Day Two of the Warfare Show at Farnborough has its own distinct pace, and this year’s Sunday had that familiar mixture of relaxed browsing and last-minute wallet-emptying urgency. For many of us in Posties Rejects, it’s the last show of the season, making it the perfect opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere, grab some essentials for future projects, and catch up with the traders and clubs who make Warfare such a standout event on the UK wargaming calendar.
This video takes a slightly different approach from my usual show coverage. Instead of focusing entirely on the demo games, I spent more time exploring the trader hall and capturing the variety of products, scenery kits, miniatures and accessories on display. Shows like this aren’t just about watching games—they’re about inspiration, discovery and the joy of uncovering something new that sparks a fresh idea for the painting desk.
I caught up with Parkfield Miniatures while hovering suspiciously close to their display (purely research, of course), chatted with the team from Blotz about their acquisition of Charlie Foxtrot’s ranges, and admired the impressive scenery and terrain options available. The bring-and-buy was as strong as ever, filled with hidden gems and irresistible temptations. Even though I managed to resist this year, several members of our group didn’t escape quite so easily.
The demo games and tournament area provided a great atmosphere despite some early packing-up thanks to the tight end-of-day schedule. Still, there was plenty to see, from beautifully painted armies to some fantastic terrain setups created with obvious passion and effort. Most importantly, the show was filled with friendly faces. A number of viewers stopped to say hello, share their own projects and offer kind words about the channel. These conversations genuinely mean the world and continue to motivate me to keep producing videos like this one.
If you enjoy wargaming show tours, hobby chat and plenty of photos and clips from one of the UK’s best events, this video is well worth a watch.
Held at Newark Showground on Sunday, 12th October 2025, The Other Partizan once again proved why it’s regarded as one of the premier events in the UK wargaming calendar. Known for its outstanding presentation, creativity, and the sheer enthusiasm of exhibitors and visitors alike, Partizan has become a must-attend show for anyone interested in tabletop wargaming, historical miniatures, and the wider hobby scene.
π₯ Watch the full video here:
In my latest YouTube video, I take you on a detailed tour of the event, showcasing some of the most impressive demo and participation games on display. From large-scale historical re-enactments to small skirmish setups, each table tells its own story — brought to life through expertly painted miniatures, beautifully built terrain, and the dedication of the hobbyists behind them.
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.
Several members of Posties Rejects went to the Cavalier Wargames Show in Kent today. As usual I shot lost of pictures and here is a roundup video of the games on display.
A photo review of the games at this year's Partizan. It was another amazing show with incredible miniature art, creativity and fun. This is a longer video than usual, so sit back and enjoy the music...or turn the volume down to zero and put on a podcast instead!
Is the Tabletop Wargaming Hobby shifting away from Big Battles towards small skirmish games? This subject arose during last week's SALUTE 51 and was even discussed in at least one of the panel sessions. But is the hobby changing, or is it just that this type of large trade show attracts companies that want to demo their new game-in-a-box?
How far have you traveled to visit a show or convention? Here in the UK, we are a bit spoilt for opportunities but that doesn't mean we wouldn't travel hundreds of miles for a good show.
When wargamers put on demo games at shows we never know who may come up to our table to chat. Not everyone will be a wargamer, and at some shows, like last weekend's Rapture Gaming Festival, most of the visitors will have never seen a wargame before. So when we talk to members of the public should we change how we present our hobby compared to how we would talk to fellow hobbyists?
The Broadside Wargames Show at Gillingham is our 'local' show and Posties Rejects always run a demo game at this event. For 2023 we put on a fictitious clash between Government troops and smugglers somewhere on the Kent coast. A few days ago I posted a video of the show featuring our game and a short slideshow of the other games at Broadside. The quality of the games was very high this year and despite the rising heat during the day, everyone seemed to be having a great time. We were busy with visitors all day long and had a really excellent day.
Skirmish at Francis Bay - June 10th 1784
Smugglers on the Kentish Coast by Posties Rejects
“Smuggler.—A wretch who, in defiance of the laws, imports or exports goods without payment of the customs.” Dr. Johnson
Kent is a perfect location for smugglers. Close to France, with good transport links to London and with gently sloping beaches making landing goods easy. Smuggling is as old as taxation itself but in the 18th century high import taxes on goods such as silks, brandy, tobacco, and tea were highly prized by so-called ‘free traders’. And with plenty of wealthy customers to service, there was a lot of money to be made for those that could avoid being caught.
One group of smugglers that would have been well-known in the local area was the North Kent Gang. They operated in areas like Chalk, Gravesend, Reculver, and Ramsgate. During the 1780’s they brought their contraband ashore and stashed it in caves near Margate. Initially, trade was small, supplementing low incomes, but eventually the ‘business’ grew into what would now be called an organized crime network. Violence was soon being employed to ‘protect’ the business and clashes with law officers or revenue men were common. In Gravesend where our group meet, the Three Daws Pub is a famous smugglers' den, and at one time there were tunnels from the pub up into the town so that contraband could be moved without being seen.
