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Replacing an earlier scanned photo with a better version 23-Jan-23 (DeNoise AI).
A cold and misty morning at Manchester...
This aircraft was delivered to Singapore Airlines as 9V-SPL in Jan-97. It was repainted in the 'Tropical Megatop / Raffles' special livery in 1998, however it was quickly returned to standard livery after sister-ship 9V-SPK (also in the 'Raffles' livery) was lost when it crashed on take-off at Taipei, Taiwan on 31-Oct-2000.
It was sold to Cathay Pacific Airways Cargo as B-HKX in Jan-09 and was converted to freighter configuration with a main deck side cargo door (SCD) in Jun-09.
The aircraft was transferred to Air Hong Kong in Jul-17 and returned to Cathay Pacific Cargo in Jun-18 when it was stored at Hong Kong.
It was sold to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest and leased to Atlas Air Cargo as N471MC in Aug-18. The aircraft was withdrawn from service and stored at Lleida, Spain between Feb/Apr-20. It returned to service on 09-Apr-20. Current, updated 28-Jul-22.
Replacing an earlier scanned slide with a better version 14-Mar-15, plus Topaz DeNoise AI 30-Mar-23.
During the 1966 UK Seaman's Strike (or was it a dock strike, can't remember!), this Connie was doing 3 rotations a day bringing cigarettes from Belfast. It was usually parked in this area, just look at the amount of oil on the ramp! In the background, a Hibernian C-47 and an Aer Turas Bristol Freighter, also hauling cargo from Belfast.
Originally ordered by Transcontinental & Western Air as N86535, an L749 Constellation, the order was cancelled and the aircraft was delivered to Aerlinte Eireann (Irish International Airlines) in Aug-47 as EI-ACS.
It didn't operate with them for long and was withdrawn from service and stored at Dublin in Feb-48. It was sold to BOAC British Overseas Airways Corporation as G-ALAL in Jun-48 and converted to L749A standard.
It was leased to Skyways of London in Jul-59 and they bought it in Jun-62. It was transferred to Euravia (London) Ltd in Sep-62. Euravia was renamed Britannia Airways in Aug-64 and the aircraft was stored at Luton, UK.
It was sold to ACE Freighters in Feb-65 and was stored at Coventry Airport, UK when ACE ceased trading in Sep-66. It was sold to a 'W W Tilton' in Apr-67.
It was due to be sold to COPISA Peru as OB-R-899 but the sale fell through and it was stored at Miami in 1968. It then went through a couple of 'private owners' in 1971/72 and was seized by the US Authorities for 'illegal operations' in Oct-72. It was broken up in 1974.
The stairs replace the street in the location of Mozart Street on the west side of Hermann, Missouri just below St. George Catholic Church, due to the steep hillside. The house, with multiple porches and a turret (and a pyramid roof outhouse on the west side) was built by local physician W.C. Wessel in 1917.
Edit: ninja replaced, game crashed while I tried to apply some DoF.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- 3300x4400;
- Project Toussaint Lighting, ReShade framework;
- Zanzer's cheat table for setting time of day;
- HD reworked project, Autumn Flora Enhancement, increased LOD and other mods;
- Timestop, weather toggle and tilt via Photomode2inOne.
[replaced: brightened up the upper right area]
This sunrise was just breathtaking. I almost cried.
Death Valley salt flats, CA.
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Dedicated to Saint Peter, the abbey church of Champagne is not located, as one would think, in the bubbly-producing hills of northeastern France, but much further south, on the banks of River Rhône, between Lyon and Valence, in the northern part of the département of Ardèche, i.e., in the old province of Vivarais.
Stylistically, this large church, built right next to the busy and noisy thoroughfare that Highway 86 is today, is very homogeneous and was built around 1150, replacing an older, 11th century church of which two capitals have been re-used in the nave. Numerous sculpted fragments from the previous church were also gathered as demolition progressed and reinserted haphazardly in the new one. But built by whom exactly, and for what exact purpose? That is much more mysterious.
