Capable photos on Flickr

A Sideview of the 2007 Lexus GX 470 - Now Available at Wholesale Inc. by Wholesale Inc.

www.facebook.com/wholesaleinc

From Edmunds (http://www.edmunds.com/lexus/gx470/2007/review.html) -

Pros

Rugged and capable off-road, comprehensively equipped interior, luxurious cabin furnishings.

Cons

Very tight quarters in optional third-row seat, side-hinged cargo door impedes curbside loading.

What's New for 2007

A few detail changes to onboard entertainment systems mark this midsize luxury SUV's transition into the 2007 model year. The optional navigation system has been upgraded with "fifth-generation" technology that includes voice activation for many functions, an improved display and an input jack for plumbing in devices like an iPod. The Mark Levinson Premium Audio System that resides alongside the navigation system can now play DVDs while displaying video on the navigation screen when the vehicle is parked. Additionally, the optional rear-seat entertainment system's video screen has been expanded to 9 inches wide.

Introduction

Entering its fifth year of production, the 2007 Lexus GX 470 remains the brand's middle SUV offering, sandwiched between the car-based RX 350 crossover and full-size LX 470. While it's not much larger than the RX, it's built more like the LX with a full ladder frame, a stout suspension and an all-wheel-drive system that includes a dual-range transfer case. In fact, the GX shares its 263-horsepower, 4.7-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8 and five-speed automatic transmission with the more expensive LX.

The GX 470 is based on Toyota's Land Cruiser Prado platform: the same structural and mechanical base upon which the 4Runner and FJ Cruiser are erected. It's an exceptionally capable and rugged platform that manages the neat trick of supplying excellent on-road comfort and solid off-road performance.

But just because the 2007 Lexus GX 470 shares much of its engineering with the 4Runner and FJ Cruiser doesn't mean it feels like either of them. This is a truly luxurious machine that packs all the creature comforts expected of a Lexus into its body and covers most anything any human might touch in supple, perfectly stitched leather. In fact, it's so overstuffed with luxury equipment that the dashboard can seem overrun with buttons and switches to those who encounter it for the first time. Fortunately that sense of being overwhelmed fades rapidly once the ignition key is turned, the "Optitron" electroluminescent instrument panel fires to life and the engine settles into a barely audible idle.

While the GX packs in all the gee-whiz overkill elements expected of a 21st-century luxury machine, its most impressive technology is really only apparent off-road. The dual-range all-wheel-drive system is among the very best available (the center differential is a Torsen limited-slip unit) and it's complemented by the shockingly effective Downhill Assist Control (DAC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Active-TRAC (A-TRAC) traction control systems. Throw in excellent four-wheel disc brakes with both ABS and brake assist systems and it takes real effort to get into trouble with a GX 470.

Like other Prado-based vehicles, the GX 470 is a little narrow compared to some of its competition, and the styling is disappointingly generic, but this is otherwise a solid choice for the buyer who wants (or better, needs) the ability of a traditional SUV.

Cowes Lifeboat B-859 by John Ambler

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Cowes RNLI ILB (inshore lifeboat)

Lifeboat B-859 SHEENA LOUISE

In the Solent off of Cowes

B-859 is a Atlantic 85 B class lifeboats, which are 8½ metres long, are capable of 35 knots and can carry up to four crew members.

The Atlantic 85 was designed by the RNLI and has been developed over the past 5 years to meet the ever-changing requirements of the lifesaving service. It can operate safely in daylight up to force 7 conditions and at night up to force 6.

New Zealand National Airways (NAC) Fokker F.27 Friendship by Benjamin Donnelly

At the end of World War II, the New Zealand government wanted to establish a domestic airline capable of linking the far-flung communities of New Zealand, while leaving Air New Zealand to handle international routes. In 1947, the New Zealand National Airways Corporation (NAC) was established by merging several small air taxi services, a prewar airline (Union Airways), and converting 40 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force to civilian use. As a result, NAC had a bewildering array of aircraft, most of them war surplus: besides the almost inevitable Douglas DC-3s, there were also Lockheed 10 Electras and ex-RNZAF Short Sunderland flying boats, among others; despite being obsolete, prewar deHavilland DH.89 Dragon Rapides remained with NAC into the 1950s due to their ability to land on beach airstrips. This wide variety of aircraft led to maintenance problems and a high accident rate, though most of the crashes were nonfatal.

Through the 1950s, NAC reduced its services to South Pacific islands so as to retire the Sunderlands and consolidate its domestic network. NAC’s interest in the Vickers Viscount turboprop led to the New Zealand government embarking on an extensive modernization of its airports prior to the Viscount’s purchase in 1954; so popular were the new aircraft that NAC—and New Zealand itself—saw passenger numbers experience a huge growth, so much that it was called the “Viscount Jump.”

NAC, though partially state-owned, found itself under increasing pressure from Air New Zealand, its own government, and British aviation companies. It was able to modernize its fleet by purchasing Fokker F.27 Friendships to replace its DC-3s (though DC-3s would remain with NAC until its demise, flown as sightseeing aircraft) and adding jets with Boeing 737s; in both cases, NAC was threatened with retailiation from Handley-Page and BAC, respectively, who demanded that NAC adopt the Herald and One-Eleven. NAC became the third customer for the 737, and its experience in operating the type on short runways led to several improvements made to the design by Boeing.

By 1975, NAC was proving resilient and successful, petitioning the New Zealand government to allow it to return to flying South Pacific routes with 727s. When McDonnell Douglas made an offer to NAC for DC-10s, Air New Zealand reacted, worried that NAC could drive it out of business. As the national flag carrier, Air New Zealand’s clout carried considerable weight, and in April 1978, the New Zealand government merged NAC into Air New Zealand. The action outraged many New Zealanders, who accused Air New Zealand of “bullying” and illegal influence, but the merger stood. It would be some years before Air New Zealand recovered from absorbing NAC, as the two airlines operated on completely different business models.

Aeroscopia Toulouse France (40) by Marc Hubé

Aeroscopia est un musée aéronautique français implanté à Blagnac (Haute-Garonne), près du site AéroConstellation, et accueille notamment deux exemplaires du Concorde, dont l'ouverture a eu lieu le 14 janvier 2015

Le tarmac Sud du musée n'est capable d'accueillir que trois gros appareils. L'installation des appareils fut définitivement terminée après que le premier prototype de l'A400M-180 y fut arrivé le 16 juillet 2015, en dépit de la possibilité de 360 000 euros de TVA.

