Getting about.

The Automobile, Car.

It is being claimed that within the next ten-years all petrol driven cars will have given way to electric ones. This will be over other types and developments already under way, cars that are electric will of course be silent.

Another development is the driver less car which is already making progress, but I wonder what the side effects of all this new and cleaner technology will bring? 

Will the governments be able to override our speed on the roads and motorways, will they be able to track us with built in chips or will we all be under security surveillance. 

Despite the many good concepts, there is always an opposite and more sinister one.

Sleds...

From Santa to the Polar regions.

The sled business remains big business, because they are in their modern motorised form an essential for travelling across and working in all snowy regions. In my research since last time during this part of the year I have not been able to find out much more.

There does not seem to be any books on the subject, perhaps someone will be able to enlighten me to this. There must be many countries involved in the design and production of these machines, such as Scandinavia, Japan, the U.S. and Canada.

The Christmas sled has more of an origin in Russia, than Lapp land or Switzerland. This was used as transport from ancient times in winter and polar conditions. Rivers that are not frozen remain a problem, apart from that military vehicles today seem to be snow tractors of various types over sleds or skies. Many aircraft also are fitted with sleds and skis to cope with winter conditions of ice. 

Railways.

Pricing and new stock.

Every country has set up a different way to run their railways networks or systems. Some remain National, while others are made up of different companies and their own liveries. But what they all share is the cost of keeping their respective systems functioning safely.

There is much more to a railway than tracks and trains, maintenance and personnel have to be paid for. People retire and new recruits need to be both trained and replaced, engines and buildings also need to be repaired and cared for and this all costs a lot of money.

Some nations operate on shoe string of basics, while the richer ones with their privatisation would seem to be progressing. Yet one has to stand back and take notice that many withdrawn and older types are being brought back into service with new fresh coats of paint.

The reasons for this is nothing to do with preservation, but rather thy are cheaper to run in the long term than building new ones.

So next time you face a 'hike in the fare, try to remember all the work that has to be done to get you from A to B or A to Z?

New Combat Aircraft Types. Part-Two.

Mysterious Booms.

There has been recent speculation as to what is going on across the United Kingdom in relation to booms and various explosions. Last month I head one of these and for me it sounded like the old Concorde and its sonic booms.

Then one could hear Concorde crossing the Atlantic if you were living or working out in the open in the south of the Irish Republic. It is viable that both the F-35 and F-22 jets are now on training runs before their respective deployments to the British Royal navies two new Aircraft carriers.

Apart from that, it could be a cover up or News blackout on widespread terrorism in the U.K. But it would eventually spill out if there was?

Lights in the Sky.

More Activity.

There would seem to be more lights seen now at night than ever before and they are being recorded. At one time these were generally described as UFOs and people who claimed to see them as cranks.

But now with the advent of car and traffic cams, phones and tablets, bloggies and many other devices people just leave them running on them or in their respective vehicles to see what they will capture.

These lights may be meteors or they could be failed test rockets. There are also many secretive projects being carried out world wide. If they are Aliens, they are making a big statement by wanting us earthlings to see them!

Cruise Liners. Part-Two.

Many New Ideas.

Design of these new sea ocean monsters are for improved facilities and pleasure, most vessels so far built have kept to a certain genre of dance hall, eating, casinos and swimming pools. Queen Mary-II.

But the future may include theme park additions and underwater viewing galleries. Size and weight may change the out lay of ships that will be able to do this, but there will always be a demand for luxury and being pampered.

ROBOT'S. Part-Three.

A chance to deploy.

Now that the U.S. is leading a coalition of nations in another middle-east war, there will be the opportunity to test out new systems. Robotic aircraft, UAV's and a variety of drones is one thing, but to replace ground troops and the public controversy Robots such as the BIG DOG with an infa-red capability. 

BIG DOG moves at around 3.6 mph and is able to recharge itself, and stand up if it falls over. Meanwhile it also can diffuse bombs, but it may well be armed on its reconnaissance missions to direct aircraft with satellite navigation and give real time images to take out terrorist positions?

