Penza, 8 May 2016. PenzaNews. The outdoors museum of military machines has been officially unveiled in the Pionersky public garden in Penza, which is located by the “Zhuravli” installation, in the evening of May 8, the day before Victory Day.

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The collection of the outdoors museum features such military machines as a T-55 tank, BM-13 “Katyusha,” BM-21 “Grad” and 9P138 “Prima” rocket launchers, D-1, D-20, D-30 (2A18M) and M-30 howitzers, 2S3 “Acacia” and 2S1 “Gvozdika” self-propelled howitzers, D-44, D-48 and TT-12 anti-tank cannons, and an S-60 anti-aircraft gun.

Each Soviet and modern Russian military machine has an info stand that lists the vehicle’s gun caliber, combat load, dimensions, firing range and speed, and crew strength.

During the opening day, honorary guards from the EMERCOM cadet school No. 70 were placed by the vehicles, ready to tell the visitors about the history and the role of each military machines.

One of the guests of the outdoors museum was the Penza region governor Ivan Belozertsev, who took interest in lectures on each museum item.

He also asked additional questions to the cadets, and even made notes on some of them thanks to his experience in the army.

In a speech at the beginning of the opening ceremony, the head of the region expressed his gratitude to the Russian Ministry of Defense that responded to his request and provided the military machines for the region.

“I think it is very important for our youth to know the machines that their fathers and grandfathers used in their military service,” he pointed out.

Also, Ivan Belozertsev added that he believes the new military museum to soon become a popular location for the youth.

In turn, the Penza city mayor Victor Kuvaytsev expressed his opinion by saying that the opening of the military machines museum is another step towards improving the city’s outlook, while the location itself will be a point of interest for the locals and the guests of the city alike.

“The main result is that the museum opened without any ruble spent by the budget. I would like to thank everybody who participated,” stressed the Penza city administration head.

The official opening also featured an award ceremony for the people who contributed to the museum. They received official letters of gratitude and presents from the officials.

The speeches were followed by songs of the war years.

A part of the audience remained to see the concert by the “Zhuravli” installation, while many people – mostly parents with children – decided to take a closer look at the military machines and make photos.