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River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
These images were taken during the fourth week of September, 2016.
On a rare trip down to the Harbour area, just to check out progress here. Throughout the summer, this is where the heavy-duty engineering works have been taking place.
This is a section of the flood protection scheme that I have pretty much ignored -- it's inconvenient for me to access, and others cover it much better.
Check out 'Turgidson'.
Looking upriver, towards the People's Park, standing on the 'Fran O'Toole Bridge' with the new boardwalk under construction.
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Bray gets a riverside boardwalk as part of the final element of the River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
The boardwalk - similar to the one along the River Liffey in Dublin city centre - will be incorporated into the wall beside the Fran O Toole Bridge.
It will connect Castle Street to the Peoples Park and will be a welcome added amenity for Bray.
The boardwalk forms part of the final large works package for the River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
This part of the scheme runs from the People's Park to the Railway Bridge on the Little Bray side of the river.
The works consist of curved sheet piled walls approaching the railway bridge which will be faced with masonry and the construction of footpaths in this area.
There will also be a stone faced sheet pile wall along the Lower Dargle Road from beside the Fran O'Toole Bridge to the Peoples Park.
The work is very timely as part of the existing inner wall alongside the Lower Dargle Road was severely undermined and collapsed during a storm which occurred just before Christmas.
When the project is completed, Bray will be protected from a one-in-one-hundred year storm, including all the floods of the sort that would have ravaged the town in the 20th century, and a one-in-200 year tidal event.
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These images shows the skeleton of the structure 'hanging' from the upgraded stone-clad wall, adjacent to Upper Dargle Road.
This part of the scheme runs from the People's Park to the Railway Bridge on the Little Bray side of the river.
+++ 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 Chance Vought F4U Corsair was an American fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War.
The Corsair had been designed as a carrier-based aircraft, but its difficult carrier landing performance rendered the Corsair unsuitable for Navy use until the carrier landing issues were overcome when used by the British Fleet Air Arm.
The Corsair thus came to and retained prominence in its area of greatest deployment: land based use by the U.S. Marines. The role of the dominant U.S. carrier based fighter in the second part of the war was thus filled by the Grumman F6F Hellcat, powered by the same Double Wasp engine first flown on the Corsair's first prototype in 1940.
The Corsair served to a lesser degree in the U.S. Navy. As well as the U.S. and British use the Corsair was also used by the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the French Navy Aéronavale and other, smaller, air forces until the 1960s.
One of these were the Air Forces of Paraguay. Land-locked Paraguay first formed a flying branch of it's Army in 1927, and today's Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP) saw it's formation in 1946. Being surrounded by friendly countries and economic problems does not allow the FAP to operate a substantial combat aircraft fleet however, and the Corsairs were low budget start for the young air force.
The Corsairs for Paraguay were up to the late WWII F4U-5 standard, but lacked the naval equipment (e. g. the arrester hook, even though the wing folding mechanism was retained) since these machines were to be deployed purely from land bases and primarily as fighters.
For the Paraguayan Air Force, the machines were also outfitted with special Curtiss Electric constant-speed propellers of 146 in (3.7 m) in diameter with deeper blades, optimized for “hot and high” use.
The F4U-5 itself was a design modification of the F4U-4 and first flown on 21st of December 1945. It was intended to increase the F4U-4 Corsair's overall performance and incorporate many Corsair pilots' suggestions. It featured a more powerful Pratt and Whitney R-2800-32(E) engine with a two-stage supercharger, rated at a maximum of 2,850 hp (2,130 kW), recognizable through the twin cheek air intakes fairings alongside the cowling. This Corsair type was also flown by the Argentine Navy and Honduras’ Air Force.
Other improvements included automatic blower controls, cowl flaps, intercooler doors and oil cooler for the engine, spring tabs for the elevators and rudder, a completely modernized cockpit, a completely retractable tail wheel as well as heated cannon bays and pitot head. The cowling was lowered two degrees to help with forward visibility, but perhaps most striking as the first variant to feature all-metal wings. Paraguay bought 22 new machines in 1947, which became operational with 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní' in early 1949.
Towards the end of their career the Corsairs even saw hot action when Paraguayan Forces became involved in the U.S. American operation ‘Power Pack’ in 1965, when U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, convinced of the defeat of the Dominican Republic’s Loyalist forces and fearing the creation of "a second Cuba" on America's doorstep, ordered U.S. forces to restore order.
The decision to intervene militarily in the Dominican Republic was Lyndon Johnson's personal decision. All civilian advisers had recommended against immediate intervention hoping that the Loyalist side could bring an end to the civil war, but the United States decided to interpose its forces between the rebels and those of the junta, thereby effecting a ceasefire.
The United States could then ask the Organization of American States to negotiate a political settlement between the opposing factions.
"Operation Power Pack", began when the U.S. Marine Corps entered Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on April 28, 1965, in the Dominican Civil War. Marine Medium Helicopter squadron HMM-264, from the deck of the USS Boxer, airlifted 530 U.S. Marines of the 3rd Battalion of the 6th Marine Regiment into Santo Domingo.
The Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) was established by the Organization of American States on 23 May 1965, after the American intervention. It was composed of over 42,600 United States military personnel, plus Brazilian, Honduran, Paraguayan, Nicaraguan, Costa Rican and El Salvadorian personnel.
Until the end of the American intervention in September 1966, when the 1st Brigade of the 82nd Airborne, the last remaining American unit in the country, was withdrawn, the FAP Corsairs frequently patrolled the Dominican air space or flew escorts for the American supply flights and paratrooper transports.