New Combat Aircraft Types. Part-One.

The Islamic Caliphate of Syria and the Levant (Iraq).

We are hearing them called 'ISIS, ISIL, Islamic State' and they our in the media 24/7 globally. The United States is committed to a new air war over the region and we will see the deployment of new types of aircraft such as stealth, improved Cruise missiles and Predator-Reaper drones/UAV. 

The F-22/35, F-117 will join the older types which still remain effective, Britain, Australia and a host of regional Arab nations have joined the coalition to help the Iraqi army re-form and the Kurdish forces in the north.

The last air war was the fall of Yugoslavia in the 90's, and after initial success one loss of an F-117 lead to foot soldiers being deployed.

Freezers. Part-Two.

Refrigeration.

Technology has moved on with the CFC being removed from the gas that operates to cause coldness, but not all freezers are designed to produce ice. Many today are just to keep fruit and vegetables cool for long term storage.

The problem of re-freezing remains a danger and nothing as yet has been discovered to do this, but time will bring in new ideas. Refrigeration is not just for food and flowers, but also for organ transplantation and many other medical uses.

Some people even pay a lot of money to be kept frozen after death in the belief that one day a cure for terminal illness will be found to bring them back to life?

The BTR-60 APC.

'Were rocking all over the world.'

Soviet Russia spread its socialist philosphy with trade and military hardware, just as much as the united States and many other countries do so today. One of the biggest exports outside military jets, was the assortment of ground vehicles and the APC's on offer.

Many countries that could not buy aircraft or ships, went for vehicles instead, apart from Tanks. Today we see the situations of conflicts around the world, from the Middle-East to Afghanistan, to the Uraine to Libya in North-Africa and we see that familiar eight wheel APC, the BTR-60 still active in successfully moving troops about.

The BTR-60 started life in 1961 and was an advanced development and replacement for the BTR-152 APC. It was fully amphibious, carried a crew of two and 14 troops. Today there are so many versions available, that it would be immpossible to account for all of them here. 

Speed is around 48 mph and range around 350 miles, but with improved engines this has probably improved since the fall of the Soviet Union. The vehicle has been built under licence in Romania as the TAB-70, also in India and China. While several adapted vehicles were re-built from it in the middle-east and in Israel.

Modern Trams and Metros. Part-One.

Improved Technology.

Modern trams and the various other light rail systems today are a far cry from say seventy years ago. These newer systems and machines have better design and layout, but that is to be expected. We can only learn to improve by experience, trail and error in anything.

The computer, battery technology and design for capacity layout has been a great advantage. Speed and comfort are also improved considerations, employed in some countries with security measures.

The building of town extensions, new town has forced planners to improve the use of both the metro and tram to go to the best pic up and dropping points for both day and night use.

Hovercraft.

'Riding on the magic carpet.'

What a great invention, that today has multiple uses around the world from swamps to tundra, to deserts and sandy river estuary's. The hovercraft has come a long way, via the military and ferry travel to perhaps more practical applications.

Nearly every country in the world uses the air-cushon system from search and rescue to pleasure activities. This is only a touch introduction, but later we will take closer look at those early day developments and visit Russia, Italy and the U.S.A., while coming back around the Great Britain.

Freezers. Part-One.

Advancement for Humanity.

The ability to freeze goods has given the world a great advantage, perhaps one of the biggest in human history. 

Today we have freezers on aircraft, shipping, fishing trawlers, factories and trucks both road and rail cars. Meanwhile various types of goods from meats to flowers can now cross thousands of miles and arrive fresh the same day.

Prior to the invention of the refrigerator ice and cool boxes were it and food could not really be moved very far or kept very long. Flowers really had to be picked fresh and many other things eaten with in at least 24 hours.

Underwater Cities.

Jules Verne.

It is probably to expensive to build a underwater city that is imagined in 19th Century science-fiction and would they really be viable? It has been the development of the nuclear deep water capable submarines that perhaps has put to bed this concept.

