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Self developed long exposure on self redscaled Lomography 100 medium format film loaded into a Kodak Box Brownie with a flipped lens.
i have developed an obsession with the song russian unicorn .__."
anywho, i just felt like uploading this. i took it yesterday and liked it but was too lazy to do anything with it :P
yay, so far i've done really well on all the tests i had these past few weeks <3 i just did my last of them today and I'm waiting on getting the results of that one and 2 others. :P hopefully i can keep my streak of goodness up :P
OLYMPUS OM-D E-M5 Mark II + OLYMPUS M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO
Developed by Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC 2015.7
Developed in ACR with CC24-based matrix linear DCP profile.
Color graded in Dehancer plugin for Adobe Photoshop with "Fujifilm 3513 Print Film" profile and film simulation effects.
Additional color tweaks made in Adobe Photoshop
Developed in a tray with Ilford Multigrade @ 1:14 in a not-so-dark bathroom.
No preflash for this exposure. I tried flashing another test shot by opening and closing the dark slide, which of course (in retrospect) was far too much light.
Nikon F90X, Ilford Pan 400, developed in Rodinal 1:25 @ 22° for 4m50s, agitated every minute. Scanned on Epson V600.
One of the test shots on my 'new' F90X that I picked up for 30 quid.
Taken with: Canon FTb SLR (FD)
Gossen Luna Pro-F
Taken on: Kodak Tri-X 400
Developed in: Kodak HC-110 Dilution-B (6:00 min)
Scanned with: Epson V600 Scanner (PhotoshopCC&LightroomCC)
Day 8: A solemn day spent visiting the cemeteries and memorials in Northern France, before hopping a train down to Paris.
The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is the creation of Toronto artist Walter Seymour Allward, and is situated on land granted in perpetuity to the people of Canada by the grateful government of France. If Canada has a heart away from home, surely it is here.
For more information: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_National_Vimy_Memorial
We Will Remember Them
Kiev 88Cm, with Arsat C f2.8/80mm. Adox CHS 100 Expired 2012 in Rodinal 1+50 for 10min. (sort off)
Probably returning from the bottom of the Meanwood Beck that runs just a few meters from were this was taken.
I dropped the developing tank during the first 30sec inversions an it started to leak, I had to do an emergency change of tank in the dark to try to save the roll, I couldn't keep an accurate time for the developing so I tried to compensate to the aprox. 10min recommended time.
These are the first images of a series I started in 2018 and have been more or less been continuing to expand on since. It was initially called "Filth." Maybe that's what it'll stay, but Idon'tknow!
Also, this was my first attempt at Caffenol. I definitely see the potential, but since I didn't quite get the more precise results that I'm used to, I've been tentative to do it much (I think I've developed maybe 4 rolls total in caffenol). But I do like it!
Anyway, hi there Flickr! I'm still not especially compelled to get a pro account just yet, so we'll see how fast 105 images happen...
This great looking 1948 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet was on display at the 2014 Kansas City Auto Show held at Bartle Hall in Kansas City Missouri.
The first Lincoln Continental was developed as Edsel Ford's one-off personal vehicle, though it is believed he planned all along to put the model into production if successful. In 1938, he commissioned a custom design from the chief stylist, Eugene T. "Bob" Gregorie, ready for Edsel's March 1939 vacation. The design, allegedly sketched out in an hour by Gregorie working from the Lincoln-Zephyr blueprints and making changes, was an elegant convertible with a long hood covering the Lincoln V12 and long front fenders, and a short trunk with what became the Continental series' trademark, the externally mounted, covered spare tire. They had front and rear transverse leaf springs and hydraulic drum brakes.
1948 Lincoln Continental coupe
1948 convertible with view of "Continental" spare tire mount
The result could be considered a channeled and sectioned Zephyr, with all traces of the running-boards removed. The decrease in height meant that the hood was much closer to fender-level, and the trim was minimal. When compared to other American cars of the period, it seemed long and low, with sleek "clean" lines. The first model Continental is often rated as one of the most beautiful automobile designs from the pre-world war II era.
The customized one-off prototype was duly produced, on time, and Edsel had the vehicle delivered to Florida for his spring vacation. Interest from well-off friends was high, and Edsel sent a telegram back that he could sell a thousand of them. Lincoln craftsmen immediately began production on the Continental "Cabriolet" convertible, and even a rare few hardtop models. They were extensively hand-built; the two dozen 1939 models and 400 1940-built examples even had hand-hammered body panels, since dies for machine-pressing were not constructed until 1941. The limited number of 1939 models produced are commonly referred to as '1940 Continentals'.
