Immediate Release

Get Hands On With History Aboard HMS New Interactive Operations Room Opens for Easter

Press preview 5 April 2011, 10am-1pm

Step back in time this Easter in HMS Belfast’s newly restored and interactive Operations Room. HMS Belfast used to be entirely directed by the Operations Rooms, the nerve centre and brain of the entire ship. Now, thanks to restoration and state-of-the-art interactive features, everyone can imagine what it would have been like to participate in a real-life naval operation.

The exciting new Operations Room immerses visitors in the sights and sounds of an exercise as it happens, inviting them to take control of a fleet of ships and even take part in a mission to salvage parts of a plane downed in the sea. Capturing the excitement and urgency of the Operations Room in action, the interactive experience is inspired by Pony Express, the code name given to a major exercise of 1961 in which HMS Belfast played a leading role. The exercise to rehearse large-scale amphibious landings involved 60 warships, 20,000 naval personnel and 6,000 British, US and Australian troops off in the South Sea.

The Operations Room is the first historic area of the ship to be opened up and brought to life in this way and aims to engage and intrigue visitors with its mix of authentic audio and visual features. Both individuals and small groups can take over the plotting table for the newly created game which uses simulated radar to show the position of other ships and aircraft involved in the salvage mission. Visitors are invited to make decisions about HMS Belfast’s movements and, in doing so, activate a range of stunning effects including the sound of helicopters landing on board.

The interactive features will complement the Operation Room’s existing fittings which have been restored. Barriers have been removed enabling visitors to get close up to the machinery, knobs, switches, levers and lights. These include the original radar screens now brought to life with animated rotating screens. Archival film and photographs are also incorporated into the experience to give visitors an authentic sense of what it would have been like to take part in the exercise.

Phil Reed, Director of HMS Belfast, says: ‘We’re very excited about this dynamic addition to the ship and we hope the new Operations Room will really help people understand what life was like on board. HMS Belfast is already a firm favourite with families and we’re certain the interactive Operations Room, which is at the very top of the ship, will soon be a high point of everyone’s visit.’

A large which saw action in both the Second World War and the , HMS Belfast is now a great day out for all the family just a short walk from both and Bridge. On board HMS Belfast, which is a branch of IWM, you can explore all nine decks and imagine how sailors once hurried up and down ladders. Or take a look at the mess desk where her 950-strong crew ate and slept and discover the exciting stories of those who served on her. A mixture of historic spaces, displays, temporary exhibitions and special events all help bring to life the ship’s history in D-Day, the Arctic Convoys, the sinking of the Scharnhorst and the Korean War.

Entry for children is free when accompanied by an adult. Entry to the Operations Room is included in admission prices.

For further information or images contact Ellie Farrell, Senior Press Officer: 020 7416 5497 / [email protected]

Notes to Editors

Admission: £13.50 adults, £10.80 seniors and students; £8.10 visitors with disabilities (free carer); children under 16 free; special admission rates for groups of ten or more. Please note entry prices include a voluntary donation, making a valuable contribution to the care and conservation of this historic site. Opening hours: 1 November-28 February, 10am-5pm (last admission 4pm) 1 March-31 October, 10am-6pm (last admission 5pm) Location: HMS Belfast is moored on the Thames between and . Morgans Lane, , London SE12JH(London Bridge or tube)

HMS Belfast HMS Belfast is the most significant surviving Second World War warship, with a history that extends to the Arctic Convoys, D-Day, the Cold War, Korea and beyond. Moored on the between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast tells the story of life on board and explores how war affects and impacts on the morale, resilience and determination of a ship’s community. We take visitors on a journey though the ship’s nine decks and show them what life was like for the 950 strong crew, through the real life stories of the people who served in her.

Open daily 1 November-28 February, 10am-5pm (last admission 4pm) and 1 March-31 October, 10am- 6pm (last admission 5pm). Admission £13.50 adults; £10.80 seniors and students; £8.10 visitors with disabilities (free carer); children under 16 free; special rates for groups of ten plus. Please note entry prices include a voluntary donation, making a valuable contribution to the care and conservation of the historic site. HMS Belfast, Morgans Lane, Tooley Street, London SE12J

IWM IWM (Imperial War Museums) tells the story of people who have lived, fought and died in conflicts involving Britain and the Commonwealth since the First World War.

Our unique Collections, made up of the everyday and the exceptional, reveal stories of people, places, ideas and events. Using these, we tell vivid personal stories and create powerful physical experiences across our five museums that reflect the realities of war as both a destructive and creative force. We challenge people to look at conflict from different perspectives, enriching their understanding of the causes, course and consequences of war and its impact on people’s lives.

IWM’s five branches are IWM London, IWM’s branch with six floors of exhibitions and displays; IWM North, housed in an iconic award-winning building designed by Daniel Libeskind; IWM Duxford, a world renowned aviation museum and Britain's best preserved wartime airfield; , housed in Churchill’s secret headquarters below ; and the Second World War cruiser HMS Belfast.

First World War Centenary 2014 - 2018 marks the centenary of the First World War, a landmark anniversary for Britain and the world. IWM will mark the centenary by leading a vibrant, four year programme of cultural activities across the country, including the opening of brand new First World War galleries at IWM London in 2014. For more information visit www.1914.org