...so Saturday was a day up the smoke as a treat for youngest (delayed birthday) and her mate....
I should state up front... she's a huge Beatles fan... 😏
Dropped them off at the Savoy Theatre for "Let it Be" (front row centre tickets!)
...while I legged it over to Lambeth North to the Imperial War Museum (that's known in the trade as a win-win 😁)
I had no idea that this guy lived just across the way from the Museum...
Now that's what you call a War Museum..
Inside, the Museum is in the middle of a huge refurbishment - the main hall is entirely closed off and is due to finish next June, so as a result only a few vehicles on display, and in quite appalling lighting...
Zundapp - front tires were huge - almost car tires... and direct drive to the wheel on the passenger compartment...
Mark 5 Sherman...
This one saw service with the Guards Armoured in Normandy...
...and a 25pdr.. they always reminds me of the Airfix kit whenever I see one of these...
Monty's staff car (a Snipe) - served with him throughout Africa and Italy, and when he went to take command in Northern Europe, his successor (Leese) also inherited the car....
The museum is huge, and over 5 floors - entrance is free - there was a special exhibition on aimed mainly at the youngsters which there was paid entry for and given my limited time I didn't go for.
The main exhibits at the moment are Spies/Elite Services, and the Holocaust Exhibition.
The Spies exhibition was very good - I particularly enjoyed the section on Popski's Private Army, the LRDG, and the early SAS - they have a brilliant large screen presentation on the Iranian Embassy siege, including some exhibits from the actual operation... hair raising....
The major exhibit in the museum at the moment though is the Holocaust Exhibition [clicky] - it traces the origins of German anti-Semitism from the first early signs of the Nazi Party, through to the industrial scale killing factories of Eastern Europe, via the Einsatz Groups, Ghetto's, and all the other, other, truly ghastly flavours.... absolutely harrowing.... but we really do need to remind ourselves of just what we as human beings are capable of..
I thought this was hugely effective... Auschwitz in 15mm scale (I think)... a train has just arrived....
....just horrible.. more details from the artist here [clicky] and more pictures here [clicky]
Almost a sense of relief when I got out....
Was good to talk Beatles nonsense with the girls after that - oh, and we got some autographs at the stage door...
I should state up front... she's a huge Beatles fan... 😏
Dropped them off at the Savoy Theatre for "Let it Be" (front row centre tickets!)
...while I legged it over to Lambeth North to the Imperial War Museum (that's known in the trade as a win-win 😁)
I had no idea that this guy lived just across the way from the Museum...
Now that's what you call a War Museum..
Inside, the Museum is in the middle of a huge refurbishment - the main hall is entirely closed off and is due to finish next June, so as a result only a few vehicles on display, and in quite appalling lighting...
Zundapp - front tires were huge - almost car tires... and direct drive to the wheel on the passenger compartment...
Mark 5 Sherman...
This one saw service with the Guards Armoured in Normandy...
...and a 25pdr.. they always reminds me of the Airfix kit whenever I see one of these...
Monty's staff car (a Snipe) - served with him throughout Africa and Italy, and when he went to take command in Northern Europe, his successor (Leese) also inherited the car....
The museum is huge, and over 5 floors - entrance is free - there was a special exhibition on aimed mainly at the youngsters which there was paid entry for and given my limited time I didn't go for.
The main exhibits at the moment are Spies/Elite Services, and the Holocaust Exhibition.
The Spies exhibition was very good - I particularly enjoyed the section on Popski's Private Army, the LRDG, and the early SAS - they have a brilliant large screen presentation on the Iranian Embassy siege, including some exhibits from the actual operation... hair raising....
The major exhibit in the museum at the moment though is the Holocaust Exhibition [clicky] - it traces the origins of German anti-Semitism from the first early signs of the Nazi Party, through to the industrial scale killing factories of Eastern Europe, via the Einsatz Groups, Ghetto's, and all the other, other, truly ghastly flavours.... absolutely harrowing.... but we really do need to remind ourselves of just what we as human beings are capable of..
I thought this was hugely effective... Auschwitz in 15mm scale (I think)... a train has just arrived....
....just horrible.. more details from the artist here [clicky] and more pictures here [clicky]
Almost a sense of relief when I got out....
Was good to talk Beatles nonsense with the girls after that - oh, and we got some autographs at the stage door...
Good day for all. Win win for sure
ReplyDeleteIan
Ian - it was a cracking day.. :o)
DeleteI am seriously jealous!!!! Perhaps, one day.........
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! Thanks!
Greg - i'm not even a big Beatles fan and I was shuttling back and forth across that zebra crossing like a yo-yo...!
DeleteThanks for posting this Steve. My son and I were hoping to visit the IWM in Jan/Feb when we visit from New Zealand. I last visited it in 1989. (We are both keen wargamers) .We don't have a lot of time in London, and it looks like a visit to Duxford or Bovington may be more rewarding if a serious refurb is underway!
ReplyDeleteH van K - I would agree... though the Holocaust exhibition is very much worth seeing.. if you're in London on limited time I'd put in a vote for the army museum at Chelsea instead...
DeleteThe Beatles are still giving autographs? :)
ReplyDeleteMoif - there was one George, and at least two Ringos! :o)
Delete