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My Limited Edition Elsa 17'' Doll has been fully deboxed, and is posed standing. She is supported by the included doll stand. Her skirt and cape are opened up halfway to show off her legs and shoes. Her hair is draped over her left shoulder to show off her braids and snowflake hair jewelry. My doll is #102 of 2500. The photos in this series were all taken with built in camera flash.
Elsa is wearing her Snow Queen outfit, that is similar in design to the that of the Harrods LE 100 Elsa doll, but is less detailed. The light blue green satin inner dress is essentially the same in both dolls, but the Harrods dolls has a few more round crystals just below the bodice. The front of the bodice is covered in rectangular crystals representing icicles. The skirt has a slit for the legs and has a diminishing density of round clear rhinestones closer to the hemline. The attached oversized cape (or gown overlay) is made of double layered organza, with dark blue embroidery and jewels. It is less full and much less detailed than the Harrods cape. In particular, the icicle and snowflake embroidered patterns with the accompanying jewels are only near the edges of the cape, and there are no jewels in the area between the icicles and the snowflakes. Instead, there is a covering of clear hexagonal glitter. Fortunately, the glitter is glued very securely to the cape is sheds very little. There are also fewer blue jewels in her sheer long sleeves than on the Harrods doll.
Her high heeled blue shoes are same snowflake design as the Harrods, except that the color is a plainer blue, without the iridescence or silver paint making it look metallic. Like the Harrods Elsa, she has fixed angled feet, so she looks elegant in her high heels. Other than that, she has the same articulation as the most current Disney Store 17'' Limited Edition Princess dolls. She has ball jointed neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists and hips. Her knees are external hinge joints. She can free stand with the help of her gown, but only with great difficultly, and is very unstable in that pose, the same as with the Harrods doll. Therefore almost all the photos of her standing have her supported by the included doll stand.
She has light blonde hair that is formed into long braids. There are long curvy bangs that are combed back and heavily gelled to form a sort of crown over her head. There is a solitary curly bang on the left side of her head. She long curving rooted eyelashes, that are not as curvy or well formed as the Harrods Elsa (or the LE 2500 Anna). There are two snowflake jeweled ornaments that are sewn to her braid. The Harrods Elsa has a third snowflake on the side of her head. She has a beautiful angular face with an elfin appearance. She as large blue eyes, small pointy nose, thin deep red lips in a slight closed mouth smile, and rouge on upper cheeks. She has a few freckles on her upper cheeks, in an identical pattern to the Harrods Elsa. Her skin is a very pale purplish pink, that is smooth and dull in appearance. She is slightly paler than the Harrods doll, who has shiny pearly textured skin.
She is a very beautiful doll, with an exotic face and a commanding presence. She has a dramatic outfit that is fit for royalty. She is also very movie accurate, and well worth her price.
Notes on the back of the LE Elsa's box:
From the Movie Disney Frozen
Disney Store proudly presents the worldwide Limited Edition Elsa doll. With its intricate details, this beautifully designed doll magically captures the beauty and spirit of Elsa, from Disney's newest feature film Frozen. Inspired by the movie, Elsa's side-swept braid is adorned with intricate snowflake jewels. Sheer organza sleeves lead to a sweetheart bodice and an elongated sheer dress overlay. Shimmery ice-blue snowflake embroidery and rhinestones embellish her gorgeous gown. Designed and carefully crafted by Disney Store artists, this limited edition doll is a must-have for Disney fans and collectors alike.
Certificate of Authenticity and Display Stand included.
First look at the Limited Edition Anna and Elsa 17'' Dolls, that I purchased from the Disney Store on the release day, November 20, 2013. The dolls are LE 2500, and cost $99.95 each. They will be photographed boxed, during deboxing, and fully deboxed. They will also be posed with other comparable dolls, especially the Harrods LE 100 Anna and Elsa dolls.
Product information from the US Disney Store website:
Elsa Limited Edition Doll - 17'' - Frozen
Released online and in store on November 20, 2013
SOLD OUT online in 12 minutes
$99.95
Item No. 6070040900950P
Ice dream
Elsa will provide chills of excitement with this spectacular limited edition doll. Designed and crafted by Disney Store artists, and inspired by Disney's Frozen, Elsa's side-swept blonde braid cascades over her finely detailed gown.
Magic in the details...
Please Note: Each Guest will be limited to ordering a maximum of one of this item per order.
• Limited Edition of 2500
• Includes Certificate of Authenticity
• Sheer organza sleeves
• Sweetheart bodice detailed with reflective ''icicles''
• Elongated sheer dress overlay
• Gown detailed with shimmery ice-blue snowflake embroidery, and rhinestones
• Braided blonde hair is adorned with intricate snowflake jewels
• Rooted eyelashes
• Fully poseable
• Display stand included
• Comes in elegant window display packaging
• Inspired by Disney's Frozen
The bare necessities
• Ages 6+
• Plastic /polyester
• 17'' H
• Imported
The London Buses Incident Response Unit liveried version of CMN's Mercedes Sprinter lends itself well to fire appliance roles. This one has had its original lettering stripped off with nail varnish remover and been rebranded as an Incident Support Unit, and the rescue boat on tow is a Cararama/Schuco model. YK09 DSR is seen when brand new prior to going on the run with my fictional North Riding brigade.
Continuing the collaborative project Toy-kyo...
Our warm wishes to all the people in Japan...
Miniature Toy-kyo is doing well meanwhile.
Stay tuned for more tilt-shift digi-magic in miniature worlds!
