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Clay is very versatile and there are so many ways toddlers and preschoolers can play and experiment with it.
Clay gives them the opportunity to be creative and learn about texture, shape and form whilst having lots of fun.
In some areas, clay can be sourced from the natural environment. Alternatively, clay can be bought from an art shop or potters’ suppliers or you could make your own.
9 Benefits of playing with clay
1. Manipulating clay helps toddlers and preschoolers to develop their hand and eye co-ordination as they pound, pat and push the clay into shapes and objects.
2. Clay also helps toddlers and preschoolers develop the small muscles in their fingers and hands, known as fine motor skills, as they pinch, squeeze and prod the clay, adding detail to the shape or object.
3. Through this manipulation, toddlers and preschoolers can express their thoughts and ideas as they mould the clay to take on the form of their imagination.
4. Toddlers and preschoolers can experiment with literacy and numeracy concepts as they use clay to create letter, number and shape formations.
5. Facilitating toddlers and preschoolers to create their own name, their age, street address, or the names of people in their family makes learning meaningful.
6. Clay can also be used to visually represent your toddler's or preschooler's culture as it is moulded to represent meaningful symbols and patterns.
7. You can support your toddler or preschooler with clay play by providing an unhurried, spacious environment so that time can be spent developing and revisiting their work.
8. Regular access to clay provides toddlers and preschoolers with opportunities to build on their knowledge, verbalise their thoughts and ideas, and add detail to their work.
9. Skills toddles and preschoolers develop when playing with clay include imagination, perseverance, problem solving, teamwork, social interaction and self- regulation.
“SHUTTLE VERSATILITY---An artist’s concept of one of the many tasks which the Space Plane will be called upon to perform. In this photograph, the Orbiter has deployed a cannister with space travelers. It is connected to an Earth-orbiting space station. Transfer of the travelers flying on this mission in the 1980s is underway about 240 nautical miles (444 kilometers) above the Hawaiian Islands. Greeting one of the incoming passengers is a vivacious blonde scientist--one of the station’s personnel--while one of the newcomers is a brunette. Provisions will be made in the Modular Space Station to accommodate all scientists, either male or female, and to allow them to conduct their experiments as long as necessary. The station will be supplied by an Orbiter. It is one part of a two-stage vehicle called the Space Shuttle. The other part is the Booster. Together, they represent a new version of NASA space exploration—one that significantly reduces costs of operation. The two are mated in a vertical position on the launch platform. The Orbiter rides piggyback for about three minutes on the Booster, and then separation occurs. This takes place at approximately 33 nautical miles (61.12 kilometers) and the workhorse Booster returns to Earth, landing horizontally on runway, while the sleek Orbiter continues on into space. The Orbiter weighs approximately 900,000 lbs. (or 408,240 kilograms) on the launch pad. Some 245,000 pounds (111,132 kilos) of this is dry weight; the balance is fuel and other inert weight including 25,000 lbs. (11,340 kilograms) of cargo. The Orbiter is the size of a commercial jet aircraft. Upon off-loading cargo, the crew, numbering possibly four, flies the Space Plane back to Earth. They also may land horizontally on runways of 10,000 feet (3,048) or more. The Manned Spacecraft Center’s Jerry Elmore is the artist.”
While very informative & well-written, is that sexist or what? I’m surprised it even depicts the lone black guy aboard the station.
No wonder it wasn’t until 1983 that NASA managed to get both a woman (Sally Ride) into space on STS-7, and the first black man (Guy Bluford) on the very next mission, STS-8!
And while we’re here – it would be nine more years until the first black woman (Mae Jamison) reached orbit aboard STS-47.
The other surprise to me and WIN, unexpectedly, is the overt identification of the artist, and it NOT being Robert McCall. I would not have guessed Mr. Elmore. Unfortunately, he succumbed to the artist’s concept/actual photo combination thing. Oh, wait, one more - ”cannister”?
My dad use to have a collection of PG teapots and now I have a couple of them.
Taken for CC Most Versatile for Feb 2019 but added a texture too for the CC Week 6 Texture challenge
10 members entered 68 photos, 4 of whom played a full house of images; Maria, Dave, Paul and Cheryl.
This montage is a representative selection of the ten themes and contains one image per theme and this month there is one image per member.
Thanks Sharon for setting another fab challenge for the Compositionally Challenged Group.
Mignon.....She is my girl that can literally wear ANYTHING and look so fabulous. Look at these wonderful pink goggles on her!!
yes, after a couple of weeks of dithering (and having no working H key), i bought myself a new apple product :)
am liking the iphoto/photos a lot!! a bit more versatility
not a big fan of the new connections (USB-C)
This is another skirt that an be worn with different colored tops.. This top is actually a very light tan.
The 'Most Versatile' challenge is set by the Compositionally Challenged Group. Thank you very much Sharon for choosing these fab themes, and thanks Linda for posting them.
In this month's challenge, 11 members entered 98 photos, and 7 members completed all 10 themes. These members, in play order were: Robin, Maria, Ms J, Pat, Sharon, Andy and Carissa.
This montage features at least one photo per person, and at least one photo per theme. To view the complete challenge and entries, click Here.
