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ProfessorGAC

(74,116 posts)

21. They Did That In Budapest

Reply to efhmc (Reply #8)

Sun Jun 15, 2025, 02:30 PM

Jun 15

The push to get the Soviets out when the USSR collapsed meant they couldn't afford to take the tanks home.
They didn't want to leave them for the Hungarians so they filled them full of concrete. Now they're useless 100,000 pound doorsteps.
So, the park district of Budapest put down mats of foam with holes in it, put shredded tires all around them, and they became jungle gyms for the kids.
As I remember, there were at least 12 of them parked there. Far east part of the city.

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Technical point only: Squeaking doesn't mean poorly maintained tank tracks. [View all] Aristus Jun 15 OP

But what if your parade audience is so sparse and quiet you can hear the squeaking? Ocelot II Jun 15 #1

Interesting thing about the Abrams-series M1 tank: Aristus Jun 15 #5

Wondering what happens to those tanks when they cannot be used even for parades any more. efhmc Jun 15 #2

Lawn ornaments. Aristus Jun 15 #3

Thanks for your reply. Would they be too dangerous to use as playscapes in parks? efhmc Jun 15 #8

Definitely. Aristus Jun 15 #9

So very much "not toys". Thank you for your answer. efhmc Jun 15 #12

They Did That In Budapest ProfessorGAC Jun 15 #21

He's waited 8 years for this parade... MiHale Jun 15 #4

He's failed at everything in his life. Aristus Jun 15 #6

"He's got to have a hollow feeling inside." 3catwoman3 Jun 15 #7

Ukraine proved that tanks are obsolete Danascot Jun 15 #10

I'm not sure I agree 100%. Aristus Jun 15 #11

Russia may not be big in innovation, but ... JustABozoOnThisBus Jun 15 #20

It's metal on metal Norbert Jun 15 #13

Metaphor for crickets lame54 Jun 15 #14

Ah yes. The terrifying squeak of Panzer tanks in every WWII movie ever made. allegorical oracle Jun 15 #15

This was especially true of the Panzers for one specific reason: No petroleum lubricants. Aristus Jun 15 #16

There was some speculation on Bluesky that the older tanks were from private collections Arazi Jun 15 #17

Yeah, that was some really piss-poor marching. Aristus Jun 15 #18

Oh, this is great to hear! ShazzieB Jun 15 #19

This made me smile LetMyPeopleVote Jun 17 #22