8 October 2006

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The latest was an excursion on Sunday to the SA National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg. This museum was extensively refurbished awhile ago and is absolutely worth a visit! With its extensive range of military hardware ranging over a wide period of time, its a must for everyone visiting Johannesburg. There are also two shops selling all sorts of military memorabilia, models and books. The museum is situated right next to the zoo on the north eastern side. There is plenty of secure parking as well.

Here is a fine example of the Messerschmitt 262B 1A. This was the worlds first turbo-jet aircraft to reach combat status and this particular one was used in the final defense of Berlin in April and May of 1945. Maximum speed: 810km/h, Service ceiling: 9250m

An interesting variety of armored cars covering a wide period is displayed.

Artillery pieces.

The G6 155mm self propelled gun howitzer with a shell range of between 30 to 37km. Combat weight: 46 000kg, Maximum speed road: 85km/h, Road range: 600km.

The G5 155mm self propelled gun howitzer artillery version of the G6.

The M41C Sherman Firefly tank used by Great Britain between 1943 and 1945. Combat weight: 28 300kg, Maximum speed: 40km/h, Road range: 200km.

The T-55 main battle tank which is the upgraded successor to the T-54 of which the first prototype appeared in 1946. The T-55 first appeared in 1958 and production ceased in 1978. Over 95 000 were produced in its various forms. Combat weight: 36 000kg, Maximum speed: 55km/h, Road range: 750km, Combat range: 600km.

I'm always amused at these signs. Here you have this great big fifty ton tank that is supposed to whither just about anything that is thrown at it and then they have this sign on it asking kids to please not break their invincible tank. Maybe the next secret weapon is a busload of brats!

The T34/85 medium tank of the Soviet Union which was considered to have been the best medium tank of the second world war and was sold to many Third World Countries after the war. It was extensively used in Korea, Vietnam, the Middle East and Angola. Combat weight: 32 000kg, Maximum speed: 55km/h, Road range: 400km, Combat range: 265km.

The Centurion MK1 main battle tank of the United Kingdom which entered service in 1946. Twenty countries have used this tank. Combat weight: 50800kg, Maximum speed: 35km/h, Road range: 190km, Combat range: 100km.

Here is something interesting and unusual. The Molch Salamandar one man submarine. Maximum speed 10km/h submerged and 14km/h on the surface. It could operate between 8 and 20 hours depending on its speed and dive to a depth of 30m.

The Dassault Mirage 111cz fighter bomber. It could be armed with a wide variety missiles, rockets and cannon. Maximum speed: MACH 2 2288km/h.

The Hawker Siddeley Blackburn Buccaneer S MK 50 low level long range strike aircraft of the United Kingdom, which could be operated from both carriers and land. Maximum speed: MACH .95 1070km/h.

There's a reason I put this gun on the website, and that is that my father used to operate one of these things during the second world war. The 88mm anti-aircraft gun model 37 from Germany. Although it could also be used as a deadly anti-tank weapon or even in an anti personal role.

Here's going back a few years when flying was really fun. The Royal Aircraft factories Scout experimental 5A SE5A. Maximum speed: 206km/h, Service ceiling: 5791 m.

The most famous British fighter aircraft of the second world war. The Supermarine Spitfire F VIII. Maximum speed: 657km/h, Service ceiling: 13006 m.

Some of the other displays.

A nice collection of military uniforms.

In one of the halls a very nice variety of anti-aircraft guns is displayed.