Multi-Role Amphibians.
Military requirements for their need to mover troops and other equipment means that they have to be far different from civil or commercial vehicles. Most military trucks are higher from the ground and today the amphibious capability, even on limited scale is a standard requirement.
The British army at one point relied on a limited number of home built British designs from Bedford TM 6-6 to heavy lifters and recovery such as the Scammel and Foden Alpha A36R. But today with the international market being so open and the various alliances which have had to be formed over the years to fight various wars and International terrorism the choice is limitless.
The German Man HX77 8x8 and Japanese/U.S. Izuzu-Okhosh has been one of the biggest providers to the U.K., with Japan providing other specialist trucks. These trucks are required to move Main battle tanks and missiles, from Nuclear to Surface to surface.
Many trucks are used for munitions re-supply, recovery, and hauling field artillery. ambulances, chemical, radioactive and biological units, radio, radar, and other command and communications.
But many Bedford and Foden's are still in use, by the British and have been exported to the commonwealth and other buyers.
Tuesday 29 December 2015
Tuesday 22 December 2015
Snow Patrol. Part-Two.
The elusive white Stuff.
This year the Britain, Ireland and Northern Europe are experiencing some of the warmest winter temperatures on record. But in the southern-hemisphere New Zealand and Antarctica, the warmest also for their summer.
Santa must of forgot something this year?
Despite the lack of snow here, America and Canada are having severe storms and drifting and even their specialised machines cannot operate because of the heigth of the drifts. Despite many clever designs that are available, there are just times when non of them can get out and do their thing.
Many modern snow ploughs now, do much more than shovel snow, they can heat the tracks, sand, de-ice and brush a path through. Italy-Switzerland employ such trains daily to keep their mountain railways open. Some of these machines have been adapted to work on air crafts, allowing them to continue to operate in snow and ice conditions.
This year the Britain, Ireland and Northern Europe are experiencing some of the warmest winter temperatures on record. But in the southern-hemisphere New Zealand and Antarctica, the warmest also for their summer.
Santa must of forgot something this year?
Despite the lack of snow here, America and Canada are having severe storms and drifting and even their specialised machines cannot operate because of the heigth of the drifts. Despite many clever designs that are available, there are just times when non of them can get out and do their thing.
Many modern snow ploughs now, do much more than shovel snow, they can heat the tracks, sand, de-ice and brush a path through. Italy-Switzerland employ such trains daily to keep their mountain railways open. Some of these machines have been adapted to work on air crafts, allowing them to continue to operate in snow and ice conditions.
Tuesday 15 December 2015
Space Exploration. Part-Two.
2015 A great Year.
A British man in Space, the July Pluto flyby, Pictures from a Comet and Mars seen from three views. Most people don't even bother looking up at the sky, day or night. Sometimes its the occasional drunk who claims to have seen more than one Moon!
But for may others it is the closet that we will perhaps for some time yet get into space? Just a pair of Binoculars and you open your eyes to see ponderous things, from nearby planets to distant stars and galaxies.
One may also see the International Space Station and other man made objects. The Moon is the nearest object to view, we only see one side of it because it does not rotate. Venus and Mars are next, followed by the gas giants, Jupiter, and Saturn.
Other wise we can visit the Indian, European, Russian and NASA websites to see the feast of what these many robotic craft are doing in space and on Mars.
A British man in Space, the July Pluto flyby, Pictures from a Comet and Mars seen from three views. Most people don't even bother looking up at the sky, day or night. Sometimes its the occasional drunk who claims to have seen more than one Moon!
But for may others it is the closet that we will perhaps for some time yet get into space? Just a pair of Binoculars and you open your eyes to see ponderous things, from nearby planets to distant stars and galaxies.
One may also see the International Space Station and other man made objects. The Moon is the nearest object to view, we only see one side of it because it does not rotate. Venus and Mars are next, followed by the gas giants, Jupiter, and Saturn.
Other wise we can visit the Indian, European, Russian and NASA websites to see the feast of what these many robotic craft are doing in space and on Mars.
Tuesday 8 December 2015
Cumbria, Ireland and Scotland Floods.
Rescue Services
This past week the United Kingdom and Ireland suffered severely from the aftermath of Atlantic storm Desmond, with winds well over 120 mph and severe flooding. Many people were stranded and cut off in their homes without power. Carlisle was the worst effected with a large part of the city under 5-9 feet of water. The east-coast rail line was also flooded between Preston and Glasgow, I think for the first time?
The R.N.L.I. was the main force employed with rescue boats to ferry out the old and those who were either disabled or ill. Other services such as the Coast Guard, mountain rescue and military provided helicopters for those really bad areas.
Fourteen inches of rain fell in a 39 hour period across these islands and most rivers could not cope, even with recent improved defences. There will be many questions in relation to infrastructure and did the building of banks and glass walls really help?
Money will always be the main issue in these matters and perhaps the failure to dredge rivers is one of the main problems, apart from building on low level land to the water table.
The inflatable comes into its own in these types of flood condition, there were also many other small boats involved with outboard engines.
This past week the United Kingdom and Ireland suffered severely from the aftermath of Atlantic storm Desmond, with winds well over 120 mph and severe flooding. Many people were stranded and cut off in their homes without power. Carlisle was the worst effected with a large part of the city under 5-9 feet of water. The east-coast rail line was also flooded between Preston and Glasgow, I think for the first time?
The R.N.L.I. was the main force employed with rescue boats to ferry out the old and those who were either disabled or ill. Other services such as the Coast Guard, mountain rescue and military provided helicopters for those really bad areas.
Fourteen inches of rain fell in a 39 hour period across these islands and most rivers could not cope, even with recent improved defences. There will be many questions in relation to infrastructure and did the building of banks and glass walls really help?
Money will always be the main issue in these matters and perhaps the failure to dredge rivers is one of the main problems, apart from building on low level land to the water table.
The inflatable comes into its own in these types of flood condition, there were also many other small boats involved with outboard engines.
Tuesday 1 December 2015
FMA IA 58 Pucara
An Argentine Winner.
Argentina had until recently a well established, but limited aviation industry. It has over the years built many successful types and made various adaptions of others from light aircraft to combat jets and civil airliners. In fact in the 1950's it developed probably the best aviation jet fighter of the day and if they had developed it to today, they would of won the Falklands war.
The Pucara is one of those interesting oddities in the aviation world, developed in 1969 for counter-insurgency operations (COIN). This twin-engined Astazou turboprop aircraft looks like a Beech King Air, in its layout. But it can operate from very short rough airfields and is was known for its amazing manoeuvrability, it was used extensively during the Falklands war in 1982.
The FMA IA 58 is armed with one 20mm cannon and four other machine guns, was capable of carrying 1,500Kg bombs of three pylons. Maximum speed is 500Km/h (300Mph) and a range of 3,042 Km (1,925 miles). Size. Span 14.5m, Length 14.5m.
One aircraft was captured by the British RAF and remains in the U.K. as a victory capture. I have filmed this aircraft seen flying over Swansea, S-Wales. U.K.
Argentina had until recently a well established, but limited aviation industry. It has over the years built many successful types and made various adaptions of others from light aircraft to combat jets and civil airliners. In fact in the 1950's it developed probably the best aviation jet fighter of the day and if they had developed it to today, they would of won the Falklands war.
The Pucara is one of those interesting oddities in the aviation world, developed in 1969 for counter-insurgency operations (COIN). This twin-engined Astazou turboprop aircraft looks like a Beech King Air, in its layout. But it can operate from very short rough airfields and is was known for its amazing manoeuvrability, it was used extensively during the Falklands war in 1982.
The FMA IA 58 is armed with one 20mm cannon and four other machine guns, was capable of carrying 1,500Kg bombs of three pylons. Maximum speed is 500Km/h (300Mph) and a range of 3,042 Km (1,925 miles). Size. Span 14.5m, Length 14.5m.
One aircraft was captured by the British RAF and remains in the U.K. as a victory capture. I have filmed this aircraft seen flying over Swansea, S-Wales. U.K.
Tuesday 24 November 2015
Snow Patrol. Part-One.
Vehicle Adaptions.
There is money in snow, one has only to ask the Swiss, French and Austrians!
Many vehicles have been adapted to work in snowy conditions, while many more have been specifically designed to operate all the time. Caterpillar tracks have the great advantage over the wheel in moving through snow and ice, but there is much more to this area than one might think!
Many vehicles can be fitted with snow ploughs and they have a limited use in clearing roads to rails, but the problems only start when the snow freezes and is extremely difficult to shift. Many early types started life as military vehicles (British Army Viking) and are now standard civilian vehicles used in a huge variety of ways from utility to scientific research.
Skies work great, when the surface is flat and smooth with many aircraft and helicopters being capable of operations in high mountains and winter flying conditions. Kamov Ka-32
There is money in snow, one has only to ask the Swiss, French and Austrians!
Many vehicles have been adapted to work in snowy conditions, while many more have been specifically designed to operate all the time. Caterpillar tracks have the great advantage over the wheel in moving through snow and ice, but there is much more to this area than one might think!
