Pre-flight on Air New Zealand

 

I always thought that Kiwis were a bit odd but not anymore. 

No More Mess

Now that’s a nifty gadget.  I want one (no not really but I sure need one)

The Rapide Video

Recently I blogged about the Aston Martin Rapide video Would David Brown Roll in his Grave?

Well here it is in its full awfulness

A Bad Sport Week

 

It’s been a very bad week in sport for me.  Australia got dumped out of the Cricket World Cup (Ponting and the team must die), Mark Webber didn’t win the Aussie Grand Prix at Albert Park and today Wasps were unceremoniously beaten 39-3 by Northampton Saints.

The only ray of sunshine was Australia topping the medal table in the World Track Cycling Championship and particularly Anna Meares showing Victoria Pendleton how it’s done by winning three Golds.

Final score Australia 8 Golds, UK 1 Gold.  A harbinger of London 2012?  Let’s hope so.

The Robotic Bird

Festo, a leader in robotics, has created a robotic bird inspired by the Herring Gull which flies in a pretty realistic way.  A bit of a gimmick at present but with obvious military potential.

 

 

Whatever next?  Engadget has the full story Festo's SmartBird robot takes off with elegance, doesn't poop on you (video) -- Engadget

Who Needs a Cobra?

The Russian SU-30 is famous for its “Cobra” manoeuvre but can it do a Flip?

Raptors rule OK.

Serious' cyber attack on EU bodies

 

You can read all about it here 

One of the “bodies” was the EU External Action Service which sounds rather sinister, almost like the EU’s own special forces, and was a “body” that I was not familiar with.  So I looked it up and after reading its mandate I am none the wiser.  See if you can figure it out:

“In fulfilling his mandate, the High Representative shall be assisted by a European External Action Service. This service shall work in cooperation with the diplomatic services of the Member States and shall comprise officials from relevant departments of the General Secretariat of the Council and of the Commission as well as staff seconded from national diplomatic services of the Member States. The organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service shall be established by a decision of the Council. The Council shall act on a proposal from the High Representative after consulting the European Parliament and after obtaining the consent of the Commission”

No?  I thought not.  I bet some Brussels senior official was paid several grand to draft this gobbledegook.

Actually the High Representative is a she – none other than Baroness Ashton…..we’re in good hands.

Boeing's biggest jet takes flight

Boeing has flown its new big’un at last, the 747-8.  Bigger than the B747-400 and even more graceful the airliner will offer the lowest seat-mile cost of any commercial airliner.

The Airbus A380 might be bigger but the 747 is still Queen of the Skies.  Which do you think is more beautiful?

This:

or this:

  Get the full story at Engadget   Boeing's biggest jet takes flight, promises lowest 'seat mile' cost of any commercial airliner -- Engadget

BBC News - Sea eagles given more protection

 

Good news that (White-tailed) Sea Eagles, Haliaeetus albicilla, are to be given more protection.  The Sea Eagle was reintroduced into Scotland in 1975 having become locally extinct.  Gradual recovery has occurred but this magnificent bird, one of the greatest wildlife sights in Scotland, is not out of danger quite yet.  For all the details see BBC News - Sea eagles given more protection

Don’t Worry About Crashing in Libya

 

The recent F-15E Strike Eagle crash in Libya highlights every aircrew person's fear that they will crash behind enemy lines, whether due to enemy action or mechanical failure.

In this case the latter seems to apply.  By all accounts the crew were quickly  rescued by US Marines in a complex operation that may have included  exfiltration using a USMC MV-22 Osprey in one of its prime roles of combat search and rescue.

Whilst the Pentagon are heralding the rescue they are thin on the particulars as this video shows:

Enter the Avenger

The latest UAV from General Atomics is the Predator C Avenger, an upscaled Predator with a turbofan engine.

Designed for long endurance surveillance and precision strike the Avenger will be a powerful anti-terrorism platform.

Video from Aviation Week

The Cone of Silence

Agent 86 would instantly recognise this as the 2011 version of the Cone of Silence:  BBC News - Barack Obama's top secret tent

Plus ca change.

What Happened in the KC-X Tanker Saga

I have blogged before about the long drawn-out saga of KC-X, the USAF program [sic] to replace the ageing fleet of KC-135 aerial refuelling tankers (see USAF selects Boeing for KC-X contract and Aussies Steal a March on the USAF ). 

Now the evergreen and delightful Popular Mechanics provides a chronology of the tortured process U.S. Air Force Tanker - Boeing Governent Contract - Popular Mechanics

Well worth reading to find out how not to do it, how Boeing eventually won and how one person can be a national hero or a right pain in the butt depending on where you stand.