From the scant written evidence that has come to us, we can surmise that it was originally built by the Albon family of powerful local lords, probably for regular canons of one or the other obedience. In 1275, it has become a priory of the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Chef. In 1172, the canons of the chapter of the Saint Maurice Cathedral in Vienne had given a number of churches to the abbey of Saint-Chef, but the charter doesn’t specify which ones. If we are right in thinking that the Champagne church was originally owned by canons, it is possible that those canons were the ones from the Vienne chapter, and if so, the Champagne church may have been among those turned over to the abbey in 1172. The deal would have been facilitated by the fact that, from 1119, the archbishop of Vienne was also the protector of the abbey of Saint-Chef. Furthermore, it has been noted (in particular in my Zodiaque collection reference book, Vivarais et Gévaudan romans, by Robert Saint-Jean) that the Champagne church offers many similarities with the abbey church of Saint-Chef, in a more accomplished version, as the former came half a century after the latter.
The link between Saint-Chef and Champagne, however, did not last. Because of deep and enduring management problems at Saint-Chef where the monks could not elect a new abbot, the archbishop of Vienne was first appointed as abbot ad perpetuitam by a papal Bull of John XXII in 1320. A second Bull, in 1328, took away from the abbey the Saint Peter Priory, under the pretext that its income was not sufficient to support the prior and his monks. The church then became a simple parish church. However, let’s not forget that, at the time, the Rhône River was the border between the kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire: the archbishop of Vienne had his seat on the left bank, on the Empire side, while the Saint Peter Priory was on the right bank, on the kingdom side; the archbishop may have wanted to be able to take refuge in France in the event things went sour on the Empire side... which would explain why the priory compound was indeed fortified at the same time!
Seriously damaged during the Wars of Religion in the 1560s, the church undertook important repairs during the early 1600s: it is then the the three cupolas on squinches roofing the nave were put in place in lieu of the previous Romanesque barrel vault. The church, much too big for such a small village, continued to degrade over the decades. By 1750, the upper floors of the tower-porch that framed the western entrance were in ruin, and one century later, what was left of that tower-porch was razed to allow for the enlargement of what was then the royal road number 86. This veritable act of vandalism prompted the authorities to protect the monument in 1854 by listing it as a Historic Landmark.
A systematic restoration took place between 1888 and 1894, during which (it is a rare enough occurrence to be duly noted and lauded!) all the add-ons erected after the end of the Romanesque period were eliminated. The original church was saved. In 1968, three regular Augustinian canons from a Swiss convent came and settled in Champagne, reviving the Saint Victor offshoot of the Augustinians which had been dead since the French Revolution. They proved extremely successful and in 1976, Pope Paul VI elevated the priory to abbey status. Today, the church is both canonical and parochial.
However, the very exceptional characteristic of this abbey is that, because the original monastery buildings had been destroyed after the French Revolution and replaced by ordinary village houses, the Augustinians had to build anew where there was space available, i.e., a couple hundred meters away from the church...! Thus, there is no proper enclosure, the canons live in the middle of the village, and walk across it to go attend to their duties. This is much too in sæculum for my taste, and not a proper way to practice the life of a so-called “regular” canon. I understand the appeal that the church may have had, but my opinion is that, owing to the present-day configuration of the village, it should have been deemed unsuitable. Likewise, the liturgy of this congregation does not truly meet with my approval, the same way “reality TV” doesn’t: a floor-heated church, cleverly designed lighting everywhere, a discreet and elaborate sound system... quite a bit too Hollywoodian for me. But obviously, just like reality TV, it does have its appeal.
The groin-vaulted, narrow southern aisle.
Replacing an earlier scanned slide with a better version 19-Sep-15, plus Topaz DeNoise AI 05-Sep-25.
Named: "Jet Clipper Splendid". Fleet No: "721".
Quite an early turbojet engined Boeing 707 (Line No: 71), N721PA was delivered to Pan-Am in Oct-59, It was retired by Pan-Am after 11 years in service and stored at Wichita, KS, USA, in Sep-70 (just 2 months after this photo was taken).
It was sold to Dan-Air London in Jan-71 and re-registered G-AYSL 2 months later. It was wet leased to British Airways between Jul/Nov-78 and to British Airtours for the summer season between May/Oct-79.
On it's return to Dan-Air it was stored at their Engineering base at Lasham, UK. It was sold to International Air Leases Inc the following month as N80703 although it remained stored at Lasham. Just over 3 years later, in Jan-83, it was sold to KIVU Cargo for spares and was broken up at Lasham the following month.