After that, the Brazilian government took over the operation from the United States in 1966 and the IAPF was disbanded in 1967, what also marked the end of the F4U’s service in the Forza Aérea Paraguaya.
General characteristics
Crew: 1 pilot
Length: 33 ft 8 in (10.2 m)
Wingspan: 41 ft 0 in (12.5 m)
WS Folded: 17 ft 0.5 in (5.2 m)
Height: 14 ft 9 in (4.50 m)
Empty weight: 9,205 lb (4,174 kg)
Loaded weight: 12,405 lb (5,626 kg)
Powerplant:
1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-32(E) radial engine,
rated at a maximum power of 2,850 hp (2,130 kW)
Performance:
Maximum speed: 453 mph (395 kn, 731 km/h)
Range: 897 mi (602 nmi/1.115 km)
Service ceiling: 41,500ft (12,649 m)
Rate of climb: 3,870ft/min (19.7 m/s)
Armament:
4× 0.79 in (20 mm) M2 cannon plus up to 4.000 pounds (1.800 kg) external ordnance,
incl. up to 10× 5" (12.7 cm) high velocity aircraft rockets, bombs or drop tanks
The kit and its assembly:
I am not certain what struck me when I started this one. It’s actually the leftover Italeri F4U-7 that I recently bought just for the French markings (for the ‘Bourrasque’ whif), which was still left on the work bench. Wondering about the type’s late Middle and South American operators I suddenly had Paraguay on the radar, no idea why.
Checking the country’s air force history I found that it was just a small air arm, and that the roundels resemble French markings a lot. A deep search in the decal box revealed some suitable roundels, and from that things evolved gradually…
As mentioned before, F4Us in smaller American air arms’ service is nothing exotic, so this one would be subtle. Hence I decided not to mess too much with the kit. It was basically built OOB, only changes were:
• Using the F4U-5 cowling that comes with the kit
• Lowering the flaps for added drama
• A different, cuffed propeller from a Hobby Boss P-47D with deeper blades
• The single OOB exhaust pipes were replaced by thin styrene tubes
• The arrester hook disappeared, as well as its opening behind the tail wheel
Since this would become a pure fighter I did not put any HVARs or bombs under the wings, but the OOB drop tanks were used.
The kit itself is nicely detailed, with engraved panels, and goes together well. Only issues I had were mounting the cowling, where the intakes run into nowhere and need some putty assistance, and the wing part needed some filling at the fuselage intersection.
Painting and marking:
Exotic realism was the intention, and painting this one was more fun than building it, even though this whif was to be kept rather subtle and unflashy. And how to paint a Paraguayan aircraft?
For inspiration I took a look at aerial landscape photographs of the country, and since the machines were supposed to be bought directly from the USA I decided to apply the classic USAF SEA scheme on the Corsair. It’s a perfect match, and the USAF scheme looks a bit weird on the naval bird. I like that!
Operation “Power Pack” was another historical fact that would match the type’s fictional service time frame with Paraguay: The South-American country actually did take part in the Dominican Republic intervention as a part of the Inter-American Peace Force, but not with aircraft or the way I cooked it up. Anyway, the IAPF duty would be a good reason for extra markings on the Corsair, so that it would look less Vietnam-esque.
The SEA scheme colors are partly authentic FS tones: the greens, FS 34102 and 34079, are ModelMaster Authentic tones. The tan, originally FS 30219, is a slightly darker tone, "French Earth Brown", also from ModelMaster. The undersides, originally FS 36622, were painted with FS 16515 (Canadian Voodoo Grey), which is a tad darker, too, and more blue-ish.
On top of that a light black ink wash was applied, in order to emphasize details and add a worn look, plus light dry-brushing for panel shading with lighter tones.
The oil stains were painted with thinned dark grey stains, the exhaust soot with matt black. Furthermore, some dry-brushing with Aluminum simulates chipped/flaked paint in some areas, but not too much.
All interior surfaces were painted in a Zinc Chromate Primer tone - I used Humbrol 159 as basic tone (not as "loud" as the treu tone), plus some dry-brusing with RLM 02.
All markings were puzzled together from the decals archive. The FAP roundels are a selection of various French roundels without the typical yellow rim and with very dark blue dots in the middle. The roundels’ size is relatively big – but I think that a mission like the IFAP would call for quick and clear identification? This was also the reason for adding the “IFAP” markings – a simple detail that pushes the whif beyond the ordinary and helps telling a story. ;) The flag on the fin is an early WWII RAF flash, turned by 90°, with a tiny, yellow star added in the middle.
The aircraft code “1-2.05” is fictional, but conceptually based on a real world FAP T-33. The “FAP” on the fin was created from single letter decals, as well as the “IFAP” on the flanks and under the wings.
Finally the kit received a coat of matt acrylic varnish.
A spontaneous, exotic and somehow disturbingly convincing what-if aircraft model? Surely one that won’t turn heads, but rather have them scratched. ;)
This is a particularly attractive exterior color scheme for an English Cottage or early Minimal Traditional style home. Weatherbest offered hand-dipped stained shingles, which were very popular during the 1920s for their attractive appearance and ease of maintenance. See more exterior color schemes for vintage homes at Antique Home & Style.
River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
These images were taken during the first week of August, 2016.
In the stretch of the river alongside The Slang, work is made to dress the river bed/bank.
I say 'dress'.
Come the next heavy run of water -- and Nature will re-establish it's own path for the river.
On a slightly more serious rant . . . .
With the recent convoys of trucks bringing in vast quantities of stone, we now see that;
(a) some of the larger boulders are intended to be used as reinforcements along the base of certain bank edges (which have to be excavated again), and;
(b) some of the medium size stones look like they will be used to create secondary shelves along the riverside.