The game portrayed today is a fictitious encounter, but may still have been an occurrence many times in reality, as the government tries to stop the smuggling operations. Our game is set on the South coast of Kent, hence the white cliffs. Various locals have gathered to await the arrival of their goods from France which unfortunately have arrived late due to a swell in the channel. So, as the French fishing vessel lands on the beach with barrels of Brandy, silks, and various other goods the sun is just starting to peak over the horizon. This is not good for the smugglers as they will have to unload all the goods in the early morning sunshine. A very dangerous time to be moving contraband indeed. A local snitch has decided to make some money on the side and has informed the local government forces of a landing in the area. As they search along the coast they spot a group of men and women behaving suspiciously close by on the cliff tops. Let the game commence!
Yesterday three members of Posties Rejects traveled up the A1 to Newark and the Partizan show. As usual, I shot a load of pictures but this time I also took a bit of video and decided to combine them into a visual show report.
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.
A few days overdue but I have finally sorted through my pictures from The Other Partizan at Newark. Once again an impressively high standard of creativity and innovation was on display plus, of course, thousands of beautifully painted toy soldiers.
Apologies in advance for the background music volume... I forgot to rebalance the sound levels before completing the video! On the other hand, maybe you like the 1812 Overture at full volume in which, case you're welcome! π
This Sunday I will be heading up to Sheffield for the Joy of Six wargames show. I was meant to be going in 2020, but the Pandemic put paid to all that. and I was determined to reboot my plans this year.
I'm hoping to have a show report video up as soon as I can after the event.
A few days ago I posted my pictures from the Broadside Wargames Show and revealed a few pictures of the Posties Rejects demo game, Beau Hunks. As promised here is a video telling the story of this game from conception to completion. I've also had a few requests for some background information and I have tried to share as much of it as I can here today. Where I have used material from other sites I have included links so you can go see the original documents. In addition, I have a bunch of material saved on Google Drive and I'll put links to shared files below. If these don't work and you want me to send anything (such as the QRS or the Beau Hunks rules) please let me know using the contact form on the right.
Fascination with the French Foreign Legion started long before Percival Christopher Wren’s novel Beau Geste was published in 1924. French troops in faraway exotic cities like Algiers & Oran to the almost semi-mythical Timbuktu could hardly fail to excite the imagination. But Wren's story of high adventure - set in pre-1914 French Algeria - took the romantic image to a new level, and it wasn’t long before the first screen adaption of his book was made in 1926 starring Ronald Coleman. Part of the success of the book was due to the detail of military life that Wren wove into his story, prompting unproven claims that he himself served in the Legion. A second adaptation of the story, starring Gary Cooper, was released in 1939 and this cemented the romantic image of the Foreign Legion in popular culture. However, the real story of this period of French Colonial history is much more interesting.
For much of the 19th Century, the government in Paris had been divided between liberals who saw no real need for expansion into North Africa and a conservative pro-colonization party that wanted land, no matter the cost. After the humiliation of the Franco-Prussian War, military adventurism in Europe was (for the time being at least) held in check and ambitious politicians and eager young officers looked outward for glory and career advancement opportunities.
By 1871 much of northern Algeria had been pacified. The grazing and agricultural land of the ‘Tell’ had been confiscated and the Arab and Berber tribes had been displaced or subdued. But in the southern pre-Sahara, the situation was much more precarious. The notional border with the sovereign monarchy of Morocco was little more than an invisible line in the sand to the nomadic people of the region, and many on either side of that line owed religious allegiance to the Moroccan capital rather than to Algiers. As French authority began to be extended ever southward (following the progress of the Railroad) conflict was almost inevitable. In December 1899 French Irregulars occupied In-Salah, an oasis in the Touat group, and set in motion a chain of events that would make a wider conflict inevitable.
Through the first few years of the 20th Century, the classic ‘Beau Geste’ Legionnaire (white fatigues, blue-grey capote greatcoat, white covered and flapped KΔpi and armed with the Lebel 8mm repeater) saw regular action in the Touat and Sud-Oranais. Mostly this was dealing with hit and run raids but also on occasion, larger actions against large well organised Harkas several thousand strong. The Legion suffered its share of losses but a combination of mounted companies, and hard fighting pushed the Arabs and Berbers into exile or into submission.
Between 1904-7 BrigGen Lyautey was given increasing freedom of action with French military posts pushed further and further westwards, even across the debatable border into Morocco. On two occasions he reported the creation of recon outposts (soon to become permanent forts) using unmapped local names to conceal how far west he had pushed. Thus he ignored the official policy of the Foreign Ministry in Paris by shaping policy on the ground. Meanwhile, the rail line moved ever further south and west eventually, reaching Bechar in 1905. This supplied operations in the region for many years to come and solidified French control of this previously contested land.