Replacing an earlier scanned slide with a better version 27-Mar-22 (DeNoise AI).
Quite a 'late build' Super Connie, this aircraft was delivered to National Airlines as N7133C in Oct-57. It was stored at Miami 6 years later.
It was sold to the International Aviation Corporation in Dec-64 and leased to Nordair Canada as CF-NAL. It was briefly wet-leased to Eastern Provincial Airways between Nov-68/Feb-69 and sold to Canairelief Ltd in Apr-69, still as CF-NAL.
It was suspected of being involved in gun-running in Biafra
and was abandoned at Sao Tome in Jan-70 along with sister-ship CF-NAM. Both were seen still at Sao Tome in poor condition in 2013. One being used as part of a restaurant and the other now forms part of a house.
Update: 52 years since they were abandoned at Sao Tome and they are still there (see photos below). In a sad state but still there and being used as part of a restaurant. Amazing! Many thanks to Goncalo Guimaraes for the update, 27-Mar-22.
Iowa 151 leads BISW west through Blue Island, IL. The classic GTW gate tower and signals have been replaced with a brand new cantilever.
Conkers. There's lots of ideas about why horse chestnuts got this name. Maybe it's from the game that originally involved smashing snail shells together. This game was first played in the 1820's. There are no known written rules but horse chestnuts replaced snail shells and became the standard nuts to use by adversaries. Perhaps conkers came from the shells 'conches' or the sound of the shells breaking when they smashed together.
When I was a lad there were lots of ideas about how to make conkers stronger such as pickling them or baking them. The number of games the conker won gave it a special epithet - a one-er or a two-er, a three-er and so on and the name came with bragging rights at each match. This name growing in stature as it increased and the conker became even more legendary as the boy (it was primarily a boy's game) boasted not only of its number but of the battles won against higher numbered conkers it had beaten.
Horse chestnuts used to be given to horses to treat certain illnesses although they are slightly poisonous and can harm small animals.
The victorians used to make flour out of them too.
The tree is not native to Britain having been imported in the 16c but it is now a quintessentially British symbol of autumn. Had I have seen this small cluster of chestnuts when I was a boy I would have spent time throwing sticks at it to get the tree to drop its bounty and perhaps give me a prized chestnut that would survive many games; maybe even become a seasoned winner that would still be in good shape the following year.
Those of you who played conkers will remember your sore knuckles caused by the inaccuracies of your opponents attempts to hit your conker. Let's face it, putting a chestnut on a piece of string and giving it to a boy to play with is just asking for trouble!
Edit: I probably replaced this like three or 4 times, but I think I finally got it right. The original had a purple tint to it and window streaks that made the image look more..."creepy" (as said by my friend). So I edited...and hopefully this is better.
Oh would it mean anything
If you knew
What I'm left imagining
In my mind
Would you go
Kiss the rain
And you'd fall over me
Think of me
Only me
Kiss the rain
Whenever you need me
Kiss the rain
Whenever I'm gone too long
If your lips
Feel hungry and tempted
Kiss the rain
and wait for the dawn
Keep in mind
We're under the same skies
And the nights
As empty for me, as for you
If you feel
You can't wait till morning
Kiss the rain
--Billie Myers
Replacing an earlier scanned photo with a better version 01-Jul-21
KD Air started operations in 1990 and was based at Qualicum Beach, a small town on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. They operated flights between Qualicum Beach and Vancouver, Tofino and Gillies Bay. There was also ground transport link between Qualicum Beach and Port Alberni.
KD Air ceased operations in 2019.
All my stuff is now piled into boxes, 3 months after half the house got trashed, the builders have finally arrived to replace the ceilings :) This is yesterday's photo, and is somewhat dull, I just liked the crazy sunlight that I couldn't go out in :( I had 3 months of exam work to do in a day. Great organisation skills obviously :p
Doesn't exactly fit the photo but it only seems fair to include this song as I've had the album on repeat for the past 18 hours as it's the only thing I seem to be capable of working to.
Find Me:
Replacing an earlier scanned photo with a better version 09-Oct-21 (DeNoise AI).
