Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower facts for kids
18th-century gunpowder magazine within the museum
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| Established | 2001 |
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| Location | Gosport, Hampshire, England |
| Type | Museum |
The Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower is an exciting museum located in Gosport, Hampshire, England. It's built in what used to be the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Priddy's Hard. Today, this museum is an important part of the National Museum of the Royal Navy.
Contents
This museum is packed with all sorts of weapons used by the navy, from the 1700s right up to modern times! You can see everything from small guns to giant missiles and even complete gun turrets. It's a great place to learn about how naval firepower has changed over the years.
Guns Through Time
The museum has many different types of guns on display. You can see old cannons from the 18th century. There are also Victorian-era guns, like the RBL 20 pounder Armstrong gun. From World War II, you can find the powerful QF 4 inch Mk XVI naval gun.
Modern Missile Systems
Beyond traditional guns, the museum also showcases modern missile technology. You can explore missile systems used after World War II. These include the famous Exocet missile and its launcher. The Sea Dart missile is also on display. More recent weapons include the Sea Wolf missile system. You can also see the impressive 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun.
The weapons at the museum cover all kinds of naval battles. You'll learn about weapons used from ship to ship. There are also systems for attacking targets from the air to the sea. Other exhibits show how the navy defends against air attacks. You can even see weapons used underwater, like mines and torpedoes.
The Night Hunters: the Royal Navy’s Coastal Forces at War is a special exhibit. It opened in 2021 and is a permanent part of the museum. This display tells the story of the Royal Navy's fast, small boats. These boats were used for quick attacks during wartime. The Coastal Forces Heritage Trust, a charity, helped create this exhibit.
Historic Boats on Display
This exciting exhibit features two real, historic boats:
- CMB 331 – This is a 55-foot Thornycroft coastal motor boat from 1941.
- MTB 71 – This is a 60-foot Vosper motor torpedo boat built in 1940.
Museum Facilities
The museum also has a lovely waterside coffee shop. From here, you can look out over the original 18th-century camber dock. It's a nice spot to relax after exploring all the amazing exhibits.
See also
In Spanish: Museo Explosion! para niños
