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Second generation (1974)
The squarer-styled Mark II version appeared in January 1975. The first production models had rolled off the production lines on 2 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, floorpan and core structure as the Mark I. The 940 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 doors, roof and rear 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. The rear suspension still sat on leaf springs though some contemporaries such as the Hillman Avenger and Opel Kadett C/Vauxhall Chevette had moved on to coil springs. The car came in for criticism for its lack of oddments space, with a glove compartment available on only higher end models, and its stalk-mounted horn.
The "L" and "GL" models (2-door, 4-door, estate) were in the mainstream private sector, the "Sport", "RS Mexico", and "RS2000" in the performance market, the "Ghia" (2-door, 4-door) for a hitherto untapped small car luxury market, and "base / Popular" models for the bottom end. The base spec Popular versions for British market were divided into "Popular" and "Popular Plus", with the former being an "austerity" model with vinyl seats and rubber carpets, the 'Plus' version having a fully trimmed interior.
Panel-van versions catered to the commercial sector. 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 955 kg (2105 lb).
In August 1977, the Escort received its first noticeable facelift, with the front grille, boot lid and steering wheel hub cap being fitted with the oval Ford logo instead of the previous single-letter lettering.
A further cosmetic update was given in 1978 (note that Australia received differing updates – see below), 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. All models (other than RS) had a new steering wheel and the horizontal chrome strip along the center of the grille removed. 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.
c/n unknown.
NATO codename:- Fencer-D
Previously part of the adjacent Zhukovski Engineering Academy, but now on display at the Central Air Force museum, Monino, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
27th August 2017
Clockwise from top left:
Vasen = Left
......(Eteen=fore Takaisin=aft)
Oikea = Right
.......(Eteen=fore Takaisin=aft)
m W-.S=??
Ylos=Up/Alas=Down
Ylos=Up/Alas=Down
m W-.S=??
=====================
I'm still not certain what these gauges and dials monitor, but with "Up," "Down," "Right" and "Left," this must have been an important station when the sub was underway. Perhaps this is where the amount of ballast water was monitored. I'm surprised that the "up" and "down" dials aren't calibrated.
=====================
Vesikko is a submarine (the single ship of her class), which was launched on 10 May 1933 at the Crichton-Vulcan dock in Turku, Finland.
Until 1936 it was named by its manufacturing codename CV 707. Vesikko was ordered by a Dutch engineering company Ingenieurskantoor voor Scheepsbouw (a German front company) in 1930 as a commercial submarine prototype.
Purchased by the Finnish before the war, she saw service in the Winter War and World War II, sinking the Soviet merchant ship Vyborg as her only victory. After the cease-fire with the Allies in 1944, Vesikko was retired. Finland was banned from operating submarines after the war and she was kept in storage until she was turned into a museum ship.
Vesikko was one of five submarines to serve in the Finnish Navy. The other four were the three larger Vetehinen-class boats Vetehinen, Vesihiisi, Iku-Turso and the small Saukko. The word "vesikko" is the Finnish name for the European mink.
Ingenieurskantoor voor Scheepsbouw (IvS), was a German front company in the Netherlands, established to secretly design a new German submarine fleet.
According to the terms of the Versailles Peace Treaty after World War I, Germany was banned from building and operating submarines among other "offensive" weaponry. This resulted in moving the armaments' research to foreign countries. For example, German tanks and aircraft were tested and developed in the Soviet Union.
Therefore, unlike the other submarines in the Finnish Navy, Vesikko was not part of the Naval Act. Instead, it was part of the secret rebuilding of the German Navy, the Reichsmarine.
The objective of Germans was to design a modern submarine type to be used during general mobilization; technology and standards were to be new and not based on World War I designs.
For this purpose two prototypes were built, E1 in Spain and CV 707 in Finland. The latter was later chosen as a first submarine type for the new fleet. Construction of both of these experimental submarines was funded by the Reichsmarine.
Commander Karl Bartenbach, who had retired from active service in the Reichsmarine, worked as secret liaison officer in Finland.
His official title was Naval Expert of the Finnish Defence Forces, and it was under his leadership that the 496-ton Vetehinen class and the 100-ton Saukko were built in Finland. Both submarine types were designed by IvS. For the German Navy, his mission was to oversee the developing and construction of a 200–250 ton submarine, which would still equal the combat effectiveness of the Vetehinen class. The whole task was named The Lilliput Project.
The official decision allowing Vesikko to be constructed in Finland was made in 1930 after several meetings with the Finnish Government.
Since The Liliput Project broke the terms of the Versailles Peace Treaty, there was no mention of Germany in the agreement, and it was decided that the new submarine could only be sold to nations belonging to the League of Nations.
The would-be buyers also had to have the rights to own such a weapon. The Finnish Government gained primary rights to purchase the submarine.
The construction of CV 707 begun in 1931 at the Crichton-Vulcan dock in Turku. At the time of its construction, CV 707 was one of the most advanced submarine designs.
For example, the maximum depth was over twice that of earlier German submarines, and its hull could be built completely by electric welding. By eliminating rivets there was increased resistance to water pressure, decreased oil leakages, and the construction process was faster. Germans tested CV 707 in the Archipelago of Turku during 1933–34.
Vesikko was a prototype for the German Type II submarines. Six Type IIA submarines (U-1 to U-6) which were almost identical to Vesikko were built in the Deutsche Werke dock in Kiel, and after these, 44 Type IIB, IIC, and IID submarines were built before and during World War II.
According to the agreement between the Finnish Ministry of Defence and the Crichton-Vulcan company, Finland had the primary purchase option until 1937, and the Finnish Government took over the submarine during August 1934. After the Finnish Parliament had approved the acquisition in 1936, the submarine joined the Finnish Navy under the name of Vesikko.
Vesikko was deployed with Vesihiisi to the Hanko region on 30 November 1939 as several Soviet surface combatants were headed towards the area. However the submarine failed to arrive in time to intercept the Kirov and its escorts. Vesikko was able to get close enough to see the cruiser but was unable to reach firing position as it had to evade shellfire.
When on 17 December and on two following days the Soviets sent the battleship Oktyabrskaya Revolyutsiya to bombard Finnish positions at Koivisto, the Finnish Navy decided to send out Vesikko to hunt for it.
However, by the time the submarine reached the area a day later the Soviet battleship Marat which bombarded on that day had already departed and temperature had dropped to −15 °C (5 °F) which prevented the submarine from diving.
In summer 1941 all Finnish submarines were once again readied for combat operations and they sailed to the staging area in the Gulf of Finland.
Vesikko's base of operations was to be Vahterpää island near the town of Loviisa.
When the Continuation War started on 25 June, all submarines were ordered to patrol the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland.
On 3 July 1941 Vesikko sank a Soviet merchant ship named Vyborg east of Gogland island.
The attack was made 700 metres (770 yd) from the target; first one torpedo was launched at 13:25 which hit the stern of the target. The target stopped but did not appear to be sinking so Vesikko fired another torpedo which failed to explode. Very soon after the strike, three Soviet patrol boats started to chase Vesikko and tried to destroy it with depth charges and salvage the damaged ship but failed to accomplish either task. Vyborg sank on 3 July at 14:15.
Soviet historiography later downplayed the sinking of Vyborg, insisting that several submarines and German naval bombers had assaulted the ship simultaneously, and that over twenty torpedoes had been launched against it.
During fall 1941 Vesikko operated from Helsinki and made three patrols to the coast of Estonia. In 1942, equipped with depth charge rack, she acted as an escort to convoys in the Sea of Åland, and hunted suspected hostile submarines near Helsinki.
