Explore World Military History Just West of Moscow

Afterwards it is better to return to Moscow. To date, the primary activity of the museum is the search for and restoration of various military equipment. Moreover, all of the museum’s machines have been restored completely. The specimens of the museum have been used in film shootings, military parades and battle reconstructions.

Visiting the Museum

On the right side of the main entrance under the open sky are several tanks from World War II. These are the English infantry tank MARK III “Valentine” and the American light tank M5AI “Stuart,” which were supplied to the USSR through lend-lease, as well as the Soviet tanks: several modifications of T-34 with self-propelled SU-152 guns, which proved itself during the fight with German heavy tanks “Tiger” and “Panther” and thus received the name “Deerslayer.”

It is also possible to eat and purchase souvenirs here. Next walk further to the pavilion of “Armored Vehicles.” Among the many exhibits here it is possible to see the latest BTR-90, which is currently used in the Russian army, as well as a BA- 27M from 1931, based on the Ford-Timken; the PB-4, also based on the Ford-Timken; and an experimental variant of the BA-21 from 1939, based on the Soviet GAZ-21 (1936), which never went into production.

The next pavilion is “Light Tanks of the Soviet Army and Equipment of the Airborne Troops.” Here it is worth paying attention to the first Soviet light tank, MS-1, from 1927. By 1931 over 900 of these tanks had been built. They performed well in battles in the Far East during the late thirties.

Next walk to the pavilion “Medium Tanks and Major Tanks of the Soviet and Russian Armies.” These tanks include the renowned T-34 from World War II and the T-80, which is part of the state arsenal of the modern Russian army. Here you can also see prototypes of secret military equipment from the Soviet Union. For example, there is an experimental rocket tank “Obyekt 288” with gas turbine engines.

Next go to the pavilion “Heavy Tanks of the Soviet Army.” The main attractions of this pavilion are two self-propelled guns: SU- 14 and SU-100-Y. These were prototypes from World War II, but they did take part in fighting during the defense of Moscow. Afterwards, they became exhibits at the museum. Because of their size and the difficulty of transporting them, these machines were discontinued. Two SU-14 guns were released, one survives to this day, while the other was scrapped for metal in the 60s. Only one SU-100-Y was released and it can be seen in the museum today.

After a snack at the cafe, go to the pavilion “Equipment from Europe and Japan.” Near the pavilion stands an armored vehicle from World War II that participated in the defense of Leningrad (presently St. Petersburg). In the pavilion it is possible to see collections of Japanese armored vehicles from World War II.

Other countries are represented primarily by post-World War II specimens. There is even an exhibit from China. A particularly interesting exhibit presents French armored tank forces. At the entrance stands the very first light tank, FT-17, which was created by Renault in 1917. An interesting feature is its wooden wheels. It is also the most massive light tank manufactured at the start of the 20th century. From just 1917 to 1918 the company Renault produced 3177 tanks. Following the end of World War I, the tank was manufactured under license agreement in the United States, Italy, the Soviet Union and Finland. The FT-17 was in service in armies of different countries until the beginning of the 1940s.

A separate pavilion displays Germany’s armored vehicles from World War II. This is the largest collection of German military equipment and technology from that time. Here it is possible to view the only specimen of the super-heavy tank “Mouse” (Porsche-205). The development of “Mouse” was led by Ferdinand Porsche himself. In total, two prototypes were created. Both “Mice” were used in fighting against the Soviet army in 1945. During the battle, German commanders decided to blow up both tanks so that they wouldn’t fall into the hands of the Russians. But the Soviet army still managed to obtain one tank, even though damaged, as a trophy for their troops. It was restored and moved to the museum.

In the exhibition you can also see one of seven self-propelled mortars “Karl,” with the nickname “Adam.” It was used among German troops on June 22 1941 during the invasion of the Soviet Union from the South. Adam managed to shoot four rounds before it broke and was sent to Germany for repairs. After repairs it was brought to Poland to be demonstrated for Mussolini. There, Adam was later captured by Soviet troops. Adam is the only one of the seven units that has survived to this day.

Among the machines in the German exhibition, pay attention to several specimens: the Tiger-II or Königstiger (of which there are only eight on display, one of which is in Russia); the Tiger-I (seven have been preserved, two in Russia) and the Panzerkampfwagen V Panther (sixteen specimens with various modifications have been preserved, one in Russia).

Conclude the museum visit with the pavilion “Equipment from Great Britain, Canada and the United States.” The series of exhibits of British armored equipment and tanks emphasize the MK-V, used during World War I and the civil war in Russia. Among the interesting Canadian exhibits is the half-track snowmobile B-2 from 1936, which has a body made of plywood. Among the equipment of the United States, pay attention to the medium tank M-3 “Lee,” developed in March 1941 and transported to the Soviet Union through lend-lease. British troops used the M3 for the first time in May 1942 in Northern Africa. Because of its decent combat armor and high-power artillery, it was the only type of British tank that could withstand attacks from German tanks. From July to August 1942 near El Alamein, M3 tanks were called the “Egyptian Last Hope.”

Food

There are two cafes in the vicinity of the museum. One is near the entrance of the museum, and there you can eat barbeque, army-style porridge, and other snacks. Lunch will cost approximately $10 USD. There is also a cafe in the museum administrative building. There you can eat pastries and drink tea, which will cost roughly $7 USD.

Museum Hours

The museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (the ticket window closes at 5 p.m.). On Saturday and Sunday the museum is open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. (the ticket window closes at 6 p.m.).

Cost

An admission ticket is roughly $18 USD Photo and video shooting costs roughly $18 USD The museum cashier accepts Visa and MasterCard credit cards for payment.

On the museum territory (cafe, souvenirs) it is possible to pay only with cash.

Suggestions

Every pavilion has a plaque with a QR code, which can be photographed to access the pavilion’s free audio guide. The museum also has free WiFi, and to connect to it you must ask for the login information. You will first be offered an audio guide for extra-charge, but do not settle. Why pay more. The museum also has guided tours, but they must be booked in advance.

Museum website (in Russian): http://mbtvt.ru

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