Kubinka. Introduction.
The history of the tank museum in Kubinka began in 1930, when it was decided to build a testing ground for armored vehicles here, and in 1938 a research institute attached to it. The museum on this site was founded in 1972, but since it remained within the structure of the Ministry of Defense, it was extremely difficult to get there. My first visit, already in this century, was made by appointment and with a passport. Moreover, it took me half an hour to get from the nearest highway on foot. There is now regular bus service here.
For the English-speaking public, an article on Wikipedia can serve as introductory material. It is not entirely comprehensive and is a little outdated, but overall it is quite truthful. Although they no longer ask for your passport at the entrance, and they sell tickets without it. You can generally buy them online.
The grounds are very clean and decent. The souvenir stall is decorated in the spirit of a museum.
There are a lot of signs – you won’t get lost even if you don’t know the language. Toilets in Russia are designated by the English abbreviation WС. Well, you can understand where each pavilion is without knowing the language – our numbers are the same.
Closer to the entrance there are a couple of laconic monuments: to tank crews and military motorcyclists.
You can climb onto the latter and take a couple of selfies. I didn’t do this: selfies are not my thing, and climbing monuments is not mine either.
But the main thing about it is not this, but SIX! such pavilions with exhibits,
a significant number of which are unique, even one-of-a-kind, or landmark armored fighting vehicles. The hangars are numbered and have a specific theme.
Namely:
No. 2. Armor power of the Urals.
I will post photo galleries of them later. Because there’s nothing special to write about there, you just have to look there!
There are another couple of hangars, structurally the same, but for repair and restoration.
All hangars have become younger and have acquired a modern look.
The left photo is from 2015, the right is this year.
And most importantly – the barriers have been removed! When I assembled the IS-7 in 2016, photographs of its rear were taken out almost from under the counter. And now there’s his ass from all angles.
At the end of the territory there is a very tasty place: a zone of dynamic displays.
It would be interesting to visit it during the action!
There is still some equipment behind a flimsy fence.
The purpose of her being there remained unknown. At the entrance/exit it is clear – there is a sign, but here it is not clear.
The military, how can we understand them? They even have militarized bird feeders.