The 1939, 1940, and 1941 models were essentially the same design, with only slight modifications from year to year. For the 1942 model year, which was cut short by the beginning of direct American involvement in World War II, all Lincoln models were given squared up fenders, and a revised grill. The result was a boxier, somewhat heavier look in keeping with then-current design trends, but perhaps less graceful in retrospect.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor US civilian-use automobile production was suspended, to be restarted in 1945–1946. Ford's Lincoln division would continue to produce the Continental for model years 1946 to 1948. Like all other post-war Lincolns it received updated trim, including a new grill, to refresh the design. Walnut interior trim was added in 1947.[5] The 1939–1948 Continental is recognized as a "Full Classic" by the Classic Car Club of America, one of the last-built cars to be so recognized. To date, the 1948 lincolns were the last V-12 engined cars to be produced and sold by a major U.S. automaker. (Wikipedia)
diana+ || fuji astia RAP 100f - developed in tetenal 3 bath e6
original diana+ exposure by sissi. the film was mailed to me for a second exposure.
HafenCity Hamburg
HafenCity is being developed from west to east and from north to south – 62 projects are completed in 2017 and another 70 are under construction or in the planning stage; deals through sale of land or exclusive options have been closed on around 1.65 million sqm GFA. In the meantime, HafenCity has established its popularity as a place to live and work. Nowadays more than 1,800 residential units are completed approx. 12,000 people work in HafenCity as a whole, employed by more than 730 companies
HafenCity is among the most outstanding urban development projects on the waterfront anywhere. Based on a sophisticated concept, it is expanding the area of Hamburg City by 40 percent. It also has spin-off effects for the existing city centre, the whole of the Hanseatic city state with its 1.8 million inhabitants and its surrounding metropolitan region with a population of some five million. Hamburg’s identity as a maritime port city will be underscored in the process and HafenCity itself serve as a blueprint for the development of the European city of the 21st century. It is already regarded as a model for major international urban development projects, although its development timescale continues through to 2025/30.
In 2009, Am Sandtorkai/Dalmannkai led the way as the first completed neighbourhood in HafenCity’s development. The beginning of 2017 saw the opening of Hamburg’s outstanding and internationally applauded new Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, which sits atop the historic Kaispeicher A warehouse building. The new Hamburg landmark accommodates two concert auditoria, a five-star hotel and around 45 apartments. Close by, completion of the second large neighbourhood, Am Sandtorpark/Grasbrook, popular with many young families, followed at the beginning of 2011. The first primary school with kindergarten opened here in 2009, followed in 2013 by the popular Grasbrook park – primary school children were also involved in its design. Meanwhile, on Strandkai to the south, the first buildings completed there in 2009, Unilever headquarters and the Marco Polo Tower, an ensemble of office building and residential multi-storey, won multiple awards. At the same time, the first open spaces directly adjoining the River Elbe were opened up.
Finally had some activity at El Franco Lee this past week and this huge cloud began to catch a bit of the setting sun. Photo was taken with my old venerable Sony A700 at the park.
DSC00373ulp
Lake Shuparo, Yubari, Hokkaido.
Mamiya Press super 23, Sekor 150mm F5.6, positive (RDP3) developed as below (modified a little).
********************************************************************************************************
1st dev, Papitol (W&B paper developer from Fujifilm) at original concentration,.for 10 min (elongated)at 42℃. Replinisher method is used.
Rinse, Stop bath not used.
Re-exposure.
2nd dev, color paper developer from Chugai (P1 startrer kit for labs) at 2x concentration + 2 drops of NaOH (maybe 0,5 gram ) for 4.5min ( shortened) at 42℃. Replinisher method is used.
Rinse, Stop bath not used.
Bleach like C41 14min at 42℃.
Rinse. Stop bath not used..
Fixation like B&W.
*********************************************************************************************************
Sometimes I have found the definition in the detail is poor. There are articles saying stop bath can worsen the definition. New method seems to be working, though re-test is needed.
developed in diafine a then b then another 1.5 minutes in Acufine for an extra push. 78f. Shot at 1600 iso
Developed by St. Louis-based May Centers and designed by Victor Gruen Associates, South County Center opened on May 16, 1962 as the second enclosed mall in St. Louis.
Develop your senses- especially learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.
Olympus XA
Arista Premium 400 developed in Diafine @ 800
Title again stolen from the Magnetic Fields. This was taken during the last big mid-Atlantic snow storm when Amy and I got stuck in Ruther Glen, VA on our way down to Florida for Christmas.
We're both ready for the one that's starting now here in Baltimore. Luckily we don't have anywhere we have to go.