Concorde, F-BVFC, MSN209 aux couleurs d'Air France

Caravelle 12, F-BTOE, MSN280 aux couleurs d'Air Inter, dernier exemplaire construit

A400M-180, F-WWMT, MSN001 stationné depuis le 16 juillet 2015

La réalisation en 2019 du nouveau tarmac au Nord du musée permet l'accueil d'appareils supplémentaires issus des entreprises locales Airbus et ATR. Le transfert des avions entre le site Airbus "Lagardère" et le musée a lieu sur une semaine, à raison d'un appareil par jour :

ATR 72-600, F-WWEY, MSN098 aux couleurs d'ATR, transféré sur site le 26 août 2019, premier exemplaire du 72 dans sa version 600

Airbus A340-600, F-WWCA, MSN360 aux couleurs d'Airbus, transféré sur site le 27 août 2019, premier exemplaire de l'A340 dans sa version 600

Airbus A320-111, F-WWAI, MSN001 aux anciennes couleurs d'Airbus, transféré sur site le 28 août 2019, premier exemplaire de l'A320 : inauguration le 14 février 1987 en présence de Lady Diana et du Prince Charles, premier vol le 22 février 1987

Airbus A380-800, F-WXXL, MSN002 aux couleurs d'Airbus, transféré sur site le 29 août 2019, second exemplaire de l'A380. Les deux ponts de cet appareil sont visitables, ainsi que le cockpit.

ATR 42-300, F-WEGC, MSN003 aux anciennes couleurs d'ATR, transféré sur site le 30 août 2019, troisième exemplaire du 42. Cet exemplaire est décoré aux couleurs du MSN001 et porte l'immatriculation F-WEGA

Concorde, F-WTSB, MSN201 (ANAE), il s'agit d'un appareil de présérie qui a servi entre autres à transporter plusieurs présidents de la République française.

Airbus A300B4-203, F-WUAB, MSN238 (Airbus Heritage), décoré aux couleurs du prototype, au lieu de MSN001 démantelé. L'intérieur est visitable. Dans la première section des vitrages transparents permettent de voir la structure et les systèmes de l'avion, tandis que dans les sections suivantes sont représentés des aménagements de première classe et VIP.

Super Guppy de l'association Ailes Anciennes Toulouse, l'appareil qui servait au transport des tronçons d'Airbus est exposé porte ouverte, et une passerelle permet l'accès à la soute où un film est projeté. L'ouverture n'a pas été une mince affaire, l'appareil n'ayant pas été ouvert pendant 15 ans. L'aide des anciens mécaniciens de l'avion a été primordiale pour permettre une ouverture en toute sécurité.

Corvette (Airbus)

Falcon 10 no 02, prototype ayant servi aux essais du turboréacteur Larzac (Ailes Anciennes Toulouse)

Fouga Magister (AAT)

Gazelle prototype (AAT)

Mirage III C (AAT)

Nord 1100 (AAT)

Lockheed F-104G (AAT)

MiG-15 (AAT)

MS.760 Paris (AAT)

Vought F-8E(FN) Crusader et son réacteur (AAT)

Alouette II Marine (AAT)

Cessna Skymaster (AAT)

Fairchild Metro, ancien avion de Météo-France (AAT)

HM-293, de Rodolphe Grunberg

Chagnes MicroStar, avion de construction amateur, version biréacteur de Rutan VariViggen (AAT)

Saab J35OE Draken (AAT)

Aeroscopia is a French aeronautical museum located in Blagnac (Haute-Garonne), near the AéroConstellation site, and notably hosts two copies of the Concorde, which opened on January 14, 2015

The south tarmac of the museum can only accommodate three large aircraft. The installation of the devices was definitively finished after the first prototype of the A400M-180 arrived there on July 16, 2015, despite the possibility of 360,000 euros in VAT.

Concorde, F-BVFC, MSN209 in Air France colors

Caravelle 12, F-BTOE, MSN280 in Air Inter colors, last model built

A400M-180, F-WWMT, MSN001 parked since July 16, 2015

The construction in 2019 of the new tarmac north of the museum will accommodate additional aircraft from local Airbus and ATR companies. The transfer of planes between the Airbus "Lagardère" site and the museum takes place over a week, at the rate of one aircraft per day:

ATR 72-600, F-WWEY, MSN098 in ATR colors, transferred to site on August 26, 2019, first copy of the 72 in its 600 version

Airbus A340-600, F-WWCA, MSN360 in Airbus colors, transferred to site on August 27, 2019, first copy of the A340 in its 600 version

Airbus A320-111, F-WWAI, MSN001 in the old Airbus colors, transferred to site on August 28, 2019, first copy of the A320: inauguration on February 14, 1987 in the presence of Lady Diana and Prince Charles, first flight on February 22, 1987

Airbus A380-800, F-WXXL, MSN002 in Airbus colors, transferred to site on August 29, 2019, second copy of the A380. The two decks of this aircraft can be visited, as well as the cockpit.

ATR 42-300, F-WEGC, MSN003 in the old ATR colors, transferred to the site on August 30, 2019, third specimen of the 42. This specimen is decorated in the colors of the MSN001 and bears the registration F-WEGA

Concorde, F-WTSB, MSN201 (ANAE), this is a pre-production aircraft which was used, among other things, to transport several presidents of the French Republic.

Airbus A300B4-203, F-WUAB, MSN238 (Airbus Heritage), decorated in the colors of the prototype, instead of dismantled MSN001. The interior can be visited. In the first section transparent glazing allows to see the structure and systems of the aircraft, while in the following sections are shown first class and VIP fittings.

Super Guppy from the Ailes Anciennes Toulouse association, the aircraft which was used to transport the Airbus sections is on display with the door open, and a gangway allows access to the hold where a film is shown. Opening was no small feat, as the device has not been opened for 15 years. The help of the former mechanics of the aircraft was essential to allow a safe opening.

