OVMS Show of Shows: Alive and kicking!

A World War II era United States Army Air Force Type A-3 life raft, which had a capacity for five men or 1,000 lbs. It was standard survival equipment with all large aircraft from 1942 to 1945 and is now ready for the summer pool party. Courtesy of Peter Suciu

Due to a scheduling conflict with a major hardware chain’s spring convention, the Ohio Valley Military Society (OVMS) was forced to move the annual Show Of Shows (SOS) up a month to late January. As soon as the dates were announced, there were concerns that the weather might not agree.

Despite a major snowstorm that hit the region just days earlier, by set-up time, the Louisville skies were clear, the roads were plowed, and the hall was ready. On Wednesday afternoon, the show kicked off as usual. The weeks of worry in advance of the show had been for naught. A few familiar faces weren’t present this year, and there were some empty tables during the show, but for the the most part Show Of Shows lived up to its name.

So many words come to mind: tacky, inspiring, Americana, kitsch, even (dare I suggest) “racist.” Yet if you were looking for a conversation starter for your den, this statue would get people talking. Courtesy of Peter Suciu

In other words, “General Winter” may have contributed to the military failures of several invasions of Russia and the Soviet Union, but the cold temperatures, snow, and even a few icy roads were not enough to stop determined militaria collectors from getting to the Kentucky Expo Center for the 2026 SOS!

Uniformity and Uniforms at SOS

SOS remains among the best places to find unique military uniforms and accoutrements. This year was no exception. From the Victorian era to the Cold War, there was no uniformity to the uniforms offered at the show.

An early 19th-century Spanish Navy tunic, a reminder that the British Army wasn’t the only military power to wear “red coats.” Courtesy of Peter Suciu

A rare Imperial Russian officer’s uniform circa 1910 was among the standouts this year Courtesy of Peter Suciu

Kudos for this “table display,” outfitted with several complete uniform displays and a faux trench. To say they upped their game would be an understatement. Courtesy of Peter Suciu

The battledress tunic of Henry Bainbridge, who rose through the ranks of the British Army to become the very model of a modern major general. Courtesy of Peter Suciu

An impressive and well-staged French World War I “Le poilu” looked ready to go over the top. More importantly, it was ready for display. Courtesy of Peter Suciu

Multiple uniform groupings were offered this year, a reminder that a mannequin is never fully dressed without the right accessories. Courtesy of Peter Suciu

This Vietnam-era jacket summed up a sentiment shared by many veterans about the war and their time in Southeast Asia. Courtesy of Peter Suciu

Billy Leroy didn’t disappoint, bringing out a British Army Hussars officer’s uniform. It was Victorian flashy in every sense of the word. Courtesy of Peter Suciu

A uniform named to French flying ace Adjutant René Montrion (August 7, 1896 – June 28, 1918). During World War I, he was credited with 11 confirmed aerial victories and eight unconfirmed. Courtesy of Peter Suciu

A World War II-era Bulgarian infantry captain’s uniform. Not something often seen, even at SOS! Courtesy of Peter Suciu

SOS – the place with stuff too cool even for a museum

Every SOS has items that stand out for being truly unique, and that was certainly true this year. Even if these didn’t fit the collection, there was still a lot of “cool factor.”

A pair of models presented to officials at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), California, for the U.S. Air Force’s Northrop B-2 Spirit and Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, likely to commemorate the start of flight testing. The top model was signed by the late Lockheed test pilot David Ferguson, who was at the controls of the Raptor during its maiden flight on Sept. 29, 1990. Courtesy of Peter Suciu

Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor Courtesy of Peter Suciu

These hand-painted helmets from the ongoing war in Ukraine were not for sale, but they served as a reminder that Ukrainians remain resilient. Courtesy of Peter Suciu

“Konstantine” wasn’t for sale (unfortunately). The V.I.B (Very Important Bear) was designed by Barbara Isenberg for the North American Bear Company and released as a promotional item for the 1990 film The Hunt for Red October. Make that Red Octobear! Courtesy of Peter Suciu

A replica tail section of a BF 109 K-4 “Kurfürst,” the final production version of the iconic German WWII fighter, was introduced in late 1944. Courtesy of Peter Suciu

The ‘Art of War’ 2026 edition

For those with bare walls in their collectible room or man cave, SOS offered plenty of options to fill them with artwork, ranging from vintage propaganda posters to modern paintings. You don’t have to know art to know what you like.

Patriotic imagery was a common theme during the First World War. The United States Food Administration commissioned this poster from Paul Stahr, an American illustrator from New York known for his posters, books, and magazine covers. While the exact publication date is unknown, the poster was likely designed and subsequently published in 1918. Courtesy of Peter Suciu

A United States Marine Corps recruiting and enlistment poster by artist Howard Chandler Christy, featuring a variation of his “Christy Girl” imagery. His posters used the female figure to appeal to male sentiments, urging them to enlist, while also often portraying women as active, strong, and fighting for liberty. Courtesy of Peter Suciu

1917 U.S. Navy recruitment poster by artist Howard Chandler Christy, famous for his “Christy Girl” and Liberty Loan posters. Courtesy of Peter Suciu

This World War II poster, which features caricatured heads of Adolf Hitler and Hideki Tojo, was produced by the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service beginning in 1943. Courtesy of Peter Suciu

A Cold War-era propaganda poster from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) touting their great leap forward and economic success to the developing world. It overlooks the famines and re-education camps, however! Courtesy of Peter Suciu

An artist’s rendering of German soldiers enduring weather similar to that at the 2026 Show Of Shows! Courtesy of Peter Suciu

A painting of Consolidated B-24D-20-CO bomber “Temptation.” The aircraft, assigned to the 14th Air Force (14th AF), 308th Bombardment Group (308th BG), 373rd Bombardment Squadron (373rd BS) “Flying Tigers”, was shot down on Sept. 15, 1943. Courtesy of Peter Suciu

The U.S. Army Military Police Code of Ethics was often featured on GTA 19-01-001B posters. It defined the moral standards for MOS 95B personnel. It emphasizes “Of the Troops and for the Troops,” highlighting integrity, loyalty, and duty, while stressing the motto “Assist, Protect, and Defend”. Courtesy of Peter Suciu

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OVMS Show Of Shows

Peter SuciuAuthor

Peter Suciu is a freelance journalist and when he isn't writing about militaria you can find him covering topics such as cybersecurity, social media and streaming TV services for Forbes, TechNewsWorld and ClearanceJobs. He is the author of several books on military hats and helmets including the 2019 title, A Gallery of Military Headdress. Email him and he'd happily sell you a copy!