The BMW Z1 was a two-seat roadster automobile developed by BMW. It was produced from March 1989 to June 1991. The Z1 featured doors which dropped down into the door sills. A total of 8,000 cars were produced.
The first example of the Z1 was released by BMW to the press in 1986 and later officially presented at the 1987 Frankfurt Motor Show. Initial demand was so fierce that BMW had 5,000 orders before production began. However, demand dropped significantly around 1988 and BMW ended production in 1991. There is speculation that the drop in demand was due to the early inflated demand from speculative investors. In 1988, however, BMW was quoted as saying that they had 35,000 orders for the Z1.
The BMW Z1 was designed over a three-year period by an in-house division of BMW Forschung und Technik GmbH. The development of the Z1 is attributed to Dr. Ulrich Bez, not to forget the core of his team at BMW Technik GmbH (Harm Lagaay, Alexander Pregl, Rudolf Müller, Lutz Janssen, Wolf-Henryk Menke, Dieter Schaffner, Klaus Faust, Sabine Zemelka, Patrick Ayoub and Stephan Stark). Control of the project was turned over to Dr. Klaus Faust when Bez left for Porsche in October, 1988.
The BMW Z1 was used to develop and debut several technologies. Z1 designer Harm Lagaay mentioned that Z1 production helped generate patents for BMW's high-intensity discharge lamp, integrated roll-bar, door mechanism, and underbody tray.
Z line:
The Z in Z1 originally stood for Zukunft (German for future) and would later be used on other cars in the line: the Z3, Z4, and Z8). All of these vehicles (including the Z1) are two-door roadsters (except for the few M coupe and Z3 and Z4 hardtop models).
Chassis
BMW Z1:
The chassis was specially designed for the Z1 and features a number of innovative features: removable body panels, continuously zinc welded seams, a composite undertray, and the unusual dropped doors. Parts of the car (including the engine, gearbox, and front suspension) were borrowed from the BMW E30 325i and 325Ix, but the Z1 remains largely original.
The body was made from plastic and could be removed completely from the chassis. The side panels and doors are made of General Electric's XENOY thermoplastic. The hood, trunk, and roof cover are GRP components made by Seger + Hoffman AG. The car is painted in a special flexible lacquer finish developed jointly by AKZO Coatings and BMW Technik GmbH.
During the Z1's launch, BMW suggested that owners purchase an additional set of body panels and change the color of the car from time to time. The car could actually be driven with all of the panels completely removed, similar to the Pontiac Fiero. BMW noted that the body could be completely replaced in 40 minutes, although Z1 owners have reported that this may be optimistic.
The entire vehicle was designed with aerodynamics in mind. Specifically, the entire undertray is completely flat and the muffler and rear valance were designed as integral aerodynamic components to decrease turbulence and rear lift. The front end reportedly induces a high-pressure zone just forward of the front wheels to increase front-wheel traction. The Z1 has a drag coefficient of 0.36 Cd with the top up or 0.43 Cd with it down.
Doors:
The doors retract vertically down into the car's body instead of swinging outward or upward. The Kaiser Darrin was the first car to have retractable doors, they slid forward into the front fenders. The inspiration for these doors came from more traditional roadsters which often feature removable metal or cloth doors. Because removable doors did not fit within BMW's design goals, the retractable doors were installed instead.
The body with its high sills, offers crash protection independent of the doors, the vehicle may be legally and safely driven with the doors up or down, although they are not legal in the U.S.
The windows may be operated independently of the doors, although they do retract automatically if the door is lowered. Both the window and door are driven by electric motors through toothed rubber belts and may be moved manually in an emergency.
Driveline:
Both the engine (the BMW M20B25) and the five-speed manual gearbox (the Getrag 260/5) were sourced from the E30 325 IX. The 2.5 L (2,494 cc) 12-valve SOHC straight-six engine sits tilted 20 degrees to the right to accommodate the low hoodline. The engine produces 170 hp (127 kW)[citation needed] at 5,800 rpm and 222 N·m (164 lb·ft) of torque in its original form. Several tuners have programs for increasing the performance of the Z1 by either upgrading or replacing the engine.
Suspension:
The rear suspension, called the Z Axle, was specially designed for the Z1. It was one of the first BMWs to feature a multi-link design. In the 1990s, the Z-axle would be used on a variety of BMW Group vehicles, including the E36 BMW 3-Series and the R40 Rover 75.
