PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 16, 2020) A visit, board, search and seizure team from the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) approaches a simulated suspect vessel during a training exercise. New Orleans, part of the America Amphibious Ready Group assigned to Amphibious Squadron 11, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelby Sanders)

SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 17, 2016) Smoke used in an air-power demonstration floats behind the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, the John C. Stennis Strike Group is operating as part of the Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andre T. Richard)

PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 1, 2020) The forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) transits the Philippine Sea. New Orleans, part of the America Amphibious Ready Group assigned to Amphibious Squadron 11, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Walter Estrada)

Straps secure the tripod and gimbal, stabilizing the Sony 600mm f/4 ("bazooka") lens in the canoe. Outriggers mounted behind the seat prevent the canoe from tipping.

Le Mans 2008

With the transition from first-generation spec to the new cars complete, the grid has filled with many new teams and many new cars all chasing the two big-league diesels.

Two teams bring an Evo version of Porsche's RS Spyder from ALMS, redesigned by former Audi designer Michael Pfadenhauer and wins both LMP2 class Pole as well as the class victory.

Peugeot has worked through the first-year problems on the 908 and is in fierce competition with Audi, and just slightly faster. The Le Mans week got off to a rough start, though, with one of the 908's launching itself backwards through the air and destroying itself on the wall. A new car had to be built from spares and a tub rushed from Peugeot’s shop.

Audi stay with their still-very-competitive diesel V12-powered R10 and run just about the same pace as the Peugeots.

Pescarolo's cars are run by three teams. Despite rule changes to give petrol cars a performance boost, all were quick but well off the big diesel pace.

Oreca bought Courage last year and have continued to develop the LC70, running a Mondrian-esque multi-color Matmut livery and a driver lineup which will become familiar names, Duval, Fassler.

French team Charouz bring an interesting new sound to Le Mans in a new Lola coupe, the shriek of an Aston Martin V12.

New Swiss team Sebah Speedy Racing runs another new Lola coupe in a sharp-looking Rebellion Timepieces livery.

Dome rolls out their new sleek and very fast s102 in plain white (practically begging for some sponsorship)

The race is run nearly flat out, Peugeot stretching away from Audi with frenetic pace. Rain in the latter half of the race was an equalizer and the differences in wet stability, fuel efficiency, and tire strategies enabled Audi to catch and eventually pass Peugeot for the win. With some help from Capello and McNish, Tom Kristensen extends his Le Mans record to 8 wins.

Follow along as I retrace the important and interesting prototypes of the Le Mans "LMP" era and the story of Audi's legacy. #legolemans

stability

SNMG1-Port visit in London ESPS CANTABRIA (A15) in Royal Docks London - 27 JAN 2016 - Standing NATO Maritime Group ONE (SNMG1), under the command of Spanish Rear Admiral Jose Delgado, arrived in London for a scheduled port visit, during their deployment to the North and Baltic Seas to enhance maritime security and to contribute to international stability. SNMG1’s flagship, the Spanish F100 class frigate ESPS ALVARO de BAZAN (F101), the Type 23 Frigate HMS IRON DUKE (F234) and the Spanish Fleet Replenishment Ship ESPS CANTABRIA (A15) are in port at the Royal Docks, London - Photo by WO ARTIGUES (HQ MARCOM).

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Sept. 6, 2020) A Force Reconnaissance Marine with Command Element, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) performs a simulated breach utilizing a welding torch during a visit, board, search and seizure exercise aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown, part of the America Amphibious Ready Group assigned to Amphibious Squadron 11, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners, and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Taylor DiMartino)

I've previously documented that when Adventure Travel held the contract for TrawsCymru Service T1c between Aberystwyth and Cardiff, Aberystwyth-based Mid Wales Travel provided the drivers. Coaches from the Mid Wales fleet would also substitute for Adventure Travel vehicles in the event of failures.

Mid Wales became the replacement contractor from April 2023, and a further two year contract was awarded from September 2023.

The company owns a pair of PSVAR-compliant Plaxton Panther 3-bodied Volvo B8Rs that were new in 2022, and these would often appear as substitutes in Adventure Travel days. After a few months of operating in all-white livery, YX22 LWA has recently received the two-tone grey and red TrawsCymru livery.

This November 2023 shot was taken at the Bowen Arms stop in North East Swansea, on the border of the City & County of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, as she was waiting time for a few minutes when Cardiff bound.

Lotte van den Boom, kracht & core-stability training

Vajrasatva Mahaa Aakasha Pushti Nama Yogenii Tantra, rDo rJe Sems dPa' Nam mKha' Che rGyas Pa Shes Bya rNal 'Byor Ma'i rGyud

Vol: Kha P. 595 Line 3

In the Language of India:

Vajrasatva Mahaa Aakasha Pushti Nama Yogenii Tantra

In the Tibetan Language:

rDo rJe Sems dPa' Nam mKha' Che rGyas Pa Shes Bya rNal 'Byor Ma'i rGyud

I fold my hands to the One Who Transcends Dominion and Possession, the Glorious Bearer of The Stone of Transformation!

On one occasion I spoke out these words:

He who transcends dominion and possession, the true Master of all those who leave behind dominion and possession and conduct themselves accordingly, whose personal character is physical, vocal, and psychological, and who is Supreme Bliss (bDe ba'i mChog) was, naturally, engaging the Lotus of Great Bliss, his honored wife. He erected a crystal palace from the powerful waves of tremendous happiness, a happiness that comes from working towards happiness, for his honored wife. Its architecture and dimensions were beyond measure.

The entire audience entered [the crystal palace], including:

Vajra Maker of All Vision

Vajra Stability

Vajra Glory of Supreme Rarity [596]

Vajra Endless Life, and

Vajra Accomplishment Free From Demonic Consumption

Their Honored Wives:

Wide Eyes (Yangs pa'i sPyan)

Feminine Stability

She Who Splendors in Jewels

She Whose Life is Unending

She who's Accomplishments Are Free from Demonic Consumption

Furthermore, there were the Enlightened Ones of Strong Mind:

Heart of the Land

He with the Power of Transformation in His Hands

Heart of the Sky

Dominator of the World

Kind

Polite Voice

Cleanser of Darkness

Goodness in All Things

And Their Honored Wives:

Dancer

Flower Garland

Singer

Actress

Perfume Lady

Flower

Candle

Sweet Water

The Honored Tylers were:

Killer of the Lord of the Dead

Victory in All Things

He Who Takes the Lotus to the End

He Who Puts the Soup of Life on the Stove (Thab or Thabs?)

Their Honored Wives:

She Who Kills the Lord of the Dead

She Who Wins at Everything

She Who Takes the Lotus to the End

She Who Puts the Soup of Life on the Stove

An audience of those already mentioned, and many others, all came together there, with no disparity between any of them. What is more, they came together just like sesame seeds, filling the whole place.

