This gear is firmly locked in place with studs and technic pins and bricks. Probably over-engineered, but it won't move nor come loose from the baseplates.

Based off the picture and other doodles. We'll see where it goes.

Blue dots will be hidden under armor chunks, this is boilerplate armor.

Basecamp bash during the 2023 National Scout Jamboree at The Summit Bechtel Reserve in Mount Hope, West Virginia. (BSA Photo by Leo He)

 

**********Beginning of Shooting Data Section**********

20230725-21-24-03--LH date - 7/25/23 time - 21:24:03

Scouts arriving at camp during the 2023 National Scout Jamboree at The Summit Bechtel Reserve in Mount Hope, West Virginia. (BSA Photo by Leo He)

 

**********Beginning of Shooting Data Section**********

20230719-07-41-04--LH date - 7/19/23 time - 07:41:04

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

In the late 1970s the Mikoyan OKB began development of a hypersonic high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. Designated "Izdeliye 301" (also known as 3.01), the machine had an unusual design, combining a tailless layout with variable geometry wings. The two engines fueled by kerosene were located side by side above the rear fuselage, with the single vertical fin raising above them, not unlike the Tu-22 “Blinder” bomber of that time, but also reminiscent of the US-American SR-71 Mach 3 reconnaissance aircraft.

 

Only few and rather corny information leaked into the West, and the 301 was believed not only to act as a reconnaissance plane , it was also believed to have (nuclear) bombing capabilities. Despite wind tunnel testing with models, no hardware of the 301 was ever produced - aven though the aircraft could have become a basis for a long-range interceptor that would replace by time the PVO's Tupolew Tu-28P (ASCC code "Fiddler"), a large aircraft armed solely with missiles.

 

Despite limitations, the Tu-28P served well in its role, but the concept of a very fast interceptor aircraft, lingered on, since the Soviet Union had large areas to defend against aerial intruders, esp. from the North and the East. High speed, coupled with long range and the ability to intercept an incoming target at long distances independently from ground guidance had high priority for the Soviet Air Defence Forces. Even though no official requirement was issued, the concept of Izdeliye 301 from the Seventies was eventually developed further into the fixed-wing "Izdeliye 701" ultra-long-range high-altitude interceptor in the 1980ies.

 

The impulse for this new approach came when Oleg S. Samoylovich joined the Mikoyan OKB after having worked at Suchoi OKB on the T-60S missile carrier project. Similar in overall design to the former 301, the 701 was primarily intended as a kind of successor for the MiG-31 Foxhound for the 21st century, which just had completed flight tests and was about to enter PVO's front line units.

 

Being based on a long range cruise missile carrier, the 701 would have been a huge plane, featuring a length of 30-31m, a wing span of 19m (featuring a highly swept double delta wing) and having a maximum TOW of 70 tons! Target performance figures included a top speed of 2.500km/h, a cruising speed of 2.100km/h at 17.000m and an effective range of 7.000km in supersonic or 11.000km in subsonic mode. Eventually, the 701 program was mothballed, too, being too ambitious and expensive for a specialized development that could also have been a fighter version of the Tu-22 bomber!

 

Anyway, while the MiG-31 was successfully introduced in 1979 and had evolved in into a capable long-range interceptor with a top speed of more than Mach 3 (limited to Mach 2.8 in order to protect the aircraft's structural integrity), MiG OKB decided in 1984 to take further action and to develop a next-generation technology demonstrator, knowing that even the formidable "Foxhound" was only an interim solution on the way to a true "Four plus" of even a 6th generation fighter. Other new threats like low-flying cruise missiles, the USAF's "Project Pluto" or the assumed SR-71 Mach 5 successor “Aurora” kept Soviet military officials on the edge of their seats, too.

 

Main objective was to expand the Foxhound's state-of the-art performance, and coiple it with modern features like aerodynamic instability, supercruise, stealth features and further development potential.

 

The aircraft's core mission objectives comprised:

- Provide strategic air defense and surveillance in areas not covered by ground-based air defense systems (incl. guidance of other aircraft with less sophisticated avionics)

- Top speed of Mach 3.2 or more in a dash and cruise at Mach 3.0 for prolonged periods

- Long range/high speed interception of airspace intruders of any kind, including low flying cruise missiles, UAVs and helicopters

- Intercept cruise missiles and their launch aircraft from sea level up to 30.000m altitude by reaching missile launch range in the lowest possible time after departing the loiter area

 

Because funding was scarce and no official GOR had been issued, the project was taken on as a private venture. The new project was internally known as "Izdeliye 710" or "71.0". It was based on both 301 and 701 layout ideas and the wind tunnel experiences with their unusual layouts, as well as Oleg Samoylovich's experience with the Suchoi T-4 Mach 3 bomber project and the T-60S.

 

"Izdeliye 710" was from the start intended only as a proof-of-concept prototype, yet fully functional. It would also incorporate new technologies like heat-resistant ceramics against kinetic heating at prolonged high speeds (the airframe had to resist temperatures of 300°C/570°F and more for considerable periods), but with potential for future development into a full-fledged interceptor, penetrator and reconnaissance aircraft.

 

Overall, “Izdeliye 710" looked like a shrinked version of a mix of both former MiG OKB 301 and 701 designs, limited to the MiG-31's weight class of about 40 tons TOW. Compared with the former designs, the airframe received an aerodynamically more refined, partly blended, slender fuselage that also incorporated mild stealth features like a “clean” underside, softened contours and partly shielded air intakes. Structurally, the airframe's speed limit was set at Mach 3.8.

 

From the earlier 301 design,the plane retained the variable geometry wing. Despite the system's complexity and weight, this solution was deemed to be the best approach for a combination of a high continuous top speed, extended loiter time in the mission’s patrol areas and good performance on improvised airfields. Minimum sweep was a mere 10°, while, fully swept at 68°, the wings blended into the LERXes. Additional lift was created through the fuselage shape itself, so that aerodynamic surfaces and therefore drag could be reduced.

 

Pilot and radar operator sat in tandem under a common canopy with rather limited sight. The cockpit was equipped with a modern glass cockpit with LCD screens. The aircraft’s two engines were, again, placed in a large, mutual nacelle on the upper rear fuselage, fed by large air intakes with two-dimensional vertical ramps and a carefully modulated airflow over the aircraft’s dorsal area.

 

Initially, the 71.0 was to be powered by a pair of Soloviev D-30F6 afterburning turbofans with a dry thrust of 93 kN (20,900 lbf) each, and with 152 kN (34,172 lbf) with full afterburner. These were the same engines that powered the MiG-31, but there were high hopes for the Kolesov NK-101 engine: a variable bypass engine with a maximum thrust in the 200kN range, at the time of the 71.0's design undergoing bench tests and originally developed for the advanced Suchoj T-4MS strike aircraft.

With the D-30F6, the 71.0 was expected to reach Mach 3.2 (making the aircraft capable of effectively intercepting the SR-71), but the NK-101 would offer in pure jet mode a top speed in excess of Mach 3.5 and also improve range and especially loiter time when running as a subsonic turbofan engine.

 

A single fin with an all-moving top and an additional deep rudder at its base was placed on top of the engine nacelle. Additional maneuverability at lower speed was achieved by retractable, all-moving foreplanes, stowed in narrow slits under the cockpit. Longitudinal stability at high speed was improved through deflectable stabilizers: these were kept horizontal for take-off and added to the overall lift, but they could be folded down by up to 60° in flight, acting additionally as stabilizer strakes.

 

Due to the aircraft’s slender shape and unique proportions, the 71.0 quickly received the unofficial nickname "жура́вль" (‘Zhurávl' = Crane). The aircaft’s stalky impression was emphasized even more through its unusual landing gear arrangement: Due to the limited internal space for the main landing gear wells between the weapons bay, the wing folding mechanisms and the engine nacelle, MiG OKB decided to incorporate a bicycle landing gear, normally a trademark of Yakovlew OKB designs, but a conventional landing gear could simply not be mounted, or its construction would have become much too heavy and complex.

 

In order to facilitate operations from improvised airfields and on snow the landing gear featured twin front wheels on a conventional strut and a single four wheel bogie as main wheels. Smaller, single stabilizer wheels were mounted on outriggers that retracted into slender fairings at the wings’ fixed section trailing edge, reminiscent of early Tupolev designs.

 

All standard air-to-air weaponry, as well as fuel, was to be carried internally. Main armament would be the K-100 missile (in service eventually designated R-100), stored in a large weapons bay behind the cockpit on a rotary mount. The K-100 had been under development at that time at NPO Novator, internally coded ‘Izdeliye 172’. The K-100 missile was an impressive weapon, and specifically designed to attack vital and heavily defended aerial targets like NATO’s AWACS aircraft at BVR distance.

 

Being 15’ (4.57 m) long and weighing 1.370 lb (620 kg), this huge ultra-long-range weapon had a maximum range of 250 mi (400 km) in a cruise/glide profile and attained a speed of Mach 6 with its solid rocket engine. This range could be boosted even further with a pair of jettisonable ramjets in tubular pods on the missile’s flanks for another 60 mi (100 km). The missile could attack targets ranging in altitude between 15 – 25,000 meters.

 

The weapon would initially be allocated to a specified target through the launch aircraft’s on-board radar and sent via inertial guidance into the target’s direction. Closing in, the K-100’s Agat 9B-1388 active seeker would identify the target, lock on, and independently attack it, also in coordination with other K-100’s shot at the same target, so that the attack would be coordinated in time and approach directions in order to overload defense and ensure a hit.

 

The 71.0’s internal mount could hold four of these large missiles, or, alternatively, the same number of the MiG-31’s R-33 AAMs. The mount also had a slot for the storage of additional mid- and short-range missiles for self-defense, e .g. three R-60 or two R-73 AAMs. An internal gun was not considered to be necessary, since the 71.0 or potential derivatives would fight their targets at very long distances and rather rely on a "hit-and-run" tactic, sacrificing dogfight capabilities for long loitering time in stand-by mode, high approach speed and outstanding acceleration and altitude performance.