Many vehicles can be fitted with snow ploughs and they have a limited use in clearing roads to rails, but the problems only start when the snow freezes and is extremely difficult to shift. Many early types started life as military vehicles (British Army Viking) and are now standard civilian vehicles used in a huge variety of ways from utility to scientific research.
Skies work great, when the surface is flat and smooth with many aircraft and helicopters being capable of operations in high mountains and winter flying conditions. Kamov Ka-32
Tuesday 17 November 2015
Fire Engines. Part-Three.
Aviation and at Sea.
Every airport across the world has employed specialist fire engines to deal with burning aviation fuel. We generally see this as foam being sprayed from powerful jets, it from years of gathered experience that this method has become a standard.
Meanwhile fires at sea are extremely dangerous and can be fatal on most types of shipping, if they are not brought under control very quickly. It is the good old faithful Tugboat that has become the mainstay of the sea fire man. These vessels handle much more than towing and assisting shipping, they are fitted with extremely powerful jets and carry large tanks of sea water, than can be continually refilled.
Both in aviation and sea fire, much was learned from the Battle of Britain and the bombing by Nazi-Germany's Luftwaffe of the Port of London docks during World-War-II (1939-45). Tugboat on the river Thames were the most vital piece of sophisticated equipment at the time in fire fighting.
Every airport across the world has employed specialist fire engines to deal with burning aviation fuel. We generally see this as foam being sprayed from powerful jets, it from years of gathered experience that this method has become a standard.
Meanwhile fires at sea are extremely dangerous and can be fatal on most types of shipping, if they are not brought under control very quickly. It is the good old faithful Tugboat that has become the mainstay of the sea fire man. These vessels handle much more than towing and assisting shipping, they are fitted with extremely powerful jets and carry large tanks of sea water, than can be continually refilled.
Both in aviation and sea fire, much was learned from the Battle of Britain and the bombing by Nazi-Germany's Luftwaffe of the Port of London docks during World-War-II (1939-45). Tugboat on the river Thames were the most vital piece of sophisticated equipment at the time in fire fighting.
Tuesday 10 November 2015
Fire Engines. Part-Two.
Specialist vehicles.
New York was the first skyscraper city and Paris had its Eiffel tower, but as the 20th Century progressed Hong Kong, Tokyo and Dubai would see the popularity of having the race for the highest tower blocks. Nothing different was thought of in the west until 9/11, but Moscow had to cope with the various Chechen militant attacks five years earlier which killed hundreds of people.
Japan has set in place specialist vehicles to deal with Earthquakes and high towers, if they are not fully evacuated. Claims have been made in the U.K. and U.S. that they have various hydraulics to rescue people in the event of a fire from high-rise buildings. There are so many problems with getting ladders up to great heights, wind is one and mechanical failure is another.
Many of these vehicle types are based around the eight-wheel chassis of military transports and the up to twenty-wheel civil telescopic cranes. in the future It it better to fit some form of emergency elevators/lifts to securely evacuate buildings in the future and we just do not really know anything until that dreadful event should occur.
New York was the first skyscraper city and Paris had its Eiffel tower, but as the 20th Century progressed Hong Kong, Tokyo and Dubai would see the popularity of having the race for the highest tower blocks. Nothing different was thought of in the west until 9/11, but Moscow had to cope with the various Chechen militant attacks five years earlier which killed hundreds of people.
Japan has set in place specialist vehicles to deal with Earthquakes and high towers, if they are not fully evacuated. Claims have been made in the U.K. and U.S. that they have various hydraulics to rescue people in the event of a fire from high-rise buildings. There are so many problems with getting ladders up to great heights, wind is one and mechanical failure is another.
Many of these vehicle types are based around the eight-wheel chassis of military transports and the up to twenty-wheel civil telescopic cranes. in the future It it better to fit some form of emergency elevators/lifts to securely evacuate buildings in the future and we just do not really know anything until that dreadful event should occur.
Tuesday 3 November 2015
Fire Engines. Part-One.
Bonfires.
In a few days time, the emergency services will be stretched to their limit dealing with bonfire night and the madness of some people. Here in Wales the Fire Brigade has to deal with regular arsonists every dry period, lighting gorse fires.
But generally Halloween and Guy Fawkes night 31st October and the 5th November are the big nights. The need for a fire truck has been around probably ever since man could carry water on a cart? But it is really only in the last 200 years that some type of what we term 'Fire Engines have been developed to deal with house fires.
In the United States they are known as ladders, because they had to deal with tenement fires and later the early 19th Century sky scrapers. The first horse drawn tankers took full advantage of water pumping systems and were able to cope, despite being very limited. it was not until the 1920's that the first motorised trucks were designed as we see them today.
In a few days time, the emergency services will be stretched to their limit dealing with bonfire night and the madness of some people. Here in Wales the Fire Brigade has to deal with regular arsonists every dry period, lighting gorse fires.
But generally Halloween and Guy Fawkes night 31st October and the 5th November are the big nights. The need for a fire truck has been around probably ever since man could carry water on a cart? But it is really only in the last 200 years that some type of what we term 'Fire Engines have been developed to deal with house fires.
In the United States they are known as ladders, because they had to deal with tenement fires and later the early 19th Century sky scrapers. The first horse drawn tankers took full advantage of water pumping systems and were able to cope, despite being very limited. it was not until the 1920's that the first motorised trucks were designed as we see them today.
Tuesday 27 October 2015
Rockets. Part-Two.
From the ancient Chinese to Halloween.
Fire works were developed by the Chinese initially for the pleasure, very much as they are used today to mark a celebration or event globally.
But for a time the humble firework became a weapon from ancient China-Mongolia to the 17th Century French. The British Royal navy, and the U.S developed it as a distress flare.
The rocket came to its fore as a serious artillery piece during World-War-II (1939-45) where all allied and Axis sides had their own versions. Soviet Russia really when for the rocket from its Katyshka platforms to the BM-21 which remains in service across the world.
The humble firework today still finds other uses such as in demonstrations with the police and in pipe-bombs by most terrorists and other criminal groupings.
Fire works were developed by the Chinese initially for the pleasure, very much as they are used today to mark a celebration or event globally.
But for a time the humble firework became a weapon from ancient China-Mongolia to the 17th Century French. The British Royal navy, and the U.S developed it as a distress flare.
The rocket came to its fore as a serious artillery piece during World-War-II (1939-45) where all allied and Axis sides had their own versions. Soviet Russia really when for the rocket from its Katyshka platforms to the BM-21 which remains in service across the world.
The humble firework today still finds other uses such as in demonstrations with the police and in pipe-bombs by most terrorists and other criminal groupings.
Tuesday 20 October 2015
Coaching Stock. Part-Three.
Engineering to Specialist Stock.
Generally when everyday coaching stock comes to the end of its life, it is either sold on or scrapped. But some coaching stock is kept for a new lease of life in the engineering side of the railways, while others become track recording and various measurement vehicles.
This type of stock in Great Britain is generally painted yellow, while in other countries they will have their own schemes. Some older locomotives are also kept in a pool known as Departmental for special duties and for back up, if new trains have power failures.
Many of these trains also work on behalf of the military, with unlisted movements at night and other government work.
They also operate on lines that are no longer listed on maps, but if you are in the know or are good at hunching then you might be able to film one?
Generally when everyday coaching stock comes to the end of its life, it is either sold on or scrapped. But some coaching stock is kept for a new lease of life in the engineering side of the railways, while others become track recording and various measurement vehicles.
This type of stock in Great Britain is generally painted yellow, while in other countries they will have their own schemes. Some older locomotives are also kept in a pool known as Departmental for special duties and for back up, if new trains have power failures.
Many of these trains also work on behalf of the military, with unlisted movements at night and other government work.
They also operate on lines that are no longer listed on maps, but if you are in the know or are good at hunching then you might be able to film one?
Tuesday 13 October 2015
Rockets. Part-One.
1938 to the Present.
The German V2 rocket was the first intercontinental ballistic missile targeted from Southern-Denmark to London. In 1957 Soviet Russia changed the world with Sputnik, the first signal received from Space. The 1960's marked out the Space race from Gagarin to the Space shuttle and the establishment of the International space station (ISS).
Today we have the Internet and space communications, satellite TV, GPS and many other things, due to the development of the rocket. On the other side we have nuclear weapons from Trident here in the U.K. to many other sophisticated U.S and Russian counterparts. Missile warfare is now standard, ad seen in the Middle-East with captured Surface to air SCUD systems and we hear of Iran testing a newer system nearly every month.
The German V2 rocket was the first intercontinental ballistic missile targeted from Southern-Denmark to London. In 1957 Soviet Russia changed the world with Sputnik, the first signal received from Space. The 1960's marked out the Space race from Gagarin to the Space shuttle and the establishment of the International space station (ISS).
Today we have the Internet and space communications, satellite TV, GPS and many other things, due to the development of the rocket. On the other side we have nuclear weapons from Trident here in the U.K. to many other sophisticated U.S and Russian counterparts. Missile warfare is now standard, ad seen in the Middle-East with captured Surface to air SCUD systems and we hear of Iran testing a newer system nearly every month.