In the beginning of June 1944, Vesikko escorted the convoys which were evacuating people from the Karelian Isthmus. Due to the armistice between Finland and the Soviet Union, Vesikko was ordered to return to port on 19 September 1944. Vesikko sailed the last time as a combat vessel of the Finnish Navy in December 1944.
During wartime, several officers were commanders of the submarine: Ltn. Kauko Pekkanen (1939), Capt. Ltn. Olavi Aittola (1940 and 1941), Capt. Ltn. Antti Leino (1942), Capt. Ltn. Pentti Airaksinen (1942), Capt. Ltn. Eero Pakkala (1943), Capt. Ltn. Olavi Syrjänen (1943), and Capt. Ltn. Lauri Parma (1944).
In January 1945, the Allies' Commission responsible for monitoring the observance of the Peace treaty ordered the Finnish submarines to be disarmed, and in 1947 according to the terms of the Paris Peace Treaty, the Finnish Defence Forces were forbidden to have any submarines.
The Finnish submarines Vetehinen, Vesihiisi, Iku-Turso, and Saukko were sold to Belgium to be scrapped in 1953. Vesikko was spared because the Finnish Defence Forces hoped that Finland could in future gain permission to use submarines again, and Vesikko was then meant to be used for training purposes. Vesikko was stored at the Valmet Oy dock in Katajanokka district in Helsinki.
In 1959, the Finnish Navy decided to sell Vesikko because Finland had not managed to obtain the right to use submarines again, and because Valmet Oy complained that the old submarine hampered the work in the dock.
Thanks to the Institute of Military History and the former submarine officers, the sale was cancelled and Vesikko was conveyed to the Military Museum.
The Military Museum moved Vesikko to Susisaari island in Suomenlinna, on the shores of Artillery Bay, and restored the submarine. The restoration process lasted over a decade and was very difficult; most of the equipment had been removed after the war and put to other use. In addition, Vesikko had been subject to vandalism in the dock. However, with donations and voluntary work, the restoration was completed, and Vesikko opened as a museum on the anniversary of the Finnish Navy 9 July 1973.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_submarine_Vesikko
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Helsinki, Finland.
Access Vesikko virtually here: www.thinglink.com/video/913675598549745665
Hi guys! :3 I have been playing lots of Tom Clancys Rainbow Six Vegas 2, and this fig is inspired by it :) And please don't comment that it's a crappy game, 'cause I like it! This fig is showcasing my new, simple mod: Uzi with a mag! The mag is made of BF grease gun.
This fig is inspired by few guys :) (I will tag you, hope you don't mind!)
Anyways: Enjoy!
c/n 4140324, l/n 40-02.
NATO codename:- Classic
Built in October 1981 and originally operated by the Soviet government. Briefly leased to Guyana Airways in June 1984, but was back in full Aeroflot service a month later. It remained with Aeroflot for the rest of its active career, being reregisted as ‘RA-86462’ during 1992.
Retired at Sheremetyevo in 1998, it was donated to the Moscow Technical University of Civil Aviation as an instructional airframe. It moved in 2015 to its current location in front of the ATC centre on the North side of SVO and is now permanently preserved and wearing Aeroflot colours.
Sheremetyevo International Airport, Moscow, Russia.
27th August 2017
c/n 65010809.
NATO codename:- Beagle
Previously coded ’10 red’
Although over 6,600 were built, the IL-28 is now a very rare beast.
This example is on display at the Central Armed Forces Museum,
Moscow, Russia.
26th August 2017
c/n 5910203.
Built 1966.
NATO codename:- Hormone-B
The ‘K’ variant 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 Air Force museum, Monino, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
27th August 2017
Operation United Shield was the codename of the multinational military operation that was conducted 9 January 1995 to 3 March 1995. Commanded by the United States, the Combined Task Force (CTF) comprising the navies of Pakistan, Italy and the United States were tasked with to ensure the safe evacuation of all United Nations Peacekeeping troops, combining the armies of United Kingdom, Pakistan, France, Malaysia, and the United States including the U.S. Marines, from Somalia. The six USN combatant vessels assisted by the two Italian and two Pakistan Navy combatant vessels, successfully evacuated the UN forces from Somalia and successfully executed the operation after securing the tactical and strategic objectives of the course of mission.
Operation United Shield assisted the withdrawal of United Nations peacekeeping troops from Somalia. The decision came in response to a long-standing U.N. request for American protection of its peacekeeping forces serving in the war-torn African nation. On 03 March 1995, after two years and $2 billion, the United Nations concluded its withdrawal from Somalia. Under the protective cover of a seven-nation task force, 2,500 Pakistani and Bangladeshi peacekeepers completed their withdrawal and began their journey home. About 1,800 US Marines and 350 Italian Marines landed on 01 March to safeguard the movement. The 73-hour operation was successful. The Marines' return marked the second landing in Somalia in 27 months.
c/n 1707.
NATO codename:- Fitter-A
The ‘B’ was the initial ground-attack variant of which 431 were built.
On display at the Central Air Force museum, Monino, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
27th August 2017
c/n unknown.
NATO codename ‘Maya’.
Although completely unmarked and therefore unidentified, this L-29 appears to be in airworthy condition.
It was seen on static display at the Aviation cluster of the ARMY 2017 event.
Kubinka Airbase, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
24th August 2017
c/n 0390320859.
NATO codename:- Flogger-K
Previously in store at Kubinka coded ’44 blue’. 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
Omaha Beach, view from WN60, Normandy, France
Omaha Beach
Omaha was divided into ten sectors, codenamed (from west to east): Able, Baker, Charlie, Dog Green, Dog White, Dog Red, Easy Green, Easy Red, Fox Green and Fox Red. On june 6, 1944 -D-Day - the initial assault on Omaha was to be made by two Regimental Combat Teams (RCT), supported by two tank battalions, with two battalions of Rangers also attached. The RCT's were part of the veteran 1st Infantry division ("The Big Red One") and the untested 29th ("Blue and Grey") , a National Guard unit.
The plan was to make frontal assaults at the "draws" (valleys) in the bluffs which dominate the coast in Normandy , codenamed west to east they were called D-1, D-3, E-1, E-3 and F-1 . These draws could then be used to move inland with reserves and vehicles.
The Germans were not stupid; they knew the draws were vital and concentrated their limited resources in defending them. To this end they built "Widerstandsneste" with AT guns, mortars, MG's in Tobrul's, trenches and bunkers, manned by soldiers of the German 716th and - more recently - 352nd Infantry Division, a large portion of whom were teenagers, though they were supplemented by veterans who had fought on the Eastern Front. All in all some 1100 German soldiers defended the entire Omaha beach sector of over 5 miles.
Preliminary bombardments were almost totally ineffective and when the initial waves - on this sector units of the 1st American division "The Big Red One" and combat engineers of the 299th - landed on low tide they met with fiece opposition of an enemy well dug in and prepared.
Casualties were heaviest amongst the troops landing at either end of Omaha. At Fox Green and Easy Red, scattered elements of three companies were reduced to half strength by the time they gained the relative safety of the shingle, many of them having crawled the 300 yards (270 m) of beach just ahead of the incoming tide. Casualties on this spot were especially heavy amongst the first waves of soldiers and the demolition teams - at Omaha these were tasked with blasting 16 channels through the beach obstacles, each 70 meters wide. German gunfire from the bluffs above the beach took a heavy toll on these men. The demolition teams managed to blast only six complete gaps and three partial ones; more than half their engineers were killed in the process.
Situation here on Easy Red and at Dog Green on the other end of Omaha by mid morning was so bad with nearly all the troops essentially pinned down on the beach gen. Eisenhower seriously considered to abandon the operation.