There are some inshore underwater observatories and most for tourism, rather than science around the world. But it would still remain an advantage to build a base to study the potentials for even future planetary expeditions say to Titan and some of the moons of both Saturn and Jupiter?

ROBOT's Part-Two.

The Revolution.

We have now entered the age of relying upon electronic computer systems to control many aspects of our daily lives. Travel, communications, pleasure, mapping and medicine.

People today are no longer able to cope without their mobile phone, aircraft are flying on remote control, injured people and animals are monitored by various machines, cars and vehicles are built by robots.

Robots can do many good things, but I expect that in time we may have a revolution to turning it all off just like the American TV series by the same name?

Modern Airships. Part-One.

Scientific and Zoological Research.

Modern airships are now coming to their fore in the role of atmospheric research, they are ideal for this role because of their slow speed. They more or less can float along with the clouds or the weather systems, of course not all weather is ideal for them.

Other near future roles may be police observation duties and other line inspection in the oil, gas, electric industries. The Airship would also be great for observing how fish, whales, shark's and dolphins migrate and how herds of animals and birds migrate across the Oceans and the continents?

Cruise Liners. Part-One.

On Cruise.

Many people when they come to the end of their working lives or have made a win on the lottery dream of going on a world cruise. This type of ship has been designed to provide for that luxurious adventure, it will technically be a floating hotel with everything includes, swimming pools to casinos, shops to theatre.

Food and fine dining to fast food and snacks, gyms to fitness games and massage/saunas. This is the modern vessels. Originally this was only for the rich and privileged few. If you watch murder mystery's such as Agatha Christies, Poirot you see several episodes on ship travel like the River Nile.

Others films have been made about the Titanic and there are many more famous true and fictitious world films and series covering the matter.

London Overground. Part-Two.

Revitalising old rail lines.

This is the answer to helping to expand the overground network for London, it is much cheaper than expanding several other established surface lines such as the District and Metropolitan.

Development of overhead electrics is being persuade for west London and possibly for the east also. This is one of many proposals that are now coming to fruition and they are welcomes, because of the massive strain on the whole London Underground system.

The future holds Cross-Rail and how that will help relive the existing pressures, in time like the Docklands light railway this too will have to expand with several off-shoots.

The problems originated with the failure of the old London County Council and its fore runner the GLC to plan ahead, or even ask big business to make a serious investment.

Harvestors. Part-Two.

Big Business.

Today there is now nearly a harvesting machine for every crop that can be sown/planted on farms, vine-yards, cane plantations and paddy-fields. The day of the cropper has arrived, thus cutting the need to employ vast numbers of people to pick.

In some cases picking by hand is still preferred, especially with soft fruits and asparagus this is because their is a demand by the supermarket chains for quality in appearance. Many new kinds of harvesting machines have been designed to pick, pull and twist and capable of covering a wide area.

The initial machines of say thirty to forty years ago have now been well classed out, but sizes and quality of farm machinery remains to the cost of purchase and the types that are needed. 

FMC Model 679 Range, Smallford Model Multi, Carib Bruff Cane Cutter, FABCO, David Thomas, Todd, Moreau, Aquamarine, Grimme.

Air Frieghters. Part-Three.

Enter the Jet Age.

The 1950's was the start of real cargo flying, this was for two reasons the first being that aircraft were now much larger and second the Jet age had began.

Many World War-II aircraft continued to be in demand such as the C-47/C-46 and there civil versions DC-3/4. Many were to find their way to the outback and remote location workings in Australia, Canada, Africa and South-Central Americas.

From the outset of the British Comet, French Caravelle and early Boeing and McDonnell-Douglas aircraft cargo could now be moved much faster on trans-ocean crossings. Meat, flowers and medical goods were able to arrive fresh in the same 24-hour period.

Space Travel.

What's new Pussycat?

Since the retirement of that fantastic space plane, the U.S Space Shuttle what does the future hold? it looks like Mars is the next target for human exploration between 2025 and 2035, it is hoped to send two missions on long range space ships to the red planet.

