One of the world's largest museums of armored vehicles is the Central Museum of Armored Arms and Technology. The building is located in the Moscow region, the city of Kubinka. Pavilions and sites include about 350 types of armored vehicles, and 60 of them exist in a single copy. Exhibits are collected from 14 different countries. The area of the museum is 12 hectares. The Central Museum of Armored Arms and Technology was founded in 1938.
Museum exposition
The Central Museum of Armored Weapons in Kubinka includes the following collections:
- armored vehicles from different countries, which include unique prototypes and production vehicles;
- tanks;
- self-propelled artillery mounts.
Description
The Central Museum of Armored Arms and Technology is a town on the streets of which you can see the largest collections of armored vehicles in the world. Collection of exhibits began in 1931 in connection with the opening of the testing ground, and the museum’s birthday is considered to be 1938, August 1.
Of the most significant exhibits of the armored museum, one can distinguish: the domestic T-34, the high-speed tank BT, the flying T-80, the tank with the solid body of the latest IS design, the heavy tank T-35, and others. Of the most unusual tanks presented at the museum, you can name a reckless tank, a tank ball and a tank ship.
The first Soviet tank
The exposition of the Kubinka Armored Museum of Weapons opens with a model of the very first Soviet tank, which was released at the Sormovsky plant. The tank was given the significant name "Freedom Fighter Comrade Lenin." Many historians believe that the first tanks were developed by Vasily Mendeleev, the son of a famous chemist.
Soviet technology
Most of the museum of armored weapons and equipment is occupied by domestic inventions, which are divided into several categories and are located in different pavilions.
Heavy Soviet self-propelled guns and tanks
In the first pavilion, visitors are presented with self-propelled artillery installations that took part in the Second World War or were invented after the war. Heavy equipment was used to break through the defensive lines and to strengthen medium and light tanks on the battlefield. One of the first heavy tanks of serial production was the T-35, which was considered the most powerful tank of the Red Army.
The IS-2 heavy tank is considered the best heavy tank of the WWII period. The abbreviation in its name stands for "Joseph Stalin." In wartime, he was considered the strongest tank in the world. The machine was characterized by easy handling, high speed and quick replacement of units. After the war, the IS-2 was modernized and until 1995 was in service with the Russian and Soviet army.
Medium Soviet self-propelled guns and tanks
The Museum of Armored Weapons also presents main and medium battle tanks. The tanks are considered average, the mass of which is in the range from 20 to 40 tons. Such tanks are characterized by the presence of basic combat qualities. Most often, such tanks served as the basis for the creation of battle tanks.
The T-34, which was put into service in 1939, is considered the most significant exhibit of the second pavilion. The tank is characterized by: good cross, high speed, reliable protection, high efficiency and power.
In the winter period (1942), the T-34 tank was sent on a combat mission and, leaving the lake’s ice, sank. Everyone, except the driver, managed to leave the car. In 2000, a search squad called "Altitude" pulled out a tank, after which it became an important museum exhibit. The T-34 had a great influence on the outcome of the war, and also influenced the development of tank building around the world.
Light Soviet tanks
In the third pavilion, visitors can get acquainted with light armored vehicles. Light tanks were the basis of all tank fleets of world armies until World War II began. The main advantage of these tanks was their versatility.
The first light tank was the MC-1, which was mass-produced. The tank differed from its counterparts at that time in the transverse position of the engine, as well as its superiority due to a machine gun and a 37 mm gun. The Museum of Armored Weapons also presents other light tanks. For example, BT and T-26, which were developed on the basis of American and English models in the 30s.
Soviet combat armored vehicles
The first armored vehicles in Russia appeared in 1914. The chassis of the Austin armored car was purchased in England, and the reservation itself was made at the Putilovsky plant in Petrograd. In the 30s, wheeled vehicles began to develop rapidly.
The collection includes such armored vehicles as BA-6, BA-3 and BA-2. These vehicles had cannon and machine gun weapons, as well as bullet-proof armored protection. Visitors can also familiarize themselves with the layout of the floating armored vehicle PB-4V. A similar technique was used to transport infantry.
Tanks from all over the world
In addition to domestic equipment, the museum also exhibits from 14 countries of the world, which are divided into several categories and are located in different pavilions.
Appliances Canada, UK and USA
The fifth pavilion presents the equipment of the United States of America, Great Britain and Canada. This collection is especially interesting since the first tank in the world was invented in the UK.
The heavy Mark 5 tank is armed with a 57 mm cannon and five machine guns. This tank performed well during the First World War. It was used by the Americans, the French and the English army. Visitors can also see the American M3 Stuart and the English Valentine.
Technique of Nazi Germany
Many will be interested in the sixth pavilion, which presents a large number of equipment from the Second World War period by Nazi Germany, which was captured on the battlefield. The collection includes the first two tanks, the Panzer-1 and Panzer-2. The first tank was not good enough, so the second is a kind of modernization. In 1936, the third Panzer 3 variant was invented, which was the main medium tank for ten years.
No less interesting are the self-propelled Marder-2 and the Wasp, which were equipped with a howitzer. Their main goal was to maintain fire while escorting a tank on the battlefield.
Technique of Japan and Europe
The seventh pavilion presents unique and diverse collections of the following countries: Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, Italy, France, China and Japan.
The exposition is opened by the Renault FT-17 tank, a light tank from France that was released in 1917. This tank was a model for the first tanks of many countries of the world, including Russia. The tank was characterized by a classic layout. In the aft part there were a power plant and weapons in a rotating tower, in the middle there was a fighting compartment, and in the front part there was a control compartment.
Also presented are tanks that were mass-produced in France in the 30s. For example, Somua, Hotchkiss and Renault. These machines were distinguished by the fact that their hull parts were made of cast elements. The AMX-13 tank has a fairly powerful design; its advantage is the presence of two revolver-type stores. Also presented are the French Panar armored vehicles
The attention of many is drawn to the Swedish main tank Stridsvagn 103. The machine has many unusual layout solutions. This tank was called "reckless", as it has no tower. The cannon itself is located in the hull; the control compartment is located at the rear and is combat. The engine-transmission compartment is located in front of the tank. Also, the tank has the lowest silhouette in the world, which makes it less noticeable.
Historically Important Expositions
All expositions presented at the Central Museum of Armored Arms and Technology have a historical past. For example, the technique that was used to eliminate the consequences at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is of great interest. Much attention is paid to the chapel of Prince Dmitry Donskoy, which was erected in 1998 in honor of the dead tank soldiers. The chapel was lit by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II in 1999. For many visitors, this place is of great importance.
Near the chapel is an exposition of the most striking armored vehicles that took part in the war. In an open area, visitors will see the T-50 tank, which participated in the defense of Leningrad. The T-34, which was the best in 1941 in terms of mobility, security and firepower, was also placed there.
Scientific works in the museum
A lot of research work is carried out by the museum staff. In this regard, there is the possibility of exchanging exhibits with the French Saumur Museum and the British Bovington.
The museum was created to familiarize with the samples of foreign and domestic tank building. Military-patriotic work is carried out here for schoolchildren and students. The museum also provides classes for military academies and institutes. The museum operates in accordance with the principles of historical authenticity and scientific, an integrated approach to the placement and selection of exhibits and the completeness of the collection.
Exhibits
The Museum of Armored Arms and Equipment in Kubinka is interested in ensuring that all equipment presented to visitors is on the go. For this reason, numerous restoration work is underway.