Still wearing the Phase II paint scheme of its former owner Amtrak, E60CH No. 963 brings New Jersey Transit train 3303 across the New York & Long Branch bridge over the Raritan River into South Amboy NJ. It's early morning on July 14, 1983 as the short train from Penn Station runs against the current of traffic in the AM rush. The E60s are sharing duties with the GG-1s that they will supplant later in the year, much like they did on the Northeast Corridor in the first phase of their careers.
Some background:
]The VF-4 Lightning III began development in 2005 under the initial designation of the VF-X-4. Developed as a successor craft to the VF-1 Valkyrie, the VF-4 Lightning III was designed as a variable fighter that emphasized mobility in outer space.
The VF-4's development began with the prototype VF-X-4 and the VF-X-3. However, when Earth was devastated in Space War I the loss of military facilities also resulted in loss of the VF-X-3. Amongst the airframes under development exist prototype No. 1 craft, VF-X-4V1 and the trial manufactured VF-4A-0 and thus the surviving VF-X-4 was developed and completed as the VF-4 Lightning III. A trial-produced variable fighter, designated the VF-4A-0, was also built using 25% VF-1 Valkyrie parts.
VF-X-4 underwent flight tests, including being test piloted by Space War I veteran Hikaru Ichijo. Once successful operational models were ready, the VF-4 began mass production on February 2012. Initial deployment began on the SDF-2 Megaroad-01 in VF-1 Skull and SVF-184 Iron Chiefs Squadrons on September 2012. When the SDF-2 Megaroad launched in the same month, Hikaru Ichijō flew a VF-4 alongside the new colonization vessel as the ship lifted from Earth and began exploration outside of the Sol system.
As a result of integrating existing Overtechnology and Zentradi-series technology, the VF-4 had a characteristic three-hulled-type airframe structure remarkably different from the conservative VF-1 Valkyrie design. The three-hulled style of the VF-4 increased fuselage volume, propellant capacity and armament load capability that all resulted in a 40% improved combat ability over the VF-1. Fully transformable, the VF-4 could shift into Battroid and Gerwalk modes like previous variable fighters.
However, the VF-4 did suffer minor mobility problems within an atmosphere and the new type was primarily deployed to the Space Air Corps of emigrant fleets to serve as the main fighter craft of the UN Forces in the 2020s. It was because flight performance within the atmosphere was not as good as the VF-1 that the VF-5000 Star Mirage became the main combat craft within atmosphere, while the VF-4 operated mainly in outer space.
Built as a space fighter, the VF-4 primary weapons became two large beam cannons, though the craft was capable of carrying a GU-11 gun pod in Gerwalk and Battroid modes. In addition to the powerful primary beam guns, the Lightning III also featured twelve semi-recessed long-range missiles, as well as underwing pylons for additional missiles and other stores.
The VF-4 was only slightly heavier than the VF-1, but featured considerably more powerful engines, making the craft ideal for operations deeper out in space. The Lightning III was also much faster in the atmosphere than the older VF-1, although the VF-4’s flight mobility performance was not as great.
The VF-4 was also notable as the first production variable fighter to utilize a HOTAS system (Hands On Throttle And Stick) for the cockpit HMI (Human-Machine Interface). Furthermore, the VF-4's cockpit was laid out as a single hexagonal MFD (Multi-Function Display) that proved so successful that it was retrofitted into "Block 6" VF-1 fighters, as well as providing the template for all future variable fighter cockpits.
By the end of 2015, mass production of the VF-1 series at last had come to an end. From 2020 onward, the VF-4 Lightning III officially replaced the VF-1 to become the main variable fighter of U.N. Forces. Production of the VF-4 continued for a decade and ceased in 2022, with a total of 8,245 Lightning III variable fighters produced.
The VF-4 variable fighter remained in active service into the late 2040's but was complemented or substituted in many branches of the UN Forces by the cheaper and more atmospherically maneuverable VF-5000 Star Mirage. The VF-4 Lightning III was eventually replaced as the main variable fighter of U.N. Spacy in the later half of the 2030s by the VF-11 Thunderbolt.
General characteristics:
Manufacturer: Stonewell/Bellcom
Equipment Type: Variable fighter
Government: U.N. Spacy, U.N. Space Marines
Introduction: 2012
Operational Deployment: September 2012
Dimensions:
Accommodation: pilot only
Fighter Mode: wingspan 12.65 meters; height 5.31 meters; length 16.8 meters
Mass: empty 13.95 metric tons
Structure: space metal frame, SWAG energy conversion armor
Powerplant:
2x Shinnakasu/P&W/Roice FF-2011 thermonuclear turbine engines,
rated at 14,000 kg (137.34 kN) each
2x dorsal rocket engines (mounted on top of the main thermonuclear turbine engines)
2x ramjet engines (embedded into the inner wing sections)
P&W HMM-1A high-maneuverability vernier thrusters
Performance:
Fighter Mode: Mach 3.02 at 10,000 m
Mach 5.15 at 30,000+ m
Thrust-to-weight ratio: (empty) 2.01 (rating for turbine engine thrust ONLY)
g limit: unknown
[Armament:
2 x large beam cannons in forward engine nacelles
12x semi-recessed long range missiles (mounted on engine nacelles and ventral fuselage)
8x underwing pylons for missiles, gun pods an/or drop tanks
The kit and its assembly:
Well, this build has been lingering for almost 25 years in the back of my mind. It just took so long that a suitable IP kit (with a reasonable price tag) would materialize!