Their light made the dominions of the world visible. It filled [the world]. It pervaded [the world]. Suddenly it was there, looking like a glowing shimmer. [597]

Then, from the waves of the power of that great happiness, which comes out of working for happiness, there emerged Grand Masters numbering three thousand great thousands. All the dominions of the world were shaken by their might (mThu). Very Shaken. Totally shaken. They were wiped out. Very much wiped out. Totally wiped out. Totally and completely wiped out. They were blasted. Very blasted. Totally blasted. They crackled. Crackled loudly. Crackled all up.

Then the periphery was equalized with the center. All living beings were brought into submission. They also used the power of prayer to bring all the many kinds of physical realities, the many kinds of speech, and the many kinds of psychological realities into submission.

Through physical submission one manifests oneself in the work and deeds of a human being. One is born, studies, does things that are difficult to do, turns the wheel of truth, and so on. There are also methods of submission by which one does the work and deeds of a lion or the work and deeds of an elephant.

Submission through speech is an act of submission in which divine beings use divine language and dragons use dragon language.

Psychological submission is the act of submitting in the shining light of absorption as well as through magical ritual. [598]

This is the First Chapter of The Vast Tantra of the Magnificent Sky: The True Character of All Those Who Travel through Reality. It is called "The Topic under Discussion."

II

Then He Who Leaves behind Dominion and Possession smoothly moved into the absorption of Great Happiness which comes out of working towards happiness. It is called "Generous Royalty." He smiled with his face to those in the audience.

Then all those who had left behind dominion and possession, travelers through reality, addressed, in a single voice, the Master of those who leave behind dominion and possessions, travelers through reality, with these words:

Aye Ma Oh!

O Supreme Master of physical, vocal, and psychological realities!

Allow us, through your compassion,

To utilize a physical writing implement

To retain the methodology of your wisdom!

Then the Master of those who have left behind dominion and possession, those who travel through reality, took on the body of Goodness in All Things. All the Travelers through Reality saw him as having three faces and six arms.

Then those Travelers Through Reality, including Maker of All Visions, made a very pure sacrifice, an offering of what is external, what is internal, and what is secret, to Goodness In All Things, The Master of all those who have left behind dominion and possession, who travel throughout reality. [599]

They held their hands together and said these words:

"We request that the Master of all those who have left behind dominion and possessions, those who travel through reality, perform for us the transmission of empowerment into the Secret Mandala, and after that turn the wheel of the truth for that which has no symbol!"

They said this.

The Master of all those who travel reality, who leave behind dominion and possessions, listened to this, and said: "So be it!"

He gave instruction with these words:

Aye Ma Oh!

All of you want to request this Tantra,

For it is difficult to understand!

Good! Good! O Great Enlightened Ones!

Good! Good! Listen with respect!

Then all those who travel through reality repeatedly folded their hands, their eyes full with the greatest joy. They addressed him with these words:

Aye Ma Oh!

O Buddha, What a Buddha!

Aye Ma Oh!

The Buddha's announcement is Good!

Aye Ma Oh!

We request that you,

The one who has left behind dominion and possessions,

Explain to us the Supreme Magnificent Enlightenment!

Aye Ma Oh!

We request you,

Most Direct One (gZu bo che),

To explain that supreme secret word that,

When properly applied,

Consolidates a strategy

For bringing about the Great Enlightenment of All Living Beings!

Then the Master of all travelers through reality, those who have left behind dominion and possessions, [600] gave instructions to all those who travel through reality with these words:

You, The Unsurpassed,

Wish to quickly acquire

The perfect Ati Yoga,

The strategy for bringing about

The enlightenment of living beings.

So listen!

I will give you an explanation.

Then the Master of all those who travel through reality, those who have left behind dominion and possessions, smoothly moved into the absorption that is called "The Bedazzling Stone of Transformation." He positioned the audience in a Secret Mandala. Then he performed the transmission of the empowerment. After that he explained the truth of it, from the very beginning:

Reality itself is the true identity of everything.

Everything has been worked out to make this real.

The strategy is to engender wisdom.

This cannot be seen through perspectives based on differentials.

The true identity of all things

Cannot be seen by anyone whosoever!

Even the Buddha cannot see it!

The wisdom of enlightenment has no visible abode!

This is the real reason it has no true identity!

Nothing brings a harvest of Nothing!

A duality of Something and Nothing does not exist!

This is called "The Inconceivable Center."

The only thing real about a true identity

Is that there is nothing whatsoever to say about it!

Anything that can be an object of sensory perception

Cannot be proven to exist!

The true identity of all things [601]

Has no beginning and no end.

It neither lasts nor does it stop.

It is not plural nor is it single.

It does not come nor does it go.

Speculation is pacified through recognition.

Respected intentions have no substance!

This cannot be perceived by the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body or mind (yid)!

The attitude that one is perceptive is a deception!

True purity cannot be understood!

There are no superior attitudes with regard to Samsara and Nirvana.

When one dwells in the way things really are

Stability and instability are both fine.

When what is taken in and what is saved are clear,

There are no specifics or generalities,

No endings and no beginnings.

The unspeakable is completely inconceivable!

Words that are not written down are the best.

(Yi ge Med pa – This is the Title of key tractate in the Great Sky cycle)

If you give up on words

The delusions of the mind will stop!

This is the second chapter of the Vast Tantra of the Magnificent Sky, the true nature of all those who travel through reality. It is called "Dwelling in Reality,"

III

Then the Master of travelers through reality, those who have left behind dominion and possessions, considered the previous request that had been presented by the audience. He intentionally spoke out the following intentional statement:

The truth about dwelling in reality

Is that there is no peace

Through acquisition or rejection.

It is difficult to determine,

And difficult to teach. [601]

It stands apart from linguistic conventions.

The physical aspect of the Stone of Transformation

Is not a compound.

The physical aspect of the immutable (gyung drung sku)

Has no birth or death.

It is not compounded in tripartite temporality.

That which is called "This,"

Magnificent and permanent,

The light of all things,

Cannot be taught symbolically.

I myself am incapable of seeing it.

It is not something that can be directly perceived.

It pervades all things.

It is actually a treasure that does not decay.

The true identity of all things

Is none other than their true potential (stong pa nyid).

There is no differential or difference whatsoever

Between Samsara and Nirvana.

There is not even a single thing to distinguish these two.

Things like conglomerates (phung po), domains (khams),

and generative forces (skye mched)

Along with their interdependent origination,

Are nothing but potentialities.

Those who are born into the true reality,

Which is their own potential,

Cannot see it.

The true reality

Is therefore known as "Travelling Through Reality."

It is as if all things move through bliss.

You will not find it by looking anywhere else.

No one who looks for true purity

Will be able to see the purity.

Some of those who are blind

Have a great insight into this.

Those who cannot see Nirvana

Or the position of the Buddha

Instantly achieve genuine enlightenment

Through Lotus Wisdom (Padma'i Ye shes).

