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The 'Rex' is a Wun'Tux commerce raider which eschews usual BroodClan ship design. Minimal armour, high top speed and designed to operate alone behind enemy lines.
Rounding off a morning's shopping with codename 'wife' very nicely indeed!
Oh, by the way, couldn't help noticing that Clintons have Christmas cards out on display ... on the 25th August! That's a full 4 months of the year (or 1/3 of a year) dedicated to Christmas!! So, Happy Christmas everyone!!!
40145 arrives at the North End of Preston station as the 0Z40 Carnforth to Castleton Hopgood, returning to the ELR after hauling the diesel sections of two 'Scarborough Spa Expresses' on 17 and 24 Aug 17.
c/n 10MK51319.
NATO codename ‘Flanker-C’
Operated by the 237th Centre for Display of Aviation Equipment (tSPAT) as part of the Russian Knights formation team.
Seen landing after displaying at the Aviation cluster of the ARMY 2017 event.
Kubinka Airbase, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
23rd August 2017
c/n 51483208071
NATO codename:- Camber
Built in May 1989 as CCCP-86103 and flew only with Aeroflot its entire career. Reregistered as RA-86103 in late 1992 and finally retired in October 2006 after some 28,000 flying hours. It was donated to the Moscow Technical University of Civil Aviation as an instructional airframe and remains in use there on their ‘off-airport’ ramp.
Sheremetyevo International Airport, Moscow, Russia.
27th August 2017
Victoria Intelligence Officer codename Grayhawk set up at a safehouse near the border region at the Naran Darre Mountains and began his intelligence gathering operation. A 4-man patrol from Team 9 was assigned to support his operation.
Shortly after Team 9 arrived, Grayhawk build an intelligence network by establishing relationships with the tribal leaders. This vastly expanded his eyes and ears in the region. One day, he received word that one of the tribal leaders had major intelligence and wanted to meet. The team immediately made preparation to depart for this meeting.
To be continued...
Note: The story, all names, characters, and incidents are fictitious.
c/n 0615308.
Previously coded ’68 green’
NATO codename:- Fishpot
Some 1,150 Su-9 fighters were built, and it became a major front line interceptor.
An Su-9 was allegedly involved in the May 1960 shoot-down of Gary Powers and his U-2. The Su-9 was on an unarmed delivery flight in the area and the pilot was instructed to ram the U-2. One attempt was made but due to the speed differential it was a miss.
In September 1959, a modified Su9 set a new altitude world record of 94,658ft.
On display at the Central Air Force museum, Monino, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
27th August 2017
September 2013 "Mont Blanc Rally".
The Ford Escort:
The squarer-styled Mark II version appeared in January 1975. The first production models had rolled off the production lines on 2nd December 1974.
Unlike the first Escort (which was developed by Ford of Britain), the second generation was developed jointly between the UK and Ford of Germany. Codenamed "Brenda" during its development, it used the same mechanical components as the Mark I. The 950 cc engine was still offered in Italy where the smaller engine attracted tax advantages, but in the other larger European markets in Europe it was unavailable. The estate and van versions used the same panelwork as the Mark I, but with the Mark II front end and interior. The car used a revised underbody, which had been introduced as a running change during the last six months production of the Mark I. Rear suspension still sat on leaf springs though some contemporaries such as the Hillman Avenger had moved on to coil springs.
The "L" and "GL" models (2-door, 4-door, estate) were in the mainstream private sector, the "Sport", "RSMexico", and "RS2000" in the performance market, the "Ghia" (2-door, 4-door) for an untapped small car luxury market, and "base / Popular" models for the bottom end. Panel-van versions catered to the commercial sector.
A cosmetic update was given in 1978, with L models gaining the square headlights (previously exclusive to the GL and Ghia variants) and there was an upgrade in interior and exterior specification for some models. Underneath a wider front track was given.
In 1979 and 1980 three special edition Escorts were launched the Linnet, Harrier and Goldcrest.
Production ended in Britain in August 1980, other countries following soon after.
As with its predecessor, the Mark II had a successful rallying career. All models of the Mark I were carried over to the Mark II, though the Mexico gained the RS badge and had its engine changed to a 1.6 L OHC Pinto instead of the OHV. A "Sport" model was also produced using the 1.6 L Kent. A new model was released, the RS1800, which had a fuel injected 1790 cc Cosworth BDE engine. It was essentially a special created for rallying.
The works rally cars were highly specialised machines. Bodyshells were heavily strengthened. They were characterised by the wide wheelarch extensions, and often by the fitment of four large spotlights for night stages. The Cosworth BDE engine was replaced with 2.0 L BDG and gave up to 250 bhp (186 kW; 253 PS) by 1979. It was complemented by a strengthened transmission, five-speed straight-cut ZF gearbox, five-linked suspension and more minor modifications.
The Mark II Escort continued its predecessor's run on the RAC Rally, winning every year from 1975 to 1979 and racing in a variety of other events around the world. In the 1979 season of the World Rally Championship, Björn Waldegård took the drivers' title, Hannu Mikkola was runner-up and Ari Vatanen finished the year in fifth place, all driving Escort RS1800s.
These drivers' successes throughout the year gave Ford the manufacturers' title, the only time the company had achieved this until the 2006 season, when Marcus Grönholm and Mikko Hirvonen won the title for Ford in Ford Focus RS WRC 06. Vatanen won the drivers' title in 1981, again at the wheel of an RS1800. This victory came despite the arrival on the WRC scene of the venerable four-wheel drive Audi Quattro. Ford placed in the top three in the manufacturers' championship for the sixth year in a row.
The 1.6 L (1598 cc/97 CID) engine in the 1975 1.6 Ghia produced 84 hp (63 kW) with 125 N·m (92 ft·lbf) torque and weighed 955kg (2105 lb). For rally use, this can be compared to the 1974 Toyota Corolla which output 75 hp (56 kW) and weighed 948kg (2090 lb).
The 2.0L RS2000 version, with its distinctively slanted polyurethane nose, and featuring the Pinto engine from the Cortina, was announced in the UK in March 1975 and introduced in Germany in August 1975, being reportedly produced in both countries. It provided a claimed 110 bhp and a top speed of 110 mph (177 km/h). For acceleration to 100 km/h (62.5 mph) a time of just 8.9 seconds was claimed by the manufacturers. The 2.0L engine was also easily retro-fitted into the Mark I, along with the Ford Sierra's five-speed gearbox, for rallying and other sports.
Phew. I picked the wrong time to start this project. Time for bed.
Time spent on this was 3 hours, including taking the photos of myself (I already had the photo of the bull and the grass).
Moo.
Solar Union Military Intelligence threat briefing XX25.
"Next slide.
This image is of subject Q1, codename "Quadratic". This is a heretofore unseen Ijad frame operating in what looks to be a “Soldier” loadout. This subject does not match any of the known markings, iconography, or design styles of the Ijad clans/families we have on file."
"Quadratic? Seriously?"
"Sir?"
"That's the name the randomizer chose? Isn't that a little on the nose?"
"I'm not sure what to say, sir."
Systems are Black and are Color-Tagged.
Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack Stats: 2Rd (gun) 1B (armor) 1G (jump booster) 1Y (scanner) 2W + SSR.
Designer’s Notes:
These are based on the builds I made for the Block Tech Block Bouquet Chrysanthemum review. I'm still searching for a name, hence the story. Also, these are a Brickblend of Block Tech and Lego.
That’s right, kids. In my day Road Block was black. There’s something to be said about a man so built that he can lug around a .50 caliber machine gun. Incidentally when he’s not mowing down snakes the ‘Block is also the Joe’s cook.
c/n 0903716.
NATO codename:- Flogger-C
Previously in store at Kubinka coded ’17 red’. Refurbished by the 121st Aircraft Repair Plant in early 2016 and now on display in Area 1 of the Patriot Museum Complex.
Park Patriot, Kubinka, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
25th August 2017
c/n unknown.
NATO codename ‘Midget’.
On display outside a school on the road between Nikolskoye and Selskiy truzhenik, East of Kubinka Airbase and North of the 121st Aircraft repair plant.
Kubinka Area, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
23rd August 2017
c/n 4160464201042.
NATO codename:- Fencer-F
The ‘MP’ was an ELINT variant of which only ten were built.
