View allAll Photos Tagged commitment
Some dear friends of mine. I really feel like this image celebrates love and the calm soft moments it fosters.
Strobist: SB-80DX bounce into umbrella above center.
Nikon D90 | Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 D | 1/200 sec | f/2 | ISO 200
GET YOUR KNEE OFF OUR NECKS Commitment March Rally at Lincoln Memorial North Elm Walkway, NW, Washington DC on Friday morning, 28 August 2020 by Elvert Barnes Photography
Visit Commitment March website at nationalactionnetwork.net/commitment-march-on-washington-dc/
Elvert Barnes 57th Anniversary of 1963 March on Washington COMMITMENT MARCH docu-project at elvertbarnes.com/57MOW2020
La vida es pura circunstancia.No tengo ninguna duda de ello.
Enamorado quedo,Florencia.
Vuelvo en un rato. ;)
Recomiendo : View On White
For the Monday Photo Challenge Group
"in one picture illustrate your one word that describes your New Year's resolution, dream, aspiration or goal"
. . . and use that one word as your title.
My Goal is to get fit and stay fit.
It's Cast Member Saturday where I pay tribute to all the great Cast Members that make Disneyland what it is.
Today, once again, I pay tribute to Ernie who shows more commitment to his job and honoring those who serve than anyone. He's a true hero and gentleman.
These belong to Steph, my future daughter-in-law and I thought her high, high heels to be perfect for today's challenge ..... commit, yes you either commit pain on yourself or must have great dedication to wear them!! Can't wait to see the bridal shoes - they are reportedly higher!!
Off to the wedding rehearsal - back later!!!
Our Daily Challenge ~ COMMIT .....
Thanks, in advance, to everyone who views this photo, adds a note, leaves a comment and of course BIG thanks to anyone who chooses to favourite my photo .... thanks to you all.
Photo By: Cate Infinity
Step into the Lynchian wonderland of the "Rabbits" event at Lynchland, where Myrdin Sommer, the wizard of interior recreation, meticulously resurrected the living room from David Lynch's eerie masterpiece. Picture this: you find yourself sinking into a magenta retro leather sofa, a portal to an alternate reality where the bizarre is the norm. Myrdin Sommer's attention to detail didn't stop at furniture; she orchestrated a symphony of Lights FX that transformed the venue into a dreamscape. It was as if the very essence of Lynch's uncanny vision had materialized, with every flicker and glow sending shivers down your spine. The auditory voyage was equally enchanting, courtesy of the musical conjurers – DJ Frank Atisso, DJ Khaos, DJ Seventh, and DJ Snowkat. Their sets weren't just music; they were spells, weaving an ethereal tapestry that transported the audience to dimensions unknown. The energy pulsating through the room was nothing short of electrifying, making it impossible to resist the gravitational pull of the dance floor. Now, let's address the Rabbitea head, the controversial mandatory accessory that added a peculiar twist to the night. Brilliant and refreshing, it became a symbol of the event's commitment to embracing the strange. Sporting the Rabbitea head wasn't just a choice; it was a statement, a plunge into the surrealistic depths of Lynch's imagination. In the end, the Rabbits event was an unmitigated success. It wasn't merely a gathering; it was an immersive journey into the quirky universe of David Lynch. Lynchland, under Myrdin Sommer's enchantment, became a haven for those seeking an escape from the mundane. If you missed it, you missed stepping through the looking glass into a night where reality and surrealism waltzed hand in hand. An eccentric triumph, indeed! - Cate Infinity
***More***
Visit the nostalgia and get your free "Rabbits" head by Jay Pockets here: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Pearl%20Coast/188/33/3053
Presented to you by Infinite Productions and The Freakout Group
***NOTE***
"Welcome to LynchLand, where the magic never sleeps! Our enchanting locations are open 24/7, inviting everyone to indulge in their splendor. Feel free to meander through picturesque landscapes, capturing moments with your camera, or discovering the perfect nook to relax, embrace, dance, or simply bask in the soothing and eccentric melodies of our land radio. For an even more unforgettable experience, I extend a warm invitation to stay in our exquisitely adorned cabins and motel. Unleash laughter and camaraderie with friends in our vibrant Fun&Games Hall. Let's unite to infuse life and boundless joy into the heart of LynchLand!"
“I don’t think that people accept the fact that life doesn’t make sense. I think it makes people terribly uncomfortable.”
― David Lynch
Goal: {illustrate teamwork/commitment}
Audience: {church members on a Wednesday night}
Direction: {"I need this today"}
Project: {sermon title to display on screens during message}
Other important info: {gratefully used 7ulio's "Magic" for hue/saturation layers & grid texture}
{Finished work}
I'm sure there are dozens of great analogies comparing kids and their fleeting interests in activities but Tae Kwon Do really does seem to be sticking, and we couldn't be happier. It's a great physical activity, teaches them discipline, and doesn't seem to pose much of any risk for concussion. Well, the turkey's just committed to two more years and to getting their black belts!
Beautiful flowers at Reford Gardens.
CYCLOPS, 2016
Craig Chapple
Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
From the plaque:
Formerly trained as an architect at Yale University but with a deep commitment to creating art, Craig Chapple has pursued both architecture and the visual arts simultaneously throughout his career. Craig’s work is born from the synergy of these two disciplines, producing work that focuses on the overlap of the line, pattern, texture and process. He works in analog and digital practices in drawing, painting and sculpture.