With additional '600th' ERJ titles, right side.
A misty December morning at Manchester...
2024 the days of DB class 101 on Austrian Schoberpass are over (good). The EC216 "Dachstein" has now a Taurus on front and rear end. Here we see 1116 184 with the train, passing Baerndof. On the rear end is 1016 044.
Replacing an earlier scanned photo with a better version. plus Topaz DeNoise AI 25-Jul-21.
Taken through glass as well as some 'yellowing' of the original negative.
'Little Europe' logojet, left side.
Originally built as a CRJ.100ER this aircraft was first flown with the Canadair test registration C-FMNW. It was delivered to Lufthansa as D-ACJH in Oct-98 and operated by Lufthansa CityLine.
It was repainted in 'Little Europe' special livery in Nov-98 prior to service entry. It was withdrawn from service and stored in Apr-10 prior to return to Bombardier Inc as C-GGDQ in Nov-10. It was converted to CRJ.200ER standard before being leased to UTAir Aviation (Russia) as VQ-BGT in Dec-10.
The aircraft was returned to the lessor in Feb-15 and stored at Teruel, Spain. It was broken up at Teruel in 2019.
The Brickell Avenue Bridge is a bascule bridge in Downtown Miami, Florida, that carries U.S. Route 1 (US 1; Brickell Avenue) over the Miami River.
The original Brickell Avenue Bridge was built in 1929 and replaced in 1995. The Brickell Avenue Bridge was widened by one additional northbound lane in 2006 to reduce the traffic bottleneck through downtown. Before this, there were three southbound but only two northbound lanes. Currently, there are three lanes in each direction as well as a pedestrian walkway on both sides. Still, the bridge causes frequent traffic delays on the busy Brickell Avenue when it opens. According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the bridge opened 4,990 times in 2010.
The statue is a 53-foot bronze monument commissioned by the Florida Department of Transportation and created by Cuban Master Sculptor Manuel Carbonell in 1995. The "Pillar of History" consists of a 36-foot high carved bas-relief column that graphically narrates the lives of the Tequesta Indians, Miami's first inhabitants, and features 158 figures. At the top stands a 17-foot bronze sculpture, "Tequesta Family" portraying a Tequesta Indian warrior aiming an arrow to the sky, looking for space in eternity, with his wife and child by his side, while the son covers his face in expectation of their extinction.
Carbonell also created four bas reliefs, measuring 4-feet by 8-feet, which were installed in niches on the bridge's supporting piers. Each relief honors Miami's early founders and pioneers - William and Mary Brickell, Henry Flagler, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and Julia Tuttle.
Credit for the data above is given to the following website:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brickell_Avenue_Bridge
© All Rights Reserved - you may not use this image in any form without my prior permission.
Replacing an earlier scanned photo with a better version 04-Mar-21.
Seattle Mariners logocopter.
The Seattle Mariners are a US Professional Baseball Team based in Seattle, WA, USA.
No longer in this livery, this helicopter has had a number of different liveries, now 40 years old, it's still in service.
Replaces earlier version. Yeah its been retouched but you've seen the original version already.
Photo by Jennifer. Makeup by Victoria. Acceptably white teeth by Gracie.
Replacing an earlier scanned photo with a better version 16-Jan-15, plus Topaz DeNoise AI 08-Jul-23.
This aircraft was delivered to BEA British European Airways as G-APEX in Jun-58. It was sold to BKS Air Transport in Dec-69.
BKS was renamed Northeast Airlines in Nov-70 when it became part of British Air Services. British Air Services was merged into British Airways in Apr-74.
The aircraft continued in service with British Airways until it was sold to British Air Ferries in Mar-81. It was retired and stored at Southend, UK in Mar-84 and was broken up at Southend by 1994.
Replacing an earlier scanned slide with a better version 18-Jan-15, plus Topaz DeNoise AI 04-Sep-23.
First flown in Jan-62, this aircraft was delivered to the UK Royal Air Force (114 Squadron) as XN856 in Mar-62. It was transferred to the A&AAE (Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment) at Boscombe Down, UK in Nov-62 and returned to the RAF (114 Squadron) in Feb-63.