It was refurbished by the 121st Aircraft Repair Plant at Kubinka in early 2016 and now on display in Area 1 of the Patriot Museum Complex.
Park Patriot, Kubinka, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
25th August 2017
c/n unknown.
NATO codename:- Fishbed-F
Previously with the base museum where she was in camouflage and marked as ‘08 red’. As Kubinka has been the home of Soviet/Russian jet display teams since 1952, it is appropriate that she now wears the colours worn by MiG-21s when flown as an unnamed team in the late 1960s.
She is seen on display near the main gate at Kubinka Air Base, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
23rd August 2017
The P-72A gunship, codenamed “Skyhammer” was developed by Arcadia Aeronautics for the Kovlakian Airborn Artillery. It was devised as a counter measure to the threat of the new armoured Zeppelins, and proved extremely effective against them. It also saw extensive use in the Battle of Syrrah where squadrons flew low in night attacks to destroy the city’s heavily fortified walls. The plane here is painted in night camo colours and is piloted by Lt Colonel Dirk Salvo. It is armed with two 20mm front–firing machine guns and a 400mm artillery cannon which carries a maximum of six shells.
c/n 79871012202.
NATO codename:- Flanker E
The Su-27M first flew in 1988 and was an advanced version of the Su-27. It had upgraded radar and was fitted with canards and extended fins, among many other changes. It was originally intended for full Soviet service in large numbers and to be exported as the Su-35, but the fall of the Soviet Union and following financial crisis meant that only 15 were built. This is not the same as the recent Su-35, which is more of a complete redesign and has vectored thrust and no canards.
Five of the original Su-27M airframes eventually passed to the Russian Knights (Russikiye Vityazi) formation team, who flew them with unusual single digit codes.
This rare example, appropriately still painted in ‘Russian Knights’ colours, is on display with other preserved aircraft near the main gate to the teams home at Kubinka Air Base, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
23rd August 2017
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Battle of Peleliu
Part of the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign of the Pacific Theater (World War II)
Date15 September – 27 November 1944
(2 months, 1 week and 5 days)
Location
Peleliu, Palau Islands
7°00′N 134°15′ECoordinates: 7°00′N 134°15′E
ResultAmerican victory
Belligerents
United States Japan
Commanders and leaders
United States William H. Rupertus
United States Paul J. Mueller
United States Roy S. Geiger
United States Herman H. Hanneken
United States Harold D. Harris
United States Lewis B. PullerEmpire of Japan Kunio Nakagawa †
Empire of Japan Sadae Inoue
Units involved
United States III Amphibious Corps
1st Marine Division
81st Infantry Division
Additional support units
Empire of Japan Peleliu garrison
14th Infantry Division
49th Mixed Brigade
45th Guard Force
46th Base Force
Additional support units
Strength
47,561[1]:3610,900[1]:37
17 tanks[2]
Casualties and losses
10,786
2,336 killed
8,450 wounded[3]10,897
10,695 killed
202 captured (183 foreign laborers, 19 Japanese soldiers)[1]:89[3]
17 tanks lost
Battle of Peleliu is located in Palau
Battle of Peleliu
Mariana and Palau Islands campaign
The Battle of Peleliu, codenamed Operation Stalemate II by the United States military, was fought between the U.S. and Japan during the Mariana and Palau Campaign of World War II, from September to November 1944, on the island of Peleliu.
U.S. Marines of the 1st Marine Division, and later soldiers of the U.S. Army's 81st Infantry Division, fought to capture an airstrip on the small coral island of Peleliu. This battle was part of a larger offensive campaign known as Operation Forager, which ran from June to November 1944, in the Pacific Theater.
Major General William Rupertus, Commander of the 1st Marine Division, predicted the island would be secured within four days.[4] However, after repeated Imperial Army defeats in previous island campaigns, Japan had developed new island-defense tactics and well-crafted fortifications that allowed stiff resistance,[5] extending the battle through more than two months. The heavily outnumbered Japanese defenders put up such stiff resistance, often fighting to the death in the Emperor's name, that the island became known in Japanese as the "Emperor's Island."[6]
In the United States, this was a controversial battle because of the island's negligible strategic value and the high casualty rate, which exceeded that of all other amphibious operations during the Pacific War.[7] The National Museum of the Marine Corps called it "the bitterest battle of the war for the Marines".[8]
Background
By 1944, American victories in the Southwest and Central Pacific had brought the war closer to Japan, with American bombers able to strike at the Japanese main islands from air bases secured during the Mariana Islands campaign (June–August 1944). There was disagreement among the U.S. Joint Chiefs over two proposed strategies to defeat the Japanese Empire. The strategy proposed by General Douglas MacArthur called for the recapture of the Philippines, followed by the capture of Okinawa, then an attack on the Japanese mainland. Admiral Chester Nimitz favored a more direct strategy of bypassing the Philippines, but seizing Okinawa and Taiwan as staging areas to an attack on the Japanese mainland, followed by the future invasion of Japan's southernmost islands. Both strategies included the invasion of Peleliu, but for different reasons.[9]
The 1st Marine Division had already been chosen to make the assault. President Franklin D. Roosevelt traveled to Pearl Harbor to personally meet both commanders and hear their arguments. MacArthur's strategy was chosen. However, before MacArthur could retake the Philippines, the Palau Islands, specifically Peleliu and Angaur, were to be neutralized and an airfield built to protect MacArthur's right flank.
Preparations
Japanese
By 1944, Peleliu Island was occupied by about 11,000 Japanese of the 14th Infantry Division with Korean and Okinawan labourers. Colonel Kunio Nakagawa, commander of the division's 2nd Regiment, led the preparations for the island's defense.
After their losses in the Solomons, Gilberts, Marshalls, and Marianas, the Imperial Army assembled a research team to develop new island-defense tactics. They chose to abandon the old strategy of stopping the enemy at the beach, where they were exposed to naval gunfire. The new tactics would only disrupt the landings at the water's edge and depend on an in-depth defense farther inland. Colonel Nakagawa used the rough terrain to his advantage, by constructing a system of heavily fortified bunkers, caves, and underground positions all interlocked into a "honeycomb" system. The traditional "banzai charge" attack was also discontinued as being both wasteful of men and ineffective. These changes would force the Americans into a war of attrition, requiring increasingly more resources.
Japanese fortifications
Nakagawa's defenses were centred on Peleliu's highest point, Umurbrogol Mountain, a collection of hills and steep ridges located at the center of Peleliu overlooking a large portion of the island, including the crucial airfield. The Umurbrogol contained some 500 limestone caves, interconnected by tunnels. Many of these were former mine shafts that were turned into defensive positions. Engineers added sliding armored steel doors with multiple openings to serve both artillery and machine guns. Cave entrances were opened or altered to be slanted as a defense against grenade and flamethrower attacks. The caves and bunkers were connected to a vast tunnel and trench system throughout central Peleliu, which allowed the Japanese to evacuate or reoccupy positions as needed, and to take advantage of shrinking interior lines.
The Japanese were well armed with 81 mm (3.19 in) and 150 mm (5.9 in) mortars and 20 mm (0.79 in) anti-aircraft cannons, backed by a light tank unit and an anti-aircraft detachment.
The Japanese also used the beach terrain to their advantage. The northern end of the landing beaches faced a 30-foot (9.1 m) coral promontory that overlooked the beaches from a small peninsula, a spot later known to the Marines who assaulted it simply as "The Point". Holes were blasted into the ridge to accommodate a 47 mm (1.85 in) gun, and six 20 mm cannons. The positions were then sealed shut, leaving just a small slit to fire on the beaches. Similar positions were crafted along the 2-mile (3.2 km) stretch of landing beaches.
The beaches were also filled with thousands of obstacles for the landing craft, principally mines and a large number of heavy artillery shells buried with the fuses exposed to explode when they were run over. A battalion was placed along the beach to defend against the landing, but they were meant to merely delay the inevitable American advance inland.
American
Unlike the Japanese, who drastically altered their tactics for the upcoming battle, the American invasion plan was unchanged from that of previous amphibious landings, even after suffering 3,000 casualties and two months of delaying tactics against the entrenched Japanese defenders at the Battle of Biak.[10] On Peleliu, American planners chose to land on the southwest beaches because of their proximity to the airfield on South Peleliu. The 1st Marine Regiment, commanded by Colonel Lewis B. (Chesty) Puller, was to land on the northern end of the beaches. The 5th Marine Regiment, under Colonel Harold D. Harris, would land in the center, and the 7th Marine Regiment, under Col. Herman H. Hanneken, would land at the southern end.
