End of the McDonnell-Douglas MD-11!

 Is this the final demise of the McDonnell-Douglas MD-11?

These aircraft operated by United Parcels Services (UPS) and FedEx have now been stood down, but is this really the end of them or will they be scrapped, after ten years of the last incident called for their retirement in the freight business for postal services or other unknown or not disclosed loads!

The history of this type has been successful, but the earlier version the DC-10-30 had a engine tail flaring problem, which lead to disaster and great loss of life?

The MD-11 was to be more, but safety concerns drove into its current role, but these aircraft are old and no match for say the Boeing 777-300/X or the earlier 747-300/400. It is not clear what other operators may do in Europe and other parts of the world!

1

Air Shows Cancelled 2020!

Freighter Aviation Continues?

Bums on seats one would think makes the airline industry work, but it actually the cargo in the holds of most commercial aircraft that make the income!

There are many older aircraft by tradition in the aviation industry for freight, but now many new types such as the Boeing 777 are filling that role too. 

Most of the Amazon parcels come from the United States through FedEx and business post through UPS and DHL, but their are equally as many lesser known companies moving pharmaceuticals, military hardware and prisoners from A to B/Z by Kalitta, Wamos and various other Boeing 747 Jumbo's?

We will have to see how far things are going to develop with this COVID-19 virus, to see if air freight will be curtailed? 

One thinks not since China is now recovering well and they will have a monopoly over the Pacific region, airlines such as Cathy and EVA-Evergreen will hold their ground with Japanese ANA Cargo and S-Korean Cargo.

I think all air shows across Europe have been called off and many trade fares also since the shaky response to the recent Singapore show, were sales were fine but not much human life was seen?

Electric Vehicles. Part-One.

A new Generation!

Currently Royal Mail, the British postal delivery has taken delivery of six new Polish built electric vans to work the streets of London the capital of the U.K. This is one of many who are trialing these new battery powered vehicles along with UPS, FexEx and Tesco's!

There are many ideas and possibilities on the table for Transport for London (TFL) along with many other European cities in the hope to decrease the ever rising problem of pollution! TFL is also looking at a new generation of electric buses that could have terminals for re-charging at their final destination points?

Currently bio-fuel and dual engine vehicles from Italy and Germany are being put through their paces, but the development of new Lithium batteries with a capacity of up to 130 miles without a charge looks much more viable than ever!

Vehicles and Bodies.

Using variety.

It never fails to amaze me how many different types of bodies can be fitted to certain vans such as the Ford Transit and to various, if not all truck models. The plethora and ideas of the human mind to conceive almost every practical use of a vehicle has now been achieved.

When the mass production of the Thorny Croft truck for World-War I (1914-18) was demanded, it only came to fruition in the surplus of the after war years. 

The 1920's saw these trucks appearing as buses, charrabangs, coaches, recovery vehicles and many other weird and wonderful concepts.

Today the pick-up has deliberately been designed to be adapted and is another platform added to what is already established.

 I hope to get up a few more little films of various types of vehicles and their uses of the next few months.

Many Thanks  for watching.