Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, RAF Coningsby 2014

Got home from a breathtaking afternoon at RAF Coningsby watching the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. This was my first time seeing the flight close-up and was at the suggestion of my Uncle who had two members tickets for the event. It was certainly packed out, and for anyone thinking of buying a subscription and going, it's a wise move to take along some folding chairs and cold drinks. There's a fair bit of waiting around as the aircraft are prepared, and like we did it's good to pick a spot and stick to it.

The hangar area had plenty of stalls selling merchandise of different sorts, plus some interesting charitable ones - such as the campaign to restore a Mosquito to flying condition. I took full advantage to buy a few art prints and get them signed by Sgt Pilot Eric Quinney who flew one of the Lancasters in the 1955 Dambusters film.

The photos probably don't do the flight justice. The Spitfires did a number of 'crosses' and other stunts before climaxing in Victory Rolls. However, the noise as the planes roared overhead in the 'big' formation (two Spitfires, two Hurricanes, the Dakota and the Lancaster) made the hairs stand up on my neck. Unbelievable stuff, and apparently the only time each year you'll get to see this happen.

Do yourself a favour, buy a membership (it's cheap) and get along to next year's!!

National Museum of Ireland - Military Collection.

Last weekend myself and my partner had the good fortune to visit Dublin to see some friends. I'd been on a number of occasions previously, but hadn't considered a trip to the Museum situated at the Collins Barracks site. Thankfully these days many parts of Dublin City Centre which were once a mission to walk to are now connected by a tram system and you can buy a three day travel pass for just 20 Euros.

It's surprising to most that the National Museum even has a military collection, as it's not exactly well promoted through the official website and naturally most of the tourists seem more inclined toward Celtic art, traditional music (and Guiness perhaps). The Collins Barracks site itself is a fantastic feature and was quite central to the British military occupation prior to Independence when it was called The Royal Barracks. I'd just mention that it's good for a family visit because it also houses the Decorative Arts collection and has a nice cafeteria to boot.

A significant part is given over to the 1916 Rising, and anyone who's visiting Dublin with that particular theme in mind should definitely drop by the museum. It has some of the Mauser rifles that were smuggled into Howth and were used during the struggle (the one owned by Irish Revolutionary leader Thomas Clarke is featured below) along with many other original and interesting items. My favourite however was a fantastic artillery piece captured during the Anglo-Sikh War (again pictured below). There's also an Anti-Aircraft Gun, some items from the Irish Guards and their involvement in the Arnhem Campaign plus some displays dedicated to the development of the Irish Defence Forces.

Victory Show, Cosby, Leicestershire 2014

Last weekend saw myself, my partner and my uncle venturing off to the Victory Show. Last time I went was a couple of years ago, and I'd been itching to get back there again. The turnout seemed very good (perhaps due to the anniversary of Arnhem and D-Day) and the weather couldn't have been better - I even got a touch of sunburn!

First stop was the trade stalls, and I could feel the strong urge to spend well over my set budget within five minutes. A vast array of deactivated weapons got me considering a few additions to the collection. In the end my partner stepped in with some well timed financial advice. But it didn't prevent me coming away with a lovely German Civilian Gas Mask in issue box and some Home Guard shoulder titles for a display I'm planning.

Next came a walk around the Arnhem re-enactors site. Really impressive stuff. Most were dug into the tree line overlooking a field, complete with slit trenches, radio sets etc. We then went to view the vehicles which included some awe inspiring half-tracks, a T34, a Panzer III and a StuG (above). It was also good to stand and chat to some of the people from the re-enactors groups, of which there was a huge array. I took a great photo of my girlfriend stood with three SS Panzergrenadier officers who looked the absolute business! Unfortunately she wouldn't let me post the picture up on the internet!

Finally special praise was reserved for the Air Show. The B25 Mitchell was marvellous as it banked and circled around. But the outstanding moment for me was watching the P51 Mustang. The guy flew low over the crowd several times before looping over and putting it into a steep dive - just so the engines gave out that slight whine - then vroom!! banking away again. I was just rooted to the spot! Absolutely immense day out and one I'd definitely recommend to others.