The division's artillery regiment, the 11th Marines under Col. William H. Harrison, would land after the infantry regiments. The plan was for the 1st and 7th Marines to push inland, guarding the 5th Marines left and right flank, and allowing them to capture the airfield located directly to the center of the landing beaches. The 5th Marines were to push to the eastern shore, cutting the island in half. The 1st Marines would push north into the Umurbrogol, while the 7th Marines would clear the southern end of the island. Only one battalion was left behind in reserve, with the U.S. Army's 81st Infantry Division available for support from Angaur, just south of Peleliu.
On September 4, the Marines shipped off from their station on Pavuvu, just north of Guadalcanal, a 2,100-mile (3,400 km) trip across the Pacific to Peleliu. A U.S. Navy's Underwater Demolition Team went in first to clear the beaches of obstacles, while Navy warships began their pre-invasion bombardment of Peleliu on September 12.
The battleships Pennsylvania, Maryland, Mississippi, Tennessee and Idaho, heavy cruisers Indianapolis, Louisville, Minneapolis and Portland, and light cruisers Cleveland, Denver and Honolulu,[1]:29 led by the command ship Mount McKinley, subjected the tiny island, only 6 sq mi (16 km2) in size, to a massive three-day bombardment, pausing only to permit air strikes from the three aircraft carriers, five light aircraft carriers, and eleven escort carriers with the attack force.[11] A total of 519 rounds of 16 in (410 mm) shells, 1,845 rounds of 14 in (360 mm) shells and 1,793 500 lb (230 kg) bombs were dropped on the islands during this period.
The Americans believed the bombardment to be successful, as Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf claimed that the Navy had run out of targets.[11] In reality, the majority of the Japanese positions were completely unharmed. Even the battalion left to defend the beaches was virtually unscathed. During the assault, the island's defenders exercised unusual firing discipline to avoid giving away their positions. The bombardment managed only to destroy Japan's aircraft on the island, as well as the buildings surrounding the airfield. The Japanese remained in their fortified positions, ready to attack the American landing troops.
Opposing forces
Naval command structure for Operation Stalemate II
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr.
Vice Adm. Theo. S. Wilkinson
Expeditionary Troops and III Amphibious Corps commanders
Maj. Gen. Julian C. Smith
Maj. Gen. Roy S. Geiger
Marine ground commanders on Peleliu
Maj. Gen. William H. Rupertus
Oliver P. Smith as a major general
Lewis B. Puller as a major general
American order of battle
United States Pacific Fleet[12]
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
US Third Fleet
Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr.
Joint Expeditionary Force (Task Force 31)
Vice Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson
Expeditionary Troops (Task Force 36)
III Amphibious Corps[a]
Major General Julian C. Smith,[b] USMC
Western Landing Force (TG 36.1)
Major General Roy S. Geiger, USMC
1st Marine Division
Division Commander: Maj. Gen. William H. Rupertus,[c] USMC
Asst. Division Commander: Brig. Gen. Oliver P. Smith,[d] USMC
Chief of Staff: Col. John T. Selden, USMC
Beach assignments
Left (White 1 & 2)
1st Marine Regiment (Col. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller,[e] USMC)
Co. A of the following: 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Pioneer Battalion, 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Tank Battalion
Center (Orange 1 & 2)
5th Marine Regiment (Col. Harold D. "Bucky" Harris, USMC)
Co. B of the following: 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Pioneer Battalion, 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Tank Battalion (reduced)
Right (Orange 3)
7th Marine Regiment (Col. Herman H. "Hard-Headed" Hanneken, USMC)
Co. C of the following: 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Pioneer Battalion, 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Tank Battalion (reduced)
Other units
11th Marine Regiment, Artillery (Col. William H. Harrison, USMC)
12th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion
1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion
3rd Armored Amphibian Tractor Battalion
4th, 5th, 6th Marine War Dog Platoons
UDT 6 and UDT 7
Japanese order of battle
Lt. Col. Kunio Nakagawa
Marine with captured Japanese 141mm mortar
Palau District Group[15]
Lieutenant General Inoue Sadao[f] (HQ on Koror Island)
Vice Admiral Yoshioka Ito
Maj. Gen. Kenjiro Murai[g]
14th Division (Lt. Gen. Sadao)
Peleliu Sector Unit (Lt. Col. Kunio Nakagawa[h])
2nd Infantry Regiment, Reinforced
2nd Bttn. / 2nd Infantry Regiment
3rd Bttn. / 2nd Infantry Regiment
3rd Bttn. / 15th Infantry Regiment
346th Bttn. / 53rd Independent Mixed Brigade
Battle
Landing
Routes of Allied landings on Peleliu, 15 September 1944
U.S. Marines landed on Peleliu at 08:32, on September 15, the 1st Marines to the north on White Beach 1 and 2 and the 5th and 7th Marines to the center and south on Orange Beach 1, 2, and 3.[1]:42–45 As the other landing craft approached the beaches, the Marines were caught in a crossfire when the Japanese opened the steel doors guarding their positions and fired artillery. The positions on the coral promontories guarding each flank fired on the Marines with 47 mm guns and 20 mm cannons. By 09:30, the Japanese had destroyed 60 LVTs and DUKWs.
5th Marines on Orange Beach
The 1st Marines were quickly bogged down by heavy fire from the extreme left flank and a 30-foot-high coral ridge, "The Point".[1]:49 Colonel Chesty Puller narrowly escaped death when a dud high velocity artillery round struck his LVT. His communications section was destroyed on its way to the beach by a hit from a 47 mm round. The 7th Marines faced a cluttered Orange Beach 3, with natural and man-made obstacles, forcing the Amtracs to approach in column.[1]:52
The 5th Marines made the most progress on the first day, aided by cover provided by coconut groves.[1]:51 They pushed toward the airfield, but were met with Nakagawa's first counterattack. His armored tank company raced across the airfield to push the Marines back, but was soon engaged by tanks, howitzers, naval guns, and dive bombers. Nakagawa's tanks and escorting infantrymen were quickly destroyed.[1]:57
At the end of the first day, the Americans held their 2-mile (3.2 km) stretch of landing beaches, but little else. Their biggest push in the south moved 1 mile (1.6 km) inland, but the 1st Marines to the north made very little progress because of the extremely thick resistance.[1]:42 The Marines had suffered 200 dead and 900 wounded. Rupertus, still unaware of his enemy's change of tactics, believed the Japanese would quickly crumble since their perimeter had been broken.[18]
Airfield/South Peleliu
On the second day, the 5th Marines moved to capture the airfield and push toward the eastern shore.[1]:61 They ran across the airfield, enduring heavy artillery fire from the highlands to the north, suffering heavy casualties in the process. After capturing the airfield, they rapidly advanced to the eastern end of Peleliu, leaving the island's southern defenders to be destroyed by the 7th Marines.[1]:58
This area was hotly contested by the Japanese, who still occupied numerous pillboxes. Heat indices[19] were around[20] 115 °F (46 °C), and the Marines soon suffered high casualties from heat exhaustion. Further complicating the situation, the Marines' water was distributed in empty oil drums, contaminating the water with the oil residue.[21] Still, by the eighth day the 5th and 7th Marines had accomplished their objectives, holding the airfield and the southern portion of the island, although the airfield remained under threat of sustained Japanese fire from the heights of Umurbrogol Mountain until the end of the battle.[11]
American forces put the airfield to use on the third day. L-2 Grasshoppers from VMO-3 began aerial spotting missions for Marine artillery and naval gunfire support. On September 26 (D+11), Marine F4U Corsairs from VMF-114 landed on the airstrip. The Corsairs began dive-bombing missions across Peleliu, firing rockets into open cave entrances for the infantrymen, and dropping napalm; it was only the second time the latter weapon had been used in the Pacific.[citation needed] Napalm proved useful, burning away the vegetation hiding spider holes and usually killing their occupants.
The time from liftoff to the target area for the Corsairs based on Peleliu Airfield was very short, sometimes only 10 to 15 seconds. Consequently, there was almost no time for pilots to raise their aircraft undercarriage; most pilots did not bother and left them down during the air strike. After the air strike was completed and the payload dropped, the Corsair simply turned back into the landing pattern again.