[Text taken from Wikipedia]
This Lego miniland-scale BMW Z1 Roadster has been created for Flickr LUGNuts 84th Build Challenge, - "LUGNuts Turns 7…or 49 in Dog Years", a challenge where any of the previous challenge themes are available to build to. In this case challenge #42, - "Autos aus Deutschland", - all about German vehicles.
This is a hand held night photo of the State/Lake EL station in Chicago. With the loss of Tungsten balanced still photo films, I am trying tungsten balance 35mm motion picture film.
Photographed using a Nikon F on Kodak Vision 3 500T 5219 tungsten balanced motion picture film. Exposed about EI 1600. Developed by The Camera Shop in St. Cloud, MN using a modified C-41 process.
Here is a third clouds and sky image that sat around unedited from the lazy days of summer. The clouds were beginning their usual afternoon roll out from the Rockies. The high peaks are already covered. The foothills will be next. I turned north up the Crane Hollow drive and noticed a hubub of cars parked and folks clustered. It looked like they were taking lessons from a painter at a spot I always glance at and have shot there before. I went on and pulled over up the road. My view wasn't in sight but I did kind of like the daily clouding lofting above the trees. I really like to do cloud work; I guess they like my clouds over on Eddie's site as well. Later on down the road, went for a few shots before I left. This sky suits me but more would be better! I thought it might be more than ordinary if I treated the clouds properly. I was about ready to give up anyway. Fortunately, some serious retouching has allowed me to start catching up on my back log. I will have to go through them and weed out the also-rans. I will prospect again tomorrow. I baled again the next morning.
The Frameless Tanker was developed by Scammell to reduce unladen weight by having the tank double as a container and support for the load. This 1926 model was one of the first in the field in the bulk transport of fresh milk by road, before then a preserve of the railway companies. It took a long time but eventually road transport would take all the fresh milk traffic in Britain from the declining railway
Please remember this image is my property and protected by International copyright law.
You may download any image for personal or non-commercial use only.
IF YOU LIKE THIS IMAGE PLEASE DO LEAVE A COMMENT.
World Expo Floriade Almere, the Netherlands, 2022
Holland's once-in-a-decade World's Fair of horticulture will run from April to October, 2022, with exhibitions from more than 30 countries. Design: MVRDV, Architects
Floriade, the World's Fair of horticultural shows, is the largest public event in the Netherlands. The exhibition, which takes place only once every 10 years, will make its third appearance of the 21st Century from April to October, 2022.
The Expo's location will move from Venlo (2011) to Almere, a new town near Amsterdam that was built on land reclaimed from the sea. The theme of the show will be "Growing Green Cities"--an appropriate motto, given that the site will become a new sustainable urban district named Hortus after Floriade shuts down in October, 2022.
In 2021 the Nederlandse Tuinbouwraad (NTR) announced the city of Almere as winner of the prestigious world horticultural expo which takes place once every ten years in the Netherlands. The MVRDV plan for Almere is not a temporary expo site but a lasting green Cité Idéale as an extension to the existing city centre. The waterfront site opposite the city centre will be developed as a vibrant new urban neighbourhood and also a giant plant library which will remain beyond the expo. The ambition is to create a 300% greener exhibition than currently standard, both literally green and sustainable: each program on the site will be combined with plants which will create programmatic surprises, innovation and ecology. At the same time the site will be with a vast program such as a university, hotel, marina, offices and homes more urban than any other Floriade has ever been before, it is an exemplary green city.
Amsterdam’s metropolitan area stands at the verge of a large population growth. Within this development the city of Almere will realise the largest new developments with 60.000 new homes. Almere has the ambition to realise the urban growth with improved life quality for its citizens. MVRDV is already urban planner for Almere 2030 and the DIY urbanism plan for Almere Oosterwold and now proposes the extension of Almere city centre opposite the existing centre, transforming the lake into a central lake and connecting the various neighbourhoods of the Dutch new town. The plan foresees a dense exemplary and green city centre extension which at the same time is for now very flexible: An invitation to the Floriade organiser NTR to develop the plan further with the city.
Almere Floriade will be a grid of gardens on a 45ha square shaped peninsula. Each block will be devoted to different plants, a plant library with perhaps an alphabetical order. The blocks are also devoted to program, from pavilions to homes, offices and even a university which will be organised as a stacked botanical garden, a vertical eco-system in which each class room will have a different climate to grow certain plants. The city will offer homes in orchards, offices with planted interiors and bamboo parks. The Expo and new city centre will be a place that produces food and energy, a green urban district which shows in great detail how plants enrich every aspect of daily life.