Corvette (Airbus)

Falcon 10 no 02, prototype used for testing the Larzac turbojet engine (Ailes Anciennes Toulouse)

Fouga Magister (AAT)

Prototype Gazelle (AAT)

Mirage III C (AAT)

North 1100 (AAT)

Lockheed F-104G (AAT)

MiG-15 (AAT)

MS.760 Paris (AAT)

Vought F-8E (FN) Crusader and its engine (AAT)

Alouette II Marine (AAT)

Cessna Skymaster (AAT)

Fairchild Metro, former Météo-France (AAT) aircraft

HM-293, by Rodolphe Grunberg

Chagnes MicroStar, amateur-built aircraft, twin-jet version of Rutan VariViggen (AAT)

Saab J35OE Draken (AAT)

EMPIRE OF DANGER TRAILER 2 by classic15

A newly designed spacecraft capable of going through time is sent to Mars to rescue a crew previously lost on Mars. The ship is sent through the past but to the wrong time years later than the first crew Empire of Danger was directed by Eric E Shook. Cast: Cindy Tozer, Traci Alms, Tatum Green, Caleb Howald, Samantha Shook, Stephanie Hunsicker, Darkeith Lofton, Jayson Johnson, Adam Kennedy, Eric Shook, Mike Davis, Beverly Rankin, Heather Myers, Randy Miller, Lester Fornshell, Mike Morrison, Melissa Schutzbach, Derek Alams, Steve Rankin, Andrea Melton, Brenda Alexander, Lisa Love, Justin Roley and Roger Anderson.

Production Company Westfield Entertainment

www.westfieldentgrp.com

Download whole movie here:

Empire of Danger

www.amazon.com/Empire-Of-Danger/dp/B0030BMC8O/ref=pd_sim_...

Gossamer Condor - Smithsonian Air and Space Museum - 2012-05-15 by Tim Evanson

The Gossamer Condor -- the first human-powered aircraft capable of controlled, sustained flight -- on display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

In 1959, British businessman Henry Kremer established a prize for the first human-powered aircraft that could over a figure-eight course over a total of one mile. The aircraft had to fly over at pole 10 feet high at the start and end of the course. In the early 1970s, Dr. Paul MacCready and Dr. Peter Lissaman of AeroVironment (an aerospace firm) decided to tackle the challenge. They came up with the idea of using the same form of wing as a hang glider (increasing wing area to improve flight). Control proved a problem, until they decided to use the old "canard" control surface (first used by the Wright Brothers) in front. They built the plane out of lightweight plastic sheets and aluminium tubing.

On August 23, 1977, cyclist and hang-glider Bryan Allen pedalled the Gossamer Condor over the Kremer prize course. (It actually took off under human power!)

MacCready and Lissaman subsequently built the Gossamer Albatross, which crossed the English Channel; the Solar Challenger, a solar-powered airplane; and the Pathfinder/Helios unmanned solar-powered aircraft.

Electronics hobby by Frans de Wit

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Designing and building a high power amplifier capable of driving low impedance (as low as 2 Ohm’s @ 50 Vpp) loads.

www.diyaudio.com/ see alias FdW

History of DIY audio

Audio DIY came to prominence in the 50s to 60s, as audio reproduction was relatively new and the technology "complex," audio reproduction equipment, and in particular high performance equipment, was not offered at the retail level. Kits and designs were available for consumers to build their own equipment. Famous vacuum tube kits from Dynaco, Heathkit, and McIntosh, as well as solid state (transistor) kits from Hafler allowed for consumers to build their own hi fidelity systems. Books and magazines were published which explained new concepts regarding the design and operation of vacuum tube and (later) transistor circuits.

While audio equipment has become easily accessible in the current day and age, there still exists an interest in building one's own equipment, including amplifiers, speakers, preamplifiers, and even CD players and turntables. Today, a network of companies, parts vendors, and on-line communities exist to foster this interest. DIY is especially active in loudspeaker and in tube amplification. Both are relatively simple to design and fabricate without access to sophisticated industrial equipment. Both enable the builder to pick and choose between various available parts, on matters of price as well as quality, allow for extensive experimentation, and offer the chance to use exotic or highly labor-intensive solutions, which would be expensive for a manufacturer to implement, but only require personal labor by the DIYer, which is a source of satisfaction to them.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIY_audio

Iran's “Plan B” For Nuclear Weapons - Jerusalem Prayer Team News by Jerusalem Prayer Team

Iran apparently has a “Plan B” toward developing nuclear weapons, according to images released publicly for the first time. The Telegraph newspaper says the images show Iran has activated the Arak heavy-water production plant, which is capable of producing plutonium.

The images show signs of activity at the Arak plant, including a cloud of steam that indicates heavy-water production. Heavy water is needed to operate a nuclear reactor that can produce plutonium, which can then be used in building a bomb. According to the Institute for Science and International Security, at full capacity the heavy-water plant could produce about 20 pounds of plutonium a year, enough for two nuclear warheads if the plutonium was reprocessed.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors have been denied access to the heavily-guarded Iranian facility since August 2011 and the Islamic Republic has turned down repeated requests for information about the site, located about 150 miles south-west of Tehran.

Details of Iran’s plutonium program at the Arak facility emerged as the world’s leading nations resumed talks with Tehran aimed at easing Western fears over the country’s nuclear ambitions. However, the latest round of negotiations ended with no signs of a breakthrough other than an agreement to meet again.

Western officials say their latest offer include the easing of some sanctions if the Islamic Republic closed its Fordow nuclear facility, where it conducts its most controversial uranium enrichment work. In response to that offer, Iran’s chief negotiator, Saeed Jalili, said Fordow is under the supervision of the United Nations nuclear agency and there is “no justification” for shutting it down.

Calling the talks a “positive step,” Iran says the two sides have agreed to meet at the expert level next month in Istanbul and to hold further high-level negotiations in Kazakhstan in April. European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton says the six powers – the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China – hope Iran will react positively to the nuclear proposal they presented at the talks when the parties resume negotiations in the next two months.

News of a second Iranian path to nuclear weapons should come as a great concern to world powers, who once again have seen little progress in talks over the Islamic Republic’s pursuit of nuclear technology. As it has done in the past, Tehran has successfully stalled Western powers by enticing them with the carrot of hope for a diplomatic resolution to the standoff over its intentions. Pray that world leaders will stop allowing Iran to kick the can down the road and demand action by a set deadline before the Islamic Republic reaches the “red line” spelled out last fall by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

For more on this story, visit: Jerusalem Prayer Team Articles Page.

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NAS Pensacola Airshow 2008', F4U Corsair flyby by The Island Kings

The Chance Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service in World War II and the Korean War (and in isolated local conflicts). Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and Brewster-built aircraft F3A. The Corsair served in some air forces until the 1960s, following the longest production run of any piston-engined fighter in U.S. history (1942–1952). Some Japanese pilots regarded it as the most formidable American fighter of World War II. The U.S. Navy counted an 11:1 kill ratio with the F4U Corsair.

Corsairs served with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, Fleet Air Arm, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force, as well the French Navy Aeronavale and other services postwar. It quickly became the most capable carrier-based fighter-bomber of World War II. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear (as the FG-1) and Brewster (as the F3A-1). From the first prototype delivery to the U.S. Navy in 1940, to final delivery in 1953 to the French, 12,571 F4U Corsairs were manufactured by Vought, in 16 separate models.