Cyclops is a singular object on the landscape as well as a singular frame of the landscape. Made up of 25508-meter long tapering planks held in the shape of an inverted cone around a central opening for the user to occupy . These planks are fastened to each other at the innermost diameter and held upright by a 150 mm steal ring beam at the outer diameter.
At first approach, Cyclops is an object on the landscape, seen as a clear , platonic form. Through its transparency and porosity, however, it is an object one that is also dynamic and changing, blending with the environment.
By entering the central 1.5 m opening at the bottom of the cone, the user enters into a different relationship with the object and the landscape. By experiencing it from the inside-out, the object acts to frame the surrounding landscape and sky for the viewer in this same dynamic , temporal way by blending the man-made, platonic clarity of the frame with the organic and natural.
The viewer plays the central role of the work in rediscovering the relationship between the object, the frame and the natural landscape.
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From Wikipedia:
Elsie Stephen Meighen - born January 22, 1872, Perth, Ontario - and Robert Wilson Reford - born in 1867, Montreal - got married on June 12, 1894.
Elsie Reford was a pioneer of Canadian horticulture, creating one of the largest private gardens in Canada on her estate, Estevan Lodge in eastern Québec. Located in Grand-Métis on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, her gardens have been open to the public since 1962 and operate under the name Les Jardins de Métis and Reford Gardens.
Born January 22, 1872 at Perth, Ontario, Elsie Reford was the eldest of three children born to Robert Meighen and Elsie Stephen. Coming from modest backgrounds themselves, Elsie’s parents ensured that their children received a good education. After being educated in Montreal, she was sent to finishing school in Dresden and Paris, returning to Montreal fluent in both German and French, and ready to take her place in society.
She married Robert Wilson Reford on June 12, 1894. She gave birth to two sons, Bruce in 1895 and Eric in 1900. Robert and Elsie Reford were, by many accounts, an ideal couple. In 1902, they built a house on Drummond Street in Montreal. They both loved the outdoors and they spend several weeks a year in a log cabin they built at Lac Caribou, south of Rimouski. In the autumn they hunted for caribou, deer, and ducks. They returned in winter to ski and snowshoe. Elsie Reford also liked to ride. She had learned as a girl and spent many hours riding on the slopes of Mount Royal. And of course, there was salmon-fishing – a sport at which she excelled.
In her day, she was known for her civic, social, and political activism. She was engaged in philanthropic activities, particularly for the Montreal Maternity Hospital and she was also the moving force behind the creation of the Women’s Canadian Club of Montreal, the first women club in Canada. She believed it important that the women become involved in debates over the great issues of the day, « something beyond the local gossip of the hour ». Her acquaintance with Lord Grey, the Governor-General of Canada from 1904 to 1911, led to her involvement in organizing, in 1908, Québec City’s tercentennial celebrations. The event was one of many to which she devoted herself in building bridges with French-Canadian community.
During the First World War, she joined her two sons in England and did volunteer work at the War Office, translating documents from German into English. After the war, she was active in the Victorian Order of Nurses, the Montreal Council of Social Agencies, and the National Association of Conservative Women.
In 1925 at the age of 53 years, Elsie Reford was operated for appendicitis and during her convalescence, her doctor counselled against fishing, fearing that she did not have the strength to return to the river.”Why not take up gardening?” he said, thinking this a more suitable pastime for a convalescent woman of a certain age. That is why she began laying out the gardens and supervising their construction. The gardens would take ten years to build, and would extend over more than twenty acres.
Elsie Reford had to overcome many difficulties in bringing her garden to life. First among them were the allergies that sometimes left her bedridden for days on end. The second obstacle was the property itself. Estevan was first and foremost a fishing lodge. The site was chosen because of its proximity to a salmon river and its dramatic views – not for the quality of the soil.
To counter-act nature’s deficiencies, she created soil for each of the plants she had selected, bringing peat and sand from nearby farms. This exchange was fortuitous to the local farmers, suffering through the Great Depression. Then, as now, the gardens provided much-needed work to an area with high unemployment. Elsie Reford’s genius as a gardener was born of the knowledge she developed of the needs of plants. Over the course of her long life, she became an expert plantsman. By the end of her life, Elsie Reford was able to counsel other gardeners, writing in the journals of the Royal Horticultural Society and the North American Lily Society. Elsie Reford was not a landscape architect and had no training of any kind as a garden designer. While she collected and appreciated art, she claimed no talents as an artist.
Elsie Stephen Reford died at her Drummond Street home on November 8, 1967 in her ninety-sixth year.
In 1995, the Reford Gardens ("Jardins de Métis") in Grand-Métis were designated a National Historic Site of Canada, as being an excellent Canadian example of the English-inspired garden.(Wikipedia)
Visit : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elsie_Reford
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Visit : www.refordgardens.com/
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LES JARDINS DE MÉTIS
Créés par Elsie Reford de 1926 à 1958, ces jardins témoignent de façon remarquable de l’art paysager à l’anglaise. Disposés dans un cadre naturel, un ensemble de jardins exhibent fleurs vivaces, arbres et arbustes. Le jardin des pommetiers, les rocailles et l’Allée royale évoquent l’œuvre de cette dame passionnée d’horticulture. Agrémenté d’un ruisseau et de sentiers sinueux, ce site jouit d’un microclimat favorable à la croissance d’espèces uniques au Canada. Les pavots bleus et les lis, privilégiés par Mme Reford, y fleurissent toujours et contribuent , avec d’autres plantes exotiques et indigènes, à l’harmonie de ces lieux.