As the US first waves assault forces and combat engineers landing directly opposite the "draws" were pinned down it was up to forces landing on the flanks of the strongpoints to penetrate the weaker German defences by climbing the bluffs. Doing this they had to overcome the minefields and barbed wire as well as machinegun fire from German positions but they did and they were able to attack some key strongpoints from the side and the rear, taking them out by early afternoon.
This happened on several spots at Omaha and essentially saved the day: individual acts of initiative by lower ranked officers and courage like that of First Lieutenant Jimmy Monteith, who led a group of men to take one of the key German widerstandsneste and was killed in action, succeeded where a flawed plan failed.
Robert Capa and the battle for Easy Red
Amongst the second wave of infantry and Combat Engineers at Easy Red was the famous war photographer Robert Capa. He arrived around 07.30, and waded ashore towards the beach overlooked by bluffs.
Judging from the photo's Capa made with his Zeiss Ikon Contax II he disembarked on the western end of Easy Red just missing the killzone and in a relatively lighter defended area between two German positions. It's the very same place from where Lt. Spalding and his men are the first to climb the bluff and take out a German position.
Capa is the last man to leave the "Higgins Boat" which probably carries the support team of a Company. His first few shots show him following these men towards the beach. Capa takes some more shots and then embarks on an LCI which takes wounded men towards the bigger ships. He hands over the film which is shipped back to England the very same morning. What we see are blurred, surreal shots, which succinctly conveyed the chaos and confusion of the day.
Example; See: www.flickr.com/photos/herbnl/7002443857/in/photostream (one of the first shots; note the men of Easy Company wading towards the DD tanks which arrived minutes before the infantry to support them. Most of them were either sunk before reaching the beach or consequently destroyed by the German AT fire.
The Defenses - WN60
"Widerstandsnest" 60 or WN60 is the easternmost of the 14 Widerstandsneste that guarded Omaha Beach in june 1944. It It guarded the small "Fox-1" exit and has a perfect view over Omaha beach. It was at this spot that the real Major Werner Pluskat first saw the invasion fleet approach, a scene made famous in the 1962 movie "The Longest Day" (though shot on a location several miles to the east , the Longueville Battery).
WN60 was manned by some forty soldiers of the German 716th Static Inf.Division. For armament it had a 7.5 cm Gun, several Mortar positions and some MG's as well as a 2cm Flak 38 gun.
D-Day
This area was designated to the 1st US infantry division (The Big Red One) and elements of the 3/16th RCT landed here from 06.30 (writer Ernest Hemingway was among them - check his book "Voyage to Victory"). Despite the heavy casualties inflicted on them by WN60 and WN61 around 08.00 US soldiers started to climb the bluffs. Among them was 1st Lt. Jimmy W. Monteith who directed the fire of destroyers and two Sherman tanks. He was to be awarded with the Medal of Honor for his role in the taking of WN60, posthumously. The men of L/116th managed to reach te top of the bluff some time before nine 'o clock and attack the WN60 from the rear. Throwing grenades and satchel charges they blasted the Germans out and were able to report the taking of WN60 around 09.00. This was the first of the German strongpoint to be taken and it opened up the small Fox-1 exit through the bluffs though it was not before evening that the first tanks were able to use it.
the Photo
The photo was taken from WN60 overlooking the beach to the west
Note the curve in the beach and the perfect view one has from this high point overlooking the whole of Omaha's 5 mile stretch of beach.
Shot with a Nikon D7000 and Tokina AT-X Pro SD 12-24mm F4 lens, august 2012. Tonemapped using three differently exposed (handheld) shots.
See my other Omaha beach photo's for more viewpoints, panorama shots and notes on the fighting
.
.
c/n 53005771.
NATO codename:- Beagle
The IL-28 was the first successful Soviet jet bomber. It first flew in 1948 and at least 6,700 were built.
This is the basic three-seat bomber version.
On display at the Central Air Force museum, Monino, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
27th August 2017
Codenamed Revuelto, Automotive Rhythms witnessed Lamborghini’s plug-in hybrid HPEV in person during a private event at the Lamborghini Lounge in NY. The high-performance electrified bull (maximum rev range of 9500 rpm) combines a naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter V12 mid-engine with an 8-speed, double-clutch gearbox and three electric motors. Additionally, the artisan-crafted carbon fiber supercar offers three new drive modes: Recharge, Hybrid, and Performance, to be combined with the Città (City), Strada, Sport, and Corsa modes, for a total of 13 dynamic settings including electric 4WD.
⁃ 2.5 seconds 0 to 62 mph
⁃ 217 mph top speed
The Ford EA Falcon is a car which was produced by Ford Australia from 1988 to 1991. The vehicle was developed under the codename EA26, representing a large 'E' segment car, developed in 'A' Australia. The 26 represented the nominal 26th engineering project. The program launched as the EA in 1988, with EB, ED, EF and EL major updates in 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1996 respectively.
The EA series was available in eight model variants. Comprising Base (GL), sporty (S), mid-spec (Fairmont) and luxury (Fairmont Ghia). These models were available in four-door sedan and 5-door wagon variants.
The Falcon nameplate was not used on Fairmont & Fairmont Ghia models.
No commercial vehicle variants of the EA were developed and the existing XF Falcon utility and panel van both continued in production alongside the EA passenger vehicles.
Long-wheelbase sedans (Fairlane and LTD) were further developed from the standard Falcon, sharing the longer wheelbase and doors of the wagon models.
Engines and transmissions:
Engine choice comprised three straight-six units: the 3.2 litre and 3.9 litre with ”CFI” throttle body injection and a 3.9 litre with ”MPI” multi-point fuel injection. The Falcon GL was equipped with the 3.2 L straight-six, although most were sold with the 3.9 CFI. The 3.9 L CFI engine was available in the Falcon S and in the Fairmont and the MPI version was standard in the top of the range Fairmont Ghia. The return of the V8 "Windsor" engine did not occur until the EB update.Engines for all Falcon models were manufactured and assembled at Ford's Geelong operations (also home to the Stamping Plant)
A five-speed T50D fully synchronised manual and Borg-Warner Model M51 three-speed automatic transmission were offered, however the latter was replaced by a four-speed BTR Model 85LE in the Series II range then updated to the BTR 95LE in the EB update in 1991. Taxi owners, however, would continue to fit reconditioned 3-speed M51 automatic transmissions (as these were less costly) to these cars, until the bellhousing design was finally changed in later models preventing this practice[citation needed].
Development:
The result of a A$700 million development program, the EA Falcon bore a passing resemblance to the European Ford Scorpio. However under the skin, it remained an entirely Australian design, and is credited as the first Falcon model to employ wind tunnel testing. It would retain the traditional Falcon hallmarks of width and rear-wheel drive. This proved to be the correct move as sales of the Falcon began to climb after the fuel crisis aftermath, while those of the rival Commodore slipped. It became clear that Australian buying patterns had not truly changed and what the public wanted was a full-size (albeit smaller) family car.
The story of what might have been, regarding Falcon is as interesting as what 'was'. The furl crises of the 1970s caused a significant down-sizing of vehicles in the US, whilst in all markets a larger number of smaller vehicles were introduced from manufacturers who previously had focused on larger cars. Also. at this time, the Ford Motor Company had taken a large shareholding in Toyo Kogyo (more commonly known as Mazda). Ford intended to use Mazda's expertise in designing small efficient vehicles to provide a range of platforms that Ford (through its joint venture studio in Hiroshima) and also Ford Australia's design and engineering operations, to make suitable alterations to these platforms such that the vehicles could be sold as Fords throughout Asia-Pacific, and even the US.