The Point
The fortress at the end of the southern landing beaches (a.k.a. “The Point”) continued to cause heavy Marine casualties due to enfilading fire from Japanese heavy machine guns and anti-tank artillery across the landing beaches. Puller ordered Captain George P. Hunt, commander of K Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, to capture the position. Hunt's company approached The Point short on supplies, having lost most of its machine guns while approaching the beaches. Hunt's second platoon was pinned down for nearly a day in an anti-tank trench between fortifications. The rest of his company was endangered when the Japanese cut a hole in their line, surrounding his company and leaving his right flank cut off.[1]:49
However, a rifle platoon began knocking out the Japanese gun positions one by one. Using smoke grenades for concealment, the platoon swept through each hole, destroying the positions with rifle grenades and close-quarters combat. After knocking out the six machine gun positions, the Marines faced the 47 mm gun cave. A lieutenant blinded the 47 mm gunner's visibility with a smoke grenade, allowing Corporal Henry W. Hahn to launch a grenade through the cave's aperture. The grenade detonated the 47 mm's shells, forcing the cave's occupants out with their bodies alight and their ammunition belts exploding around their waists. A Marine fire team was positioned on the flank of the cave where the emerging occupants were shot down.
K Company had captured The Point, but Nakagawa counterattacked. The next 30 hours saw four major counterattacks against a sole company, critically low on supplies, out of water, and surrounded. The Marines soon had to resort to hand-to-hand combat to fend off the Japanese attackers. By the time reinforcements arrived, the company had successfully repulsed all of the Japanese attacks, but had been reduced to 18 men, suffering 157 casualties during the battle for The Point.[1]:50–51 Hunt and Hahn were both awarded the Navy Cross for their actions.
Ngesebus Island
The 5th Marines—after having secured the airfield—were sent to capture Ngesebus Island, just north of Peleliu. Ngesebus was occupied by many Japanese artillery positions, and was the site of an airfield still under construction. The tiny island was connected to Peleliu by a small causeway, but 5th Marines commander Harris opted instead to make a shore-to-shore amphibious landing, predicting the causeway to be an obvious target for the island's defenders.[1]:77
Harris coordinated a pre-landing bombardment of the island on September 28, carried out by Army 155 mm (6.1 in) guns, naval guns, howitzers from the 11th Marines, strafing runs from VMF-114's Corsairs, and 75 mm (2.95 in) fire from the approaching LVTs.[1]:77 Unlike the Navy's bombardment of Peleliu, Harris' assault on Ngesebus successfully killed most of the Japanese defenders. The Marines still faced opposition in the ridges and caves, but the island fell quickly, with relatively light casualties for the 5th Marines. They had suffered 15 killed and 33 wounded, and inflicted 470 casualties on the Japanese.
Bloody Nose Ridge
After capturing The Point, the 1st Marines moved north into the Umurbrogol pocket,[1]:81 named "Bloody Nose Ridge" by the Marines. Puller led his men in numerous assaults, but each resulted in severe casualties from Japanese fire. The 1st Marines were trapped in the narrow paths between the ridges, with each ridge fortification supporting the other with deadly crossfire.
The Marines took increasingly high casualties as they slowly advanced through the ridges. The Japanese again showed unusual fire discipline, striking only when they could inflict maximum casualties. As casualties mounted, Japanese snipers began to take aim at stretcher bearers, knowing that if stretcher bearers were injured or killed, more would have to return to replace them, and the snipers could steadily pick off more and more Marines. The Japanese also infiltrated the American lines at night to attack the Marines in their fighting holes. The Marines built two-man fighting holes, so one Marine could sleep while the other kept watch for infiltrators.
One particularly bloody battle on Bloody Nose came when the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines—under the command of Major Raymond Davis—attacked Hill 100. Over six days of fighting, the battalion suffered 71% casualties. Captain Everett Pope and his company penetrated deep into the ridges, leading his remaining 90 men to seize what he thought was Hill 100. It took a day's fighting to reach what he thought was the crest of the hill, which was in fact another ridge occupied by more Japanese defenders.
Marine Pfc. Douglas Lightheart (right) cradles his .30 caliber (7.62×63mm) M1919 Browning machine gun in his lap, while he and Pfc. Gerald Thursby Sr. take a cigarette break, during mopping up operations on Peleliu on 15 September 1944.
Trapped at the base of the ridge, Captain Pope set up a small defense perimeter, which was attacked relentlessly by the Japanese throughout the night. The Marines soon ran out of ammunition, and had to fight the attackers with knives and fists, even resorting to throwing coral rock and empty ammunition boxes at the Japanese. Pope and his men managed to hold out until dawn came, which brought on more deadly fire. When they evacuated the position, only nine men remained. Pope later received the Medal of Honor for the action. (Picture of the Peleliu Memorial dedicated on the 50th anniversary of the landing on Peleliu with Captain Pope's name)
The Japanese eventually inflicted 70% casualties on Puller's 1st Marines, or 1,749 men.[1]:66 After six days of fighting in the ridges of Umurbrogol, General Roy Geiger, commander of the III Amphibious Corps, sent elements of U.S. Army's 81st Infantry Division to Peleliu to relieve the regiment.[1]:66 The 321st Regiment Combat Team landed on the western beaches of Peleliu—at the northern end of Umurbrogol mountain—on 23 September. The 321st and the 7th Marines encircled The Pocket by 24 Sept., D+9.[1]:75,81
By 15 October, the 7th Marines had suffered 46% casualties and General Geiger relieved them with the 5th Marines.[1]:83 Col. Harris adopted siege tactics, using bulldozers and flame-thrower tanks, pushing from the north.[1]:83–84 On October 30, the 81st Infantry Division took over command of Peleliu, taking another six weeks, with the same tactics, to reduce The Pocket.[1]:85
On 24 November, Nakagawa proclaimed "Our sword is broken and we have run out of spears". He then burnt his regimental colors and performed ritual suicide.[1]:86 He was posthumously promoted to lieutenant general for his valor displayed on Peleliu. On 27 November, the island was declared secure, ending the 73-day-long battle.[18]
A Japanese lieutenant with twenty-six 2nd Infantry soldiers and eight 45th Guard Force sailors held out in the caves in Peleliu until April 22, 1947, and surrendered after a Japanese admiral convinced them the war was over.[1]:81
Aftermath
The reduction of the Japanese pocket around Umurbrogol mountain has been called the most difficult fight that the U.S. military encountered in the entire war.[21] The 1st Marine Division was severely mauled and it remained out of action until the invasion of Okinawa began on April 1, 1945. In total, the 1st Marine Division suffered over 6,500 casualties during their month on Peleliu, over one third of their entire division. The 81st Infantry Division also suffered heavy losses with 3,300 casualties during their tenure on the island.
Postwar statisticians calculated that it took U.S. forces over 1500 rounds of ammunition to kill each Japanese defender and that, during the course of the battle, the Americans expended 13.32 million rounds of .30-calibre, 1.52 million rounds of .45-calibre, 693,657 rounds of .50-calibre bullets, 118,262 hand grenades, and approximately 150,000 mortar rounds.[11]
The battle was controversial in the United States due to the island's lack of strategic value and the high casualty rate. The defenders lacked the means to interfere with potential US operations in the Philippines[11] and the airfield captured on Peleliu did not play a key role in subsequent operations. Instead, the Ulithi Atoll in the Caroline Islands was used as a staging base for the invasion of Okinawa. The high casualty rate exceeded all other amphibious operations during the Pacific War.[7]
In addition, few news reports were published about the battle because Rupertus' prediction of a "three days" victory motivated only six reporters to report from shore. The battle was also overshadowed by MacArthur's return to the Philippines and the Allies' push towards Germany in Europe.
The battles for Angaur and Peleliu showed Americans the pattern of future Japanese island defense but they made few adjustments for the battles for Iwo Jima and Okinawa.[22] Naval bombardment prior to amphibious assault at Iwo Jima was only slightly more effective than at Peleliu, but at Okinawa the preliminary shelling was much improved.[23] Frogmen performing underwater demolition at Iwo Jima confused the enemy by sweeping both coasts, but later alerted Japanese defenders to the exact assault beaches at Okinawa.[23] American ground forces at Peleliu gained experience in assaulting heavily fortified positions such as they would find again at Okinawa.[24]
On the recommendation of Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., the planned occupation of Yap Island in the Caroline Islands was canceled. Halsey actually recommended that the landings on Peleliu and Angaur be canceled, too, and their Marines and soldiers be thrown into Leyte Island instead, but was overruled by Nimitz.[25]
In popular culture
In the March of Time's 1951 documentary TV series, Crusade in the Pacific, Episode 17 is "The Fight for Bloody Nose Ridge."