The first is a one way commercial venture, while the second will perhaps be a fully focused government funded scientific mission. but both hope to set up their own Martian bases. Much of the research into the establishment of these bases has for years been carried out in Antarctica and Soviet/Russian Cosmonaut underwater training facilities.

The current fleet of ROBOT/ Rovers on Mars is sending back a variety of interesting data, which reveals possible past life possibilities, probable existing atmospheric conditions?

Air Freighters. Part-Two.

World War-II (1939-45).

From 1918 to 1939 aircraft got larger and larger in size and with this were enabled to fly further. It was British Imperial Airways, operating out of London-Croydon airport who took advantage of all of the latest British aircraft types. The Handley Page converted bombers were the height of luxury flying and they had the additional cargo space for mail.

HP 0/400 Twin-engined carried 12 passengers, The Vickers Vimy was similar and both were scrapped by 1924.

By 1928 the Shorts three-engined Calcutta flying boat was in service carrying 15 passengers and two pilots at 110mph. By 1930 the HP42 was capable of 38 passengers and just before 1939, shorts had in service the first 16 sleeper cross-Atlantic flying boat.

It was not until the second world war that there was a demand for mass production air transport and aircraft such as the Douglas DC-3/47 came to the fore. Other large aircraft in the war years were the Shorts Sunderland flying boats, which were a massive improvement on the Handley-Pages.

Levitated Rail and Mono-Rail.

The Future and near Future.

Technology and new concepts are ever advancing, speed is becoming more of an issue for the railways because time is money. Conventional high speed is improving with straight tracks from A to B/Z but there are other possibilities now available in Levitated or magnetic rail and advancements in mono rails.

Cost will ultimately be the down fall to some designs, while others may be constructed on a small scale? The railways around the globe make money on freight, the movement of containers and minerals which are essential for modern living.

Current proposals are only for high-speed passenger movement and countries with large land masses and big metropolitan areas will benefit from this new future travel concepts.

Air Freighters. Part-One.

Cargo and Freight.

Through human history on this planet we have always had to move goods and this was either done by boat, ships or waggon's of one type or another. With the advent of the steam age from the 19th Century, it was the invention of the railways that revolutionised movements across vast areas of our land masses and then seventy years later the aeroplane was invented.

Initially aircraft were for breaking speed records and then World War-I (1914-18) saw the military side of this new machine. It was not really until the 1920's that aircraft were big enough to both carry mail and passengers. Every year a new world record of distant flying was being broken and the need to carry goods started to be demanded.

Airships and rigid Durables were also in competition with the aircraft, despite being slow and vulnerable they were able to carry heavier loads than aircraft could.

Mercedes-Benz.

G-Series Vehicles.

This is perhaps one of, if not the best 4X4 in the world? Developed jointly between Germany and Austria is has taken the military, para-military and police security market. The first generation vehicles were built between 1970 to 1979, with the second generation concept being laid down in 1976.

Austrian Steyr Pusch-G entering the market with the U.S from 1993, while the German 1990-96 model was already well established. There are too many sub models to list, but initially powerful engines were employed, I suppose for military towing capability, and recovery of various loads.

The Austrian version looks like a dedicated military vehicle, but the second generation has joined its German counterpart in style and civil looks.

Today there are various civil takes on the Jeep, but they look more car like or SUV/waggons to appeal to private security and farming vehicles.

Mercedez.

Jeeps and four-wheel drive.

For a long time the British landrover series has been seen as ruling the world market in the four by four. Nearly every country in the world produces their own versions of this type of essential off road vehicle and it is the German Mercedez company that over the last thirty years or so have taken the market of many other well know names.

This week we will just have this introduction to the German manufacturer and its other famous off road type the Unimog truck. Please check previous articles on Unimog and 4X4 for further references.

The four by four is used for all off road traffic from farming, search and rescue, police and fire services to ambulances and military activities. Reliable engines and gradient capability along with hauling heavy loads must be the essential elements over that of immediate comfort. Here we are not really dealing with a civilian vehicle like others. many other 4X4 contain many gimmicks to sell them to the general public.