Project Capricorn was the codename for a vehicle derived from the front-wheel-drive Mazda 626, utilising a longer wheelbase, that was to replace the Falcon XF (the last update of the XD-XE-XF series launched in 1979). Work commenced shortly after the XD launch.
An image and small amount of text is shown at the following link:
www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11301296
The EA, however retained much of the platform from preceding generations of Falcon model, dating back to the 1960s. This allowed the vehicle to retain its 'full-size' status, something that was considered an asset in the Australian market prior to the rise in popularity of 4WD wagons, crossovers, or comfortable 5-seat pickup trucks.
In addition, Ford's dominance of the taxi market in Australia meant that a car that could comfortably seat three along the back seat—and even the front, with a bench seat installed—was necessary. It also ensured that Ford could retain, at least until Holden released the new Statesman/Caprice in 1990, the market for official cars for governmental use.
Success of the EA generation Ford Falcon allowed Ford to be the top selling car brand through much of the 1980s and into the 1990s, along with Falcon being the most popular car for much of this time.
[Some text taken from Wikipedia].
This Lego miniland-scale Ford Falcon S Sedan (EA26) has been created for Flickr LUGNuts' 85th Build Challenge, - "Like, Totally 80's", - for vehicles created during the decade of the 1980's.
Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 (internally codenamed LB834 [coupe] and LB835 [roadster]),[2] is a two-door, two-seat sports car set to replace the Murciélago in the Italian automaker's lineup.[3] It was launched at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show on March 1. It features a brand new 6.5 litre V12 engine, producing 691 hp (515 kW). It was designed by Filippo Perini of Lamborghini Centro Stile under the direction of Lamborghini chief of design Manfred Fitzgerald.[2]
Performance is set to be: 0-62 mph (0–100 km/h, 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds) in just 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 217 mph (350 km/h). Lamborghini says that the Aventador is two generations ahead of anything else on sale, using Formula One-style suspension and a lightweight carbon fibre monocoque.[4]
The etymology of the name comes from Lamborghini's traditional fascination with the world of bullfighting. In this case, the Aventador was named for a Spanish fighting bull from the breeding stables of the sons of Don Celestino Cuadri Vides. Signed number 32 on his hide, Aventador gained fame in 1993 in the town of Zaragoza, Spain after a notably spirited, bloody and violent battle with a torero that earned it the “Trofeo de la Peña La Madroñera" for its courage.[2][5]
Its transmission, a single-clutch 7-speed semi-automatic, is built by Graziano Trasmissioni.[6][7] Despite being single-clutch, gear-shifts are accomplished significantly faster than a dual clutch, in only 50 milliseconds.
Production will be limited to 4000 units (4099 Murciélagos have been built). The moulds used to make the carbon-fibre monocoque are expected to last 500 units each and only 8 have been made.[8]
Omaha Beach - Widerstandsnest 62 - Easy Red sector with the 5th US Engineer Special Brigade Monument
Omaha Beach
5th US Engineer Special Brigade Monument - Widerstandsnest 62 - Eay Red sector, Omaha Beach.
Omaha beach is a stretch of beach roughly 5 miles or 8 km. long between Vierville-sur-Mer and Ste Honorine des pertes on the coast of Normandy. It was one of the five designated landing areas for the biggest invasion ever during WWII in the summer of 1944.
Omaha was divided into ten sectors by the Allies; codenamed (from west to east): Able, Baker, Charlie, Dog Green, Dog White, Dog Red, Easy Green, Easy Red, Fox Green and Fox Red.
On june 6, 1944 -D-Day - the initial assault on Omaha was to be made by two Regimental Combat Teams (RCT), supported by two tank battalions, with two battalions of Rangers also attached. The RCT's were part of the veteran 1st Infantry division ("The Big Red One") and the untested 29th div.("Blue and Grey") , a National Guard unit.
The plan was to make frontal assaults at the "draws" (valleys) in the bluffs which dominate the coast in Normandy. Codenamed west to east they were called D-1, D-3, E-1, E-3 and F-1 . These draws could then be used to move inland with reserves and vehicles.
The German defenders were not stupid; they knew the draws were vital and concentrated their limited resources in defending them. To this end and lead by the famous "Desert Fox" Field-Marshall Erwin Rommel they built "Widerstandsneste" with AT guns, mortars, MG's in Tobruk's, trenches and bunkers. These were manned by soldiers of the German 716th and 352nd Infantry Division, a large portion of whom were teenagers, though they were supplemented by veterans who had fought on the Eastern Front . All in all some 1100 German soldiers defended the entire Omaha beach sector.
Preliminary bombardments were almost totally ineffective and when the initial waves landed at low tide they met with fiece opposition of an enemy well dug in and prepared. Most of the floating tanks (Sherman DD type) never made it to the beach due to the rough seas or were taken out by AT guns. Their role to support the infantry following them was reduced to almost zero before the battle even begun.
Casualties were heaviest amongst the troops landing at either end of Omaha. At Fox Green and Easy Red scattered elements of three companies were reduced to half strength by the time they gained the relative safety of the shingle, many of them having crawled the app. 300 yards (270 m) of beach just ahead of the incoming tide. Casualties were especially heavy amongst the first waves of infantry and the "gap assault teams" made by Combat Engineers - at Omaha these were tasked with blasting channels through the beach obstacles.
Situation at Dog Green and Easy Red by mid morning was so bad with nearly all the troops essentially pinned down on the beach gen. Eisenhower seriously considered to abandon the operation; in "First Wave at OMAHA Beach", S.L.A. Marshall, chief U.S. Army combat historian, called it "an epic human tragedy which in the early hours bordered on total disaster."
As the first waves of infantry, tanks and combat engineers landing directly opposite the "draws" were pinned down it was up to forces landing on the flanks of these strongpoints to penetrate the weaker German defences by climbing the bluffs. Doing this they had to overcome minefields and barbed wire as well as machinegun fire from German positions but they did and they were able to attack some key strongpoints from the side and the rear, taking them out by early afternoon.
This happened on several spots at Omaha and essentially saved the day: individual acts of initiative by lower ranked officers and courage like that of First Lieutenant Jimmy Monteith, who led a group of men to take one of the key German widerstandsneste and was killed in action, succeeded where a flawed plan failed. By the end of the day most of the German strongpoints had been taken and the battle was won - albeit at a terrible cost.
On the photo
Bunker of Widerstandsnest 62 with the Engineer Special Brigade Memorial. It was in this sector of Omaha Beach that the Combat Egineers at great personal cost managed to clear several paths in the German obstacle Belts thus enabling landing craft to still land here and bring reinforcements when the tide was rising.
Three (handheld) shots were used for this tonemapped photo using a Nikon D7000 DSLR with a Tokina 12-24mm, August 2012.
See my other Omaha beach photo's for more viewpoints, panorama shots and notes on the fighting
For a map of the eastern part of Omaha click here. The German WN's are marked as well as the Draws and beach sections.
c/n 10MK51407.
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 taxiing out to display at the Aviation cluster of the ARMY 2017 event.
Kubinka Airbase, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
23rd August 2017
c/n 5050051.
NATO codename:- Blinder-A
The futuristic looking Tu-22 actually first flew in 1959 and served with the Soviet Air Force until 1998! Despite being fast, it did not have the range of payload of the Tu-16 already in service. Only 311 were built and soon superceded by the much improved Tu-22M.
The Tu-22 saw combat as a bomber while in service with both Libyian and Iraqi air forces, while in Soviet use it flew as an electronic jammer during the 1988 withdrawal from Afghanistan.
