Quick Visit to Albania

[Tiger331]

I was on business trip to Albania this week and managed to squeeze in a quick trip to the Albanian Armed Forces Museum, which in spite of being located in the middle of an active military establishment, is open to the public !. The museum is a 10-15 minute taxi ride (5-6 Euro) from Tirana (the capital) city centre - you will need a photo-ID (passport etc) which will be exchanged (temporarily !) for a visitors pass. Entrance to the museum is free. The internal display area is still a WIP…the ground floor is complete but they are still putting the finishing touches to the first floor. Indoor highlights include a very impressive collection of swords, scimitars and small arms across the ages and a fascinating section on the Cold War, made even more interesting by the fact that Albania was the 'European North Korea', completely closed off to both the West and the Warsaw Pact for almost 40 years. I did not know, for example, that Envers Hoxha the dictatorial Head of State had over 200,000 bunkers built and that they procured NBC equipment and AK-47s for EVERY member of the population (circa 3M) including children.

Outside the facility, there is a collection of mainly Chinese origin Tanks, AFVs, utility vehicles and artillery pieces (circa 30), together with four aircraft. There are plans to try and get the external exhibits under cover - as you can see they are starting to show signs of deterioration from the harsh climatic conditions they are subjected to - fairly harsh winters followed by long exposure to the sun in the Spring/Summer months. Photography is permitted and if you are in town it is well worth the trip.

Here's one for the Target fans - T-59 IIRC - Chinese copy of the ubiquitous T-55A - The original rather pale Olive Drab finish has faded until it is almost Pale Green Oxide in appearance.

And a couple of an Antonov An-2 (Z-5) (Chinese copy) parked outside the Main Terminal at Rinas (Mother Theresa) International Airport. My guess is it's an ex-FUAS (Albanian Air Force) machine that has been repainted in the National Colours of Albania (Red/Black) with the Double Eagle motif from their heraldry on the fin.

Anyway, cause for celebration…..I have FINALLY managed to work out how to post photos to BM !. Huurahh !.

Anyway, enjoy.

Mark

[Latinbear]

Very nice to see some unusual topics from a country we hear very little about. Cracking pictures and thanks very much for sharing.

[Lex77]

Aha Albania! Some good memories from a trip to this country in 2006.

Whe we were there the special forces were practicing with explosives on the Z-5's at Farke.

Good to see they moved some planes to a museum.