Alexey Shironin: They make fireworks

Recently, in the framework of the press tour held by the Ministry of Defense, a group of bloggers, including the Polit.ru correspondent, thanks to the protection of the online press club of the Ministry of Defense , went to Vatutinki near Moscow, where the 449th separate salute division of the Western Military District is located.

On the day of the defender of the Fatherland, February 23, exactly at 21-00 in Moscow a salute will begin. Within ten minutes, 30 volleys of 72 fireworks, accompanied by sound support of 18 artillery guns of ZIS-3, a 1942 model, will be produced .

The festive salute, according to Wikipedia , is a state event on especially solemn holidays and events; It consists in a massive fireworks from several launch sites, cordoned off for the period, with an overlap (if necessary) adjacent streets .

It is produced by its unique military unit, which is 45 years old this year - the 449th separate salular division of the Western Military District, commanded by the hereditary salum, Colonel Vyacheslav Paradnikov.

The beginning of the tradition was laid by the artillery salute on August 5, 1943 in honor of the capture of the city of Orel by the Soviet troops.

This time, the number of starting points of the fireworks will be reduced by two more, due to the compaction of the development and the inability to ensure the safety of the population, up to twelve.

Shooting is carried out in Victory Park, on the Sparrow Hills, in the Kursk station, in Izmailovsky and Kuzminsky Park, in Otradnoye, Nagatino, Mitino, Tushino, Zelenograd, Solntsevo, South Butovo.

The most colorful salute is expected in the area of ​​Victory Park. And the best point for observation is the observation deck of the sparrow mountains, where the headquarters of the fireworks is located, and where the shooting will be controlled from.

On the account of the commander of the part of Colonel Paradnikov, more than a hundred salutes. The colonel himself jokes that his surname is suitable.

Installations.

The ammunition of caliber 75, 105, 125, 195 and 310 mm is used. The height and the colorful of the gap depends on the size. It consists of an extinguished powder charge, igniter, slower and directly salute (round). In the background are idle cartridges for a 76 mm ZIS-3 gun, the battery of which gives a sound effect.

Combined installation of a new sample, on KAMAZ.

Previous generation, on Zila.

Painted shaped!

For greater colorful salute, part of the mortar is tilted.

Military switching ...

.. and remote control.

In the working position. On the left of the previous generation, on the right - computerized, with digits.

Caliber 310 mm.

With "face".

Combined installation of smaller calibers.

The charge neatly lowers into the barrel, two wires from the igniter are connected to the terminals. The loading of the installations occurs directly on the day of the salute and takes about 6 hours. Then the column of cars, accompanied by VAI, leaves directly to the place.

Column.

Television men arrived with their "king".

The installation shoots loudly.

But directly the sound that the layman takes as a salute is made of sound support guns. There are 18 of them.

Three of them went through the Great Patriotic War, as stamped holes from enemy shells are talking about.

Are served by conscripts, the call of the November-December 2011.

The gun is charged is quite simple!

After shooting - lunch in a soldier's dining room. Tasty!

The division has its own emblem.

You can see a salute that will consist of 30 volleys with intervals of 20 seconds, it will be possible tomorrow, exactly nine in the evening!

Thanks to the press club of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation for interesting excursions.

Photo: Alexey Shironin.