This is one of the original ‘A’ model standard bombers, of which only 15 were built. It is on display at the Central Air Force museum, Monino, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
27th August 2017
Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 (internally codenamed LB834 [coupe] and LB835 [roadster]),[2] is a two-door, two-seat sports car set to replace the Murciélago in the Italian automaker's lineup.[3] It was launched at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show on March 1. It features a brand new 6.5 litre V12 engine, producing 691 hp (515 kW). It was designed by Filippo Perini of Lamborghini Centro Stile under the direction of Lamborghini chief of design Manfred Fitzgerald.[2]
Performance is set to be: 0-62 mph (0–100 km/h, 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds) in just 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 217 mph (350 km/h). Lamborghini says that the Aventador is two generations ahead of anything else on sale, using Formula One-style suspension and a lightweight carbon fibre monocoque.[4]
The etymology of the name comes from Lamborghini's traditional fascination with the world of bullfighting. In this case, the Aventador was named for a Spanish fighting bull from the breeding stables of the sons of Don Celestino Cuadri Vides. Signed number 32 on his hide, Aventador gained fame in 1993 in the town of Zaragoza, Spain after a notably spirited, bloody and violent battle with a torero that earned it the “Trofeo de la Peña La Madroñera" for its courage.[2][5]
Its transmission, a single-clutch 7-speed semi-automatic, is built by Graziano Trasmissioni.[6][7] Despite being single-clutch, gear-shifts are accomplished significantly faster than a dual clutch, in only 50 milliseconds.
Production will be limited to 4000 units (4099 Murciélagos have been built). The moulds used to make the carbon-fibre monocoque are expected to last 500 units each and only 8 have been made.[8]
c/n 2930105
NATO codename:- Maestro
The ‘U’ was a dual control training variant with an additional cockpit in the forward nose. 183 were built.
This example is stored in a far corner of the site at Monino, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
27th August 2017
+++ DISCLAIMER +++
Nothing you see here is real, even though the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!
Some background:
The Heinkel He 162 Volksjäger ("People's Fighter"), the name of a project of the Emergency Fighter Program design competition, was a German single-engine, jet-powered fighter aircraft fielded by the Luftwaffe in World War II. It was designed and built quickly and made primarily of wood as metals were in very short supply and prioritised for other aircraft. Volksjäger was the Reich Air Ministry's official name for the government design program competition won by the He 162 design. Other names given to the plane include Salamander, which was the codename of its construction program, and Spatz ("Sparrow"), which was the official name given to the plane by Heinkel.
The official RLM Volksjäger design competition was issued 10 September 1944 and its parameters specified a single-seat fighter, powered by a single BMW 003, a slightly lower-thrust engine not in demand for either the Me 262 or the Ar 234, already in service. The main structure of the Volksjäger competing airframe designs would use cheap and unsophisticated parts made of wood and other non-strategic materials and, more importantly, could be assembled by semi- and non-skilled labor. Specifications included a weight of no more than 2,000 kg (4,400 lb), with maximum speed specified as 750 km/h (470 mph) at sea level, operational endurance at least a half hour, and the takeoff run no more than 500 m (1,640 ft). Armament was specified as either two 20 mm (0.79 in) MG 151/20 cannons with 100 rounds each, or two 30 mm (1.2 in) MK 108 cannons with 50 rounds each. The Volksjäger needed to be easy to fly. Some suggested even glider or student pilots should be able to fly the jet effectively in combat, and indeed had the Volksjäger gone into full production, and that is precisely what would have happened.
The basic designs had to be returned within 10 days (!!!) and large-scale production was to start by 1 January 1945. Because the winner of the new lightweight fighter design competition would be building huge numbers of the planes, nearly every German aircraft manufacturer expressed interest in the project, such as Blohm & Voss, and Focke-Wulf, whose Focke-Wulf Volksjäger 1 design contender, likewise meant for BMW 003 turbojet power bore a resemblance to their slightly later Ta 183 Huckebein jet fighter design. However, Heinkel had already been working on a series of projects for light single-engine fighters over the last year under the designation P.1073, with most design work being completed by Professor Benz, and had gone so far as to build and test several models and conduct some wind tunnel testing.
Although some of the competing designs were technically superior, with Heinkel's head start the outcome was largely a foregone conclusion. The results of the competition were announced in October 1944, only three weeks after being announced, and to no one's surprise, the Heinkel entry was selected for production. In order to confuse Allied intelligence, the RLM chose to reuse the 8-162 airframe designation (formerly that of a Messerschmitt fast bomber) rather than the other considered designation He 500.
Heinkel had designed a relatively small, 'sporty'-looking aircraft, with a sleek, streamlined fuselage. Overall, the look of the plane was extremely modernistic for its time, appearing quite contemporary in terms of layout and angular arrangement even to today's eyes. The BMW 003 axial-flow turbojet was mounted in a pod nacelle uniquely situated atop the fuselage, just aft of the cockpit and centered directly over the wing's center section. Twin roughly rectangular vertical tailfins were perpendicularly mounted at the ends of highly dihedralled horizontal tailplanes – possessing dihedral of some 14º apiece – to clear the jet exhaust, a high-mounted straight wing (attached to the fuselage with just four bolts) with a forward-swept trailing edge and a noticeably marked degree of dihedral, with an ejection seat provided for the.
The He 162 airframe design featured an uncomplicated tricycle landing gear, that retracted into the fuselage, performed simply with extension springs, mechanical locks, cables and counterweights, and a minimum of any hydraulics employed in its design. Partly due to the late-war period it was designed within, some of the He 162's landing gear components were "recycled" existing landing gear components from a contemporary German military aircraft to save development time: the main landing gear's oleo struts and wheel/brake units came from the Messerschmitt Bf 109K, as well as the double-acting hydraulic cylinders, one per side, used to raise and lower each maingear leg.
The He 162 V1 first prototype flew within an astoundingly short period of time: the design was chosen on 25 September 1944 and first flew on 6 December, less than 90 days later. This was despite the fact that the factory in Wuppertal making Tego film plywood glue — used in a substantial number of late-war German aviation designs whose airframes and/or major airframe components were meant to be constructed mostly from wood — had been bombed by the Royal Air Force and a replacement had to be quickly substituted, without realizing that the replacement adhesive was highly acidic and would disintegrate the wooden parts it was intended to be fastening.
The first flight of the He 162 was fairly successful, but during a high-speed run at 840 km/h (520 mph), the highly acidic replacement glue attaching the nose gear strut door failed and the pilot was forced to land. Other problems were noted as well, notably a pitch instability and problems with sideslip due to the rudder design. None were considered important enough to hold up the production schedule for even a day. On a second flight on 10 December, the glue again caused a structural failure. This allowed the aileron to separate from the wing, causing the plane to roll over and crash, killing the pilot.
An investigation into the failure revealed that the wing structure had to be strengthened and some redesign was needed, as the glue bonding required for the wood parts was in many cases defective. However, the schedule was so tight that testing was forced to continue with the current design. Speeds were limited to 500 km/h (310 mph) when the second prototype flew on 22 December. This time, the stability problems proved to be more serious, and were found to be related to Dutch roll, which could be solved by reducing the dihedral. However, with the plane supposed to enter production within weeks, there was no time to change the design. A number of small changes were made instead, including adding lead ballast to the nose to move the centre of gravity more to the front of the plane, and slightly increasing the size of the tail surfaces.