Tuesday 6 October 2015
Volksvagen Camper Vans. Part-Two.
Pleasure to Icon.
The VW brand has a shaded history in the twenth-century and has now come in for more dishonesty in relation to its cars having the abilty to give false readings. I expect we will be hearing more about this for a long time yet, because many manufacturers are telling lies about the performance of their machines!
Todays models of the classic camper are far more advanced and one feels that something has been lost in the box designs compared to that of the 1950', 60's vehicles. VW originally developed this van for its West-German paramilitary police in several chassis versions and all were based on World War-II ideas to improve thier amphibious scout car.
In 1946 the iconic shape was developed to run along side that of the Beattle car and they both were extremly sucessfull in taking the world market for sales.
The main reason being both had simple constructed engines that were easy to fix and manintain and the parts were also cheap.
The VW brand has a shaded history in the twenth-century and has now come in for more dishonesty in relation to its cars having the abilty to give false readings. I expect we will be hearing more about this for a long time yet, because many manufacturers are telling lies about the performance of their machines!
Todays models of the classic camper are far more advanced and one feels that something has been lost in the box designs compared to that of the 1950', 60's vehicles. VW originally developed this van for its West-German paramilitary police in several chassis versions and all were based on World War-II ideas to improve thier amphibious scout car.
In 1946 the iconic shape was developed to run along side that of the Beattle car and they both were extremly sucessfull in taking the world market for sales.
The main reason being both had simple constructed engines that were easy to fix and manintain and the parts were also cheap.
Tuesday 29 September 2015
Cessna C-172/C-41.
Most prolific aircraft Everbuilt.
The Cessna aviation company in the United States is one of the most prolific and successful for design and durability. Here we are going to look at this little light aircrat, which can be used for various multi-roles from Liason to Utility. From Training to Light Attack, and the there are hosts of other applications for this four seater.
Concieved in the 1950's this aircraft remains in production and is licence built in France by Reims, it is cheap to buy and to operate and is used by nearly every airforce, police and border security across the globe. It has enormous success in the civil market from pleasure flying to photographic observation and many more business and government uses.
It can be lightly armed with a 7.62mm gun pod and two to four rocket pods, some aircraft have been converted to operate with floats, while others as air ambulances or flying doctors. Developed from the O-1 Bird Dog a World-War-II design which came to fruitition in the late 1940's it is one of several designs that continue to operate such as the 152, Stationair, Caravan-I/II and the 337/0-2.
The Cessna aviation company in the United States is one of the most prolific and successful for design and durability. Here we are going to look at this little light aircrat, which can be used for various multi-roles from Liason to Utility. From Training to Light Attack, and the there are hosts of other applications for this four seater.
Concieved in the 1950's this aircraft remains in production and is licence built in France by Reims, it is cheap to buy and to operate and is used by nearly every airforce, police and border security across the globe. It has enormous success in the civil market from pleasure flying to photographic observation and many more business and government uses.
It can be lightly armed with a 7.62mm gun pod and two to four rocket pods, some aircraft have been converted to operate with floats, while others as air ambulances or flying doctors. Developed from the O-1 Bird Dog a World-War-II design which came to fruitition in the late 1940's it is one of several designs that continue to operate such as the 152, Stationair, Caravan-I/II and the 337/0-2.
Segways.
The Two wheel Wonder.
The Segway is taking the world by suprise from the streets of the Czech Republic captial Prague to Thailands Bankok International airport. But many are now wondering how safe are these gyrocope controlled vehicles?
The Segway is perhaps the most prolific developmnet to compare to the invention of the bicyle, but it remains not as good and versatile as the bike. No seat and it is limited to short distant travel and depends very much on human balance technique.
With the further development of solar panels and digital guidance and stability platforms the Segway will perhaps have a further inpact, but it will in no way surpass the bicyle!
The Segway is taking the world by suprise from the streets of the Czech Republic captial Prague to Thailands Bankok International airport. But many are now wondering how safe are these gyrocope controlled vehicles?
The Segway is perhaps the most prolific developmnet to compare to the invention of the bicyle, but it remains not as good and versatile as the bike. No seat and it is limited to short distant travel and depends very much on human balance technique.
With the further development of solar panels and digital guidance and stability platforms the Segway will perhaps have a further inpact, but it will in no way surpass the bicyle!
Tuesday 15 September 2015
Hunters of the Sea. Part-One.
Fishing Industry.
Have you seen the two recent programmes on television in relation to what fishermen get up to at sea? The Catch and Trawler Wars open to the general public where our hake and cod today comes from and the risk endured daily by crews in all weathers at sea.
Fishing vessels come in all sizes from small one man and his fishing rod to factory ships, but generally they are in the Trawler class. These classes of vessels vary from nation to nation in how they are built and laid out, but they basically all try to do the same thing.
These two programmes and I am sure their are many other, reveal that the fishing industry is surviving on the edge. European quota's and many other International agreements do not benefit fishermen from individual nations, because it now allows others to fish in their waters and vise versa.
Have you seen the two recent programmes on television in relation to what fishermen get up to at sea? The Catch and Trawler Wars open to the general public where our hake and cod today comes from and the risk endured daily by crews in all weathers at sea.
Fishing vessels come in all sizes from small one man and his fishing rod to factory ships, but generally they are in the Trawler class. These classes of vessels vary from nation to nation in how they are built and laid out, but they basically all try to do the same thing.
These two programmes and I am sure their are many other, reveal that the fishing industry is surviving on the edge. European quota's and many other International agreements do not benefit fishermen from individual nations, because it now allows others to fish in their waters and vise versa.
Tuesday 8 September 2015
North-American Railroads. Part-One.
La Fayette to Amtrak.
To cover the United States and Canada is one thing, but in this series we will also look at Mexico. Amtrak is currently the main civilian passenger company for long-haul rail travel, while a few companies remain in the freight business.
America has a long history of the railroads, following on from the United Kingdom and France 10 years after they were first invented. American carriage design has found itself employed on the British London Underground from 1911. meanwhile many early smaller locomotives were sent to Ireland for various narrow gauge adaptions.
The firsts trains brought from the U.K and France were as basic as you could get them, with carriages being adopted from the wild west stagecoach.
To cover the United States and Canada is one thing, but in this series we will also look at Mexico. Amtrak is currently the main civilian passenger company for long-haul rail travel, while a few companies remain in the freight business.
America has a long history of the railroads, following on from the United Kingdom and France 10 years after they were first invented. American carriage design has found itself employed on the British London Underground from 1911. meanwhile many early smaller locomotives were sent to Ireland for various narrow gauge adaptions.
The firsts trains brought from the U.K and France were as basic as you could get them, with carriages being adopted from the wild west stagecoach.
Tuesday 1 September 2015
Space Exploration. Part-One.
New Discoveries.
I don't know about you! But I am fascinated by Space exploration from the Moon landings to this day I like to follow all the press releases from NASA, the Russians and the Europeans ESA. plus now we have the new additions of China and India to also view.
Since July Pluto the furthest out planet has been reclassified as a planet, after it was discovered to have a 80 km thick methane atmosphere by the New Horizons probe. The plutonian system has also five moons, while on Pluto moving ice shelves were also discovered.
Ceres in the asteroid belt has some strange bright spots and a pyramid shaped mountain. Recent closer flybys have revealed more of them, but still no explanation to what they might be?
Meanwhile ESA images from Philae on a hurtling comet has revealed mass water ejections, as it nears the Sun. The Mars Rover Curiosity has discovered silica deposits and has had to back track its route up Mount Sharp. This discovery rises the possibility greatly in the search for fossils
Last of all Russians trusted Progress robotic supply ship has softened relations between it and the United States. because there is now no other alternative way to supply the ISS, International Space station.
I don't know about you! But I am fascinated by Space exploration from the Moon landings to this day I like to follow all the press releases from NASA, the Russians and the Europeans ESA. plus now we have the new additions of China and India to also view.
Since July Pluto the furthest out planet has been reclassified as a planet, after it was discovered to have a 80 km thick methane atmosphere by the New Horizons probe. The plutonian system has also five moons, while on Pluto moving ice shelves were also discovered.
Ceres in the asteroid belt has some strange bright spots and a pyramid shaped mountain. Recent closer flybys have revealed more of them, but still no explanation to what they might be?
Meanwhile ESA images from Philae on a hurtling comet has revealed mass water ejections, as it nears the Sun. The Mars Rover Curiosity has discovered silica deposits and has had to back track its route up Mount Sharp. This discovery rises the possibility greatly in the search for fossils
Last of all Russians trusted Progress robotic supply ship has softened relations between it and the United States. because there is now no other alternative way to supply the ISS, International Space station.
Tuesday 25 August 2015
Tugboats. Part-Three.
Gas/Oil Rig Support Tugs.
These are perhaps some of the largest tugs that are in operation today around the world, they perform the moving of Rig platforms from builder shipyard to deployment for drilling in their various fields. Recently two tugs of this class came from the west of Ireland Bellmullet Gas field to Swansea Bay, the Mainport Ash and the Sentinel Star.