Created by Elsie Reford between 1926 and 1958, these gardens are an inspired example of the English art of the garden. Woven into a natural setting, a series of gardens display perennials, trees and shrubs. A crab-apple orchard, a rock garden, and the Long Walk are also the legacy of this dedicated horticulturist. A microclimate favours the growth of species found nowhere else in Canada, while the stream and winding paths add to the charm. Elsie Reford’s beloved blue poppies and lilies still bloom and contribute, with other exotic and indigenous plants, to the harmony of the site.
Commission des lieux et monuments historiques du Canada
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
Gouvernement du Canada – Government of Canada
© Copyright
This photo and all those in my Photostream are protected by copyright. No one may reproduce, copy, transmit or manipulate them without my written permission.
Olympus OM10/ 50mm f1.8
Fujifilm Superia 200
Evening hangout at Nasi Kandar Haji Ali. The taste of the rice with friend chicken poured with varieties of spicy kuah(soup) just made my evening. Nyum!
The Gillard Government made a commitment in 2010 to release all children from immigration detention by June 2011, but still 350 children languish in the harsh environment of immigration camps around Australia. The Refugee Action Collective organised a protest on July 9, 2011 outside the Melbourne Immigration Transit accommodation which is used for the detention of unaccompanied minors.
“Bowen said he would have all children out of detention by June but there are still over 350 kids locked up including just under 100 in Broadmeadows,” said Refugee Action Collective spokesperson Benjamin Solah in a July 8 media release. “It’s now July and there are still children locked up, being driven to attempt suicide and self harm whilst the government congratulates themselves on meeting a promise they didn’t actually meet.”
This person on the beach took a pose that immediately struck me as taking a stand, making firm commitment, and being strong. Qualities I believe are important in life.
Preparing healthy meals is a big commitment in these days when so many unhealthy, low-cost choices surround us. We have meatless meals regularly. Today's healthy choice was a veggie pizza with very little cheese. The basil leaves and tomatoes are from our garden. I also added red onion and kalamata olives. Half of the pizza had a basil pesto sauce, and the other half had only chopped fresh garlic for the sauce. Without a heavy sauce, the flavor of the fresh veggies really stands out.
+++ DISCLAIMER +++
Nothing you see here is real, even though the conversion or the presented background story might be based on historical facts. BEWARE!
Some background:
With the end of the conflict in Africa in early 1974, the Portuguese Armed Forces went through a reorganization and shifted their focus back from counter-insurgency to honoring Portugal's commitments to NATO and preparing for a possible conflict in Europe against the Warsaw Pact. The Portuguese Air Force's F-86F Sabre and G.91 fighters were considered to be outdated in both the air defense and ground attack roles to face Soviet forces in the European operations theater. Furthermore, only a few Sabre fighters were actually in service due to problems with the engines and lack of spare parts.
After the revolution Portugal faced financial problems and the new government didn't see the modernization of the armed forces as a priority. As such the Air Force counted on the support from the United States through the military assistance programs and the offsets and compensations for the use of the Lajes Air Base. In June 1974 the Air Force Chief of Staff, General Manuel Diogo Neto, informed the US Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) in Lisbon of the interest in acquiring one F-5E Tiger II squadron and one F-4E Phantom II squadron, as well as T-38A Talon and T-41, to replace the T-33 Shooting Star and the DHC-1 Chipmunk, respectively.
The United States’ NATO delegation was worried about Portugal's capability in contributing to NATO operations and felt that the intention to purchase either the F-4E Phantom II or the F-5E Tiger II to replace the F-86F Sabre was inappropriate, given that the USA felt that the A-7D Corsair II or the A-4N Skyhawk provided a better platform for the Portuguese role in an eventual conflict with the Warsaw Pact, which was to mainly protect the Atlantic Ocean resupply routes from the United States to Europe.
By 1976 the Northrop F-5E Tiger II had become the sole preferred aircraft by the military command, which believed that this aircraft could be supplied by The Pentagon at a lower cost through the Military Assistance Program (MAP) and the Foreign Military Sales (FMS). To this end, Portugal leased Northrop T-38A Talon jet trainers, as part of the "Peace Talon" program, to establish and provide supersonic-capable lead-in fighter training and to eventually provide operational conversion.
Later in March 1976, a camouflage scheme for the F-5 was published in the Diário da República, stirring public awareness and political pressure. Nonetheless, at the time the FAP had already started analyzing the acquisition of the A-7 Corsair II as an alternative to the F-5, per the suggestion of the United States. This led to the acquisition of 30 A-7A Corsair II for 49 million dollars. But even with the A-7 taking precedence, the FAP continued interest in acquiring the F-5 for the air defense role and as a proper replacement for the outdated F-86F Sabre.