Blade Runners. Part-Two.

Russia.

The Soviet Union took advantage of this platform and developed several military and civil crafts.
The largest being the Babochka (Butterfly), which became a Naval Fast attack Missile Hydrofoil, capable of speeds in excess of 50 Knots. It was powered by 3x 12-15000 hp Diesel turbine engines.

These type of craft were designed to patrol river estuaries and to intercept intruders. Speed was initially essential but as missile technology and satellite linked systems have improved a hostile could be knocked out at some distance.

Hydrofoils are venerable to loosing their legs, but speed and system technology has improved their chances as a fighting machine, Russian went on to develop slightly smaller FAC and a whole host of civil hydrofoils as ferries in their vast country where in some places this is the only suitable means of travel.

Blade Runners. Part-One.

An Introduction to the Hydrofoil.

This is perhaps the most prolific ship design that has ever been conceived, to lift up a weight on a blade. today we associate blade running with athletics and that is an amazing feat of engineering in its own right.

The era of the Hydrofoils were the 1950's and it seems there was great competition across the globe to build and have one. Italy, Russia and the United State of America, took full opportunity to build them in all sizes and sleekness of design. 

Bolivian Arrow, 14-ton, 40 seater, Russian Burevestnik, 41-67-tom 130-150 seat river ferry, Italian RHS 70, 32-ton, 71 seat passenger ferry and the U.S Flagstaff 1 (PHG-1) US Coastguard 67.5-ton, with a 40knot speed.

Today they are not as popular, as they once were but they remain in operation in several countries as a novelty design concept.

The Airbus Story. Part-One.

From A300 to A350.

The beginning of the Airbus story started in 1965, when British European Airlines proposed a 200 seat aircraft to compensate on the United States Boeing model 747. But it was not until the 28th October 1972 that the A300B2 took to the skies on its first test flight.

In 1970 eight European airlines and their national aviation companies from Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands, France and Spain met to start the development of a total European joint built commercial airliner. 

The 28th June 1973 saw the A300B2 enter production, with the first delivery to Air France on 30th may 1974. This gamble paid off very quickly with orders from forty airlines in twenty-nine countries.
The A300 was reliable and cheap to operate, it could accommodate three crew and 336 passengers, was powered by two General-Electric CF6-50C1 engines.

Cruising speed 911km/hr at 9450 metres and a range of 5375Km. Other airlines to operate the aircraft were Air India, Saudi and Thai Airways.

Simple Machines.

Bicycles.

Human achievement has to summed up in this one machine, because it can almost go on any land surface and has also been adapted for the microlight.

There are some really clever concepts or takes, but what they lack is a seat as the bike has. Solar power, if the machine can be dual powered will be a great leap forward.  A machine for the people, easy to repare and maintain.

Two, three wheels, tandems, racing, and a few more versions now exist and that seems to be the end of the human capability with this simple machine?

It is strange that no one as yet has thought outside the box with the bicycle?

Easter Weekend Attractions.

Steam fairs to Vintage displays.

Many people around the globe this weekend are going to perhaps attend some kind of event, which has been laid on for the Easter holidays. From vintage trains, specials, fairs, displays, regattas and so the lists can go on and on.

I wonder what we are going out to see may be the best of that has survived time or the rare, the one offs. What ever it is, I hope you have a good time and enjoy riding, filming, photographing or just watching.

Tomorrows classics today are already being marked out for the collectors clubs and collections and their are still many types of machines that await restoration or to be purchased. But what was not able to be saved and what has been lost, perhaps due to lack of part?

The reason for these biog posts are to encourage anyone out their to do something, even if it is just maintaining your lawnmower, and any other machine. But it is also to come up with new ideas or adaptions of older one. 

Many Thanks and a Happy Easter.

The RBY Family.

Israeli Combat Vehicles.

This is the week before Easter a Christian affair with its roots in the land of Israel. Israel since its establishment as a state over 65 years-ago has had to defend itself from all of its neighbours and several other further afield hostile Islamic nations.