The original inspiration struck me with a VF-4 profile in the source book "This is animation special: Macross PLUS" from 1994, which accidently fell into my hands in a local Japanese book store. Among others, a side and top view profile of an aggressor VF-4 in an all-brown, Soviet-style paint scheme was featured. At that time I found the idea and the scheme pretty cool, so much that I even built a modified 1:100 VF-1 as a ground attack aircraft in this paint scheme.
However, the original VF-4 profile from the source book had always been present, but for years there had been no affordable kit. There have been garage/resin kits, but prices would start at EUR 250,-, and these things were and are extraordinarily rare.
Things changed for the better when WAVE announced an 1:72 VF-4 kit in late 2016, and it eventually materialized in late 2017. I immediately pre-ordered one from Japan (in a smart move, this even saved money) and it eventually turned up here in Germany in early 2018. Patience pays out, it seems...
I had preferred a 1:100 kit, though, due to space issues and since almost any other Macross variable fighter model in my collection is in this small scale, but I am happy that a decent VF-4 kit at all appeared after so many years!
Concerning the WAVE kit, there’s light and shadow. First of all, you have to know that you get a VF-4A. This is mentioned nowhere on the box, but might be a vital information for hardcore modelers. The early VF-4A is a rather different aircraft than the later VF-4G, with so fundamental differences that it would warrant a completely new kit! On the other side, with a look at the kit’s parts, I could imagine that a VF-4B two-seater could be easily realized in the future, too.
The kit is a solid construction, a snap-fit kit molded in different colors so that it can be built without painting. This sounds toy-like, but - like many small scale Bandai Valkyrie kits - anything you ask for is actually there. When you use glue and put some effort into the kit and some donor parts, you can make a very good model from it.
The kit's box is pretty oversized, though (any sprue is shrink-wrapped, horrendous garbage pile and wasted space!), and the kit offers just a single decal (water-slide decals, not stickers) option for a Skull Squadron VF-4A – AFAIK it’s Hikaru Ichijoe’s machine that appears in one of the Macross Flash Back 2012 music videos, as it escorts the SDF-02 “Megaroad” colonial ship after launch from Earth towards the center of our Galaxy.
The parts are crisply molded, and I actually like the fact that the kit is not as uber-engineered as the Hasegawa Valkyries. You can actually call the WAVE kit simple - but in a positive sense, because the parts number is reduced to a minimum, material strength is solid and the kit's construction is straightforward. Fit is excellent – I just used some putty along the engine gondolas due to their complex shape, but almost anything else would either fit almost perfectly or just call for some sanding. Impressive!
Surface details etc. are rather basic, but very crisp and emphasized enough that anything remains visible after adding some paint. However, after all, this aircraft is just a fictional animation mecha, and from this perspective the kit is really O.K..
After building the kit I most say that it's nothing that leaves you in awe, and for a retail price of currently roundabout EUR 50-70,- (I was lucky to get it for an early bird deal at EUR 40,-, but still pricey for what I got) the kit is pretty expensive and has some weaknesses:
The model comes with a decent (= simple) cockpit and a very nice and large pilot figure, but with no ordnance except for the semi-recessed long-range missiles (see below). The cockpit lacks any side consoles, floor or side wall details. If you put the pilot into the cockpit as intended, this is not a big issue, since the figure blocks any sight into the cockpit’s lower regions. However, the side sticks are molded into the pilot’s hands, so that you have to scratch a lot if you want to present the cockpit open and with an empty seat.
The landing gear is simple, too, and the wells are very shallow (even though they feature interior details). As a special feature, you can switch with some extra parts between an extended or retracted landing gear, and there are extra parts that allow the air intakes and some vectoring nozzles to be closed/extended for orbital operations. However, detail fetishists might replace the OOB parts with the landing gear from an 1:72 F-18 for an overall better look.
Provisions for underwing hardpoints are actually molded into the lower fuselage part (and could be punched/drilled open - another indication that more VF-4 boxings with extra sprues might follow?), but the kit does not come with any pylons or other ordnance than the dozen fuselage-mounted AAMs. Furthermore, the semi-recessed missiles are just that: you only get the visible halves of the only provided ordnance, which are simply stuck into slits on the model’s surface. As a consequence, you have to mount them at any rate – building a VF-4 for a diorama in which the missiles are about to be loaded would require massive scratch-building efforts and modifications.
Another problem indirectly arises when you put some effort into the kit and want to clean and pre-paint the missiles before assembly: every missile is different and has its allocated place on the VF-4 hull. The missiles are numbered – but only on the sprue! Once you cut them out, you either have to keep them painstakingly in order, or you will spend a long evening figuring out where which missile belongs! This could be easily avoided if the part number would be engraved on the missiles’ back sides – and that’s what I actually did (with a water-proof pen, though) in order to avoid trouble.
The clear canopy is another issue. The two parts are crystal-clear, but, being a snap-fit kit, the canopy parts have to be clipped into the fuselage (rear part) and onto a separate canopy frame (front part). In order to fit, the clear parts have cramps molded into their bases – and due to the excellent transparency and a magnifier effect, you can see them easily from the outside – and on the inside, when you leave the cockpit open. It’s not a pretty solution, despite the perfect fit of the parts.
One option I can think of is to carefully sand the cramps and the attachment points away, but I deem this a hazardous stunt. I eventually hid the cramps behind a thin line of paint, which simulates a yellow-ish canopy seal. The extra windscreen framing is not accurate, but the simplest solution that hides this weak point.
The kit itself was built OOB, because it goes together so well. I also refrained from adding pylons and ordnance – even though you can easily hang anything from Hasegawa’s VF-1 weapon set under the VF-4’s wings and fuselage. A final, small addition was a scratched, ventral adapter for a 3.5 mm steel rod, as a display for the flight scene beauty pic.