O'ahu - Honolulu - Pearl Harbor: USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park - C-3 Forward Ballistic Missile by Wally Gobetz

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The C-3 Forward Ballistic Missile was capable of being launched from a submerged Fleet Ballistic Missle (FBM) submarine. Outfitted with multiple independently-targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) warheads, the C-3 was twice as accurate and had twice the explosive power of the A-3. The first submarine to carry and launch a C-3 missile was the USS James Madison (SSBN-627) in August of 1970. This mock-up missile was donated by the U.S. Navy through Lockheed Missile and Space Company, which manufactured the C-3 Missiles for the Navy. It measures 32 feet long with a 74-inch diameter. The mockup weighs 12,000 pounds, but the deployable missile weighed 65,000 pounds.

The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park opened in 1981 next to the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center in Pearl Harbor. The centerpiece of the museum is the World War II submarine USS Bowfin (SS-287), which is open for public tours. Adjacent to the Bowfin is a 10,000 square foot museum which exhibits an impressive collection of submarine-related artifacts such as submarine weapon systems, photographs, paintings, battleflags, original recruiting posters, and detailed submarine models, all illustrating the history of the U.S. Submarine Service. Numerous submarine-related artifacts litter the grounds around the park, which also features the Waterfront Memorial, a public memorial honoring the 52 American submarines and the more than 3,500 submariners lost during World War II.

North American F-86D Sabre Dog by Benjamin Donnelly

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In the late 1940s, the newly independent US Air Force faced a number of challenges, two of which were paramount: developing a reliable strategic nuclear bomber, and developing interceptors capable of defending the United States from the Soviet Union’s strategic nuclear bombers. The USAF had a plan in mind—the so-called “1954 Interceptor” that would evolve into the F-102 Delta Dagger and F-106 Delta Dart—but these were still some years away. To bridge the gap, Northrop was developing the F-89 Scorpion, but delays to the Scorpion project meant that the United States was theoretically defenseless until it entered service. The USAF then called for interceptors that could be converted quickly from existing aircraft. This would evolve into two aircraft: the F-94 Starfire and F-86D Sabre Dog.

The F-86D started life as the F-95A. Unlike the F-94, which was a fairly straightforward conversion of the T-33A Shooting Star trainer into an interceptor, the F-95 was designed to be flown by one man. In previous dedicated interceptors, a two-man crew was deemed optimum, as the second man would operate the complicated radars of the day. A single-seat interceptor was unheard of, but as the 1954 Interceptor was also going to be a single-seat aircraft, the F-95 would provide valuable research into the concept. To achieve this, however, the fire control system would have to have advanced computers assisting the pilot.

Though it was based on the F-86 Sabre day fighter, the F-95 had less than 30 percent commonality with its parent design: the fuselage was deeper, wider, and longer; the intake had to be redesigned to accommodate the nose radar; the tail was larger; the engine was upgraded with an afterburner for quick takeoffs and climbs; and the canopy was changed to a hinged type rather than the sliding model on the F-86. The latter’s machine gun armament was deleted in favor of an underfuselage tray of 24 Mighty Mouse folding-fin aerial rockets (FFARs).

As the F-95 prototype neared completion, there was some thought that Congress might cancel the aircraft: it was redundant with the F-89 and F-94 also entering service. The F-95 did have the Sabre’s remarkable combat record behind it, and in a funding dodge, North American changed the designation from F-95 to F-86D, making it seem like just another Sabre variant, rather than the nearly entirely new aircraft that it was. This also earned the aircraft its informal nickname: Sabre Dog, based on the old phonetic alphabet for D.

Some pilots, however, claimed the Dog stood for the way the F-86D flew. While it did not have the same propensity to go into uncontrollable pitchups like the F-86 (which was known as the “Sabre Dance”), it could easily be overcorrected, with much the same fatal results. It was not as easy to fly as the “standard” F-86, and the fire control computer, as could be expected for an early 1950s aircraft, was not very reliable. An optical sight was provided for the pilot if the computer went down, which was frequently. Moreover, North American, operating in “emergency” mode, could turn out F-86Ds before Hughes could complete the fire control system. At one point, over 300 F-86Ds sat idle at the North American plant, waiting for computers. Because of the balky computer and the flying characteristics of the Sabre Dog, it was considered the most complicated aircraft to fly in the USAF, requiring a training syllabus matched only by the B-47 Stratojet.

The United States was not the only nation that needed interceptors, and several NATO nations requested F-86Ds of their own. The fire control system was considered too advanced for export, however, and instead it was downgraded to a simper version, the rocket tray was removed and replaced with four 20mm cannon, and it was supplied to friendly nations as the F-86K. While still not the easiest aircraft to fly, the pilot had a better chance of scoring a kill with the more accurate cannon, and the F-86K was successful in NATO service. Subsequently, a number of F-86Ds were returned to North American, undergoing an avionics upgrade, a simpler cockpit layout, and extended wingtips. This resulted in the F-86L, which was used by several Air National Guard interceptor units into the mid-1960s. While American Sabre Dogs only carried rockets, foreign aircraft were modified to carry AIM-9 Sidewinders later. 16 foreign air forces flew Sabre Dogs.

2847 F-86D and associated variants were built, and were the most prolific interceptor in the West during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Most were replaced by more advanced aircraft beginning in the mid-1960s, but a few Yugoslavian F-86Ks soldiered on into the early 1980s. None were ever involved in combat. Today, a handful remain in museums.

Possibly the most famous Sabre Dog, "Dennis the Menace" was known to the USAF as 52-3863; it was assigned to the 97th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, based at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. When the F-86D was withdrawn from active duty USAF service in the late 1950s, 3863 was scrapped.

When the USAF began saving examples of aircraft types for preservation for the National Museum of the USAF, it acquired 50-0477, one of the first Sabre Dogs to be built. 0477 never served with an active duty or Air National Guard unit, but was used as a testbed for its entire service life. It was retired in 1956 at Wright-Patterson and moved across the field to the NMUSAF. Since 0477 had never seen squadron duty, it was repainted as 52-3863.

The 97th FIS had one of the more impressive F-86D markings in the USAF, with its stylized snarling panther, and 52-3863 was one of the few USAF aircraft to carry nose art at a time when it was officially discouraged by the service. "Dennis the Menace" is, of course, Hank Ketchum's famous and destructive little boy, which was serialized both as a comic strip and TV show in the 1950s. This "Dennis" is displayed with the rocket tray open.

