Category Archives: Technology

Idaho, Technology

Cold War Subs: USS Nautilus (SSN-571), still fighting after 67 years! First born in land-locked Idaho?

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U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Jimmy Ivy the Third.

After 67 years, the world’s first nuclear powered submarine is still afloat, and heading for a $36-million (estimated) refurbishment, so it can continue its job as the U.S. Submarine Force Museum’s centerpiece.

15OCT2021, USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Jimmy Ivy the Third.

Former USS Nautilus, now HS Nautilus, is the only nuclear powered submarine that silly-vilians (civilians) are allowed to visit (?unless you count the prototype Nautilus buried in the Idaho desert? see more below).

15OCT2021, USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Abel Gonzalez.

Officials with the Submarine Force Museum claim that more than 100-thousand people tour the retired trend-setting submarine every year.

U.S. Navy video, 15OCT2021, ceremony for Nautilus as it is hauled away for preservation maintenance onboard Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut:

It is hoped the estimated $36-million refurbishment will allow SSN-571 to continue in its job as museum ship for at least 30 more years.

USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tristan B. Lotz.

On 14APR2021, HS (Historic Ship) Nautilus had a change of command, that’s correct, even retired ships have what is called an Officer in Charge of Historic Ship.

30SEP2014, the 60th Anniversary ceremonies for HS Nautilus. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Tim Comerford.

January 2012, USN video report on the 50th anniversary of SSN 571’s maiden voyage, which incorrectly states the first nuclear powered voyage was in 1954 which it was not (it was actually 1955, it was launched in 1954):

In 2002, Nautilus underwent a $4.7-million refurbishment.

U.S. Navy poster by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Randall Ramaswamy.

Six years after decommissioning, the freshly painted anchor of Nautilus, after it began museum ship operations at its original home port of Naval Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut. Photo dated 08AUG1986, USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Third Class Joan Zopf.

On 11APR1986, Nautilus officially began its new job as museum ship.

Shoved into position at Pier 33, Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut, 06JUL1985. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Third Class Joan Zopf.

Large harbor tugs Negwagon (YTB 834) and Metacom (YTB 829) work to bring 571 home, New London Naval Base, Connecticut, 06JUL1985. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Third Class Joan Zopf.

Two types of Viet Nam era gun boats lead 571 out of the Miraflores Locks, Panama, 21JUN1985. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Third Class Joan Zopf.

From the Pacific to the Atlantic, through the Panama Canal, 21JUN1985. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Third Class Joan Zopf.

Nautilus in the Gatun Locks of the Panama Canal, 21JUN1985. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Third Class Joan Zopf.

28MAY1985, USN photo by Chief Photographer’s Mate John Kristoffersen.

28MAY1985, HS NAUTILUS (SSN 571) being towed away from San Francisco by large harbor tugs SKENANDOA (YTB 835), foreground, and PUSHMATAHA (YTB 830). USN photo by Chief Photographer’s Mate John Kristoffersen.

On 28MAY1985, Nautilus left California for New London, Connecticut, arriving in July 1985.

27MAY1985, Mare Island, California. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Steve Miller.

27MAY1985, Mare Island, California. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Steve Miller.

14MAY1985, Mare Island, California. USN photo by Chief Photographer’s Mate John Kristoffersen.

14MAY1985, Mare Island, California. USN photo by Chief Photographer’s Mate John Kristoffersen.

Assigned new duty as National Historic Landmark-Museum Ship on 20MAY1982, and began refurbishment at Mare Island, California.

Nautilus developed a hull vibration that rendered its sonar useless, It was decommissioned and stricken from active duty records on 03MAR1980.

10NOV1966 collision with USS Essex (CV-9)! The conning tower (aka sail) of Nautilus came into contact with the hull of the carrier Essex during anti-submarine war games off the North Carolina coast.

Essex was refueling when Nautilus, which was playing the ‘bad guy’, decided to make an attack run on Essex.  Both ships suffered damage and had to return to their home ports for repairs.  One person was wounded on Nautilus (a broken arm?), reportedly nobody was hurt or killed on Essex.