 

Anyway, provisions were made to carry a Gsh-301-250 gun pod on a retractable hardpoint in the weapons bay instead of a K-100. Alternatively, such pods could be carried externally on four optional wing root pylons, which were primarily intended for PTB-1500 or PTB-3000 drop tanks, or further missiles - theoretically, a maximum of ten K-100 missiles could be carried, plus a pair of short-range AAMs.

 

Additionally, a "buddy-to-buffy" IFR set with a retractable drogue (probably the same system as used on the Su-24) was tested (71.2 was outfitted with a retractable refuelling probe in front of the cockpit), as well as the carriage of simple iron bombs or nuclear stores, to be delivered from very high altitudes. Several pallets with cameras and sensors (e .g. a high resolution SLAR) were also envisioned, which could easily replace the missile mounts and the folding weapon bay covers for recce missions.

 

Since there had been little official support for the project, work on the 710 up to the hardware stage made only little progress, since the MiG-31 already filled the long-range interceptor role in a sufficient fashion and offered further development potential.

A wooden mockup of the cockpit section was presented to PVO and VVS officials in 1989, and airframe work (including tests with composite materials on structural parts, including ceramic tiles for leading edges) were undertaken throughout 1990 and 1991, including test rigs for the engine nacelle and the swing wing mechanism.

 

Eventually, the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 suddenly stopped most of the project work, after two prototype airframes had been completed. Their internal designations were Izdeliye 71.1 and 71.2, respectively. It took a while until the political situation as well as the ex-Soviet Air Force’s status were settled, and work on Izdeliye 710 resumed at a slow pace.

 

After taking two years to be completed, 71.1 eventually made its roll-out and maiden flight in summer 1994, just when MiG-31 production had ended. MiG OKB still had high hopes in this aircraft, since the MiG-31 would have to be replaced in the next couple of years and "Izdeliye 710" was just in time for the potential procurement process. The first prototype wore a striking all-white livery, with dark grey ceramic tiles on the wings’ leading edges standing out prominently – in this guise and with its futuristic lines the slender aircraft reminded a lot of the American Space Shuttle.

 

71.1 was primarily intended for engine and flight tests (esp. for the eagerly awaited NK-101 engines), as well as for the development of the envisioned ramjet propulsion system for full-scale production and further development of Izdeliye 710 into a Mach 3+ interceptor. No mission avionics were initially fitted to this plane, but it carried a comprehensive test equipment suite and ballast.

 

Its sister ship 71.2 flew for the first time in late 1994, wearing a more unpretentious grey/bare metal livery. This plane was earmarked for avionics development and weapons integration, especially as a test bed for the K-100 missile, which shared Izdeliye 710’s fate of being a leftover Soviet project with an uncertain future and an even more corny funding outlook.

 

Anyway, aircraft 71.2 was from the start equipped with a complete RP-31 ('Zaslon-M') weapon control system, which had been under development at that time as an upgrade for the Russian MiG-31 fleet being part of the radar’s development program secured financial support from the government and allowed the flight tests to continue. The RP-31 possessed a maximum detection range of 400 km (250 mi) against airliner-sized targets at high altitude or 200 km against fighter-sized targets; the typical width of detection along the front was given as 225 km. The system could track 24 airborne targets at one time at a range of 120 km, 6 of which could be simultaneously attacked with missiles.

 

With these capabilities the RP-31 suite could, coupled with an appropriate carrier airframe, fulfil the originally intended airspace control function and would render a dedicated and highly vulnerable airspace control aircraft (like the Beriev A-50 derivative of the Il-76 transport) more or less obsolete. A group of four aircraft equipped with the 'Zaslon-M' suite would be able to permanently control an area of airspace across a total length of 800–900 km, while having ultra-long range weapons at hand to counter any intrusion into airspace with a quicker reaction time than any ground-based fighter on QRA duty. The 71.0, outfitted with the RP-31/K-100 system, would have posed a serious threat to any aggressor.

 

In March 1995 both prototypes were eventually transferred to the Kerchenskaya Guards Air Base at Savasleyka in the Oblast Vladimir, 300 km east of Mocsow, where they received tactical codes of '11 Blue' and '12 Blue'. Besides the basic test program and the RP-31/K-100 system tests, both machines were directly evaluated against the MiG-31 and Su-27 fighters by the Air Force's 4th TsBPi PLS, based at the same site.

 

Both aircraft exceeded expectations, but also fell short in certain aspects. The 71.0’s calculated top speed of Mach 3.2 was achieved during the tests with a top speed of 3,394 km/h (2.108 mph) at 21,000 m (69.000 ft). Top speed at sea level was confirmed at 1.200 km/h (745 mph) indicated airspeed.

Combat radius with full weapon load and internal fuel only was limited to 1,450 km (900 mi) at Mach 0.8 and at an altitude of 10,000 m (33,000 ft), though, and it sank to a mere 720 km (450 mi) at Mach 2.35 and at an altitude of 18,000 m (59,000 ft). Combat range with 4x K-100 internally and 2 drop tanks was settled at 3,000 km (1,860 mi), rising to 5,400 km (3,360 mi) with one in-flight refueling, tested with the 71.2. Endurance at altitude was only slightly above 3 hours, though. Service ceiling was 22,800 m (74,680 ft), 2.000 m higher than the MiG-31.

 

While these figures were impressive, Soviet officials were not truly convinced: they did not show a significant improvement over the simpler MiG-31. MiG OKB tried to persuade the government into more flight tests and begged for access to the NK-101, but the Soviet Union's collapse halted this project, too, so that both Izdeliye 710 had to keep the Soloviev D-30F6.

 

Little is known about the Izdeliye 710 project’s progress or further developments. The initial tests lasted until at least 1997, and obviously the updated MiG-31M received official favor instead of a completely new aircraft. The K-100 was also dropped, since the R-33 missile and later its R-37 derivative sufficiently performed in the long-range aerial strike role.

 

Development on the aircraft as such seemed to have stopped with the advent of modernized Su-27 derivatives and the PAK FA project, resulting in the Suchoi T-50 prototype. Unconfirmed reports suggest that one of the prototypes (probably 71.1) was used in the development of the N014 Pulse-Doppler radar with a passive electronically scanned array antenna in the wake of the MFI program. The N014 was designed with a range of 420 km, detection target of 250km to 1m and able to track 40 targets while able to shoot against 20.

 

Most interestingly, Izdeliye 710 was never officially presented to the public, but NATO became aware of its development through satellite pictures in the early Nineties and the aircraft consequently received the ASCC reporting codename "Fastback".

 

Until today, only the two prototypes have been known to exist, and it is assumed – had the type entered service – that the long-range fighter had received the official designation "MiG-41".

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 2 (Pilot, weapon system officer)

Length (incl. pitot): 93 ft 10 in (28.66 m)

Wingspan:

- minimum 10° sweep: 69 ft 4 in (21.16 m)

- maximum 68° sweep: 48 ft 9 in (14,88 m)

Height: 23 ft 1 1/2 in (7,06 m )

Wing area: 1008.9 ft² (90.8 m²)

Weight: 88.151 lbs (39.986 kg)

 

Performance:

Maximum speed:

- Mach 3.2 (2.050 mph (3.300 km/h) at height

- 995 mph (1.600 km/h) supercruise speed at 36,000 ft (11,000 m)

- 915 mph (1.470 km/h) at sea level

Range: 3.705 miles (5.955 km) with internal fuel

Service ceiling: 75.000 ft (22.500 m)

Rate of climb: 31.000 ft/min (155 m/s)

 

Engine:

2x Soloviev D-30F6 afterburning turbofans with a dry thrust of 93 kN (20,900 lbf) each

and with 152 kN (34,172 lbf) with full afterburner.

 

Armament:

Internal weapons bay, main armament comprises a flexible missile load; basic ordnance of 4x K-100 ultra long range AAMs plus 2x R-73 short-range AAMs: other types like the R-27, R-33, R-60 and R-77 have been carried and tested, too, as well as podded guns on internal and external mounts. Alternatively, the weapon bay can hold various sensor pallets.

Four hardpoints under the wing roots, the outer pair “wet” for drop tanks of up to 3.000 l capacity, ECM pods or a buddy-buddy refueling drogue system. Maximum payload mass is 9000 kg.

  

The kit and its assembly

The second entry for the 2017 “Soviet” Group Build at whatifmodelers.com – a true Frankenstein creation, based on the scarce information about the real (but never realized) MiG 301 and 701 projects, the Suchoj T-60S, as well as some vague design sketches you can find online and in literature.

This one had been on my project list for years and I already had donor kits stashed away – but the sheer size (where will I leave it once done…?) and potential complexity kept me from tackling it.

 

The whole thing was an ambitious project and just the unique layout with a massive engine nacelle on top of the slender fuselage instead of an all-in-one design makes these aircraft an interesting topic to build. The GB was a good motivator.

 

“My” fictional interpretation of the MiG concepts is mainly based on a Dragon B-1B in 1:144 scale (fuselage, wings), a PM Model Su-15 two seater (donating the nose section and the cockpit, as well as wing parts for the fin) and a Kangnam MiG-31 (for the engine pod and some small parts). Another major ingredient is a pair of horizontal stabilizers from a 1:72 Hasegawa A-5 Vigilante.

 

Fitting the cockpit section took some major surgery and even more putty to blend the parts smoothly together. Another major surgical area was the tail; the "engine box" came to be rather straightforward, using the complete rear fuselage section from the MiG-31 and adding the intakes form the same kit, but mounted horizontally with a vertical splitter.