Painting and markings:
As mentioned above, the livery is based on an official profile which I deem authentic and canonical. My aircraft depicts a different machine from VFT-127, though, since I could not (and did not really want to) 100% replicate the profile's machine from the Macross PLUS source book, "13 Red". Especially the squadron’s emblem on the fin would create massive problems.
For the two-tone wrap-around scheme I used Humbrol 72 (Khaki Drill) and 98 (Chocolate Brown), based on the printed colors in the source book where I found the scheme. The pattern is kept close to the benchmark profile, and, lacking an underside view, I just mirrored the upper scheme. The starboard side pattern was guesstimated.
As a second-line aggressor aircraft, I weathered the VF-4 with a black ink wash, some post-shading with various lighter tones (including Humbrol 160, 168, 170 and 187) and did some wet-sanding treatment for an uneven and worn look.
Interior surfaces were painted according to visual references from various sources: the landing gear and the air intakes became white, while the cockpit was painted in RAF Dark Sea Grey.
In order to add some color to the overall brown aircraft I decided to paint the missiles all around the hull in white with tan tips – in the profile, the appear to be integrated into the camouflage, what I found dubious.
Most stencils come from the OOB sheet, but I added some more from the scrap box. The grey "kite" roundels come from an 1:72 Hasegawa Macross F-14 Tomcat kit sheet, which I acquired separately for a reasonable price. Even though it took four weeks to be delivered from Asia, the investment was worthwhile, since the sheet also provided some useful low-viz stencils.
The VAT-127 “Zentraedi Busters” unique tail insignia was more complicated, because these had to be printed at home. As a side note, concerning the fin marking, I recently found a translation of the benchmark profile's text on mahq.net, which is interesting: "The Regult within the targeting reticle on the tail met with disapproval from micronized Zentraedi pilots, and so was only used for a short time." The comment also reveals that the original aircraft's modex is "713", not just "13" as depicted, so I tried to reflect these details on my build, too.
I eventually settled for a solution that was partly inspired by the kit’s OOB fin marking and the wish for more contrast for the motif: I scanned the original Regult pod illustration from the source book and printed it on white decal sheet. This was sealed with two layers of glossy acrylic varnish (applied with a rattle can) and then cut into a white field that fills the fixed part of the fin (using the WAVE kit’s OOB fin markings as reference). Once in place and dry, two black outlines were added separately (generic decal material) which help blend the decal and the surroundings. Finally, thin strips of silver decal sheet were used for the fins’ leading edges.
This design variation, compared with the original “13 Red” illustration, led to the idea of a flight leader’s machine with slightly more prominent markings. In order to take this concept further I also gave the aircraft a white stripe around the front fuselage, placed under the kite roundel and again with black outlines for a consistent look. It’s not much different from “13 Red”, but I think that it looks conclusive and, together with the white fin markings and the missiles, livens up the VF-4’s look.
The appropriate flight leader tactical code “01 Red” was puzzled together from single digits from a Begemot Su-27 sheet, the rest of the bort numbers were taken from the OOB sheet (which incidentally feature a “01” code, too).
Concerning the OOB decal sheet, there’s much light but also some deep shadow. While the register is excellent and the carrier film flexible enough to lay down smoothly, the instructions lack information where to place the zillion of stencils (“No step” and “Beware of Blast” stuff) are to be placed! You only get references for the major markings – the rest has either to be guessed, OR you are in possession of the VF-4 source book from Softbank Publishing which was (incidentally?) released in parallel with the WAVE kit. This mecha porn offers an overview of all(!) relevant stencils on the VF-4A’s hull, and ONLY with this information the exhaustive decal sheet makes some sense…
As final steps, the VF-4 received some dry-brushing with light grey around the leading edges, some chipped paint was simulated with dry-brushed aluminum and, finally, light soot stains around the vectoring nozzles all around the hull and the weapon bays were created with graphite. Then the kit was sealed with matt acrylic varnish (Italeri).
Well, in the end, it’s not a carbon copy of the inspiring illustration, but rather another machine from the same squadron, with more creative freedom. I stayed as true to the benchmark as possible, though, and I like the result. Finally, after almost 25 years, I can tick this project off of my long ideas and inspiration list.
Considering the kit itself, I am really torn. I am happy that there finally is a VF-4 IP kit at all after so many years, but to me it’s a contradictive offer. I am not certain about the target group, because for a toy-like snap-fit kit it’s too detailed and expensive, but for the serious modeler it has some major flaws.
The biggest issue is the kit’s horrendous price – even if it would be more detailed or contained some fine resin or PE parts (which I would not want, just a “good” plastic kit). Sure, you can put some effort into the kit and improve it, e .g. in the cockpit or with a donor landing gear, but weak points like the “flat” missiles and the lack of proper bays for them are IMHO poor. For the relatively huge price tag I’d hoped for a “better” OOB offer. However, the kit is easy to build and a good representation of the Lightning III, and I am curious if there are kit variants in WAVE’s pipeline?
River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
These images were taken during the first week of September, 2016.
Constant traffic nowadays with hard material being trucked in and dumped in storage areas along The Slang/Rehills section of the river bank.
Further work is now being undertaken to upgrade the protection of the riverbank edge with the laying down of extra stone material.
With the recent convoys of trucks bringing in vast quantities of stone, we now see that;
(a) some of the larger boulders are intended to be used as reinforcements along the base of certain bank edges (which have to be excavated again), and;
(b) some of the medium size stones look like they will be used to create secondary shelves along the riverside.