The true Master has a single identity

But appears in many different ways.

The Master of distorted designations

Deceives living beings,

As if he was sticking them into a trap.

The transcendence of dominion and possessions

Is a magnificent occurrence.

The minds of those who do not make conceptual designations

Remain clear,

For they leave behind dominion and possessions.

Just as every living being dwells in reality,

Every Buddha is his own true origin.

Living beings bring themselves into life.

This [life] does not come from anything else.

It is on account of their ignorant designations

That all sentient beings,

Beings that [already] have Buddha Hearts (sangs rgyas snying po),

Come to experience all kinds of sorrow,

Both subtle and gross.

.

The Bhaga,

Which is the domain of what is true

Is the real condition of all sentient beings.

This is the sky.

It pervades everything.

Those who do not see this

Do not see it.

It is a serious error for them to put shadows over it.

It is vast, tremendous, and profound in depth.

It is understood by the wise (she rab can).

That which comes from nowhere, goes nowhere.

It has nothing to do with coming and going.

The heart of pure intent

Will not be found,

No matter where one looks,

No matter how many approaches one takes.

Purity is unshadowed self awareness (rang rig).

There is no origin

To all those material things.

They are not pure;

They are complete fabrications.

There is no difference whatsoever

Between the real domain of truth

And the heart that turns away from it.

Reality is without attachment.

It is not born and does not die.

It cannot be imagined nor conceived of.

It is bliss.

This is the Third Chapter of The Vast Tantra of the Magnificent Sky, a realistic paradigm for all travelers through reality. It is called "Teachings on the Unchanging Truth."

IV

Then the Master of all travelers through reality, those who have left behind dominion and possessions, longed, most delightfully, to manifest his own greatness. The Master of both the corporeal and of wisdom proclaimed the following:

Even the Buddha does not see

The reality that pervades all things.

It is not available to direct awareness,

While it pervades all things.

This comprehensive Light

Is not a compound.

It is actually permanent.

It is the corpus of the Stone of Transformation.

This, from amongst all pure embodiments,

Is the supreme body.

The explanation of the truth

Is called "The Corpus of Truth."

This is clearly understood by means of

A grand self-generated wisdom.

The One with the Lotus (Pad ma can) has put together

A series of tactics

Involving an inclusive basis (kun gzhi) as essential elements.

The corpus of actual enlightenment is not conceptual.

How, then, is this perfect corpus put together?

The actualization of perfect enlightenment

Is instantaneously realized

Through the Wisdom of its own potential.

This is the Corpus of Truth.

There is no other.

The Magnificent Mandala of what is real [605]

Becomes evident by virtue of its waves of power.

Attitudes based on conventional intentions

Give birth to tactics that do not prevent apparitions.

The field that is a Mandala for the Stone of Transformation

Has it dawn with the true instructions on Mantra and Mudra.

The Corpus of Enjoyment,

Supreme in its interconnectedness,

Is stationed, with its symbol and allegories,

In the massive collections of Letter Wheels (yi ge 'khor lo).

The corpus of good deeds (bsod nams)

Maintains the purest wisdom

With the continuity of a river.

The Lord (mgon po), The Grand Master,

Turns the wheel of the stone of transformation.

He uses his tongue's powers to send forth

The turning of the wheel of truth.

There is interconnectedness between prayers

And the magnificent Aware Ones.

They appear in manifest embodiments

Throughout every domain in the world.

Utilizing impermanent things,

They demonstrate a way

To get from birth right up to Nirvana.

They bring everyone that has distorted ideas

Into the fields of those with Great Hearts.

Through the stages of the physical, the verbal, and the psychological,

They bring fulfillment to the lives of living beings.

This is the forth chapter of The Vast Tantra of the Magnificent Sky, a realistic paradigm for all travelers through reality. It is called "Teaching that the Master of the Harvest has a Physical nature along with his Wisdom." [606]

V

Then the Master of all travelers through reality, those who have left behind dominion and possessions, spoke out a strategy on the Mandalas of the corporeal, the vocal, and the psychological so that they should be realized.

The reality of any truth

Is not masculine, nor feminine, nor neuter.

There is something essential

About bringing in the harvest.

Do not talk about the various sorts of Mandalas!

They are made from shapes,

Which pervade all things.

The corpuses of truth and of perfect enjoyment,

Along with their innumerable manifest embodiments

Are dispersed [everywhere],

But are not elaborated upon.

That which is pure is not a potential.

It shows itself to every living being in the three spheres

[of Desire, Form, and Formlessness]

In a physical form that will be suitable

For the purpose of making them submit.

Potentialities cannot be removed from shapes.

The Masters,

Who are not spoken of,

Have the power to make them submit.

They send out all kinds of sounds and words

To control all kinds of conjectures.

I have taught the single transport (theg pa),

The dual transport, the triple transport,

The five transports, and inconceivable others. [607]

This was to prevent the separation of the center

From the periphery.

The purity of the Sonic Mandala

Is the inconceivable way that it spreads out everywhere.

There is something about the supreme Sonic Mandala

That makes the eighty four thousand bounteous worlds

Melt into Sonic Spaciousness.

He said this.

Then the entire Sonic Mandala melted into the spaciousness of truth, and became invisible.

Then he spoke on the Magnificent Mandala of the Heart.

The Mahamudra shines out

From the mudra of reality.

The clan of the real (de bzhin)

The clan of the Stone of Transformation (rdo rje)

And the clan of Precious Things (rin chen)

Blaze in the light of the Mahamudra!

Just like the blazing Udum flowers

That are sometimes found on lonely pathways.

You alone perceive all the Mandalas of Illusion.

For others, there is nothing there at all.

Thus he spoke.

Then all the Mandalas of the Heart were transformed beyond the imagination.

This is the fifth chapter of The Vast Tantra of the Magnificent Sky, a realistic paradigm for all travelers through reality. It is called "A Non-conceptual Teaching on the Physical, Vocal and Heart Mandalas." [608]

--

Peace on Earth

Translated by Christopher Wilkinson

What do you think, are there other instances of intelligent life in the universe? I remember being fascinated about this question when I was a lot younger. Reading clever books about science introduced me to all kinds of ideas where the Drake Equation was a one solid piece of thinking to which I built my own answers. The Drake Equation describes a numeric value to the likelihood that other instances of intelligent life exists anywhere other than Earth. One way to think about the equation is to think that there are certain barriers that life in general must overcome so that it can exist out there somewhere. For example, there has to be solar systems where stars are orbited by planets that are at certain distance of the star (not too close, not too far), so they could potentially sustain life with a fitting temperature. And again, there needs to happen a birth of life which require some ingredients and probably not all planets have them in the right proportions. Then there needs to born civilizations that are more than just plants or animals. And so on, you probably know this story already.