I rescued this antique tripod from an interior design shop a couple of years back, just before they turned it (can you believe) into a lamp stand!!! It's amazingly versatile, breaks down into manageable pieces and is extremely sturdy. And as a kind of novelty, I'm planning to cannibalise a modern ball-head to adapt it for use with a modern camera.
Versatile the ability to adapt change become what ever or who ever you want to be, Always strive to be a chameleon there are so many phases colors and experiences. Never be afraid to take chances. From fear comes greatness.
Pants: tomoto slim pants black by tomoto,
Boots: A&Y Deuz Boots Metallic (Male) - Black by ☢A&Y Bunker CyberShop☢
marketplace.secondlife.com/p/AY-Deuz-Boots-Metallic-Male-...
Arm wraps: Caboodle Aiden Arm warmer by Caboodle
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/TMD/129/205/22
Face Mask: Caboodle by Caboodle
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/TMD/129/205/22
Hair Piece: Zibska: Radulfr Color Change Headpiece and Necklace by Zibska
marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Zibska-Radulfr-Color-Change-...
Neck piece: Zibska ~ Ortensia Deux Color Change Collar by Zibska
marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Zibska-Ortensia-Deux-Color-C...
Makeup: Dawg Shadow Eye Makeup - Unisex Makeup Tattoo Layer
by VANITY FLAIR by Lera - eyes, eyeliner, eyelashes, makeup
marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Dawg-Shadow-Eye-Makeup-Unise...
Flicker: www.flickr.com/photos/126589445@N02/
Blog: tazmanianalpha.wordpress.com/
Photo by Chezza Slade
A formation of Lockheed Martin F-35A "Lightning IIs", from the 388th Fighter Wing and 419th FW, refuel over the Utah Test and Training Range, Utah, as part of a combat power exercise Nov. 19, 2018. The exercise aims to confirm their ability to quickly employ a large force of jets against air and ground targets, and demonstrate the readiness and lethality of the F-35. As the first combat-ready F-35 units in the Air Force, the 388th and 419th FWs at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, are ready to deploy anywhere in the world at a moment's notice.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation, single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather stealth tactical fighter aircraft developed for the United States Air Force (USAF). The result of the USAF's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program, the aircraft was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, but also has ground attack, electronic warfare, and signal intelligence capabilities. The prime contractor, Lockheed Martin, built most of the F-22's airframe and weapons systems and conducted final assembly, while Boeing provided the wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration, and training systems.
The aircraft was variously designated F-22 and F/A-22 before it formally entered service in December 2005 as the F-22A. Despite its protracted development and various operational issues, USAF officials consider the F-22 a critical component of the service's tactical air power. Its combination of stealth, aerodynamic performance, and situational awareness enable unprecedented air combat capabilities.
Service officials had originally planned to buy a total of 750 ATFs. In 2009, the program was cut to 187 operational production aircraft due to high costs, a lack of clear air-to-air missions due to delays in Russian and Chinese fighter programs, a ban on exports, and development of the more versatile F-35. The last F-22 was delivered in 2012.
Development
Origins
In 1981, the U.S. Air Force identified a requirement for an Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) to replace the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon. Code named "Senior Sky", this air-superiority fighter program was influenced by emerging worldwide threats, including new developments in Soviet air defense systems and the proliferation of the Su-27 "Flanker"- and MiG-29 "Fulcrum"-class of fighter aircraft. It would take advantage of the new technologies in fighter design on the horizon, including composite materials, lightweight alloys, advanced flight control systems, more powerful propulsion systems, and most importantly, stealth technology. In 1983, the ATF concept development team became the System Program Office (SPO) and managed the program at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The demonstration and validation (Dem/Val) request for proposals (RFP) was issued in September 1985, with requirements placing strong emphasis on stealth and supercruise. Of the seven bidding companies, Lockheed and Northrop were selected on 31 October 1986. Lockheed teamed with Boeing and General Dynamics while Northrop teamed with McDonnell Douglas, and the two contractor teams undertook a 50-month Dem/Val phase, culminating in the flight test of two technology demonstrator prototypes, the YF-22 and the YF-23, respectively.
Dem/Val was focused on risk reduction and technology development plans over specific aircraft designs. Contractors made extensive use of analytical and empirical methods, including computational fluid dynamics, wind-tunnel testing, and radar cross-section calculations and pole testing; the Lockheed team would conduct nearly 18,000 hours of wind-tunnel testing. Avionics development was marked by extensive testing and prototyping and supported by ground and flying laboratories. During Dem/Val, the SPO used the results of performance and cost trade studies conducted by contractor teams to adjust ATF requirements and delete ones that were significant weight and cost drivers while having marginal value. The short takeoff and landing (STOL) requirement was relaxed in order to delete thrust-reversers, saving substantial weight. As avionics was a major cost driver, side-looking radars were deleted, and the dedicated infra-red search and track (IRST) system was downgraded from multi-color to single color and then deleted as well. However, space and cooling provisions were retained to allow for future addition of these components. The ejection seat requirement was downgraded from a fresh design to the existing McDonnell Douglas ACES II. Despite efforts by the contractor teams to rein in weight, the takeoff gross weight estimate was increased from 50,000 lb (22,700 kg) to 60,000 lb (27,200 kg), resulting in engine thrust requirement increasing from 30,000 lbf (133 kN) to 35,000 lbf (156 kN) class.
