U.S. Leading the way in the new Super-Sonic Age!

 Smaller business class Jets?

Britain, and France lead the way with the one-hundred seat Concorde until a crash in France twenty-five years ago ended a most successful trans-Atlantic affair, meanwhile only Singapore airlines operated the type and the Soviet-Russians operated their Tupolev TU-144 between Moscow and the far east, but the demand was not strong and the type was retired too!

On the other hand the U.S. has gone it alone with several larger Boeing concepts, but this new type will allow a one third version to be built more so for private and business flights and to be employed world wide, the secret to this type is perhaps alternative fuel, speed and operational costs being much lower than the original types?

One will just have to wait and see what will happen, or is this another red herring, pink elephants ect, that we will never see the light of day as so many went before!

The Railways 2018. Two.

Practicality?

It was hoped that Britain would see all diesel locomotives withdrawn by 2020, but this has now been changed to 2040?

Because new stock is already playing up and with the changes with franchises there is also a demand on the existing fleet of locomotives to be shuffled about on the British system!

The Class 43 or well known  HST-125's are getting another modernisation to keep them in service to at least 2040. Freight operations will continue with what they have, but some older engines in good nick will be kept for reserve recovery workings?

This has much to do with the price of fuel at this time and they remain more reliable than some of the new stock? The Class 66 service is now complete and it is unlikely anymore new orders will be made for the time?

Lithium battery technology is improving all the time and the Diesel Multiple Unit fleet is expected to also be withdrawn by 2040 in suburban operations, where electrification will continue for long distant speed and travel!

Commuter Trains. Part-One.

Mass Movement.

The commuter train has become one of the most blandest of train types across the world? They are really box trains sometimes painted in nice colour schemes, but generally they have a dirty appearance of over long term use. 

Indian railways and recent films showing the commuter system in Mumbai portray this demand for rush hour traffic! South Africa, Great Britain and Russia also portray a similar image, perhaps with less dirt and more colour.

Terms such as D/EMU (Diesel/ Electric Multiple Unit) is the official name for these trains that are capable of carrying 700 to 2000 people per run. Japan and India have the worst overcrowding problems, while the United States, Denmark, and Israel know deploy double decker carriages.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.