In this story I would like to share my impressions with all readers. Impressions are different, you know. Sometimes positive, sometimes so-so.
It is most pleasant to share when positive impressions are overwhelming. This is exactly the case.
At the very beginning, on behalf of everyone reading this series of materials and on behalf of the editorial board and our small group, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the most worthy representatives of the people of Belarus in general and Brest in particular, without whose help this adventure would hardly have been so fruitful.
These are members of the military-historical club "Brest Fortress" Vyacheslav Pukhovsky and Dmitry Mozheiko. Many thanks to them for their help, especially to Dmitry.
Well, now you can safely move on to the topic of the story.
VIC "Brest Fortress" is a very small education. But here is just the case when they take not quantity, but quality. But the essence of this club is not that they are reconstructing some of the subdivisions of the Red Army and take part in events, but that they are working with equipment. And we arrived at a very interesting moment, when work was underway on their basis to create a full-fledged museum.
The museum turns out to be absolutely private, the state does not take part. But even so, everything comes out very, very worthy.
When we arrived at the base, it was raining, so we did not film what was happening in the yard. Moreover, the construction nightmare was manifested in all its horror of creation, regardless of the weather. And we switched to funds …
The theater and museum begin with a signboard.
Telephone at the entrance. The original device, there is nothing to say.
First, a small exhibition with motor vehicles.
"Tourist". The dream of Soviet retired fishermen.
Cesetta. Participant of many films of the past.
Motorcycle collection star - Fully loaded Harley
And this is Dmitry, our guide and assistant. Demonstrated what this creepy holster on the steering wheel is for. If ambushed on the road, as conceived by the designers, it was possible to snatch the "Thompson" out of it and shoot back …
Thompson. With one hand. On a motorcycle. And shoot with the aim of hitting someone … Oh, and these Americans are optimists …
Pannonia T2 or TLD De Luxe. Hungary.
Further in the big hall are our absolutely war horses. M-72, aka BMW R71. Amusing equipment with German grenades))
And this is where, in fact, it all began. BTR-152. True, this is not the original. Made from ZIL by processing with the proper tool. But it is 4, 5 tons lighter and does not require so much fuel.
Inside view. The APCs are used with pleasure by local airsoft players.
Motorcycle car. Not a military thing, but a rarity, no matter how the backwaters.
Another "star". "Willis" 1943 release. Completely original. Except for the battery.
"Willys" is actually not used, because there are problems with gasoline. The B-60 is nowhere to be found.
"Ivan-Willis", aka GAZ-76B.
GAZ-69, how without it in such a company?
TPK (leading edge conveyor) based on LuAZ-967. Created by order of the Airborne Forces as an evacuation vehicle for the wounded.
Winch for pulling the wounded out of the fired places.
He could also bring up ammunition and in general everything that is needed. I did not get stuck, and even swam.
Either Ford or Opel. Anyone can play the role if desired. Created by St. Petersburg auto repairmen partially from original parts.
This couple is waiting in the wings. In line for a revival, so to speak.
And this is a "superstar". Buick. Sedan (!) 1930. Capone's guys could cut it on it!
From here came the fashion for all sorts of figurines on the nose. But the Buick also has a radiator temperature gauge.
A twist for wipers.
There are a lot of pedals: in addition to the usual ones, there is also a starter and a windshield washer drive.
ZIS-5 manufactured by Ural-ZIS. The main three-ton truck of the Red Army. I confess I thwarted his session, but the ZIS-5 can be found in the photo without any problems.
The heart of the ZIS-5, "six". Everything is like 75 years ago.
Spartan cockpit of a military truck. But in comparison with the "lorry" - very much even.
Kitchen with awning. Not an exhibit, working, exploited.
The club is armed with two ZIS-3. It is clear that the demilitarized, but they can bang from the heart.
Damages and holes were not specially repaired. These are traces of the war.
Next, we moved on to small arms. There is also beauty.
MG-34. Perfect condition, and even on the machine!
MG-42, and even fully equipped, with a drum and a case for replaceable barrels.
"Tommy-gun" sample 1921. Favorite toy of gangsters on Buicks. By the way, in 1924, the USSR purchased a batch of these submachine guns for the OGPU and border troops through Mexico.
Weapon boxes. And if you open …
That's right, there are weapons!
"Degtyarev tank".
Browning M1919 machine gun
Sudaev submachine gun (PPS-43). The best PP of that war.
"Maksim". How is it in a decent museum without him?
DP. "Degtyarev infantry".
SVT-40 and Kar98k
Here is such a museum … In general, after each such publication it is very pleasant to write the words that this is the best that I have seen to date. I will write now. This is a really cool idea in a very serious way.
But that is not all. We received an invitation to come in a year, when a couple more projects that are under construction will be implemented. And then … But I will not even open the veil of secrecy in order to keep the intrigue. And in a year we will definitely come and show what a team of like-minded people can accomplish in the name of an idea. And always on weekends, so that together with the club members it is possible to show the results of their work in all its glory.
Honestly, it will be worth it. So many thanks to the "Brest Fortress", and see you!