Croatia offered German Phantoms to replace MiG-21s

So that mightiest of aeronautical war horses is not done quite yet:

Croatia offered German Phantoms to replace MiG-21s

First flown in 1958 that most evocative of all modern combat aircraft, the Mighty Rhino, has seen more service and been used by more operators than just about any other Warbird. With its outer wing dihedral and tailplane anhedral its shape was utterly distinctive.

Even the RAAF used the F-4 while it was waiting for its F-111s so that’s how old the mighty Phantom is.  This is the 1972 RAAF display team:

Most closely associated with the war in Vietnam the F-4 has had many devoted Phantom Phlyers and Phixers over the years and now it seems like it may soldier on until God only knows when.

It is indeed primus inter pares.

Rare albatross is unique species

 

The rare Amsterdam Albatross only discovered in 1983 on Amsterdam Island in the southern Indian Ocean has now had its DNA analysed to show that it is not a sub-species of the Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans but in fact a species in its own right.  For the full story see:BBC - Earth News - Rare albatross is unique species

There is only a handful of very large diomedeans so the discovery of a new one is hugely significant.  Hopefully its rarity, only 170 individuals, will be a benefit in its survival and will persuade us to make a real effort to protect it.  Since it apparently only breeds on Amsterdam Island we can be confident that it will be monitored properly.  Its scientific name is Diomedea amsterdamensis (rather dull but suitably specific!)

Spy Shots: Latest look at Porsche's upcoming 911 Turbo — Autoblog

Why do the Elves of Zuffenhausen bother trying to disguise their “new” cars.  They all look the same and have for years.  I suppose some people like that kind of certainty

Autoblog has the story at Spy Shots: Latest look at Porsche's upcoming 911 Turbo — Autoblog

Internet Explorer 9

I downloaded Internet Explorer 9 today on its release having previously been running IE9 RCT the pre-release final version. 

You may recall that I rated the Beta version quite highly but regrettably it only flattered to deceive.  Over time it got slower and slower and wouldn’t run some things like RoboForm (an absolutely vital piece of software to tame your passwords) so in the end I gave it a miss and reverted to Firefox which although it has huge functionality looks like a junkyard dog and Chrome which doesn’t have much functionality but looks good.

So when MS announced the release candidate for IEP9 ( which looks great and has great functionality) I thought I would try it.  And it has been very good: reliable, stable, quite quick (although not as quick as Chrome) and pleasingly convenient and good looking.

So far (today!) IE9 has lived up to the hype and seems even quicker than the release candidate.  So is it smooth sailing or more tears before bedtime like so many MS products?  Watch this space…I live in hope!  

BMW 6-series coupe revealed - Shanghai motor show 2011 - Picture Gallery - Autocar.co.uk

New BMWs are becoming anodyne and so similar that they’re really hard to tell apart.

 

Come back Chris Bangle all is forgiven.  Your cars may have been ugly but at least they were interesting and distinctive!

The Germans now seem to lack any imaginative creativity for their production cars. Or are they specifically targeted at a particularly boring clientele?

BMW 6-series coupe revealed - Shanghai motor show 2011 - Picture Gallery - Autocar.co.uk

A400M Production To Begin; Revised Deal Still Awaits Approval - Defense News

So it’s still not there yet. Is it too late?  Can we really afford it?  Why do we need it?  Will it do what is claimed?  Key questions indeed. 

Does the Government have misgivings too?  We should be told!

For the lowdown see: A400M Production To Begin; Revised Deal Still Awaits Approval - Defense News

India and Nepal

 

Just back this week from a fabulous Exodus trip from Delhi to Kathmandu via Jaipur, Agra and Varanasi.

Highlights included:

Amber Fort

 

 

 

 

 

Taj Mahal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Varanasi

 

 

 

 

 

Chitwan NP

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can see all the highlights here

USAF selects Boeing for KC-X contract

Flight International posts the result: [UPDATED]: USAF selects Boeing for KC-X contract

Those of you with good memories will recall that in my post Aussies Steal a March on the USAF I bemoaned the fact that the USAF couldn’t seem to make up its mind on who should get the KC-X contract.

Well now it has and, surprise surprise, its Boeing with a modified B767 to enter service as the KC-46A, mostly because it was cheaper than the EADS A330 offering and has a lower T/O weight (see the main article for details).

The contract is worth $USD 35 billion and General Norton Schwartz the USAF Chief of Staff says “I’m pleased at how this produced an outcome … that we will get about delivering a capability that’s long overdue and we’ll stop talking about it.”

Meanwhile the RAAF is expecting delivery of its first Airbus A330 MRTT very soon.

The World’s Largest Fire Truck

 

Check out the World’s biggest fire extinguisher from Evergreen

Now isn’t that quite something.  Need a couple permanently based in Melbourne during the fire season.

Can the Met Office Deliver Accurate Weather Forecasts?