Program selection:
45 ha city entre extension with panorama tower, green housing exhibition (22.000 m2/115 homes) 30.000 m2 hotel, university (10.000 m2), conference centre (12.000 m2) various expo pavilions (25.000 m2) smart green house (4.000 m2), care home (3.000 m2), childrens expo, marina, forest, open air theatre, camping and other facilities (25.000 m2).
* Rolleiflex 3,5F Planar *
* Fuji Provia 100F *
* Lab developed *
* Epson V500 scanner *
* Photoshop CS3 *
August 20, 2016. Grand Wash, Capitol Reef National Park. Why oh why did we allot so little time for this wonderful park? We'll be back.
Pentax 645n
A150/3.5, LPL
Ilford FP4+ developed in DD-X
f/11, 1/30"
By the 1850s, the South Australian Government was offering parcels of land as Pastoral Leases in an effort to get the colony developing. Settlers were arriving on a regular basis, in particular, from the UK, Ireland, Poland and Germany. The first in this area was in 1851 and was a Pastoral Lease of 42 square miles and became known as the Yongala Run. This property became an important launching point for a number of explorers heading through the northern part of the colony and eventually through to Central Australia and Northern Australia.
By the early 1860s, with the closure of the Burra copper mines and continued population growth in the colony, there was a push to open up these northern areas for agriculture.
The Surveyor General George Goyder had surveyed the far north in 1858 and this had led to favourable reports.
In 1868 the Pastoral Leases were being taken back by the Government and the regions were divided into areas of 100 square miles. These areas became known as "Hundreds". Generally parcels of land covering one square mile, 640 acres, were offered for sale.
The Hundred of Yongala was proclaimed in 1871. "Yongala" is derived from a local aboriginal dialect phrase, yongalacowie and means roughly broad water.
The settlement of Yongala began to develop in the area about a mile to the South West of the current town as there was a stock route that went. through there coming down from Farina in the north, to Stockport in the south, following watering holes.
A stage coach for passengers, mail and freight also used this route.
Unfortunately, even in years of low rainfall, this area became very boggy and flooded easily. The current township site was selected and Yongala was proclaimed in 1876.
Within twenty years a bustling community had developed in support of the farming families that had moved in. Three churches sprang up, a magnificent Institute, two hotels, a variety of general stores, three blacksmiths, flour mill, butter factory, school, police station and a recreation park for a multitude of sporting activities, two banks and a number of community groups such as CWA, Brass Band and in later years Red Cross, RSL and Agricultural Society.
Another big boon for the town came railway from the mines in Broken Hill to the smelters in Pt Pirie would come through Yongala.
Post WW2 saw the steady decline of the town. Roads improved and people could travel to the surrounding larger towns more easily. Improvements in farming equipment and methods saw the need for workers decline. Small farms got swallowed up by bigger farms and families left the district. By the time the township's centenary was celebrated in 1974 there was no longer a busy rail yard, the school had an average enrolment of 14, only one hotel and one mixed agriculture/electrical business had survived. The Post Office was still operating and included a small basic general store from the premises. The Catholic and Methodist Churches still had a weekly service but no ministers resided in the town. Tennis and cricket were the only two sports surviving but the RSL, CWA, Red Cross and Ag Society were still supporting the community.
In April 1974, Yongala held a weekend of celebrations for the centenary of the settlement and township. Big draweard events included the Centenary Ball on the Friday night, Back to School and Centenary stone unveiling on the Saturday afternoon and a multi denominational church service on the Sunday. Over 600 people returned to Yongala for the celebrations.
A visit to the town's cemetery, about a kilometre to the west along the main road to Jamestown, will provide another insight into the town. Many of the graves here are members of the founding families of the district.
Many graves here are children under five years old, which shows the difficulty of life for families trying to forge a place in these rural communities in the early days.
Source: District Council of Peterborough Yongala Heritage Walk.
Developing fruits.
They are ~3 inch diameter - one of the largest eucalypt flowers.
This image in Wikipedia now de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus_macrocarpa
Camera: Rolleiflex 6008i
Lens: Rollei 120mm F/4 Makro-Planar HFT PQ
Focal length: 120mm
Aperture: f5.6
Exposure: 1/2
Film: Ilford Delta 3200 @ 6400
Rollei Teleconverter 2x
Developed with rotation technique.
Developer: Ilford DD-X
Stop Bath: Ilford Ilfostop
Fixer: Ilford Rapid Fixer
MiG-SPB "08 Red" and an early production Su-25 in echelon fomation over northern Afghanistan.