* * *
Photo of Tokyo (view from the Sky Deck at the top of Roppongi Hills) by Hisako R
Photo of my hand - Katrin Ray
Tilt-shift processing & photomontage by Katrin Ray
* * *
The screen next to the stage shows the Gwynfor Coaches logo whiles they were sponsoring the gig for Ukraine which took place at Sioe Mon/Anglesey Showground, there were loads of Welsh bands playing and singing along to show their love for Ukraine! Been an excellent night so far! Was nice to catch up and caught along with my friends and also met a few people there as well who also attended at the concert. 9/04/22
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My 2013 Disney Parks Mermaid Ariel 12'' Doll has been completely deboxed. She is standing, supported by a Kaiser doll stand (not included with the doll), and is photographed from various angles.
The 2013 Parks Mermaid Ariel Doll has a few major changes from the 2011 Parks Mermaid Ariel Doll. She has the face and hair of the 2012 Disney Store Classic Ariel doll, which I find more attractive than the old Parks doll. She has the outfit and accessories of the old 2011 Parks doll, except that the tulle and organza overskirts have been removed. She has the body of the 2011 Parks dolls, with non-articulated arms, and rubber legs with internal knee joints and fixed angled feet. I find that the new Ariel is a more attractive and movie accurate doll. As with the old doll, the only glitter is on her shell bra, which doesn't shed. That makes the Parks doll definitely better as a play doll than the current Disney Store Ariel dolls.
Following is a detailed comparative review of the 2013 Parks Mermaid Ariel Doll versus the 2011 Parks Mermaid Ariel doll. The review is divided in various physical categories.
Head and Face: The 2013 Parks Mermaid Ariel doll has the same head and face as the 2012 Disney Store Classic Ariel doll, with a couple of minor differences. Her eyebrows are a little lighter, and the rouge on her cheeks applied more heavily. She has the same head and face mold as the 2011 Parks doll, but her face is painted very differently. Her big wide open blue green eyes are little bluer and brighter, her pupils are smaller, and more oval. She is also glancing severely to her right. The old doll was looking straight ahead, but glancing up slightly. She has a little silver eyeshadow, whereas the old doll has light pink eyeshadow. Both dolls have four eyelashes over each eye, but the new doll's lashes are much thicker and pointed more upwards. Her rusty brown eyebrows are longer and thicker. The new doll has a bit more rouge on her cheeks. She has a small straight now. She has a happy open mouthed smile, with light pink lips. The old doll has a wider mouth, with dark pink lips, and her mouth is more open. The new doll's face is prettier, livelier and more movie accurate.
Hair: The 2013 Parks Mermaid Ariel doll has the same hair as the 2012 Disney Store Classic Ariel doll, but with some significant differences. Her bright red hair waist length is mostly straight, ending in gelled curls. It is parted on her right side (opposite to that of the movie character). To keep it out of her face, it is gelled around her forehead. There is also a portion that would normally be shaped into her iconic long curving bang (as on the 2011 Parks Ariel). Instead it is tied with a rubber band, and formed into a tubular curl, to which the starfish ornament is attached (which also happens to hide the rubber band). Her hair is considerable less full than the 2012 Disney Store Ariel, and more neatly arranged, flowing past her shoulders, rather than surrounding them. The 2011 doll has the same bright red color hair, but it is a couple of inches longer, and straighter, with only gentle soft curls at the ends. She has the proper part on her left side, with the very long stiff curly bang going across her forehead to fall down the right side of her face. Despite the part on the wrong side, and the lack of the curly bang, I think the 2013 doll has more attractive hair.
Outfit: The 2013 Parks Mermaid Ariel doll has the same outfit as the 2011 Parks doll except for one major change. The floor length tulle and organza overskirt that was attached to the waist of her tail is now gone. I never cared for it, and I though it made Ariel appear like a Polynesian dancer, so I'm glad it was removed. Now Ariel looks like her normal Mermaid self. Her outfit consists of a tinseled and sequined dark green tail that is sparkly without having any glitter. There are fins at the waist and tail ends, made of glittering light green tulle. The tail fins are flat and hemmed, so they stay their shape whether she is standing or lying down. There is glitter in the fins, but it seems to bee embedded in the cloth so it doesn't shed. Her bra (or bikini top) is two layers. The base layer is green satin, that has a velcro fastener in the back, and a strap that ties behind the neck. Over the green bra is sewn a bright purple glitter covered cloth that is shaped like two clam shells.
Accessories: They 2013 Parks Mermaid Ariel doll has the same accessories as the 2011 Parks Ariel. They have a light purple hair brush with a blue green gemstone on the back. They also have a large 2 inch starfish shaped ornament in her hair, over the left side of her face. The starfish is made of green foil backed cloth and is iridescen. There is a large green gem at its center. The brush is useless for actually maintaining her hair, but the hair ornament is simple but very nice looking.
Body: Both the 2011 and 2013 Parks Mermaid Ariel dolls have the same body. The arms are not articulated. The elbows and wrists are slightly bent in fixed positions. They have rubber legs which have internal knee joints and fixed angled feet. The hip joints allow them to sit down with their legs together and back straight up. But the knees can only bend about 40 degrees, so their legs stick out when they are sitting. In their tails, the dolls stand 11 3/4 inches tall. Their skin tone is medium flesh tone.
Packaging: The 2013 Parks doll box is now rectangular, at 13'' H x 7 1/4'' W x 2 1/2'' D. The back and bottom are of double thickness cardboard, to which the doll and accessories are attached. There is a clear plastic window attached to the backing via tabs, through which the doll can be viewed from 3 sides and the top. On the back is a current Disney Princess promotional image, with background scenes from Disney Parks specific to each Princess. The box is fairly easy to take apart without damaging it, and it is sturdy and reusable.