Land Rover Discovery Sport launch Dubai, UAE by Land Rover MENA

Land Rover, manufacturer of the world’s most capable all-purpose premium vehicles, celebrated the MENA debut of its hotly anticipated New Discovery Sport last night, introducing the vehicle to an enthusiastic audience during an exclusive event hosted at the Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai.

Magnet Kitchens - Bloomsbury by Magnet Kitchens

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Capable of creating a classic, elegant design with its pilasters and distinctive beading, Magnet Kitchens' Bloomsbury can just as effortlessly become the height of contemporary styling, with its new curved contours and sleek, stainless steel appliances.

National Rappel Training _2016_ET5A4248 by Intermountain Forest Service, USDA Region 4 Photography

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Wildland Firefighters on Rappel capable crews, come from all over the nation each spring to train at the National Helicopter Rappel Program’s Rappel Academy at Salmon AirBase, in Salmon, Idaho.

Wildland fire aircraft play a critical role in supporting firefighters on wildland fires. Helicopters also deliver aerial crews called Heli-Rappellers to wildland fires. These are specially trained firefighters that rappel from helicopters in order to effectively and quickly respond to fires in remote terrain.

Heli-Rappellers may land near a wildfire but if there is no landing zone close by they can utilize their skills to rappel from the hoovering helicopter. Once on the ground, crews build firelines using hand tools, chainsaws, and other firefighting tools. Forest Service photo by Charity Parks.

SCAMP Camp day 6 - Howard Rice and SCAMP #1 - Derek and Lacy Gries by Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding

SCAMP is an extremely capable small boat; at 11 feet 11 inches in length.

Derek and Lacey were two of the builders during the first SCAMP Camp in August 2012. They're seen here out sailing with instructor Howard Rice (standing) off Port Townsend WA in SCAMP #1.

The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding (www.nwboatschool.org) hosted the first SCAMP Camp (sm) August 6th - 17th, 2012 at the Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend WA. www.nwmaritime.org/

The next SCAMP Camps are scheduled in the same location March 4th - 15th, 2013 and again in August, 2013; check the School's website for details.

SCAMP Camp (sm) is taught by SCAMP's designer, New Zealander John Welsford, and well-known small boat adventurer Howard Rice. 10 SCAMPs were built from CAD kits cut by Turnpoint Design of Port Townsend during the August 2012 workshop, and a total of twelve students participated in the class. Students came from as far away as Germany and from all across the US to attend the class.

The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding (www.nwboatschool.org) hosted the first SCAMP Camp (sm) August 6th - 17th, 2012 at the Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend WA. The next SCAMP Camps are scheduled in the same location March 4th - 15th, 2013 and again in August, 2013; check the School's website for details. www.nwboatschool.org

The March 2013 SCAMP Camp (sm) will be taught by the well-known small boat adventurer Howard Rice, and three local Boat School alumni: Scott Jones, Jason Bledsoe and Fred Shwiller. Jason and Scott taught the first Camp, pictured here.

SCAMP's designer, New Zealander John Welsford, will help to teach the August 2013 SCAMP Camp (sm).

The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding is located in Port Hadlock WA and is a private, accredited non-profit vocational school. You can find us on the web at www.nwboatschool.org .

Our mission is to teach and preserve the fine art of wooden boatbuilding and traditional maritime crafts.

We also teach a variety of workshops throughout the year, of which SCAMP Camp (sm) is one.

You can reach us via e-mail at info@nwboatschool.org or by calling us at 360-385-4948.

Nikon F-801's Nikon SB24 by Süleyman (Deceased 04.2012)

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Manufactured by: Nikon Corporation, Japan

Compact electronic TTL capable SB-24 was introduced in 1988 dedicated to the Nikon F-801 (N8808 in US).

Model 1990

Electronic construction: Automatic silicon-controlled rectifier and series circuitry

Flash exposure control:TTL automatic control

Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash

Manual control: full output (5 manual settings from full power down to 1/16 output.

Flash Range: 0.6 to 20m

Operating Modes: TTL, Auto, Manual and Strobe. 6 settings from f/2.0 to f/11 (ISO 100) in automatic mode.

Guide number ISO 100, in 36m

Angle of coverage: 78° horizontal and 60° vertical 24mm wideangle lense; also supports 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, and 85mm coverage.

Flash working range: 0.6-18m, with indicative increments

Film speed range in TTL auto flash mode: ISO 25 to 400

Recycling time: Approx. 7 seconds minimum (full discharge)

AF-Assist Illuminator: Automatically fires LED beam toward subject when performing autofocus with all Nikon AF SLRs, in insufficient light. But not operative in Continuous servo mode and manual control.

Battery: Four 1.5V AA-type alkaline-manganese or NiCd AA batteries or SD-7 battery pack

Weight Approx. 390g wo/ batteries

Other features: Ready-light, rear curtain sync with capable Nikon AF SLRs; accumulator connectors for external power pack and TTL-Multi-Flash connector. Light sensor for auto flash; IR-LED for AF-assist for handling light in low-light situations but not operative when using Continuous AF-Servo or Manual mode.

The flash can be regarded as the first Nikon AF-TTL super-flash and has really leapfrogged Nikon into the catabult of being the pioneer in flash technologies at the time of its introduction, the many embedded functions in features that centered around TTL-Matrix fill flash and secondary supporting features such as full featured, all information LCD control panel, rear curtain sync, automatic zoom heads, flash exposure compensation, multi-sync terminals, auto/manual override control and the ability to accept a few external power sources has opened up many possibilities in flash photography never be able to experience before in a Nikon system.

More info:

mir com

nikonians

Vickers Valiant B.2 by Benjamin Donnelly

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The Vickers Valiant came out of the same postwar specification drawn up by the Royal Air Force for a nuclear-capable, all-jet bomber force to replace the huge numbers of Avro Lancaster and Lincoln bombers then making up the backbone of Bomber Command. This became known as the “V-Bomber” force for the names of each aircraft: the Avro Vulcan, Handley-Page Victor, and Vickers Valiant.

The latter almost never made it to production. Both the Vulcan and Victor used revolutionary wing designs that the British Air Ministry was not entirely sure would work. As a hedge against the failure of either or both of the other designs, Vickers was given the nod to develop the Type 660, which had been initially rejected as too conservative; helping matters considerably was the company’s promise to fly a prototype in 1951—a very short time, considering the specification was issued in 1949. Vickers delivered, however, the first Valiant B.1 taking to the air in May 1951, and deliveries commencing in December 1953, despite the loss of the first prototype to a fire.