The third and fourth prototypes, which now used an "M" for "Muster" (model) number instead of "V" for "Versuchs" (experimental) number, as the He 162 M3 and M4, after being fitted with the strengthened wings, flew in mid-January 1945. These versions also included small, anhedraled aluminium "drooped" wingtips, reportedly designed by Alexander Lippisch, in an attempt to cure the stability problems via effectively "decreasing" the main wing panels' marked three degree dihedral angle. Both prototypes were equipped with two 30 mm (1.18 in) MK 108 cannons in the He 162 A-1 anti-bomber variant; in testing, the recoil from these guns proved to be too much for the lightweight fuselage to handle, and plans for production turned to the A-2 fighter with two 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons instead while a redesign for added strength started as the A-3. The shift to 20 mm guns was also undertaken because the smaller-calibre weapons would allow a much greater amount of ammunition to be carried.
Various changes had raised the weight over the original 2,000 kg (4,410 lb) limit, but even at 2,800 kg (6,170 lb), the aircraft was still among the fastest aircraft in the air with a maximum airspeed of 790 km/h (427 kn; 491 mph) at sea level and 839 km/h (453 kn; 521 mph) at 6,000 m (20,000 ft).
While still trying to optimize the basic He 162 A for production and frontline service, Heinkel was already working on improved variants, slated for production in 1946. Among these were the He 162 B, powered by Heinkel's own, more powerful 12 kN (2,700 lb) thrust Heinkel HeS 011A turbojet, with a stretched fuselage to provide more fuel and endurance as well as increased wingspan, with reduced dihedral which allowed the omission of the anhedral wingtip devices. Another, even more radical variant, was the He 162 C. It was based on the B-series longer fuselage and was to carry the stronger Heinkel HeS 011A engine, too, but it had totally different aerodynamic surfaces: swept-back, anhedraled outer wing panels with slats formed a gull wing and a new swept V-tail stabilizing surface assembly replaced the original twin-tail. The armament was also changed and was to consist of upward-aimed twin 30 mm (1.18 in) MK 108s as a Schräge Musik weapons fitment, located right behind the cockpit, with the option to add a 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon in an external fairing under the fuselage.
In order to test the new aerodynamic layout, a He 162 C prototype was converted from airframe 220023, the He 162 A prototype M35, which had been damaged through Allied bombings. The resulting He 162 C-0, how this interim type was called, received the new serial number 390635 and retained the short He 162 A airframe and its forward-firing armament, as well as the weaker BMW 003 engine (the HeS 011A turbojet was still on the horizon, after all).
To carry the new swept "C-wing", the fuselage was structurally altered and the wing attachment points were moved forward. The wings, which were still manufactured mostly from wood, were still held only by four bolts apiece. As a novelty, the new wings featured, thanks to a thicker profile, additional tanks inside of their inner portions which held some 325 litres (86 US gal), feeding by gravity into the main fuselage tank. Slats were also added for better staring and landing handling and to improve agility at lower speeds. The tail cone was also modified in order to carry the new butterfly tail, but the fuselage structure as well as the cockpit and the landing gear were taken over from the He 162 A.
The first He 162 C-0 (registered with the Stammkennzeichen VN+DA and designated "M48") made its successful maiden flight at Heinkel's production facility at Salzburg in Austria on 7th of May 1945. The initial flight tests, which only lasted two weeks, were positive. Esp. the handling and directional stability had improved in comparison with the rather trappy He 162 A, and despite the higher weight due to more fuel and the bigger wings, the He 162 C-0's performance was better than the He 162 A's. Beyond the better handling characteristics, top speed was slightly higher (plus 20 km/h or 15 mph) and the aircraft's endurance was almost doubled. Plans were made to replace the He 162 A soon on the production lines, but with the end of hostilities the He 162 C program was prematurely terminated. Two more prototypes (M49 and 50) were under construction at Salzburg when the Red Army arrived, and all airframes including the project's documentations were destroyed - probably by German engineers who tried to prevent them to fall into Allied hands.
General characteristics:
Crew: 1, pilot
Length (incl. pitot): 10, 73 m (35 ft 1 1/2 in)
Wingspan: 8,17 m (26 ft 9 in)
Height: 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 16.4 m2 (177 sq ft)
Empty weight: 1.980 kg (4.361 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 3.500 kg (7.710 lb)
Fuel capacity of 1,020 litres (270 US gallons)
Powerplant:
1× BMW 003E-1 axial flow turbojet, rated at 7.85 kN (1,760 lbf)
Performance:
Maximum speed: 810 km/h (503 mph) at normal thrust at sea level;
865 km/h (537 mph) at 6000 m; using short burst of extra thrust
Range: 1.800 km (1.110 mi)
Service ceiling: 13.000 m (42.570 400 ft)
Rate of climb: 1.650 m/min (5.400 ft/min)
Armament (as flown):
2× 20 mm MG 151/20 autocannons with 120 RPG
The kit and its assemby:Painting and markings:
As a prototype aircraft I wanted something unusual, but nothing flashy or too exotic. I iamgined that the He 162 C prototype might have been converted from an existing airframe, so I gave some parts of the model (tail cone, upper fuselage, engine pod) standard He 162 A colors, RLM 81, 82 and 76.
However, for the modified cockpit section and the new ing attachment points, I decided to add section in natural metal finish, and as a special detail I added greenish filler that was used on panel seams. The nose cone became RLM 02, for more variety.
The makeshift look was further emphasized through wing panels that were left in bare laminated wood look, with metal tips and camouflaged rudders. The wooden texture was created with a basis of Humbrol 63 (Sand) and some poorly-stirred Humbrol 62 (Leather) added on top with a flat, rather hard brush. Very simple, but the effect - at least at fist glance - is very good, and the unusual color makes the model look much more interesting than camouflaged surfaces.
The markings were puzzled together from various sources, including German crosses from a Special Hobby Fw 189 sheet and from TL Modellbau. The Stammkennzeichen and the "M48" designation were created with single black decals letters, also from TL Modellbau.
Finally, after a black ink washing and some post-shading, the model was sealed with matt acrylic varnish.
A nice and simple what-if/Luft '46 project, done in less than a week. And for the attempt to create a model of a paper project (beyond pure fantasy), I am happy with the result, the model comes pretty close to the drawings, even though noone can tell what a real prototype might have looked like.
c/n 0390206625.
NATO codename:- Flogger-G
Stored in a far corner of the site at Monino, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
27th August 2017
ID:05 codename "Lemon Lime" history log:
11.4.2451 - Discovered during underground exploration. Object has humanoid form, found unresponsive/dormant.
11.7.2451 - Excavated, transferred to secure facility for research.
11.8.2451 - Cleaning revealed yellow and green outer plating, vastly complex mechanical system on interior.
11.9.2451 - Object tagged as 05 and code-named "Lemon Lime."
11.11.2451 - Experts suggest object's structure is reminiscent of mech designs circa. 2200. However, object has no apparent control center for a pilot.
11.12.2451 - Experts detect several new interior components with unknown function.
11.16.2451 - Object activates spontaneously.
11.17.2451 - Object responds to human communication by waving with left hand.
12.20.2451 - Numerous tests conclude object is capable of high level problem solving. Object sentience is debated among experts.
12.25.2451 - Researcher waves back to object. Object speaks.
Final Analysis -
Object ID:05 is a modified mech capable of free thought, problem solving, and learning due to additional components with previously undiscovered technology. Object displays curiosity and communicates verbally at times. Object is not considered a threat but requires further observation.
---
Entry to Brickset's Character Building Competition.
Aerospace Bristol
Chevaline Warhead
Chevaline was the codename given to a program begun in 1970 to improve the penetration performance of the UK's force of Polaris submarine-launched ballistic missiles in order to give them the capability to overcome Soviet ABM defenses.
Filton was not involved in the devleopment of Nuclear Technology but worked on the improvements to the Chevaline system.