In NBC-TV's 1952-53 documentary TV series Victory at Sea, Episode 18, "Two if by Sea" covers the assaults at Peleliu and Angaur.
The Battle of Peleliu is featured in many World War II themed video games, including Call of Duty: World at War. The player takes the role of a US Marine tasked with taking Peleliu Airfield, repelling counter-attacks, destroying machine-gun and mortar positions and eventually securing Japanese artillery emplacements at the point. In flight-simulation game War Thunder, two teams of players clash to hold the southern and northern airfields. In multi-player shooter Red Orchestra 2: Rising Storm, a team of American troops attack the defensive Japanese team's control points.
The battle including footage and stills are featured in the fifth episode of Ken Burns' The War.
The battle features in episodes 5, 6 and 7 of the TV mini-series The Pacific.
In his book, With the Old Breed, Eugene Bondurant Sledge described his experiences in the battle for Peleliu.
In 2015, the Japanese magazine Young Animal commenced serialization of Peleliu: Rakuen no Guernica by Masao Hiratsuka and artist Kazuyoshi Takeda, telling the story of the battle in manga form.
One of the final scenes in Parer's War, a 2014 Australian television film, shows the Battle of Peleliu recorded by Damien Parer with his camera at the time of his death.
The Peleliu Campaign features as one of the campaigns in the 2019 solitaire tactical wargame “Fields of Fire” Volume 2, designed by Ben Hull, published by GMT Games LLC.
Individual honors
Japan
Posthumous promotions
For heroism:
Colonel Kunio Nakagawa – lieutenant general
Kenjiro Murai – lieutenant general
United States
Pfc. Richard Kraus, USMC (age 18), killed in action
Medal of Honor recipients
Captain Everett P. Pope – 1st Battalion, 1st Marines
First Lieutenant Carlton R. Rouh – 1st Battalion, 5th Marines
Private First Class Arthur J. Jackson – 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines
Corporal Lewis K. Bausell –1st Battalion, 5th Marines (Posthumous)
Private First Class Richard E. Kraus – 8th Amphibian Tractor Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced) (Posthumous)
Private First Class John D. New – 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines (Posthumous)
Private First Class Wesley Phelps – 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines (Posthumous)
Private First Class Charles H. Roan – 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines (Posthumous)
Unit citations
D-day Peleliu, African Americans of one of the two segregated units that supported the 7th Marines - the 16th Marine Field Depot or the 17th Naval Construction Battalion Special take a break in the 115 degree heat, 09-15-1944 - NARA - 532535
Presidential Unit Citation:
1st Marine Division, September 15 to 29, 1944[26]
1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion, FMF[27]
U. S. Navy Flame Thrower Unit Attached[27]
6th Amphibian Tractor Battalion (Provisional), FMF[27]
3d Armored Amphibian Battalion (Provisional), FMF[27]
Detachment Eighth Amphibian Tractor Battalion, FMF[27]
454th Amphibian Truck Company, U. S. Army[27]
456th Amphibian Truck Company, U. S. Army[27]
4th Joint Assault Signal Company, FMF[27]
5th Separate Wire Platoon, FMF[27]
6th Separate Wire Platoon, FMF[27]
Detachment 33rd Naval Construction Battalion (202 Personnel)[27]
Detachment 73rd Naval Construction Battalion's Shore Party (241 Personnel)[27]
USMC Commendatory Letter:[i]
11th Marine Depot Company (segregated)
7th Marine Ammunition Company (segregated)
17th Special Naval Construction Battalion (segregated)
c/n 69700126715.
NATO codename:- Foxhound
Previously coded ’15 red’. Refurbished by the 121st Aircraft Repair Plant at Kubinka in early 2016 and now on display in Area 1 of the Patriot Museum Complex.
Park Patriot, Kubinka, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
25th August 2017
My pieces for Codename: Babushka.
Read more:http://www.alittlestranger.com/wordpress/2011/10/russian-dolls-for-codename-babushka/
These handpainted russian dolls are for sale over at Flatties www.flatties.co.uk
c/n 25992004.
NATO codename:- Mandrake
The Yak-25RV was a high altitude reconnaissance development of the Yak-25 interceptor. It had a straight wing which was double the span of the earlier swept wing aircraft.
The RV-II was an unmanned drone conversion. It could be remotely piloted and was used for live firing interception practice.
On display at the Central Air Force museum, Monino, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
27th August 2017
The following translation is from the official Monino museum website:-
"In 1958, a single all-weather high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft Yak-25RV was designed and built. On March 1, 1959, test pilot V.P. Smirnoy lifted him into the air.
Museum Yak-25RV was released in November 1965. The first flight was performed on November 4 by test pilot Smirnov, and two days later he also conducted flight-acceptance tests.
On December 21, the car was transferred to the Flight Research Institute - now named after M.M.Gromov, where it flew 186 hours, and on July 9, 1969, to another organization. In total, he spent 293 hours in the sky. The last time the pilot V. Volk climbed it on June 15, 1973 and landed at Monino airfield."
A deep cover agent codename Emerald has been compromised. Grayhawk and a 4-man patrol from the Special Operations Group were tasked to extract the agent from the Naran Darre Mountain region.
The team traveled to a safe house in the region. In order to maintain a light footprint, the team was equipped with weapons that are common in the region.
To be continued...
Note: The story, all names, characters, and incidents are fictitious.
c/n 0831.
NATO codename:- Flagon-A
Previously on display at the Savasleyka base museum.
It was refurbished at Kubinka (121ARZ) in early 2016 and now on display in Area 1 of the Patriot Museum Complex.
Park Patriot, Kubinka, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
25th August 2017
c/n 9510238.
The Yak-40 had the NATO codename ‘Codling’.
On outside display at the Muzeum Lotnictwa Polskiego.
Krakow, Poland.
23-8-2013
The following info is from the museum website:-
“The Yak-40 was designed in 1966 at the Yakovlev design bureau as an airliner for internal passenger transport. It was to be capable of operations from short, unpaved airstrips, and for that purpose was given long unswept wings and landing gear with large diameter wheels. The passenger version carried 32 passengers. Many specialized versions were developed as well as VIP transport variant which carried 13 people. More than 1000 aircraft were built. The first Yak-40s were delivered to Poland in 1973 were used for VIP transport by 36th Special Air Transport Regiment until the unit was disbanded in 2011. A target tug version for gunnery practice has also been developed in Poland. In late 80s Polish Airlines LOT operated Yak-40s leased from the 36th Regt. The example on display is a VIP transport Yak-40 number 037, which was used by 36th Special Air Transport Regiment based in Warsaw. The plane was donated to PAM by the Ministry of Defense. It bore witness to the political transformation in Poland, for during its service it flew general secretaries of the communist party as well as members of post-1989 democratic governments.”
Now here's a funny little car, the FIAT Ritmo, one of the earliest hatchbacks and quite possibly the most futuristic looking, but one we seem to have forgotten in recent years.
FIAT started work on the Ritmo hatchback, as a replacement for the 128 sedan, in 1972, at a time when the hatchback bodystyle for small family cars was still relatively uncommon in Europe, although FIAT had utilized it for its 127 supermini. In the intervening years, however, rival European manufacturers began launching small family hatchbacks, the most notable being the Volkswagen Golf in 1974.
Prior to its launch, the press speculated that the project codename 138 would be the final production name, however, FIAT resolved to follow the precedent set by the FIAT Mirafiori by giving its new car the Ritmo name, rather than another three digit number. In Italian, the name translates to "rhythm", whereas the export Strada name used for most English-speaking markets (i.e. Great Britain, United States and Canada. Sold as Ritmo in Ireland) translates into "road".