The 2011 Parks doll box is semi-cylindrical, which measures 13 3/4'' H x 7 1/4'' W x 4'' D, so it is considerably larger than the new doll boxes. The front of the box is clear plastic, that is semi-cylindrical, so the doll can be seen from all sides except the back. The top cover is also clear plastic, and is removable. The backing with the doll attached is a separate piece that is completely removable from the box, which is necessary to debox the doll. The deboxing is trickier than for DS dolls or the 2013 Parks dolls. The box is reusable, and is sturdier than the 2013 Parks doll box.
2013 Disney Parks 12'' Princess Dolls Released in Disneyland
Disneyland Resort Anaheim (DLR) finally has the new 2013 Disney Parks 12'' Princess Dolls, which have been available in Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World since May 2013. The are still priced at $19.95 each, which is basically twice the price of the equivalent Disney Store doll (which is frequently on sale for $10 each). They are a joint release by Disney Theme Parks Merchandise (USA) and EuroDisney (Disneyland Paris).
As of June 30, 2013, DLR had 7 of the 10 new dolls available: Cinderella, Aurora, Mermaid Ariel, Wedding Ariel, Belle, Jasmine and Rapunzel. Missing were the new Snow White, Tiana and Tinker Bell. All of the old versions of the dolls were still available. They were still selling the old (2012) Merida doll that was joint Disney Store and Disney Parks release. There hasn't been a new version released by Disney Parks so far. I bought them at the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney. The Emporium on Main Street in Disneyland had no Disney Parks Princess dolls for sale.
I will photograph them boxed, during deboxing and fully deboxed. They will also be reviewed and compared with other versions of the Disney Princess dolls.
Edited advertising sign, Young Henrys Craft Beer Brewery.
I added colours other than red and deep yellow.
Sydney
For more information about this MOC, or if you want this made into an official LEGO set, click here to go to LEGO Ideas and support this project. It's free!
This Invader Zim LEGO set was designed by me and my wife. My inspiration for this set was the dome from the TMNT Kraang Lab Escape set and of course the Invader Zim show. I knew the dome would be perfect for the Voot. After a lot of trial and error, I was finally happy with the Voot and decided to make the house as well. I didn't have the pieces to build the house in real life, so I used LDD to build it. I rebuilt both the house and Voot in LeoCAD and MLCAD to get the custom coloring. Due to the custom coloring, I was unable to render this project in POVray. These renders are screenshots from LDVIEW. My wife designed the printed pieces and minifigures. She also edited the renders to include the custom printed pieces, minifigures and backgrounds.
Might have to go back to work soon, so I'm enjoying all the time I have in my Leggs Sheer Energy Active Support
Anna have been completely deboxed from the Frozen doll set, and is posing standing up, supported by a Kaiser doll stand (not included).
She has the legs that were introduced with the 2012 Disney Store Classic Princess 12'' dolls. That is, hard plastic legs with ball jointed hips, external hinged knee joints, and ball jointed ankles. Anna on the right has black plastic boots while Elsa has light blue green flat shoes. Since Anna's boots have heels, at 11 1/2'' hight she stands about 1/4'' taller than Elsa, who wears flats.
Anna's skirt and top is satin with a printed floral design. Unfortunately the dark blue skirt is unhemmed, and already has frayed edges. I'm afraid that it will start unraveling if it is handled too roughly. She has a thin pink velvet cape that has nice heart shaped closures in the front. She has a black bodice, with a light green long sleeved blouse that is sewn to the bodice. She has green velvet mittons over her hands. She has a removable gray and pink velvet cap over her head, fastened by a clear plastic band in the back. She has tall black boots with gold decoration in the front, pointy toes, and short brown heel.
Anna has a round face, with light complexion, rusty red orange medium length hair that is braided into two pigtails. Her right pigtail has a white streak. She has large green eyes that are glancing to her right, very densely packed black eyelashes, no eyeshadow, and brown and orange brows that are rather flat. Her nose and cheeks are covered in brown freckles, she has a small pointy nose, and a small mouth with very thin red lips in a slight smirk.
Anna is a beautiful and faithful reproduction of the animated character from Frozen.
Elsa and Anna 11'' Doll Set - Frozen
US Disney Store
$39.95 US
D23 Expo Exclusive
Released and purchased on Sunday, August 11, 2013
First Look
This doll set was introduced at the D23 Expo on August 11, 2013 in limited quantities. I was lucky enough to get a set (only one set was sold per Guest). I am photographing the dolls boxed, during deboxing, and fully deboxed. I have already posted a sneak peek of them fully deboxed, joining my favorite dolls on my Disney Doll Desktop Display.
They are the lead characters in the upcoming Disney animated movie Frozen, based on the The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen. The movie is scheduled to be released on November 27, 2013.
Text of the box notes:
From the movie Disney Frozen
Walt Disney Animation Studios presents the collest comedy-adventure to ever hit the big screen with Frozen. When a prophecy traps a kingdom in eternal winter, Anna, a fearless optimist, must team up with Kristoff, an extreme mountain man, and his reindeer on an epic journey to find Anna's sister, the Snow Queen Elsa, and put an end to her icy spell. Encountering mystical trolls, a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Everest-like extremes, and magic at every turn, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom from destruction.