Silent, color USN film of Vice Admiral Rickover (‘father’ of USN nuclear power) receives Distinguished Service Award aboard Nautilus, 17JAN1961:

Silent, color USN film showing that Nautilus 571 supplied electrical power for the keel laying of Lafayette 616 on 17JAN1961:

First submarine under the North Pole ice cap (yep, there used to be a year-round ice sheet on the Arctic Ocean), it should be pointed out that compasses do not work once you get into the Arctic Circle. This is silent, USN color film (which looks like there should be audio because the Captain is talking to the camera), Captain congratulating crew upon reaching ’90 degrees North’ (notice the cake), and writing his official letter to the President of the U.S., during the secret mission called Operation Sunshine, August 1958:

According to Maritime Executive, “Sailing via the North Pole was impossible until the 1950s.” 

Silent, black & white USN film of the crew of Nautilus supposedly preparing for their secret attempt to travel under the (then) thick ice sheet of the Arctic Ocean, called Operation Sunshine.  The film information does not give a location or date, heck, it might not even have anything to do with the Arctic trip despite the title of the film claiming it to be part of the ‘secret mission’:

Silent, color USN film with a ‘slate’ date of “17 JAN”, supposedly 1955, which is the day USS Nautilus went ‘nuclear’, becoming the world’s first SSN:

Silent, color USN film of taxpayers being seated for the commissioning of Nautilus as a USS (United States Ship), 30SEP1954:

Sailing the Thames River, Connecticut, January 1954.

Launching into the Thames River, Connecticut, January 1954.

The General Dynamics-Electric Boat built Nautilus was christened/launched on 21JAN1954, commissioned as a United States Ship (USS) on 30SEP1954, first sailing under nuclear power in January 1955 making it the world’s first SSN (Submersible Ship Nuclear).

The S2W nuclear powerplant for Nautilus was born in the Arco Desert of Eastern Idaho, in 1953, on a USN base then known as the National Reactor Testing Station (now known as Idaho National Laboratory).

Photo via Idaho national Laboratory.

The prototype S1W Reactor (aka Submarine Thermal Reactor) remained in use in the Eastern Idaho desert until 1989, training sailors to operate nuclear powerplants on ships. While the reactor was built in a section of submarine hull, the Navy did not build an entire Nautilus sub and then bury it in the Arco Desert (!that would’ve been too cool if they did, but there are the remains of the nuclear powerplant of a nuclear powered bomber out there!).

Silent, color USN film of President Harry S. Truman taking part in the official keel laying ceremony, New London, Connecticut,  14JUN1952:

Did you know that at one point, Eastern Idaho had the highest concentration of nuclear power plants in the world?

Cold War Boats: FIBERGLASS & WOOD, USS AVENGER (MCM-1), KEEL LAYING TO COMMISSIONING.

MOSKVA CLASS SUBMARINE HUNTERS, STOP CALLING THEM AIRCRAFT CARRIERS!

March 2020: SOMETHING RISES THROUGH THE SEADRAGON’S ICE, USS TOLEDO!

Kit Bashing, Technology

Cold War ‘Fake News’ Armor: When is an M551 not a Sheridan? When it’s a ZSU-23-4!

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This is a real Soviet made ZSU-23-4 Self Propelled anti-aircraft gun. Photo via U.S. Army.

The U.S. Army began reducing its inventory of M551 Sheridans in 1978, remaining Sheridans were relegated to the role of ‘bad guy’ for war games, being modified to look like various types of Soviet tanks for use on the U.S. Army’s then new National Training Center, in the early 1980s.

Two Sheridan ‘fake-news’ ZSU-23-4, National Training Center-Fort Irwin, California, September 1982. U.S. Army photo by Ben Andrade.

NTC, California. USA photo.

Photo attributed to Stefanowicz.

A ‘ZSU-23-4’ spotted in a convoy of fake-news Sheridans, National Training Center-Fort Irwin, California, January 1986. U.S. Army photo.

A 177th Armored Brigade ZSU-23-4- M551 Sheridan, parked next to a real BTR, NTC-Fort Irwin, California, March 1988. USA photo.

I remember when I was part of the 1st/185th Armor, CSC Company (armory in Apple Valley, later becoming Delta Company) of the California Army National Guard, we routinely used Fort Irwin for weekend drills. In the early 1980s, NTC was literally a dust bowl with almost no facilities, we used the giant boulders as our targets for live-fire tank gunnery. Finally, in 2003/2004 the M551 was retired from the OpFor (Opposition Forces) role, with the very last Sheridan seen being hauled to the U.S. Navy’s China Lake in March 2004 (probably to be used as a target).

Parked inside the Opposition Force’s (OpFor) vehicle compound, NTC, California, January 1991. USA photo.

