Sunday 18 October 2020

I have been to... Norfolk

We were supposed to be on a cruise around the Black Sea in September,  but thanks to Covid 19 that didn't happen, so instead we had a week in Norfolk and enjoyed the glorious sunshine. Along with swimming in the sea and eating too much, I managed a trip to the Muckleborough Collection up the coast, which is based at Weybourne Camp, used for anti aircraft training in WW2 up until the late 1950s.



There is a magnificent diorama of the base in use in WW2, packed with 1/72 scale models. 



Plus a photo history of the base including information on the various types of guns. My grandfather served in a Heavy AA Regiment as a signaller, so that was very interesting. 


I was very taken with these heavily camouflaged bicycle infantry. 


One side of the diorama featured a model of a real plane shot down nearby. German aircraft tended to avoid the base due to its AA defences. 


There is an extensive small arms collection. 


And various vignettes.. 



It is also host to a Yeomanry museum. 


Copenhagen! 



Yeomanry uniforms and equipment including this nice 7pdr RML. 



The vehicle display hall has some nice airship models. 




A lovely 2pdr.


5.5" This is a big gun.


17pdr, also huge. Easier to get at the breech than the example at the Cobbaton collection. 


6pdr in desert colours. 


18pdr. Yes the wrapping on the recuperator really is white. 


4.5" howitzer on a carriage for motorised tow. 




25pdr, limber and tow, including great views of the wierd 25pdr ammo boxes. I wonder if Serco had the contract for those? 



13pdr limber. A much more sensible arrangement. 


13pdr


A slightly different Quad tow for the 25pdr, a Morris C8. 



2pdr portee (not sure I fancy firing that over the windscreen!) 


AMX13 on a transporter. 


Scammell tow lorry


Bloodhound! Where is the guy with the dog... 



Leyland Hippo



Centurion and Chieftans, in slightly odd brown/black camo. All the tanks are runners. An amphibious jeep is in the foreground. 


That 120 is a big old gun. 


FV432 and Scorpion. 


Completing our BAOR Combat Team, Abbot. 







I'm not usually a huge fan of plane paintings but there were some pretty good ones. 


There was also a huge collection of models. 


I'm not entirely convinced that this is actually Carthaginian. 


If you look carefully, the guy with the dog is there. Makes you realise what a big plane Vulcan was. 



Daimler armoured car. The dummy is wearing what appears to be original battledress. 


Dingo


M3 Scout Car in a great desert scheme. 


Saracen APC


Saladin Armoured Car


Ferret Armoured Car


We are suddenly in my old AK47 Army. The back of the Saracen is quite roomy. 


Ice Cold in Alex. Austin K2 Ambulance. 


Rapier. 



A nice 88 although I'm not sure they would have camouflaged the underside of the legs. 


Cymbeline counter mortar radar. 



Carrier with top mounted Boys ATR. 


Stuart (and Chaffee) 

T34 and its descendant, T55. 


Chaffee



A very imposing cast Hull Shermans in OD/Black camo. Named as Fury,  but of course Brad Pitts ride was a 76mm. 


Inside a Sexton. Don't often get a look inside one of these. 


M15 AA halftrack,aka the Meatchopper . 


Comet


That Sexton again. 


There a load of Nissen huts with various battered AFVs parked around them under tarps. 


US 155mm Long Tom



ZPU4



A nice replica V1




And a Harrier which has seen better days. 




This radar site is still operational, the last bit of the base still functioning as part of the RAF. 

That was a really good morning out, well worth the entrance price, and my tatty pictures don't do it justice. They also do 'tank rides' where you can drive an FV432 around, but they weren't running due to Covid restrictions. Recommended. 




16 comments:

  1. Martin,

    We were supposed to be on a cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean, but ours was cancelled due to COVID-19. We had hoped to go to Norfolk instead, but were unable to book anywhere, so we will have to look for somewhere else for a short break.

    I always try to visit Muckleborough when we are in that part of Norfolk. It’s a great way to spend a few hours, and has some interesting exhibits. Thanks for sharing your photographs, which reminded me of what a great place the museum is.

    All the best,

    Bob

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    Replies
    1. I was very impressed, and they'd made a big effort to make the whole thing covid safe.

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    2. Everywhere self catering seems very busy. It might be quieter after half term, but the weather will be more unpredictable. I guess Wales and Scotland will be off limits shortly!

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  2. Great looking museum. Seems to have a pretty decent collection.

    Cheers,

    Pete.

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    Replies
    1. Yes they do, I particularly liked the collection of British artillery.

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  3. What a great little museum with a fantastic collection of well preserved vehicles and equipment. Cheers Greg https://deltacoy.blogspot.com/

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  4. Replies
    1. Thank you. The photo collection was heavily edited down.

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  5. Impressive report and nice photos.

    Many years ago I did a tour of the Woolwich Rotunda. Our guide explained that the rope round the recuperators of the 13 and 18-prs was painted white to help radiate heat - if the oil inside got too warm it became less viscous and the guns could over-run. He said having the recuperator above the barrel was bad design as heat rose from the gun when it was fired.

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    Replies
    1. That is interesting. Top mounted recuperators are quite common though.

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  6. A very enjoyable tour and look-around, Martin. Thank you!

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  7. They seem to have added some things since I was there (pictures on my blog) and moved things around; I was unable to get a decent photo of the AMX-13 due to where it was. At the time I was looking for details for Arab-Israeli armour.
    The most interesting was a BTR-40 that had been captured by the Israelis from the Syrians before ending up in Norfolk!
    Neil

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I saw the BTR. As most of it is in running order I suppose this GS get moved around. There was a big pile of tanks in bits outside, including another Chieftan and a very sad looking Cromwell /Centaur (missing its gun). At Cobbaton you can walk round the scrap yard, but not here.

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  8. You are too modest. They are excellent photos of a most impressive collection. What a ripper.
    It's always good to get out and explore one's 'backyard' isn't it?
    Regards, James

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