Mk V at Stalin Line

A new photo area featuring a static replica of an extended British Mk V tank has opened at the complex.

The photo area forms an integral part of a stage built specifically for performers. Concealed inside the tank replica is a fully equipped caravan, which serves as a dressing room for performers and as a place where reenactors can change. A door has been fitted in the tank’s left side to provide access to the dressing room. The replica’s hull is made of wood, while the tracks, gun and machine guns are made of metal. An early version of the red star featuring a plough is painted on the side of the tank. When the Red Army captured two Mk V tanks from the White forces, stars of this design were subsequently painted on them.

Work on the Mk V tank replica began in September 2017.

In November 2017, our restoration team began making the tracks. To fit 1 300 bolts, they had to drill holes of various diameters 3 900 times. Once all 1 300 bolts had been secured to the track links, the protruding end of each bolt then had to be cut off on the inside of the links — another 1 300 individual cuts.

 

In December 2017, after four replica Hotchkiss machine-gun barrels had been made, assembly of the tank began at the site of the future photo area. On 17 December, the caravan was placed inside the tank.

Once the caravan had been placed inside the tank, work began on attaching the metal running-gear components to the wooden replica.

 

The new photo area was completed by 23 December, the opening day of Father Frost’s Residence at the complex.