It was withdrawn from use and permanently retired at RAF Kemble, UK in Oct-71. The aircraft was sold to Field Aircraft Services in Aug-75 and had been broken up at Kemble by the end of the year. A 9 year working life isn't much of a life at all! Updated 05-Sep-23.
Replacing an earlier scanned photo with a better version 11-Oct-20.
Named: "Jetstreamer". In 1999 this was Virgin's new livery...
This aircraft is c/n 002 and the A340 second prototype. It had it's first flight in Feb-92 with the Airbus test registration F-WWAS. After the test programme was completed the aircraft was leased to Virgin Atlantic Airways as G-VHOL in May-97. It was returned to Airbus Leasing in Jul-11 and stored at Lourdes, France. It was sold to GMT Holdings 4 Ltd as M-YRGU in Sep-11 and remained stored. The aircraft was due to to be leased to Luzair (Portugal) as CS-TTQ but the lease didn't happen. It was sold to Rajshahi Air (Bangladesh) in Dec-11 and went straight to Tehran, Iran via an intermediate point. The aircraft, now registered EP-APA, was seen outside the Iran Aseman Hangar at Tehran in Jan-12. It entered service with Iran Aseman Airlines in Mar-12. Current, updated (Oct-20).
Note: Rajshahi Air was a 'shell' company to evade international sanctions on Iran and the EU stopped the transfer of subsequent aircraft.
092/365,
CDX-3160
Age; 1997
I purchased the Miata in 2006 with this radio installed so it's somewhere between 17 and 26 years old
Garden Village, Burnaby, British Columbia
Replacing an earlier scanned photo with a better version 13-Aug-22 (DeNoise AI).
An early build aircraft, first flown with the Airbus test registration F-WWKP, this aircraft was delivered to PAL Philippine Airlines with the French Overseas registration F-OHZM in Jul-97.
It was sold on delivery to the Acacia Air Lease Company and leased back to Philippine Airlines. The aircraft was re-registered RP-C3330 in Jun-08. It was permanently retired at Manila, Philippines in Aug-13 and was eventually broken up there in late 2014/early 2015. Updated 13-Aug-22
Replacing an earlier scanned photo with a better version, plus DeNoise AI 04-Dec-22.
Taken into the sun on a cold, misty and frosty morning!
Fleet No: '008'.
This aircraft was delivered to Continental Airlines as N78008 in Mar-99. It was sold to a lessor in Apr-01 and leased back to Continental. In Oct-10, Continental was merged into United Airlines. Now 23.5 years old, the aircraft continues in service. Updated 04-Dec-22
Note: The rear fuselage was damaged by a tail strike at New York - Newark on 02-Mar-05. It was repaired by Boeing and returned to service on 16-Apr-05.
Replaced with Hasselblad X1 Scan:
A Kyrgyz Mil-Mi 17 helicopter at Khan Tengri (7010m) and Pik Pobeda (7439m) base camp in the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan, about to pick up a group of climbers.
August 2010.
Contax G2, 21mm Biogon, B+W yellow filter and Fuji Acros 100 (in HC-110)
------------------------------
Puzzle with 508 pieces (5 replacements, 1 piece recolored),
21 x 35 cm (4 mm thick),
Material: Plywood / pressed cardboard? (i dont know the right word for it..which cheap furniture manufacturers sometimes use)
- Manufacturer: unknown, probably German
- Manufacturing period: unknown
Image: “View of Constantinople” by Georg Macco from 1916
....pretty difficult puzzle...
This one looked great when I was playing with the tones. Then I converted to b&w and it just had that classic street photograpy feel. I just had to do it!
update - after reading Zolashine's comments I re-did the picture. I think it makes it 1000% stronger. On the money my friend...
Replacing an earlier scanned photo with a better version 03-Dec-17, plus Topaz DeNoise AI 26-Aug-23.
Fleet No: '7758'.
Imagine... A Boeing 727 with a short history!
This aircraft was delivered to United Airlines as N7258U in Mar-78. It was in service with United for 23 years until it was permanently retired at Victorville, CA, USA in Nov-01. It was sold to Ram Air sales in Sep-02 for parting out. The registration was cancelled in Apr-03.
Replacing an earlier scanned photo with a better version 09-Apr-22 (DeNoise AI).
Right side.