On the basis of the Met Office’s performance this Winter the answer must surely be a resounding no.  Throughout the Winter the Met Office forecasts have been completely different to the BBC, Metcheck and the Weather Channel, at least for Dunblane (and to be fair the other providers are different from each other – I have blogged about this before).

Of particular difference between the providers has been the forecast temperature. Often the Met Office has been up to 10 degrees different from the BBC (which uses the same raw data feed) – on the pessimistic side usually, often changing their mind markedly every half hour.  For example below is the current forecast from the Met Office for Dunblane.  The actual conditions today (at 1800) are clear sky and a temperature of 4 degrees! This is by no means an unusual disparity.

In the current Winter it’s really important to know what sort of weather is coming. So come on Met Office get yourself a new Cray or better meteorologists.

Ferrari's fantastic four-wheel-drive FF flagship four-seat fastback

 

Wowie, Zowie a new Ferrari, replacing the 612 Scaglietti, and what an elegant four seater it is.  Totally different to Porsche's try at the the same thing which is Totally Teutonic and hence by definition pug ugly.

But not this Ferrari.  Does FF stand for Fab Ferrari?

Read all about it at Autoblog

RAF Gunners welcomed home from Helmand

The latest lot of RAF Regiment gunners have returned from Helmand and we are relieved and proud to see them back.  Read more…Ministry of Defence | Defence News | History and Honour | RAF Gunners welcomed home from Helmand

One of the accompanying photos is captioned “The Mayor of St Edmundsbury, Councillor Ian Houlder, and Officer Commanding 1 Squadron RAF Regiment, Squadron Leader Dave Crook, take the salute”

Now SQNLDR Crook must have had a good deployment because he has apparently been promoted to Group Captain as you can see from the photograph:

 

It’s a real pity (and a bit worrying) that the truth makers at the MoD don’t know their badges of rank and can’t tell a Group Captain from a Squadron Leader!

Would David Brown Roll in his Grave?

 

Probably yes is the answer if this add for Aston Martin is anything to go by: http://www.astonmartin.com/eng/rapidetruepower

Puerile, hackneyed and utterly toe curling (who on earth is it aimed at?).  Can’t wait for Part 2 to feed my masochistic tendencies.

A New Caterham

Like the appearance of Halley’s comet or the discovery of donkey horse droppings a completely new Caterham is the rarest of automotive events.  The UK manufacturer of niche sports cars has announced a brand new car at the Autosport International show at the NEC and incredibly exciting it is too.  For all the details see PistonHeads Headlines

This is just so different from the Lotus 7 inspired Caterhams that we all love and that go like stink but, if truth be known, are now just a tad old fashioned.

But the new Caterham changes the game and has so many firsts for the company.  Stunning looks, even more stunning performance and  an emphasis on track days and motorsport. 

Can’t wait to see the UK model.  Regrettably it is certain that I won’t be able to afford it.

The Life Guard and the RAF

It seems that former Life Guard and international crooner James Blunt had a bad experience trying to get to a morale boosting concert in Afghanistan.

On the face of it everything that could go wrong at the hands of the RAF did and the concert had to be cancelled.

As  former air force officer (in my case the RAAF) it really hurts to hear these tales of woe.  Being a fighter jock is great and glamorous but the real projection of strategic power in the sorts of conflicts we chose to fight these days can only be achieved by the so called “trash haulers”.  But it appears that they aren’t very good at it.  A big size 12 boot up the arse is definitely required here.

Close Air Support after Harrier

Now that the Harrier is history the question arises as to how we will provide close air support for land operations in Afghanistan.

Big fast jets, whilst being able to deliver a large precise punch are not really very good at sustained close air support (CAS) to troops on the ground.

During the Vietnam war although F-4s, F-100s and F-5s were all used successfully for air support one of the most effective CAS aircraft was the A-1 Skyraider in various guises.  It carried a big load of munitions and could loiter close to the forward edge of the battle area and so be on call at short notice.

The modern version is the A-1 is the Warthog but I can’t see us buying them for the CAS role.

But we could buy AT-6 Texans, probably quite cheaply at that and since the Mod has made the first step in buying non-Brit gear there seems no argument not to.

Rivet Joint morphs into Air Seeker

 

At last the coalition seem to have taken a sensible procurement decision to forgo “Made in Britain” kit and acquire three US RC-135 W Rivet Joint aircraft for the joint electronic intelligence role.  These will replace the ageing Nimrod R1s.

This will provide four advantages over the Nimrod:

• The RC-135 airframe is mature robust and virtually indestructible having been developed from the evergreen KC-135 tanker which is still in front line USAF service.
• The RAF will now have full interoperability with the US, unlike the Nimrod
• There will be three of them rather than only two Nimrods
• They're available now

Lets hope that the Government and its recently appointed new head of MoD procurement will will take lots more sensible defence procurement decisions rather than buying only British kit (because it keeps British jobs) like the previous and utterly incompetent government.