.

Karl, Arthur, Charlie, and Max.

Guy, editor of Wargames Soldiers & Strategy magazine, talking with Max.

Max, Guy, and Charlie.

We had a wonderful day setting up and getting ready for the event the next day.

Green Park, Buckingham Palace, and Mercato Mayfair

After our little bus detour we made our way to Green Park and Buckingham Palace.

Lovely daffodils blooming in the park.

The sunset behind the trees.

Buckingham Palace.

The Royal Coat of Arms.

A glimpse of the King’s Guard marching around the palace.

Photo by Max McDougall.

One of the statues - Agriculture - surrounding The Queen Victoria Memorial.

Max, towards the right, taking in the view.

Photo by Max McDougall.

For dinner we went to Mercato Mayfair, a vibrant food hall built into the deconsecrated St. Mark’s Church. The church has been standing since 1825. It was on England’s Historic Heritage Risk Register before getting refurbished in 2019. Very representative of London’s talent for mixing the traditional and modern.

My delicious chicken and pork dumplings.

Photo by Max McDougall.

Max’s flavorful Pad Thai.

Our wonderful chocolate ice cream sandwich.