As such, a delegation was sent to Norway in July 1979 to evaluate F-5A/B aircraft of the Royal Norwegian Air Force. This offer was turned down, since the offered 11 F-5As turned out to require considerable repairs due to cracks found in the airframe. Furthermore, the FAP was particularly interested in twin-seat F-5 fighters, but the RNoAF did not plan on retiring any of its F-5B aircraft at that time. In November 1984, the United States offered four F-5As with spare engines to Portugal, but this offer was also declined, since the aircraft had already logged over 3,000 flight hours and needed thorough repair, too. In the same year, the RNoAF made a new offer of 15 to 20 F-5A/Bs, but this time the FAP declined, once more due to the airframes’ age and poor condition.
Unable to purchase any F-5 in decent condition, the FAP studied in the meantime the procurement of other second-hand fighters like the French Mirage IIIs or the SAAB 35 Draken. Negotiations with France, even though the preferred partner and with the intention to procure Mirage V fighter bombers, too, went nowhere. Eventually, a deal with Sweden could be settled in 1985 and the Saab 35 was chosen as the FAP’s new air superiority fighter.
The Draken had been developed during the 1940s and 1950s to replace Sweden's first generation of jet-powered fighter aircraft, the Saab J 29 Tunnan and, later, the fighter variant (J 32 B) of the Saab 32 Lansen. Fully developed in Sweden, the Draken was introduced into service with the Swedish Air Force in 1960 under the designation J 35 (the prefix J standing for “Jakt”, meaning “pursuit”). Early models were intended purely to perform air defense missions and the type was considered to be a capable dogfighter for the Cold War era. Later models were technically very advanced and the J 35 underwent a constant development that led to a long line of variants with several upgrades.
By the 1980s, the Swedish Air Force’s Drakens had largely been replaced by the more advanced Saab 37 Viggen fighter, while the introduction of the more capable Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter was expected in service within a decade, although delayed. Many J 35s of earlier versions, primarily the D type as well as some early J 35 F, were therefore mothballed and/or offered for sale. Takers were Finland and Austria, some Draken also sold to private operators in the United States. A dedicated export version for Denmark, rather a strike aircraft than an interceptor, was built, too.
The FAP was interested in the J 35 F, since these aircraft were the most modern Draken variant at the time and the relatively young airframes promised a long service life. An initial batch of eight aircraft – six single seaters plus a pair of two-seat trainers – was leased by Portugal and delivered in 1986. These were effectively refurbished former Swedish Saab J 35 F interceptors and Sk 35 C trainers. Internally at Saab, the Draken versions for Portugal were designated Saab J or Sk 35 XP (“X” for export and “P” for Portugal), but this designation was not adopted officially.
For Portugal, the machines were stripped off of specialized Swedish equipment and instead outfitted with NATO-compatible avionics and other updates like the Hawé mods I & II on the P/S-01/011 radar sets to improve its resistance to ECM. In contrast to the Swedish Saab J 35 F, the avionics that were necessary to deploy the Rb 27 and Rb 28 missiles (Hughes AIM-4 Falcon with radar and IR guidance) were removed and the second gun reinstalled. The J 35 F’s IR sensor under the nose was retained and a Sherloc radar warning system of French origin, as well as chaff/flare dispensers, were added, too.
In Portuguese service, the machines were called Saab 35 FP and TP and dubbed “Dragõe”. The fighters’ main armament were, beyond the internal 30 mm cannons, AIM-9 Sidewinders. Typically, a pair of these missiles was carried under the wings, together with a pair of 500 l drop tanks under the fuselage, since the Draken had no in-flight refueling capability and just a range of 1.120 km (696 mi) in clean configuration and with internal fuel only. The machines retained a secondary strike capability, though, with iron bombs of up to 1.000 lb caliber, napalm tanks and unguided missiles in pods. The trainers were unarmed but could carry an optional single 500 l drop tank on a ventral hardpoint.
The leased aircraft batch arrived in bare metal finish, but, due to the country’s proximity to the open sea, they quickly received an overall coat with a grey anti-corrosive lacquer. They were allocated to Esquadra 201 "Falcões" at Monte Real air base, where they replaced the last operational F-86F’s. They were officially allocated to an interceptor role, but effectively they were primarily used for conversion training, together with the T-38’s which had been based at Monte Real since 1977, too.
With enough trained Draken crews at hand, a second batch of former Swedish Draken (this time twelve single seaters plus two more trainers) was bought and delivered in 1987, the machines from the initial leasing batch were eventually bought, too. This small fleet was split between Esquadra 201 and 103 (the latter at Beja air base), so that the FAP could now field two fully operational interceptor squadrons. Upon arrival, the new machines received a tactical camouflage with toned-down national and the J 35s from the initial batch were re-painted accordingly.
The ongoing process of the modernization of the Portuguese Air Force also included the launching of the SICCAP/PoACCS (Portugal Air Command and Control System) project, which was a pioneer in adopting the new architecture and concept of the NATO ACCS, being intended to replace Portugal’s old SDA air defense system. As part of these project, the air surveillance and detection units were re-equipped, including the reception of new radars and the air control center at Monsanto was enhanced. The Saab 35 FPs became an integral part of this system, so that interceptors could be guided from the ground towards potential targets.
This scenario did not last long, though: The end of the Cold War caused the Portuguese Air Force to accompany the shift of the focus of the Portuguese Armed Forces from a conventional war in Europe against the Warsaw Pact forces to the international peace enforcement missions. The FAP started to participate in a number of missions by itself or in support of missions led by the Army and the Navy, but the Saab 35s were not involved since they remained, due to their small number, dedicated to Portugal’s air space patrol and defense.