Each team produced two prototype air vehicles for Dem/Val, one for each of the two engine options. The YF-22 had its maiden flight on 29 September 1990 and in flight tests achieved up to Mach 1.58 in supercruise. After the Dem/Val flight test of the prototypes, on 23 April 1991, Secretary of the USAF Donald Rice announced the Lockheed team as the winner of the ATF competition. The YF-23 design was considered stealthier and faster, while the YF-22, with its thrust vectoring nozzles, was more maneuverable as well as less expensive and risky. The aviation press speculated that the Lockheed team's design was also more adaptable to the U.S. Navy's Navalized Advanced Tactical Fighter (NATF), but by 1992, the Navy had abandoned NATF.
Production and procurement
As the program moved to full-scale development, or the Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) stage, the production version had notable differences from the YF-22, despite having a broadly similar shape. The swept-back angle of the leading edge was decreased from 48° to 42°, while the vertical stabilizers were shifted rearward and decreased in area by 20%. To improve pilot visibility, the canopy was moved forward 7 inches (18 cm), and the engine intakes moved rearward 14 inches (36 cm). The shapes of the wing and stabilator trailing edges were refined to improve aerodynamics, strength, and stealth characteristics. Increasing weight during development caused slight reductions in range and maneuver performance.
Prime contractor Lockheed Martin Aeronautics manufactured the majority of the airframe and performed final assembly at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia; program partner Boeing Defense, Space & Security provided additional airframe components as well as avionics integration and training systems. The first F-22, an EMD aircraft with tail number 4001, was unveiled at Marietta, Georgia, on 9 April 1997, and first flew on 7 September 1997. Production, with the first lot awarded in September 2000, supported over 1,000 subcontractors and suppliers from 46 states and up to 95,000 jobs, and spanned 15 years at a peak rate of roughly two airplanes per month. In 2006, the F-22 development team won the Collier Trophy, American aviation's most prestigious award. Due to the aircraft's advanced nature, contractors have been targeted by cyberattacks and technology theft.
The USAF originally envisioned ordering 750 ATFs at a total program cost of $44.3 billion and procurement cost of $26.2 billion in fiscal year (FY) 1985 dollars, with production beginning in 1994. The 1990 Major Aircraft Review led by Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney reduced this to 648 aircraft beginning in 1996. By 1997, funding instability had further cut the total to 339, which was again reduced to 277 by 2003. In 2004, the Department of Defense (DoD) further reduced this to 183 operational aircraft, despite the USAF's preference for 381. A multi-year procurement plan was implemented in 2006 to save $15 billion, with total program cost projected to be $62 billion for 183 F-22s distributed to seven combat squadrons. In 2008, Congress passed a defense spending bill that raised the total orders for production aircraft to 187.
The first two F-22s built were EMD aircraft in the Block 1.0 configuration for initial flight testing, while the third was a Block 2.0 aircraft built to represent the internal structure of production airframes and enabled it to test full flight loads. Six more EMD aircraft were built in the Block 10 configuration for development and upgrade testing, with the last two considered essentially production quality jets. Production for operational squadrons consisted of 37 Block 20 training aircraft and 149 Block 30/35 combat aircraft; one of the Block 35 aircraft is dedicated to flight sciences at Edwards Air Force Base.
The numerous new technologies in the F-22 resulted in substantial cost overruns and delays. Many capabilities were deferred to post-service upgrades, reducing the initial cost but increasing total program cost. As production wound down in 2011, the total program cost is estimated to be about $67.3 billion, with $32.4 billion spent on Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) and $34.9 billion on procurement and military construction (MILCON) in then year dollars. The incremental cost for an additional F-22 was estimated at about $138 million in 2009.
Ban on exports
The F-22 cannot be exported under US federal law to protect its stealth technology and other high-tech features. Customers for U.S. fighters are acquiring earlier designs such as the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon or the newer F-35 Lightning II, which contains technology from the F-22 but was designed to be cheaper, more flexible, and available for export. In September 2006, Congress upheld the ban on foreign F-22 sales. Despite the ban, the 2010 defense authorization bill included provisions requiring the DoD to prepare a report on the costs and feasibility for an F-22 export variant, and another report on the effect of F-22 export sales on U.S. aerospace industry.
Some Australian politicians and defense commentators proposed that Australia should attempt to purchase F-22s instead of the planned F-35s, citing the F-22's known capabilities and F-35's delays and developmental uncertainties. However, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) determined that the F-22 was unable to perform the F-35's strike and close air support roles. The Japanese government also showed interest in the F-22 for its Replacement-Fighter program. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) would reportedly require fewer fighters for its mission if it obtained the F-22, thus reducing engineering and staffing costs. However, in 2009 it was reported that acquiring the F-22 would require increases to the Japanese government's defense budget beyond the historical 1 percent of its GDP. With the end of F-22 production, Japan chose the F-35 in December 2011. Israel also expressed interest, but eventually chose the F-35 because of the F-22's price and unavailability.
