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Miniatures Adventure => The Conflicts that came in from the Cold => Topic started by: SJWi on October 11, 2024, 04:19:53 PM

Title: Dutch National Military Museum Near Utrecht
Post by: SJWi on October 11, 2024, 04:19:53 PM
Today I visited the above museum located at the former Soesterberg airbase outside Utrecht. Easy to reach using public transport from Utrecht Centraal train station, I spent a very happy three hours there and could easily have stayed longer but travel commitments prevented a longer visit.
The Museum is for the Dutch Army and Airforce. It covers the 16/17th century wars vs the Spanish and French, the Napoleonic and other early 19th century wars and then WW2 and later 29th century.
There are some excellent audio-visual displays in both Dutch and English, but the piece de resistance for me was the collection of uniforms and vehicles/artillery used by the Dutch in WW2, "post colonial policing" in Indonesia and later UN peacekeeping and ops in Afghanistan. The aircraft collection is small compared to the AFV display, but there are some unique examples of inter-war and WW2 aircraft.
At 19 euros entry I would say "money well spent". The only disappointing aspect was the shop which was primarily aimed at kids rather than a military enthusiast/historian. I've added a few photos as tasters,of what is there.
Title: Re: Dutch National Military Museum Near Utrecht
Post by: fred on October 11, 2024, 06:07:52 PM
Looks great, thanks for sharing.

I feel I need to plan a trip to the Netherlands
Title: Re: Dutch National Military Museum Near Utrecht
Post by: SJWi on October 11, 2024, 07:25:22 PM
Indeed you do. Arnhem is a "must" but the Orlogsmuseum at Overloon is a cracker. If going via Brussels the Brussels Military Museum is also very good.
Title: Re: Dutch National Military Museum Near Utrecht
Post by: Chairface on October 11, 2024, 09:19:08 PM
Oh lovely! Last time I went it was in Delft. Or the army part of it anyways. I must go again
Title: Re: Dutch National Military Museum Near Utrecht
Post by: SJWi on October 12, 2024, 04:07:53 AM
Chairface. I think I visited it in Delft. Assuming I am correct this site allows more room for the "big boys toys". A must for WW2 and Cold War gamers. A slight regret was that most of the uniforms are behind glass which made photography a challenge. However volunteering in a museum myself I know this is primarily for conservation reasons do pretty understandable.
Title: Re: Dutch National Military Museum Near Utrecht
Post by: Tom Dulski on October 12, 2024, 12:22:04 PM

 An interesting uniform color for sure.
Title: Re: Dutch National Military Museum Near Utrecht
Post by: Gunbird on October 13, 2024, 03:36:56 PM
It's a great museum to visit, they only just reshuffled some of the vehicles and aircraft again as they have a lot more in storage than they can actually show. Overloon is great to visit, even more so when you can combine it with a event like Militracks.