With French incursions into Morocco, the Sultan began to face growing anti-french sentiment but was impotent to do anything about it. Corruption, lack of money and incompetence made the problem worse, eventually putting Europeans living in the major cities in danger. The French were eventually ‘forced’ to react, occupying Casablanca in 1907. This increased Arab anger both at the French and the Sultan, eventually resulting in a rival Sultan being proclaimed and a call for Jihad against the French. The Arabs were eventually defeated but by the end of 1908 the Sultan had abdicated, his wannabe usurper was dead, and Morocco was firmly on the road to becoming a French Protectorate.
The Beau Hunks Rules:
Needless to say, Laurel & Hardy can't be killed and won't have any offensive capability in the game. They are here for purely comic value. They will move around the table in much the same way as other units, just at the end of the French turn, as a final move by the French player.
The aim is for Laurel & Hardy to travel around the table visiting as many French Officers as possible (ie they have to end their move in base to base contact). Each officer can only be visited once during the game. Laurel & Hardy have a movement rate of 8", and can move through French units at no penalty. Berber units block movement, although the pair's presence on the table does not hinder movement for any unit (ie units of both sides can move across them)
Whenever L&H end their movement in contact with an officer one of the players (or guest) around the table will draw 2 Chance Cards. There are three types of cards in the Chance deck:
Jeanie-Weenie Cards - Pictures of the unfaithful heartbreaker, each dedicated to a different lover! Laurel & Hardy will gain Victory Points for each Jennie-Weenie card collected and if they get enough to win the game Hardy decides she wasn’t worth it after all and they get out of the Foreign Legion.
Slapstick Cards describe various ridiculous events caused by the bumbling heroes. Some of these cards are just comic descriptions, but a handful has a limited effect on a single unit or officer in the game. These cards will be evenly subdivided into French Cards and Berber Cards. The opposing player gets to decide which enemy unit is affected. Some cards are immediate, but for those which indicate an effect in the following action phase, place the card by the officer as a reminder and remove it from the table once the action has been taken.
Event Cards - Rare but significant events that affect all the units on the table.
Laurel and Hardy will gain Victory Points for each Jeanie-Weenie card found and could, potentially be declared the winners of the game, leaving the players to contest second and third place!
Recommended Historical Reading List:
The Conquest of the Sahara Douglas Porch (Farrar, Straus & Giroux 1984)
Our Friends Beneath the Sands Martin Windrow (Weidenfeld & Nicolson 2010)
Uniforms of the French Foreign Legion Martin Windrow (Blandford Press 1981)
The French Foreign Legion 1872-1914 Men-at-Arms Series No.461 Martin Windrow (Osprey 2010)
French Foreign Legionnaire 1890-1914 Warrior Series No.157 Martin Windrow (Osprey 2011)
Files for download:
I have several files to share from my Google Drive, click the links to open them and you should be able to download a copy. There also links to external sites where I found other useful downloads.
I have finally finished my show report for the 2022 Partizan Wargames Show in Newark. This was my first Partizan (yes I know, inexcusable!) but it won't be my last. I had a fantastic time enjoying some eye-watering beautiful games, brilliantly fun participation games, a wide selection of trade stands and excellent conversation all day. As usual, I shot hundreds of pictures and most of them are in this photo report, so it's a bit long, but I hope you enjoy it.
Pour yourself a glass of Port (or your beverage of choice), get comfortable and enjoy some of the wargames eye-candy from this year's show.
Posties Rejects went to the Broadside Show on Saturday at its new venue in Gillingham. We had an excellent day and ran a long overdue Demo game - The Battle of Montenotte (12 April 1796). This was Napoleons first Battle as Commander in Chief, so quite early in his career. We had a lot of engagement from the public which was absolutely fantastic and kept us busy right up to the end of the day.
I also shot a few photos of the other games but we were so busy that I literally had to run around the hall in the last hour or so.
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.
Over the weekend the Rejects went to our first in-person game show in over a year and a year and a half. SELWG has moved to a new venue, and there were a few hiccups along the way, but we had a great day and bought a lot of gear.
We had a good day and all the Rejects said they enjoyed themselves. I did video them giving some feedback but the sound quality was so poor (too much background noise) I left these out in the end. Pity, because some of the responses were amusing!
A fine body of Rejects!
Inside the new Venue
'O'Group - The Scottish Corridor
'O'Group - The Scottish Corridor
Mark Backhouse's 2mm Romans using Strength and Honour
Cheshunt Wargames 6mm Battle for Hoe Binh, Indochina 1951
Milton Hundreds CoC Game featured two lovely Shermans.
Deal Wargames Boworadet Rebellion, Siam 1933
Society of Ancients - Trebia
Spalding Wargames Club - A fist full of Lead
Gravesend Gamers Guild - 40k Titanicus
Postie chatting up one of the Traders. Does everyone really give him a discount??
Where's Walley?
My modest Loot from the day. Not as much lead as I planned but there is always the next show!