 

Blending the thing to the cut-away tail section of the B-1 was quite a task, though, since I not only wanted to add the element to the fuselage, but rather make it look a bit 'organic'. More than putty was necessary, I also had to made some cuts and transplantations. And after six PSR rounds I stopped counting…

 

The landing gear was built from scratch – the front wheel comes mostly from the MiG-31 kit. The central bogie and its massive leg come from a VEB Plasticart 1:100 Tu-20/95 bomber, plus some additional struts. The outriggers are leftover landing gear struts from a Hobby Boss Fw 190, mated with wheels which I believe come from a 1:200 VEB Plasticart kit, an An-24. Not certain, though. The fairings are slender MiG-21 drop tanks blended into the wing training edge. For the whole landing gear, the covers were improvised with styrene sheet, parts from a plastic straw(!) or leftover bits from the B-1B.

 

The main landing gear well was well as the weapons’ bay themselves were cut into the B-1B underside and an interior scratched from sheet and various leftover materials – I tried to maximize their space while still leaving enough room for the B-1B kit’s internal VG mechanism.

The large missiles (two were visible fitted and the rotary launcher just visibly hinted at) are, in fact, AGM-78 ‘Standard’ ARMs in a fantasy guise. They look pretty Soviet, though, like big brothers of the already not small R-33 missiles from the MiG-31.

 

While not in the focus of attention, the cockpit interior is completely new, too – OOB, the Su-15 cockpit only has a floor and rather stubby seats, under a massive single piece canopy. On top of the front wheel well (from a Hasegawa F-4) I added a new floor and added side consoles, scratched from styrene sheet. F-4 dashboards improve the decoration, and I added a pair of Soviet election seats from the scrap box – IIRC left over from two KP MiG-19 kits.

The canopy was taken OOB, I just cut it into five parts for open display. The material’s thickness does not look too bad on this aircraft – after all, it would need a rather sturdy construction when flying at Mach 3+ and withstanding the respective pressures and temperatures.

  

Painting

As a pure whif, I was free to use a weirdo design - but I rejected this idea quickly. I did not want a garish splinter scheme or a bright “Greenbottle Fly” Su-27 finish.

With the strange layout of the aircraft, the prototype idea was soon settled – and Soviet prototypes tend to look very utilitarian and lusterless, might even be left in grey. Consequently, I adapted a kind of bare look for this one, inspired by the rather shaggy Soviet Tu-22 “Blinder” bombers which carried a mix of bare metal and white and grey panels. With additional black leading edges on the aerodynamic surfaces, this would create a special/provisional but still purposeful look.

 

For the painting, I used a mix of several metallizer tones from ModelMaster and Humbrol (including Steel, Magnesium, Titanium, as well as matt and polished aluminum, and some Gun Metal and Exhaust around the engine nozzles, partly mixed with a bit of blue) and opaque tones (Humbrol 147 and 127). The “scheme” evolved panel-wise and step by step. The black leading edges were an interim addition, coming as things evolved, and they were painted first with black acrylic paint as a rough foundation and later trimmed with generic black decal stripes (from TL Modellbau). A very convenient and clean solution!

 

The radomes on nose and tail and other di-electric panels became dark grey (Humbrol 125). The cockpit tub was painted with Soviet Cockpit Teal (from ModelMaster), while the cockpit opening and canopy frames were kept in a more modest medium grey (Revell 57). On the outside of the cabin windows, a fat, deep yellow sealant frame (Humbrol 93, actually “Sand”) was added.

 

The weapon bay was painted in a yellow-ish primer tone (seen on pics of Tu-160 bombers) while the landing gear wells received a mix of gold and sand; the struts were painted in a mixed color, too, made of Humbrol 56 (Aluminum) and 34 (Flat White). The green wheel discs (Humbrol 131), a typical Soviet detail, stand out well from the rather subdued but not boring aircraft, and they make a nice contrast to the red Stars and the blue tactical code – the only major markings, besides a pair of MiG OKB logos under the cockpit.

 

Decals were puzzled together from various sheets, and I also added a lot of stencils for a more technical look. In order to enhance the prototype look further I added some photo calibration markings on the nose and the tail, made from scratch.

  

A massive kitbashing project that I had pushed away for years - but I am happy that I finally tackled it, and the result looks spectacular. The "Firefox" similarity was not intended, but this beast really looks like a movie prop - and who knwos if the Firefox was not inspired by the same projects (the MiG 301 and 701) as my kitbash model?

The background info is a bit lengthy, but there's some good background info concerning the aforementioned projects, and this aircraft - as a weapon system - would have played a very special and complex role, so a lot of explanations are worthwhile - also in order to emphasize that I di not simply try to glue some model parts together, but rather try to spin real world ideas further.

 

Mighty bird!

Based on a 2003 Jaguar XKR 2+2 hardtop coupe, the car has been extensively re-modelled. Retaining elements of the original Jaguar design it also combines aspects of a Lincoln Zephyr and a Porsche, plus classic Bugattis in its 1930s-style boat-tail rear end.

My husband climbed Mt Aconcagua in the Andes in January 2011. I am putting a few of his photos on Flickr as they are too nice to keep hidden away.

Scouts setting up camp during the 2023 National Scout Jamboree at The Summit Bechtel Reserve in Mount Hope, West Virginia. (BSA Photo by Leo He)

 

**********Beginning of Shooting Data Section**********

20230719-08-29-41--LH date - 7/19/23 time - 08:29:41

JST Dan Chazin from Shomer Shabbat Contingent at the Jewish morning prayer during the 2023 National Scout Jamboree at The Summit Bechtel Reserve in Mount Hope, West Virginia. (BSA Photo by Leo He)

 

**********Beginning of Shooting Data Section**********

20230723-07-16-17--LH date - 7/23/23 time - 07:16:17

Instead of operating from large easy to find airfields, Cobra have set their Mambas up on individual widely spaced single aircraft bases. CC believes in the "don't put all your eggs in one basket" theory, especially with expensive, high tech gear like the Mambas.

National VOA vice presidents Ryanne Fisher (left) from Garden State Council and Andrea Maron (right) from South Florida Council at Venturing’s 25th birthday party during the 2023 National Scout Jamboree at The Summit Bechtel Reserve in Mount Hope, West Virginia. (BSA Photo by Leo He)

 

**********Beginning of Shooting Data Section**********

20230723-19-40-36--LH date - 7/23/23 time - 19:40:36

Two Story Laser Tag Arena at the Main Event in Frisco, TX.

Carnage handstyle series 2 featuring the works of Baser now available at

carnagenyc.bigcartel.com

Don't sleep..get some!!!

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea (Aug. 10, 2021) - Senior Airman Willis Collier and Airman Michael Daniels, load munitions during a 51st Maintenance Group (MG) weapons load crew competition of the 2nd quarter at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 10, 2021. The mission of the 51st AMXS is to prepare highly trained and motivated Airmen to provide combat-ready aircraft for the Air Force’s most forward deployed permanently-base fighter wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.) 210813-F-IO684-0006

 

** Interested in following U.S. Indo-Pacific Command? Engage and connect with us at www.facebook.com/indopacom | twitter.com/INDOPACOM |

www.instagram.com/indopacom | www.flickr.com/photos/us-pacific-command; | www.youtube.com/user/USPacificCommand | www.pacom.mil/ **

 

During the Charlie Base Camp Bash during the 2023 National Scout Jamboree at The Summit Bechtel Reserve in Mount Hope, West Virginia. (BSA Photo by Tom Copeland)

 

**********Beginning of Shooting Data Section**********

20230724-21-50-57-86-TC date - 7/24/23 time - 9:50:57 PM

 

List of the tallest towers.

 

1 Burj Dubai 2,684 feet 818 m 2009 Skyscraper

 

2 Warsaw Radio Mast 2,121 feet 646.4 m 1974 Guyed mast

 

3 KVLY/KTHI TV Mast 2,063 feet 628.8 m 1963 Guyed mast

 

4 KXJB-TV mast 2,060 feet 627.8 m 1998 Guyed mast

 

5 KXTV/KOVR Tower 2,049 feet 624.5 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walnut Grove, California Tallest structure in California

 

6 KATV Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1965?1967? Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Redfield, Arkansas

 

7 KCAU TV Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Sioux City, Iowa

 

8 WECT TV6 Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1969 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Colly Township, North Carolina

 

9 WHO-TV, KDIN-TV,WOI-FM Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1972 Guyed mast VHF-TV, FM radio transmission U.S. Alleman, Iowa

 

10 Des Moines Hearst-Argyle Television Tower Alleman 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1974 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Alleman, Iowa

 

11 WEAU-Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fairchild, Wisconsin

 

12 Diversified Communications Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Floyd Dale, South Carolina

 

13 AFLAC Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rowley, Iowa

 

14 WBTV-Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Dallas, North Carolina

 

15 Hearst-Argyle Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walnut Grove, California

 

16 WTTO Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Windham Springs, Alabama

 

17 WCSC-Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Awendaw, South Carolina

 

18 KTVE-Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bolding, Arkansas

 

19 WCTV Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Metcalf, Georgia

 

20 WCIX/CH6 TV Mast 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Homestead, Florida

 

21 KDLT Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rowena, South Dakota

 

22 KMOS TV Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Syracuse, Missouri

 

23 Liberman Broadcasting Tower Era 2,000 feet 609.6 m 2006 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Era, Texas

 

24 Winnie Cumulus Broadcasting Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m ? Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Winnie, Texas

 

25 WRAL HDTV Mast 2,000 feet 609.5 m 1991 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Auburn, North Carolina

 

26 Perry Broadcasting Tower 2,000 feet 609.5 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Alfalfa, Oklahoma

 

27 KY3 Tower 1,999 feet 609.4 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fordland, Missouri

 

28 SpectraSite Tower Thomasville 1,999 feet 609.4 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Thomasville, Georgia

 

29 Pegasus Broadcasting Tower 1,999 feet 609.4 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Metcalf, Georgia

 

30 CBC Real Estate Tower Auburn 1,999 feet 609.4 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Auburn, North Carolina

 

32 KLDE Tower 1,999 feet 609.3 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Liverpool, Texas

 

33 WCKW/KSTE-Tower 1,999 feet 609.3 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Vacherie, Louisiana

 