This aircraft was delivered to QANTAS Airways as VH-EBQ in Dec-79. It was leased to Air Pacific (Fiji) as DQ-FJI in Dec-98 and returned to QANTAS as VH-EBQ in Aug-00.
It was withdrawn from service and retired in Nov-02 and was donated to the Outback Museum, Longreach, Australia where it's on display.
Replacing an earlier scanned slide with a better version 09-Oct-15, plus Topaz DeNoise AI 28-Feb-25.
The Cambrian Airways livery after it became part of 'British Air Services'.
Delivered new to BEA British European Airways in Oct-53, this aircraft was sold to Channel Airways 10 years later in Dec-63. It was leased to British Eagle International Airlines and sub-leased to British Eagle (Liverpool) Ltd (ex Starways of Liverpool) in Feb-64.
It returned to British Eagle International in Apr-64 after the Starways route licences had been transferred. It was returned to Channel Airways in Apr-65 and then sold to Cambrian Airways in Oct-65. The aircraft was retired and stored at Cardiff, Wales, Nov-71 and broken up there in Sep-72.
I apologize for the break in uploads of the series. I suffered a crash of my laptop's 1 TB storage HDD and had to run a recovery for days to try to restore access. Fortunately, I didn't lose anything, but unfortunately I can't replace it and must keep it going a bit longer. Fingers crossed. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming. :-)
Replacing an earlier scanned photo with a better version 08-Sep-22.
'Star Alliance' livery.
Named: "Vincente Ferrer" (Spanish Jesuit Missionary).
First flown with the Airbus test registration F-WWDP, this aircraft was delivered to ILFC (Ireland) Ltd and leased to Spanair as EC-IPI in Jun-03. Spanair ceased operations in Jan-12, the aircraft was returned to the lessor in Feb-12 and stored at Dublin, Ireland.
It was repainted in full 'Fly RAK' (Ras al Khaimah) livery in Jul-12 for lease as A6-TIA but the lease was cancelled and it remained stored. In Jan-13 the aircraft was flown to Bournemouth, UK and repainted in full Shaheen Air International livery and leased to Shaheen as AP-BLK in Mar-13.
It was returned to the lessor in Jul-18 and stored at Lourdes, France. It was re-registered OE-IHA in Aug-18. The aircraft was sold to Universal Asset Management in Jun-19 and permanently retired at Lourdes. Updated 08-Sep-22.
Replacing an earlier scanned slide with a better version 24-Mar-15, plus Topaz DeNoise AI 16-Sep-23.
The aircraft in the background is a Silver City Bristol 170 Freighter (actually they'd been swallowed up by British United by 1963 although it's still in Silver City's livery).
Delivered new to SABENA Belgian World Airlines as OO-SCO in Oct-56, this aircraft was wet-leased to Air Congo between Jul/Nov-60.
It was sold to Frontier Airlines as N73163 in Sep-67 and converted to Convair CV.580 standard with Allison Turboprop engines in Mar-68. It continued to operate with Frontier and was transferred to Frontier Commuter in May-83.
The aircraft was sold to Combs Airways in Oct-83 and leased back to Frontier Commuter, operated by Combs Airways. That operation only lasted 3 months and the aircraft was bought back by Frontier Commuter in Jan-84. It was sold to Metroflight in Sep-85.
Metroflight was later merged with others to form American Eagle. It was traded in to Saab Aircraft Holdings Inc in Oct-87 and stored at Greenville, Texas. It was sold to Renown Aviation in Aug-88 and leased to Laredo Air, returning to Renown Aviation in Mar-89.
It was sold to JBQ Aviation Corp in Jan-95 and leased back to Renown. 'Stored'. No further data available.
Replacing an earlier digital photo with a better version 05-Jul-23.
Named: "Lady Emmeline" (named after Emmeline Pankhurst, an English political activist who is best remembered for organising the UK suffragette movement and helping women win the right to vote in the early part of the 1900's).
First flown in Feb-22 with the Airbus test registration F-WZFU, this aircraft was delivered the Air Lease Corporation and leased to Virgin Atlantic Airways as G-VLIB in Apr-22. Current, updated 05-Jul-23.