Production termination
Throughout the 2000s, the need for F-22s was debated, due to rising costs and the lack of relevant adversaries. In 2006, Comptroller General of the United States David Walker found that "the DoD has not demonstrated the need" for more investment in the F-22, and further opposition to the program was expressed by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon R. England, Senator John McCain, and Chairman of U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services Senator John Warner. The F-22 program lost influential supporters in 2008 after the forced resignations of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force General T. Michael Moseley.
In November 2008, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stated that the F-22 was not relevant in post-Cold War conflicts such as irregular warfare operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and in April 2009, under the new Obama Administration, he called for ending production in FY2011, leaving the USAF with 187 production aircraft. In July, General James Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated to the Senate Committee on Armed Services his reasons for supporting termination of F-22 production. They included shifting resources to the multirole F-35 to allow proliferation of fifth-generation fighters for three service branches and preserving the F/A-18 production line to maintain the military's electronic warfare (EW) capabilities in the Boeing EA-18G Growler.[60] Issues with the F-22's reliability and availability also raised concerns. After President Obama threatened to veto further production, the Senate voted in July 2009 in favor of ending production and the House subsequently agreed to abide by the 187 production aircraft cap. Gates stated that the decision was taken in light of the F-35's capabilities, and in 2010, he set the F-22 requirement to 187 aircraft by lowering the number of major regional conflict preparations from two to one.
In 2010, USAF initiated a study to determine the costs of retaining F-22 tooling for a future Service Life Extension Program (SLEP).[66] A RAND Corporation paper from this study estimated that restarting production and building an additional 75 F-22s would cost $17 billion, resulting in $227 million per aircraft, or $54 million higher than the flyaway cost. Lockheed Martin stated that restarting the production line itself would cost about $200 million. Production tooling and associated documentation were subsequently stored at the Sierra Army Depot, allowing the retained tooling to support the fleet life cycle. There were reports that attempts to retrieve this tooling found empty containers, but a subsequent audit found that the tooling was stored as expected.
Russian and Chinese fighter developments have fueled concern, and in 2009, General John Corley, head of Air Combat Command, stated that a fleet of 187 F-22s would be inadequate, but Secretary Gates dismissed General Corley's concern. In 2011, Gates explained that Chinese fifth-generation fighter developments had been accounted for when the number of F-22s was set, and that the U.S. would have a considerable advantage in stealth aircraft in 2025, even with F-35 delays. In December 2011, the 195th and final F-22 was completed out of 8 test EMD and 187 operational aircraft produced; the aircraft was delivered to the USAF on 2 May 2012.
In April 2016, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee proposed legislation that would direct the Air Force to conduct a cost study and assessment associated with resuming production of the F-22. Since the production halt directed in 2009 by then Defense Secretary Gates, lawmakers and the Pentagon noted that air warfare systems of Russia and China were catching up to those of the U.S. Lockheed Martin has proposed upgrading the Block 20 training aircraft into combat-coded Block 30/35 versions as a way to increase numbers available for deployment. On 9 June 2017, the Air Force submitted their report to Congress stating they had no plans to restart the F-22 production line due to economic and operational issues; it estimated it would cost approximately $50 billion to procure 194 additional F-22s at a cost of $206–$216 million per aircraft, including approximately $9.9 billion for non-recurring start-up costs and $40.4 billion for aircraft procurement costs.
Upgrades
The first aircraft with combat-capable Block 3.0 software flew in 2001. Increment 2, the first upgrade program, was implemented in 2005 for Block 20 aircraft onward and enabled the employment of Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM). Certification of the improved AN/APG-77(V)1 radar was completed in March 2007, and airframes from production Lot 5 onward are fitted with this radar, which incorporates air-to-ground modes. Increment 3.1 for Block 30 aircraft onward provided improved ground-attack capability through synthetic aperture radar mapping and radio emitter direction finding, electronic attack and Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) integration; testing began in 2009 and the first upgraded aircraft was delivered in 2011. To address oxygen deprivation issues, F-22s were fitted with an automatic backup oxygen system (ABOS) and modified life support system starting in 2012.
Increment 3.2 for Block 35 aircraft is a two-part upgrade process; 3.2A focuses on electronic warfare, communications and identification, while 3.2B includes geolocation improvements and a new stores management system to show the correct symbols for the AIM-9X and AIM-120D.[83][84] To enable two-way communication with other platforms, the F-22 can use the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) as a gateway. The planned Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) integration was cut due to development delays and lack of proliferation among USAF platforms. The F-22 fleet is planned to start receiving Increment 3.2B as well as a software upgrade for cryptography capabilities and avionics stability in May 2019. A Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Joint (MIDS-J) radio that replaces the current Link-16 receive-only box is expected to be operational by 2020. Subsequent upgrades are also focusing on having an open architecture to enable faster future enhancements.
In 2024, funding is projected to begin for the F-22 mid-life upgrade (MLU), which is expected to include new sensors and antennas, hardware refresh, cockpit improvements, and a helmet mounted display and cuing system. Other enhancements being developed include IRST functionality for the AN/AAR-56 Missile Launch Detector (MLD) and more durable stealth coating based on the F-35's.
The F-22 was designed for a service life of 8,000 flight hours, with a $350 million "structures retrofit program". Investigations are being made for upgrades to extend their useful lives further. In the long term, the F-22 is expected to be superseded by a sixth-generation jet fighter to be fielded in the 2030s.