With the arrival of the first F-16 Fighting Falcon in 1994, the Saab 35s, as well as the FAP’s A-7 Corsair IIs, were gradually retired and fully replaced until 1998.
The last Saab 35 in Swedish service was retired in 1999, the last Saab 35 Draken was withdrawn from military use in Austria in 2005 – 50 years after the type first flew. However, several aircraft still fly today in private operators’ service.
General characteristics:
Crew: 1
Length: 15.35 m (50 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 9.42 m (30 ft 11 in)
Height: 3.89 m (12 ft 9 in)
Wing area: 49.2 m2 (530 ft²)
Airfoil: 5%
Empty weight: 7,865 kg (17,339 lb)
Gross weight: 11,000 kg (24,251 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 11,914 kg (26,266 lb)
Powerplant:
1× Svenska Flygmotor RM6C (license-built Rolls Royce Avon with Swedish afterburner)
turbojet engine, 56.5 kN (12,700 lbf) thrust dry, 78.4 kN (17,600 lbf) with afterburner
Performance:
Maximum speed: 2,450 km/h (1,520 mph, 1,320 kn) at 11,000 m (36,089 ft)
Maximum speed: Mach 2
Range: 1.120 km (605 nmi; 696 mi); clean, internal fuel only
Ferry range: 2,750 km (1,480 nmi; 1,710 mi) with four external 500 l drop tanks
Service ceiling: 20,000 m (66,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 199 m/s (39,200 ft/min)
Wing loading: 231.6 kg/m² (47.4 lb/ft²)
Thrust/weight: 0.7
Takeoff roll: 800 m (2,625 ft)
Armament:
2× 30 mm AKAN M/55 ADEN cannon with 100 rounds per gun
4× hardpoints with a capacity of 2,900 kg (6,393 lb); typical interceptor ordnance:
2× 500 l ventral drop tanks and 2× AIM-9 Sidewinder under the wings
The kit and its assembly:
This what-if model came as a spontaneous idea when I browsed through the WWW for inspiration. I stumbled upon the history of the Portuguese Air Force and the fact that it did not operate any dedicated interceptor for 15 years – this task was taken over by the PAF’s A-7s(!) until the F-16 arrived in the Nineties This gap offered a lot of whiffing potential, and I had actually considered to build a whiffy FAP Mirage III for some time, since I knew that this was, together with the F-5, the favored type. However, there was also serious consideration of the Saab 35 as potential fighter alternative, too!
I found this idea so weird/exotic that I decided to build a Draken in FAP colors. The kit is the Hasegawa model, in a Revell re-boxing. I also considered the vintage Revell Saab 35 (a mold from 1957!), but after I saw the kit in a current re-boxing from Polish company Akkura, I took the chance of a reasonably priced Hasegawa kit instead. While the Akkura kit is crisply molded, it would take a lot of work to create a satisfactory “modern” Draken from it. I also had a Heller kit in store (my personal favorite), but I did not want to “sacrifice” it for this project.
The Hasegawa/Revell kit was basically built OOB. The kit is a simple, straightforward affair, with fine recessed engravings and good fit, but it’s IMHO far from extraordinary. It also has its flaws: the dashboard is totally blank, any instruments have to be created by yourself or taken from the decal sheet. There are ejection marks on the wheels and the landing gear covers, and the fit quality of some areas (e .g. the seam between the fuselage and the afterburner section) calls for PSR. The two-piece canopy is thin, very clear and fits well, the landing gear is sufficiently detailed – including the interior of the main landing gear wells.
For the FAP version I did not change much; I just replaced the seat (which OOB looks fine, I just wanted “something else”), added a radar warning antenna to the fin’s tip and chaff dispensers around the tail section, all carved from styrene profiles.
Unfortunately, the Revell re-boxing just comes with a pair of launch rails and underwing pylons, but no AA weapons at all. That’s acceptable for the anniversary machine that you can build from the kit, but leaves the other option, a grey, Swedish J35 H, without any ordnance.
The drop tanks on my build are OOB, together with their ventral hardpoints, and I added a pair of decent AIM-9J Sidewinders from a Hasegawa air-to-air weapon set for a suitable interceptor ordnance. The launch rails were recycled from the kit: they are actually missile rails with attachment points to mount them under the air intakes. The rails were separated and then attached to the OOB underwing pylons, this worked very well.
Painting and markings:
The livery was not an easy choice. Initially I favored a uniform pale grey livery with blue squadron markings, inspired by the late F-86s of FAP 51 squadron, but found this, despite being a plausible look for an interceptor, to look quite boring. For the same reason I rejected an Austria-style “Hill II” scheme or a light-grey USN-inspired “Compass Ghost” livery. The Hellenic “Ghost” wraparound scheme was another potential option, but I recently used something similar on another whif build (the Catalonian L-159 ALCA), and it would not have a typically Portuguese Cold War look.
Keeping in style with the FAP’s livery fashion during the Eighties, I rather settled upon a USAF SEA scheme, which was carried by many PAF aircraft during the Eighties, e .g. the A-7P, the G.91, and their replacement from 1993 onwards, the Alpha Jet. Instead of a wraparound version for ground attack aircraft, I rather gave the Draken light grey undersides.
