Here's why a British aircraft carrier will host an American F-35 contingent

"It seems the F-111 experience was forgotten by designers and program managers of the current JSF/F-35 program. This time, however, it was not just the Navy and Air Force, but also the British and the US Marines who were affected by the high hopes about per-unit cost, commonality, and the answer to everyone’s problems."

This thing is a money pit and it is losing customers.




Here's why a British aircraft carrier will host an American F-35 contingent

RnoAF Tiger Meet Jets

Seeing as I was the ACC on Christine-aka 80-3666, here are some Tiger Meet Jet participant paint schemes

Mojave Boneyard (MHV)

Sunday run to the Stater Bros market in Mojave...............
I took a few pics on the way home.
Better vantage point..................

There are two Thai 747-400s separate from the rest.

Thai Airways

One of these former Air Canada 767s is the Gimli Glider

In the back of the pack are a pair of KLM MD-11s

A lot of Southern Air 747F Airframes

Train coming down to Mojave with a pair of pusher units

BAC 1-11 Airliners that have been here for quite a long time

Granddaughter Piper

New pictures of the youngest granddaughter, Piper Olivia.

Jethawks Baseball

Missus ORPO and I went to the Jethawks v Modesto Nuts game Saturday evening.
It was on the cold side.
High quality Malt Beverages from Kinetic were enjoyed as well.
Jethawks 5-Nuts 4.

Kursk-Air & Space Magazine

"The greatest tank battle in history might have ended differently had it not been for the action in the air."

Two of my favourite aircraft took part in this massive action, the IL-2 Sturmovik and the JU-87.


The full story is at the link below. It is very interesting, at least to me it is. Enjoy a good read!

Kursk 

Obscure Plane Pr0n-Curtiss SO3C Seamew

Regular Day Off. Not much to do and started looking at not so well known aircraft.

"From the time it entered service the SO3C suffered two serious flaws: inflight stability problems and problems with the unique Ranger air-cooled V-shaped inline engine. The stability problem was mostly resolved with the introduction of upturned wingtips and a larger rear tail surface that extended over the rear observer's cockpit. The additional tail surface was attached to the rear observer's sliding canopy and pilots claimed there were still stability problems when the canopy was open. The canopy was often open because the aircraft's main role was spotting. While the inflight stability problem was eventually addressed (although not fully solved), the Ranger XV-770 engine proved a dismal failure even after many attempted modifications. Poor flight performance and a poor maintenance record led to the SO3C being withdrawn from US Navy first line units by 1944. The older biplane SOC was taken from stateside training units and restored to first-line service on many US Navy warships until the end of World War II."

I wonder how much it would cost to get prints for a scaled down LSA Seamew? It is a funky and cool looking airplane. Heavy on the funky.

Memorial Day 2015: Israel remembers its fallen soldiers and civilians - National

May Their Memory Be A Blessing



Memorial Day 2015: Israel remembers its fallen soldiers and civilians - National

Storm moving in

A front came in and dumped rain in various parts of So Cal but not where we live. We did get some rather awesome clouds, though.
I took a few shots on the way to work yesterday afternoon.
Here are a few for your enjoyment.

Milestone of some significance..................

I was checking the stats page......................
At some point on Monday, this humble little blog that began in October of 2009 hit the 500,000 hit mark
Wow
Just Wow
Who would have ever thought.............................................
Wish Buck and Lex were around for it...............................................
I thank all who have put up with the bad and enjoyed the good........................
Looking forward to cracking the 750K mark.........................

Theo Spark: Bumper-Stickers Seen On Military Bases :

Good one from Theo Spark-Last Of The Few

“One Shot, Twelve Kills:   U.S. Naval Gun Fire Support “--I do like this one!

Theo Spark: Bumper-Stickers Seen On Military Bases :: “When in Doubt, Empty The Magazine”   “Sniper:       You can run, but you’l...

Desert Evening in Cal City

Made a quick run to Rite Aid for a stogie.
This cloud with the setting sun on it looked cool.

City Hall with The PD antenna cluster

Placard. Handicapped Parking...........................................

Was this bound to happen? I have no idea but it is here...................
Capsulitis.
Plantar Faciitis
The Neuropathy is a side dish at the moment.
Good until July 1.

Not so random pictures of the desert

Some of these are from my run to Barstow a few weeks ago and some are from my run to Ridgecrest today.

The Barstow trip was to get my free National Parks Lifetime Pass and the Ridgecrest trip was to get my temporary Handicap Placard.

Long since abandoned along the old Santa Fe

Closer view

San Bernardino Mountains

West Siding Signal Jim Grey

Today's sampling along Neuralia Road and SR 14 follows

Long abandoned ranch stead

Looking North along Neuralia Road

This was a Honda Proving Ground

Neuralia Road at Red Rock-Randsberg Road

SR14 and Red Rock-Randsberg Road

Junction of SR14N and SR178E

Welcome to Inyokern

Descending toward Red Rock Canyon SP and The Fremont Valley

Mojave is close.......Bishop is a long ways

Drifting Sand? In the Desert? Say it ain't so!