In recent filming one can compare the sizes of these vessels compared to the local Svitzer tugboats who deal with Bulk Carriers in and out of the Port Talbot roads, serving the TATA steel works.
This is where the money is today in tugboat work from large shipping to the oil and gas industry. I noticed in a recent TV programme that India was still using the older steam tugboats, that Britain had in the 1950s.
Meanwhile some of the former Svitzer Tugs have now been sold to the Ukraine and are operating in the Black Sea from Odessa.
These are perhaps some of the largest tugs that are in operation today around the world, they perform the moving of Rig platforms from builder shipyard to deployment for drilling in their various fields. Recently two tugs of this class came from the west of Ireland Bellmullet Gas field to Swansea Bay, the Mainport Ash and the Sentinel Star.
In recent filming one can compare the sizes of these vessels compared to the local Svitzer tugboats who deal with Bulk Carriers in and out of the Port Talbot roads, serving the TATA steel works.
This is where the money is today in tugboat work from large shipping to the oil and gas industry. I noticed in a recent TV programme that India was still using the older steam tugboats, that Britain had in the 1950s.
Meanwhile some of the former Svitzer Tugs have now been sold to the Ukraine and are operating in the Black Sea from Odessa.
Tuesday 18 August 2015
Ballooning.
First solar powered.
We tend to forget about the balloon in the age of machines, but it was the balloon (Montpelier's) that opened modern society to aviation well before the invention of the (Wright brothers) aeroplane. Today ballooning is a major sport and can be a dangerous pursuit.
Recently Bristol University in England have been the first to develop the totally Solar powered balloon and fly it safely, this a a major breakthrough that will perhaps spread to Micro-Lights and Gliders/Hand-Gliders in the near future.
Solar scientists in Wales have been developing a flexible solar panel skin and I had wondered if this had been Incorporated into the Bristol project.
We tend to forget about the balloon in the age of machines, but it was the balloon (Montpelier's) that opened modern society to aviation well before the invention of the (Wright brothers) aeroplane. Today ballooning is a major sport and can be a dangerous pursuit.
Recently Bristol University in England have been the first to develop the totally Solar powered balloon and fly it safely, this a a major breakthrough that will perhaps spread to Micro-Lights and Gliders/Hand-Gliders in the near future.
Solar scientists in Wales have been developing a flexible solar panel skin and I had wondered if this had been Incorporated into the Bristol project.
Tuesday 11 August 2015
Wales Airshow 2015. Part-Three.
Military Armour.
This like many other airshows throught the United Kingdom is about fresh recruitment to the British Armed forces and apart from the aircraft on show were a variety of military vehicles from heavey armour such as the Vickers Challenger-II Main Battle Tank boasting a 122mm gun to various logistics vehicles Mack refuelling tanker, MAN trucks, and the Okohosh heavy transport.
The Supacat Coyote 4x4 three man armoured car and the Alvis Scimitar with a 30mm canon, which is part of the Scorpion tracked Armoured Reconnaisance family. The Vickers AS90 Self-Porpelled Gun 155mm was another of the heavies, in service since 1986.
There were reported to be a Warrior APC and 105mm field Artillery on display, but I did not see them! There wer also a selection of Land Rovers and Range Rovers both Army and RAF and various Civil Scania tank and heavey transporters.
This like many other airshows throught the United Kingdom is about fresh recruitment to the British Armed forces and apart from the aircraft on show were a variety of military vehicles from heavey armour such as the Vickers Challenger-II Main Battle Tank boasting a 122mm gun to various logistics vehicles Mack refuelling tanker, MAN trucks, and the Okohosh heavy transport.
The Supacat Coyote 4x4 three man armoured car and the Alvis Scimitar with a 30mm canon, which is part of the Scorpion tracked Armoured Reconnaisance family. The Vickers AS90 Self-Porpelled Gun 155mm was another of the heavies, in service since 1986.
There were reported to be a Warrior APC and 105mm field Artillery on display, but I did not see them! There wer also a selection of Land Rovers and Range Rovers both Army and RAF and various Civil Scania tank and heavey transporters.
Tuesday 4 August 2015
Security and Paramilitary Vehicles. Part-One.
Specialist Field.
Armies tend to have heavy vehicles for serious fighting, but not all conflict situation develop into full scale wars and so to meet this need the police are armed. From Northern-Ireland to South-Africa and many other places from Colombia to East-Timor these specially adapted light armoured cars have been developed.
Shorts developed a land rover into an small four wheel Armoured Personnel carrier, known as the Simba, which has seen service in various versions from the early 1970's to the present day, where they are now painted white.
During the 'Troubles 1969 to 1999 these vehicles were painted Grey and deployed to all riot situations, which of were of a sectarian or anti-British nature and the RUC had to keep the two sides apart, backed up by the British army. The vehicles sadly where no match in the countryside for IRA landmines.
Many of these vehicles have since laid the basis for the British Army Snatch Rovers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan along with the Supa Cats. Meanwhile there are several different types exported worldwide one being the Dav'id used in Israel by the Border police.
Armies tend to have heavy vehicles for serious fighting, but not all conflict situation develop into full scale wars and so to meet this need the police are armed. From Northern-Ireland to South-Africa and many other places from Colombia to East-Timor these specially adapted light armoured cars have been developed.
Shorts developed a land rover into an small four wheel Armoured Personnel carrier, known as the Simba, which has seen service in various versions from the early 1970's to the present day, where they are now painted white.
During the 'Troubles 1969 to 1999 these vehicles were painted Grey and deployed to all riot situations, which of were of a sectarian or anti-British nature and the RUC had to keep the two sides apart, backed up by the British army. The vehicles sadly where no match in the countryside for IRA landmines.
Many of these vehicles have since laid the basis for the British Army Snatch Rovers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan along with the Supa Cats. Meanwhile there are several different types exported worldwide one being the Dav'id used in Israel by the Border police.
Tuesday 28 July 2015
Wales Airshow 2015. Part-Two.
Aircraft.
The Red Arrows in their stylish painted BAE Systems Hawks are a regular, despite the dull weather. The RAF Eurofighter Typhoon stole the show with its victory roles and tight manoeuvres, while classics such as the Hawker Hunter and the Avro Vulcan bomber made noisy performances.
Visitors were the Royal Jordanian display team who were only seen prior to the weekend show, the Czech L-29 Delphin showed off what it could do. it being one of the lesser known combat fighters of the Warsaw Pact during the 'Cold War years.
An Auto-Gyro was pleasant to watch and so the helicopters of the Royal Navy AW-159 Wildcats, Sea King WS-61 SAR, RAF Boeing-Vertol Chinook and the AS-355 Squirrel DHFS. A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan flew over prior to the drop of the Tigers Parachute team.
The local Swansea Ospreys in their five Vans RV-8s replaced the Royal Jordanians.
The Red Arrows in their stylish painted BAE Systems Hawks are a regular, despite the dull weather. The RAF Eurofighter Typhoon stole the show with its victory roles and tight manoeuvres, while classics such as the Hawker Hunter and the Avro Vulcan bomber made noisy performances.
Visitors were the Royal Jordanian display team who were only seen prior to the weekend show, the Czech L-29 Delphin showed off what it could do. it being one of the lesser known combat fighters of the Warsaw Pact during the 'Cold War years.
An Auto-Gyro was pleasant to watch and so the helicopters of the Royal Navy AW-159 Wildcats, Sea King WS-61 SAR, RAF Boeing-Vertol Chinook and the AS-355 Squirrel DHFS. A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan flew over prior to the drop of the Tigers Parachute team.
The local Swansea Ospreys in their five Vans RV-8s replaced the Royal Jordanians.
Tuesday 21 July 2015
Tugboats. Part-Two.
A different kind of Life.
It takes a certain kind of person to work on the tugboat, 'Hours and hours of boredom, interrupted by moments of sheer terror.' It is not a job for the faint hearted, crews are expected to go out in all weathers and work on the outside of the boat with the chains even in very rough seas.
The tugboat is designed with a glass tower for the crew to see all around them at all times. In 1900 two classes of tugboats were introduced and improved paddle and a steamer and these were no real changes until 1950. In the war years 1939-45 there were some adaptions made to handle larger warships and older boats started to be withdrawn.
In 1950 boats went from steam to the diesel and so ended the 'days of the 'Puffing Billy.' With post war shipping and the introduction of the Super Tankers new designs had to made to handle these huge sea vessels. It has been a slow history for the tugboat, because there were no big changes in the shipping world until the late 1950s.
It takes a certain kind of person to work on the tugboat, 'Hours and hours of boredom, interrupted by moments of sheer terror.' It is not a job for the faint hearted, crews are expected to go out in all weathers and work on the outside of the boat with the chains even in very rough seas.
The tugboat is designed with a glass tower for the crew to see all around them at all times. In 1900 two classes of tugboats were introduced and improved paddle and a steamer and these were no real changes until 1950. In the war years 1939-45 there were some adaptions made to handle larger warships and older boats started to be withdrawn.
In 1950 boats went from steam to the diesel and so ended the 'days of the 'Puffing Billy.' With post war shipping and the introduction of the Super Tankers new designs had to made to handle these huge sea vessels. It has been a slow history for the tugboat, because there were no big changes in the shipping world until the late 1950s.