+++ 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 early 1968, the Soviet Ministry of Defense decided to develop a specialized shturmovik armored assault aircraft in order to provide close air support for the Soviet Ground Forces. The idea of creating a ground-support aircraft came about after analyzing the experience of shturmovaya (ground attack) aviation during World War II, and in local wars during the 1950s and 1960s. The Soviet fighter-bombers in service or under development at this time (Su-7, Su-17, MiG-21 and MiG-23) did not meet the requirements for close air support of the army. They lacked essential armor plating to protect the pilot and vital equipment from ground fire and missile hits, and their high flight speeds made it difficult for the pilot to maintain visual contact with a target. Ordnance load and loiter time were also insufficient.
In March 1969, a competition was announced by the Soviet Air Force that called for designs for a new battlefield close-support aircraft. Participants in the competition were the Design Bureaus of Sukhoi, Yakovlev, Ilyushin and Mikoyan.
Mikoyan OKB proposed two directions: First option were designs which were based upon proven technology of the MiG-21 and -23, with an eye on short development time – e. g. the LSSh and 27Sh concepts. The other approach was a more experimental type, designed from scratch, but this concept focused more radically on survivability and excellent low altitude agility, at the expense of speed and a short development time.
All MiG OKB designs were eventually rejected by the MoD, and effectively only Ilyushin’s Il-42 (later renamed into Il-102) and Sukhoi’s T-8 (the later Su-25) remained in the official competition. But Mikoyan’s second design showed potential and was considered as a basis for an advanced jet trainer. This aircraft was approved to be developed further, but not with high priority and outside of the official shturmovik competition. Anyway, it was a fallback option, should both main contenders fail.
The project received the internal development code ‘Izdeliye 1.43’, but the forthcoming aircraft was better known under its project handle MiG-SPB (Samolet Polya Boya – ‘armored combat aircraft’) or its nickname, ла́сточка (Lastochka = Swallow). Some sources claim that the type was also designated MiG-43, but it never received an official code, despite its front line test service (see below).
The MiG-SPB’s main design objective was superior maneuverability at low speeds and altitude. It offered the pilot excellent view and a high resilience to frontline combat situations. The aircraft’s most prominent trademark was its engine location: in overall layout, the MiG-SPB resembled Sukhoi’s T-8, with straight wings and two jet engines placed in nacelles at the fuselage flanks. But in order to protect the engines from gunfire and shield the hot exhaust gases from view (e .g. from IR seeker heads, esp. from MANPADS), the nacelles were placed above the mid-set wings, with the air intakes at wing leading edge level.
Despite carrying armor around the cockpit and the central fuselage, the aircraft was surprisingly slender and elegant – so slim that the rigid landing gear, which would allow operation from field air strips, retracted into fairings which also housed the internal gun on starboard and avionics on port. As a side benefit of this complex layout, the CoG was kept very centralized, so that agility was further improved. The tail was conventional, even though the vertical stabilizer was rather high and slender.
For its low altitude duties, a large wing area, high wing aspect ratio, and large ailerons were incorporated. The high aspect ratio wing also allowed for short takeoffs and landings, permitting operations from primitive forward airfields near front lines. It was planned that the type would typically fly at a relatively slow speed of 300 knots (350 mph; 560 km/h), loiter for extended periods and operate under 1.000 ft (300 m) ceiling with 1.5 mi (2.4 km) visibility. This would have made it a much better platform for the ground-attack role than contemporary fast fighter-bombers, which often gave difficulty targeting small and slow-moving targets, or finding them again for a second attack.
Originally, the MiG-SPB was powered by two Ivchenko AI-25 turbofan with 14.7 kN (3,300 lbf) each, basically the same engine that drove the Yak-40 regional jet airliner. In early 1981 these were replaced by two much more powerful Klimov RD-33M turbofans: non-afterburning versions of the engines that powered the Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter (under development at MiG OKB at that time) and which were also introduced in the production Su-25.
Armament comprised a fixed gun in the starboard fairing and 3.500kg (7.700 lb.) of external ordnance, carried on eight wing hardpoints plus a centerline pylon under the fuselage.
Originally, a two-barreled Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23L 23 mm cannon with 350 rounds was fitted, but that soon gave way to a more powerful 30mm GSh-30-1 cannon which could fire armor-piercing shells at 1.800 rpm. The gun's maximum effective range was 1.200 to 1.800 m (3.900 to 5.900 ft.) and, in combination with the Klen-PS laser rangefinder/targeting system in the aircraft’s nose, it was extremely accurate as well as powerful, capable of destroying a target with as few as three to five rounds.
At least one pre-production aircraft was even fitted with a single-barreled 45mm cannon.
