At the confluence of the mighty Rhine & Mosel Rivers in Germany, lies the city of Koblenz. The area of this confluence is known as the Deutsches Eck, "German Corner" & has been designed & built to resemble the prow of a ship protruding out into the current.
Dominating this headland, is an equestrian statue of the Emperor Wilhelm 2nd.
Taking 4 years to construct it was dedicated in 1897.
Following an artillery attack by American forces on 16th March 1945, the statue was destroyed. In 1993 the statue was replaced onto the original plinth in the form it is today following an initiative by a German business man.
However I digress....
About 500 meters down the Mosel on the right hand bank, in Mayener Strasse, lies the impressive "WEHRTECHNISCE STUDIENSAMMLUNG" which when translated becomes "The Federal Office of Defence, Technology & Procurement". It was founded in 1962, and houses, over 4 floors, a comprehensive collection of military vehicles, aircraft & equipment from all over the world!
Naturally, the heavier vehicles remain on the ground floor, together with large artillery pieces, with the lighter small arms & uniforms & ancillary equipment being on the 4th floor.
Throughout the museum you come across various shells, missiles, as well as quite a few aircraft which together with some cut-away section views of the internal workings of armoured vehicles, makes this museum a veritable "treasure trove" for information on the "real thing" for the model builder.
One or two drawbacks of the museum, is the fact that there are so many exhibits within the building, they are inevitably spaced very close together, so makes the taking of photographs a little difficult at times, and also, a great many of the medium sized and small items are behind glass screens, so giving you the "reflection" problem.
On saying that, if you are lucky enough to get to Koblenz at any time, give yourself a day for the visit and make sure you've got plenty of battery power.
Please have a loo at the photographs of my day there and hope you enjoy them!
One final note...the cost to gain entry to this museum is 3 Euros (about £2.80) what a bargain!!!!
Dominating this headland, is an equestrian statue of the Emperor Wilhelm 2nd.
Taking 4 years to construct it was dedicated in 1897.
Following an artillery attack by American forces on 16th March 1945, the statue was destroyed. In 1993 the statue was replaced onto the original plinth in the form it is today following an initiative by a German business man.
However I digress....
About 500 meters down the Mosel on the right hand bank, in Mayener Strasse, lies the impressive "WEHRTECHNISCE STUDIENSAMMLUNG" which when translated becomes "The Federal Office of Defence, Technology & Procurement". It was founded in 1962, and houses, over 4 floors, a comprehensive collection of military vehicles, aircraft & equipment from all over the world!
Naturally, the heavier vehicles remain on the ground floor, together with large artillery pieces, with the lighter small arms & uniforms & ancillary equipment being on the 4th floor.
Throughout the museum you come across various shells, missiles, as well as quite a few aircraft which together with some cut-away section views of the internal workings of armoured vehicles, makes this museum a veritable "treasure trove" for information on the "real thing" for the model builder.
One or two drawbacks of the museum, is the fact that there are so many exhibits within the building, they are inevitably spaced very close together, so makes the taking of photographs a little difficult at times, and also, a great many of the medium sized and small items are behind glass screens, so giving you the "reflection" problem.
On saying that, if you are lucky enough to get to Koblenz at any time, give yourself a day for the visit and make sure you've got plenty of battery power.
Please have a loo at the photographs of my day there and hope you enjoy them!
One final note...the cost to gain entry to this museum is 3 Euros (about £2.80) what a bargain!!!!