We all want to relax and at the same time learn something new. You don't have to travel far and spend a lot of money to do this. The near Moscow region is full of interesting entertainments, one of such places - the Central Museum of the Air Force of the Russian Federation, or simply the Museum of Aviation will be discussed in this article.
Who cares about aviation shows?
Aviation museums may be of interest not only to lovers of technology, although they are in the first place. Many come to such establishments just to see something unusual for themselves, to find themselves in an exotic setting, even to be transported to another time. These cultural and educational institutions may be of particular interest to children and even those who have never flown in an airplane.
There are several major aviation exhibitions around the world. The equipment presented on them can be either the oldest or the latest, which has not yet entered mass production.
Trips to aviation museums may be of interest to groups of schoolchildren and students, foreigners, people who remember the Soviet Union, in whichdue attention was paid to aeromodelling, as well as to everyone who wants to spend a free day in an unusual and colorful way.
Aviation Museum in Monino
Very near Moscow, in Monino, there is such an aviation museum. It is considered the largest and most famous in Russia and abroad.
One of the Internet sites has a good translation of information about this center into many languages. And not only in English and German, but also in French, Italian, Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian, Ukrainian, Turkish, Chinese. There is also a schedule of trains to Monino.
It presents various samples of Soviet aircraft, modern Russian aviation equipment, American aircraft, including amphibious aircraft, attack aircraft and drones.
The museum is located in a beautiful place surrounded by pine forests. The most interesting thing is that most of it is located in the open air and is a huge aircraft and helicopter field, the size of which is impressive.
Particular attention is drawn to the old Soviet and American equipment from the Second World War. Its age is visually felt, however, it is perfectly preserved and now serves as exhibits, having gained a second life. An interesting collection of military and transport aircraft and helicopters, as well as aircraft of the "Su" and "Mig" series from the oldest to the modern.
Also in the museum you will find: various samples of aircraft engines and aircraft weapons, rescue equipment, other equipment and personalcelebrity aviation items.
On the official website in the section "Aviation Museum: photos" you can see photos of the aircraft, helicopters and other aircraft presented in it.
You can also make a virtual trip. But the most interesting thing is to visit the museum yourself, wander among the planes. This can be done both individually and as part of an excursion group.
Some days visitors even have the opportunity to sit in the cockpit at the controls, dream and feel like a real pilot.
Historical digression
All aviation museums have their own unique history, and the exhibition in Monino is no exception. It dates back to 1958, when a military airfield was closed in the military town of Monino, leaving only repair shops. On their basis, having converted the hangars into pavilions, they created an aviation museum, for which obsolete equipment was collected from all military units.
The first exhibit was "Tu-4", and in 1958 there were already about 30 devices. In early 1960, the first visitors were received.
After 20 years, the museum had about 80 samples of aircraft, it began to be visited not only by Soviet citizens, but also by foreigners.
In 2003 the famous exhibition turned 45 years old. Many famous aviators attended her anniversary. In 2004, the first international air show was held next to the museum, and the exhibition "Aces of World War II" was also organized.war." Similar shows are still being held.
Today, the museum has about 37 thousand different exhibits, and the collection is growing all the time. According to the website of the Polish Aviation Expocentre, the Russian analogue in Monino ranks 13th among the 14 largest aviation museums in the world.
Similar establishments in the world
Other countries also have their own aviation museums. In the CIS, the largest is the State Aviation Museum in Kyiv - this is the largest and newest in the country: it was opened in 2003 on the centenary of world aviation. Today it has more than 70 units of aircraft and helicopters. Aviation festivals are held here every year, where children under 14 years old are allowed free of charge, educational programs are carried out. This museum provides film companies with the opportunity to film on its premises. On his website, you can see a virtual exposition of airplanes and helicopters, as well as buy various souvenirs.
The Aviation Museum of Belarus operates on the basis of the flying club "DOSAAF RB", has a good collection of civil, military, police and training aircraft. Many copies have been restored from scratch. Helicopters and planes are nicely painted, many of them you can climb into and examine the cockpit from the inside. The flying club also hosts skydiving classes and demonstration flights.
In the European Union, the closest to us is the Latvian Aviation Museum - the largest in the B altic States. It was created over 40 years and opened since 1997. It stores more than 40 units of aircraft and helicopters, it existsindependently: without state support. There you can see the largest collection of Soviet military and civil aviation equipment outside the former USSR. Model rockets, weapons, bombs, catapults, flight uniforms are also presented.
A small aviation museum is located in the Lithuanian city of Kaunas, it was opened in honor of the Lithuanian pilots Darius and Girenas, who made the first ever transatlantic flight.
It is impossible to ignore the Polish Aviation Museum, which is located in Krakow. It has been operating since 1964 on the basis of an old airfield, which operated from 1912 to 1963. It presents various equipment of all times and countries: airplanes, helicopters, fighters, airplanes, a huge collection of engines. The museum organizes educational programs for children, youth, pensioners, the disabled, shows films about aviation.
If we talk about very distant lands, then museums similar in theme and size are still in the USA, Canada and Australia. The largest exhibitions are in Washington, including the Museum of Aviation of the Future.
Aviation Museum: address
The museum is located at the following address: Moscow region, pos. Monino, st. Museum, d.1, that is, you will have to go, in fact, to the suburbs. However, a trip there will not cause any special problems, because there are no difficulties with transport.
Often tourists who want to visit the Aviation Museum are interested in how to get to it. You can get to the designated point in the following ways:
- by train to Monino from Yaroslavsky railway stationMoscow to st. "Monino";
- by bus number 322 from the metro station "Partisan" to the stop "Academy of the Air Force";
- by fixed-route taxi No. 362 from the Shchelkovo bus station (metro station "Shchelkovskaya"), go to the final one.
For clarification of all questions related to visiting the museum, you can call +7 (495) 747-39-28.