Tuesday 14 July 2015
Wales Airshow 2015. Part-One.
'One of the Best.'
The south-Cymru/Wales city of Abertawe/Swansea this year hosted again one of the best free Airshows over the 12th-13th July. It was packed with aircraft, military vehicles and many other side shows and events and was topped off by the Red Arrows display team of nine BAE System Hawk Jets, who are always popular.
Friday practise day had the best weather, the weekend getting gradually greyer and greyer but the rain held off. The Avro Vulcan B1 was the biggest of the Jets, while the Boeing Chinook was the largest helicopter to fly. The Battle of Britain memorial flight was only made up of the two classic fighters of World War-II (1939-45) the Hurricane and the sleek Spitfire.
Other visitors were a Hunter jet fighter, a Czech Aero L-29 Delfin, the RAF Eurofighter Typhoon which boomed Swansea. Helicopters were the Augusta/Westland AS-159 Wildcats, AS350BB, and the Royal Navy rescue WS-61 Sea King. The parachute drop was made from a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan and there was a Auto gyro display. The Royal Jordanians were only seen by me mid week practising, but five Vans V-8s of the local Team Osprey did their thing and the RAF sent a Grob G115. Tutor to show off.
The south-Cymru/Wales city of Abertawe/Swansea this year hosted again one of the best free Airshows over the 12th-13th July. It was packed with aircraft, military vehicles and many other side shows and events and was topped off by the Red Arrows display team of nine BAE System Hawk Jets, who are always popular.
Friday practise day had the best weather, the weekend getting gradually greyer and greyer but the rain held off. The Avro Vulcan B1 was the biggest of the Jets, while the Boeing Chinook was the largest helicopter to fly. The Battle of Britain memorial flight was only made up of the two classic fighters of World War-II (1939-45) the Hurricane and the sleek Spitfire.
Other visitors were a Hunter jet fighter, a Czech Aero L-29 Delfin, the RAF Eurofighter Typhoon which boomed Swansea. Helicopters were the Augusta/Westland AS-159 Wildcats, AS350BB, and the Royal Navy rescue WS-61 Sea King. The parachute drop was made from a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan and there was a Auto gyro display. The Royal Jordanians were only seen by me mid week practising, but five Vans V-8s of the local Team Osprey did their thing and the RAF sent a Grob G115. Tutor to show off.
Tuesday 7 July 2015
The Value of Exhibitions, Display and Shows.
Moving and Static.
We are only a few days away now from the Swansea Bay Airshow, July 11-12th. This British Armed forces backed airshow and static displays is held every second year and draws thousands of people to the beautiful Swansea Bay and Gower coastline in southern-Cymru/Wales. United Kingdom.
This is one of many airshows and exhibitions that will take place across the world to show off new and old or vintage technology. These shows, displays are invaluable and need to continue for many obvious reasons of recruitment and business, trade.
The Swansea Bay airshow is made up of flying displays, parachuting and various static vehicles and aircraft. Regulars are the Red Arrows acrobatic display team comprising nine BAE Systems Hawk Jets, SAR Sea king Helicopter, Royal Naval Black Cats Lynx Helicopter display and fast Jets, along with surprise visits of what is available transport or other.
Many other airshows in the U.K. and around the world have a paid entry fee to see a fixed booked collections of aircraft and vehicles and their are many specialist trade events to show off everything from Automobiles to yachts, Aircraft to Ships,
We are only a few days away now from the Swansea Bay Airshow, July 11-12th. This British Armed forces backed airshow and static displays is held every second year and draws thousands of people to the beautiful Swansea Bay and Gower coastline in southern-Cymru/Wales. United Kingdom.
This is one of many airshows and exhibitions that will take place across the world to show off new and old or vintage technology. These shows, displays are invaluable and need to continue for many obvious reasons of recruitment and business, trade.
The Swansea Bay airshow is made up of flying displays, parachuting and various static vehicles and aircraft. Regulars are the Red Arrows acrobatic display team comprising nine BAE Systems Hawk Jets, SAR Sea king Helicopter, Royal Naval Black Cats Lynx Helicopter display and fast Jets, along with surprise visits of what is available transport or other.
Many other airshows in the U.K. and around the world have a paid entry fee to see a fixed booked collections of aircraft and vehicles and their are many specialist trade events to show off everything from Automobiles to yachts, Aircraft to Ships,
Tuesday 30 June 2015
Coaching Stock. Part-Two.
Mark.1 Improvements.
In 1964 a new improved body stock was introduced, known as the XP64. Many improvements were made with new seat designs, ventilation, corridor partitions and the introduction of aluminium. This class only survives today in preservation, but in 1963 it was the basis for the Mark.2 stock.
The Mark.2 stock had fluorescent lighting and pedal bin toilets with all of what the XP64 had. These were built between 1964-66 and laid the way for the Mark.2A-2C stock, these were similar but they again made improved changes in seating layouts now moving away from the old to the new types that are used today.
Again Mark two coaches were passed on to N-Ireland railways and some sold to CIE-Ireland.
In 1964 a new improved body stock was introduced, known as the XP64. Many improvements were made with new seat designs, ventilation, corridor partitions and the introduction of aluminium. This class only survives today in preservation, but in 1963 it was the basis for the Mark.2 stock.
The Mark.2 stock had fluorescent lighting and pedal bin toilets with all of what the XP64 had. These were built between 1964-66 and laid the way for the Mark.2A-2C stock, these were similar but they again made improved changes in seating layouts now moving away from the old to the new types that are used today.
Again Mark two coaches were passed on to N-Ireland railways and some sold to CIE-Ireland.
Tuesday 23 June 2015
Coaching Stock. Part-One.
British Rail. Mark.1. Stock.
There is a lot more to trains than that of locomotives it is the coaching stock that is the passenger bit, that we travel to enjoy or commute to work. Prior to privatisation the four big railway companies in the United Kingdom, LMS, LNER, GWR and Southern Railways had each designed their own carriages.
But in 1951 the BR Mark one was introduced, being built at Doncaster up to 1963 and it has remain in use to this day being the most successful ever built. Mark 1 coaches remain in service as part of the Royal train as well as Departmental duties and are part of nearly every preservation railway.
The Mark 1 was also supplied to Northern-Ireland railways and exported to the Republic of Ireland from the early 1960's.
There is a lot more to trains than that of locomotives it is the coaching stock that is the passenger bit, that we travel to enjoy or commute to work. Prior to privatisation the four big railway companies in the United Kingdom, LMS, LNER, GWR and Southern Railways had each designed their own carriages.
But in 1951 the BR Mark one was introduced, being built at Doncaster up to 1963 and it has remain in use to this day being the most successful ever built. Mark 1 coaches remain in service as part of the Royal train as well as Departmental duties and are part of nearly every preservation railway.
The Mark 1 was also supplied to Northern-Ireland railways and exported to the Republic of Ireland from the early 1960's.
Tuesday 16 June 2015
Tugboats. Part-One.
Sea Haulage.
There is quite a lot more to the humble tugboat than meets the eye! Haulage is big business on land, in the air and so it is also at sea. Tugboats have a great expanding history to them from their first introduction, as a ship type in 1830 to the present day.
With the introduction of this seaborne assistant no major changes were made for the first seventy years of service in the British Isles. But over the last 110 years much has changed to the various new classes and their roles, which now include search and rescue, floating fire engines and a few newer type oil rig towing and recovery roles.
There is quite a lot more to the humble tugboat than meets the eye! Haulage is big business on land, in the air and so it is also at sea. Tugboats have a great expanding history to them from their first introduction, as a ship type in 1830 to the present day.
With the introduction of this seaborne assistant no major changes were made for the first seventy years of service in the British Isles. But over the last 110 years much has changed to the various new classes and their roles, which now include search and rescue, floating fire engines and a few newer type oil rig towing and recovery roles.
Tuesday 9 June 2015
Airbus. Part-Two.
The Military Side.
With the ongoing development of the Airbus A400M, there is also the adaption of some earlier models now for in flight refuelling roles and other transport requirements. Airbus is moving into the military market to challenge its U.S. counterparts of Lockheed and Boeing, who have been Kings of transport and a variety of other military aviation roles for well over fifty years.
Recent orders by N.A.T.O. members of the A400m have been disappointing and many have returned the aircraft and both newer versions of the Lockheed Hercules. Despite a recent accident with an A400M in Spain, Airbus has to push on with it development.
Success in the civil market has been phenomenal, but I wonder will they really do that well in the military. Perhaps the take over of the helicopter construction and market will do them much better with many already well established designs such as the EC-135/45, Tiger, Cougar/Super Puma family.
With the ongoing development of the Airbus A400M, there is also the adaption of some earlier models now for in flight refuelling roles and other transport requirements. Airbus is moving into the military market to challenge its U.S. counterparts of Lockheed and Boeing, who have been Kings of transport and a variety of other military aviation roles for well over fifty years.