Technologically, the biggest innovation of the Ritmo was not the car itself (since it was mechanically based on its predecessor, the FIAT 128) but the way in which it was manufactured at the Cassino plant. FIAT, already an industry pioneer in automated assembly at the time, took the ambitious step of almost completely building the Ritmo with robots, earning the car the advertising slogan "Handbuilt by robots". The avant-garde nature of its design is represented by large plastic bumper bars (which absorbed small impacts without damage, relative to the then separate metal bar bumpers of other cars), the manner in which these intersected the front round headlights and incorporated the rear taillights plus licence plates, and how round shapes (such as the headlights, door handles and the rear edge of the roof ending in an upward sweep) were combined within overall sharp lines (e.g. from those of the sloping rear hatch and slanted rear window corners to the badges and shape of the side indicators and rear view mirrors).
The initial 4-cylinder engine range included 1.1L 59hp, 1.3L 64hp and 1.5L 74hp petrol engines, which were reasonably refined and economical. Suspension was independent all-round, the braking system comprised front discs and rear drums and the wheels measured 13-inch in diameter. Gearboxes ranged from a standard 4-speed manual (5-speed optional on CL models) and an optional 3-speed Volkswagen-derived automatic. Its boot capacity ranged from 330 to 1100 Litres.
The Ritmo finished second in the European Car of the Year awards, finishing narrowly behind the winning car, the Simca-Chrysler Horizon - which was similar in concept. The initial range in Italy included the following models, whose designations reflected their respective engine horsepower.
The CL range was the better-equipped model (with the 60 CL comprising 80% of total initial sales in Italy) and the whole range also distinguished itself by having numerous accessories unseen in past FIAT cars, available as optional. These included: larger tyres; a rev counter; stereo system; safety seatbelts and headrests; passenger-side rear view mirror; split-fold rear seat; tinted windows; rear window wiper; rear window defroster; metallic paint; sunroof (the most expensive at ₤259,600).
Whilst well received in the key Italian and German markets, the first series of the Ritmo was criticized for its basic interior trim (e.g. no fabric on door panels) and other assembly shortfalls. As a consequence, FIAT quickly responded in 1979 with various revisions and the introduction of the Targa Oro ("Gold plate") range. The latter was based on the Ritmo 65 (or 75 for export markets) and was distinguished by, among other things: a mink paint (or black for the 3-door version), gold striping plus accents in the alloy wheels, foglights, dark bumper bars and velour trim interiors. That same year, the 65 CL range could also be had with a VW-derived automatic transmission, and a 1,049cc petrol engine built by FIAT of Brazil that had the same power and torque figures as those of the 128-derived 1.1L engine, was also introduced to power the "60L" models available in some markets.
In September 1981, FIAT displayed the Ritmo Abarth 125 TC at the Frankfurt Motorshow. This model was not available for right-hand export markets because the position of the exhaust downpipe did not allow for a relocated steering column and system. The 125 TC was a modified and revised 105 TC with a 1,995 cc DOHC four with 125 PS (92 kW; 123 bhp), ventilated front discs, a new 5-speed ZF manual gearbox, revised suspension settings and strengthened components. Outwardly, the 125 TC differed only slightly from the 105 TC - it gained the chunky four-spoke 14 in alloys later seen on the Bertone Cabrio models, featured a joint "FIAT/Abarth" blue and red badge on the rear hatch, and the side badges featured the Abarth "Scorpion".
In October 1982, the Ritmo was re-engineered and restyled to improve its competitiveness against rivals, which included the MK3 Ford Escort and the first front-wheel drive Opel Kadett (Vauxhall Astra in the UK). The chassis was lighter by 70kg and benefitted from better Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) control. Suspension mounts were altered and the spare tyre was moved from the engine bay to the boot, along with a relocation of the fuel tank to ahead of the rear axle. The fuel tank move resulted in the fuel cap being moved right side and under a lid instead of remaining exposed. The facelift saw the Ritmo acquire a more conventional look.
In 1983, FIAT completed the range with the Ritmo ES ("Energy Saving") models and the hot hatch, Ritmo Abarth 130 TC. The latter was based on the 125 TC but was powered by a 1,995cc engine with power output increased to 128hp. This was achieved by replacing the single Weber carb used in the 125TC with twin Solex/Weber carburettors on a side-draught manifold, and via improved cam profiles. The 130 TC had a top speed of 121mph and accelerated from 0 to 60mph in 7.8 seconds. The powerful twin-cam was mated to a close ratio 5-speed ZF manual gearbox and had superior performance to its contemporary rivals, which included the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Ford Escort XR3i, Vauxhall Astra GTE and the MG Maestro.
1985 saw a minor facelift to the Ritmo range, featuring new rectangular door handles on 5-door versions (the 3-door retained circular door handles), shared with the Regata — the Ritmo-derived sedan. Other changes included restyled front & rear bumpers, and lower plastic panels on the doors (again, taken from the Regata). The 5-door's rear bumper now housed the number plate at low level, whilst the space between the rear lights was filled with a plastic panel. While marketed across continental Europe, the 100 S and the Turbo DS were not sold in Great Britain or Ireland, nor were any of the fuel injected models. The latter included the 75 i.e. and 90 i.e., which had lower outputs due to their catalytic converters fitted to meet tougher export markets' emission regulations. By this stage, however, Ritmo/Strada sales were declining outside Italy, not helped by its reputation for unreliability and rust, nor the growing number of competitors which were appearing. Compensation for the Strada's falling popularity in these markets was compensated for by the growing success of its smaller Uno.
Early in 1988, the production of the Ritmo ended after 10 years. In its place, as the new contender in the European C-segment, FIAT launched the similarly avantgarde, Tipo, which took inspiration from the smaller Uno with its design and style.
c/n 7977862816323, l/n 06-07.
Previously coded ’11 yellow’.
NATO codename:- Forger-A
The c/n has also been reported as 7977864716323.
Designed to serve on the Kiev class aircraft-carriers, the Yak-38 was the Soviets only VTOL strike aircraft. The type first flew in 1971 and entered service in 1976 with a total of 231 being produced.
On display at the Central Air Force museum, Monino, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
27th August 2017
The following is a translation of the aircraft's description on the official Monino website:-
"The first flight on a Yak-ZbM aircraft (hereinafter referred to as the Yak-38) was made on January 15, 1970 by V.G. Mukhin.
In 1972, on the Yak-38 made landing on the deck of the anti-submarine cruiser "Moscow". Later, such aircraft were based on the larger anti-submarine aircraft-carrying cruisers “Kiev”, “Baku”, “Minsk”, “Novorossiysk”.
Exhibited in the museum, the Yak-38 was built in March 1975. On March 31, the test pilot of the aircraft factory M.S. Dexbach took it into the air, since September 1975 the aircraft was operated in several parts, having completed 70 flights lasting 20 hours. April 24, 1978 he was sent to the training base of VVIA them. Prof. N.E. Zhukovsky, and in 1989 from it - to the Air Force Museum."
c/n 71281.
NATO codename:- Fiddler
The Tu-128 was a twin-engined supersonic interceptor with a maximum speed of nearly 1,200mph. It first flew in 1961 and the type was finally retired in 1990. It competed against the La-250, an example of which is also on display at Monino. A total of 198 were built.
Although known now by the Tupolev designation of Tu-128, it's Soviet Air Force designation was originally 'Tu-28'. This was officially changed to Tu-128 in 1963.
This is the prototype aircraft and was originally coded '0 black' before being given a red bort code (like many other aircraft at here).
On display at the Central Air Force museum, Monino, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
27th August 2017
c/n unknown
NATO codename:- Bat
The Tu-2 was a high-speed daylight and frontline bomber, in production from 1941 to 1948. It was fast and manoeuvrable and could survive heavy damage, all of which made it popular with its crews.
While several Tu-2s survive worldwide, all except four are ex-Chinese airframes and this is the only one extant in Russia. Previously a much lighter green, it has now been repainted to a more accurate looking shade and given a code number, although this probably has bares no relation to the actual identity of the airframe.
On display in the new Hangar 6B which has been built behind the entrance building. At the time of our visit the hangar had not been officially opened to the public, but we were given special permission to access it from Hangar 6A.
Central Air Force museum, Monino, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
27th August 2017
Police have launched a 48 hour crackdown on offenders wanted for incidents of domestic abuse.
Hundreds of officers will take to the streets ahead of Valentine’s weekend to look for wanted offenders.
The operation – codenamed Olympus – will see local officers working alongside Force resources such as tactical aid unit and ANPR Intercept officers to locate culprits.