Design
Overview
The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation fighter that is considered fourth generation in stealth aircraft technology by the USAF.[91] It is the first operational aircraft to combine supercruise, supermaneuverability, stealth, and sensor fusion in a single weapons platform. The F-22 has four empennage surfaces, retractable tricycle landing gear, and clipped delta wings with reverse trailing edge sweep and leading edge extensions running to the upper outboard corner of the inlets. Flight control surfaces include leading-edge flaps, flaperons, ailerons, rudders on the canted vertical stabilizers, and all-moving horizontal tails (stabilators); for speed brake function, the ailerons deflect up, flaperons down, and rudders outwards to increase drag.
The aircraft's dual Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 augmented turbofan engines are closely spaced and incorporate pitch-axis thrust vectoring nozzles with a range of ±20 degrees; each engine has maximum thrust in the 35,000 lbf (156 kN) class. The F-22's thrust-to-weight ratio at typical combat weight is nearly at unity in maximum military power and 1.25 in full afterburner. Maximum speed without external stores is approximately Mach 1.8 at military power and greater than Mach 2 with afterburners.
The F-22's high cruise speed and operating altitude over prior fighters improve the effectiveness of its sensors and weapon systems, and increase survivability against ground defenses such as surface-to-air missiles. The aircraft is among only a few that can supercruise, or sustain supersonic flight without using fuel-inefficient afterburners; it can intercept targets which subsonic aircraft would lack the speed to pursue and an afterburner-dependent aircraft would lack the fuel to reach. The F-22's thrust and aerodynamics enable regular combat speeds of Mach 1.5 at 50,000 feet (15,000 m). The use of internal weapons bays permits the aircraft to maintain comparatively higher performance over most other combat-configured fighters due to a lack of aerodynamic drag from external stores. The aircraft's structure contains a significant amount of high-strength materials to withstand stress and heat of sustained supersonic flight. Respectively, titanium alloys and composites comprise 39% and 24% of the structural weight.
The F-22's aerodynamics, relaxed stability, and powerful thrust-vectoring engines give it excellent maneuverability and energy potential across its flight envelope. The airplane has excellent high alpha (angle of attack) characteristics, capable of flying at trimmed alpha of over 60° while maintaining roll control and performing maneuvers such as the Herbst maneuver (J-turn) and Pugachev's Cobra. The flight control system and full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) make the aircraft highly departure resistant and controllable, thus giving the pilot carefree handling.
Stealth
The F-22 was designed to be highly difficult to detect and track by radar. Measures to reduce radar cross-section (RCS) include airframe shaping such as alignment of edges, fixed-geometry serpentine inlets and curved vanes that prevent line-of-sight of the engine faces and turbines from any exterior view, use of radar-absorbent material (RAM), and attention to detail such as hinges and pilot helmets that could provide a radar return. The F-22 was also designed to have decreased radio emissions, infrared signature and acoustic signature as well as reduced visibility to the naked eye. The aircraft's flat thrust-vectoring nozzles reduce infrared emissions of the exhaust plume to mitigate the threat of infrared homing ("heat seeking") surface-to-air or air-to-air missiles. Additional measures to reduce the infrared signature include special topcoat and active cooling of leading edges to manage the heat buildup from supersonic flight.
Compared to previous stealth designs like the F-117, the F-22 is less reliant on RAM, which are maintenance-intensive and susceptible to adverse weather conditions. Unlike the B-2, which requires climate-controlled hangars, the F-22 can undergo repairs on the flight line or in a normal hangar. The F-22 has a Signature Assessment System which delivers warnings when the radar signature is degraded and necessitates repair. While the F-22's exact RCS is classified, in 2009 Lockheed Martin released information indicating that from certain angles the aircraft has an RCS of 0.0001 m² or −40 dBsm – equivalent to the radar reflection of a "steel marble". Effectively maintaining the stealth features can decrease the F-22's mission capable rate to 62–70%.
The effectiveness of the stealth characteristics is difficult to gauge. The RCS value is a restrictive measurement of the aircraft's frontal or side area from the perspective of a static radar. When an aircraft maneuvers it exposes a completely different set of angles and surface area, potentially increasing radar observability. Furthermore, the F-22's stealth contouring and radar absorbent materials are chiefly effective against high-frequency radars, usually found on other aircraft. The effects of Rayleigh scattering and resonance mean that low-frequency radars such as weather radars and early-warning radars are more likely to detect the F-22 due to its physical size. However, such radars are also conspicuous, susceptible to clutter, and have low precision. Additionally, while faint or fleeting radar contacts make defenders aware that a stealth aircraft is present, reliably vectoring interception to attack the aircraft is much more challenging. According to the USAF an F-22 surprised an Iranian F-4 Phantom II that was attempting to intercept an American UAV, despite Iran's assertion of having military VHF radar coverage over the Persian Gulf.
Versatile Eyeshadow Collection, is a set available for Lelutka EvoX, sold in the BOM version - FATPACK for 69L
ᴛʀʏ ᴀ ᴅᴇᴍᴏ ʙᴇғᴏʀᴇ ᴘᴜʀᴄʜᴀsᴇ
1981 FIAT 44-28 (Versatile 875) 4WD tractor.
Supplied by the Townsend Group.