As designed, the Valiant was not particularly remarkable, but it was not designed to be: unlike the Vulcan’s all-delta wing and the Victor’s cruciform wing and bulbous fuselage, both considered radical at the time, the Valiant had nothing particularly revolutionary about its design, which was partially inspired by the Boeing B-47 Stratojet and had similar performance. Despite this, however, it had superb performance, able to reach speeds just below the speed of sound at altitude and with the best climb rate of any of the V-bombers, as well as carry the large atomic bombs of the time. Valiants were used to test the first British air-droppable nuclear bombs in the mid-1950s, and would be the only one of the V-bombers to drop bombs in combat: a number of Valiants were used to attack Egyptian airfields during the 1957 Suez War, with mixed results. As the V-force would need air refuelling to reach targets deep inside the Soviet Union, a number of Valiants were converted or purpose-built as Valiant B(K).1s, and these were used extensively during the 1950s.

The Valiant was to have a comparatively short life, however. Due to the increased surface-to-air missile defenses of the Soviet Union by 1960, the V-bombers were forced to the low-level penetration role. While this was not difficult for any of the V-force, it had unintended consequences for the Valiant: due to the type of aluminum alloy used in its construction, the Valiant was particularly vulnerable to metal fatigue, made worse by the switch to low-level operations. After a near-fatal collapse of a wing spar in August 1964, the Valiant force was grounded for inspection, which revealed wing cracks in most of the aircraft. As there was nothing the Valiant could do that the Vulcan and Victor could not do as well, it was decided to retire the Valiant in 1965 as a cost-saving measure. The force was rapidly taken out of service, replaced by the Vulcan in the bomber role and Victor as tankers. Of 107 aircraft produced, only one still exists today, at RAF Museum Cosford.

The Valiant in the Malmstrom Museum’s Foreign Bombers collection is the sole Valiant B.2 produced. This aircraft was a purpose-built low altitude penetration version of the Valiant, with longer wings, upgraded engines and a strengthened airframe, which increased its speed nearly to supersonic at sea level. It was painted overall gloss black for night operations; as the only Valiant so painted, it became known simply as the “Black Bomber.” Though it offered superior performance to the Valiant B.1, the B.2 was cancelled in 1955 and was destroyed as a ground gunnery target a few years afterwards.

Umbria wreck, Port Sudan by sharksfin

Built by the Schiffswerks Rieherst company in Hamburg, the Umbria was launched on December 30th 1911 with the name of Bahia Blanca. It was a large freighter by that time, 150 meters long, with a power capable of providing a speed of 14 knots that could carry 9,000 tons of cargo and up to 2,000 passengers. In 1912 it began operating the Hamburg-America line doing different jobs between Europe and Argentina until the outbreak of World War I, when it was based in Buenos Aires. In 1918 the ship was acquired by the Argentinian government and it was not until 1935 when the ship was taken over by the Italian government and renamed again: the Umbria. From that moment its trips were to transport troops and during the following two years carried several thousand soldiers to the Italian colonies in East Africa.

The loss of the Umbria

In May 1940, when Italy was still neutral in World War II, the Umbria was secretly loaded with 360,000 bombs between 15 kg and 100 kg, 60 boxes of detonators, building materials and three Fiat Lunga cars, carrying a total 8,600 tons of weapons towards the East Africa. The explosives had destination Massawa and Assab, Eritrea, that was Italian colony by then, and the rest of the cargo was heading different locations in Asia. Italy's entry into the war was imminent and this shipment was destined to the defense of the colonies against the Allies and to the possible expansion of its African territories.

On 3rd June 1940 the Umbria reached Port Said, northern Egypt, where loaded with 1,000 tons of coal and water in a movement to fool the Allies, trying to look like a harmless freighter. The port, controlled by the Royal Navy, and its authorities allowed the ship enter on the Red Sea three days after arrival. The British delayed the departure of the Umbria knowing that Italy's entry into the war was imminent and that the cargo of Umbria had devastating power that sooner or later would be used against the Allies and why not, to get a great load to fight fascism. But Italy, as a neutral country that it was, had every right to transport weapons much like any other cargo to its colonies.

Having met the deadline to be retained, the Umbria crossed the Suez Canal on June 6th but with the escort of the HMS Grimsby. The importance and destructive capacity of the cargo required it. Three days later the Umbria entered in Sudan waters and the HMS Grimsby ordered the Umbria captain to anchor on Wingate Reef under the pretext of searching for contraband. Moments later the British warship HMS Leander arrived with a group of 20 sailors who boarded the Umbria. After thoroughly searching the ship and finding nothing, the captain ordered the British troops to remain the night aboard the Umbria.

The next morning Lorenzo Muiesan, Umbria captain, was in his cabin listening to the radio when Mussolini announced the entry of Italy into the World War II. Hostilities would begin at midnight of that day. Muiesan, a very patriotic captain with long experience, was the only one in the area who had heard the news and knew immediately that both Umbria and the burden would be used by the Allies against their own country. He had no option to disable both. In a move of extraordinary intelligence, as the hours passed retained by the British who did not yet know that Italy was officially the enemy, the captain ordered his crew conducting a rescue simulation... that was more real than the British thought. This maneuver, which the English soldiers agreed as they believed it would serve to further delay the departure of the Umbria. While the Italians occupied the lifeboats, the chief engineers, following Muiesan´s orders, opened all the valves and drown the ship to the bottom of the reef. With the crew safe, the British only had time to get on their ship and watch the freighter slid slowly.

When the captain of HMS Grimsby asked why he had done that Muiesan confirmed the declaration of war from Italy to Britain. The next day Muiesan and the rest of Umbria crew departed detainees to India, where they spent four years in prison.

CARGO:

The Umbria was carrying 360,000 individual aircraft bombs ranging in size from 15, 50 and 100 kg. The vessel also carried a large quantity of fuses, ammunition and detonators as well as other traditional cargo. The captain knew these bombs would be confiscated and used by the enemy against his country should they ever discover them which was why he made the call to sink the ship.

The Umbria had sailed in June 1940 with 6,000 tons of bombs, 60 boxes detonators, explosives, weapons and three Fiat 1100 Lunga from Genoa via Livorno and Naples in the Suez Canal and on the way via Massaua and Assab to Calcutta.

Starcraft II Massive Thor by Eric 10d

NEOBALLS / ZEN MAGNETS - Neodymium Magnetic Balls (@4205) - Starcraft II's Massive Thor

This is my most complex and largest build to date.