For a long time I thought that the universe looks like it is infinite, or at least close to it, so there has to be other instances of intelligent life in the universe. But the more I thought (and read) about the barriers the more skeptic I became. It seems that one can invent a lot of additional barriers that the Drake Equation doesn't actually take into account. For example, even if there are enough solar systems with planets at suitable distance from a star, the planets need to have fitting rotation angle that is not too chaotic for climate stability (for example Earth's rotation is partly guided by the moon). Perhaps the birth of complex life needs very unlikely events which can be really anything and much more than just a pool of warm water. And so on.

However, I feel that the strongest barrier here is that in some ways the very idea of evolution crushes the idea of intelligent life. It's very common to think that evolution created man from the ape, and because of that we became more advanced. In a similar way many seems to think that the next step in the evolution of man is to inhabit other planets and other solar systems – and based on this kind of thinking we expect other civilizations to exists; that evolution has an idea of advancement built in it. But the evolution doesn't have a purpose. Neither man nor the colonizing other planets is the goal of evolution. We would like to think that this 'intelligent life' or 'man' represents some important waypoint in a big picture, but maybe it's just the way we reflect our hopes, identities and our human existence to the vast unknown – another act of anthropomorphism in the name on science? Maybe life just exist without advancing to anywhere, not like a steps of evolution which you saw on a school book, but like a roots of a tree which just spreads all around without any determined target or goal. 'Then why do we exist, we are intelligent?', I hear you saying. That's precisely a kind of question that convoy ingredients of anthropomorphism into science. One of the best manifestation of this idea is Stanislaw Lem's great novel Solaris where the oceanic surface of the planet Solaris avoids all human attempts to understand it. No matter how much the crew of the space ship try, they only see their own reflections, fears and hopes when trying to reach the Solaris. What do you see when you look at the sky?

Greg from Dpreview forums asked me to shoot some stars, so I did. I took this picture when visiting my brother who happens to live at country side pretty far from nearest cities or towns. So there was not much light pollution, but unfortunately some clouds which I only saw afterwards when looking pictures from the monitor. I'm not much a astrophotographer, so forgive me if the example is not very representative. However, it does give some clues about the Batis 2/40 CF's performance for astrophotography.

Now, I took this shot at f/2 and ISO400 with 10 seconds exposure. I used '500 rule' for this shot and even decreased a bit for as sharp stars as possible (actually with 10 seconds it becomes a '400 rule'). As I haven't done a lot astrophotography I adjusted the ISO to my liking where it seemed to match with what I was pretty able to see with my own eyes (later on I pushed the file 1,5 stops in Lightroom). I'm sure someone would have made different choices, and maybe someone can educate me here a bit, but I thought that I wanted to create a picture where the end result would at least in some way resemble the actual scene - in other words, I intentionally didn't want to go for 'my god, it's full of stars!' -look (another 2001: A Space Odyssey reference).

www.30daysofbatis.com

Following over a decade of reasonable stability under TM Travel, service 65 between Sheffield and Buxton has been chopped and changed a lot of late. For the previous few years, TM had been operating one vehicle duty under contract to DCC, and the other on a commercial basis. The loss of an interworked Buxton College contract in October 2016 presumably threatened viability as in March 2017 the commercially-operated duty was transferred from Wellglade-owned TM to half-Wellglade-owned High Peak. High Peak then took on the funded journeys in October 2017, duly introducing a pair of former De Courcey Versas complete with 'Peaks and Dales' route branding. Fast forward nine months and the timetable is once again changing, with High Peak ditching the council-funded journeys from late July whilst bafflingly rerouting their commercial journeys via Wormhill at the expense of Litton.

Branded Versa YJ62FPK (780) was captured in Litton with the 10:55 Buxton-Sheffield journey. Whilst Litton continues to be served by Hulleys' two hourly 173 between Bakewell and Castleton, its links with Buxton and Sheffield/Chesterfield will be reduced from an hourly combined service across the 65/66 prior to October 2017 to the point where it will only be served by a handful of 66s and whatever the council cobble together as a replacement for the withdrawn High Peak 65s on this corridor from the end of July.

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 15, 2020) - An F/A-18E assigned to the “Royal Maces†of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 launches off the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) while conducting security and stability operations in the South China Sea. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the U.S. as well as the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Codie L. Soule) 201015-N-KP021-1097

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

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

SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 16, 2020) Operation Specialist 1st Class Andrew Sackman from Adelanto, California, left, and Gunner’s Mate Seaman Jose Garciaflores, from Houston, both assigned to amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) participate in a small arms live fire exercise. America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit team, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jonathan Berlier)

PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 9, 2020) A Marine assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) provides security during a Beach Reconnaissance exercise. America, flagship of Expeditionary Strike Group Seven and the America Amphibious Ready Group, assigned to Amphibious Squadron Eleven, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jomark A. Almazan)

Lebuh Chulia, Pulau Pinang. Malaysia.

PHILIPPINE SEA (March 14, 2020) Sailors load a torpedo aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) during an anti-submarine exercise. Mustin is underway conducting operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific while assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s largest principal force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Askia Collins)

The artifact in floralgal's note was not visible in the original photo before processing. it's either a hose coupling or an electrical outlet on the wall..;)) That is so funny!!! lol

Yes, I use a walker for stability right now. I hope to not need it eventually. We shall see...

#256 Stablized Shadow ^_^ Without Wall Fixture ^_^ - {Explored July 15th}

IMG_1501 - Version 3

TAIWAN STRAIT (Feb. 4, 2021) - The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) is conducting routine underway operations in support of stability and security for a free and open Indo-Pacific. McCain is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda) 210204-N-WI365-1005

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

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

PHILIPPINE SEA (Aug. 26, 2020) Sailors assigned to the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) participate in a visit, board, search and seizure exercise aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown, part of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st MEU team, is operating in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners, and serves as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Taylor DiMartino)

Please read my profile for more information about my craft.

This 105 carat handcrafted Ammonite pendant is created swirling and shaping sterling silver filled wire by hand, adding Tiger Eye chips, jasper beads and shells to enhance the natural beauty and shape of the stone. This stone has shades of brown and gold with slight specks of green and quartz-like crystals. An incredible jewel of nature.

It measures 1 1/2" across and 2" top to tip including the bail.

The bail is designed to be large enough to accommodate your favorite chain, choker or cord.

All purchases are nicely packaged in a gift box.

Ammonite's healing effects:

Aids in seeing 'the whole picture'. A protective stone used to create stability and structure in your life. Transforms the negative energies in your life into a positive flow. It promotes harmony and a sense of beauty. It releases mental obsessions and aids in relaxation especially in the birthing process. Good for treatment of lungs and limbs.