From up left to down right :
Mystic Dolls Arielle by myself
Depth Dolls Giorria by Le Tama
Okaeri-Tadaima by La Tarte au Citron (Limë)
Brimbelle by Enaibi
Mystic Dolls Lyséria by myself
Otherside Ibyangin by Zun
Noble Dolls Rhubarbe by Asella
Otherside Gingko by Zun
I'm working on redesigning my website with a template from Bludomain, and wanted to get a few more maternity shots under my belt, so I offered up my services for free. I met a wonderful couple this morning who were more than happy to trade for prints.
Commentary.
Early morning sun catches part of the foreshore
of the idyllic fishing village of Inveraray.
Inveraray is a, purpose-built, 18th. Century,
fishing village on the western shore of Loch Fyne.
Tucked away in Loch Shira Bay
it is a small but picturesque town,
popular with tourists.
A “New Town” expansion has developed
half a mile to the south of the “Old Town.”
Designed by William Adam, its final appearance was
enhanced by Robert Mylne.
This view, is from near to Strone Point,
part of Loch Shira Bay.
Loch Fyne, an immense sea-loch, almost 50 miles long,
is renowned for its fish and shellfish.
Herrings in the form of Smoked Kippers
and Oysters are two of its best-liked exports.
This amazing loch, over four miles wide in places,
also supports Dogfish, Cod and Whiting
as well as Dolphins, Seals, and Basking Sharks.
Such a spectacular and fascinating environment.
+++ DISCLAIMER +++
Nothing you see here is real, even though the conversion or the presented background story might be based on historical facts. BEWARE!
Some background:
The OV-10 Bronco was initially conceived in the early 1960s through an informal collaboration between W. H. Beckett and Colonel K. P. Rice, U.S. Marine Corps, who met at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, and who also happened to live near each other. The original concept was for a rugged, simple, close air support aircraft integrated with forward ground operations. At the time, the U.S. Army was still experimenting with armed helicopters, and the U.S. Air Force was not interested in close air support.
The concept aircraft was to operate from expedient forward air bases using roads as runways. Speed was to be from very slow to medium subsonic, with much longer loiter times than a pure jet. Efficient turboprop engines would give better performance than piston engines. Weapons were to be mounted on the centerline to get efficient aiming. The inventors favored strafing weapons such as self-loading recoilless rifles, which could deliver aimed explosive shells with less recoil than cannons, and a lower per-round weight than rockets. The airframe was to be designed to avoid the back blast.
Beckett and Rice developed a basic platform meeting these requirements, then attempted to build a fiberglass prototype in a garage. The effort produced enthusiastic supporters and an informal pamphlet describing the concept. W. H. Beckett, who had retired from the Marine Corps, went to work at North American Aviation to sell the aircraft.
The aircraft's design supported effective operations from forward bases. The OV-10 had a central nacelle containing a crew of two in tandem and space for cargo, and twin booms containing twin turboprop engines. The visually distinctive feature of the aircraft is the combination of the twin booms, with the horizontal stabilizer that connected them at the fin tips. The OV-10 could perform short takeoffs and landings, including on aircraft carriers and large-deck amphibious assault ships without using catapults or arresting wires. Further, the OV-10 was designed to take off and land on unimproved sites. Repairs could be made with ordinary tools. No ground equipment was required to start the engines. And, if necessary, the engines would operate on high-octane automobile fuel with only a slight loss of power.
The aircraft had responsive handling and could fly for up to 5½ hours with external fuel tanks. The cockpit had extremely good visibility for both pilot and co-pilot, provided by a wrap-around "greenhouse" that was wider than the fuselage. North American Rockwell custom ejection seats were standard, with many successful ejections during service. With the second seat removed, the OV-10 could carry 3,200 pounds (1,500 kg) of cargo, five paratroopers, or two litter patients and an attendant. Empty weight was 6,969 pounds (3,161 kg). Normal operating fueled weight with two crew was 9,908 pounds (4,494 kg). Maximum takeoff weight was 14,446 pounds (6,553 kg).
The bottom of the fuselage bore sponsons or "stub wings" that improved flight performance by decreasing aerodynamic drag underneath the fuselage. Normally, four 7.62 mm (.308 in) M60C machine guns were carried on the sponsons, accessed through large forward-opening hatches. The sponsons also had four racks to carry bombs, pods, or fuel. The wings outboard of the engines contained two additional hardpoints, one per side. Racked armament in the Vietnam War was usually seven-shot 2.75 in (70 mm) rocket pods with white phosphorus marker rounds or high-explosive rockets, or 5" (127 mm) four-shot Zuni rocket pods. Bombs, ADSIDS air-delivered/para-dropped unattended seismic sensors, Mk-6 battlefield illumination flares, and other stores were also carried.
Operational experience showed some weaknesses in the OV-10's design. It was significantly underpowered, which contributed to crashes in Vietnam in sloping terrain because the pilots could not climb fast enough. While specifications stated that the aircraft could reach 26,000 feet (7,900 m), in Vietnam the aircraft could reach only 18,000 feet (5,500 m). Also, no OV-10 pilot survived ditching the aircraft.
The OV-10 served in the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy, as well as in the service of a number of other countries. In U.S. military service, the Bronco was operated until the early Nineties, and obsoleted USAF OV-10s were passed on to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms for anti-drug operations. A number of OV-10As furthermore ended up in the hands of the California Department of Forestry (CDF) and were used for spotting fires and directing fire bombers onto hot spots.
