Unique aircraft.
Throughout the Cold War period the Russian Soviet long-range reconnaissance aircraft that filled the skies of the world was the Tu-95 Bear. It was large and had a very long range, but what made it stand out from other aircraft types was it engines and the double sets of counter rotating propellers.
This type of propulsion system is still believed to be one of the most efficient ever created? I wonder why no one has ever followed up on them as a serious consideration in western aircraft design?
Today the bear has been sent to the grave yard as more newer and faster aircraft and spy satellite technology has improved capability.
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Thursday, 7 February 2013
Roll on, roll off..
RO/RO Ferries.
This is the type of shipping that brings in the buck's. Right across the globe, where ever a ferry is needed the 'roll on -roll off system is employed.
Over the years there have been many accidents and disaster in relation to ships leaving or entering ports with their doors open, before actually docking or leaving. Water has entered and ships have capsized with sometimes great loss of life. Greed seems to be the main factor in many of these cases, despite international agreements on safety.
Originally the 'roll on- off concept was for ships that carried trains and later adapted for truckers. This is probably the best system to date and will continue until some other shipping design replaces what we have today.
This is the type of shipping that brings in the buck's. Right across the globe, where ever a ferry is needed the 'roll on -roll off system is employed.
Over the years there have been many accidents and disaster in relation to ships leaving or entering ports with their doors open, before actually docking or leaving. Water has entered and ships have capsized with sometimes great loss of life. Greed seems to be the main factor in many of these cases, despite international agreements on safety.
Originally the 'roll on- off concept was for ships that carried trains and later adapted for truckers. This is probably the best system to date and will continue until some other shipping design replaces what we have today.
Thursday, 31 January 2013
Metro Systems.
Introduction.
Whatever you call them, underground, subway or metro systems, railways, nearly every major capital city now has one or more. We will look at four of them over the next few months in Moscow, Russia, Paris, France, New York, U.S.A. and London UK.
These are probably the four most well known, because of 'Hollywood and the film industry.' They are really 'the daddy systems of underworld urban transportation and are unique in their history and construction.' Today they are old, in need of some 'Tender loving care.'
The other feature that mark them out for further study are there use of new and old stock trains, while also a mixture of wiring and signalling. They also have secret tunnels and stations no longer used.
Whatever you call them, underground, subway or metro systems, railways, nearly every major capital city now has one or more. We will look at four of them over the next few months in Moscow, Russia, Paris, France, New York, U.S.A. and London UK.
These are probably the four most well known, because of 'Hollywood and the film industry.' They are really 'the daddy systems of underworld urban transportation and are unique in their history and construction.' Today they are old, in need of some 'Tender loving care.'
The other feature that mark them out for further study are there use of new and old stock trains, while also a mixture of wiring and signalling. They also have secret tunnels and stations no longer used.
Thursday, 24 January 2013
Maritime Recconaissance.
Reconnaissance aircraft.
With the retirement of the the British Nimrod Mk3/4 MR. The U.K. is still without a suitable replacement. Many nations who have access to a coastline have to have some form of aircraft large or small dedicated to patrol the seas and oceans, even large inland seas and lakes.
Today there are a plethora of civil types which can be adapted for various roles from the big jobs, right down to fishery protection. Aircraft of yester year such as the P-3 Orion, Tu-16 Badger, F-27 and the Atlantique may no loner be as effective as they one were in the Cold War years.
Today's threats come from drug/narcotic smuggling, asylum seekers in overcrowded ageing ships and ship dumping fuel to clean their tanks.
With the retirement of the the British Nimrod Mk3/4 MR. The U.K. is still without a suitable replacement. Many nations who have access to a coastline have to have some form of aircraft large or small dedicated to patrol the seas and oceans, even large inland seas and lakes.
Today there are a plethora of civil types which can be adapted for various roles from the big jobs, right down to fishery protection. Aircraft of yester year such as the P-3 Orion, Tu-16 Badger, F-27 and the Atlantique may no loner be as effective as they one were in the Cold War years.