Astrological sign: Aquarius

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Dec. 22, 2016) The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Pasadena (SSN 752) prepares to moor at Fleet Activities Yokosuka. Pasadena is visiting Yokosuka for a port visit. U.S. Navy port visits represent an important opportunity to promote stability and security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, demonstrate commitment to regional partners and foster relationships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian G. Reynolds/Released)

Chassis n° 2071GT

Engine n° 2071GT

Bonhams : the Zoute Sale

Estimated : € 1.200.000 - 1.600.000

Zoute Grand Prix 2019

Knokke - Zoute

België - Belgium

October 2019

By the early 1960s, road car production had ceased to be a sideline for Ferrari and was seen as vitally important to the company's future stability. Thus the 250, Ferrari's first volume-produced model, can be seen as critically important, though production of the first of the line - the 250 Europa, built from 1953 to '54 - amounted to fewer than 20. Before the advent of the Europa, Ferrari had built road-going coupés and convertibles in small numbers, usually to special customer order using a sports-racing chassis as the basis. Ghia and Vignale of Turin and Touring of Milan were responsible for bodying many of these but there was no attempt at standardisation for series production and no two cars were alike.

The introduction of the 250 Europa heralded a significant change in Ferrari's preferred coachbuilder; whereas previously Vignale had been the most popular carrozzeria among Maranello's customers, from now on Pinin Farina (later 'Pininfarina') would be Ferrari's number one choice, bodying no fewer than 48 out of the 53 Europa/Europa GTs built. Pinin Farina's experiments eventually crystallised in a new Ferrari 250 GT road car that was first displayed publicly at the Geneva Salon in March 1956. However, the Torinese Carrozzeria was not yet in a position to cope with the increased workload, resulting in production being entrusted to Carrozzeria Boano after Pinin Farina had completed a handful of prototypes.

The 250 GT featured the lighter and more compact Colombo-designed 3.0-litre V12 in place of its predecessor's bulkier Lampredi unit. Power output of the single-overhead-camshaft all-aluminium engine was 220bhp at 7,000rpm. Shorter in the wheelbase (by 200mm) than that of the Europa, the 250 GT chassis followed Ferrari's established practice, being a multi-tubular frame tied together by oval main tubes, though the independent front suspension now employed coil springs instead of the previous transverse leaf type. A four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox transmitted power to the live rear axle, while braking was looked after by hydraulic drums all round.

True series production began with the arrival of Pininfarina's 'notch back' Coupé on the 250 GT chassis, some 353 of which were built between 1958 and 1960 within the sequence '0841' to '2081'. However, the relatively small scale of production meant that cars could still be ordered with subtle variations according to customer choice, as well as enabling a handful of show cars and 'specials' to be constructed on the 250 GT chassis.

A number of prominent European coachbuilders offered a variety of body styles on the 250 GT chassis, with Scaglietti and Pininfarina producing elegant open-top spyder and cabriolet models. Exhibited at the 1957 Geneva Salon, the latter's first 250 GT Cabriolet, which, unusually, featured a Vintage-style cut-down driver's door, was snapped up by Ferrari works driver Peter Collins, who later had the car converted to disc brakes. After a handful of alternative versions had been built, series production began in July 1957, around 40 Series I Pininfarina Cabriolets being completed before the introduction of the Series II in 1959. Effectively an open-top version of the Pininfarina-built 250 GT Coupé, whose chassis and mechanicals it shared, the Cabriolet was built alongside its closed cousin until 1962. Overall design followed that of the Coupé, with short nose and long rear overhang, while a more-vertical windscreen provided greater headroom in the generously sized cockpit. As well as the aforementioned improvements to brakes and transmission, the Series II cars benefited from the latest, 240bhp V12 with outside sparkplugs, coil valve springs, and 12-port cylinder heads. The 250 GT was the most successful Ferrari of its time, production of all types exceeding 900 units, of which 200 were Series II Cabriolets like that offered here.

A number of important developments occurred during 250 GT production: the original 128C 3.0-litre engine being superseded by the twin-distributor 128D, which in turn was supplanted in 1960 by the outside-plug 128F engine which did away with its predecessor's Siamesed inlets in favour of six separate ports. On the chassis side, four-wheel disc brakes arrived late in 1959 and a four-speeds-plus-overdrive gearbox the following year, the former at last providing the 250 GT with stopping power to match its speed. More refined and practical than any previous road-going Ferrari, yet retaining the sporting heritage of its predecessors, the 250 GT is a landmark model of immense historical significance. Despite this, original survivors are relatively few, as many have been modified and converted into replicas of more exotic Ferraris such as the 250 GTO, Testarossa, etc.

According to the accompanying Massini Report, chassis number '2071' is the 66th of the 200 units built, and as a Series II car has the added advantage of disc brakes all round. Originally finished in the handsome combination of Grigio Argento with Nero interior, the Ferrari was sold new in 1960 via Jacques Swaters' Garage Francorchamps, the official Ferrari importer for Belgium, to its first owner, Jean Blaton. A wealthy Belgian industrialist, Ferrari aficionado and gentleman racing driver, who raced under the name 'Beurlys', Jean Blaton had an excellent taste and was a personal friend of Jacques Swaters, from whom he bought numerous Ferraris over the years.

Blaton is best remembered for his daring exploits in the Le Mans 24-Hour Race in which he drove a succession of Ferraris over a 10-year period between 1958 and 1967, finishing on the podium on nearly every outing. On many occasions he drove his own Ferraris, including a 250 GT MM, 250 GT Testarossa, 250 GT LWB Tour de France, 250 GT SWB, 250 GTO, 250 LM, and 330 P3/P4. He secured his best result at Le Mans in 1963 when he finished 2nd overall with co-driver Langlois van Ophen at the wheel of a Ferrari 250 GTO, winning the GT Class for Swaters' racing team, Écurie Francorchamps.

Jean Blaton was also a friend of Enzo Ferrari, who was only too happy to accommodate his highly regarded customer's special requests. In the case of his 250 GT Cabriolet, Blaton specified that the car should have large side vents in the front wings, similar to those of the Series III 410 Superamerica, which were incorporated by Pinin Farina on Mr Ferrari's instruction. These vents not only make the car appear more sporting, they also serve to break up its lengthy flanks to good effect. Blaton's car, with its special features, was prominently displayed in Ferrari's 1960 yearbook.

In 1964, Blaton sold '2071' to Luigi Chinetti, another gentleman racing driver and sole importer of Ferraris into the USA. The car was then sold to a Mr Gilbertson from Vista, California. Following Mr Gilbertson's death, the Ferrari was acquired from his widow in 1978 by Mr Ken Gerber of San Diego, California, who kept it for the next 32 years. A member of the Ferrari Owners' Club, Mr Gerber enjoyed the car throughout the 1980s, attending various events.

During Mr Gerber's ownership (in 1992-1994) a fastidious restoration was carried out, the precision machining work on the engine and mechanical systems being entrusted to recognised specialist Bob Wallace of Phoenix, Arizona. Original parts were retained wherever possible and the few that were not saveable were either replaced with originals or perfect reproductions. The car was refinished in Rosso Rubino and completed in time for the 1994 International Ferrari Concours in Monterey.

