Page "Imperial War Museum" Paragraph 18

The first phase of the works to the Southwark building started in 1986 and were completed in 1989, during which time the museum was closed to the public.

The work included the conversion of what was previously the hospital's courtyard into a centrepiece Large Exhibits Gallery.

This gallery featured a strengthened ground floor ( to support the weight of very heavy exhibits ), a first floor mezzanine and second storey viewing balcony.

Into this space were placed tanks, artillery pieces, vehicles, ordnance and aircraft from the First World War to the Falklands War.

For some years the museum was marketed as ' The new Imperial War Museum '.

This atrium, with its concentration of military hardware, has been described as ' the biggest boys ' bedroom in London '.

This first phase cost £ 16. 7 million ( of which £ 12 million was provided by the government ) and the museum was reopened by The Queen on 29 June 1989.