At the same time, the guys are working (or playing?) on changing the profile of the stepped terrace along the face of the Slang/Rehills section.
Seems like every time they do this, and we believe it is a 'finished' piece of work, they confound us later by ripping it up all over again.
I know there is value in maintaining this area as a smooth accessible strip. But the degree of attention they apply to this is then wasted by the randomness with which they undo all the previous work.
I call it the 'Biggest Sandpit/Playarea' in Wicklow, in Leinster, in Ireland.
Air China Boeing 777-39LER - B-2006 with "Love China" special scheme @ YVR with the snow mountain in the background~~
Don´t redistribute - don´t use on webpages, blogs or any other media without my explicit written permission.
© Andy Brandl (2015) // PhotonMix Photography
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River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
These images were taken during the 2nd week of May, 2016. 14 months previously we'd watched low-level maintenance work on the opposite banks, and (I) predicted that destabilised sections might be a problem. To address the serious problem of surface runoff/seepage destabilising the bank structure, they excavate and lay out a drainage pipe system, to better channel the water and slow down the erosion of the banks. The section of this bank, directly opposite the apartment complex, was critically exposed after the winter rains. The roots of many trees were exposed, with the bank itself starting to rapidly erode. Specific work involved the removal of soil, back-filling with large boulders, integrated drainage system, and finally re-facing with new soil.However, even with the total mechanism of the process, it ultimately ends up with a man -- and a rake. Power to the individual!
River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
These images were taken during the first week of December 2016.
There are still considerable levels of traffic here with hard material being trucked out of the Slang/Rehills section of the river bank.
I believe the Council have contracted for the removal and transport of soil material from this site to a new (road) construction site down at Calary.
The previous 'mountains' and terraces are slowly but steadily shrinking. The place is a mess. Aesthetically, the uneven flow to the ridges and terraces annoys me.
On occasion, we have seen a line of 13 such trucks lined up first thing in the morning, ready to haul soil.
The Upper Dargle Road, while a minor one, is a busy little throughway, and is especially busy with the morning/evening rush hours.
Introducing such a level of heavy-duty trucks on to this road, where they need to drive in and out of the Slang/Rehills compound, only serves to further aggravate the traffic flows. The entrance to the site is close to a blind bend. Not good.
On a regular basis, we have seen (and felt) the effects of the trucks as they thunder by, particularly the unladen ones returning to pick up another load.
There is the 'speed limit' and then there is 'driving in a manner inappropriate to the road conditions'.
The heavy truck traffic also brings debris and soil on to the road.
The contractors struggle to keep the road washed and swept. And the slow progress of their road-sweeping vehicles, in turn, cause delay and frustration for other road users. Not good.
It's not a good experience, right now, for the residents along this stretch of road.
This Komatsu PC 360LC was only on-site for a couple of days, and was tasked with 'long reach' assistance at the bank stabilisation works opposite the Riversdale apartment complex.
The colourful trio of BL27 in National Rail, C509 in V/Line and ST35 in candy power National Rail's 6MA5 service up the Callington curve on 30-11-1996
Asian Paints is one of the largest Indian paint company & manufacturer, offering a wide range of painting & waterproofing solutions for homes, offices & more.
River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
These images were taken during the last week of August, 2016.
On the opposite bank, directly opposite the Rivervale apartment buildings, and adjacent to the bend in the river where the 'Debris trap' is being constructed.
The 12 pillars have now been sited (4 are hidden away, to the right, behind an existing earth bank. The guys are clearing away the soil from the adjacent riverbank, widening the plain here.
River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
These images were taken during the last week of June, 2016.
Work is now on-going to complete the construction of the 'debris trap' in the river bed, opposite the Rivervale Apartments complex. This work was begun a few years ago, and halted with the creation of a pit, and the placement of (what I like to call) the 8 Dargle Dolmen stoners (upright pillars) - 4 of which are immediately visible to the eye.
The ‘Debris Trap’ will consist of 12 concrete elliptical shaped columns approximately 1.6m (5ft) high spaced 0.5m apart across the river channel -- essential for trapping any trees or other objects which may flow down the river in flood conditions.
River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
These images were taken during the fourth week of July, 2016.
Meanwhile, in the stretch of the river alongside The Slang, a futile attempt is made to dress the river bed/bank.
I say 'dress'.
It effectively involves moving the gravel around a little bit. Adding a top layer of soil, and flattening that with a roller. As if that is going to do any good. Or last any length of time. Come the next heavy run of water -- and Nature will re-establish it's own path for the river.
On a slightly more serious rant . . . .
With the recent convoys of trucks bringing in vast quantities of stone, we now see that;
(a) some of the larger boulders are intended to be used as reinforcements along the base of certain bank edges (which have to be excavated again), and;
(b) some of the medium size stones look like they will be used to create secondary shelves along the riverside.
Nice God-view of our friend in the CAT shifting material. .
Mind you, when these machines give trouble, you gotta be alert and agile. And ready to stick the boot in.
River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
These images were taken during the first week of September, 2016.
Constant traffic nowadays with hard material being trucked in and dumped in storage areas along The Slang/Rehills section of the river bank.
Further work is now being undertaken to upgrade the protection of the riverbank edge with the laying down of extra stone material.
Work has finished on the construction of the 'debris trap' in the river bed, opposite the Rivervale Apartments complex. This work was begun a few years ago, and halted with the creation of a pit, and the placement of (what I like to call) the 8 Dargle Dolmen stones (upright pillars) - 4 of which are immediately visible to the eye.
The ‘Debris Trap’ consists of 12 concrete elliptical shaped columns approximately 1.6m (5ft) high spaced 0.5m apart across the river channel -- essential for trapping any trees or other objects which may flow down the river in flood conditions.