Superintendent Craig Thompson said: “Our priority is to protect victims and we will be out in force over the next two days to ensure offenders are brought in and locked up before they cause any further misery.
“We will leave no stone unturned and do all we can to locate those trying to evade capture. Anybody with information on somebody who may be wanted should do the right thing and contact police before they cause more harm.”
Detective Chief Inspector Nicky Porter said: “Valentine’s Day should be a celebration of love and romance but unfortunately for many it will serve as a reminder that their relationship is far from happy and is instead masked by fear, control and violence.
“Domestic abuse comes in many guises and can be emotional as well as physical. In December we welcomed a change in legislation which means for the first time perpetrators who control their partners through threats or by restricting their personal or financial freedom could face prison in the same way as those who are violent towards them.
“Taking these abusers off our streets is a huge part of what we do but we also want to stop this type of crime happening in the first place. I urge people to take a step back and consider the relationship they are in – if their partner is controlling, threatening or violent, it’s time to ask for help. Whether it be a relative, friend, charity or the police, we are here to support people to live safely and without fear.”
Victims of domestic abuse are urged not to suffer in silence - call the Women’s Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0161 636 7525 or report incidents to Greater Manchester Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Visit gmp.police.uk or endthefear.co.uk for information on how to stop the abuse.
Anybody with information on somebody who is wanted by police should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Follow #OpOlympus on Twitter for live updates from the operation.
c/n 10MK51314.
NATO codename ‘Flanker-C’
Operated by the 237th Centre for Display of Aviation Equipment (tSPAT) as part of the Russian Knights (Russkiye Vityazi) formation team.
Seen landing after displaying at the Aviation cluster of the ARMY 2017 event.
Kubinka Airbase, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
23rd August 2017
c/n 922272.
NATO codename:- Midget
As noted on the nearby signboard, Heroes of the Soviet Union, pilot-cosmonaut Colonel Y.A.Gagarin and Colonel V.S.Seregin died in the crash of a MiG-15UTI on 27th March 1968.
Since my previous visit in 2012 this is one of many exhibits which have been moved from their previous location under a covered pavilion and are now on display in a new ‘Cold War’ area of ‘Victory Park’.
Museum of the Great Patriotic War, Poklonnaya Hill, Moscow, Russia.
26th August 2017
Utah Beach - Normandy, France.
Utah beach is the codename for the westernmost of the 5 Allied landing zones during D-day. It is the only beach on the Cotentin peninsula and closest to the vital harbour city of Cherbourg. Together with Omaha beach it is the sector where the American forces were disembarked. The amphibious assault, primarily by the US 4th Infantry Division and 70th Tank Battalion, was supported by airborne landings of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Division. These Airborne troops were dropped on the Cotentin penisula.
In stark contrast with Omaha beach where the landing turned into a near disaster with most of the troops pinned down for hours with heavy losses in both men and material the landings at Utah went relatively smooth. This does not mean the GI's came ashore unopposed: some 200 casualties were suffered by the 4th division.
One of the factors that contributed to this success was that the preliminary bombing of the target areas here was accurate and the German forces - in contrast with what happened at Omaha beach - were in disarray at H-hour, 06:30, when the first wave of 20 landing craft approached the beach. The GI's of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry landed on Uncle Red and Tare Green sectors. What they didn't know initially was that pushed to the south by strong currents they landed some 1.8 kilometres south of their designated landing spot!
Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. was the first high ranking officer that landed and , not discouraged by the dviation, he decided to "start the war from right here". He ordered further landings to be re-routed. As it was this was a good decision because the Americans landed on a relative weak spot in the German defenses. Only one "Widerstandsnest" (WN5) opposed them and it was severely affected by the preliminary bombardments. It took the GI's about an hour to clear the defenses. Today the remains of this German widestandsnest can still be seen and are partly incorporated into the Utah beach museum. Well worth a visit.
After the succesful landings the real difficulties started because of the inundated areas behind the beach and the increasing German resistance which lead to weeks of fighting on the Cotentin peninsula.
On the Photo:
Uncle Red sector - view towards the south and the area west of the village of Grandcamp-Maisy in the far distance.
Tonemapped using three (handheld) shots made with a Fuji X-T3 and Fujinon 16mm f/1.4 lens, september 2019.
A set of photo's with notes of Utah Beach and the Cotentin peninsula with the Airborne sectors.
Here's the complete set of photo's made on Pointe du Hoc over the past years
My Omaha beach photo's with several viewpoints, panorama shots and notes on the fighting
These are my photo's and notes of the British and Canadian sectors: Gold, Juno and Sword.
With the arrival of the Olifant in Samaria, the engineers of the Samarian Ordnance Corps finally had access to a design that was decent enough to further develop into an indigenous design. The project was given the codename Raam (רעם/Thunder), as the new tank was supposed to be faster than the Piyl, the Samarian version of the Olifant.
Lacking any significant experience in actual tank design, help from the outside was quickly sought in Die Wêreldryk, where the Olifant was designed. Further aid came from the Nordic Union, that was generous enough to send a team of engineers that had worked on the Stridsvagn 101, in response to the Samarian request. The vast knowledge and skill of all these engineers was just what the Ordnance Corps needed, and design work on the new tanks progressed swiftly. With high speed in mind, a very powerful engine was developed under the name Sufa (סופה/Whirlwind), specifically for this project. The 105 mm gun from the Piyl was adapted and given a shorter barrel, just like the L7 on the Strv 101. It was only marginally less accurate than the one on the Piyl, but shared the same punching power, making it quite the competitive gun. Secondary armament was also similar to the Piyl, consisting of a co-axially mounted and a pintle-mounted 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. The final result was a machine that looked quite similar to the Nordic Strv 101, but with lots of technology from the Afrikaanse Olifant, and was dubbed Sho’t (שוט/Whip).
Testing showed that the top speed was an impressive 67.5 km/h on dirt roads, with performance in sand dropping to only about 56 km/h. Armour was not deemed very important, as the latest rounds could penetrate almost everything. To cut costs and reduce training, Thermal sights and IR sights were left out, limiting the Sho’t to daytime operations only, or clear nights with plenty of moonlight. This was compensated by the Piyl’s excellent range and ability to fight at night. Testing showed that the engine was prone to overheating, but this was fixed in the production model, with the installation of the improved Sufa IV engine. Crew comfort was also not excellent by any standards. The seats were tiny and rock-hard, the driver would often bang his elbow against the ammo rack that was right next to him when shifting, the gunner didn’t have much room, nor a personal hatch, …
In service, crews were not that bothered by the lack of comfort. The reliable Sufa IV needed little maintenance, as did the rest of the tank. Proving to be a reliable and hard-hitting weapon, it was used to great effect during the Tiran Crisis, aided by the long-range fire support from the Piyls. The fast Sho’ts utilized flanking manoeuvres, and took advantage of gaps created by the Piyls, confusing and wreaking havoc among the Anbat forces and allowing the Piyls to move up and take over strategic locations.Just like the Piyls, the Sho’ts were regularly updated with new optics, new turret rotating mechanism, a new gun stabiliser and a new fire-control system.
The latest plans to further extend the service life of the Sho’t is the addition of Pullover ERA, to give it a fighting chance against the man-portable ATGMs that are becoming more and more common.
On the picture we can see the same Sho’t as before, with the commander searching for targets with his binoculars. The round hatch on the back of the turret is the escape hatch, and is also used for loading the ammunition.
First Gen MBT
Gun: 105mm +0
Armour: Centurion +0
Hull: 76 mm / 50 mm (Skirts: +6 mm) / 38 mm
Turret: 152 mm / 89 mm / 89 mm
Speed: 65 km/h: +0
Perks:
Advanced Optics +1
Low Maintenance: +1
Quirks:
No Thermal Sights: -1
Uncomfy: -1
Cost: 6₪
I heavily modified Aranethon’s Olifant, to the point that only some parts of the turret are from the original model. But still huge thanks to him, I wouldn’t have started this without the original one.
c/n 10MK51403.
NATO codename ‘Flanker-C’
Operated by the 43rd Independent Naval Assault Aviation Regiment (OMShAP) Russian Navy, based at Saki.
Named ‘Irkutsk’, after the largest city in Siberia.
Seen landing after displaying at the ARMY 2017, event held at Kubinka Airbase, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
23rd August 2017
c/n unknown
NATO codename:- Flagon-F.