Initially the Israelis converted captured and world war-II vehicles and tanks to various other vehicles for minelaying, engineering and recovery types. Despite the united States being the largest and main supplier of technology, gaps in the field remained.

In the 1970's Israel developed a multi-task vehicle system known as the RBY Mk.1 Armed Reconnaissance Vehicle.  it was a low height armoured personnel carrier capable of carrying 2+6 and there were several other variants made available Recoilless rifles and anti-aircraft guns.

The vehicles were really designed to cope with the terrain in the region and be a fill in to larger vehicles. They also played their part in the border police role and anti-terrorism. 

Spain has supplied jeep types to Israel to supplement the RBY roles and then in the 1990's many British Land rovers were supplied for this role also and known as the Dav'id.

Ships. Part-One.

A Essential Need.

The first ship ever built, was perhaps Noah's Ark? What we know of this vessel is to be found in the Bile, Tanakh and the Koran. We believe it to be made of Gopher wood, but since we do not know what Gopher is, it may not have been wood/

Ever since humans have had water, they have built all types of boats from hollowed out trees to reed rafts, boats and coracles. The boat was a vehicle to move from A to B/Z, to carry one or two persons across a lake or a river and eventually the sea's and Oceans.

Goods, weapons and other loads, boats for warfare and for fishing were perhaps the first essentials. Today ships come in all sizes and shapes, some are used to carry general cargo, others are much larger such as the bulk carriers and carry coal, ores and even the largest tankers are for gas and crude oil.

They all work on the same design and principles and are mostly of the same shape, apart from specialist ships. Humans have increased size and development in the warship from sailed cannon carriers to nuclear powered aircraft carriers such as the Nimitz class.

We also live in the age of underwater travel and their are a whole host of passenger ferry ships from river craft to super luxury liners. 

But what is the future of shipping?

The Biz Jets. Part-Two.

Enter the Jet Age.

With the end of World-War II (1939-45), the development of the jet engine was going to change aviation for ever. It was the United States of America, Britain, France and the Soviet Union that were going to lead the way in fighter jet development, but this also lead to jet airliners such as the De Havilland Comet and Sud-Est S.E.210 Caravelle.

The very rich stilt wanted to enjoy the flying experiences of the years prior to the second world war and the comfort and private factor. It was the Americans who where the first to cotton on to this market, with the Lockheed (C-140) Jetstar and the North American T-39 Sabreliner. 

A private jet was for 4 to 20 people, but most have since favoured 4, 8 and 12 seats.

France had developed a 4 seat touring version of its two seat military trainer the Morane-Saulnier M.S.760 Paris, which could be said to be the first private jet in 1956.

The Biz Jets. Part-One.

Business.

From almost day one in aviation the idea of the business plane was born, for the business man to get from A to B without the bother of being with other people. Early flight was initially either for the very rich or for military uses, it was not until the 1920's that new types of aircraft allowed for longer and longer distances to travel.

From cross Channel to Continental flight, some business people preferred travel with the post rather Handley-Page types than mixing and this continues today. Early aircraft were limited, but during World-War-II )1939-45) this type of travel came to the fore. British PM Mr. Winston Churchill prop-seated in a Douglas  DC-3/C-47 around the world negotiating an effective alliance against Adolf Hitler. The U.S and Soviet Russia followed.

Alternative Concepts.

Why replace the Bicycle?

Do you ever watch those science and tech programmes on you Televisions, ipads, computers and Sat-TV, that show some silly alternatives to the Bicyle?

I have come to the conclusion, that many of these new high-tech inventions could cause one more serious harm to our bodies than improve our health. Many of these alternatives have come to the fore, to encourage us to try and excercise. But then why don't you just get a bike, or a dog and go for a walk!

If we want to be serious then to start with a saddle is perhaps the best idea, from there we can develop a lighter machine. The fold up is perhaps the greatest invention for the bike, then comes those ultra-light racing bikes. But still it retains its basic shape, my challenge to you out there 'great inventors is to improve what you have, while retaining the flexability of what you have.