Codenamed "Оранжевый кобры," or Orange Cobra, the Mk. 7 Marauder was a heavy weapons mobility platform developed by both Soviet and Japanese engineers. The Soviet Union's negotiation of a Sino-Russo Alliance prior to World War II forestalled any possibility of conflict between the early Soviet Union and the Japanese Empire. Fast forward half a century and the combined technological mastery of both powers results in the development of heavily armored mechanical suits.
The Marauder is equipped with a chain-fed 30mm autocannon, two HK-67 "Cougar" anti-armor missiles, and a Hellbore Plasma Cannon. Both cannons are hand carried, allowing for a versatility in operational capabilities. Especially important to the capability of the Marauder is its innovative Dual Pumped-Fusion Reactors, which provide the necessary energy for suit movement and weapons. Using special tubes, energy and plasma are conducted to the Hellbore Plasma Cannon.
I haven't been a regular poster of my work on Flickr, but I'd like to change that so here is something to start it all off. Comments and criticism welcome.
c/n 61912538152.
NATO codename:- Flogger-D
Previously part of the museum collection at the old Khodynka Airport site in Central Moscow, where it was coded ’51 blue’.
Now on display at the Vadim Zadorozhny Technical Museum, Arkhangelskoye, Moscow Oblast, Russia.
26th August 2017
Affiliation: Red Military, ARMY sub division
Squad: Delta
Name: [Classified]
Codename: "Wolf"
Age: 24
Issued Weapon: M90 Shotgun
Issued Gear: Mark V Grenaider
Bio: Drafted into the Red Military at age 24 "Wolf" was assigned to Delta squad for his CQB tactics and hatred for the Blue's. He serves with loyalty and a determination to put an end to the war, and have his side win.
The Kargil War of 1999, codenamed Operation Vijay by the Indian Army, saw infiltration by Pakistani troops into parts of Western Ladakh, namely Dras, Kargil and Batalik sectors, overlooking key locations on the Srinagar-Leh highway. Extensive operations were launched in high altitudes by the Indian Army on May 20, 1999. Pakistani troops were evicted from the Indian side of the Line of Control which the Indian government ordered was to be respected and which was not crossed by Indian troops.
The recapture of Tololing was one of the most crucial tasks undertaken by the Indian Army during 'Operation Vijay'. Due to its height of over 15,000 ft and its proximity to NH 1D, Tololing is considered one of the most important features of the Kargil-Dras sector. From this height, the intruders, entrenched at safe heights, could observe movement on the Indian side and also disrupt traffic on NH 1D, thereby dominating the entire area. The Indian soldiers were at a disadvantage who had no cover from the onslaught of intruder's bullets and artillery. The initial task of recapturing the height was handed over to 18 Grenadiers who commenced operations on the 21st May 1999. On the night of the final assault (12th June 1999), 2 RAJ RIF was brought in to take advantage of the inroads made by the Grenadiers. They launched a multi directional attack on the Tololing height. After fierce hand to hand encounters, on the early morning of 13th June 1999, Indian soldiers recaptured Tololing.
With initial disaster of one MiG-27 and a MiG-21 on May 26, Mi-17 gunship helicopter units of the Indian Air Force (152 HU - The Mighty Armour and 129 HU - The Nubra Warriors) successfully assaulted the Pakistani intruders on mountainous heights at Tiger Hill complex and Tololing Ridge on subsequent days (26th, 27th and 28th May). On May 28, when Nubra-3, one of the four gunships of Nubra Warriors, was shot down, Indian Air Force withdrew gunships and stopped all air operations. Without air support and as the intruders safely lodged in crevices and bunkers, it was a difficult battle to win.
In contemporary terms this was an expensive war. The Indian forces suffered numerable losses through militarily suicidal missions which left, officially, 413 Indian soldiers killed and 584 injured. Between the Pakistani Army and Mujaheddin 696 fell though there was no official record. The Indian government was criticized by the Indian public because India respected geographical co-ordinates more than India's opponents by not crossing the actual Line of Control. In introspection, intelligence failure and the impatience at the decision-making level in the government occasioned by the political need to conclude operations quickly, led to the army losing many of its men in near-impossible missions. Read: Kargil Post Mortem
Rockets Away - IAF Mi17 Attack on Tololing Hill (youtube video)
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 108M39.
NATO codename Hip-H.
Operated by 221 lbvr, Czech Air Force, based at Námest.
Seen during the 2016 NATO Tiger Meet (NTM) held at Zaragoza Air Base, Spain.
20th May 2016
Equipment Type: anti-aircraft robot, series 05
Government: U.N. Spacy
Manufacturer: Viggers/Chrauler
Introduction: August 2012
Unofficial codename: Whistler, Lawn Mower
Accommodation: 1 pilot and 1 radar operator
Dimensions: height 10.7 meters (hull only), 12.4 meters (incl. extended surveillance antenna); length 5,6 meters; width 6,8 meters
Mass: 29.8 metric tons
Power Plant: Kranss-Maffai MT830 thermonuclear reactor developing 2750 shp; auxillary fuel generator AOS-895-3 rated at 810 kW.
Propulsion: many x low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles.
Design Features: 'Nimrod' Mk. III tracking radar with dish antenna, MPDR 'Argus' range setting and surveillance radar, starlight scope; fully enclosed cockpit.
Armament: 4 x 37 mm air-cooled 6-barrel gatling guns, Type Bofors KDF-11B (firing at 2.000 or 4.000 RPM, standard 1.550 rounds each).
Optional Equipment: 2 x large capacity ammunition drums.
Description and History
The Mk. XI series was immediately developed after the ADR-04-Mk. X Defender proved a successful and powerful anti-aircraft weapon at medium to long ranges. Even though earlier ADR-04 marks with gun armament did not advance into service, the lack of a close range support vehicle with a high rate of fire against smaller and highly maneouverable targets like drones, missiles or even small ground vehicles was detected - even though no official Operative Requirement was published.
From the successful joint development of Viggers-Chrauler which would, besides the ADR-04 also yield MBR designs like the Tomahawk, a prototype of the ADR-04-Mk. XI was built as a private initiative. Utilizing the destroid ambulatory system of the proven 04 chassis series, the new design featured a new torso which housed, beyond the main armament and its ammunition load, a crew of two plus a sophisticated radar system, specifically designed to track and fight multiple, quick and small target at lower height. The whole system offered the option to link up with other sources like the long range radar from the Defender, so that the "Manticore", as the prototype was called, inspired by the mythical beast that would shoot iron spikes from its tail at its enemies, could support aerial defense at close range. The design was presented and approved, and a small batch of 10 pre-production Manticores was converted from the still running ADR-04-Mk.X production line and introduced for field tests in late 2012.
The fire power of the Manticore proved to be impressive: its four 37mm six-barrel Gatling guns theoretically allowed a total maximum output of 16.000 rounds per minute, with a velocity of 1.450m/s, and a maximum range of 7.600m horizontally.
Tactically, the Manticore weapon system is able to put up and maintain a 2.000m wide and 1.000m high, 180° aerial barrier. In reality, though, only short, short, controlled bursts would be fired at selected targets. The two pairs of guns and the weapon system would allow the attack of two separate target "clouds" at a time, and the system proved to be very effective against mass attacks with missiles even at close range.
Switching from HE to AP ammunition through separate round feeds allowed the Manticore to work effectively even against lightly armored targets and to switch between air and ground targets within seconds, strafing large areas with deadly fire. As standard, 1.300 HE rounds and 250 AP rounds would be carried per gun - HE ammunition stored in alcoves at the main hull sides, and the AP ammunition stored in boxes on the weapons themselves. This limited internal ammunition capacity could, similar to the ADR-04-Mk. X, be extended through external magazines on the back. For static defense, the four guns could alternatively be fed by external belts, ROF was just limited by the heat generated through constant firing!