It was designed in parts: Cockpit body, then legs, then arms, then rear guns. Then I had to redesign parts when it came time to assemble it together because of incorrect bonding assumptions and misalignment of magnet fields.

Experimented with x-beam coupled bonds to get the maximum lateral strength with reinforcements on the sides. This proved to be very string. Created a X-Beam using similar methods producing a very strong leg structure. It was capable of support the entire weight of the cockpit body w/o a problem. Had to redesign the leg to cockpit body mount point from the earlier concept because the bond was not completely coupled.

Next up were the arm/guns ... the weight was too much for the cockpit body to support so I fashioned a pair of lego-platforms for them to rest on and take the weight off of the central body.

Finally ... the rear guns ... these were a challenge in that their original mount point design had to be reworked also to make them fit correctly into the rear of the cockpit body. I changed the mount points on the guns to fit the space on both sides and added a few support balls to improve the mount point bonds. I was very surprised how they were balanced and supported only by two point sections to the body. The guns stayed in place for a small series of photos.

The design flaw was in the side bonds of the beam to the legs. The coupled field held nicely for a short amount of time and would have held if it didn't have the weight of the rear guns to support. When they were standing upright and straight, all was good. As soon as I attempted to move the platform forward (to take a video), the rear guns tilted slightly backwards and and that was the end of the leg to body support bonds ... and created the dreaded implosion.

The rear gun weight caused the entire central body section to rotate backwards and fall back on the rear guns ... taking the arms in the process. Perhaps I should have created a Lego-support structure for the rear guns to remove the pendulum force backwards ... but that would have created another view blocker like the side Lego-platforms obstructed the view of the legs and feet. Not sure if I can recreate it for a rotational video ... this took over a week (on/off to design and assemble).

Overall ... I was very happy with the result ... hope I captured enough detail to warrant some visual recognition as a Starcraft II Thor reproduction/interpretation.

This was design and built for the Zen Magnets Contest 26: The Massive Thor

www.zenmagnets.com/blog/26-the-massive-thor/

I tried to document the info for this super complex build (below) accompanied by associated pics in this set

www.flickr.com/photos/tend2it/sets/72157632920071597/

Starcraft II Thor Magnet Count and Detail Talley

======+================

Cockpit Body bottom section: (@0520)

(@0217) - Main shape middle core = (2x108) + 1

(@0095) - central bottom layer 1 = (47x2) + 1 w/black parameter

(@0078) - Sides Bottom layer 2 = (2x(22 parallel pair frnt2bck support + 3 red + 4 gold + 10 ring outside black))

(@0028) - Central bottom layer 3 = (2x14) rectangle

(@0032) - Sides bottom layer 3 = (2x((2x5 parallel bridge rectangle to ring) + (6 ring outside))

(@0010) - Central bottom layer 4 = (10 ring) leg waist w/gold

(@0020) - Sides bottom layer 4 = (2x10 ring) coupled over parallel bridge for perpendicular underside support

(@0040) - Central rear Barrel = (4x8 ring w2 red rings) + (2x4 sqr end)

------

Cockpit Body top section (from center out): (@0371)

(@0166) - top layer 1 = (2x83) w/black missle cover + middle sect separator

(@0105) - top layer 2 = ((2x52) + 1) w/black separator, red trim, gold cockpit

(@0083) - top layer 3 = ((2x41) + 1) w/black separator, red trim, gold cockpit

(@0037) - top layer 4 = ((2x18) + 1) w/black separator trim

(@0010) - top layer 5 = (2x5) w/red/black

------

(@0891)

Leg section x2 (@0640 - 12 removed from bottom of @ leg for foot contact pt)

leg internal structure:

(@0384) - columns = 2 x (4x((2x12) + ((2x11) + 2))) top/bottom coupled bonds w/parallel bonds stacked x 4))

(@0096) - side reinforcements = 2x((2x11) + 2) coupled pair along outside edge centers)

(@0032) - ball reinforcements = 2x(2x4 balls are two balls added to 4 ball in 2, 4, 6, 8th positions) - (12 @ bottom)

leg arch structure (connected to one flat leg top face:

(@0128) - (4x4 parallel sqr) + (2x(6 + 2)) pointy rings) + (4x4 parallel sqr) + (2x(6 + 2)) pointy rings)

Place the two leg arch structures together to form the leg arch

-------

(@1519) = 1531-12

Leg side panels (@0384)

(@0344) - (2 each leg x (2x(2x43 each side))) w/black outside trim

Knees + Leg detail

(@0040) - (2x(2x(6 + 2) knee w/red sqr) + 2x(4 red sqr top of leg))

-------

(@1903)

Feet x2 (@0242)

(@0184) - (2x((2x7 + 2 1st mid layer) + (2x(2x10 + 1) 2nd mid layer) + ((2x(2x8 + 1) outside layer))

(@0034) - (2x(2x(2x3 + 1 top of toe 2 leg)) + (1 center rear foot 2 leg conn) + (2 x 1 outer rear foot sides 2 leg

conn))

(@0024) - (2x(2x6 rings rear foot heel))

-------

(@2145)

X-Beam waist platform - (@0233 - 19) this part is placed across the center perpendicular to the x-beam leg arch

(@0214) - (2x(2x(18 + 17 + 6 + 3)) + (2x(7 + 2)) + ((8 + 1 front side) + (2x9 rear side)) + ((2 x 3 red front center) +

(2 x 2 red front sides) + (2 red rear)) - (19 removed under rear panel side to fold)

Arm Guns (2 pair per arm w/red + black accents)

(@0380) - (4x((4x9 center core) + (3x((2x7) + 1)) top/sides) + (2x7) middle join))

Shoulder to elbow core w/o reinforcements ((@0174)per arm)

(@0348) - (2 x (top((2x5)+2) + (4x8+2 parallel) + ((2x5)+2) + (2x5) + (2x(2x5)+1) + (2x(2x6)+1) + ((4x7)+2 parallel

mount2gun) + (1 ball center to bridge below 2 ball center to 1 ball) + ((2x6)+1) + ((2x4)+2)bottom)

Shoulder to elbow (per arm, per side)

(@0248) - (2 x (2 x (top 3 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 4 + 5 + 4 + 4 + 5 + (2x7arm2shoulder bridge) + (5 + 3 bottom))

Elbow to gun support (per arm, per side) (@0140 - 18 for outside facing side revamp)

(@0122) - (2 x (2 x (((2x9)+1) + (2x8)) -

Revamp outside facing sides for Z bracket (remove 2x(4 top/4 bottom/2 middle/move center ball down, add 1 ball)