34 American Towers Tower Elkhart 1,999 feet 609.3 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Elkhart, Iowa

 

35 Salem Radio Properties Tower 1,999 feet 609.3 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Collinsville, Texas

 

36 Stowell Cumulus Broadcasting Tower 1,999 feet 609.3 m ? Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Stowell, Texas

 

37 WLBT Tower 1,998 feet 609 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Raymond, Mississippi

 

38 Beasley Tower 1,997 feet 608.7 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Immokalee, Florida

 

39 KYTV Tower 1,996 feet 608.4 m 1973 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Marshfield, Missouri

 

40 SpectraSite Tower Raymond 1,996 feet 608.4 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Raymond, Mississippi

 

41 Hoyt Radio Tower 1,996 feet 608.38 m 2003 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Hoyt, Colorado

 

42 Service Broadcasting Tower Decatur 1,995 feet 608.1 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Decatur, Texas

 

43 WTVD Tower 1,994 feet 607.8 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Auburn, North Carolina

 

44 Channel 40 Tower 1,994 feet 607.8 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walnut Grove, California

 

45 Liberman Broadcasting Tower Devers 1,994 feet 607.7 m 2006 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Devers, Texas

 

46 KHYS Tower 1,992 feet 607.2 m 1997 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Devers, Texas

 

47 Clear Channel Broadcasting Tower Devers 1,992 feet 607 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Devers, Texas

 

48 Media General Tower 1,992 feet 607 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Awendaw, South Carolina

 

49 Eastern North Carolina Broadcasting Tower 1,989 feet 606.2 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Trenton, North Carolina

 

50 WNCN Tower 1,989 feet 606.2 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Garner, North Carolina

 

51 KELO TV Tower 1,985 feet 605 m 1974 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rowena, South Dakota

 

52 WITN Tower 1,985 feet 605 m 1979 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Grifton, North Carolina

 

53 Noe Corp Tower 1,984 feet 604.7 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Columbia, Louisiana

 

54 Pappas Telecasting Tower 1,980 feet 603.6 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Plymouth County, Iowa

 

55 KHOU-TV Tower 1,975 feet 602 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas

 

56 Richland Towers Tower Missouri City 1,973 feet 601.3 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas

 

57 Senior Road Tower 1,971 feet 600.7 m 1983 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas

 

58 KTRK-TV Tower 1,970 feet 600.5 m 1982 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas

 

59 Houston Tower Joint Venture Tower 1,970 feet 600.5 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas

 

60 American Towers Tower Missouri City 1,970 feet 600.5 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas

 

61 Fox-TV Tower 1,970 feet 600.4 m 1982 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas

 

62 Mississippi Telecasting Tower 1,969 feet 600 m 1982 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Inverness, Mississippi

 

63 WCNC-TV Tower 1,969 feet 600 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Dallas, North Carolina

 

64 Capstar Radio Tower 1,969 feet 600 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Middlesex, North Carolina

 

65 KDUH/CH4 TV Mast 1,965 feet 599 m 1969 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Hemingford, Nebraska

 

66 American Towers Tower Liverpool 1,963 feet 598.3 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Liverpool, Texas

 

67 Media General Tower Dillon 1,962 feet 598 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Dillon, South Carolina

 

68 Duffy-Shamrock Joint Venture Tower 1,960 feet 597.4 m 1990 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bertram, Texas

 

69 AMFM Tower Collinsville 1,960 feet 597.4 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Collinsville, Texas

 

70 KOLR/KOZK Tower 1,960 feet 597.3 m (orig. 609.6 m) 1971 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fordland, Missouri

 

71 Cosmos Broadcasting Tower Winnabow 1,954 feet 595.6 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Winnabow, North Carolina

 

72 Spectra Site Communications Tower Robertsdale 1,944 feet 592.6 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Robertsdale, Alabama

 

73 CBC Real Estate Co. Inc Tower 1,944 feet 592.4 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Dallas, North Carolina

 

74 Cosmos Broadcasting Tower Grady 1,935 feet 589.8 m 1977 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Grady, Alabama

 

75 American Towers Tower Columbia 1,929 feet 587.9 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Columbia, Louisiana

 

76 Sonsinger Management Tower 1,928 feet 587.6 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Splendora, Texas

 

77 Cedar Rapids TV Tower 1,927 feet 587.3 m 1974 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walker City, Iowa

 

78 Channel 6 Tower Eddy 1,924 feet 586.4 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Eddy, Texas

 

79 Entravision Texas Tower 1,920 feet 585.2 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Greenwood, Texas

 

80 Multimedia Associates Tower 1,916 feet 584 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rio Grande City, Texas

 

81 American Towers Tower Randleman 1,910 feet 582.3 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Randleman, North Carolina

 

82 KTUL Tower Coweta 1,909 feet 581.8 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Coweta, Oklahoma

 

83 American Towers Tower Robertsdale 1,903 feet 579.9 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Robertsdale, Alabama

 

84 Baldpate Platform 1,902 feet 579.7 m 1998 Offshore platform Oil drilling U.S. Garden Banks, Gulf of Mexico (Offshore)

 

85 WDJR-FM Tower 1,901 feet 579.42 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bethlehem, Florida

 

86 Clear Channel Broadcasting Tower Redfield 1,889 feet 578.8 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Redfield, Arkansas

 

87 WFMY Tower 1,889 feet 575.9 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Greensboro, North Carolina

 

88 Cox Radio Tower 1,879 feet 572.8 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Shepard, Texas

 

89 Media General Tower Spanish Fort 1,879 feet 572.7 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Spanish Fort, Alabama

 

90 WFTV Tower Saint Cloud 1,874 feet 571.1 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Saint Cloud, Florida

 

91 Capstar Radio Operating Gray Court Tower 1,861 feet 567.1 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Gray Court, South Carolina

 

92 KLKN Tower 1,854 feet 565.1 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Genoa, Nebraska

 

93 Pinnacle Towers Tower Princeton 1,842 feet 561.3 m 1993 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Princeton, Florida

 

94 WTVJ Tower Princeton 1,841 feet 561.1 m 1993 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Princeton, Florida

 

95 Pappas Partnership Stations Tower Gretna 1,836 feet 559.6 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Gretna, Nebraska

 

96 KBIM Tower 1,834 feet 559.02 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Roswell, New Mexico

 

97 Tulsa Tower Joint Venture Tower Oneta 1,834 feet 559 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oneta, Oklahoma

 

98 KTBS Tower 1826 ft 556.5 m 2003 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Shreveport, Louisiana

 

99 CN Tower 1,814 feet 553 m 1976 Concrete tower Observation, UHF/VHF-transmission Canada Toronto, Ontario

 

100 SBA Towers Tower Haynesville 1,797 feet 547.7 m 1989 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Haynesville, Alabama

 

101 Channel 32 Limited Partnership Tower 1,797 feet 547.7 m 1990 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Haynesville, Alabama

 

102 KATC Tower Kaplan 1,793 feet 546.6 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Kaplan, Louisiana

 

103 Cosmos Broadcasting Tower Egypt 1,793 feet 546.5 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Egypt, Arkansas

 

104 Raycom Media Tower Mooringsport 1,791 feet 545.8 m 1975 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Mooringsport, Louisiana

 

105 Pinnacle Towers Tower Mooringsport 1,781 feet 542.8 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Mooringsport, Louisiana

 

106 Bold Springs Salem Radio Properties Tower 1,779 feet 542.2 m 2005 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bold Springs, Georgia

 

107 Branch Young Broadcasting Tower 1775 ft 541 m ? Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Branch, Louisiana

 

108 Ostankino Tower 1,772 feet 540.1 m 1967 Concrete tower Observation, UHF/VHF-transmission Russia Moscow 2000 Fire led to renovation

 

109 KLFY TV Tower Maxie 1,772 feet 540 m 1970 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Maxie, Louisiana

 

110 American Towers Tower Eglin[5] 1,766 feet 538.3 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. 29045, South Carolina also known as WOLO TV Tower

 

111 Cusseta Richland Towers Tower 1,766 feet 538.2 m 2005 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cusseta, Georgia

 

112 Cox Radio Tower Flowery Branch 1,765 feet 537.9 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Flowery Branch, Georgia

 

113 Alabama Telecasters Tower 1,757 feet 535.5 m 1995 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Gordonsville, Alabama

 

114 WIMZ-FM-Tower 1,752 feet 534.01 m 1963 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Knoxville, Tennessee also known as WBIR TV-mast, World's tallest structure, 1963

 

115 Capitol Broadcasting Tower Broadway 1,749 feet 533.1 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Broadway, North Carolina dismantled

 

116 Capitol Broadcasting Tower Columbia 1,749 feet 533.1 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Columbia, North Carolina

 

117 WTVM/WRBL-TV & WVRK-FM Tower 1,749 feet 533 m 1962 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cusseta, Georgia also known as WTVM TV Mast, World's tallest structure, 1962-1963

 

118 WAVE-Mast 1,739 feet 530.05 m 1990 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. La Grange, Kentucky

 

119 Moody Centex Television Tower 1739 ft 530 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Moody, Texas

 

120 Louisiana Television Broadcasting Tower Sunshine 1,737 feet 529.4 m 1972 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Sunshine, Louisiana

 

121 Bullwinkle Platform 1,736 feet 529.1 m 1989 Offshore platform Oil drilling Gulf of Mexico Manatee Field Located appr. 160 miles (257 km) southwest of New Orleans

 

122 Pinnacle Towers Tower Addis 1,735 feet 528.8 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Addis, Louisiana

 

123 Richland Towers Tower Cedar Hill 1,731 feet 527.6 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas

 

124 Sears Tower 1,730 feet 527.3 m 1974 Skyscraper Office, observation, UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Chicago, Illinois

 

125 World Trade Center, Tower 1 1,727 feet 526.3 m 1973 Skyscraper Office, UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. New York City destroyed on September 11, 2001

 

126 WAFB Tower Baton Rouge 1,725 feet 525.8 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

 