To create proper foundations for the columns, the guys had to drive steel piles deep into the bed of the river. Similar to work done elsewhere. Within that waterproof chamber, they set/poured concrete to build the columns.
That pile driving work here involved a sub-contractor using an excavator-mounted vibratory pile driver – possibly a ‘Movax’ model. That’s the combination they used in 2014 with the work opposite La Vallee.
River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
These images were taken during the last week of August, 2016.
On the opposite bank, directly opposite the Rivervale apartment buildings, and adjacent to the bend in the river where the 'Debris trap' is being constructed.
The 12 pillars have now been sited (4 are hidden away, to the right, behind an existing earth bank. The guys are clearing away the soil from the adjacent riverbank, widening the plain here.
I hope this isn't confusing. I'd like two different schemes of tones, where there is only one word in a section, it's the same for both schemes and where there are two words, the blue one in brackets is for the second scheme.
So, for example, the square at the center would be a dark fabric in the first block and a light fabric in the second block. The squares at the corners would be a medium-toned fabric in the first block and a light fabric in the second block. And so on.
Speaking of the squares at the corners in the second block / tone-scheme, the same light fabric as the center square is fine, if you'd like to go that way or all 5 light squares could even be different fabrics or there could be one for the center and one for the corners. I'd be happy any way, just as long as they're all "lights".
Boeing 767-304(ER)/WL
28208/705
G-OBYF
757-236/WL
29943/871
G-CPEV
737-8K5/WL 'Split Scimitar' winglets
37264/3907
G-TAWA
37253/3562
G-FDZU
747-443
32338/1274
G-VLIP 'Hot Lips'
Airbus A330-343(X)
MSN 1215
G-VGEM 'Diamond Girl'
747-443
30885/1268
G-VROS 'English Rose'
Virgin Atlantic
VIR VS
787-8 (787-804) 'DREAMLINER™'
37227/191
G-TUIE 'Miles of Smiles'
Thomson (Thomson Airways Ltd)
TOM BY
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From the limited research I've done on panzer color schemes, it seems that the most historically accurate colors would be dark bley for early war panzers and tan (or dark tan) for late war panzers. That being said, I know a lot of people build in light grey/bley, and I myself feel that it adds some variation.
Anyone have any opinions on the issue?
River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
These images were taken during the 3rd week of June, 2016.
14 months previously we'd watched low-level maintenance work on the opposite banks, and (I) predicted that destabilised sections might be a problem. To address the serious problem of surface runoff/seepage destabilising the bank structure, they excavate and lay out a drainage pipe system, to better channel the water and slow down the erosion of the banks.
The section, opposite La Vallee, appears to be fully landscaped now. The final aesthetic touch is the addition of riverside fencing -- the purpose of which is . . . . !
Remains to be seen whether members of the public will ever free, untrammelled access to that part of the riverside. Or (maybe this is just the cynic in me) is it just window-dressing prior to some exercise in transfer to 'planning approved' development, whatever form that might take?
River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
These images were taken during the fourth week of August, 2016.
Adjacent to The People's Park, a large compound is the site of continuing work along this section of the river. Some of the works are nearing completion.
Access is quite restricted here, and involves shipping material in/out via the entrance further upriver, adjacent to The Slang.
A temporary soil shelf has been laid along this wall-side, to allow better access for vehicles moving materials in and out.
Work here along the riverbank, between Glenwood and The Maltings, involves stabilisation measures (digging out a channel, and dropping in large boulders) intended to reinforce this newly constructed/shaped length of bank.
At the side of the Glenwood Road housing is a little strip of land, which previously culverted a stream. They laid new drainage piping last year. And now, they've neatly finished over with a little waterfall feature. Very pleasing aesthetically. I wonder whether there wlil be public access to a pathway on that opposite bank at some stage, running on towards Killarney Glen?
River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
These images were taken during the fourth week of July, 2016.
Meanwhile, in the stretch of the river alongside The Slang, a futile attempt is made to dress the river bed/bank.
I say 'dress'.
It effectively involves moving the gravel around a little bit. Adding a top layer of soil, and flattening that with a roller. As if that is going to do any good. Or last any length of time. Come the next heavy run of water -- and Nature will re-establish it's own path for the river.
On a slightly more serious rant . . . .
With the recent convoys of trucks bringing in vast quantities of stone, we now see that;
(a) some of the larger boulders are intended to be used as reinforcements along the base of certain bank edges (which have to be excavated again), and;
(b) some of the medium size stones look like they will be used to create secondary shelves along the riverside.
River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
These images were taken during the first week of September, 2016.
Constant traffic nowadays with hard material being trucked in and dumped in storage areas along The Slang/Rehills section of the river bank.
Further work is now being undertaken to upgrade the protection of the riverbank edge with the laying down of extra stone material.
Work has finished on the construction of the 'debris trap' in the river bed, opposite the Rivervale Apartments complex. This work was begun a few years ago, and halted with the creation of a pit, and the placement of (what I like to call) the 8 Dargle Dolmen stones (upright pillars) - 4 of which are immediately visible to the eye.
The ‘Debris Trap’ consists of 12 concrete elliptical shaped columns approximately 1.6m (5ft) high spaced 0.5m apart across the river channel -- essential for trapping any trees or other objects which may flow down the river in flood conditions.
To create proper foundations for the columns, the guys had to drive steel piles deep into the bed of the river. Similar to work done elsewhere. Within that waterproof chamber, they set/poured concrete to build the columns.