Revamp 2 rear centerballs with red

(@028) - add red design outside facing shoulder 2 elbow

------

(@3485)

Rear Guns x2

Large cannon (@0112 each)

(@0224) - 2 x ((2x(2x15) + (4x(5+2)) + (4x(6 ring)))

Smaller cannon (@0092 each)

(@0184) - 2 x ((2x(2x13) + (4x(4+2)) + (4x(4 ring)))

Gun bridges (@0010 each)

(@0020) - (2 x (4 ring + 6 ring across two cannons)

Gun mounts x2

(@0104) - (2 x ((top (2x4+2) + (2x5+2) parallel to existing + (2x4+2) + (2x5 parallel) + (2x4+2) bottom)

Gun panel x 2 (@0102 each)

(@0204) - (2 x (2x(11 + 10 + 9 + 8 + 7 + 6))

-------

Revamp base

(@4221) subtotal b4 assembly

Assembly mods

-------------

Moved the (@0040) - Central rear Barrel = (4x8 ring w2 red rings) + (2x4 sqr end) below the rear of the body between

the leg mount and cockpit body. Actually used the barrel as a mount point for the rear guns.

Modded Cockpit Body bottom section (mount point):

(@0020) = (2 x (7 + 6 + 5)) = Changed = (@0028) - Central bottom layer 3 = (2x14) rectangle to covert parallel

rectangle to hex parallel center, coupled sides

-------

(@4213) = (@4221 - 8)

Moved central bottom layer x-beam

(@0018) = (2x09 ring) = Changed = (@0020) - Sides bottom layer 4 = shifted it down one row, removed 1 ball on end to form point and pinched outside end fit in center of 6 ball side.

(@4211) = (@4213 - 2)

Removed gold 10 ball ring mount

Changed = (@0010) = Central bottom layer 4 = (10 ring) leg waist w/gold

-------

(@4201) = (@4213 - 10)

Modded Rear Guns

(@0100) = Changed = Rear Gun mounts x2 - removed +2 from top/bottom mount point (2x4+2)=>(2x4)

(@4197) = (@4201-4)

Added extra mount point support bwtween rear gun mounts and rear cockpit body

(@4205) = (@4201+8)

Grand Total! = (@4205)

E-2C Hawkeye, U. S. Navy (161097), Naval Base Ventura County- Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California by Earl C. Leatherberry

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The carrier capable E-2 Hawkeye, built by Grumman, was designed to patrol the approaches to a carrier battle group to detect impending attack by hostile aircraft, missiles or sea forces. In addition to the early warning function, the E-2 provided strike and traffic control, area surveillance, search and rescue guidance, navigational assistance and communications relay services. The E-2C model was built from 1971 to 2009.

The aircraft in the photograph has the unit identification marking of VAW-116--Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 116, "The Sun Kings."

Al Tayer Motors Launches all-new Range Rover in the UAE by Land Rover MENA

World’s Most Refined and Capable Luxury SUV makes Middle East debut.

Capable Paul Mccobb Mid Century Modern Planner Group Dresser Chest of Drawers (U.S.A, 1950s) by All Day Kenny K

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Electronics hobby by Frans de Wit

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Electronics hobby

Designing and building a high power amplifier capable of driving low impedance (as low as 2 Ohm’s @ 50 Vpp) loads.

www.diyaudio.com/ see alias FdW

History of DIY audio

Audio DIY came to prominence in the 50s to 60s, as audio reproduction was relatively new and the technology "complex," audio reproduction equipment, and in particular high performance equipment, was not offered at the retail level. Kits and designs were available for consumers to build their own equipment. Famous vacuum tube kits from Dynaco, Heathkit, and McIntosh, as well as solid state (transistor) kits from Hafler allowed for consumers to build their own hi fidelity systems. Books and magazines were published which explained new concepts regarding the design and operation of vacuum tube and (later) transistor circuits.

While audio equipment has become easily accessible in the current day and age, there still exists an interest in building one's own equipment, including amplifiers, speakers, preamplifiers, and even CD players and turntables. Today, a network of companies, parts vendors, and on-line communities exist to foster this interest. DIY is especially active in loudspeaker and in tube amplification. Both are relatively simple to design and fabricate without access to sophisticated industrial equipment. Both enable the builder to pick and choose between various available parts, on matters of price as well as quality, allow for extensive experimentation, and offer the chance to use exotic or highly labor-intensive solutions, which would be expensive for a manufacturer to implement, but only require personal labor by the DIYer, which is a source of satisfaction to them.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIY_audio

Boeing C-17 (T-1) Globemaster III (87-0025) by Kelly Michals

National Museum of the US Air Force

Entering service in 1993, the C-17 Globemaster III is the US Air Force's newest, most versatile cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to small, austere airfields. It can also perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions or transport litters and ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuations.

A crew of three (pilot, copilot, and loadmaster) operates the C-17, which can carry about 170,000 pounds of cargo. The large aft door will accommodate almost all of the US Army's air-transportable vehicles and palletized cargo, including the Army's M-1 Abrams main battle tank. The C-17 can take off and land on runways as short as 3,500 feet and only 90 feet wide. Its four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 engines can reverse their thrust to help slow it down on landings. The thrust reversers direct the engine exhaust upward and forward to prevent dust and debris from being pulled into the engine intakes. These reversible engines also allow the pilot to back the plane or even turn it around on a narrow runway using a three-point star turn method.

The Globemaster Ill on display is the prototype C-17. Built by the Douglas Aircraft Company, which is now Boeing, it was designated T-1 (serial number 87-0025). T-1 made its first flight on September 15, 1991, when it was delivered to the USAF at Edwards AFB, California, for testing. After completing the extensive C-17 flight test program, T-1 supported many other flight and propulsion test programs for the USAF, NASA, and others. T-1 also appeared in a number of major motion pictures, including Transformers (2007), Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009), Iron Man (2008), and Iron Man 2 (2010).

After twenty years of wide-ranging flight tests, T-1 had reached the end of its flying career, and it was retired at Edwards AFB in 2011. T-1 was flown to the Museum to begin its new career in April 2012.

TECHNICAL NOTES

Crew: Three (pilot, copilot, and loadmaster)

Aeromedical Evacuation Crew: Five (two flight nurses and three medical technicians)

Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines of 40,440 thrust each

Load: 170,900 pounds of cargo; 102 troops/paratroops; or 36 litter and 54 ambulatory patients

Maximum speed: 518 mph (Mach .74) at 28,000 ft

Range: Global with aerial refueling

Aeroscopia Toulouse France (31) by Marc Hubé