127 WAEO Tower 1,721 feet 524.5 m 1966 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Starks, Wisconsin destroyed on November 17, 1968 at aircraft collision

 

128 Media Venture Tower 1,714 feet 522.5 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fincher, Florida

 

129 Media Venture Management Tower Fincher 1,714 feet 522.5 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fincher, Florida

 

130 Orlando Hearst Argyle Television Tower 1,714 feet 522.5 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Orange City, Florida

 

131 Pinnacle Towers Tower Moody 1,714 feet 522.4 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Moody, Texas

 

132 Clear Channel Broadcasting Tower Rosinton 1,707 feet 520.3 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rosinton, Alabama

 

133 Pacific and Southern Company Tower Lugoff 1,707 feet 520.2 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Lugoff, South Carolina

 

134 Young Broadcasting Tower Garden City 1,705 feet 519.7 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Garden City, South Dakota

 

135 Gray Television Tower Carlos 1,705 feet 519.7 m 1983 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Carlos, Texas

 

136 South Dakota Public Broadcasting Network Tower 1,695 feet 516.7 m 1974 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Faith, South Dakota

 

137 Spectra Site Communications Tower Orange City 1,695 feet 516.6 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Orange City, Florida Height reduced to 512.7 metres

 

138 Christmas Brown Road Tower 1,695 feet 516.6 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Christmas, Florida

 

139 Gray Television Tower Madill 1,694 feet 516.3 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Madill, Oklahoma

 

140 American Tower Christmas 1,684 feet 513.3 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Christmas, Florida

 

141 Richland Towers Bithlo 1,682 feet 512.7 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bithlo, Florida

 

142 Northland Television Tower Rhinelander 1,682 feet 512.6 m 1979 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rhinelander, Wisconsin

 

143 Gray Television Tower Moody 1,679 feet 511.8 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Moody, Texas

 

144 KFVS TV Mast 1,677 feet 511.1 m 1960 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cape Girardeau County, Missouri World's tallest structure, 1960-1961

 

145 Taipei 101 1,671 feet 509.2 m 2004 Skyscraper Office, observation, UHF/VHF-transmission Taiwan Taipei

 

146 Cox Radio Tower Verna 1,667 feet 508.1 m 1994 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Verna, Florida

 

147 WMTW TV Mast 1,667 feet 508.1 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Baldwin, Maine

 

148 American Towers Tower Cedar Hill 1,661 feet 506.2 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas

 

149 American Towers Tower Oklahoma City 1,647 feet 502 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

 

150 University of North Carolina Tower 1,642 feet 500.5 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Columbia, North Carolina

 

151 Richland Towers Tower Cedar Hill 2 1,635 feet 498.4 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas

 

152 WWTV Tower 1,631 feet 497 m 1961 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cadillac, Michigan Tallest Structure in Michigan

 

153 WWRR Renda Tower 1,631 feet 497 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Kingsland, Georgia

 

154 QueenB Television Tower 1,627 feet 496 m 1964 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. La Crosse, Wisconsin Height reduced to 484.3 metres

 

155 KDEB Tower 1,627 feet 496 m 1968 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fordland, Missouri also known as American Towers Tower Fordland, dismantled

 

156 WPSD-TV Tower 1,627 feet 495.9 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Kevil, Kentucky

 

157 NVG-Amarillo Tower 1,626 feet 495.6 m 1969 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Amarillo, Texas

 

158 WGME TV Tower 1,624 feet 495 m 1959 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Raymond, Maine World's tallest structure, 1959-1960

 

159 Sinclair Television Tower Oklahoma 1,619 feet 493.5 m 1979 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

 

160 Shanghai World Financial Center 1,614 feet 492 m 2008 Skyscraper Office, hotels, residential China Shanghai topped out

 

161 WFTV TV Tower Christmas 1,613 feet 491.6 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Christmas, Florida

 

162 WJJY TV Mast 1,611 feet 491 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bluffs, Illinois collapsed in 1978

 

163 Media General Tower Jackson 1,611 feet 491 m 1989 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Jackson, Mississippi

 

164 WHNS TV-Tower 1,611 feet 491 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Brevard, South Carolina

 

165 KOBR-TV Tower 1,610 feet 490.7 m 1956 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Caprock, New Mexico also known as KSWS-TV Transmitter, World's tallest structure, 1956-1959, collapsed in 1960 at storm, rebuilt afterwards

 

166 Joint Venture TV Tower Bithlo 1,608 feet 490.2 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bithlo, Florida

 

167 American Towers Tower Bithlo 1,605 feet 489.2 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bithlo, Florida

 

168 NYT Broadcast Holdings Tower Oklahoma 1,601 feet 488 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma also known as WKY TV Mast

 

169 Clear Channel Broadcasting Tower Boykin 1,600 feet 487.8 m 1997 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Boykin, Georgia

 

170 WVFJ Tower Saint Marks 1,600 feet 487.7 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Saint Marks, Georgia

 

171 Paramount Tower Oklahoma 1,596 feet 486.4 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

 

172 WTVA TV Tower 1,593 feet 485.5 m 1972 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Woodland, Mississippi

 

173 KTVT Tower 1,587 feet 483.7 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas

 

174 GBC LP DBA Tower 1,582 feet 482.2 m 1997 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas dismantled

 

175 WLFL Tower Apex 1,579 feet 481.3 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Apex, North Carolina

 

176 WFAA Tower 1,578 feet 481 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas

 

177 Griffin Television Tower Oklahoma 1,576 feet 480.5 m 1954 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma also known as KWTV Tower, World's tallest structure, 1954-1956

 

178 WCOM-TV Mansfield, Ohio 1,576 feet 480.5 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Butler, Ohio Was the tallest structure in Ohio until it was dismantled in 1995

 

179 Viacom Tower Riverview 1,575 feet 480 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Riverview, Florida

 

180 Tampa Tower General Partnership Tower Riverview 1,573 feet 479.4 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Riverview, Florida

 

181 Riverview Florida West Coast Public Broadcasting Tower 1,572 feet 479.1 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Riverview, Florida

 

182 American Towers Tower Riverview 1,568 feet 478 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Riverview, Florida

 

183 KBSI TV Mast 1,567 feet 477.6 m 1983 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cape Giradeau, Missouri

 

184 Media General Tower Saint Ansgar 1,565 feet 477.1 m 1964 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Saint Ansgar, Iowa

 

185 Red River Broadcast Tower Salem 1,565 feet 477 m 1976 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Salem, South Dakota

 

186 Hearst-Argyle Television Tower 1,563 feet 476.4 m 1963 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

 

187 Augusta Tower 1,561 feet 475.6 m 2003 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Jackson, South Carolina

 

188 WAGT TV Tower 1,560 feet 475.5 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Beach Island, South Carolina

 

189 KPLX Tower 1,559 feet 475.1 m 1969 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas

 

190 KTAL TV Tower 1,558 feet 474.9 m 1961 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Vivian, Louisiana

 

191 Mississippi Authority for Educational Television Tower 1,558 feet 474.9 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Raymond, Mississippi

 

192 KRRT TV Tower 1,553 feet 473.3 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Lake Hills, Texas

 

193 Hearst-Argyle Tower Watsonville 1,552 feet 473.1 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Watsonville, California

 

194 Media General Tower Forest Hill 1,552 feet 473 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Forest Hill, Louisiana

 

195 WVAH Tower 1,552 feet 473 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Scott Depot, West Virginia destroyed on February 19, 2003

 

196 American Towers Tower Cedar Hill]] 2 1,551 feet 472.7 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas

 

197 KXTV/KOVR/KCRA Tower 1,549 feet 472.1 m 1962 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walnut Grove, California

 

198 SpectraSite Tower Holopaw 1,549 feet 472.1 m 1997 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Holopaw, Florida

 

199 Troll A platform 1,549 feet 472 m 1996 Offshore platform Oil drilling Norway North Sea

 

200 Morris Tower Perkston 1,540 feet 469.4 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Perkston, Mississippi

PATROL BASE SHARK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - A Marine with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, bends down to greet local children in a small village outside his base. Children frequently come out and watch inquisitively at the Marines patrolling by, the girls dressed in brightly colored clothing, while boys generally wear clothing with little decoration. Photo by Cpl. Marco Mancha

abandoned navy fuel depot

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

In the period immediately after the Second World War the world found itself with hundreds of thousands of surplus aircraft and just as many surplus aviators. Most aircraft would meet the salvage blade and the smelter’s fiery furnace. Most pilots would return to civilian life, the bulk of them never to fly again.

 

With the plethora of military aircraft languishing in desert lots awaiting a certain fate, some of those disenfranchised aviators and aircraft designers would look to new growing markets for salvation. One of these emerging markets was the new-found requirement for fast and capable business transport aircraft for executives looking to link business interests across the vast distances of the nation. With few purpose-built business aircraft available for executives, medium bombers became the drug of choice for high flying big shots—fast, powerful and, with the right interior appointments, a visual statement of their success and power.

 

In early variants like the Executive, On Mark simply removed military equipment and replaced them with fairings and civil avionics, sealed the bomb bay doors, soundproofed the cabin, and added additional cabin windows. Later models had special wing spars designed to give more interior room, pressurization and equipment from bigger surplus aircraft such as DC-6 brakes and flat glass cockpit windows. It was an elegant mashing together of equipment, but it was not a true business aircraft.

 

In the Sixties, Jet Craft Ltd. of Las Vegas, Nevada, went for a different interpretation of the same topic: The company had purchased a number of former Royal Australian Air Force Vampire trainers and RCAF single-seaters, which were to be converted to a new design for a business aircraft called 'Mystery Jet', offering 4-8-seats.

 

Jet Craft worked with stellar British conversion experts Aviation Traders to do the structural design work. Aviation Traders Limited (ATL) was a war-surplus aircraft and spares trader formed in 1947. In 1949, it began maintaining aircraft used by some of Britain’s contemporary independent airlines on the Berlin Airlift. In the early 1950s, it branched out into aircraft conversions and manufacturing.