Do you have a death wish…
Many years ago the family loaded up and drove down to Helena Alabama to visit my brother Gus and his family. At that time my brother had a very nice motorcycle and was, I believe president of his club. He invited me to attend one of their meetings and I was introduced to a great bunch of guys. At the conclusion of the meeting we all mounted up (probably not the right term, as I am not a motorcycle guy) and went to a local restaurant where other riders met regularly. Upon arrival, I was amazed at the number of motorcycles…maybe two-three hundred as they were everywhere.
Being a fantastic host my brother immediately asked if I would like a beer, without hesitation said yes. Since I couldn’t stop talking on the ride over, a few bugs were consumed whole…again; I am not a motorcycle guy.
As Gus entered the overflowing restaurant, I started looking at all the bikes. Within the first minute I came face to face with a big burley guy…no doubt he was a serious motorcycle guy and based on his vest and patches, he belonged to a gang. I stood in amazement, staring deep into his eyes for an undetermined but certainly uncomfortable period of time.
I certainly did not know my grandfather when he was a younger man and have only seen a few photos. This guy looked exactly like what I believe he would have looked like…well…maybe if he had been left out in the sun for 10-12 years covered in baby oil to get that dark deep tan and cavernous wrinkles. I apologized for my stare and told him how much he resembled my grandfather, we laughed. I extended my right hand and introduced myself and he reciprocated.
Shaking this road warriors hand immediately reminded me of the time I helped a local furrier replace shoes on our horse Sonny. Removing the old shoe, I touched the center of the horse’s foot, not the hardened hoof part but the rough, dry center. His hand felt exactly like that…and I had no idea where it had been. I would bet that most of his lady friends had rougher hands than mine. I remember the conversation flowing, but cannot remember the topics. After some 15 minutes or more I looked up to see Gus standing on the crowded walkway, two beers in hand with his mouth and eyes wide open as if in shock.
Dying to get the bug taste out of my mouth, I concluded the conversation with my new friend and headed back to my brother. As I reached him he slowly lifted a beer in my direction and without moving a facial muscle uttered the question…”Do you have a death wish?”
Upon breaking his facial ice with his question, Gus immediately told me of the man whom I was talking to as they were all aware of his reputation and stayed clear of him. He was with a group called the Banditos and held the position of Enforcer, a position as I understand it, is given to the clubs designated badass, the craziest member who is charged to protect the club and its interests. I do not know of what level of fact it was based, but it was believed by several there in attendance that he had killed rivals. To me, he was a very nice, interesting guy who looked like my grandfather.
While photographing this Damselfly yesterday morning, I failed to even notice the black ant making a mad dash for it from the bottom of the leaf. Once I started editing the shot, I noticed him getting closer and closer. When it came to this shot where you can clearly see him biting the leg of the damselfly. My question for him knowing the carnivorous nature of the damselfly was simple…do you have a death wish?
Instantly triggering the memory with my brother Gus so many years ago.
Replacing an earlier scanned photo with a better version 14-Aug-22 (DeNoise AI).
This aircraft was delivered to Alaska Airlines as N796AS in May-98. It was sold to a lessor on delivery and leased back to Alaska. It was returned to the lessor in May-16 and stored at Victorville, CA, USA.
The aircraft was sold to Safair Operations Pty Ltd (South Africa) in Sep-16. It was due to be registered ZS-WRO but that wasn't taken up and it was registered ZS-WMP (after Safair's Executive Director 'Wimpie' Davidson. It's operated by flySafair.co.za. Current, updated 14-Aug-22.
Replacing an earlier scanned 6"x4" print with a better version 22-Mar-22 (DeNoise AI).
Named: "Garmisch-Partenkirchen".
This was the 3rd prototype A321 and although it was built at Hamburg-Finkenwerder it was first flown with the Airbus test registration F-WWIC in Jun-93 and took part in the A321 test programme.
It was re-registered D-AVZA in May-94 and returned to Airbus Germany for mods and interior fitout. The aircraft was delivered to Lufthansa as D-AIRH in Jul-94.
In Mar-20 the aircraft was withdrawn from service and stored at Berlin-Schoenfeld due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. It was ferried to Budapest (Hungary) in Jun-20 for long-term storage.