The camouflage pattern itself was improvised, since I did not want to copy an existing delta wing aircraft (e.g. the USAF’s F-102 or F-106 SEA pattern, or the Belgian Mirage Vs). The basic colors are Humbrol 75 (Bronze Green; the authentic tone is FS 34079, but this lacks IMHO contrast to the lighter green), 117 (FS 34102) and 118 (FS 30219) from above, and Humbrol 28 (FS 36622) underneath.
A large ventral section was, typical for the J 35, left in bare metal, since leaking fuel and oil would frequently eat away any paint there. The section was painted with Steel Metallizer (ModelMaster) and later treated with Matt Aluminum Metallizer (Humbrol).
Internal details like the cockpit and the landing gear were painted with the help of Swedish and Austrian Saab 35 reference pictures. The cockpit tub was painted in a dark, bluish green (Humbrol 76) with grey-green (Revell 67) side walls. A piece of paper tissue covers the cockpit’s back wall, since the kit leaves a visible and rather ugly seam there, which is only partly hidden behind the seat.
The landing gear and its respective wells were painted with Humbrol 56 (Aluminum Dope), parts of the struts were painted in a bright turquoise (a mix of Humbrol 89 and 80; looks quite weird, but I like such details!). The front wheel received a dark green mudguard (Humbrol 30), the same color was also partially used on the extended emergency current generator. Missiles and launch rails were painted in gloss white (Humbrol 22).
As per usual, the model received a light black ink wash and some post-shading in order to emphasize the panels and dramatize the surface. Some extra weathering was done around the gun ports and the jet nozzle with graphite.
For markings I used the contemporary A-7Ps as benchmark: they were minimal, there were even no squadron markings or other decorations, and I think they even lacked roundels on their wings!
I gave the Draken slightly more markings: The small FAP roundels come from a PrintScale A/T-37 sheet, the fin flashes are from a TL Modellbai sheet and the tactical codes belong to a Japanese T-4 trainer. Most stencils were taken from the Revell OOB sheet, which also includes decals for the reddish sealer around the cockpit windows.
I didn’t want to leave the Draken without any squadron marking, though, so I gave it a blue band on top of the fin, as a reminiscence of the FAP 51 squadron’s markings, the former final F-86 operator which became 201 squadron in the early Eighties. These were simply done with layered white and blue decal stripes.
Finally, the model was sealed with matt acrylic varnish (Italeri), except for the black radome, which received a sheen varnish coat.
A relatively simple whif project, since the model was mostly built OOB with just minor cosmetic changes. However, despite its exotic operator, the USAF South East Asia scheme suits the Draken well, the whole thing looks disturbingly convincing!?
It’s also a kind of tribute build for “Sport16ing”, apparently a great fan of my what-if builds who frequently re-posts pictures and background stories (with kind permission to do so!) at deviantart.com.
Imagine leaving home in daylight and using public transport to attend your specialist festival on the seafront. Much Respect given.
Sem o erótico somos como a 🌍 Terra sem ☀️ Sol ou mesmo sem a 🌙 Lua.
Without the erotic we are like the 🌍 Earth without the ☀️ Sun or even without the 🌙 Moon.
Will we be able to love without commitment?
I think it's possible, but only in black and white...
Seremos capazes de amar sem compromissos?
Acho possível, mas apenas a preto e branco...
Before anything can get done in regards to this camera, I first need to get things out of the way, the big one being grad school apps.
That's UP's scanning electron microscope, for failure analysis and metalography research. It also has a Polaroid 545 attachment, which makes it super cool.
Polaroid TLR, FP 100C, f/3.5, 1/30s
Ahmad Mohamed Ali Al-Madani from the Islamic Development Bank addresses the jobs and economic development pledging session at the Supporting Syria conference.
The conference has raised $11 billion in aid for the humanitarian crisis, as well as commitments to support 1.7 million children in education and deliver 1.1 million jobs across the region.
BACKGROUND
The Supporting Syria and the Region conference is taking place in London, today on 4 February 2016.
It brings together world leaders in a bid to raise the money needed to help the millions of people whose lives have been torn apart by the devastating civil war in Syria.
Syria is the world's biggest humanitarian crisis. Billions of dollars in international aid are needed to support people caught up in the conflict.
The UK, Germany, Kuwait, Norway, and the United Nations are co-hosting the conference to raise significant new funding to meet the immediate and longer-term needs of those affected.
The conference is also setting ambitious goals on education and economic opportunities to transform the lives of refugees caught up in the Syrian crisis - and to support the countries hosting them.
This event alone cannot solve all these problems. Ultimately a political solution is necessary to bring the Syrian conflict to an end.