It will only be time, that will show us what we can do with two wheels, to make it 3-4 or more, but remain a human powered vehicle?

The Mini Bus.

People movers.

Humanity has taken full advantage of the Automobile concept and has developed it in many ways. The 'Chara bang has lead to the coach for touring and long distant driving, while the bus is more of a suburban beast. Enabled to stop and start at short distant stops, wither single or double deckers.

It was in the 1960' and 70's that the concept of the mini-bus was introduced into the U.K by a van conversion with seating, but it was to be the Ford Transit van that epitomised this form of travel until the Japanese entered the market with even smaller van alternatives.

Today the people carrier and SUV has attempted to replace the mini van by offering seven seats in to the realm of the family car, but the small bus seating between 12-22 remains a very viable form of moving people in the back streets of your towns and the country side.

Speed here is not an essential factor, but rather the turning circle of the size and ability to manoeuvre in small spaces.

Hiace, Suzuki, Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, Ford, Volks Wagen and many others form the mains suppliers world-wide.

Mikoyan MiG-21.

From 'Fishbed to Bis.

This is perhaps the most built fighter jet aircraft in the world and it is still flying today, with an updated Israel ELBIT cockpit package. The Mig-21 served with 28 Air forces, apart from the Soviet Union and China. There were initially nine versions of the type and one two-seat training version of the aicraft code-named Mongol.

The Mig-21 jet carried a plethora of combinations of weapons, bombs, rockets, missiles and guns. It fought in many Arab and middle-eastern wars, but it was no match for the French Mirage family or the McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom-II. Otherwise it was a very versitle and effective weapons platform.

Today there are still three upgrades on this type, as it continues to operate. 

China produced its own copy the Xian J-7/F-7. Airguard. 

Super Trains.

British HS-II.

London to Birmingham is the several billion pounds new high speed rail link being proposed from London to Birmingham and then further afield to Leeds, Manchester and to be part of a full European connection.

Railways of nearly all types remain a good investment and effective part of economic infrastructure to the prosperity of any nation. Britain says 'that it needs this new form of high-speed rail to take advantage of the Channel tunnel.' 

In some cases, when it is built and up and running, it would mean that one could take a train from any point to Europe and by pass the Capital London stop.

But in light of the recent flooding and the appearance of many sink holes I do hope that they build in the right place, rather than just any old straight lines?

Fast-Attack Boats.

Gun Boats.

The age of the Gunboat was perhaps in World War-II. (1939-45), when both Nazi-Germany with their E-Boats and the British equivalent deployed similar vessels to work the English/French Channel. The U.S and Japan also deployed basically similar types boasts in the far east and Pacific.

These boats were well armed and could have the advantage of operating in shallow waters, but could also move fast from A to B/A to Z. There role was to patrol and observe, but they became a handy and cheap tool to do other work, such as planting and recovering of individual spies. 

Initially they were not as well armed as they are today, and they ran the risk of being spotted and attacked by aircraft. 

Today these craft are more larger and have a host of guns, missiles and torpedo tubes fitted. They are popular with smaller navies, such as in the Persian Gulf states. It was he former Soviet Union (Russia) who during the 'Cold War years became one of the largest producers of these types of boats, but it was the British company Vosper-Thorny craft that is perhaps one of the best builders of the Fast Attack Craft type world wide.

Quads.

Bikes and Vehicles.

The development of the this type of vehicle has allowed it to be used in a wide variety of  roles. Today quads are seen operating from pleasure to farming and military, Industrial and commercial roles.

I have made two films that show quad  bikes, 'follow that bus and Verminators.'

Kawasaki is one of the biggest producers of the type, but it was initially Britain that lead the way in producing a series of machines to help farmers gather sheep and to carry light loads around the farm. This concept was to save time, on the need to use the tractor.

Turner Range Tug.
Dorset Design and Build.  GP Series.
Europlume. Hauler.
Landrover 90
Gopher.
Honda ATC-200. Big Red.