Recent orders by N.A.T.O. members of the A400m have been disappointing and many have returned the aircraft and both newer versions of the Lockheed Hercules. Despite a recent accident with an A400M in Spain, Airbus has to push on with it development.
Success in the civil market has been phenomenal, but I wonder will they really do that well in the military. Perhaps the take over of the helicopter construction and market will do them much better with many already well established designs such as the EC-135/45, Tiger, Cougar/Super Puma family.
Tuesday 2 June 2015
Solar Powered Flight.
Not the first to Try.
This solar powered aircraft that is attempting a world flight record is far from the first, in fact there have been longer distance flights made between A and B/Z in the past. These aircraft failed to attract the publicity that this one has got, for various reasons that are not worth going into.
Some commercial airlines have added solar power cells to the roofs of aircraft to charge batteries with some success, but nothing more has happened since. Now that Australia has fashioned the first commercial possibility of a car for mass production I suppose an aircraft is the next target.
Japan was for a time the leader in solar powered said technology on general shipping and perhaps this stop over has really some connection with that factor?
This solar powered aircraft that is attempting a world flight record is far from the first, in fact there have been longer distance flights made between A and B/Z in the past. These aircraft failed to attract the publicity that this one has got, for various reasons that are not worth going into.
Some commercial airlines have added solar power cells to the roofs of aircraft to charge batteries with some success, but nothing more has happened since. Now that Australia has fashioned the first commercial possibility of a car for mass production I suppose an aircraft is the next target.
Japan was for a time the leader in solar powered said technology on general shipping and perhaps this stop over has really some connection with that factor?
Tuesday 26 May 2015
Warships. Part-Two.
The Battleship.
This type of vessel concept is nothing new, the ancient galleys were based on sea warfare and effective attack methods. Later we see this in the 15-17th century battleships of Piracy and the Spanish Armada, the cannon was now more effective than ever before.
European nations of empire now had their battle fleets, the English, Spanish and French and this is how it has stayed up the American Independence? Not exactly correct! Russia, Sweden, Japan and China also had their own areas of expansion in northern-Europe and SE-Asia.
The concept of the Battle/Warship of today stemmed from the invention of the steam engine and the ironclad ships, moving away from wood and sail allowed for stronger and faster vessels. While armaments could now be increased, thus the Dreadnought was born.
This type of vessel concept is nothing new, the ancient galleys were based on sea warfare and effective attack methods. Later we see this in the 15-17th century battleships of Piracy and the Spanish Armada, the cannon was now more effective than ever before.
European nations of empire now had their battle fleets, the English, Spanish and French and this is how it has stayed up the American Independence? Not exactly correct! Russia, Sweden, Japan and China also had their own areas of expansion in northern-Europe and SE-Asia.
The concept of the Battle/Warship of today stemmed from the invention of the steam engine and the ironclad ships, moving away from wood and sail allowed for stronger and faster vessels. While armaments could now be increased, thus the Dreadnought was born.
Tuesday 19 May 2015
Police Aviation. Part-Two.
Helicopters to Drones.
The drone is the cheapest alternative available at this time to the helicopter! We see in the many Sci-Fi films police forces of the future using various types of drones to overfly, to get in close and go places that only insects and small animals can go.
The drone will not totally replace aircraft, but will perhaps be the new dog or security camera that is much more mobile for the future.
The police now employ many new techniques in fighting crime in the large metropolitan cities and in time these methods will work their way down to the smaller towns and rural communities.
The loss and failure of these robotic craft will not be as expensive and they will be easy and quick to replace.
The drone is the cheapest alternative available at this time to the helicopter! We see in the many Sci-Fi films police forces of the future using various types of drones to overfly, to get in close and go places that only insects and small animals can go.
The drone will not totally replace aircraft, but will perhaps be the new dog or security camera that is much more mobile for the future.
The police now employ many new techniques in fighting crime in the large metropolitan cities and in time these methods will work their way down to the smaller towns and rural communities.
The loss and failure of these robotic craft will not be as expensive and they will be easy and quick to replace.
Tuesday 12 May 2015
Two Breakthroughs.
First possible commercial Solar powered Car.
Australia who is the leader in the field of Solar (Sun) powered vehicles have developed a vehicle which can now be mass produced and sold to the general public. Every invention has to start somewhere and this one has come out of forty years of continued development and research.
The Solar powered car will not be at a loss even here in the U.K., because it like an electric car can take a charge.
The second Breakthrough is the development of a Bionic suit that helps those who are not able to walk, walk.
Some of the research from this has come from Space suit design, while the rest from connecting the human nervous system to a chip.
Australia who is the leader in the field of Solar (Sun) powered vehicles have developed a vehicle which can now be mass produced and sold to the general public. Every invention has to start somewhere and this one has come out of forty years of continued development and research.
The Solar powered car will not be at a loss even here in the U.K., because it like an electric car can take a charge.
The second Breakthrough is the development of a Bionic suit that helps those who are not able to walk, walk.
Some of the research from this has come from Space suit design, while the rest from connecting the human nervous system to a chip.
Tuesday 28 April 2015
Trams for Wales.
Cardiff Proposed.
The return of trams to the capital Cardiff is under consideration, wither it will happen or not who knows? But trams for Swansea and many other large towns with hills would be a viable transport need worth looking into.
Since it was Swansea where the concept of the first tram and tramway were born! Today the re-introduction of light rail across the United Kingdom and the British isles has been very profitable as has world wide.
Simple to run and attractive to the eye, they fill the gap between buses and mainline trains or metro/tube systems.
The return of trams to the capital Cardiff is under consideration, wither it will happen or not who knows? But trams for Swansea and many other large towns with hills would be a viable transport need worth looking into.
Since it was Swansea where the concept of the first tram and tramway were born! Today the re-introduction of light rail across the United Kingdom and the British isles has been very profitable as has world wide.
Simple to run and attractive to the eye, they fill the gap between buses and mainline trains or metro/tube systems.
Tuesday 21 April 2015
Volkswagen VW Camper vans. Part-One.
An Iconic Vehicle.
Everywhere that I have been in the world, one has come across this iconic vehicle, which became a symbol of the 1960's 'Hippie movement' and remains a favourite fun camper.
Last year VW ended its production line for this camper, but it will continue now to be more of a classic collectors item. What made it great was perhaps it offered a unlimited choice of combination colour schemes and it was also compact and comfortable.
The secondhand market for this version flourished making like the original VW Beetle a cheap easy to maintain sought after van.
Everywhere that I have been in the world, one has come across this iconic vehicle, which became a symbol of the 1960's 'Hippie movement' and remains a favourite fun camper.
Last year VW ended its production line for this camper, but it will continue now to be more of a classic collectors item. What made it great was perhaps it offered a unlimited choice of combination colour schemes and it was also compact and comfortable.
The secondhand market for this version flourished making like the original VW Beetle a cheap easy to maintain sought after van.
Tuesday 14 April 2015
Cranes. Part-One.
Ancient to Present.
The crane has been around as long as man has been on the Earth, Stone Henge in the United Kingdom, the Pyramids of Egypt and the Great wall of China could not have been constructed without some form of crane or pulling device.
Slaves and animals too played an essential part, because the people who designed and built these monuments where part of high society and part of powerful empires. Today we take the crane and various lifters for granted, not high rise can be built without them being built into the structure of the towers in New York, Dubai and London.
Today there are a variety of types available to do different types of lifting, some of this being the recovery of heavy loads or the moving over structures into confined spaces. This is were the telescopic cranes have come into their own right.
The crane has been around as long as man has been on the Earth, Stone Henge in the United Kingdom, the Pyramids of Egypt and the Great wall of China could not have been constructed without some form of crane or pulling device.
Slaves and animals too played an essential part, because the people who designed and built these monuments where part of high society and part of powerful empires. Today we take the crane and various lifters for granted, not high rise can be built without them being built into the structure of the towers in New York, Dubai and London.
Today there are a variety of types available to do different types of lifting, some of this being the recovery of heavy loads or the moving over structures into confined spaces. This is were the telescopic cranes have come into their own right.
Tuesday 7 April 2015
Warships. Part-One.
The need For!
Every nation that has a coast, even a lake border needs some kind of Navy. Armed vessels from little patrol boats to the ocean plying aircraft carriers or deep water submarines.
The British Royal navy has been shrinking over the last seventy years from being a world power, 'Britannia Rules the Waves.'
Today the United States of America, the Russian Federation and the Republic of China, with France are the biggest navies of the world. Britain is part of N.A.T.O. (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) and is also a member of the European Union which is building its own joint forces programme.
EU Warships now patrol the Suez Canal in northern-Egypt, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, between war struck Yemen and Somalia. they are involved in protection oil and gas tankers travelling from the Persian Gulf to Europe.
Meanwhile apart from local waters, some ships may be assigned from time to time to the Mediterranean to counter illegal seafaring immigration to southern-Europe.
Every nation that has a coast, even a lake border needs some kind of Navy. Armed vessels from little patrol boats to the ocean plying aircraft carriers or deep water submarines.
The British Royal navy has been shrinking over the last seventy years from being a world power, 'Britannia Rules the Waves.'