 

Aviation Traders worked on the drawings and the structural mock-ups. A full-scale mock-up of the Mystery Jet languished at Southend airport for a decade, trying to lure owners and operators into buying it. And this actually happened: about twenty former Vampire airframes were converted into Mystery Jet business aircraft, tailored to the customers' needs and desires.

 

The Mystery Jet was just what it looked like: a former De Havilland Vampire with a new, roomy nose section grafted onto it. The cabin was pressurized, and was available in two different lengths (130 and 160 inches long, with two or three rows of seats and reflected in the aircraft's title) and several window and door options - the most exotic option being the "Landaulet" cabin which featured a panoramic roof/window installation over the rear pair of seats (or, alternatively, a two-seat bench).

 

The original Goblin engine was retained, CG was retained due to the fact that the new cabin was, despite being considerably longer than the Vampire's nose, the biggest version being more than 8 feet longer. The new front section was much lighter, though, e. g. through the loss of the heavy cannons and their armament, as well as some more military avionics. The loss of fuel capacity through the enlarged cabin was compensated through fixed wing tip tanks, so that range was on par with the former military jet, just top speed and ceiling were slightly inferior.

 

Anyway, prices were steep and from the United States more modern and economical offerings ruled the market. Maintaining a former military jet was also a costly business, so, consequently, after a slight buzz (more of a hum, actually) in the early Seventies, the Mystery Jet and Jet Craft of Las Vegas, also fuelled by some dubious business practices by the company's owner, disappeared. Even further developments of the original concept, e .g. with a wide body for up to 14 passengers and two engines, would not save the Mystery Jet from failure.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1 pilot plus 5-7 passengers

Length (Mystery Jet 160): 38 ft 5 in (11.73 m)

Wingspan incl. tip tanks: 39 ft 7 1/2 in (12.09 m)

Height: 8 ft 10 in (2.69 m)

Wing area: 262 ft² (24.34 m²)

Empty weight: 7,283 lb (3,304 kg)

Max. take-off weight: 12,390 lb (5,620 kg)

 

Powerplant:

1× de Havilland Goblin 3 centrifugal turbojet, rated at 3,350 lbf (14.90 kN)

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 516 mph (832 km/h)

Cruising speed: 400 mph (644 km/h)

Range: 1,220 mi (1,960 km)

Service ceiling: 37,700 ft (11,500 m)

 

Armament:

None

  

The kit and its assembly:

The first finished work in 2017 is a different kind of whif, one of the few civilian models in my collection. This conversion looks sick, but ,as weird as it may seem, the Business-Jet-From-Vintage-Vampires idea was real. For more information, and the source from where some of the backgound story was gathered, please check:

 

www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tabid/116/article...

 

Anyway, my build is just a personal interpretation of the original concept, not a true model of the Mystery Jet. In fact, this was limited through the donor parts for this kitbash.

 

The rear end was the smaller problem: Airfix offers a very good Vampire T.11 trainer with excellent detail and fit - the passenger cabin was the bigger challenge. Finding "something" that would fit in shape and especialsl size was not easy - my first choice was a nose section from a vintage 1:100 Antonow An-24 from VEB Plasticart (still much too wide, though), and the best solution came as an accidental find in a local model kit shop where I found a heavily discounted MPM Focke Wulf Fw 189 B-0 trainer.

 

The reason: the kit was complete, but the bag holding the sprues must have been heated immensely during the packaging process: the main sprues were horrible warped - except for some single parts including the canopies and the sprue with the cabin! Height wind width were perfect, only the boxy shape caused some headaches. But I guess I would not find anything better...

 

That said, the transplantation mess started. I never built any of the two donor kits before, so I carefully tried to find the best place where to cut the Vampire's nose - I ended up with a staggered solution right in front of the wing root air intakes.

The Fw 189's cabin was bit more tricky, because I had to get rid of the original wing roots and wanted to use as much space as possible, up to the rear bulkhead and together with the rear cabin window. The idea was to blend the Fw 189's roof line into the Vampire's engine section, while keeping the original air intake ducts, so that the overall arrangement would look plausible.

 

The result became a pretty long nose section - and at that time the tail booms were not fited yet, so I was not certain concerning overall proportions. The cabin's underside had to be improvised, and blending the boxy front end with a flat underside into the tubby, round Vampire fuselage caused some headaches. I also had to re-create the lower flank section with styrene sheet, because I had originally hoped that I could "push" the new cabin between the wing roots - but that space was occupied by the Goblin's inlet ducts.

 

Inside of the cabin, the original floor, bulkheads and dashboard were used, plus five bucket seats that come with the MPM kit. In order to hide the body work from the inside, side panels from 0.5mm styrene sheet were added in the cabin - with the benefit of additional stability, but also costing some space... Since the machine was built with closed cabin, a pilot was added - actually a bash of a WWII Matchbox pilot and a German officer from an ESCI tank kit. Looks pretty good and "professional". ;-)

 

Once the cabin was in place, lots of PSR followed and the tail booms could be fitted. To my relief, the longer nose did not look too unbalanced (and actually, design sketches for the original Mystery Jet suggest just this layout!) - but I decided to add wing tip tanks which would beef up wingspan and shift the visual mass slightly forward. They come from an 1:100 Tamiya Il-28, or better the "R" recce variant.

 

The only other big change concerned the nose wheel. While the OOB wheel and strut were used, the well is now located in front of the wheel and it would retract forwards, giving the nose a more balanced look - and the cabin arrangement made this change more plausible, too.

 

Another addition were three small porthole windows in the solid parts of the cabin flanks - one of them ending up in the middle of the cabin door on starboard, where a solid part of the canopy roof lent itself for a good place just behind the pilots' seats.

  

Painting and markings:

I cannot help it, but the thing looks like a design from a vintage Tintin or Yoko Tsuno comic! This was not planned or expected - and actually the paint scheme evolved step by step. I had no plan or clue what to apply - the real Mystery Jet mock-up in silver with blue trim looked sharp, but somehow I did not want blue. So I started with the interior (out of a necessity, as the fuselage had to be closed before any further work progress at some point) and settled for plushy, British colors: Cream (walls and roof) and Claret-Red (carpet and seats).

 

I tried to find something for the outside that would complement this choice of colors, and eventually settled on Ivory and White (upper and lower fuselage halves, respectively) with some deep red trim, plus pale grey wing surfaces. I even considered some thin golden trim lines, but I think this would have been too much?

 

The trim was created with decals tripes from generic sheet material, the black anti-glare panel was painted, though. As a color contrast I painted some of the upper canopy panels in translucent, light blue, and this looks very good.

 

The wings received a lightb treatment with thinned black ink, in order to emphasize the engravings. No post-shading was done, though, for a rather clean look.

 

Most markings were puzzled together; the registration G-AZRE actually belonged to a Vickers Vanguard (from the 1:144 Airfix kit), the large letters above and under the wings were created with single 45° letters (USAF style). Most stencils come from a Vampire trainer aftermarket sheet from Xtradecal, from the OOB sheet only the "No step" warnings on the wings were used.

 

Finally, the kit was sealed with a semi-matt coat of varnish, except for the anti-glare panel, which recived a matt coat. The three small windows received artificial panes made from Clearfix, after their rims had been painted black.

  

A messy project, and you better do not take a close look. But the overall elegance of this creation surprises me - the real Mystery Jet already looked sleek, and this model, despite a more blunt nose, confirms this impression. The colors work together well, too - and the thing has a dedicated retro feel about it. Tintin might be on board, as well as Elton John, both sharing a cigar on the rear seats... ;)

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the conversion or the presented background story might be based on authentic facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The VF-1 was developed by Stonewell/Bellcom/Shinnakasu for the U.N. Spacy by using alien Overtechnology obtained from the SDF-1 Macross alien spaceship. Its production was preceded by an aerodynamic proving version of its airframe, the VF-X. Unlike all later VF vehicles, the VF-X was strictly a jet aircraft, built to demonstrate that a jet fighter with the features necessary to convert to Battroid mode was aerodynamically feasible. After the VF-X's testing was finished, an advanced concept atmospheric-only prototype, the VF-0 Phoenix, was flight-tested from 2005 to 2007 and briefly served as an active-duty fighter from 2007 to the VF-1's rollout in late 2008, while the bugs were being worked out of the full-up VF-1 prototype (VF-X-1).

 

The space-capable VF-1's combat debut was on February 7, 2009, during the Battle of South Ataria Island - the first battle of Space War I - and remained the mainstay fighter of the U.N. Spacy for the entire conflict. Introduced in 2008, the VF-1 would be out of frontline service just five years later, though.

 

The VF-1 proved to be an extremely capable craft, successfully combating a variety of Zentraedi mecha even in most sorties which saw UN Spacy forces significantly outnumbered. The versatility of the Valkyrie design enabled the variable fighter to act as both large-scale infantry and as air/space superiority fighter. The signature skills of U.N. Spacy ace pilot Maximilian Jenius exemplified the effectiveness of the variable systems as he near-constantly transformed the Valkyrie in battle to seize advantages of each mode as combat conditions changed from moment to moment.

 

The basic VF-1 was deployed in four minor variants (designated A, D, J, and S) and its success was increased by continued development of various enhancements including the GBP-1S "Armored" Valkyrie, FAST Pack "Super" Valkyrie and the additional RÖ-X2 heavy cannon pack weapon system for the VF-1S for additional firepower.

The FAST Pack system was designed to enhance the VF-1 Valkyrie variable fighter, and the initial V1.0 came in the form of conformal pallets that could be attached to the fighter’s leg flanks for additional fuel – primarily for Long Range Interdiction tasks in atmospheric environment. Later FAST Packs were designed for space operations.