Ken Gerber sold the Ferrari in 2010 and the following year the car moved to the UK having been bought by DK Engineering. The car was sold to Belgium in 2012, since when it has belonged to the current lady owner. Carrying the very suitable registration, '250 – GTS', the car has been enjoyed by its owner on numerous occasions and at prestigious events including the Zoute Rally. Now presented in excellent condition after recent cosmetic re-commissioning, it affords the prospect of comfortable open-top cruising in unparalleled style. Possessing links to Belgian and excellent provenance, this unique Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet is worthy of the closest inspection.

arcane trajectories

It appears that this craziness kills Rocksim if you actually try to load and fly 253 motors, Could be the number of odd components, the number of motors or even the way I had to fake static stability.

EAST CHINA SEA (Aug. 4, 2020) Lt. j. g. Andrew Barrie, from Yokosuka, Japan, stands watch on the bridge as the officer of the deck during a full power engine run aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown, part of America Expeditionary Strike Group, is operating in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners, and serves as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Taylor DiMartino)

PHILIPPINE SEA (Feb. 8, 2021) Chief Gunner’s Mate Adam Parker, from El Paso, Texas, right, instructs Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Derek Garcia, from Deltona, Fla., left, as he fires a M240B machine gun during a live-fire crew-served weapons training exercise aboard forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners, serving as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kelsey Culbertson)

Hi-tech fishing of Woodman Point Regional Park, Munster, Western Australia.

"Purple Orchid"

A symbol of rare beauty

Exotic. Delicate. Mysterious

Precious, in every way

Lost in a tropical land of

Purple Haze,

I am there

Whispering with a tinge of

Innocence yet wild

With passionate dark desires.

A calm stability of blue and

The fierce energy of red

Stimulating mystery and thrill,

A darkened flower

Of refined passion

With strikingly lush petals,

Intoxicating.

In his mind,

I am

A

Purple Orchid

By: Faranani Mulaudzi (SA)

This is a Phalaenopsis Hybrid in bloom at home.

PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 6, 2020) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Archangels of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 Detachment 6 transports cargo to the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during a replenishment-at-sea. America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, assigned to Amphibious Squadron 11, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Cavenaile)

Stability Diffusion and Photoshop

Ships from various countries steam in formation during Sea Breeze 2014 in the Black Sea Sept. 10, 2014. Sea Breeze is a joint/combined maritime exercise held annually in the Black Sea and at various land-based Ukrainian training facilities with the goals of strengthening maritime security and stability, sharing information and building teamwork and mutual cooperation. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Herman, U.S. Navy/Released)

200823-N-IO312-1350 PHILIPPINE SEA (Aug. 23, 2020) A Marine assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit conducts fast-rope sustainment training on the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to maintain security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Cavenaile)

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

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

Some background:

In the aftermath of the Second World War, Sweden required a strong air defense, utilizing the newly developed jet propulsion technology. The original concept had been designed around a mostly straight wing, but after Swedish engineers had obtained German research data on swept-wing designs, the prototype was altered to incorporate a 25° sweep. In order to make the wing as thin as possible, Saab elected to locate the retractable undercarriage in the aircraft's fuselage rather than into the wings.

While the second P29G was used for high speed trials, the first machine remained in its original guise and took over low speed handling tests. Thanks to the unique wing switch mechanism, the supersonic research program could be held within a very tight schedule and lasted until late 1959. Thereafter, the P29Gs’ potential was of little use anymore, and the engine use agreement with the USA put an end to further use of the two aircraft, so that both P29Gs were retired from service in 1960. The 1st machine, outfitted with standard J29F wings and stripped off of its engines, remained in use as an instructional air at Malmslätt air base 1969, while the second machine was mothballed. However, both airframes were eventually scrapped in 1970.

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 11.66 m (38 ft 2 in) fuselage only,

13,97 m (45 ft 9 in) with pitot boom

Wingspan: varied*; 11.0 m (36 ft 1 in) with standard 25° sweep wings,

10.00 m (32 ft 9 ¾ in) with experimental 45° wings

Height: 4.54m (14 ft 10 ½ in)

Wing area: varied*; 24.15 m² (260.0 ft²) with standard 25° sweep wings

22.5 m² (242.2 ft²) with experimental 45° wings

Empty weight: 5,220 kg (11,500 lb)

Max. takeoff weight: 8,510 kg (18,744 lb)

Powerplant:

2× Westinghouse J34-WE-42 turbojets, each rated at 3,400 lbf (15 kN) dry thrust

and 4,200 lbf (19 kN) with full afterburner

Performance:

Maximum speed: 1.367 km/h (849 mph) were achieved*

Range: 790 km (490 mi)

Service ceiling: up to 17,250 m (56,500 ft)*

Rate of climb: up to 45 m/s (8,850 ft/min)*

*Varying figures due to different tested wing configurations

Armament:

None installed; provisions for 4x 20mm Hispano Mark V autocannon in the lower front fuselage.

Depending on the mounted wing type, various external loads could be carried, including a wide range of light bombs, 75 mm (3 in) air-to-air rockets, 145 mm (5.8 in) anti-armor rockets, 150 mm (6 in) HE (high-explosive) rockets or 180 mm (7.2 in) HE anti-ship rockets. Due to the lack of complex wiring or fuel plumbing, no guided weapons or drop tanks could be mounted, though.

The kit and its assembly:

Sweden is a prolific whiffing territory, and the Saab 29 offers some interesting options. This highly modified Tunnan, which is actually rather a kitbashing than a mere model kit modification, is/was a submission to the “More or less engines” group build at whatifmodelers.com in summer 2019.

I actually had the idea of a two-engine J29 in the back of my mind for a long time, spawned by a resin conversion set for the Hasegawa B-47 Stratojet kit that came with new intakes and exhaust sections for the four engine pods. The single engine pod parts had been spent a long time ago, but the twin engine parts were still waiting for a good use. Could the exhaust fit under/into a Tunnan…?

I even had a Matchbox J29 stashed away for this experiment long ago, as well as some donor parts like the wings, and the GB eventually offered the right motivation to put those things together that no one would expect to work.

So I pulled out all the stuff and started – a rather straightforward affair. Work started with the fuselage, which was, together with the (very nice) cockpit assembled OOB at first, the nose filled with as much lead as possible and with the lower rear section cut away, so the B-47 resin jet nozzles would end up at the same position as the original RM2B exhaust. Due to the pen nib fairing between them, though, the profile of the modified tail became (visually) more massive, and I had to fill some gaps under the tail boom (with styrene sheet and putty). The twin engines also turned out to be wider than expected – I had hoped for straight flanks, but the fuselage shape ended up with considerable bulges behind the landing gear wells. These were created with parts from drop tank halves and blended into the rest of the lower hill with PSR work. In the same wake the area under the fin was sculpted and re-created, too.

