Nottingham Castle: Notts & Derbys Regt Museum

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Guys, I thought I would start this new section of the forum with a few views of my local museum situated in Nottingham Castle:

http://www.nottinghamcastle.info/

I will start off our small virtual tour with a few pics of the statue of the WW1 local Hero and VC winner, Capt Albert Ball, VC DSO MC, Royal Flying Corps.

To find out more about him see here:

http://albertball.homestead.com/

[Adrian Stevenson]

The museum holds many of Capt Ball's items. He was always a hero to me as a child. I used to go to the castle and drool over all the items on display. I would have been about 5 years old.

I guess we should start with his medals.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Presentation casket box, I think for cigars or cigarrettes. Presented when he was given the Freedom of the City.

[Adrian Stevenson]

These are two items which I think are fantastic.

The bullet holed carb intake pipe and windscreen from two of his aircraft.

The windsreen is from an Avro, while the pipe is from a Nieuport Scout.

[Adrian Stevenson]

A pair of his flying gloves. Great condition for an item nearly 100 years old.

His wrist watch with "armoured" cover to protect the face and the German message tube dropped over British lines to notify of his death.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Staying with the Great War theme, a good example of the classic Stahlhelm.

[Adrian Stevenson]

What display of WW1 is complete without a Picklehaube!

[Adrian Stevenson]

Very rare MP18 sub machine gun.

Also in view are "Butcher " bayonets with saw back blades, which caused a stir in the wartime British press over "The Beastly Hun!"

[Adrian Stevenson]

We now jump forwards to WW2.

What goodies are contained within this pic! The MP40 is another item I used to drool over as a kid.

[Adrian Stevenson]

A more general shot of some of the WW2 items on display.

[Adrian Stevenson]

I will end my tour with yet another favourite item of mine.

This is a ultra rare Soviet PPSh41 captured by the Germans and converted to 9mm and the mag housing modified to take MP40 mags.

The history to this gun is fasinating. Catured by the German, converted, re taken by the Russians, then in the 1950's given to the North Koerean Army where it was captured by an Officer of the Notts & Derbys and brought back to the UK. Wow!

There is much, much, more on display than I have shown. Lots of Victorian, WW1 and WW2 uniforms through to the present day, loads of medals, many more firearms, etc.

The rest of the castle is a Museum in it's own right. Well worth a vist. The English Civil War began here too. History just oozes out of the place. Plus you have all heard of a certain Robin Hood too :biggrin:

Cheers, Ade.

[RaymondG]

Excellent thread, Ade and thanks for taking the time to post it all up. :thumbup:

Raymond

[Francesco]

Ade,looks a nice museum.I hope to visit it in a next trip.

Thanks to show us the pics

Francesco

[OKCmike]

Ade,
Let me say excellent thread also. I love museums, as we probably all here do. Never been to one that was a housed in a castle. Wish I had the chance to though. Thanks for showing.

Regards