Find out more: www.supportingsyria2016.com
FREE-TO-USE PHOTO
This image is in the public domain and free-to-use, as long as you credit the source as: Adam Brown/Crown Copyright
Once a squirrel locates something to eat, it really shows commitment to get it. This is Hazel doing some stretching :) I squeezed a walnut in this crotch. Not very hard - she was able to get it within seconds (Squirrels-2019-6391.jpg)
GET YOUR KNEE OFF OUR NECKS Commitment March Rally at Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool North Pathway, NW, Washington DC on Friday morning, 28 August 2020 by Elvert Barnes Photography
Visit Commitment March website at nationalactionnetwork.net/commitment-march-on-washington-dc/
Elvert Barnes 57th Anniversary of 1963 March on Washington COMMITMENT MARCH docu-project at elvertbarnes.com/57MOW2020
Artemis I will be the first integrated flight test of NASA’s deep space exploration system: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the ground systems at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The first in a series of increasingly complex missions, Artemis I will be an uncrewed flight that will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration, and demonstrate our commitment and capability to extend human existence to the Moon and beyond. During this flight, the uncrewed Orion spacecraft will launch on the most powerful rocket in the world and travel thousands of miles beyond the Moon, farther than any spacecraft built for humans has ever flown, over the course of about a three-week mission.
Image credit: NASA/Liam Yanulis
International Museum Day … missed it by one day.
It was yesterday, May 18, 2016.
There was ONCE a museum in the heart of Toronto.
In Downsview.
The CANADIAN AIR and SPACE MUSEUM is gone … but not forgotten.
And these two pictures above, show ALL that remains.
IT'S ALMOST 5 YEARS since Downsview Park gave the CANADIAN AIR and SPACE MUSEUM the boot from 65 Carl Hall Drive in Downsview.
Yes, at the time someone at Downsview Park called the Museum members, "hobbyists", or some dismissive slur to that effect. Thousands and thousands of hours, hundreds of volunteers giving their time to preserve, fix, and display Canadian aviation and aerospace history artifacts (and even create a few), and the jackasses at Parc Downsview Park forced these great ones, these "crazy ones" (as Steve Jobs would say) to leave.
And right away.
Well, folks I gotta' tell you … this was not a clothing museum.
But one that had AIRPLANES and ENGINES.
Do you know how hard it is move AIRPLANES and ENGINES that no longer fly?!
S e r i o u s l y ?
The only way it could have been worse, for said museum, is if … it had been a NAVAL MUSEUM and you had to move a destroyer, some naval corvettes, and a tall ship or two.
It was an ABSOLUTE nightmare.
Anyone connected with the museum won't say so.
Far too polite.
But there will always be 'blue air' floating around Downsview Park. So much of it was dispensed at the time of the move, a curse has settled in on the "Park", I'm sure.
Back to YYZ.
The Arrow (replica) is ALWAYS somewhere near the Air Transat hangar at YYZ.
The 'abbreviated' museum displays, of the former museum, are in Terminal 1, second floor, near DEPARTURES, in a room the size of convenience store.
That's it!
All that remains.
WYSIWYG.
Look no more. Look no where else.
All that remains …
But, wait, is there hope?
Maybe.
THIS … JUST IN, from Bill Killough a few days ago.
A letter from the CANADIAN AIR and SPACE MUSEUM!
Brace yourselves, folks!
Toronto International Aerospace
(Canadian Air & Space Museum)
2016
Dear Members,
It has been some time since you have heard anything about progress on the effort to preserve the collection and some of you may feel anxious about this. There is no reason for alarm as the project is proceeding apace. Putting all the elements in place has taken time and it will still require a few more months of patient negotiations before the basic components are realized. Then we can have a full discussion with you. We are moving purposefully toward an agreement that will secure a home for the collection and that will support the public's active engagement with the remarkable history it reflects. Many of you, who have lived through the ups and downs of the Museum's history, know that it is important to do this responsibly and with integrity so that the collection, that you have devoted your time and energy to, will have a sustainable future.
Three years is not a long time to organize a viable option for CASM. Putting all the elements in place takes time because of the many variables involved in such a complex development project. It has meant creating new partnerships and securing project financing; tasks that took time and expertise to put in place. It has meant dealing with management and curatorial issues related to the collection concurrent with the development work. It has also meant managing expectations and anxieties of the membership, past visitors and enthusiasts.
You should be assured that the collection is intact and is being cared for under the guidance of curator Brian Keaveney and his volunteer staff who you know and trust. No work can be done on the collection while it remains in storage but it will begin again once the objects are prepared for remounting in the new facility. Work is continuing to acquire artifacts and stories. Models are presently being repaired by volunteers. Small displays of the artifacts are ongoing at Pearson Terminal 1 and at the Bowmanville museum. Google CASM Toronto to find our new website under construction. Follow news and developments there: www.casmuseum.org/Welcome.html
During this time, there has been tremendous effort by individual volunteers to organize and safely secure the collection in storage, to manage the administration of the organization, and to consult on the project as it moves forward. The project has involved an enormous amount of work on the part of the leadership of CASM in creating and carrying forward this opportunity to preserve the opportunity for continued public access. Securing the future of a not-for-profit with precarious financial stability is challenging. CASM is fortunate that those with the patience, expertise and commitment to accomplish this have stepped forward to develop a real future for a volunteer-based organization. We need to support these individuals with our trust and goodwill for the few months that remain in completing the details of the project.
At this point, it is clear that progress is being made and that the promise of a future home for the collection and an ongoing opportunity for our volunteers to contribute their skill and expertise may be realized shortly. Everyone needs to remain patient while the remaining details are finalized and the delicate negotiations are completed. Assuming a clear path forward, there should be good news in the early fall.
Signed;
Brian Keaveney
Brian Quan
Terry Ward
Norm Roper
Vince Mal
Ted McLellan
Rob Godwin
Claude Sherwood
Cathy Jonasson
Richard Cooper
Ian McDougall
PROGRESS REPORT 2016-04-28
Folks, wish these dedicated members well, AND HELP, any way you can!!