Contrary to expectations, this is NOT the ’37 red’ which was previously at Khodynka in central Moscow. Compare this with my shot of the other machine back at Khodynka in 2012:-
www.flickr.com/photos/ajw1970/8481699390/
Note the different shape radome, different style of bort-code and different rear fintip.
Where this has come from is unknown, but it is on display at the Vadim Zadorozhny Technical Museum, Arkhangelskoye, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
26th August 2017
This car is an early pre production model codenamed X350. Specially finished in Aluminium to show off the new body material.
This car was used for the launch demonstration and at various motor show displays.
Now owned by the Daimler Jaguar heritage Trust and in the 'Collections' building at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon.
This new car included many advanced features for the time including Aluminium Construction, A Six Speed Automatic gearbox and Air Suspension.
The cars were built in the Browns Lane factory at Coventry with bodyshells supplied from Castle Bromwich and engines from Bridgend in Wales.
c/n 52350047121816, l/n 79-11.
NATO codename:- Helix-B
The Ka-29 was an assault helicopter with accommodation for 2 pilots and sixteen troops.
This example was previously coded ’10 red’. It was refurbished at Kubinka (121ARZ) in early 2016 and is now on display in Area 1 of the Patriot Museum Complex.
Park Patriot, Kubinka, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
25th August 2017
c/n 93076.
Built 1978.
NATO codename:- Hip
According to the online Scramble database, this example was initially operated by the Soviet Strategic Rocket Force. By August 1992 it had become ‘RA-22167’ with operator Vertikal-T, before returning to Russian Air Force service as ’64 yellow’ by 2005.
It was refurbished at Kubinka (121ARZ) in early 2016 and is now on display in Area 1 of the Patriot Museum Complex.
Park Patriot, Kubinka, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
25th August 2017
The Sukhoi Su-27 heavy air superiority fighter - codenamed 'Flanker' by NATO - was designed during the Cold War as a Soviet counter to potential Western opponents such as the US Air Force's F-15 Eagle. It first flew in 1977. Service entry began during 1985, and when the 'Flanker' started appearing at Western air displays in the hands of Sukhoi test pilots, starting at Paris in 1989, it astounded spectators with its manoeuvrability.This SU 27 is on the strength of the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade, based at Myrhorod in central Ukraine.
c/n 49083501309.
NATO codename ‘Flanker-E’
Operated by the 4th Centre for Combat Application and Crew Training (GTsPAPIPVI), part of the 968th Instructior-Research Aviation Regiment (IISAP) based at Lipetsk. The unit uses four of the type to perform as the ‘Falcons of Russia’ combat demonstration team.
Seen landing after displaying at the Aviation cluster of the ARMY 2017 event.
Kubinka Airbase, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
23rd August 2017
c/n unknown.
NATO codename:- Hormone-B
The Ka-25Ts (also reported as the Ka-25K) was an ‘Over The Horizon’ targeting version for relaying data to cruise missiles launched from surface warships and submarines. The Anti-submarine equipment and weapons bay were removed and a larger radar scanner was fitted in a bulged radome under the nose.
On display at the Central Armed Forces Museum,
Moscow, Russia.
26th August 2017
c/n 0390325365.
NATO codename:- Flogger-G
Stored in a far corner of the site at Monino, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
27th August 2017
Codenamed CW170 during its development, and briefly known to some Ford contractors as the Ford Fusion,[citation needed] the original Focus took its eventual name from a Ghia concept car which was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1991. Certain elements of the design had been seen even earlier in prototypes used by Ford to demonstrate forthcoming safety features, such as the eye-level rear lighting clusters. As a continuation of Ford's New Edge styling philosophy, first seen in the Ford Ka in 1996, and Ford Cougar in 1998, the Focus' styling had been often described as polarising. The styling had been overseen by Jack Telnack and executed by Claude Lobo and Australian designer, John Doughty.
The decision to name the new car the Ford Focus was made in early 1998, as Ford's overheads had been planning to keep the "Escort" nameplate for its new generation of small family cars. A last minute problem arose in July 1998 when a Cologne court, responding to a case brought by the publishers Burda, ordered Ford to avoid the name "Focus" for the German market cars since the name was already taken by the publisher's Focus magazine. This eleventh hour dispute was overcome, however, and the car was launched without a different "German market" name.
RS
The Focus RS Mk1 was produced from 2 October 2002 to 11 November 2003 and was Ford's return to the RS (Rallye Sport) badge after the demise of the tweaked Escorts, particularly the fabled Ford Escort RS Cosworth. Production was limited to 4501 units only. The car was largely built on its own assembly line in Ford's Saarlouis plant, with some additional specialist off-line assembly performed by the ACÜ group at Überhern. The RS was offered all over Europe, but 2147 were sold in the United Kingdom, by far its largest market. The Mark 1 Focus RS was a limited production run available in 21 European countries.
Using a turbocharged version of the 2.0-litre Ford Zeta engine, the Focus RS rated at 212 horsepower (158 kW).
It would generate a steady 0.98G in lateral acceleration due to racing parts such as Sachs dampers, lightweight O.Z Alloy Wheels and a Quaife ATB Differential. It would also allow 1.0G of braking force due to the standard Brembo braking system 326 mm (Front) 280 mm (Rear).
The development of the Focus RS was undertaken by a mixed team of mainstream Ford engineers (not SVE or the TeamRS group which replaced it later on) and Tickford Engineering in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. Originally it was to be released as the Racing Focus, however after the poor selling Racing Puma,[citation needed] Ford decided to revive the RS badge.
More bespoke than the prior Ford Focus SVT (badged as the Focus ST170 in Europe), the Focus RS upgraded or replaced 70% of the standard Focus mechanicals. The turbocharged straight-4 engine produced a minimum of 215 PS (158 kW; 212 hp) and 310 N·m (229 lb·ft) of torque, which was then mated to the 5-speed MTX-75 and not the Getrag transmission used in the ST 170. Mechanically, most notably, the car incorporated a Quaife automatic torque biasing differential to improve traction from the front-wheel drive setup. The steering used a similar quick-ratio rack as the ST170 while the brakes used fixed-caliper, four-piston Brembo units with 324 mm (12.8 in) discs at the front and single-piston floating calipers and 280 mm (11.0 in) discs at the back. Wheels were 18" alloys specially developed by OZ Racing. The engine was heavily modified with forged aluminium pistons, hardened valve seats, sodium-filled exhaust valves, stainless steel exhaust system. The forced induction system comprised a Garrett turbocharger with a water-cooled charge air cooler and an electric water pump. To transmit the higher torque an upgraded AP clutch was used.
The Focus RS was available in one metallic colour, Imperial Blue. The body looked similar to the standard Focus or to the ST170, although the RS featured unique front and rear bumper assemblies required for the wider wheel arches which accommodated the 65 mm (2.6 in) wider front track. Internally, the theme is blue and black with sections of blue leather trim on the door trim panels, the steering wheel and the Sparco seats which were trimmed in blue/black leather and Alcantara. A green starter button starts the engine. The instruments have a blue background and in place of the coolant temperature gauge, the RS was equipped with a boost pressure indicator (up to 1.5 bar). The gear lever knob, handbrake lever, and pedals were all custom made by Sparco.
All-around performance was roughly equal or better to its other competitors, including hatchbacks such as the Honda Civic Type-R and some four-wheel drive cars in the same price field.[citation needed] Power was a diminished priority and the handling on a track, courtesy of the front differential, was considered by most observers to be its strongest characteristic. In a Top Gear review, Jeremy Clarkson noted that "it lacks the straightforward oomph of a Subaru Impreza. [...] The reason it was quick round our track is simple: this car handles like it's in a cartoon." Clarkson and other motor journalists also commented on the car's torque steer on bumpy British roads.
[Text from Wikipedia]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Focus_(first_generation)
This Lego miniland scale Ford Fous RS (C170 - 2002) has been created for Flickr LUGNuts' 96th Build Challenge - The 8th Birthday, titled - 'Happy Crazy Eight Birthday, LUGNuts' - where all previous build challenges are available to build to. This model is built to the LUGNuts 58th build challenge, - "Order by Numbers" featuring vehicles built to one of ten themes available in that challenge. The Focus RS is built to theme 1: "A Legendary Vehicle... In Europe" - due to the unavailability of the RS in Global Markets outside of Europe.