 

The following FAST Pack 2.0 system featured two 120.000 kg class P&W+EF-2001 booster thrusters (mounted on the dorsal section of the VF-1) and two CTB-04 conformal propellant/coolant tanks (mounted on the leg/engines), since the VF-1's internal tanks could not carry enough propellant to achieve a stable orbit from Earth bases and needed the help of a booster pack to reach Low Earth Orbit. Anyway, the FAST Pack 2.0 wasn't adapted for atmospheric use, due to its impact on a Valkyrie's aerodynamics and its weight; as such, it needed to be discarded before atmospheric entry.

Included in the FAST Pack boosters and conformal tanks were six high-maneuverability vernier thrusters and two low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles in two dorsal-mounted NP-BP-01, as well as ten more high-maneuverability vernier thrusters and two low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles in the two leg/engine-mounted NP-FB-01 systems.

Granting the VF-1 a significantly increased weapons payload as well as greater fuel and thrust, Shinnakasu Heavy Industry's FAST Pack system 2.0 was in every way a major success in space combat. The first VF-1 equipped with FAST Packs was deployed in January 2010 for an interception mission.

Following first operational deployment and its effectiveness, the FAST Pack system was embraced enthusiastically by the U.N. Spacy and found wide use. By February 2010, there were already over 300+ so-called "Super Valkyries" stationed onboard the SDF-1 Macross alone.

 

The FAST Pack went through constant further development, including upgraded versions for late production and updated VF-1s (V3.0 and V4.0). Another addition to the early V2.0 variant of 2010 was the so-called “S-FAST Pack”. The S-FAST pack was originally developed at the Apollo lunar base, for the locally based VF-1 interceptor squadrons that were tasked with the defense of this important production and habitat site on the Moon, but it also found its way to other orbital stations and carriers.

 

Officially designated FAST Pack V2.1, the S-FAST Pack consisted of the standard pair of dorsal rocket boosters plus the pallets with additional maneuvering jets, sensors and weapons. The S-FAST pack added another pair of P&W+EF-2001 boosters under the inner wings, having the duty to give to fighter the power necessary to exit easily from the gravity of moons or little planets without atmosphere, and improve acceleration during combat situations. Range was also further extended, together with additional life support systems for prolonged deep space operations, or the case of emergency.

 

In order to accept the S-FAST pack and exploit its potential, the VF-1’s wings and inner wing attachment points had to be strengthened due to the additional load and propulsion. The use of the S-FAST pack also precluded the fighter from transforming into Battroid or Gerwalk mode – the underwing packs had to be jettisoned beforehand. The other standard FAST Pack 2.0 elements could still be carried, though.

 

The modfied Valkyries capable of accepting the S-FAST Pack received an additional “S” to their type designation – more than 100 VF-1s were converted or built in this deep space configuration until late 2011. Initial deployment of the S-FAST Pack was conducted through SVF-24 “Moon Shadows” in early 2010, a unit that was quickly disbanded, though, but re-formed as SVF-124 “Moon Shooters”, tasked with the defense of the lunar Apollo Base and several special missions.

 

After the end of Space War I, the VF-1 continued to be manufactured both in the Sol system and throughout the UNG space colonies. Although the VF-1 would eventually be replaced as the primary Variable Fighter of the U.N. Spacy by the more capable, but also much bigger, VF-4 Lightning III in 2020, a long service record and continued production after the war proved the lasting worth of the design.

 

The VF-1 was without doubt the most recognizable variable fighter of Space War I and was seen as a vibrant symbol of the U.N. Spacy even into the first year of the New Era 0001 in 2013. At the end of 2015 the final rollout of the VF-1 was celebrated at a special ceremony, commemorating this most famous of variable fighters. The VF-1 Valkryie was built from 2006 to 2013 with a total production of 5,459 VF-1 variable fighters with several variants (VF-1A = 5,093, VF-1D = 85, VF-1J = 49, VF-1S = 30, VF-1G = 12, VE-1 = 122, VT-1 = 68)

 

However, the fighter remained active in many second line units and continued to show its worthiness years later, e. g. through Milia Jenius who would use her old VF-1 fighter in defense of the colonization fleet - 35 years after the type's service introduction!

 

General characteristics:

All-environment variable fighter and tactical combat Battroid,

used by U.N. Spacy, U.N. Navy, U.N. Space Air Force

 

Accommodation:

Pilot only in Marty & Beck Mk-7 zero/zero ejection seat

Dimensions:

Fighter Mode:

Length 14.23 meters

Wingspan 14.78 meters (at 20° minimum sweep)

Height 3.84 meters

 

Battroid Mode:

Height 12.68 meters

Width 7.3 meters

Length 4.0 meters

Empty weight: 13.25 metric tons;

Standard T-O mass: 18.5 metric tons;

MTOW: 37.0 metric tons

 

Power Plant:

2x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2001 thermonuclear reaction turbine engines, output 650 MW each, rated at 11,500 kg in standard or in overboost (225.63 kN x 2)

4 x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry NBS-1 high-thrust vernier thrusters (1 x counter reverse vernier thruster nozzle mounted on the side of each leg nacelle/air intake, 1 x wing thruster roll control system on each wingtip);

18 x P&W LHP04 low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles

 

The S-FAST Pack added 4x P&W+EF-2001 booster thrusters with 120.000 kg each, plus a total of 28x P&W LHP04 low-thrust vernier thrusters

 

Performance:

Battroid Mode: maximum walking speed 160 km/h

Fighter Mode: at 10,000 m Mach 2.71; at 30,000+ m Mach 3.87

g limit: in space +7

Thrust-to-weight ratio: empty 3.47; standard T-O 2.49; maximum T-O 1.24

 

Design Features:

3-mode variable transformation; variable geometry wing; vertical take-off and landing; control-configurable vehicle; single-axis thrust vectoring; three "magic hand" manipulators for maintenance use; retractable canopy shield for Battroid mode and atmospheric reentry; option of GBP-1S system, atmospheric-escape booster, or FAST Pack system

 

Transformation:

Standard time from Fighter to Battroid (automated): under 5 sec.

Min. time from Fighter to Battroid (manual): 0.9 sec.

 

Armament:

2x internal Mauler RÖV-20 anti-aircraft laser cannon, firing 6,000 pulses per minute

1x Howard GU-11 55 mm three-barrel Gatling gun pod with 200 RPG, fired at 1,200 rds/min

 

4x underwing hard points for a wide variety of ordnance, including

12x AMM-1 hybrid guided multipurpose missiles (3/point), or

12x MK-82 LDGB conventional bombs (3/point), or

6x RMS-1 large anti-ship reaction missiles (2/outboard point, 1/inboard point), or

4x UUM-7 micro-missile pods (1/point) each carrying 15 x Bifors HMM-01 micro-missiles,

or a combination of above load-outs

 

The optional Shinnakasu Heavy Industry S-FAST Pack 2.1 augmentative space weapon system added:

6x micro-missiles in two NP-AR-01 micro-missile launcher pods (mounted rear-ward under center ventral section in Fighter mode or on lower arm sections in GERWALK/Battroid mode)

4x12 micro missiles in four HMMP-02 micro-missile launchers, one inside each booster pod

 

The kit and its assembly:

This VF-1 is another contribution to the “Old Kit” Group Build at whatifmodelers.com, running in late 2016. I am not certain about the moulds’ inception date, but since it is an ARII incarnation of this type of kit and even moulded in the early pastel green styrene, I’d think that it was produced in 1982 or 83.

 

Anyway, I love the Macross VF-1, IMHO a design masterpiece created by Shoji Kawamori and one of my favorite mecha designs ever, because it was created as a late 70ies style jet fighter that could transform into a robot in a secondary role. As a simple, purposeful military vehicle. And not like a flashy robot toy.

 

Effectively, this Super Valkyrie is a highly modified OOB kit with many donation parts, and this kit is a bit special, for several reasons. There are several 1:100 OOB kits with FAST Packs from ARII/Bandai available (and still around today), but these are normally only Battroids or Gerwalks with additional parts for the FAST kit conversion. The kit I used here is different: it is, after maybe 25 years of searching and building these kits, the #70 from the original production run. It is (so far!) the only Fighter mode kit with the additional FAST Pack parts! Must be rare, and I have never seen it in catalogues?

 

Until today, I converted my Super or Strike Valkyries from Gerwalk kits, a task that needs some improvisation esp. around the folded arms between the legs, and there’s no OOB option for an extended landing gear. The latter made this Fighter mode kit very attractive, even though the actual kit is pretty disappointing, and AFAIK this kit variant is only available as a VF-1S.

 

With the Super Valkyrie fighter kit you receive basically a Gerwalk with a standard fighter cockpit (which includes a front wheel well and an extended front wheel leg), plus extra parts. The leg/engine-mounted NP-FB-01 systems are less bulbous than the parts on the Gerwalk or Battroid kit, and the OOB dorsally mounted NP-BP-01 boosters are TINY, maybe 1:120 or even 1:144! WTF?

 

Further confusion: the kit includes a set of lower arm parts with integrated rocket launchers, but these are not necessary at all for the Fighter build?! As a kind of compensation there’s a new and exclusive element that simulates the folded arms under the ‘fuselage’ and which, as an added value, properly holds the hand gun under the fuselage. As a quirky flaw, though, the hand gun itself comes in the extended form for the Battroid/Gerwalk mode. For the fighter in flight mode, it has to be modified, but that’s easily done.

 

Anyway, with the potential option to build a Super Valkyrie with an extended landing gear, this was my route to go with this vintage kit. The Super Valkyrie already looks bulky with the FAST Pack added, but then I recently found the S-FAST Pack option with two more boosters under the wings – total overkill, but unique. And I had a spare pair of booster bulks in the stash (w/o their nozzles, though), as well as a complete pair of additional bigger standard FAST boosters that could replace the ridiculous OOB parts…

 

Building such a Super/Strike Valkyrie means building separate components, with a marriage of parts as one of the final steps. Consequently, cockpit, central fuselage with the wings and the air intakes, the folded stabilizer pack, the folded arms element with the handgun, the two legs and the four boosters plus other ordnance had to be built and painted separately.