Further avionics included a DISS-7 Doppler navigation radar, coupled with a navigation system that permitted flight in day and night conditions, both in VMC and IMC (even though the aircraft did not feature an all-weather/attack capability), and providing flight data for the weapons-control system and flight instruments. Radios for air-to-ground and air-to-air communications were fitted, as well as a weapons-control system and a full self-defense suite, incorporating infra-red, flare and chaff dispensers capable of launching about 250 flares and dipole chaff. An SRO radar warning receiver that would alert the pilot of incoming attacks on the aircraft, as well as an SPO-15 radar homing & warning system (RHAWS) and an SO-69 identification-friend-or-foe (IFF) transponder were incorporated.
With no official support the MiG-SPB’s development went on slowly, but due to several delays and specification changes in the official shturmovik competition it kept up pace and was more or less ready just in time for direct comparison. The MiG-SPB prototype first flew on 14 February 1978 and began State acceptance trials on 12 October 1979. Since the secondary use as a trainer was still on the agenda, all prototypes and pre-production machines were two-seaters, even though the plane was still primarily intended for the ground attack role and accordingly equipped.
An order for a first batch of twenty pre-production machines was placed in November 1979, and five of these had been completed by the spring of 1980 and were undergoing pre-flight tests when the Soviet MoD decided to try the type under real conditions. Together with an initial batch of Su-25s a total of five MiG-SPBs with support crews and maintenance equipment were sent to Afghanistan.
On 19 July 1981 and with the new RD-33M engines already fitted, these aircraft arrived at Shindand Airbase in western Afghanistan and were assigned to the 201st Independent Shturmovaya Air Squadron, flying together with the first Su-25 unit deployed to that country. Their main task was to conduct air strikes against mountain military positions and structures controlled by the Afghan rebels. The MiG-SPB proved to be easy to handle, esp. under “hot and high” conditions.
Flight characteristics were closely comparable to the Su-25 and the aircraft gained a good reputation among the flight crews. But field maintenance was more complicated and the electronic systems proved not to be as reliable and sturdy as the Su-25’s, though. Another drawback was the lower ordnance load of 3.500kg (the Su-25 could theoretically carry 4.500kg), which suffered further in the thin air of the Afghan summer. Usually, only 1.000 kg were carried, unguided missiles or iron bombs being the most frequent weapons.
The MiG-SPB found its niche, though: the second seat made the MiG-SPB a formidable reconnaissance and observation aircraft. The MiG-SPBs were frequently used as forward air control aircraft which would locate and mark targets, guide other fighter bombers to them and later control/assess the attack success (BDA missions).
In the late months of employment, the rear seat was also taken up by a weapon officer who would steer guided weapons, when several smart bombs and missiles as well as their respective sensor and guidance packages were tried out under field conditions.
Over the course of the Soviet war in Afghanistan, five more MiG-SPB were transferred to Afghanistan in order to keep a minimum of four machines active at all times. The aircraft performed a total of roundabout 2.500 combat sorties, ~250 per aircraft (less than the Su-25, which clocked 340 and more). Between the first deployment in 1981 and the end of the tests in April 1983, one aircraft was lost in combat operations, another one crashed in a landing accident. When NATO became aware of the type in late 1982, the MiG-SPB received the code name ‘Flintstone’.
In the end, the MiG-SPB had no future. After a long development process for the new shturmovik, the Su-25 surpassed its main competitor in the Soviet Air Force competition, the Ilyushin Il-102, as well as the MiG-SPB, and series production of Sukhoi’s type was announced by the Ministry of Defense. Since the trainer option did not show any future potential (meanwhile, the smaller and much less costly L-39 Albatros had been chosen as jet trainer), further development of the MiG-SPB was stopped – even though the experience with the type would later be incorporated into the MiG-AT trainer aircraft.
General characteristics (as flown)
Crew: Two (one pilot, one observer/WO)
Length: 15.19 m (50 ft 5½ in) incl. pitot
Wingspan: 14.79 m (49 ft 1½ in)
Height: 4.26 m (14 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 37.19 m² (400.3 ft²)
Empty weight: 9.890 kg (21.784 lb)
Loaded weight: 14.150 kg (31.186 lb)
Max. take-off weight: 17.200 kg (37.885 lb)
Powerplant:
2 × Klimov RD-33M turbofans, 44.18 kN (9,480 lbf) each
Performance:
Maximum speed: 890 km/h (553 mph)
Combat radius: 400 km (250 mi)
Ferry range: 2,500 km (1,553 mi)
Service ceiling: 7,500 m (25,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)
Wing loading: 490 kg/m² (100 lb/ft²)
Thrust/weight: 0.52
Armament:
1× GSh-30-1 30mm cannon with 300 rounds
9 hardpoints for up to 3.500 kg (7.700 lb) of disposable external ordnance, including rails for 2 × R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid') or other air-to-air missiles for self-defense and a wide variety of general-purpose bombs, cluster bombs, gun pods, rocket pods, laser- or TV-guided bombs, and air-to-surface missiles.
