All posts by Hutchins AAron

Born in Deutschland 1965, hometown was Bütthart, parents were not U.S. government employees. However, when father was tricked into joining the U.S. Air Force Civil Service, in 1969, with the promise that we could remain in Germany, we were promptly shipped off to Iran. Due to one of my Iranian educators being disappeared, along with her husband, by the U.S. ally Shah of Iran's Israeli & U.S. created Savak (for the then official terrorist act of promoting the idea that women can vote), and due to my U.S. citizen mother being placed on Savak's Terrorist Arrest List (for supporting the idea that women should vote, at that time the U.S. ally Shah of Iran did not allow women to vote, now they can) we left Iran for the United States in 1973, literally in the middle of the night. At the U.S. Embassy airbase the CIA operated Gooney Bird (C-47) was so packed with other U.S. citizens fleeing our ally Iran (because the Shah gave the OK to arrest any U.S. citizen for such terrorist acts as promoting the concept of voting) that we were turned away by the Loadmaster and had to take a chance on a civilian flight out of Tehran's airport. My father told me he and my mother had three culture shocks; first when they arrived in Germany as civilians, then after being shipped off to Iran as U.S. government employees, then again returning to the United States as unemployed civilians (because so much had changed in the U.S. while they were gone, their only news source was the U.S. Armed Forces Radio & Television Service which heavily censored information about the home front). Since I graduated high school in 1982 I've worked for U.S. government contractors and state & local government agencies (in California), convenience store manager in California, retail/property management in Georgia, California and Idaho. Spent the 1990s in the TV news business producing number one rated local news programs in California, Arizona and Idaho. 14+ years with California and Idaho Army National Guard and the U.S. Air Force. Obtained a BA degree in International Studies from Idaho State University at the age of 42. Unemployed since 2015, so don't tell me the economy has recovered.

Is it actually a 4×4 Chevy Impala?

Seen at one of the biggest free car shows and food feed in Bannock County, the 17th Annual Client Appreciation Car Show & BBQ!

It took place in O.K. Ward Park, on the northwest side of Pocatello, on 08AUG2024.

Here’s my video:

Here is another video:

Was it something I ate?: Bad Gas at the free car show and B-B-Q feed fest!

Bad Gas at the free car show and B-B-Q feed fest?

One of the biggest free car shows and food feed in Bannock County, the 17th Annual Client Appreciation Car Show & BBQ!

It took place in O.K. Ward Park, on the northwest side of Pocatello, on 08AUG2024.

Here’s my video:

The current owner gave me the back story to this 1966 Chevy-2 Super Sport.  The original owner used it for drag racing until finally permanently parking the car in his garage.  After more than a decade, another guy came along looking for a project to use his Chevy LS-1 motor and 6-speed manual transmission on.

The current owner revealed to me that the old-skool fuel injector set-up is fake, it is actually a glorified air cleaner housing for the carburetor hidden underneath!

Even though it has a modern 6-speed manual transmission, it sports an old Hurst style 4-speed shifter.

The current owner drives his fake-news gasser around town whenever he can, yes it is street legal.

13th SAC show:

The X-26?

Going Gangbusters! Lincoln Model L roadster unboxing.

Round2 is reissuing the old MPC Gangbusters series of car kits, and I just happen to have an original Model Products Corporation issue from the mid-1960s!

Boxing:

More proof its old:

Unboxing:

Bullet riddled:

Whitewall damage:

I need a drink:

Golden crispy instructions:

More golden-crispy instructions:

Cool kits for only $1:

 

Shenanigans: REVELL-MONOGRAM P-47D THUNDERBOLT

NATO vehicle I-D: The Swedish Griffen

SAAB JAS (Jakt- Attack- Spaningsflygplan) 39 Gripen

During the never officially declared Cold War, Sweden decided that its fighter aircraft should be able to use silly-vilian highway systems as runways.  In May 2024, the Gripen took part in landings and take-offs from a highway near Gothenburg. Video via NATO:

Sweden has long been a ‘partner’ of NATO, but in March 2024 Sweden became a full NATO Member.