Today the United States of America, the Russian Federation and the Republic of China, with France are the biggest navies of the world. Britain is part of N.A.T.O. (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) and is also a member of the European Union which is building its own joint forces programme.
EU Warships now patrol the Suez Canal in northern-Egypt, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, between war struck Yemen and Somalia. they are involved in protection oil and gas tankers travelling from the Persian Gulf to Europe.
Meanwhile apart from local waters, some ships may be assigned from time to time to the Mediterranean to counter illegal seafaring immigration to southern-Europe.
Thursday 2 April 2015
Rail Engineering. Part-Two.
Easter Weekend Nightmares.
This is the time of the year where the opportunity arises to get those yellow engineering trains out of their various depots or holding areas to repair the rails. Many train enthusiasts don't really bother with them, its more the freight that takes their interest.
But like a few out there, they fascinate me because of their technical innovation and the ability now to lift and replace rail tracks in whole sections with very little human activity. There are so many different kinds of machines employed in railway building and demolishing that it can leave one wondering.
Many of the manufacturers of these new complex machines, just specialise in these types and their locomotives. These trains come in various sizes and gauges and are deployed all over the world under and above ground.
This is the time of the year where the opportunity arises to get those yellow engineering trains out of their various depots or holding areas to repair the rails. Many train enthusiasts don't really bother with them, its more the freight that takes their interest.
But like a few out there, they fascinate me because of their technical innovation and the ability now to lift and replace rail tracks in whole sections with very little human activity. There are so many different kinds of machines employed in railway building and demolishing that it can leave one wondering.
Many of the manufacturers of these new complex machines, just specialise in these types and their locomotives. These trains come in various sizes and gauges and are deployed all over the world under and above ground.
Tuesday 24 March 2015
Airbus. Part-One.
From A319 to A380/350.
The story of Airbus is the story about European Union co-operation in building a new family line of commercial aircraft, to compete with the U.S. manufacturer Boeing and this has now been achieved.
The Airbus story began with the A300/310 and from one design all the other aircraft have followed in their varying sizes and options. Initially a civil programme, it has now ventured into military conversions and the design of the A400M, to replace the Lockheed Hercules C-130.
Almost all European partners use one or several of the types that are available with the A320/321 being the most common in medium haul. The A330/340 has seen widespread use world wide and there are many versions available 100-600.
The smaller versions are now being converted to neo, which is that they are driven by bio fuel rather than pure aviation oil. The development of the Super Jumbo A380 has taken the market off the long standing Boeing 747-100/SP-300/400 and 8-market world wide.
The story of Airbus is the story about European Union co-operation in building a new family line of commercial aircraft, to compete with the U.S. manufacturer Boeing and this has now been achieved.
The Airbus story began with the A300/310 and from one design all the other aircraft have followed in their varying sizes and options. Initially a civil programme, it has now ventured into military conversions and the design of the A400M, to replace the Lockheed Hercules C-130.
Almost all European partners use one or several of the types that are available with the A320/321 being the most common in medium haul. The A330/340 has seen widespread use world wide and there are many versions available 100-600.
The smaller versions are now being converted to neo, which is that they are driven by bio fuel rather than pure aviation oil. The development of the Super Jumbo A380 has taken the market off the long standing Boeing 747-100/SP-300/400 and 8-market world wide.
Tuesday 17 March 2015
ICBM. Part-Two.
Ticket to Atomic weapons and Space.
Many new nations are now reaching for Space and it has been their own developments of the old Soviet Scud missiles, which is turn were a development of the Nazi-German V-2 rocket.
Iran is developing its own nuclear industry and a overshot of that is the probability of a nuclear bomb, which is worrying to the Persian Gulf nations.
You need power to get just into Space, and more power to stay up there or move on to the Moon and the other planets.
The technology has not changed much since 1957 in the basics of rocketry, the flight control systems may be advanced in computers and in sample gathering robotics and digital photography
Many new nations are now reaching for Space and it has been their own developments of the old Soviet Scud missiles, which is turn were a development of the Nazi-German V-2 rocket.
Iran is developing its own nuclear industry and a overshot of that is the probability of a nuclear bomb, which is worrying to the Persian Gulf nations.
You need power to get just into Space, and more power to stay up there or move on to the Moon and the other planets.
The technology has not changed much since 1957 in the basics of rocketry, the flight control systems may be advanced in computers and in sample gathering robotics and digital photography
Tuesday 10 March 2015
Trinity House Tenders,
Mair, Galatea, Patricia.
There are a number of ships that visit the Port of Swansea here in Wales on regular bases, most are involved in the repair of light markers buoys around the coasts of the Bristol Channel and the Celtic Sea.
But some them also specialise in sea surveying and undersea seismic recording, the newer vessels such as the Pharos and Granuila have a all round bridge and are fitted with more powerful cranes.
Lights at sea still remain an essential aids to shipping warning of lower water and sand bars, despite GPS. Trinity house covers both the waters of Britain and Ireland very much like that of the RNLI.
There are a number of ships that visit the Port of Swansea here in Wales on regular bases, most are involved in the repair of light markers buoys around the coasts of the Bristol Channel and the Celtic Sea.
But some them also specialise in sea surveying and undersea seismic recording, the newer vessels such as the Pharos and Granuila have a all round bridge and are fitted with more powerful cranes.
Lights at sea still remain an essential aids to shipping warning of lower water and sand bars, despite GPS. Trinity house covers both the waters of Britain and Ireland very much like that of the RNLI.
Tuesday 3 March 2015
Retrun of the Trams.
The three U.K. Types.
The need for the tram has returned to the United Kingdom, not for love of them but rather for their vital need in inner city urban fast transport. Great Britain was the origins of the trams from Swansea in Wales to Yorkshire to Blackpool. From horse drawn to their hey day in electrification.
The first trams suffered from two problems one they were hard to turn and two if the line was blocked end of the journey. Today priority has been granted to the three types in operation across the U.K with more being planned for Scotland and Wales.
Bombardier M5000 Flexity-2 Swift working Manchester, these 70 seats have a speed of 43 mph. These are one of three different types in service. The Sheffield Super Tram and more than six new type Stadler trams for the Croydon area network in south-London.
Not all areas have been mentioned, but hope to follow on looking at each type. The DLR, Newcastle Metro and Glasgow tube will be dealt with in separate articles, as some already have been.
The need for the tram has returned to the United Kingdom, not for love of them but rather for their vital need in inner city urban fast transport. Great Britain was the origins of the trams from Swansea in Wales to Yorkshire to Blackpool. From horse drawn to their hey day in electrification.
The first trams suffered from two problems one they were hard to turn and two if the line was blocked end of the journey. Today priority has been granted to the three types in operation across the U.K with more being planned for Scotland and Wales.
Bombardier M5000 Flexity-2 Swift working Manchester, these 70 seats have a speed of 43 mph. These are one of three different types in service. The Sheffield Super Tram and more than six new type Stadler trams for the Croydon area network in south-London.
Not all areas have been mentioned, but hope to follow on looking at each type. The DLR, Newcastle Metro and Glasgow tube will be dealt with in separate articles, as some already have been.
Tuesday 24 February 2015
Classic Automobiles.
From day one to now.
Modern humanity today cannot now survive without the 'Automobile, it was also the same prior to the development of the car that we relied on the horse and cart for thousands of years.
When does are car become a classic?
Ten years old, twenty or more, some actually just after they have been revealed to the public. Because their design and build and their limited number produced, is the factor that makes them very desirable.
What kind of car do you consider to be a classic?
Everyone will have their own favourites so I will state my own cars that I would like to have.
Mustang, Rolls Royce silver Ghost, Jensen, Triumph Stag, Mercedes-Benz 1300, Austin Riley, Riva Cossack, Jaguar of any type or period and the Lamborghini in orange.
Modern humanity today cannot now survive without the 'Automobile, it was also the same prior to the development of the car that we relied on the horse and cart for thousands of years.
When does are car become a classic?
Ten years old, twenty or more, some actually just after they have been revealed to the public. Because their design and build and their limited number produced, is the factor that makes them very desirable.
What kind of car do you consider to be a classic?
Everyone will have their own favourites so I will state my own cars that I would like to have.
Mustang, Rolls Royce silver Ghost, Jensen, Triumph Stag, Mercedes-Benz 1300, Austin Riley, Riva Cossack, Jaguar of any type or period and the Lamborghini in orange.
Tuesday 17 February 2015
ICBM. Part-One
The Inter-continental Ballistic Missile.
From the development of the atomic bomb to the Sputnik, the ICBM was the launch vehicle to get payloads into space. The highlight of the ICBM development was the Saturn V rocket, which took the first man to the Moon and many other Americans into space. This rocket was developed from those that had earlier failed.
Soviet Russia built their own versions, while both super powers raced to develop better and faster and larger multiple launchers to bomb each other.
Today the world has changed with many other nations such as Iran, Pakistan, China, and N-Korea now possessing their own versions of the ICBM. With the capability of a possible nuclear strike or their own need to get into space.
From the development of the atomic bomb to the Sputnik, the ICBM was the launch vehicle to get payloads into space. The highlight of the ICBM development was the Saturn V rocket, which took the first man to the Moon and many other Americans into space. This rocket was developed from those that had earlier failed.