That pile driving work here involved a sub-contractor using an excavator-mounted vibratory pile driver – possibly a ‘Movax’ model. That’s the combination they used in 2014 with the work opposite La Vallee.
River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
These images were taken during the third week of November 2016.
These are the critical stabilisation works at the Silverbridge site, adjacent to the N11 dual-carriageway:
Back in November 2014, we observed bank stabilisation works here involving excavation, repair and building of a support wall structure -- carried out by JONS Construction on behalf of the National Roads Authority.
We would occasionally catch sight of this work in the distance. Quite an impressive little piece of structural engineering.
Having built a retaining concave wall, backfilled for solidity, they were also drilling, fixing and sealing ground anchors to pin the entire structure together.
Now we see that further works are being undertaken.
Word has it that extra ‘stabilisation work’ has to be done to protect the integrity of the riverbank. At the section here we can see that there’s not much space between the edge of the rock face and the Armco at the side of the dual-carriageway.
Have yet to determine what precisely that will entail. Serious work to reinforce the side access ramp down to the river.
The N11 carriageway runs adjacent to this sunken side of the riverbank -- barely 2 (large) paces divide the two. Even with twin strips of Armco along the roadside, it's perilously close. Traffic speeds along this stretch (maximum speed 100 kmp). Only needs a touch from a heavy vehicle to cause secondary impact, which (worst possible scenario) could result in something going airborne.
Working in these confined spaces puts a premium of safety and communication.
The guys have hard-filled a working shelf on the riverbed, to allow machinery access to the rockface. Obviously some serious drilling is called for before a form of extra 'pinning' is put in place.
They have sunk a series of hollowed tubes/casings -- obviously to form the foundations of a more extensive structure.
And some investigative work around the transverse buttress of the access bridge, parallel to the heavy-duty pipeline carrying water down from the Vartry reservoir.
This was the day when they started to fill those sunken tubes/casings with liquid cement. At a (rough) guess -- I'd say the foundations are sunk to a depth of approx 4+m.
With such secure foundations in place, they would then look to construct a substantial bank of material, and/or retaining wall (similar to that in place further along the roadside bank).
As ever, the first attempt at a process brings it's own unique set of issues.
The tight confines of the riverbed obliges the use of a concrete pumping rig with long-boom capacity.
Would you call this a '4 section' unit'? Built on a 4-axle chassis, I'd suggest that it's reach is approx 40+m.
The remotely-controlled unit siphons and pumps liquid concrete into the sunken wells. Immediately the guys agitate the mixture to remove any air pockets. Final step is to lower in a pre-formed steel skeleton brace, intended to reinforce the foundation.
While we were there, the guys struggled to sink the steel frame into the sunken sleeve. I can't believe it was a problem with alignment -- other similar frames dropped neatly into their appointed sleeve.
Perhaps simply a case that the compressed liquid solution was just inflexible enough to receive the steel skeleton. We left.
Will find out later what the outcome was.
River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme.
These images were taken during the first week of May, 2016. 14 months previously we'd watched low-level maintenance work on the opposite banks, and (I) predicted that destabilised sections might be a problem. To address the serious problem of surface runoff/seepage destabilising the bank structure, they excavate and lay out a drainage pipe system, to better channel the water and slow down the erosion of the banks. The section of this bank, directly opposite the apartment complex, was critically exposed after the winter rains. The roots of many trees were exposed, with the bank itself starting to rapidly erode. Specific work involved the removal of soil, back-filling with large boulders, integrated drainage system, and finally re-facing with new soil.One has to wonder at some of the wasted effort - remember the 'carpet strips' painstakingly installed through 'soil stitching' process in Sept 2012. The evidence is there in my previous picture galleries.
An older red and gray scheme of the later green-clad sporting goods chain was still sporting an old-school look until submitting to a remodel in 2011.
Sadly, this remodeled store resembles every other Dick's along with dropping the "Clothing" tag from the sign.
Glass by Douglas Strachan, part of the full scheme of windows commissioned for the chapel in 1921.
Westminster College stands to the north of Cambridge's centre and is primarily a theological college for the training of ministers in the United Reformed Church. The present buildings were designed by Henry Hare and built between 1897–1899.
The reason for my visit was the chapel which is hidden away behind the main frontage. This low vaulted space is remarkable for its glass, a complete scheme of windows by Scottish stained glass artist Douglas Strachan, a symphony of swirling forms and rich colours emanating from all of the thirteen windows. The apse and west windows are relatively small, but the windows on each side of the chapel are larger and more dramatic works.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Strachan
This college is off the tourist trail and thus not so widely known or visited, but knowing of the glorious glass I enquired about seeing the chapel at reception and the nice lady there happily let me in and pointed me in the right direction which was very much appreciated, and the chapel's windows really are hidden gems.
Before having almost no time to get ready and rush out the door, I was told the Indiana RR SD90/43MACs where being held for rush at Rondout, waiting to head south on CP 284. With doubts of catching them swarming my mind, we were lucky enough that CP had one of the worse dispatchers on duty. Flying off I-355, onto and off I-94, and then onto York heading North, we saw a Coca-Cola type of paint scheme sitting at Irving Park Rd. All of our doubts where relieved when the Dynamic Duo was spotted. Now, we play the waiting game. Three trains went by on the CP, and two on the "New-New" Milwaukee Sub. "CP 284 signal indication after the scoot". The five of us waiting at Roosevelt Rd. (Now pretty much not a road) got treated to this pair of locomotives with the color scheme matching the season! Bensenville, IL 12-22-12
This is a gorgeous mid-century color scheme for those lucky people who still have their vintage peach-colored fixtures.
Source: Better Homes & Gardens
Image from the collection of Mid Century Home Style.