Taking part in Bomber Task Force Europe, May 2020. Försvarsmakten photo.

JAS 39C Gripen during the 2019 Royal International Air Tatoo, over the United Kingdom. U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant Aaron Thomasson, 20JUL2019.

JAS 39D Gripen, on Kallax Air Base, Luleå, Sweden, during the Arctic Challenge wargame in May 2019. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist John M. Hageman.

June 2014, a U.S. Air Force (USAF, 100th Air Refueling Wing) KC-135 refuels a Swedish Gripen during NATO wargame BaltOps (Baltic Operations), video by Senior Airman Laura Yahemiak:

Normally a U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier instructor pilot, Major Eric Grunke (hometown Weiser, Idaho) straps into the back seat of a Gripen-D for a FAC training mission over Malmen Military Base, Linköping, Sweden. USMC photo by Sergeant Tatum Vayavananda, 21AUG2013.

In January 2013, Sweden sent their Griffins to take part in the USAF Red Flag wargame over Nellis, Nevada.  I edited this take-off video from videos recorded by the USAF:

I edited this landing video from videos recorded by the USAF:

NATO vehicle I-D: THE ARCHER FROM SWEDEN

Oregon: F-15EX Eagle-2 has landed!

On 05JUN2024, the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing received its first Boeing F-15EX Eagle-2 (aka Super Eagle).

Oregon Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Nichole Sanchez, 05JUN2024.

Tail number 008 arrived at Portland Air National Guard Base, just in time for lunch.  I edited this together from video recorded by Steven Conklin and Technical Sergeant Kyle Mergeler:

Tail #008 was built in Berkeley, Missouri.

Berkeley, Missouri, 05JUN2024. Oregon National Guard photo by Aaron Perkins.

It is the first of 18 Super Eagles heading to Oregon’s 142nd Wing.

#008 departs Berkeley, Missouri, on its way to Portland, Oregon, 05JUN2024. Oregon National Guard photo by Aaron Perkins.

More about the F-15EX, 2021: F-15EX HAS ARRIVED! COMMANDER SAYS “IT’S AN EX-CITING DAY!”

F-15EX-CITEMENT!

Oregon Eagles in Finland: OREGON KOTKAT LENTÄÄ SUOMEN YLI

NATO vehicle I-D: The Archer from Sweden

Artilleristystem 08, aka Archer, using the Bofors FH77 155mm gun. Supposedly, as of March 2023, Ukraine received eight of these auto-loading wheeled self-propelled gun systems.

Near Tolga, Norway, during wargame Trident Juncture, 31OCT2018. Svenska Armén photo by Marcus Nilsson.

Sweden has long been a ‘partner’ of NATO, but in March 2024 Sweden became a full NATO Member.

Camp Atterbury, Indiana, 15NOV2021. Virginia Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Bryan Myhr.

Virginia Air National Guard video report (by Staff Sergeant Bryan Myhr) of Archer artillery system being demonstrated during wargame Bold Quest, on Camp Atterbury and Mascatatuck Urban Training Center in the U.S. state of Indiana, 15NOV2021:

Camp Atterbury, Indiana, 15NOV2021. Virginia Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Bryan Myhr.

Camp Atterbury, Indiana, 15NOV2021. Virginia Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Bryan Myhr.

NATO vehicle I-D: SWEDEN’S TRACKED VEHICLES

NATO vehicle I-D: Sweden’s Tracked Vehicles

Sweden has long been a ‘partner’ of NATO, but in March 2024 Sweden became a full NATO Member.  This is an incomplete list of tracked vehicles used by the Svenska Armén.

The specially outfitted Strv-122 (Leopard 2A5):

Near Stockholm, Sweden, 23SEP2017. Minnesota Army National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Anthony Housey.

At least 44 Strv 122s are being upgraded with the longer barreled L55 gun.

NATO promotional video from 2024 BaltOps (Baltic Operations) wargame:

See more Strv-122 photos and a video here.

