Visit to HMS Belfast with the Imperial War Museum

Lego Museums visited HMS Belfast in London on the Thames in 9th July 2014. This is a warship which was built in 1936 and launched in Belfast on St Patrick's Day 1938. She was the largest and most powerful cruiser in the Royal Navy of the time and still was for most of the War.

Will going for a close up of HMS Belfast.

It was designed for the protection of trade, was called into service to patrol the northern waters to impose a maritime blockade on Germany. Although after being hit by a mine, she was out of action for three years. 

The ship bell - HMS Belfast

After returning to the home fleet in 1942. HMS Belfast was sent to to the arctic to protect the convoys and Russia's supply route throughout the war. HMS Belfast continued to be apart of the arctic convoy until 1944 when she spent five weeks supporting D-Day landings and she was reported to have fired one of the first shots on D-Day itself.

Will loves the HMS Belfast.

After the Second World War HMS Belfast played her role in the Korean War 1950-52. She then spent her final years as a peace-keeping duties until she was retired in 1963. 

In 1967 the Imperial War Museum took her under their wing. She was then opened to the public in 1971 on 21st October. 

The way the IWM has done with the HMS Belfast is well done. All way through the warship there are a number of wax works showing that each room was used for. Including sounds of the ship that have been placed in really brings the place alive for all the visitors. Even some of the wax works move to give the visitor a strange feeling that you aren't really alone.

Will is hanging with the crew of HMS Belfast.

Postmaster I wish to gain multiple views on my post, please.

Will is wondering what is for dinner... potatoes... damn it not again!

As well as this, throughout the ship there are a number of original articles that would been used around this time and period. The whole ship is a adventure inside out. A great place to lose the kids in. A great place to go for the day out if you are interested into World War 2 and military weapons of war.      

D-Day Museum 70 Years of the Normandy landings

Lego Museums visited the D-day Museum on the 6th June 2014 on the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings in 1944. Let’s remember those who sacrificed everything for the greater good on D-Day. Let’s commemorate those thousands who lost their lives so others may live in freedom.

Will with his D-Day 70 year's badge.

Will entering the D-day Museum.

The museum is pact with WW2 history from Portsmouth and other aspects of the Operation Overlord. Going into the museum you come across first is the large and long Overlord Embroidery, which is the modern-day comparison to the Bayeux Tapestry of 1066. This 272ft long piece of art (33ft longer than its 11th century counter-part), looks back upon the dark days before the operation of 1940 to the victory in Normandy in 1944.

The embroidery itself is worth going into the museum alone to see. Although through-out the museum there is a number of other great and interesting galleries to see.

These galleries display a large number of real artefacts for the war alongside some life-like wax works, which gives the objects a life of their own as well giving the visitor a feel of what it was like in times of war within the late 30s and early 40s. Also using their personal objects of the men who lived it gives a touching look into the lives of all who were involved, with the stories of home with the blitz to the life at the front-line in France. This museum also looks at the aspects of both sides, from the Allies and the Germans.

For those military armament fans; there are a large rang of weapons and vehicles what are dotted around the museum. This small museum is fantastically laid-out to easily show the visitors all what the museum has to offer. 

BANG!!!

Will looking out from a landing boat.

Will is driving a U.S. Jeep.

If you are a large WW2 and/or military buff you should go to the D-day Museum to enjoy what they have to offer.