It was ferried to Amman (Jordan) in Dec-21 for maintenance before ferrying via Frankfurt to Berlin in Jan-22 for further storage. The aircraft returned to service on 26-Mar-22 from Munich / Frankfurt. It's now 29 years old. Updated 04-Apr-22.
Stagecarriage - Scania N94UD/East Lancs OmniDekka - YN03 DFL is seen here at Yarm, High Street on October 25th 2017. This was on it's way to replace VAG606R on service 88.
My YouTube video of YN03DFL: youtu.be/ds5GB5AFBgo
Replacing an earlier scanned photo with a better version 19-Nov-17, plus Topaz DeNoise AI 22-Jul-23.
Fleet No: '5318', later '5418'.
This aircraft was delivered to United Airlines as N518UA in Sep-90. It was fitted with blended winglets in Jul-08. In Dec-08 the aircraft was sold to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest and sold back to United Airlines in Apr-17.
In Oct-19, after 29 years in service, the aircraft was ferried to Tupelo, MS, USA and permanently retired. It was sold to Universal Asset Management the following day and broken up at Tupelo in 2020.
Replacing an earlier scanned photo with a better version 21-Oct-21 (DeNoise AI).
A series of 5 photos showing the final flight of British Airways Concorde G-BOAC. Arriving into Manchester for it's last ever landing. It was originally on open display at Manchester's 'Runway Viewing Park'. However British Airways stipulated it should be preserved under cover and It now sits in it's own 'hangar'.
G-BOAC was the 'Flagship' of the British Airways Concorde fleet. It was first flown as G-BOAC on 27-Feb-75 and after participating in the Concorde test programme it was delivered to British Airways on 13-Feb-76.
It was the aircraft which inaugurated supersonic trans-Atlantic scheduled services between London-Heathrow and Washington, DC, USA in May-76.
In early 1979, in a joint operation with Braniff International Airways, the London-Heathrow / Washington-Dulles service continued on to Dallas-Fort Worth. The aircraft was registered G-N81AC on the Trans Atlantic sectors. The 'G-' was removed for the US Domestic sectors, becoming N81AC.
The aircraft operated successfully for 27 years before it's final flight from London-Heathrow to Manchester on 31-Oct-03.
It's on permanent loan to Manchester Airport Plc and is displayed at Manchester Airport's Runway Visitor Park. Charges apply.
I replaced the leather on a few joints of Alisha, my Paperwhite Doll by Teri. Teri offered to do it for me of course, but I decided to tackle it myself rather than having to ship her back. I'll be posting more of my notes on the Hearts of Clay forum soon. :)
Replacing an earlier scanned slide with a better version 21-Feb-22 (DeNoise AI).
One of two C-4's operating the Shrewsbury Pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Delivered to BOAC British Overseas Airways Corporation in Sep-49 as G-ALHS, it was sold to Overseas Aviation in Feb-60 and initially stored at London-Gatwick.
It was sold to Derby Airways in Oct-61. In Mar-64 it was leased to Aden Airways, returning to Derby Airways in May-64. Derby Airways was renamed British Midland Airways in Oct-64.
The aircraft was retired and stored at East Midlands Airport (known as Castle Donington) in Oct-67. It was sold to Chartwell Aviation for spares in Oct-68 and broken up at East Midlands in May-70.
Replacing an earlier scanned 6"x4" print with a better version 29-Sep-21 (DeNoise AI).
Delivered to Austrian Airlines as OE-LDH in Jul-72, this aircraft was sold to a lessor in Jan-87 and leased back to Austrian. It was returned to the lessor in May-90 and immediately leased to BMA British Midland Airways as G-ELDH.
BMA bought the aircraft in Feb-96 and sold it to the McDonnell Douglas Finance Corporation the same day as N964VV. It was stored at Miami, FL, USA before being leased to ValuJet Airlines in Apr-96. It was re-registered N947VV in Dec-96.
ValuJet Airlines was renamed AirTran Airlines in Nov-97 and renamed AirTran Airways in Jun-98. The aircraft was re-registered N847AT in Jan-99. It was sold to Kjet Inc in Mar-03 while the lease to AirTran continued. The aircraft was withdrawn from service in Aug-03 and stored at Orlando, FL, USA. It was returned to the lessor in Oct-03 and permanently retired.