Cheffins vintage and classic auction, Sutton -
"Serial No. 055779 Stated to be in good condition with new top link, operators and parts manual included."
Sold for £28,200.
The 'Most Versatile' challenge is set by the Compositionally Challenged Group. Loads of thanks to Linda for setting these themes.
In this month's challenge, 10 member entered 92 photos, and 8 members completed all 10 themes. These members, in play order are: Maria, Sandi, Dave, Linda, Lesley, Simone, Sharon and Andy.
This montage features at least one photo per person, and one photo per theme. To view the complete challenge and entries, click Here.
Normally, I use two photo slots for the title and group icon. But! I thought that with 10 players and 8 maximums, I could use all 18 slots - 2 pics from each of the maximums, and 1 each from the other players. This won't be the new norm, as I miss having the group icon. The title and icon together, breaks up the regimentation, and creates a counter point. It seems that we can have two much regimentation after all.
Versatile Lara: (from left to right) Chic Lara- Splash of Silver (2009), Glamour Lara- Midnight Celebration (2014) and Sassy Lara- Laser Leatherette Dress (2014).
The 'Most Versatile' challenge is set by the Compositionally Challenged Group. Thanks very much Sharon for setting these super themes.
In this month's challenge, 12 members entered 112 photos, and 9 members completed all 10 themes. These members, in play order were: Ms J, Robin, Maria, Sandi, Pat, Sharon, Dave, Andy and Carissa.
This montage features at least one photo per person, and at least one photo per theme. To view the complete challenge and entries, click Here.
Opps - 🙀 - I forgot to set the link to December most Versatile post. But it's done now. 😊 (Sat 7th)
The NIKKOR Z focusing system and multiple AF drives ensure focusing is incredibly precise, ultra-smooth and practically silent. Making this lens ideal for movies as well as stills.
Photo credit: #Fashion #documentary #photographer © Kenta Aminaka
Cheerful, versatile, and highly functional -- I love the mix of open shelves and glass-fronted cabinets, and the shot of yellow introduced through the servingware. Another great feature? The undermount sink. It looks gorgeous and means easier clean-up, too.
Photo by Michel Arnaud, Good Housekeeping, July 2007.
1991 Ford Versatile 9030 4WD bi-directional loader tractor.
An import from the USA registered in April 1992.
Cheffins vintage and classic auction, Sutton -
"1991 FORD VERSATILE 9030 Bi-Directional diesel TRACTOR Reg. No. J110 JHG Serial No. D470150 Reported by the vendor to be a one owner tractor with 6,011 hours showing."
Unsold.
[ +1 in comments ]
more on my blog
Canon AE-1 | Canon FD 50mm ƒ/1.8 | Kodak Max Versatility 400 (expired 2006-09)
( scan from print - SOOC - unedited )
© All rights reserved - Please don't use this image without my permission
Your guess is as good as mine. Seen in Lost Valley which is in the Buffalo National River park near Ponca, Arkansas.
Versatile in it’s load out options the M-ASS can be just want you want it to be on the battlefield – as long as you have the right attachments. Right now it's sporting a lookout nest (with anti-personal rounds)", prisonor containment pod (ruthlessly strapped in the line of fire), anti mech cannon, orange rockets (the worst kind), and chingun chaingun (love for the komas). Probably will do a couple loadouts for this frame. Probably do a bare shot too.
Wanted a different quad walker then the normal insect looking variety.This one is more of a lumbering beast. Better pictures are on the way - but my camera’s dead, and I’m impatient - so I will post this one now.
Lore
Noting the versatility of the Chassis used for the Stormer APC family the head design teams at plant 183 decided to expand their design capabilities to tanks as well as infantry support vehicles and turned the design into a heavy tank with a hull mounted gun. To do this they created a brand new light weight and easy to manufacture turret to take on the anti-tank role with the hull mounted gun being used for knocking out heavy fortfications. This heavy tank was named (Although the same size as the Stormer APC) the Gigant (or giant) due to the large size of it in comparison to other tanks of the era.
Other stuff
It's a heavy tank now with Chasseurs marching alongside it!
French postcard by Editions Mercuri, no. 1625. Lobby card of Johnny Depp as Ed Wood and Martin Landau as Bela Lugosi in Ed Wood (Tim Burton, 1994).
American actor Johnny Depp is one of the most versatile actors in today's Hollywood. He made his film debut as one of Freddy Krueger's victims in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). With his dark, intense eyes and highly defined cheekbones, he shot to fame as a teen idol in the TV series 21 Jump Street (1987). He is now best known for his many wonderful collaborations with director Tim Burton and his flamboyant pirate Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of Carribean franchise. He likes to play freakishly eccentric outcasts whose oddities are misunderstood by society. Depp has been nominated for three Oscars and has won the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards for Best Actor.