This was not the end of the OV-10 in American military service, though: In 2012, the type gained new attention because of its unique qualities. A $20 million budget was allocated to activate an experimental USAF unit of two airworthy OV-10Gs, acquired from NASA and the State Department. These machines were retrofitted with military equipment and were, starting in May 2015, deployed overseas to support Operation “Inherent Resolve”, flying more than 120 combat sorties over 82 days over Iraq and Syria. Their concrete missions remained unclear, and it is speculated they provided close air support for Special Forces missions, esp. in confined urban environments where the Broncos’ loitering time and high agility at low speed and altitude made them highly effective and less vulnerable than helicopters.
Furthermore, these Broncos reputedly performed strikes with the experimental AGR-20A “Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS)”, a Hydra 70-millimeter rocket with a laser-seeking head as guidance - developed for precision strikes against small urban targets with little collateral damage. The experiment ended satisfactorily, but the machines were retired again, and the small unit was dissolved.
However, the machines had shown their worth in asymmetric warfare, and the U.S. Air Force decided to invest in reactivating the OV-10 on a regular basis, despite the overhead cost of operating an additional aircraft type in relatively small numbers – but development and production of a similar new type would have caused much higher costs, with an uncertain time until an operational aircraft would be ready for service. Re-activating a proven design and updating an existing airframe appeared more efficient.
The result became the MV-10H, suitably christened “Super Bronco” but also known as “Black Pony”, after the program's internal name. This aircraft was derived from the official OV-10X proposal by Boeing from 2009 for the USAF's Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance requirement. Initially, Boeing proposed to re-start OV-10 manufacture, but this was deemed uneconomical, due to the expected small production number of new serial aircraft, so the “Black Pony” program became a modernization project. In consequence, all airframes for the "new" MV-10Hs were recovered OV-10s of various types from the "boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.
While the revamped aircraft would maintain much of its 1960s-vintage rugged external design, modernizations included a completely new, armored central fuselage with a highly modified cockpit section, ejection seats and a computerized glass cockpit. The “Black Pony” OV-10 had full dual controls, so that either crewmen could steer the aircraft while the other operated sensors and/or weapons. This feature would also improve survivability in case of incapacitation of a crew member as the result from a hit.
The cockpit armor protected the crew and many vital systems from 23mm shells and shrapnel (e. g. from MANPADS). The crew still sat in tandem under a common, generously glazed canopy with flat, bulletproof panels for reduced sun reflections, with the pilot in the front seat and an observer/WSO behind. The Bronco’s original cargo capacity and the rear door were retained, even though the extra armor and defensive measures like chaff/flare dispensers as well as an additional fuel cell in the central fuselage limited the capacity. However, it was still possible to carry and deploy personnel, e. g. small special ops teams of up to four when the aircraft flew in clean configuration.
Additional updates for the MV-10H included structural reinforcements for a higher AUW and higher g load maneuvers, similar to OV-10D+ standards. The landing gear was also reinforced, and the aircraft kept its ability to operate from short, improvised airstrips. A fixed refueling probe was added to improve range and loiter time.
Intelligence sensors and smart weapon capabilities included a FLIR sensor and a laser range finder/target designator, both mounted in a small turret on the aircraft’s nose. The MV-10H was also outfitted with a data link and the ability to carry an integrated targeting pod such as the Northrop Grumman LITENING or the Lockheed Martin Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP). Also included was the Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver (ROVER) to provide live sensor data and video recordings to personnel on the ground.
To improve overall performance and to better cope with the higher empty weight of the modified aircraft as well as with operations under hot-and-high conditions, the engines were beefed up. The new General Electric CT7-9D turboprop engines improved the Bronco's performance considerably: top speed increased by 100 mph (160 km/h), the climb rate was tripled (a weak point of early OV-10s despite the type’s good STOL capability) and both take-off as well as landing run were almost halved. The new engines called for longer nacelles, and their circular diameter markedly differed from the former Garrett T76-G-420/421 turboprop engines. To better exploit the additional power and reduce the aircraft’s audio signature, reversible contraprops, each with eight fiberglass blades, were fitted. These allowed a reduced number of revolutions per minute, resulting in less noise from the blades and their tips, while the engine responsiveness was greatly improved. The CT7-9Ds’ exhausts were fitted with muzzlers/air mixers to further reduce the aircraft's noise and heat signature.
Another novel and striking feature was the addition of so-called “tip sails” to the wings: each wingtip was elongated with a small, cigar-shaped fairing, each carrying three staggered, small “feather blade” winglets. Reputedly, this installation contributed ~10% to the higher climb rate and improved lift/drag ratio by ~6%, improving range and loiter time, too.
Drawing from the Iraq experience as well as from the USMC’s NOGS test program with a converted OV-10D as a night/all-weather gunship/reconnaissance platform, the MV-10H received a heavier gun armament: the original four light machine guns that were only good for strafing unarmored targets were deleted and their space in the sponsons replaced by avionics. Instead, the aircraft was outfitted with a lightweight M197 three-barrel 20mm gatling gun in a chin turret. This could be fixed in a forward position at high speed or when carrying forward-firing ordnance under the stub wings, or it could be deployed to cover a wide field of fire under the aircraft when it was flying slower, being either slaved to the FLIR or to a helmet sighting auto targeting system.
The original seven hardpoints were retained (1x ventral, 2x under each sponson, and another pair under the outer wings), but the total ordnance load was slightly increased and an additional pair of launch rails for AIM-9 Sidewinders or other light AAMs under the wing tips were added – not only as a defensive measure, but also with an anti-helicopter role in mind; four more Sidewinders could be carried on twin launchers under the outer wings against aerial targets. Other guided weapons cleared for the MV-10H were the light laser-guided AGR-20A and AGM-119 Hellfire missiles, the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System upgrade to the light Hydra 70 rockets, the new Laser Guided Zuni Rocket which had been cleared for service in 2010, TV-/IR-/laser-guided AGM-65 Maverick AGMs and AGM-122 Sidearm anti-radar missiles, plus a wide range of gun and missile pods, iron and cluster bombs, as well as ECM and flare/chaff pods, which were not only carried defensively, but also in order to disrupt enemy ground communication.
