Knowing the basics.
Living by the sea one see's loads of yachts and boats, including the odd sail ship. Over the years I have missed quite a few of them either in Swansea Bay, and the Bristol Channel and many other parts of the UK and Ireland.
There are a few films on classic yachts and some of them may be original trawlers, since the trawler started life in this part of the world anyway. Sail ship deign is strange enough still improving, but it was in the early 19th Century, that the Clipper came to its fore. Ships like the 'Cutty Sark, which has now been restored and is at Greenwich in London by the River Thames.
She was built in Dumbarton Scotland in 1869, weighing 921 tons and was 212 feet long. Her hey day was in carrying tea from China to the Port of London in 100 days and at a speed of about average 16 knots.
The basic sail layout of these ships had developed from one main sail and a few smaller one to the three-four mast tall riggers. Ships like the Cutty Sark ended their days in the wool industry from Australia and the introduction of steam power and the opening of the Suez canal in Egypt.
Tuesday 28 January 2014
Tuesday 21 January 2014
Eurocopter EC-135/145.
Most Versatile.
The EC-135 is perhaps one of the most reliable and versatile helicopters ever built. Used by the emergency services, police, air ambulances, line inspections it is fuel officiant and has good seating options for a compact light machine.
As far as I know military versions are in use in other countries. The helicopter has built up a reputation of being it is easy to operate for the trained pilots and push around.
This was all very true up until the Glasgow, Scotland crash on the Clutha pub. We still do not know the cause of this tragic crash, it has been suggested it ran out of fuel? Normally the most feared failure in a helicopter is the Jesus nut in the rotor area.
It's called the Jesus nut, because when it fails you will be calling on his name.
So we will have to wait and see what the enquiry into this crash finds.
Since the grounding of the EC-135, I have only seen the Wales Air Ambulance G-WASN make two dashes over Swansea City. But I have not seen the Heddlu pronounced (Hethli)/police G-WONN flying.
The EC-145 is a slightly larger version and I expect it uses similar components to the EC-135.
Tuesday 4th March 2014.
It would seem that the EC-135's are back flying again with the Police and Air Ambulance services.
The EC-135 is perhaps one of the most reliable and versatile helicopters ever built. Used by the emergency services, police, air ambulances, line inspections it is fuel officiant and has good seating options for a compact light machine.
As far as I know military versions are in use in other countries. The helicopter has built up a reputation of being it is easy to operate for the trained pilots and push around.
This was all very true up until the Glasgow, Scotland crash on the Clutha pub. We still do not know the cause of this tragic crash, it has been suggested it ran out of fuel? Normally the most feared failure in a helicopter is the Jesus nut in the rotor area.
It's called the Jesus nut, because when it fails you will be calling on his name.
So we will have to wait and see what the enquiry into this crash finds.
Since the grounding of the EC-135, I have only seen the Wales Air Ambulance G-WASN make two dashes over Swansea City. But I have not seen the Heddlu pronounced (Hethli)/police G-WONN flying.
The EC-145 is a slightly larger version and I expect it uses similar components to the EC-135.
Tuesday 4th March 2014.
It would seem that the EC-135's are back flying again with the Police and Air Ambulance services.
Tuesday 14 January 2014
The Class 66/1-9.
General Motors Locomotive.
The Class 66 Locomotive (12N-710G3B-EC) has been perhaps the best ever to have entered service in Britain. This Canadian built engine is the backbone of most freight operations in the UK.
(Northern-Ireland Translink jointly owns their Class 201's with the Republic of Ireland. Thirty-four were delivered to Ireland from 1994-95, but most of these are now withdrawn apart from the Dublin to Belfast Enterprise service and the Dublin to Cork service. Ireland has replaced them with state of the art South-Korean DMU's).
Over four-hundred locomotives have been purchased since they were first introduced in 1998-2008. They have proved to be an invaluable asset, working all types of freight duties from coal trains to container freight. You will see them nearly in every part of the country, working day and night.
Two versions were built for the UK, the JT42CWR and JT42CWRM low emissions engines. Some of the British loco's were sent to France to work in the Channel tunnel crossings, but I think all these have now returned. Meanwhile the first delivered have been withdrawn for servicing and assigned to other workings.
Speed and weights vary between the Irish and British versions. IR locos worked 90-100mph and weighed 112 tonnes. British version had a top speed of 87.5 mph, but were restricted to 60-75mph. their weight was heavier at 127 tonnes.
The Class 66 Locomotive (12N-710G3B-EC) has been perhaps the best ever to have entered service in Britain. This Canadian built engine is the backbone of most freight operations in the UK.
(Northern-Ireland Translink jointly owns their Class 201's with the Republic of Ireland. Thirty-four were delivered to Ireland from 1994-95, but most of these are now withdrawn apart from the Dublin to Belfast Enterprise service and the Dublin to Cork service. Ireland has replaced them with state of the art South-Korean DMU's).
Over four-hundred locomotives have been purchased since they were first introduced in 1998-2008. They have proved to be an invaluable asset, working all types of freight duties from coal trains to container freight. You will see them nearly in every part of the country, working day and night.
Two versions were built for the UK, the JT42CWR and JT42CWRM low emissions engines. Some of the British loco's were sent to France to work in the Channel tunnel crossings, but I think all these have now returned. Meanwhile the first delivered have been withdrawn for servicing and assigned to other workings.
Speed and weights vary between the Irish and British versions. IR locos worked 90-100mph and weighed 112 tonnes. British version had a top speed of 87.5 mph, but were restricted to 60-75mph. their weight was heavier at 127 tonnes.
Tuesday 7 January 2014
The Automobile. Part-Three.
What is a Motor car and how will it progress?
Despite energy problems around the globe, I do not think the car/automobile has seen its day just yet. The car is basically a metal carriage with a mechanical powered engine and all that is required to maintain power and wastes, fuel and fumes.
Since the conception of the car in the 19th century, it is still built on the same mechanical engineering principles. Engines may be more powerful, new fuels developed and new deigned body shells with fancy comfortable interiors. But they are all the same in that everything is similar to what was.
The future of the car will depend on the public response to those people who drive like idiots, kill innocent people, break the speed limits and are reckless. Otherwise the car still has so much going for it, operations in remote areas. The ability to be adapted for invalid use, emergency vehicles and delivery usage.
Despite energy problems around the globe, I do not think the car/automobile has seen its day just yet. The car is basically a metal carriage with a mechanical powered engine and all that is required to maintain power and wastes, fuel and fumes.
Since the conception of the car in the 19th century, it is still built on the same mechanical engineering principles. Engines may be more powerful, new fuels developed and new deigned body shells with fancy comfortable interiors. But they are all the same in that everything is similar to what was.
The future of the car will depend on the public response to those people who drive like idiots, kill innocent people, break the speed limits and are reckless. Otherwise the car still has so much going for it, operations in remote areas. The ability to be adapted for invalid use, emergency vehicles and delivery usage.
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