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

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.

Centurion Mk 13 main battle tank. Of similar type previously in service with Israeli Defense Forces

M-51 "Isherman" historically operated by Israeli Defense Forces

T-55 main battle tank, of similar type currently operated by Iran, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon and Iraqi Kurdistan

M48A4 "Patton" main battle tank historically operated by Israeli Defense Forces

M48A4 "Patton" main battle tank historically operated by Israeli Defense Forces

R-11 Zemlya (SS-1B Scud-A) tracked missile launcher (ISU-152)

R-11 Zemlya (SS-1B Scud-A) tracked missile launcher (ISU-152)

Panorama Museum of the Sacred Defense, under construction

External view of construction site: Panorama Museum of the Sacred Defense (Iran-Iraq War) in Tehran

The museum's sphere has a diameter of 40 meters. According to Asghar Mounesan, Managing Director of the Cultural Development Spaces Company: "In designing different parts of the building the sphere shape has been used in order to convey a three dimensional understanding to the audience out of a two dimensional image. Despite all the complexities and different sections of the building which are all located underground, what the outside observer will view is a hemisphere in the middle of water the reflection of which on the water along with the reflection of the image of sky would depict it as being suspended in the sky.” [Source: Tehran.ir]

Interior construction detail. Implementation of the conceptual section will reflect events from the occupation, resistance and liberation of Khorramshahr.

Artist's rendering of the completed Panorama Museum of the Sacred Defense. Additionally, a digitally rendered piece of artwork will be permanently exhibited within the southeastern part of the Sacred Defense Museum Garden.