In this configuration, a contract for the conversion of twelve mothballed American Broncos to the new MV-10H standard was signed with Boeing in 2016, and the first MV-10H was handed over to the USAF in early 2018, with further deliveries lasting into early 2020. All machines were allocated to the newly founded 919th Special Operations Support Squadron at Duke Field (Florida). This unit was part of the 919th Special Operations Wing, an Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the United States Air Force. It was assigned to the Tenth Air Force of Air Force Reserve Command and an associate unit of the 1st Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). If mobilized the wing was gained by AFSOC (Air Force Special Operations Command) to support Special Tactics, the U.S. Air Force's special operations ground force. Similar in ability and employment to Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC), U.S. Army Special Forces and U.S. Navy SEALs, Air Force Special Tactics personnel were typically the first to enter combat and often found themselves deep behind enemy lines in demanding, austere conditions, usually with little or no support.
The MV-10Hs are expected to provide support for these ground units in the form of all-weather reconnaissance and observation, close air support and also forward air control duties for supporting ground units. Precision ground strikes and protection from enemy helicopters and low-flying aircraft were other, secondary missions for the modernized Broncos, which are expected to serve well into the 2040s. Exports or conversions of foreign OV-10s to the Black Pony standard are not planned, though.
General characteristics:
Crew: 2
Length: 42 ft 2½ in (12,88 m) incl. pitot
Wingspan: 45 ft 10½ in(14 m) incl. tip sails
Height: 15 ft 2 in (4.62 m)
Wing area: 290.95 sq ft (27.03 m²)
Airfoil: NACA 64A315
Empty weight: 9,090 lb (4,127 kg)
Gross weight: 13,068 lb (5,931 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 17,318 lb (7,862 kg)
Powerplant:
2× General Electric CT7-9D turboprop engines, 1,305 kW (1,750 hp) each,
driving 8-bladed Hamilton Standard 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) diameter constant-speed,
fully feathering, reversible contra-rotating propellers with metal hub and composite blades
Performance:
Maximum speed: 390 mph (340 kn, 625 km/h)
Combat range: 198 nmi (228 mi, 367 km)
Ferry range: 1,200 nmi (1,400 mi, 2,200 km) with auxiliary fuel
Maximum loiter time: 5.5 h with auxiliary fuel
Service ceiling: 32.750 ft (10,000 m)
13,500 ft (4.210 m) on one engine
Rate of climb: 17.400 ft/min (48 m/s) at sea level
Take-off run: 480 ft (150 m)
740 ft (227 m) to 50 ft (15 m)
1,870 ft (570 m) to 50 ft (15 m) at MTOW
Landing run: 490 ft (150 m)
785 ft (240 m) at MTOW
1,015 ft (310 m) from 50 ft (15 m)
Armament:
1x M197 3-barreled 20 mm Gatling cannon in a chin turret with 750 rounds ammo capacity
7x hardpoints for a total load of 5.000 lb (2,270 kg)
2x wingtip launch rails for AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs
The kit and its assembly:
This fictional Bronco update/conversion was simply spawned by the idea: could it be possible to replace the original cockpit section with one from an AH-1 Cobra, for a kind of gunship version?
The basis is the Academy OV-10D kit, mated with the cockpit section from a Fujimi AH-1S TOW Cobra (Revell re-boxing, though), chosen because of its “boxy” cockpit section with flat glass panels – I think that it conveys the idea of an armored cockpit section best. Combining these parts was not easy, though, even though the plan sound simple. Initially, the Bronco’s twin booms, wings and stabilizer were built separately, because this made PSR on these sections easier than trying the same on a completed airframe. One of the initial challenges: the different engines. I wanted something uprated, and a different look, and I had a pair of (excellent!) 1:144 resin engines from the Russian company Kompakt Zip for a Tu-95 bomber at hand, which come together with movable(!) eight-blade contraprops that were an almost perfect size match for the original three-blade props. Biggest problem: the Tu-95 nacelles have a perfectly circular diameter, while the OV-10’s booms are square and rectangular. Combining these parts and shapes was already a messy PST affair, but it worked out quite well – even though the result rather reminds of some Chinese upgrade measure (anyone know the Tu-4 copies with turboprops? This here looks similar!). But while not pretty, I think that the beafier look works well and adds to the idea of a “revived” aircraft. And you can hardly beat the menacing look of contraprops on anything...
The exotic, so-called “tip sails” on the wings, mounted on short booms, are a detail borrowed from the Shijiazhuang Y-5B-100, an updated Chinese variant/copy of the Antonov An-2 biplane transporter. The booms are simple pieces of sprue from the Bronco kit, the winglets were cut from 0.5mm styrene sheet.
For the cockpit donor, the AH-1’s front section was roughly built, including the engine section (which is a separate module, so that the basic kit can be sold with different engine sections), and then the helicopter hull was cut and trimmed down to match the original Bronco pod and to fit under the wing. This became more complicated than expected, because a) the AH-1 cockpit and the nose are considerably shorter than the OV-10s, b) the AH-1 fuselage is markedly taller than the Bronco’s and c) the engine section, which would end up in the area of the wing, features major recesses, making the surface very uneven – calling for massive PSR to even this out. PSR was also necessary to hide the openings for the Fujimi AH-1’s stub wings. Other issues: the front landing gear (and its well) had to be added, as well as the OV-10 wing stubs. Furthermore, the new cockpit pod’s rear section needed an aerodynamical end/fairing, but I found a leftover Academy OV-10 section from a build/kitbashing many moons ago. Perfect match!
