The Moon and Jupiter from Casa de Sharon y Glenn

When I got home about 0600 this am after having a go with nausea, I grabbed a few shots of the Moon and Jupiter with my smart phone.
They aren't the best but here are a couple that turned out OK, perhaps.

Jupiter is toward the upper left.

Rare insight into the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force

The reign of the scarred Sea King HC4s will end on Mar. 31

The Sea King was the back bone of many Naval Air Arms and Air Forces vertical capability for years. 

It was a tough machine. I was aboard Independence in 74 when one of HS-5's Sea Kings had to do a water landing after a transmission chip light. It was back in the air in less than a week, if memory serves me right.


After the passing of 848 NAS and its Sea King HC4s, the CHF will have three squadrons, all based at RNAS Yeovilton; 845 NAS, which is currently standing up on the Merlin; 846 NAS, which is operational on the Merlin Mk3i, having transitioned from the Sea King in 2014 (and taking on the Merlin training role); whilst 847 NAS operates the Wildcat AH1 (moving from the Lynx Mk9A) in the recce, ISTAR, fire control, FAC and light transport roles. 848 NAS was actually disbanded in 2013 as the Sea King HC4 training squadron before being reformed in May 2015 to provide Sea King ops whilst 845 NAS transitioned to the Merlin.

Pictures and the rest of the story at the link below...........................

Rare insight into the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force: The reign of the RN Sea King HC4 comes to an end They say that legends aren’t born, but made.The reputation of the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) Sea King HC4 fleet has been forged in…

Italian Air Force Typhoons departing for Red Flag 16-2

The aircraft, belonging to the 4° Stormo, based at Grosseto, and 36° Stormo (Wing) based at Gioia del Colle – even though personnel taking part in the mission come from all the units flying the Typhoon, including the 37° Stormo based at Trapani, will join the two-seater Eurofighter that took part in the “F-35 trail,” accompanying the first Italian JSF in the type’s first transatlantic crossing.

I think the Typhoon is an awesome aircraft. The Italian Air Force is participating to a significant level in Red Flag 16-2. I was able to participate in Red Flag 12-2 with the 416 FLTS/AMU. I would love to get to Nellis to watch the Typhoons.

Here is a picture to whet everyone's appetite for Red Flag......................

Here are the photos of the Italian Eurofighter Typhoons departing for their first Red Flag exercise:

Eight Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon are about to attend Exercise Red Flag 16-2. On Feb. 19, seven Italian Air Force Typhoon jets left Grosseto airbase, Italy,  for Nellis Air Force Base, NV.

Snowing on the Tehachapi

Even though the wind was a pain in the rear, the winter weather looks good......from the desert floor.

Everything Is Awesome About These New Lego Space Sets - Space.com

I usually hit Space.com about every other day. This one is from today.
Legos, equal to Transformers when it comes to finding them at night when one has to answer nature's call or change a diaper...................................
I wish that the Legos that were at my paternal grandmother's house were like the neat things that ae being placed on the market.
Go to the link below for the full story.
http://www.space.com/31865-three-new-lego-space-sets.html

Toyz!!!!!!

Anyone interested in getting a Mig 19?

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35486258

3 February 1946 - This Day in Aviation

A little bit of Aviation History.

The only Connies I saw were the EC-121's in VAQ-33 at NAS Norfolk, Virginia.

One night while returning to the ship after having dinner with a shipmate and his family, I was at the red signal where the road met the taxiway. There was some snow on the ground and it made for an amazing experience.

3 February 1946: Transcontinental and Western Airlines (“The Trans World Airline”) inaugurated non-stop passenger service from Los Angeles to New York with it’s Lockheed L-049 Constellation, Star of California, NC86503.

3 February 1946 - This Day in Aviation

Random Snow Pics of The Tehachapi

I took these this morning with the Trusty Nikon.
The CA 58 from Mojave to Bakersfield over the Tehachapi Pass is closed due to snow.