MVT armored fighting vehicle collection

Sunday, February 2, 2014

MVT armored fighting vehicle collection

Photos from a recent trip to the MVT Foundation, the largest collection of armored fighting vehicles in the United States. The Foundation is set to close soon and this writer was fortunate to visit it, waiting three months for a tour date. These photos representative of AFVs relevant to Middle East armies. Apologies for the low photo quality, the tanks being close together in the buildings in varying light, plus the tour takes place within a set time period.

T-55 main battle tank formerly in Czechoslovakian service. Of similar type currently operated by Iran, Iraq, Syria, Egypt Lebanon and Iraqi Kurdistan.

T-72 of Polish manufacture, formerly operated by GDR. Of similar type currently operated by Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen

BTR armored personnel carrier powerplant

R-17 Elbrus, GRAU index 9K72 (SS-1C Scud-B). Only privately owned example in world. Of similar type or configuration operated by Iran, Syria, Egypt, Oman and Yemen.

Rear section view of R-17 Elbrus, GRAU index 9K72 (SS-1C Scud-B), formerly in Czechoslovakian service

Chieftain Mk 6 main battle tank. Of similar type currently in service with Iran Army

M60A1 RISE/Passive "Patton" main battle tank. Of similar type currently in service with Iran Army

IS-3 of similar type formerly operated by Egypt Army with captured examples formerly operated by Israeli Defense Forces

M60 "Patton" main battle tank, of similar type currently operated by Iran Army

M47 "Patton" main battle tank, of similar type currently operated by Iran Army

M50 "Sherman" historically operated by Israeli Defense Forces

2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled gun, this example operated by Iraq during Iran-Iraq War. Type or variants currently operated by Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.