All these challenges could be tackled, even though the AH-1 cockpit looks surprisingly stout and massive on the Bronco’s airframe - the result looks stockier than expected, but it works well for the "Gunship" theme. Lots of PSR went into the new central fuselage section, though, even before it was mated with the OV-10 wing and the rest of the model.
Once cockpit and wing were finally mated, the seams had to disappear under even more PSR and a spinal extension of the canopy had to be sculpted across the upper wing surface, which would meld with the pod’s tail in a (more or less) harmonious shape. Not an easy task, and the fairing was eventually sculpted with 2C putty, plus even more PSR… Looks quite homogenous, though.
After this massive body work, other hardware challenges appeared like small distractions. The landing gear was another major issue because the deeper AH-1 section lowered the ground clearance, also because of the chin turret. To counter this, I raised the OV-10’s main landing gear by ~2mm – not much, but it was enough to create a credible stance, together with the front landing gear transplant under the cockpit, which received an internal console to match the main landing gear’s length. Due to the chin turret and the shorter nose, the front wheel retracts backwards now. But this looks quite plausible, thanks to the additional space under the cockpit tub, which also made a belt feed for the gun’s ammunition supply believable.
To enhance the menacing look I gave the model a fixed refueling boom, made from 1mm steel wire and a receptor adapter sculpted with white glue. The latter stuff was also used add some antenna fairings around the hull. Some antennae, chaff dispensers and an IR decoy were taken from the Academy kit.
The ordnance came from various sources. The Sidewinders under the wing tips were taken from an Italeri F-16C/D kit, they look better than the missiles from the Academy Bronco kit. Their launch rails came from an Italeri Bae Hawk 200. The quadruple Hellfire launchers on the underwing hardpoints were left over from an Italeri AH-1W, and they are a perfect load for this aircraft and its role. The LAU-10 and -19 missile pods on the stub wings were taken from the OV-10 kit.
Painting and markings:
Finding a suitable and somewhat interesting – but still plausible – paint scheme was not easy. Taking the A-10 as benchmark, an overall light grey livery (with focus on low contrast against the sky as protection against ground fire) would have been a likely choice – and in fact the last operational American OV-10s were painted in this fashion. But in order to provide a different look I used the contemporary USAF V-22Bs and Special Operations MC-130s as benchmark, which typically carry a darker paint scheme consisting of FS 36118 (suitably “Gunship Gray” :D) from above, FS 36375 underneath, with a low, wavy waterline, plus low-viz markings. Not spectacular, but plausible – and very similar to the late r/w Colombian OV-10s.
The cockpit tub became Dark Gull Grey (FS 36231, Humbrol 140) and the landing gear white (Revell 301).
The model received an overall black ink washing and some post-panel-shading, to liven up the dull all-grey livery. The decals were gathered from various sources, and I settled for black USAF low-viz markings. The “stars and bars” come from a late USAF F-4, the “IP” tail code was tailored from F-16 markings and the shark mouth was taken from an Academy AH-64. Most stencils came from another Academy OV-10 sheet and some other sources.
Decals were also used to create the trim on the propeller blades and markings on the ordnance.
Finally, the model was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish (Italeri) and some exhaust soot stains were added with graphite along the tail boom flanks.
A successful transplantation – but is this still a modified Bronco or already a kitbashing? The result looks quite plausible and menacing, even though the TOW Cobra front section appears relatively massive. But thanks to the bigger engines and extended wing tips the proportions still work. The large low-pressure tires look a bit goofy under the aircraft, but they are original. The grey livery works IMHO well, too – a more colorful or garish scheme would certainly have distracted from the modified technical basis.
Again, another picture from work. Just can't stop seeing images. I was told to get a count of these cylinders and send them back to the manufacture because they were out of tolerances. I started to stand them up on my red work table so it would be easier to count them. While I was standing them up I began to see a pattern appear. Counted and the break buzzer blew. Ha now is my chance (legal)! I rearranged them a little and snapped a few shots.
This one came out the best, a little cropping and tweaking in P.S. and this is what I came up with.
What do you think?
I got this capture from Jason , who thought i should share it in my photo-stream for a laugh.... ~ ENJOY ~ xxxx Michelle..
Barry Callebaut invited two brave female managers from Côte d'Ivoire to visit its factory in Wieze/Belgium and talked about their challenges on the ground: “Barry Callebaut fully supports women empowerment activities, and wants to give role models like Marie Zae Zea and N’Goran née Brou Oussu a forum to share their knowledge and expertise. People like them inspire us and are key to making the cocoa supply chain more sustainable,” says Erika De Vos, HR Director of Barry Callebaut Belgium.
MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (Oct. 22, 2018) - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Ryan Pallas, a CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 463, stands by after donning his gas mask prior to a Helicopter Support Team (HST) exercise at Landing Zone Westfield, Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The HST exercise is targeted to make the landing support specialists with Combat Logistics Battalion 3 and HMH-463 pilots more proficient in the case they need to quickly extract an object. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Zachary Orr) 181022-M-ZO893-1045
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Vessel BIBBY POLARIS (IMO: 9187526, MMSI: 232585000) is an offshore support vessel built in 1998 and currently sailing under the flag of United Kingdom. BIBBY POLARIS has 114m length overall and beam of 22m. Her gross tonnage is 8234 tons
GENERAL
Built May 1998
Flag British
Class Det Norske Veritas
+1A1 , EO,DSVIII / DSVI, SF, Dynpos AUTRO,
ERN (99,99,98), HELDK, (DK+)
Description Diving Support Vessel
Compliance with MODU Code and MOU Regulations
GMDSS Area A3
Official No. 901941
Call Sign M Y K R 6
IMO No. 918 7526
MMSI No. 232 585 000
DnV No. 20600
Selcall No. 47425
Gross Tonnage 8234
Nett Tonnage 2471
Deadweight (Summer) about 5,500 tonnes
DIMENSIONS
Length OA 113.57 m
Length BP 107.35 m
Breadth Mld. 22.00 m
Depth Mld. 9.50 m
Draught (Summer) 6.75 m
PERFORMANCE / CONSUMPTION
Service Speed 11.00kt.
CARGO AREAS
Working Deck Dims. 35 m x 21 m (abt.)
Working Deck Area 700 m² (abt.)
Deck Strength 5 tonnes / m²
Deck Load 1,500 tonnes (abt.)
One Carousel installed below aft deck
TANK CAPACITIES
Fuel Oil 1,300 m3 (abt.)
Potable Water 460 m3 (abt.)
STABILISATION
Intering Active Roll Reduction System (1 x tank)
ACCOMMODATION
Wheelhouse and accommodation fully air conditioned.
Total Berths 104
Hospital 1 Berth
Gymnasium Yes
Charterer’s spaces including Suites, Operations areas and Survey / Work Type areas.
HELIDECK
Load Capability Cleaned for EC225 (11.0t)
D Value 19.5 m
Heli-reception and full emergency equipment.
Built on a 7th century monastery site founded by St Fiachre resides a ruined 12th century romanesque nave and chancel church. The arched doorway is of particular interest with many carved features, including very worn masks.
We took a drive into the city and walked around the newly opened up Red Zone area, New Regent Street, April 24, 2013, Christchurch New Zealand.
Mercifully the Grand Old Lady of Christchurch Theatre just about survived the massive earthquakes and considerable aftershocks that rocked the city in 2010 & 2011
She is now well on the way to full restoration and repair, with the current target of April 2014 for reopening. Some extensive earthquake strengthening work undertaken in 1998/99 without doubt saved this 100 year old Heritage building from complete collapse but some significant deconstruction was required to secure the remaining structure and protect the key interior and exterior heritage elements.
The rebuilt and restored Isaac Theatre Royal will once again rise like the shining star she is on Gloucester Street in 2014.
Fro More Info: www.isaactheatreroyal.co.nz/TheatreHistory/EarthquakeUpda...
Deboxing Moana. The doll and accessories have been removed from the backing. Moana still has various factory restraints on her, and is supported by the included display stand. Then the large plastic support piece behind her is removed.
Here are detailed photos of my Disney Store Limited Edition Moana 17 inch doll, boxed and deboxed. She is #1531 of 6500. I also got a spare Moana that I will leave mint in box, but I haven't looked to see what edition number that doll has.
She has mock sand on her feet, and there is also sand on the base for Pua. Somewhat like glitter, the sand does shed, and found its way on the sides of the box, and on the doll itself. Some of the sand on the tips of her toes also got rubbed off.
Moana has a unique body, but is fully articulated. She has ball jointed neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles. Instead of the chest joint that are on most of the female Disney Store 17 inch LE dolls, Moana has a waist pivot joint that allows her upper torso to spin around 360 degrees. This is similar to the Designer Princess waist joint, but is lower down her back, just above her butt. That is doubtless due to her bare midriff. With large her flat feet, Moana can free stand very stably. But I think that some of her joints are a little too loose, especially her waist joint.
Her body proportions are also unique for a Disney LE doll, but that is due to those of the animated character herself. In particular, her arms and legs are thicker than the other LE Princess dolls. Rather than the flat hands of the other LE Princess dolls, Moana has curved hands, which I think look more natural. Her face is very pretty and a very good likeness of the animated character. She has thick eyebrows, big brown eyes glancing to her upper right. She has short painted eyelashes, but no rooted eyelashes (like the LE Merida dolls). She has a large flat nose, and full dark brown lips in a closed mouth smile.
She has dark brown wavy hair that has a lot of hair product, so it feels a bit crunchy. Some of her hair was actually stuck to the plastic support, her body and her clothes, due to the hair product not being fully dry when she was assembled. There was also some bits of tissue paper stuck to her hair.
She has a garland of cloth leaves and plastic flowers on her head, It is permanently attached to her head. There are plastic leafy bands around her left arm and both ankles. The arm band was rather loose, and I had to keep on moving it back up her arm. I think it could use a rubber band to keep it tight, which I don't think I accidently cut when deboxing her. Her ankle bands did have rubber bands around them. She has a beaded plastic necklace with a shell pendant that opens. I removed the large rubber band around her upper chest and the plastic support that kept the pendent attached to her top. But I left the rubber bands that kept the upper part of the necklace in place. She has an short satin orange top with white beaded decoration. There is a matching belt or sash around her hips, over her skirt. Her skirt has two woven layers, with a straw underskirt.
Pua is very stable on the sand dune base (and there are indentations in the base to show where to place him). Hei Hei can free stand on Pua's head, but you have to place him very carefully, using the indentations on Pua's head as a guide. He can also be made secure by a rubberband around Pua's head and over Hei Hei's feet.
Moana's oar is placed on her left side in the box, but the way the handle is formed on the oar, it fits most easily on her right hand (to our left when she faces us).