Soviet Russia built their own versions, while both super powers raced to develop better and faster and larger multiple launchers to bomb each other.
Today the world has changed with many other nations such as Iran, Pakistan, China, and N-Korea now possessing their own versions of the ICBM. With the capability of a possible nuclear strike or their own need to get into space.
Tuesday 10 February 2015
Police Aviation. Part-One.
Aircraft and Helicopters.
Nearly every police force around the world has access either to aircraft and helicopters of various types. The 'Eye in the Sky' is a vital tool in fighting crime from serious incidents such as civil disturbances to full blown rioting, burglary, car crime, chases and searching for missing people, children, bodies and stray or escaped animals.
Helicopters are the ideal tool for large cities and towns where take-off and landing can be made almost any where, if needs be. Bell-206, 222, EC-135, 145, Eccuril, Hughes-500, Robinson R-22/44.
Aircraft need runways and are limiting in that sense, but they can have long duration flights up to twelve hours with some types such as the Britten-Norman Defender.
Aircraft can also cover huge areas of open land, forests and water and they can be deployed for long range observation annd reconnaissance in the case of para-military controlled or unstable conflict zones. Cessna O-2/337, FR-172, 152, Optica, and similar light and cheap aircraft.
Nearly every police force around the world has access either to aircraft and helicopters of various types. The 'Eye in the Sky' is a vital tool in fighting crime from serious incidents such as civil disturbances to full blown rioting, burglary, car crime, chases and searching for missing people, children, bodies and stray or escaped animals.
Helicopters are the ideal tool for large cities and towns where take-off and landing can be made almost any where, if needs be. Bell-206, 222, EC-135, 145, Eccuril, Hughes-500, Robinson R-22/44.
Aircraft need runways and are limiting in that sense, but they can have long duration flights up to twelve hours with some types such as the Britten-Norman Defender.
Aircraft can also cover huge areas of open land, forests and water and they can be deployed for long range observation annd reconnaissance in the case of para-military controlled or unstable conflict zones. Cessna O-2/337, FR-172, 152, Optica, and similar light and cheap aircraft.
Tuesday 3 February 2015
'Under Water. Part-Two.
World War-11 (1939-45)
It was during these six years of war that the submarine came into its real value as a weapon, with the Nazi-German navy in the early years being a menace to Allied shipping. The Wolf packs were very successful, until the German Enigma code and Sonar was broken and invented.
These submarines remained cramped to live and operate in, but they could stay underwater for longer and were faster. In fact only after world war-II was it discovered how much of a 'Coffins were the U-Boats.
It takes a certain type of person to be a submariner, the confined and underwater life would mark out men and woman to this present day. Because the submarine now is more about going deeper and not being seen at all.
It was during these six years of war that the submarine came into its real value as a weapon, with the Nazi-German navy in the early years being a menace to Allied shipping. The Wolf packs were very successful, until the German Enigma code and Sonar was broken and invented.
These submarines remained cramped to live and operate in, but they could stay underwater for longer and were faster. In fact only after world war-II was it discovered how much of a 'Coffins were the U-Boats.
It takes a certain type of person to be a submariner, the confined and underwater life would mark out men and woman to this present day. Because the submarine now is more about going deeper and not being seen at all.
Tuesday 27 January 2015
Under Water. Part-One.
The Submarine.
This year marks the 100th Anniversary of World War-I (1914-18), when the advancement on the Irish inventor Holland was deployed by the British Royal navy against their Imperial German equivalents. Britain, America. Japan and Italy where some of the first to have this new 'warship of the deep.'
Compared to all that has been learnt with two World Wars and the 'Cold War,' they were really basic and very much death traps, but at the time very secret and state of the art.
These early submarines was very effective in taking out merchant shipping and if not detected naval ones also. It was believed for some time that Imperial Germany may have sunk the RMS Titanic, meaning that they were operational from 1910.
These first subs really operated just below the water line or sea surface and were not the real divers of the 'Cold war and present day.
This year marks the 100th Anniversary of World War-I (1914-18), when the advancement on the Irish inventor Holland was deployed by the British Royal navy against their Imperial German equivalents. Britain, America. Japan and Italy where some of the first to have this new 'warship of the deep.'
Compared to all that has been learnt with two World Wars and the 'Cold War,' they were really basic and very much death traps, but at the time very secret and state of the art.
These early submarines was very effective in taking out merchant shipping and if not detected naval ones also. It was believed for some time that Imperial Germany may have sunk the RMS Titanic, meaning that they were operational from 1910.
These first subs really operated just below the water line or sea surface and were not the real divers of the 'Cold war and present day.
Tuesday 20 January 2015
Alstom Pendolino.
Class 390 West coast tilting line units.
This class of DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) has become well known with Virgin trains on the English west coast runs from London, through Carlisle. Initially built between 2001-05, most have now gone upgrading and coach extensions. There are now eleven different types of rolling stock within the Pendolino system.
Initially the Pendolino units operated as eight cars, but since 2004-5 they run as nine cars. Between 2010-12 a further 62 vehicles were built creating 35 sets eleven car sets and 21 9-car sets.
Speeds are tops 125mph, bogie's are Italian Fiat-SIG and all are air conditioned. In the event of breakdown the Class 57/3 locomotives can take control. Most of the train coaches were built at Alstom, Birmingham, but two types by Alstom Savigliano.
There has been only one accident with the class since it was introduced and that was at Lambrigg in 2007.
This class of DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) has become well known with Virgin trains on the English west coast runs from London, through Carlisle. Initially built between 2001-05, most have now gone upgrading and coach extensions. There are now eleven different types of rolling stock within the Pendolino system.
Initially the Pendolino units operated as eight cars, but since 2004-5 they run as nine cars. Between 2010-12 a further 62 vehicles were built creating 35 sets eleven car sets and 21 9-car sets.
Speeds are tops 125mph, bogie's are Italian Fiat-SIG and all are air conditioned. In the event of breakdown the Class 57/3 locomotives can take control. Most of the train coaches were built at Alstom, Birmingham, but two types by Alstom Savigliano.
There has been only one accident with the class since it was introduced and that was at Lambrigg in 2007.
Tuesday 13 January 2015
French Military. Part-One.
Long Influence.
France is one of those countries that has a long history of supplying military technology across the world. Controversy at the moment about selling a commissioned warship to Russia, while back in the Falklands war it was the Exocet missiles that did a lot of damage to the British.
France has built a generation of armoured cars in the Panhard series, which serve world wide from basic to powerful and they meet the needs of most small armies. Yet France has a Nuclear capability in its own ICBM's, aircraft carriers, warships and submarines, as well as its own advanced Mirage to Rafael combat aircraft.
It has also worked jointly with the United Kingdom on the development of the Gazelle, and Puma helicopters. Meanwhile following this weeks events in the Paris area we saw some of the paramilitary police vehicles being used.
France is one of those countries that has a long history of supplying military technology across the world. Controversy at the moment about selling a commissioned warship to Russia, while back in the Falklands war it was the Exocet missiles that did a lot of damage to the British.
France has built a generation of armoured cars in the Panhard series, which serve world wide from basic to powerful and they meet the needs of most small armies. Yet France has a Nuclear capability in its own ICBM's, aircraft carriers, warships and submarines, as well as its own advanced Mirage to Rafael combat aircraft.
It has also worked jointly with the United Kingdom on the development of the Gazelle, and Puma helicopters. Meanwhile following this weeks events in the Paris area we saw some of the paramilitary police vehicles being used.
Tuesday 6 January 2015
Blue Sky M.
Abandoned Ships.
This has now been under way for some time with various boats crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Italy or to the Island of Lampadusa. These migrants were generally from Libya, Somalia, Eritrea and various other north-African countries, were life is not really worth living.
Now it seems that the phenomena has moved to the Adriatic Sea and these are mostly Iraqis and Syrians. This form of purchasing cheap vessels is nothing new, enough money can be made from the extortion of desperate people to buy more and more ships, fishing boats and other rickety vessels for the one way trips.
The sad fact about the whole world of the shipping industry as we are starting to see, is that it can sometimes be very hard to find who actually owns a vessel. The flags of registration do not really tell us much about the origin of the vessel and who makes up the syndicates that share the profits. Meanwhile many of the crews of these ships are paid pittance or never paid at that.
This has now been under way for some time with various boats crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Italy or to the Island of Lampadusa. These migrants were generally from Libya, Somalia, Eritrea and various other north-African countries, were life is not really worth living.
Now it seems that the phenomena has moved to the Adriatic Sea and these are mostly Iraqis and Syrians. This form of purchasing cheap vessels is nothing new, enough money can be made from the extortion of desperate people to buy more and more ships, fishing boats and other rickety vessels for the one way trips.
The sad fact about the whole world of the shipping industry as we are starting to see, is that it can sometimes be very hard to find who actually owns a vessel. The flags of registration do not really tell us much about the origin of the vessel and who makes up the syndicates that share the profits. Meanwhile many of the crews of these ships are paid pittance or never paid at that.
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