London Overground. Part-One.

'A Vision fulfilled.

Now that London Underground has expanded with its new Overground service it has just been able to cope, but despite the success with the new types of trains both third rail and overhead electrics it has to expand to succeed.

A surface EMU (Electrical multiple units) Class 378 Capital Star, built by Bombardier Derby was a wise choice for the stock fleet. Fifty-seven trains were purchased bran new, between 2009-10. They are designated /1 and /2, The first batch of /1 are 750V Dc third rail only and the second batch are /2 25kV AC overhead and some are 750 Dc third rail. North of the river Thames is mostly overhead, while south is third rail, there are a few exceptions in west-London. 

But more trains and link lines will need to be added to cope with the capacity that London demands. Many new projects are under construction for London. But despite all of them the Underground really needs some serious financial investments, as it once had in the past.

Sukhoi 100 v Boeing 737 family.

Small to medium Commercial jet airliners.

Without a fact no one can say 'that Boeing has not had commercial success with its 737-100/900 family over the last forty years. Airbus has over the last 25 years, starting with the A330 done and equality good job in competition and taking the market from the Americans with its ever expanding new smaller jets.

But here we want to look at what Russia, post Soviet Union  is doing to take their own place in the groving competative stance of world aviation industry. The Sukhoi 100/200 is the equivalent to the Boeing 737, which the new Russia has employed in great number to replace its own ageing fleet's. 

This aircraft if successful will fill a needed gap, replacing the out dated and long lived Tupolev TU-134/154. There are many other Russian design bureaus such as Antonov with their designs, but Sukhoi has the appeal to western airlines who may want something to replace their favourite DC-9's and the ill fated Boeing 717-1/200's.

The biggest market for such an aircraft is that of package holiday tourism, which will now expand in Europe, as the EU expands into Eastern-Europe and the Caucasus?

Harvestors. Part-One,

The Combined Harvesters.

The original machine was developed in the United States for wheat and barley production, this machine combined cutting and threshing the stalks for the grain. Today many of these machines can now also produce bales of straw.

But there are many other kinds of harvester type machines for sugar cane, peas, fruit and vegetables. All of these crops have stalks, so some mechanical changes had to be made to adapt them. 

But there are still more and more new types coming on the market for root crops, rice and other aqua work. Originally it was limited to a few machine producers, such as New Holland, John Deere, Claas, Massey-Ferguson and Shelbourne Reynolds. 

But today we have many developed and developing nations building their own version to suite their need and conditions.

ROBOTS. Part-One.

For Warfare.

Science fiction and reality is now becoming part of everyday living, or dying in relation to warfare.The drone/UAV has been around for sometime, but since the 1970's and Israel's needs, many nations such as the US and Great Britain have followed with their own versions. Russia was actually the first to develop this type of platform.

But we have robotic aircraft, naval and army systems now controlling a whole host of devices, from artillery fire control and targetting to the bomb disposal robots. 

Remote controlled aircraft perhaps will eventuality lead to both tanks and ships, if they do not already exist in secret.

The Asimo robot and its counterparts may be the robotic soldiers of the future?  What will define robotics, will be the development of self thinking machines and that may be our downfall?

Escalator and the Elevator.

Moving walkways/stairs and the Lift.

It is perhaps a strange subject to start a New Year with, but both the escalator and elevator have now been around over over 120 years. Essentially developed for the mining industry by James Borgardes in the U.S.A. He first displayed his steam model at the world trade fair in New York in 1853. E. G. Otis introduced his department store lift in 1857 and he was the first to show in Europe at the Paris exhibition in 1867.

Meanwhile it was J. W. Reno who invented the continuous moving stairs, in a new york department store in1896-97. It was the first to appear in Europe in the 1900 Paris, Exhibition. 

The Lift/Elevator made it essential in the construction of the Skyscraper and so it remains today, around the world.

Meanwhile many airports and train stations have developed moving walkways, these take the weight of carrying your cases long distances between terminals. These being a fixed machine, are still a form of transportation.