The centerline pylon was usually only used for sensor or reconnaissance pods.
The four inner wing hardpoints were ‘wet’ for 800l drop tanks.
The kit and its assembly:
I think it’s the first time that I convert a helicopter into an aircraft. But ESCI’s fictional Ka-34 ‘Hokum’ (probably only based on satellite pictures from above and vague sketches of the real thing, the Ka-50) is so sleek and aircraft-like – why not give it a try?
My idea behind this purely fictional whif was to build a contender to the Su-25 and its real introduction story, with the long development phase since the late 60ies, the competition with the Il-102 and the Afghanistan trials. Even the submissions of Mikoyan OKB are real (yet rejected…), but my SPB was an additional design outside of the “proven technology” sandbox.
So, the Ka-34 fuselage and the ground attack role were clear and defined further design elements.
Looking for suitable straight wings I came at first across Revell’s 1:100 SnapFit A-10 as a donation kit for the wings, but these turned out to be too small. When I rummaged for alternative parts I finally found an ancient (25 years? Its white polystyrene was thoroughly yellowed…), half-built Airfix A-1 – a horrible kit which now found its final and good use! So, effectively, my MiG-SPB is a kit-bashing of two kits with some extra donations.
The Ka-34’s fuselage was more modified than initially intended: the main rotor mount was faired over and the tail fin cut away, because it looked too small/slender/modern for the massive and straight A-1 wings.
I kept the Ka-34’s original nose, but flattened its top for a better field of view and added a window in the nose for a laser range finder with fixed glazing (much like the Su-25). Some antennae, an OoA sensor and pitots were added, too. Cockpit and landing gear were taken OOB, but I added new seats and pilot figures as well as bigger wheels (from an A-7).
Other external changes include bigger engine nacelles, from a Hobby Boss Me 262. They are mounted backwards, though, and their interior outfitted with new parts from the scrap box. I left them in their helicopter-like high position above the wings, but had to raise their position due to thick A-1 wings.
Ultimately, all tail stabilizers come from the A-1 kit, since they’d fit well in size and shape. The wings were modified in so far that I filled the A-1’s landing gear wells (covers were gone, used 2C putty) and tried to hide the folding wing lines. Weapon hardpoints come from A-7 and F-16 kits, the ordnance of two B-13L and two B-8M rocket pods comes from an ICM Soviet air-to-ground weapon sets – the choice reflects the FAC duty of the type in the hot-and-high Afghanistan environment, so only unguided rockets for target marking and against small, soft targets are carried, plus two R-60 for self-defense.
Painting and markings:
Normally I keep whifs rather subtle, but this time I gave the MiG-SPB a rather weird camouflage scheme. The MiG-SPB’s stylish three-tone clover pattern has actually been applied to Soviet Mi-24 helicopters, and a similar wrap-around scheme (in olive green, though) can be found on some Ukrainian Su-25. I found this scheme very attractive, and since it looks IMHO very Russian the MiG-SPB was a nice occasion to try it out – the colors even matching the dusty/mountainous Afghanistan theatre where the model would have been used, according to its fictional story.
Basic upper colors are Humbrol 168 and ‘clover leafs’ in 84 and 98 (Hemp, Mid-Stone and Chocolate, in these “levels” above each other), later ‘tamed down’ trough dry painting with shades of light beige and grey, for a worn and bleached look.
This pattern is utterly effective in order to break up contours: Even when the thing just sat on the work bench it was hard to tell where its front or rear end would be, or how the fuselage and wing intersection would look like in detail. And it even looks flashy…
Lower side was painted in Humbrol 65 – pretty bright, but such tones are typical for Soviet/Russian aircraft.
Additionally, the whole thing received a light wash with black ink in order to emphasize panel line and details and the leading edges were lightly dry-brushed with silver.
Most markings come from the scrap box, insignia, tactical code and some emblems like the MiG OKB badge come from an Authentic Decals 1:72 MiG-29 aftermarket sheet, most stencils from the vast X-20M missile decal sheet from ICM.
All in all a nice project which was based on a spontaneous idea. But it came out better than expected, concerning both the aircraft itself but also the weird cammo scheme, which will certainly pop up under other circumstances (mecha?)!