John Christopher Depp II was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, in 1963, to Betty Sue (Wells), who worked as a waitress, and John Christopher Depp, a civil engineer. Depp was raised in Florida. He dropped out of school when he was 16 (or 15 - the sources differ), after his parents divorced. The brooding teenager fronted a series of music-garage bands, including the punk rock/New Wave band The Kids, which opened for Iggy Pop, Duran Duran, and The B-52's. When he married Lori Anne Allison (Lori A. Depp), he took up the job of being a ballpoint pen salesman to support himself and his wife during slack times in the music business. When he visited Los Angeles with his wife, he met actor Nicolas Cage, who advised him to turn to acting. This culminated in Depp's film debut in the low-budget horror film, A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), where he played a teenager who falls prey to dream-stalking demon Freddy Krueger. He played a supporting role as a Vietnamese-speaking private in Oliver Stone's Vietnam War film Platoon (1986), starring Charlie Sheen. In 1987 he shot to stardom when he replaced Jeff Yagher as Officer Tom Hanson, who goes on an undercover operation by posing as a student in crime-ridden Los Angeles-area high schools in the TV series 21 Jump Street (1987). After numerous roles in teen-oriented films, Depp spoofed the genre as 1950s teen rebel 'Cry-Baby' Wade Walker in John Waters' tongue-in-cheek Cry-Baby (John Waters, 1990). The film received positive reviews from critics but did not achieve high audience numbers in its initial release. It has subsequently become a cult classic and spawned a Broadway musical of the same name which was nominated for four Tony Awards. That year, Depp also started his great collaborations with director Tim Burton, playing the title role in the romantic dark fantasy Edward Scissorhands (1990) with Winona Ryder and Christopher Lee.
Following the film's success, Johnny Depp carved a niche for himself as a serious, somewhat dark, idiosyncratic performer, consistently selecting roles that surprised critics and audiences alike. He continued to gain critical acclaim and increasing popularity by appearing in such features as Lasse Hallström's What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993). He starred alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Juliette Lewis in this drama about a dysfunctional family. He rejoined Burton in the lead role of Ed Wood (Tim Burton, 1994), a biographical film about one of history's most inept film directors. Then he played a newly-orphaned accountant in the surrealist Western Dead Man (Jim Jarmusch, 1995), and an undercover FBI agent in the fact-based crime drama Donnie Brasco (Mike Newell, 1997), opposite Al Pacino. Depp appeared as Hunter S. Thompson's alter ego in Terry Gilliam's trippy adaptation of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998). The same year he teamed up again with Burton in Sleepy Hollow (Tim Burton, 1999), brilliantly portraying Ichabod Crane. With Chuck E. Weiss, Depp turned the Central Nightclub in Los Angeles, into the famous Viper Room at 8852 Sunset Blvd. The building was once owned by infamous gangster Bugsy Siegel. It's also the place where River Phoenix passed away on 31 October 1993. Depp closed down the Viper Room for two weeks after Phoenix's death and he also closed it on every 31 October until 2004. That year, he ended his ownership of the Viper room when he signed it over to Amanda Fox, the daughter of his missing partner in the club, Anthony Fox. Depp also once co-owned a restaurant/club in a former cinema in Paris called Man Ray (named after the avant-garde artist), with Sean Penn, John Malkovich and British musician Mick Hucknall.
Johnny Depp has played many different and often bigger-than-life characters in his career. He played a fact-based one, Insp. Fred Abberline in From Hell (Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes, 2001). He stole the show in the finale to Robert Rodriguez's Mariachi trilogy, Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003), opposite Antonio Banderas. In that same year, he starred in the marvellous family blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (Gore Verbinski, 2003), playing a character that only the likes of Depp could pull off: the charming, conniving and roguish Capt. Jack Sparrow. He based Sparrow on rock legend Keith Richards and the Looney Tunes character, Pepe Le Pew. The film's enormous success included an Oscar nomination for Depp. Depp was again nominated for the Best Actor Academy Award for his performance as kind-hearted Scottish novelist James Matthew Barrie, who penned the children's classic Peter Pan, in Finding Neverland (Marc Forster, 2004), with Kate Winslet. He appeared as the notorious second Earl of Rochester in the British film, The Libertine (Lawrence Dunmore, 2004) opposite John Malkovich. Depp collaborated again with Burton in a screen adaptation of Roald Dahl's novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Tim Burton, 2005), and the stop-motion animation Corpse Bride (Tim Burton, 2005), in which Depp voiced the character Victor Van Dort. Later followed Sweeney Todd (Tim Burton, 2007), Alice in Wonderland (Tim Burton, 2010) and Dark Shadows (Tim Burton, 2012). Depp reprised the role of Jack Sparrow in the Pirates sequels Dead Man's Chest (Gore Verbinski, 2006), At World's End (Gore Verbinski, 2007) and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (Rob Marshall, 2011), which were again major box office successes.