At that point it became clear that I had to do more on the fuselage, esp. the front end, in order to keep the aircraft visually balance. A convenient solution became an F-100 air intake, which I grafted onto the nose instead of the original circular and round-lipped orifice – with its sharp lip the Super Sabre piece was even a plausible change! The fuselage shapes and diameters differed considerably, though, more PSR became necessary.

Next came the wings: I had already set apart a pair of trapezoid wings with a 45° sweep angle – these were left over from a PM Model Ta 183 conversion some time ago. With their odd shape and size they were a perfect match for my project, even more so due to the fact that I could keep the original J29 wing attachment points, I just had to shorten and modify the trailing edge area on the fuselage. The result was very conclusive.

With the new nose and the wings in place, the overall proportions became clearer: still tail-heavy, but not unpleasant. At this time I was also certain that I had to modify the tail surfaces. The fin was too small and did not have enough sweep for the overall look, and the stabilizer, with its thick profile, rounded edges and the single, continuous rudder did not look supersonic at all. What followed was a long search in the donor banks for suitable replacements, and I eventually came up with a MiG-15 fin (Hobby Boss) which was later clipped at the top for a less recognizable profile. The stabilizers were more challenging, though. My solution eventually became a pair of modified stabilizers from a Matchbox Buccaneer(!), attached to the MiG-15 fin.

The design problems did not stop here, though: the landing gear caused some more headaches. I wanted to keep the OOB parts, but especially the main legs would leave the aircraft with a very goofy look through a short wheelbase and a rear axis position too much forward. In an attempt to save the situation I attached swing arms to the OOB struts, moving the axis maybe 5mm backwards and widening the track by 2mm at the same time. Not much in total, but it helped (a little, even though the aircraft is still very tail-heavy)

As a final addition – since the original, wing-mounted pitots of the J29 were gone now and would not go well with the wing-switching idea – I gave the P29G a large, nose-mounted pitot and sensor boom, placed on top of the nose. This part come, like the air intake, from an F-100.

Painting and markings:

I tend to be conservative when it comes to liveries for what-if models, and the P29G is no exception. At first, I thought that this build could become an operational supersonic daylight interceptor (the J29G), so that I could give the model full military markings and maybe a camouflage paint scheme. However, this idea would not work: the potential real life window for such an aircraft, based on the Saab 29, would be very narrow. And aircraft development in the late Fifties made quantum leaps within a very short period of time: While the J29A entered service, work on the Mach 2 Saab 35 was already underway – nobody would have accepted (or needed) a Mach 1 fighter, based on late Forties technology, at that time anymore, and there was the all-weather Saab J32B around, too. The update program with new wings and a more powerful afterburner engine was all that could be done to exploit the Tunnan’s potential, resulting in the (real world’s) J29E and F variants.

I eventually decided that the J29G would only be a prototype/research aircraft, consequently called P29G, and through this decision I became more or less settled upon a NMF finish with some colorful markings. Consequently, the model was painted with various shades of metal colors, primarily Polished Aluminum Metallizer from Humbrol, but also with Humbrol 191 and Matt Aluminum Metallizer as well as ModelMaster Steel Metallizer. Around the exhaust section, I also used Revell 91 (Iron) and ModelMaster Exhaust Metallizer. Some single panels and details were painted with Revell 99 (Aluminum), and I also used generic decal material in silver to simulate some smaller access panels. Grey decal sheet was used to simulate covers for the cannon nozzles.

The cockpit interior was painted, according to Saab 29 standard, in a dark greenish-grey (Revell 67), and bluish grey was used inside of the landing gear wells (Revell 57). The pitot boom received black and white stripes.

For markings I let myself get inspired from the real world Saab 29 and 32 prototypes, which were all marked with a colored “U” tactical code on the fin and also on the front fuselage, simply meaning “Utverding” (= “Test”). I found four red decals, and I also gave the aircraft a yellow cheatline, lent from an Airfix F-86D decal sheet. The Swedish roundels come from a generic aftermarket sheet, most stencils were taken from the Revell OOB sheet and a Printscale J29 sheet.

Before the model was sealed with semi-gloss acrylic varnish from Italeri, some grinded graphite was rubbed onto the rear fuselage, adding a metallic shine and simulating exhaust stains.

A thorough conversion – this has rather evolved into a kitbashing than just a kit conversion: not much from the original Matchbox J29 has been left over. But I like the outcome, even though things developed gradually from the simple idea of changing the number of engines on the Tunnan. One thing led to another. The resulting aircraft looks quite plausible, even though I am not totally happy with the landing gear, which appears to be rather far forward, despite surgical measures to mend the situation. The Ta 183 wings are a very good match, though, and I cannot help but recognize a certain French look, maybe due to the cruciform tail and the oval air intake? The P29G could also, with Argentinian marking, have become a revised version of the FMA Pulqui II?

Members of US Naval Special Warfare Task Unit Europe (NSWTU-E) conduct maritime Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training using Colt MK 18 carbines alongside a Cypriot Underwater Demolition Team (MYK) in Cyprus, Thursday September 9th, 2021.

Joint Training in the Eastern Mediterranean is essential in maintaining interoperability and strong relationships with ally and partner nations, ensuring stability throughout the theater.

U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Patrik Orcutt

The sculpture is called the Churning of the Milk Ocean or the Scene of the Churning of the Milk Ocean. It is believed to be the place that holds the nectar of immortality, thus it portrays immortality and stability. Likewise Suvarnabhumi Airport represents the golden land/resources/prosperity/stability and eternality.

The sculpture has the statue of four-hand Narayana (Vishnu) placed on top of the Mount Madura. 9 gods are on one side and 9 demons on the opposite are pulling the king of Nagas from both sides. The turtle (Koorm Avatar) is the tortoise-incarnation of Vishnu which is the third incarnation form out of the ten forms according to the Scene of the Churning of the Milk Ocean. Koorm Avatar uses the shell to be a pivot for the churning stick. BKK airport Bangkok Thailand

NASA conducted a key stability test firing of the J-2X rocket engine Dec. 1, marking another step forward in development of the upper-stage engine that will carry humans farther into space than ever before.

The Dec. 1 test firing focused on characterizing the new engine's combustion stability, a critical area of development. During the test firing, a controlled explosion was initiated inside the engine's combustion chamber to introduce an energetic pulse of vibrations not expected during nominal operations. Data from this and future combustion stability tests will help engineers understand more about the engine's performance and robustness during engine operation.

The J-2X engine was test fired on the A-2 Test Stand at NASA's Stennis Space Center, in south Mississippi. The engine is being developed by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne for NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. It will provide upper-stage power for NASA's new Space Launch System. The SLS will carry the Orion spacecraft, its crew, cargo, equipment and science experiments to space -- providing a safe, affordable and sustainable means of reaching the moon, asteroids and other destinations in the solar system.

Read the NASA press release:

www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/j2x/stability1.html

Watch the video:

www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=...

