An even limper Lysander - part 2

 

Here then is the completed Lysander. For something rescued from near-scrap it’s come together quite well I think. The Finnish decals were kindly provided by Pete and prompted me to move the Lysander further up my schedule. 

Newer readers may think that I must therefore have a plan for an imminent Winter War game.  Veterans will not expect to see this again for some years!

If it looks a bit rough that’s probably due to having had a hard life in the Arctic. At least that’s my story. 

Brussels Military History Museum - part 1

 

A highlight of our recent trip to Europe was a long-awaited visit to the Military Museum in Brussels.  From the outside it was difficult to miss - helped by the noisy presence of a Portuguese(!) food festival in the square outside.

There is a selection of 19th Century artillery outside...

...and a rather chunky mortar.

Inside the first hall covers the pre-1914 history of the Belgian armed forces, including more guns!

Some had clearly been bought from the neighbours!

I was intrigued by this wonderful painting of a fort under construction.  Turns out that unlike mine, real forts aren't carved from lumps of insulation foam....

The hall contained plenty of paintings, uniforms and more guns!

Coming next - the Great War hall!

December 1944 Museum at La Gleize

Driving south from Delft to the Belgian Ardennes we braved some quite narrow and hilly roads (for a 3-ton van) to divert to La Gleize.  There are several museums focussed on the 1944/5 campaign in this part of the world but this one is a real gem.  That it's in a nice (at least in the weather we experienced) spot is a bonus.  What it must have been like in the winter of '44 hardly bears thinking about.  Recommended if you are in the area.  The photos appear in a rather random order.  Above - the view from the adjacent churchyard.

Attached to the museum is the Great War memorial.

Inside there are lots of displays like this.  Most of the kit and quite a few of the uniforms were sourced locally.  Many were found in an attic and were nearly thrown out!

Outside.  This chap had bagged the best parking spot - but I didn't feel inclined to argue.

The Command Bus meanwhile was squeezed into a space in the square.

This dodgy fellow was spotted near the Tiger B.

More of the vast array of stuff.

The rather lovely church.

The Tiger had taken a few hits!

A well laden Fallschrimjager pull-along container.

 

A visit to Delft

First stop during our trip to Europe in June was Delft  we’ve been before a couple of times but only for a few hours  this time we stayed for several days.  Not much military stuff to report but this rather nice gatehouse remains from the old city walls  

And a couple more photos just for ‘atmosphere’…