Today's threats come from drug/narcotic smuggling, asylum seekers in overcrowded ageing ships and ship dumping fuel to clean their tanks.
Thursday, 17 January 2013
Canal Barges. Part-One.
Britain and the rest of the world.
The canal barge and coaster remain a very viable form of transport across the world today, from the River Rhine in Germany to the many rivers of China.
These flat bottomed vessels can move from rivers to man made canals to the sea with ease. Today's shipping is far flung from the early days of invention and development in England, UK.
The UK retains the long barge now almost soley for pleasure and living use. But some river barge industries remain in the river Thames.
The canal barge and coaster remain a very viable form of transport across the world today, from the River Rhine in Germany to the many rivers of China.
These flat bottomed vessels can move from rivers to man made canals to the sea with ease. Today's shipping is far flung from the early days of invention and development in England, UK.
The UK retains the long barge now almost soley for pleasure and living use. But some river barge industries remain in the river Thames.
Friday, 11 January 2013
Doclands light railway. Part-Two.
The East-London DLR.
With the first phase of the DLR completed, it was decided to extend it to the city of London. This was done by digging a tunnel from just before the Tower Gateway station to the Bank, so the first tunnel was constructed on the system.
A second line was then proposed from island gardens to Mudchute Lane, eventually connecting with Stratford. Initially this would cause problems for the Popular depot, but as the building proceeded it improved. The rolling stock was tram like, it was both clean and efficient and a breath of fresh air to London.
Today the system has a loop line at Popular connecting Stratford to Bank and has been extended under the River Thames first to Greenwich and then on to Lewisham in south-London. Another branch takes the line further east to the Beckton loop and another new depot. This line gives a connection to London City airport.
The line now extends through a second Thames tunnel to Woolwich, deep into SE-London. The system also has introduced new stock, were you can walk the whole length of any train. It is not known if there will be any further extension in the future, but there is enough there for it to grow, if needs be.
With the first phase of the DLR completed, it was decided to extend it to the city of London. This was done by digging a tunnel from just before the Tower Gateway station to the Bank, so the first tunnel was constructed on the system.
A second line was then proposed from island gardens to Mudchute Lane, eventually connecting with Stratford. Initially this would cause problems for the Popular depot, but as the building proceeded it improved. The rolling stock was tram like, it was both clean and efficient and a breath of fresh air to London.
Today the system has a loop line at Popular connecting Stratford to Bank and has been extended under the River Thames first to Greenwich and then on to Lewisham in south-London. Another branch takes the line further east to the Beckton loop and another new depot. This line gives a connection to London City airport.
The line now extends through a second Thames tunnel to Woolwich, deep into SE-London. The system also has introduced new stock, were you can walk the whole length of any train. It is not known if there will be any further extension in the future, but there is enough there for it to grow, if needs be.
Thursday, 3 January 2013
'Virgin Space Vehicle'
Richard Branson is a man who is making his mark on history and why not. It is his dream to see space flight in near earth orbit as a reality for everyone. Branson has also been the man who wants to re-vitalize the Concorde and supersonic travel.
The continued development of the inner orbit vehicle will be the first of a generation, this century anyway of more designs and perhaps one day even the defunct Space shuttle too will allow commercial travel into space. Current space stations such as the ISS could be developed into a type pleasure station, or perhaps flights to a moon base or something further afield.
These are the first steps to the future of space travel. What will be the answers to all this in one hundred years from now?
The continued development of the inner orbit vehicle will be the first of a generation, this century anyway of more designs and perhaps one day even the defunct Space shuttle too will allow commercial travel into space. Current space stations such as the ISS could be developed into a type pleasure station, or perhaps flights to a moon base or something further afield.
These are the first steps to the future of space travel. What will be the answers to all this in one hundred years from now?
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