Image credit: NASA/SSC

More about the J-2X Engine Development:

www.nasa.gov/j2x

There's a Flickr photoset about the J-2X egnine development, if you'd like to know more: www.flickr.com/photos/28634332@N05/sets/72157625345364038/

_____________________________________________

These official NASA photographs are being made available for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photographs. The photographs may not be used in materials, advertisements, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by NASA. All Images used must be credited. For information on usage rights please visit: www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelin...

OKINAWA, Japan (Aug. 27, 2020) Landing Craft, Air Cushion 30, assigned to Naval Beach Unit 7, arrives at White Beach from the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown, part of America Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit team, is operating in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners, and serves as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Taylor DiMartino)

PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 15, 2016) - An MH-60S Sea Hawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 flies above amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20). Green Bay, attached to Expeditionary Strike Group 7, is operating in the Philippine Sea in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Diana Quinlan/Released) 160915-N-WF272-519

** Interested in following U.S. Pacific Command? Engage and connect with us at www.facebook.com/pacific.command and twitter.com/PacificCommand and www.pacom.mil/ **

PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 19, 2020) - A U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft assigned to the Air Force 21st Special Operations Squadron stands by on the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group and assigned to Amphibious Squadron 11, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Walter Estrada) 201019-N-NJ919-1018

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

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

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Dec. 1, 2017) The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Tucson (SSN 770) arrives at Fleet Activities Yokosuka for a port visit. U.S. Navy port visits represent an important opportunity to promote stability and security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, demonstrate commitment to regional partners and foster relationships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian G. Reynolds/Released) (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian G. Reynolds/Released)

Dunston is particularly known for wooden coal staiths, first opened in 1893 as a structure for loading coal from the North Durham coalfield onto ships. In the 1920s, 140,000 tons of coal per week were loaded from the staiths, and they continued to be used until the 1970s. They were also a shipping point for coke produced at the nearby Norwood Coke Works, as well as pencil pitch manufactured at the Thomas Ness Tar Works using by-products from the Norwood plant and the Redheugh Gasworks. Throughout their working life, motive power for shunting wagons on the staiths and in their extensive sidings known as the Norwood Coal Yard came in the form of locomotives from Gateshead MPD. The staiths' output gradually declined with the contraction of the coal industry, and they were finally closed and partially dismantled in 1980. Now redundant, the railway lines leading to the staiths were lifted, finally allowing the demolition of several low bridges that had become a nuisance to bus operators by limiting the routes available to double-deckers in the area. For many years, the men who worked on the staiths, known as teemers (the men who released the coal from the wagons and operated the loading chutes and conveyors) and trimmers (who had the dangerous job of ensuring the stability of the colliers by levelling the load in their holds as they were filled), had their own room in the nearby Dunston Excelsior Club. For anyone not employed in the club or on the staiths, access to the room was strictly by invite only, and the staithesmen held a reputation for unceremoniously ejecting anyone who fell foul of this rule.

Garden Festival 1990

The staiths was restored and opened to the public as part of the Gateshead Garden Festival in 1990, following similar events in Liverpool (1984), Stoke-on-Trent (1986) and Glasgow (1988). The Garden Festival was divided into five zones, Norwood, Eslington, The Boulevard, Dunston and Riverside. It was spread over a large area of Dunston and the lower Team Valley, formerly occupied by heavy industries. Though other parts of the Garden Festival site, such as Dunston, (the site of the Norwood Coal Yard), Eslington, (the site of the tar works), and Norwood, (the site of the coke ovens) in the Team Valley, gained an immediate spur for regeneration, The Boulevard was left as a green space. Riverside, which was centred around the staiths and the site of the former gasworks, was derelict and inaccessible for the remainder of the 1990s, although parts of the site have now been developed into new housing.

The staiths are reputed to be the largest wooden structure in Europe, and are protected as a Listed Building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. In 2002, work began on a development of riverside apartments and houses designed by Wayne Hemingway. Known as Staiths South Bank, this development celebrates the area's heritage as well as improving the setting for the historic structure. In the early hours of 20 November 2003, a section of the staiths was destroyed by fire. As a result, access onto the Staiths themselves is not possible, but the structure can be viewed from the new riverside walkway, constructed as part of the Staiths South Bank development. In 2005 Gateshead Council commissioned a study into possible options for the Staiths' restoration. The Staiths suffered further fire damage in July 2010. Following the award of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of almost £420,000, restoration of the structure was planned in 2014 and completed by 2015. It suffered further fire damage in 2019 and on 16 May 2020.

Dunston is a western area of the town of Gateshead on the south bank of the River Tyne, in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead, North East England (into which it was absorbed in 1974). Dunston had a population of 18,326 at the 2011 Census.

History

It has been speculated that Dunston started its existence as a farm or estate of a man named Dunn. Historically part of County Durham, Dunston was first mentioned in 1328. Salmon fishing and farming were important industries in Dunston from at least the 14th century. Coal mining on a small-scale was also important but by the 17th century, the proximity of the river aided the development of large-scale coal mining in the village. During the Great Tyne Flood of 1771 villagers had to be rescued by boat from the roofs and upper stories of their houses.

Area

Dunston is served by Dunston railway station on the Tyne Valley Line.

Dunston is split into two areas separated by the A1 dual carriageway. Much of the area south of the A1 is known as Dunston Hill. For electoral purposes, the northern section is grouped along with the Teams area to form Dunston and Teams ward, while the southern section is combined with parts of Whickham, forming Dunston Hill and Whickham East.

To the west of Dunston is the site of Dunston Power Station, now demolished. The site is now home to Costco, with the MetroCentre (at this time the largest shopping and leisure complex in Europe), occupying the former site of the station's ash ponds. The Gateshead-based Go-Ahead Group has constructed a new bus depot to replace its Sunderland Road and Winlaton depots on the eastern part of the power station site. Another Dunston landmark was the Derwent Tower (commonly known as the "Dunston Rocket"), a tower block that was once the highest building in Gateshead. It was designed by the Owen Luder Partnership and completed in 1973. A well-known structure that had appeared in two films, it was demolished in 2012. It had always proved unpopular with residents, and fallen into a poor condition: Gateshead Council decided that the renovation costs would be prohibitive. As of 2016, the remainder of the late 1960s Tower Court development was being gradually replaced by new housing and shops. Luder also designed the similarly maligned Trinity Centre Multi-Storey Car Park (known for its appearance in the 1971 gangster thriller Get Carter, and now demolished) in Gateshead town centre.

On 6 June 1993 the IRA attacked a gas holder in the nearby area of Low Team. The damage was limited, and no one was injured.

Notable people

Footballers Paul Gascoigne and Ray Hudson, and the lead singer of AC/DC Brian Johnson, all spent their formative years in Dunston. Champion rower and boat-builder Harry Clasper was born in Dunston, and Victoria Hopper, the celebrated Canadian-born British stage and film actress and singer, was raised in Dunston.