 

Here and there, details were changed or added, e. g. a different head (a ‘J’ head for the flight leader’s aircraft with two instead of the rare, OOB ‘S’ variant with four laser cannon), covers for the main landing gear (the latter does not come with wells at all, but I did not scratch them since they are hardly recognizable when the kit is sitting on the ground), the typical blade aerials under the cockpit and the feet had to be modified internally to become truly ‘open’ jet exhausts.

 

The wing-mounted boosters received new nozzles and their front end was re-sculpted with 2C putty into a square shape, according to reference sketches. Not 100% exact, but the rest of the VF-1 isn’t either.

 

This VF-1 was also supposed to carry external ordnance and my first choice were four wing-mounted RMS-1 Anti-Ship Reaction Warheads, scratched from four 1.000 lb NATO bombs. But, once finished, I was not happy with them. So I looked for another option, and in a source book I found several laser-guided bombs and missiles, also for orbital use, and from this inspiration comes the final ordnance: four rocket-propelled kinetic impact projectiles. These are actually 1:72 JASDF LGB’s from a Hasegawa weapon set, sans aerodynamic steering surfaces and with rocket boosters added to the tail. Also not perfect, but their white color and sleek shape is a good counterpart to the FAST elements.

 

Experience from many former builds of this mecha kit family helped a lot, since the #70 kit is very basic and nothing really fits well. Even though there are not many major seams or large elements, PSR work was considerable. This is not a pleasant build, rather a fight with a lot of compromises and semi-accuracies.

Seriously, if you want a decent 1:100 VF-1, I’d rather recommend the much more modern WAVE kits (including more realistic proportions).

  

Painting and markings:

The paint scheme for this Super Valkyrie was settled upon before I considered the S-FAST Pack addition: U.N. Spacy’s SVF-124 is authentic, as well as its unique camouflage paint scheme.

The latter is a special scheme for the lunar environment where the unit was originally formed and based, with all-black undersides, a high, wavy waterline and a light grey upper surface, plus some medium grey trim and a few colorful US Navy style markings and codes.

 

My core reference is a ‘naked’ bread-and-butter VF-1A of SVF-124 in Fighter mode, depicted as a profile in a VF-1 source book from SoftBank Publishing. The colors for the FAST Pack elements are guesstimates and personal interpretations, though, since I could not find any reference for their look in this unit.

As a side note, another, later SVF-124 aircraft in a similar design is included as an option in a limited edition 1:72 VF-22S kit from Hasegawa, which is backed by CG pics in a VF-22 source book from Softbank, too.

Furthermore, SVF-124 finds mention in a Japanese modeler magazine, where the aforementioned VF-22S kit was presented in 2008. So there must be something behind the ‘Moon Shooters’ squadron.

 

According to the Hasegawa VF-22S’s painting instructions, the underside becomes black and the upper surfaces are to be painted with FS36270 (with some darker fields on the VF-22, though, similar to the USAF F-15 counter-shaded air superiority scheme, just a tad darker).

Due to the 1:100 scale tininess of my VF-1, I alternatively went for Revell 75 (RAL 7039), which is lighter and also has a brownish hue, so that the resulting aircraft would not look too cold and murky, and not resemble an USAF aircraft.

 

All FAST Pack elements were painted in a uniform dark grey (Humbrol 32), while some subtle decorative trim on the upper surfaces, e.g. the canopy frame, an anti-glare panel and a stripe behind the cockpit and decoration trim on the wings’ upper surfaces, was added with Revell 77 (RAL 7012). Overall, colors are rather dull, but IMHO very effective in the “landscape” this machine is supposed to operate, and the few colorful markings stand out even more!

 

The cockpit interior was painted in a bluish grey, with reddish brown seat cushions (late 70ies style!), and the landing gear became all white. For some added detail I painted the wings’ leading edges in a mustard tone (Humbrol 225, Mid Stone).

 

The kit received some weathering (black ink wash, drybrushing on panels) and extra treatment of the panel lines – even though the FAST Pack elements hide a lot of surface or obscure view.

 

More color and individuality came with the markings. The standard decals like stencils or the U.N. Spacy insignia come from the kit’s and some other VF-1s’ OOB sheets.

Based on the SVF-124 VF-1 profile and taking the basic design a bit further, I used dull red USAF 45° digits for the 2nd flight leader’s “200” modex and the Apollo Base’s code “MA” on the dorsal boosters. Some discreet red trim was also applied to the FAST Packs – but only a little.

 

Since all of SVF-124’s aircraft are rumored to carry personal markings, including nose art and similar decorations, I tried to give this VF-1JS a personal note: the pin-up badges on the dorsal boosters come from a Peddinghouse decal sheet for Allied WWII tanks, placed on a silver roundel base. Unfortunately (and not visible before I applied them) the pin-up decal was not printed on a white basis, so that the contrast on the silver is not very strong, but I left it that way. Additionally, the tagline “You’re a$$ next, Jerry” (which IS printed in opaque white…?) was added next to the artwork – but it’s so tiny that you have to get really close to decipher it at all…

 

Finally, after some soot stains around the exhausts and some vernier nozzels with graphite, the kit received a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

 

Building this vintage VF-1 kit took a while and a lot of effort, but I like the result: with the S-FAST Pack, the elegant VF-1 turned into a massive space fighter hulk! The normal Super Valkyries already look very compact and purposeful, but this here is truly menacing. Especially when standing on its own feet/landing gear, with its nose-down stance and the small, original wheels, this thing reminds of a Space Shuttle that had just landed.

 

Good that I recently built a simple VF-1 fighter as a warm-up session. ARII’s kit #70 is not a pleasant build, rather a fight with the elements and coupled with a lot of compromises – if you want a Super Valkyrie Fighter in 1:100, the much more modern WAVE kit is IMHO the better option (and actually not much more pricey than this vintage collector’s item). But for the vintage feeling, this exotic model kit was just the right ticket, and it turned, despite many weaknesses and rather corny details, into an impressive fighter. Esp. the lunar camouflage scheme looks odd, but very unique and purposeful.

 

Anyway, with so many inherent flaws of the ARII kit, my former method of converting a pure (and much more common) Gerwalk kit into a space-capable VF-1 fighter is not less challenging and complicated than trying to fix this OOB option into a decent model. :-/

2018/06/0/3 - The base pilllars holding up the road and rail sections.. sitting waiting for the steel sections going ontop. The old bridge in the background.. iconic and always appearing large now dwarfed by the new one.

Bare Island

Based on the Austin A60 and registered as "Morris 1/2 Ton Van". This is a late one, replaced the following year by the Marina based vans.

 

Seen in Ewell, Surrey.

 

The vehicle details for VOD 845K are:

Date of Liability01 07 2014

Date of First Registration25 08 1971

Year of Manufacture1971

Cylinder Capacity (cc)1622cc

Fuel TypePETROL

Vehicle StatusLicence Not Due

Vehicle ColourWHITE

 

angular momentum

Q-Base festival, edition 2010, with the harder styles in dance music.

Airport Weeze, Germany.

 

Client: Q-Dance

© 2010 Fotograferen net

K2 Base Camp way out in the distance while on the Gondogoro La Trek in Pakistan.

Graphite and white ink

A childhood dream come true: This is the Moon Base I would have loved to have when I was a kid: 9×3 baseplates filled with stations, vehicles and spaceships.

 

14/20: Details (3/9)

Another view of the radome platforms at the abandoned Nike missile radar facility.

 

Night, almost full moon, extreme fog, ambient moonlight + red-gelled HID spotlight

 

View entire set w/ background info on this location here.

 

Hill_88_20080417_0019

Benches and bull pen clearing play after Matt Kemp and Robinson Chirinos collide at home plate. It resulted in a shoving match which got them both ejected on Wednesday. Dodgers ended up winning the game in the 11th with walk off win due to Hernandez's pirouette slide into home.

Photo by Jeannie Gaines

It's a good feeling getting those bags off for a long break.

 

Rollei Retro 400 iso Film

Canon 300x

28-90mm lens

BASE AÉREA DE MORÓN (LEMO) SPAIN / BOEING B52H STRATOFORTRESS (MSN 464439) USAF (61-0012) / BOMBER TASK FORCE DEPLOYMENT

 

B-52H Stratofortresses, assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, depart out of Morón Air Base, Spain, in support of Bomber Task Force Europe May 19, 2021. Strategic bomber missions enhance the readiness and training necessary to respond to any potential crisis or challenge across the globe.

Aty Hair Base & Face Tattoo for Catwa Mesh Head

  

Market Place

marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/187471?lang=en-US

 

In world

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U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Mrs. Susan Pompeo ascend a stairway to board an airplane at Joint Base Andrews, January 7, 2019. Secretary Pompeo will travel to Amman, Jordan; Cairo, Egypt; Manama, Bahrain; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Doha, Qatar; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Muscat, Oman; and Kuwait City, Kuwait, January 8-15. [State Department photo by Ron Pryzsucha/ Public Domain]

Taken on April 29, 1973.

 

Grandstand seats on the third-base side of Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox were playing the visiting Chicago White Sox ("CHI" on the scoreboard). Lots of seats left because attendance was only 11,617, even though it was a Sunday afternoon game. Boston lost, 5-0.

This Phicen figure is the first to come with heeled feet. Unfortunately, they kind of stink. They're too high to fit in just about any heeled shoe and they're really unstable. This shot was pretty much just to see what I could do with them.

Master Sgt. Stephen Nelson, 435th Contingency Response Group contingency air traffic controller, instructs Bulgarian paratroopers on the correct way to use a standard U.S. parachute during a flying training deployment, July 17, 2013, in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. American and Bulgarian paratroopers exchanged parachutes for the opportunity to conduct a wing exchange at the end of FTD Thracian Summer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trevor Rhynes)

The communications/observation tower. yeah, it's tall, and still more to go. Also, it's going to have an elevator hooked up to my power function box.