They deserve it!
Urbex Benelux -
Urban decay ( urban decay , urban decline , urban disruption or urban development ) is the process of decaying a formerly functioning city, or part of a city, often characterized by de-industrialization , depopulation or replacement of the population, restructuring , abandoned buildings, high unemployment , broken families, lack of political commitment, crime and a desolate, inhospitable urban landscape.
Since the 1970s and 1980s, urban decay has become increasingly common in cities, including those in North America and parts of Europe . Structural changes in the world economy, transport and policy created the economic and social conditions that resulted in urban decay .
Desert Botanical Garden is festive with Holiday decorations. Tonight was one of Las Noches de Las Luminarias. Almost 8,000 luminarias are lit for several special events and nights. It was a picture perfect night for me until about 1930 when the crowds starting getting too big to get any photos.
The succulent tree was moved to this spot outside the Webster Auditorium replacing the Christmas Trees that were here last year.
www.azcentral.com/story/sponsor-story/desert-botanical-ga...
"Las Noches de las Luminarias, held annually at Desert Botanical Garden, has become a beloved tradition since 1978. This enchanting event illuminates the desert landscape with thousands of hand-lit luminaria bags, creating a captivating atmosphere that attracts visitors from around the globe. As the Garden transforms into a winter wonderland, it offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of the desert during the holiday season. The Garden invites you to join this year’s celebration, including luminaria-lit trails, twinkling holiday lights, musical performances, entertainment and festive food and drinks.
The event features live music and performances, ranging from traditional holiday tunes to contemporary sounds. Simply Three, the dynamic trio whose imaginative blend of genres, captivating arrangements and high-energy performances has garnered critical acclaim, returns to the Garden for the first time since 2022. The Garden is also debuting a world stage of performers that will include mariachis, Celtic music and more. Plus, fan favorites like bell choirs, carolers and harps return. Visit dbg.org to explore the full entertainment schedule.
This year, the Garden is thrilled to offer an even brighter spectacle with LIGHT BLOOM by HYBYCOZO. The immersive experience explores the fascinating intersection of science, math and nature through stunning geometric light installations throughout the Garden. The talented duo behind HYBYCOZO, Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu, drew inspiration from the night-blooming flowers, creating an exhibit that “comes alive after sunset, blossoming with light and transforming the night into a glowing landscape of art and geometry.”
Community and tradition
"Although Las Noches de las Luminarias debuted in 1978, each year introduces new themes and artistic elements, ensuring that it remains fresh and exciting while honoring its origins. In collaboration with staff and volunteers, then-Executive Director Rodney Engard aimed to create a holiday event that represented the Southwest and complemented the Garden’s beauty– a gift to the community and an homage to desert plants. In the early years, staff and volunteers worked to light more than 700 luminarias using brown paper bags, sand and candles. The event has grown from one night at its inception to two nights and now to 19 nights each winter due to popular demand. Mariachi music was introduced, as well as musical features and innovations to the luminaria bags, which are now reusable, honoring the Garden’s commitment to sustainability. Garden staff and volunteers light each luminaria bag by hand each evening as a gift to the community.
Desert Botanical Garden has an incredible collection of plants and cacti arranged in a beautiful park setting.
"Think the desert is all dirt and tumbleweeds? Think again. Desert Botanical Garden is home to thousands of species of cactus, trees and flowers from all around the world spread across 55 acres in Phoenix, Arizona."
Desert Botanical Garden
DBG Festive
GET YOUR KNEE OFF OUR NECKS Commitment March in the 1400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington DC on Friday morning, 28 August 2020 by Elvert Barnes Photography
Visit Commitment March website at nationalactionnetwork.net/commitment-march-on-washington-dc/
Elvert Barnes 57th Anniversary of 1963 March on Washington COMMITMENT MARCH docu-project at elvertbarnes.com/57MOW2020
Mt Somers vs Methven Senior B Rugby.
Methven won 27-7?
My daughter Sara and friend Justine took the photos using my camera as I don't like the cold
Digital image taken with a Lumix GX7 fronted with an Olympus M. Zuiko 25mm f/1.8 lens
Editing done via Photoshop Elements 12 with Topaz Labs plug ins
Found and admired during the All Corvette Car Show at Calvary Church in St. Peters, Missouri, USA
These are my summer commitments. 9 Sketchbooks to fill end to end.
The top four moleskines are already started and just need finishing.
The botttom five, thinner Moleskines on the left and Japanese accordions to the right are still blank.
"Completed in 1995, the 1560sqm Eltham Library is located in a community that prides itself on its artistic heritage and commitment to environmental issues. Pioneering artist and architect Justus Jorgensen established an artistic and cultural precinct Montsalvat in Eltham in the 1930s. In the 1940s Alastair Knox won historic approval to build in earth construction. Mud brick beame a defining feature of this area. The design reflects this heritage and incorporates many other challenges including existing trees, an historic building, overlooking from the main road and proximity to the railway line. Sustainable natural materials were used including earth, radially sawn and recycled timbers and copper panelling and flashing. The library is much enjoyed by its users and is a focal point for community activities."
Source: gregoryburgessarchitects.com.au/projects/educational/elth...