Richard III Visitor Centre, Leicester

Today myself and my partner took the opportunity to try out the new Richard III visitor centre in Leicester. It's quite easy to find being immediately opposite Leicester Cathedral. They've also moved the original statue of Richard from its old place in Castle Park to outside the centre where it can be more easily seen.

Tickets for the exhibition can be purchased online with allocated slots throughout the day. Probably a good idea, as it keeps a manageable amount of visitors within the centre and means folks aren't elbowing each other to get a view. First part of the exhibition is taken up by a replica throne room and the story of Richard III projected onto a video screen behind.

To the right was a gallery exhibit of Graham Turner's Medieval paintings, which I found to be really fantastic. You can view his work online here: http://www.studio88.co.uk/acatalog/medieval_prints.html

Going upstairs is where the centre really comes into its own. With a detailed account of Richard III's portrayal throughout history and literature, followed by the attempts to locate his remains. Anyone who's seen the recent TV documentaries will already be aware of the painstaking process investigators went through to find living relatives and source DNA matches. Towards the end we have a fantastic reconstruction of Richard's armour at Bosworth (done in white plastic, as some of the metal working techniques originally used have apparently been lost) and a skeletal reconstruction with descriptions of his wounds. Finally there's a lovely chapel like construction with a glass floor and the actual Greyfriars Abbey excavation beneath a glass floor with the bones outlined in light. At the back is an inscription taken from Richard III's 'Book of Hours Prayer' and a bouquet of White Roses.

Battle of Bosworth - 15mm

Today saw the Club recreate The Battle of Bosworth in 15mm using Dave's nicely home crafted 'Blood and Glory' Rules. Chris was responsible for organizing the game and based it primarily on Glenn Foard and Anne Curry's book "Bosworth 1485: A Battlefield Rediscovered". As the title suggests it's based on some of the most up to date archeological evidence.

The opposing sides were arrayed with Richard III atop Ambion Hill, Norfolk to the front and Northumberland in the rearward. The Yorkist forces faced to advance down Fenn Lane, off the hill and with the notorious marsh on their left. Henry Tudor and his men were placed with their right flank below Crown Hill and anchoring it to the tip of the marsh. On the left were the Welsh with Rhys Ap Thomas and a French force. The Stanley's were situated in Dadlington and to the back and rear of Henry's extreme right on top of Crown Hill. Both Paul and Rich were playing the Stanley's and naturally were reflecting the part by not yet revealing their allegiance.

Myself, Lawrence and Barry decided on a Yorkist advance that would make use of our numerical strength and hopefully envelope Henry's left wing. Barry as Norfolk pushed the vanguard forward as Gary (Henry) sent Chris and the Welshmen to intercept. In this sense they used their right wing as a pivot to sweep across Fenn Lane and block us (see below).

The Stanley's meanwhile started to shift their men across Crown Hill, but it still wasn't clear if they were intending to engage either side. Nevertheless, as the Yorkists moved to confront the Lancastrian threat, it was deemed necessary to use Northumberland's rearward units to cover a possible threat from them if they decided to cross the marsh.

By this time Norfolk had crashed into the Welsh with some ferocity, and whereas the Yorkists initially received a bloody nose due to some excellent dice rolling from Chris, it was when Norfolk's men started to charge in with their Men at Arms that things looked shaky for the Lancastrians. Added to this was the archery duel now developing between Richard III's main battle and him swinging his cavalry into a gap in the lines ready to punish the Lancastrian crossbowmen.

The Stanley's at this stage started to arrange themselves into a formation that looked ready to attack the Yorkist by way of lining their archers to fire over the marsh. By this time the tension was at breaking point and Northumberland (Lawrence) took the opportunity to pre-empt the strike by loosing his bowmen at them. This encouraged plenty of return fire, as the archers shot back and forth the casualties mounted on both sides. The Lancastrian left flank then started to disintegrate as morale checks left the Welsh running for home and Norfolk's men pushed onward. About this time the Bodyguard of Richard III led by a gallant Earl of Surrey burst into the Lancastrian centre, grinding down two units before getting embroiled in a serious set-to with Henry's own mounted Men at Arms. Luckily both units bounced back after more casualties and withdrew to regroup. However, it came within a sword tip of Henry's own person (history repeating itself?) and Gary decided that the Lancastrian forces would find it hard to carry on and so began to fall back on Crown Hill.