R&J Enterprises

EuroTrip 2005

We picked up a rental car at Heathrow and after an exhilerating (sometimes terror struck) 4 hour drive (on the wrong side of the road and through countless roundabouts) we finally arrived in the channel coast town of Weymouth. We had booked a quaint looking hotel overlooking the beach which, inspite of it's typical British plumbing, turned out to be quite nice.
Weymouth
Weymouth
The next AM we were off to find The Tank Museum at Bovington. (the museum is located in Bovington Camp a large military base in the middle of Salsbury Plain, so how hard could it be to find?) We believed it would only be a 20 or 30 min. ride from Weymouth. Instead, it was approximately 2 hours before we finally found it! Not sure why the Brits thought it necessary to switch their road signs during WWII. If "Jerry" had invaded, the correct signs would have been confusing enough. Or, . . . maybe the Brits never switched the signs back? (TeeHee)
Tank CrossingWe must be getting close!
MAUS Crossing/a>Is it me or does this silhouette resemble a MAUS or E100?

The Tank Museum at Bovington:
We Finally Found It!

EntranceAt Last!
It's been 10 years since my last visit to Bovington and a lot has changed. I was pleased to see their Tiger I back. Last time only the turret was on display. There are many new exhibits and the organization of it all is much improved. It's no surprise that "a TreadHead" like myself would find this place of great interest but, they have succeeded in making this muesum entertaining for the whole family. Your self-guided tour begins when you pick-up a recorder at the front desk and enter into a multi-room diorama of WWI. From recuitment office to the trenches in France with many sights and sounds of the era. You exit the German trenches into the exhibit halls starting of course with WWI. The exit from the display halls is also very well done. A Challenger tank cut down the middle from front to back. As you on the walkway directly between the 2 halves, a video, featuring a commanders hatch view of a Challenger,moving through a firing range engaging numerous targets, is diplayed on a large screen directly in front of you. It almost feels like you are in the tank. Very well done! You then exit into the Gift Shop. Ah yes, very well thought out indeed!
Sorry we don't have more photos of the museum but I took mostly video. Thanks go to Mark Ford, who accompanied us, for most of the still photos used throughout this report.
WW I Tanks Just after exiting from the German trench diorama
CharBNot many of these got into combat. Wonder where the white flag port is?
Panzer IWe'll start with the little stuff!
Panzer IIAnother early war "puddle jumper"
FireflyGreat gun on a tank that was marginal at best. But, we had lots of them!
Tiger IImpressive Eh?
Making friendsMark Ford actually touching a Tiger I (Good thing he's standing in a sandbox, cause I'll bet he almost wet himsel while I was taking this shot!)
King TigerThis looks to be in great condition.
Hunting Tiger What a massive beast!
That's my girlGives a whole new meaning to the word KillJOY Doesn't it?
Still At it! Now you know why Joy is called "She Who Must Be Obeyed!"
After about 5 hours at Bovington we were off to Folkstone. This was also a longer ride than expected. We finally reached the Clifton Hotel on the Leas in Folkstone at around 9PM. As in most towns in the U.K., parking is a real problem in Folkstone. I parked with the passenger side (that's the left side of the car in the U.K.) up on the sidewalk and the driver's side in the street (a very common sight over there) while we unloaded our bags and checked into the hotel. I was fortunate to see a car leaving just down the street and was able to secure that parking space for the night.

EuroMilitare 2005:
The Clifton Hotel This photo was taken from the front entrance of Leas Cliff Hall, less than 100 yards away.
The Venue Leas Cliff Hall, Folkstone, UK. Building with pointed roof is the entrance. This was the 20th year of Euromiliare at this same venue. It doesn't look very big but, there is a good size building below ground level built into the face of a large cliff.
Inside Leas Cliff HallOverview #1 of the vendors hall from center of balcony
Inside Leas Cliff HallOverview #2 of the vendors hall from left end of balcony.
The quality of the entrees at EuroMilitare has always been extremely high. As you can see from the few photos below, it was also true this year!
Flats & Figures:
Flat01 Flats are popular in Europe and this Henry VIII was very well done.
Flat02 Another example of the excellent Flats at this show.
Mounted Knight I thought this mounted Knight was just equisite!
"Survival of the Fittest" A nicely done pair of WWI trench fighters "getting into it!
"Nordland MC" I liked this Zundapp and rider
"A hurried Decent" Very creative and excellently done. I believe this won "Best in Show" award
Dioramas & Vinettes:
Under siege This was an excellently done diorama
Under siege Close-up of the castle diorama
Medieval Catapult
This KO'ed Tiger I and destroyed building were very well done.
A close-up shot of the destroyed building
"We Need That Turret!" This well done diorama was, I suspect, done by MIG since it features MIG's fabulous new Soviet BK1125 gunboat kit. We are told this kit is now available but, because it retails for over $450., R&J will offer them only on a "Special Order" basis. Sorry for the commercial.
Vehicle Models
"Recon 38(t)"
GeshutzwagenThe German found some interesting ways to use those French tanks eh?
"Cromwell MkIV" I thought this Cromwell was really well done.
"Cromwell MkIV" #2 Another view of the Cromwell
"USMC Amtrak"
Display of Unpainted Vehicle Models I believe these fabulous models were all done by Lee Lloyd. In my opinion, they are superb examples of incredible attention to detail and superior modelling skills.
"SU-1 NIAP" Lots of bolts & rivets
"Tiger I" Incredible!
"Soviet ARV" Also Incredible!
Summary Well that's about all of modelling related items of our trip. Euromilitare ended on Sunday and we left just a couple hours early to go to Dover, only about 10 miles away, where we embarked on the cruise ship "Marco Polo". Our cruise went to Amsterdam, then Normandy (yes, of course we visited the beaches) then a few more stops in France, Portugal and Spain before we finished up in Barcelona. All in all a great trip!

End of EuroTrip_2005