German designed Bergepanzer (Bärgningsbandvagn 120):

Towing a ‘broke-dick’ Strv 122 during Trident Juncture in NATO Norway, 02NOV2018. Svenska Armén photo by Jesper Sundström.

Quick video of Bergepanzer and CV90 during NATO wargame Aurora, May 2023:

CV-90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (aka Stridsfordon 9040, or CV9040):

Near Stockholm, Sweden, 22SEP2017. Minnesota Army National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Anthony Housey.

NATO promotional video from 2024 BaltOps wargame:

See more CV-90 photos and a video here.

CV90-Mjölnir, 120mm mortar carrier:

U.S. Marines learn how to load the CV90-Mjölnir. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sergeant Andy O. Martinez, 12JUN2024.

Bandvagn 410 (Bv410):

Gotland län, Sweden, 10JUN2024. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sergeant Andy O. Martinez.

Near Stockholm, Sweden, 23SEP2017. Minnesota Army National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Anthony Housey.

NATO vehicle I-D, 2023: IRON SPEAR AFV & IFV

Can a Leopard change its spots?

Strv = Stridsvagn (battle wagon).

Swedish Strv 122 smashed a passenger car during Strong Europe Tank Challenge, on Grafenwöhr Training Area, Germany, 04JUN2018. Svenska Armén photo via Christian Marquardt.

The Strv 122 is an up-armored version of the German Leopard battle tank, with more advanced electronics, and designed specifically to fight in arctic conditions.

During wargame Baltic Operations (BaltOps) on the Tofta Training Area, Sweden, 08JUN2022.
U.S. Navy photo by Robert L Kunzig.

I edited this from various U.S. Army and NATO videos of Swedish Strv 122 battle tanks, during wargames, between 2018 and 2023:

Gunnery during Strong Europe Tank Challenge on Grafenwöhr Training Area, Germany, 07JUN2018. U.S. Army photo by Gertrud Zach.

The Rheinmetall ammo does not use a metal case, it is a combustible plastic case, the silvery color is the explosive powder inside. At the end of the case is a metal ‘afcap’ containing the primer. USN photo by Robert L. Kunzig.

U.S. Army video (by Kevin S. Abel) of timed track repair during Strong Europe Tank Challenge, in June 2018:

U.S. Marines get an introduction to the Strv 122, 08MAR2018. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Corporal Raul Torres.

NATO vehicle I-D: SWEDEN’S CV-90

Oregon: “Smoke ’em if you got ’em!”

Oregon Army National Guard photo by Major Wayne Chris Clyne, 22JUN2024.

On 22JUN2024, the Oregon Army National Guard’s 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment, conducted M82 smoke grenade launching with their M1127 Reconnaissance Vehicle (RV) Strykers.

Oregon Army National Guard photo by Major Wayne Chris Clyne, 22JUN2024.

Apparently, this was the first time for such training since 2016.

Oregon Army National Guard photo by Major Wayne Chris Clyne, 22JUN2024.

I edited this video together from a couple of Oregon Army National Guard videos (by Major Wayne C. Clyne):

It was part of weekend training on the Biak Training Center, in Powell Butte, east of Redmond, in the center of Oregon.

Oregon Army National Guard photo by Major Wayne Chris Clyne, 21JUN2024.

Oregon National Guard: OREGON GETS NEW WEAPONS, PROOF THE U.S. MILITARY IS OWNED BY FOREIGNERS!

13th SAC Show: X-26?

On 08JUN2024, the Senior Activity Center (SAC) held its yearly OLDIES ROD & CUSTOM SHOW & FUNDRAISER in the Old Town area (Historic Downtown) of Pocatello, Idaho.

Walkaround video:

Join the Classy Car Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/236371238837962

My youtube ‘short’: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2J0Jb8docpU

Join Idaho Classics and Modern Muscle (ICaMM), it is free!:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/idahoclassicsandmodernmuscle

X-26 has left the building:

13th SAC Show: CRUSHING ORANGES?