After first trials of the 11 Mk.XI pre-production Manticores, the following serial version, with improved radar, more passive sensors and a stronger auxiliary fuel generator, was introduced in January 2013. A second series of another 40 of this 04-Destroid series in the updated version were built at slow pace in parallel to the Defender.
Production of the Manticore already stopped in 2014, though. Being very specialized and limited, and only a supportive unit, the ADR-04-Mk. XI never saw much action in the open field, just as an addendum to the more versatile ADR-04-Mk.X. Like its long range counterpart, the few Manticores were mainly used as point defense unit for selected, vital potential enemy targets. They fulfilled their intended role well, esp. against missiles and Fighter Pods, but had only limited success against Zentraedi Tactical Pods: even a simple Regult was hard to crack. Hence, the Manticores remained in the background. Since the Manticore Destroids proved to be very vulnerable to close range attacks, more than 30 were lost in open field battles before they were retired into pomit defense roles and consequently already taken out of active service in 2021.
The kit and its assembly:
Did you like the story? This mecha was inspired (or better triggered) by a post about an anti aircraft robot project in a German SF forum. I remembered that I once had the plan to convert a Defender into a lighter aerial defense robot with Gatling gun armament. I had a kit for that purpose stashed away years ago, but never the drive to do the conversion job.
But as I thought about the project, I had another weird idea: I also had a leftover "chassis" from a Tomahawk (legs and lower torso), as well as two sets of impressive double Gatling hand guns from Gundam kits (two 1:144 "Serpent Customs", from Endless Waltz, actually part donation kits for other projects). This basis, combined with a new torso and some radar equipment... Looking for a torso option (and a dramatic radar equipment in the correct size), I came across a 1:72 kit of the Russian S6R "Tunguska" anti-aircraft tank, a limited edition kit from Military Wheels, a Polish company, and the rest is glue, putty and free drifting of ideas.
Putting the things together went pretty straightforward. The legs were already complete, but hidden under lots of old paint (I counted four layers...). These old parts consequently needed some cosmetic surgery. The material was already quite brittle, so I did not dare a brake fluid bath and tried my best with sand paper. Results are so so, so that many details were later added with small polystyrene strips. But at least, the spare parts found new and good use!
The Gatling gun stub arms were 100% taken from the Gundam kits, just minor things added. With internal vinyl caps they'd fit onto the original breast part and allow free rotation as well as side movement of about 20° to the left and right - good for a "natural" pose.
Most attention went into the crew compartment and upper torso, which was placed on top of one Serpent Custom's shoulder pieces. It consists mainly of the Tunguska's box-shaped central turret section, with added pieces on the hull's sides/shoulders which are supposed to be ammunition storage containers for a quick change. These parts, which blend very well into the overall design, are actually shortened halves of a camera pod from a 1:72 scale F-14 kit from Italeri!
The radar equipment was taken from the Tunguska tank, too, only the rear antenna had to be modified because the original parts were so crude that I did not want to use them. Finally, flexible hydraulic hoses and ammunition belts were added between mecha hull and arms, as well as small details like the hydraulic telescopes at the hips, searchlights, vents, handles, etc.
The result looks very compact, functional and plausible. I wanted to stay true to the Destroids' design as grungy tank-like vehicles with massive firepower and a menacing look, and that's what I think I achieved pretty well.
Painting and markings:
For the mecha's livery, I also wanted to stay true to the Destroid look: only a single overall ground color (brown or green, even though I have seen dark blue Phalanx') and some white 'decoration stripes'. Additionally, some 'nose art' was to be added, because it is a frequent sight on these mecha.
To set it apart from the Defender in my collection (olive drab), I went for a brown tone. After long search, the Manticore's basic paint became 'Israel Armor Sand/Grey' (Testors 2138), a murky, almost undefineable tone. Some details were painted in a dark brown (Burnt Umber, Testors 2005), the stripes were painted by hand in flat white.
Then, standard weathering was done with a black ink wash and dry painting with lighter tones like Humbrol 83 (Ochre), 140 (Gull Gray), 84 (Mid Stone) and 121 (Pale Stone). Decals came from the scrap box and are only few, the 'nose art' piece is a donation of a friend of mine (many thanks, André!) and actually belongs to a Czech MiG-21(!). Finally, everything was sealed under matte varnish.
All in all, this build-up was rather simple, since I had most components at hand and the paint job did not require much effort. But I like the simple look, and this fictional Manticore Destroids blends well into the line of the official Macross mecha. And finally, the leftover Tomahawk chassis has found a good use after waiting for resurrection for more than 15 years.
c/n 36911027311
NATO codename:- Flanker-B
On display in the VDNKh (Vystavka Dostizheniy Narodnogo Khozyaystva / Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy).
Moscow, Russia.
26th August 2017
In 2017 Ford of Europe refreshed their Fiesta product. The new model, codenamed B479 replaced the B299 launched in 2008. The B479 continues on the same platform as the B299 and inherits many of the engines and engine families of the previous car.
Headline act is the Fiesta ST with a 150 kW (200PS) version of the 1.5 L GTDi (Ecoboost) 3-cylinder engine. Other Fiesta models have either 3-Cylinder petrol engine in 1.1 L Ti-VCT or 1.0 L Ecoboost (in various power outputs), or a 1.5 L, 4-cylinder diesel.
In addition to the 3 and 5-door hatch bodies, the new Fiesta also has a 'Fiesta Active' version, which is similar to the 5-door hatch, but configured as a higher-riding semi-crossover vehicle. This reflects the trend to this type of vehicle across all size segments.
Shown here is the ST-Line, replacing the previous 'Sport', and capitalising on the strength of the ST sub-brand. The ST-Line has the looks, but is mechanically configured per the other Fiesta models (ST excluded).
This model was built for the Make-A-Mech Contest on BrickArms Forums.
Codenamed "Оранжевый кобры," or Orange Cobra, the Mk. 7 Marauder was a heavy weapons mobility platform developed by both Soviet and Japanese engineers. The Soviet Union's negotiation of a Sino-Russo Alliance prior to World War II forestalled any possibility of conflict between the early Soviet Union and the Japanese Empire. Fast forward half a century and the combined technological mastery of both powers results in the development of heavily armored mechanical suits.
The Marauder is equipped with a chain-fed 30mm autocannon, two HK-67 "Cougar" anti-armor missiles, and a Hellbore Plasma Cannon. Both cannons are hand carried, allowing for a versatility in operational capabilities.
Especially important to the capability of the Marauder is its innovative Dual Pumped-Fusion Reactors, which provide the necessary energy for suit movement and weapons. Using special tubes, energy and plasma are conducted to the Hellbore Plasma Cannon.
I haven't been a regular poster of my work on Flickr, but I'd like to change that so here is something to start it all off. Comments and criticism welcome.
TK-485, Codenamed "Buzz", for unknown reasons, progressed quickly through the ranks of his Stormtrooper unit displaying exceptional bravery, skill, leadership and very, very crazy eyes.
For Novvember 2013.
VSF-19 Codename : Locust was an assault and reconnaissance mid class starfighter that saw widespread use by the Samarin Race Space Military Forces during the Black Lunar Federation Rebel War against the UNO Galactic Republic.
I'm not sure if this meet all the requirements to be a vic viper, the shape definitely not, but It has two prongs, two side wings and BAVS : ).
Ilyushin Il-76 (NATO codename Candid) from the Ukrainian Air Force arrives at the 2017 Royal International Air Tattoo flanker by a pair of SU-27s.
To view & purchase my best images please visit my website at www.jasonwells.co.uk.