Off-screen, Johnny Depp has dated several female celebrities, and has been engaged to Sherilyn Fenn, Jennifer Grey, Winona Ryder and Kate Moss. He was married to Lori Anne Allison in 1983 but divorced her in 1985. Depp has two children with French singer/actress Vanessa Paradis: Lily-Rose Melody (1999) and Jack (2002). He married actress/producer Amber Heard in 2015. Heard filed for divorce from Johnny Depp in May 2016. She was granted a temporary domestic violence restraining order against Depp concerning a physical altercation between the couple, which resulted in Heard filing for divorce in the first place. Heard was granted $7 million as part of the former couple's divorce, which was finalised in 2017. Depp has struggled with alcoholism and addiction for much of his life. Depp has stated that he began smoking at age 12 and began using alcohol and drugs shortly thereafter. In July 2018, Depp was sued for allegedly punching a crew member twice in the ribs during a foul-mouthed tirade. Court documents stated that the actor "reeked of alcohol" and took drugs on set. According to IMDb, Johnny Depp resides in France, Los Angeles, and an island he owns in the Bahamas. He divides his time in France between Meudon, a suburb of Paris and a villa in Plan-de-la-Tour, an hour outside of St Tropez in Southern France. He also purchased Bela Lugosi's Los Angeles home. Depp is intensely protective of his private life. Inside the Actors Studio (1994) is one of the few televised interviews he's granted. Hal Erickson at AllMovie: "Despite this massive success (or maybe as a result), Depp's career suffered a downswing after a string of critical and commercial flops. Films like The Tourist (opposite Angelina Jolie), Dark Shadows (a rare misstep with Tim Burton) and The Lone Ranger failed to connect with audiences and critics alike and left many to wonder when Depp's career would recover." It did. In recent years, Depp reprised the role of the Mad Hatter in Alice Through the Looking Glass (James Bobin, 2016), reprised his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg, 2017), and he was seen in the blockbuster Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (David Yates, 2018), written by J. K. Rowling and starring Eddie Redmayne. Depp is set to return as Gellert Grindelwald in the third Fantastic Beasts film, which is scheduled for release in November 2020.
Sources: Hal Erickson (AllMovie), Wikipedia and IMDb.
And, please check out our blog European Film Star Postcards.
Summer is over, so it's time to go back to work. But fortunately, it's easy to be stylish both at work and parties
They say the last Blackhawk will be carried to the boneyard in a sling hung underneath a Huey.
Wouldn't that be great?
A Bell UH-1Y "Venom" attached to HMLA-773 Det A, sporting rocket pods, curves northward following departure from Gerald R. Ford International Airport.
HMLA-773, affectionately known as the "Red Dogs" traces their roots back to 1958 when the squadron stood up at Naval Air Station Grosse Ile, Mich. flying Piasecki HUP-2 "Retrivers."
A cool bit of trivia for us Michiganders...
About a “Traveling Artist” – Jayson Yeoh
Self-taught artist Jayson Yeoh has a passion for art since young. His pursuit for art creation is relentless and never wavers. A skilled watercolourist, he is always obsessed with the magical quality and versatility of this water media.
Over the years, through his continuous exploration and practice, Jayson has developed a distinctive personal style. His works clearly demonstrate an artistic language unique to himself.
To him, life’s surroundings and the vast nature are his best teachers. They provide him with unlimited source of inspirations and creative sparks.
Jayson loves to travel and always bring with him his sketchbooks and art tools.
Sketching while traveling becomes an important part of his travel itinerary; and is one of the main catalysts for his constant travels.
He has recorded in his sketchbooks, many beautiful artworks and sketches, notes and information, as well as countless new creative ideas!
‘Sketching while traveling’ has enabled him to walk out of the studio and his own limitations, while opened up limitless possibilities.
It also taught him valuable lessons – to observe the world, to know the world, and to create the worlds he sees through his own eyes.
‘Sketching while traveling’ is a journey for enlightenment and knowledge. It is also an alternative method to treasure a memory by in-depth understanding, both visually and audibly.
To Jayson, the ultimate objectives of traveling and sketching are not the artworks created or the opportunity to see magnificent landscapes and rivers, but his interactions with the environment and the community, his means of observing the world, and those people and things, which had touched him one way or another along the journey. They not only broadened his horizons, but also enriched his personal feelings.
Such experiences make him grow as an artist to create better works, and at the same time encourage him to keep moving towards his artistic journey.
i stole poor Etiennes wig to do a photoshoot for the new set of etsy stuff i made... Ilsa's red wig was taking over the show :D
at any rate now i need to get her a short wig of her own cause she just looked soo awesome
Versatile multirole space fighter with bounty hunter pilot(He stole it from the dreaded united space force skull squadron). Don't mess with these guys!
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Heavenly Glam ... ABIGAIL !!
Cathy's girls are so versatile ...
Here they are sporting little up-dos, ballgowns, angel wings, and T-shirts!
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ALSO ... our entry for today's
BLYTHE-A-DAY
Daily theme base flickr group
FEBRUARY 2015
DAY 15: "TIFFANY" (Colour)
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[ the following will be posted on every photo for reference:]
THE STORY of our NEW YORK VISITORS:
Yes, we have some VISITORS here at the Blythe Fifth Avenue School of Modeling (and Charm ;)!
These two have traveled all the way from NEW YORK ... to take a few modeling classes ... conduct a few photo shoots ... and we will be sharing their process and progress here during their visit.
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Little PUMPKIN is a Custom "Rescue" SBL *Cloud Nine Bowl* by Cathy (RoxyPaige) ~
Little ABBY (Abagail) is a Custom also by Cathy (RoxyPaige) who has a Stella Savannah coloured scalp ~
BOTH girls are as sweet as can be, and are doing VERY WELL in all their classes so far!
Stay tuned for more feature photos of these "Super Models in Training" ... right here on our flickr stream :)
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