Russia's Ministry of Defense has announced an "auction of unseen generosity," and is selling off everything from vintage quilted jackets (popularly called "vatniks") to logistics equipment, tank engines and night vision periscopes, as well as an entire naval vessel (that one is more of a fixer-upper).
Prospective buyers have until June 29 to submit their requests to the Ministry of Defense, and the first auction will take place on July 21 at the Army-2015 convention in Kubinka. Starting prices have yet to be determined for most items. Much of the equipment is from the past 70 years, although one floating workshop was made in 1896.
"The Russian Ministry of Defense asset relations department is arranging an open auction which gives the bold an opportunity to realize their most daring and fantastical ideas with the help of our improbable 'gravitsapas'; create contraptions not yet made a reality by moss-backed conservationists, the engineers of modernity, as well as modify existing military-style automobiles," the Ministry of Defense wrote on its Facebook page.
The auction is only the second one so far, and will be followed by open offerings to the general public, according to the ministry. The ministry also advertised the auction on its Twitter page.
#ПокупайВоенное Приготовить шашлыки на 130 друзей с прицепной кухней КП-130. Незаменимый аксессуар активного отдыха! pic.twitter.com/s5fzFBRDXO
— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) June 10, 2015
"#BuyMilitary Make barbecue for 130 friends with the KP-130 trailer kitchen. A must-have accessory for active leisure!"
In addition to trailer-based field kitchens, prospective buyers can also bid on KUNGs, military truck-mounted modular trailer systems which allow for both residential and kitchen facilities.
#ПокупайВоенное Телогрейки снова в моде: винтажные ватные пиджаки на любой вкус. Остерегайтесь французских подделок! pic.twitter.com/YksalDmYaI
— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) June 10, 2015
"#BuyMilitary Telogreikas are in fashion again: vintage quilted jackets for every taste. Beware of French counterfeits!"
In addition to the quilted jackets, the military is offering several variations of army boots, 4,242 army greatcoats, and 1,655 general's caps.
Аукцион #ПокупайВоенное! Никому не превзойти надежность армейского УАЗика-«таблетки». С ним — всегда на колёсах! pic.twitter.com/2q1KCvRL4V
— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) June 10, 2015
"#BuyMilitary auction! No one can surpass the dependability of the army UAZ-'tabletka' van! With it, you are always on wheels!"
Many of the vehicles, including ambulances, trucks and representative-class sedans are from the past 15 years, although most of the specialty vehicles date back to the 1980s. One unique item is a PB-3M railway track layer, which could allow it owners to lay railway tracks to wherever they need to get to.
The entire catalog includes everything from unused TVNO-2 night vision devices and optics to diesel engines and spare parts.