In the last decade of the use of Sheridans as ‘Krasnovian’ OpFor vehicles, the M551s were kept alive by cannibalizing parts from other M551s, and the unusable parts were sold as scrap.  My last encounter with the Krasnovians was in 1998, with the Idaho Army National Guard.

Cold War Armor: M551 SHERIDAN, PROPAGANDA BORDER GUARD

Vehicle I-D: MORE U.S. ARMY FAKE-NEWS TANKS, TIGER STRIPES ANYBODY?

Technology

Cold War Armor: M551 Sheridan, propaganda border guard

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An obviously staged photo of an 11th Armored Cavalry M551, along the border between Ost und Westen Deutschland, May 1979. U.S. Army photo.

The M551 Sheridan was not considered a main battle tank, it was officially a Armored Reconnaissance/Airborne Assault Vehicle, beginning service with the U.S. Army in 1967.

A too clean looking 11th Armored Cavalry M551, West Germany, May 1979. USA photo.

Made out of mostly aluminum (the outer hull was ‘high density foam’ encased in aluminum), it was meant to be air droppable and amphibious.

Another obviously staged USA photo, border of Ost und Westen Deutschland, May 1979.

The 152mm main gun could fire low velocity HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) or ‘canister’ rounds, or the Shillelagh anti-tank guided-missile. The low velocity rounds were useless against fast moving and distant enemy tanks, and by the 1970s the U.S. Army had newer and better anti-tank missiles, so the Sheridan got relegated to other jobs like playing the bad guy in war games, or posing for propaganda photos.

“Halt!”

The U.S. Army began reducing its inventory of M551s in 1978, retiring it from front line use in 1996. Remaining Sheridans were relegated to the role of bad guy for war games, being modified to look like various types of Soviet tanks.  Finally, in 2003 it was retired from the OpFor (Opposition Forces) role.

Cold War 1961: BERLIN KRISE, ‘GAME OF CHICKEN’ M48A1 VS. T-54/55!

Kit Bashing, Technology

Cold War ‘Fake News’ Helicopter: UH-1H ‘Huey-Hind’

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U.S. Army (USA) NTC (National Training Center), California, October 1987. USA photo by Sergeant First Class Carrasco.

Before the U.S. Army could get its hands on a real Mil 24 Hind-D, it had to ‘fake it’ using the old UH-1H (improved D model) Iroquois (Huey).  The Huey-Hind was also known as the JUH-1 Sokol (not to be confused with the JUH-1H SOTAS [Stand Off Target Acquisition System]).

October 1985, NTC (Fort Irwin), California. USA photo by Mary Jacobs.

The U.S. Army propagandists tried and tried to convince everybody that their OpFor (Opposing Forces) Huey looked like a Mi-24 Hind-D.

October 1985, NTC (Fort Irwin), California. USA photo by Mary Jacobs.

The launch rails look more like what you would see on a Mil 8/17 Hip.

February 1987, Fort Irwin, California. USA photo by Donna Fulghum.

NTC, October 1987. USA photo by Sergeant First Class Carrasco.

Even in the air the Huey-Hind still looks like a Huey.

Fort Irwin, California, March 1988. USA photo.

JUH-1 Sokol photo via NTC Aviation Company, Barstow, California.

Photo via NTC Aviation Company, Fort Irwin, California.

Video posted February 2010:

Photo via NTC Aviation Company, Barstow, California.

Photo via NTC Aviation Company, Barstow, California.

Video posted in November 2011:

Retirement, December 2011. USA photo, Fort Irwin, California.

UH-1 Iroquois operations over Fort Irwin, California, began in 1980.  Most of the Hueys were used for their usual purpose, troop transport.  In December 2011, the last of the Hueys, including a former fake-news UH-1H Huey-Hind, were officially retired.  Less than a handful were transferred to the U.S. Air Force.

Fake News Tank:

USAF photo by John Hamilton.

WORLD’S BIGGEST R/C T-72?

How to build your own Fake News BMP-2

Fake News Aircraft:

USMC photo by Sergeant A. D. Gruart, March 1986.

USMC MiG-23?

Cold War Paint Job: UH-1N IN S-E-A CAMO

Cold War Battle Damage: THE HIND-END OF DESERT STORM

Kit Bashing, Technology

Cold War Boats: Moskva Class Submarine Hunters, stop calling them aircraft carriers!

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Contrary to what ‘western’/NATO military analysts try to promulgate, the Moskva/Leningrad were not attempts at building an aircraft carrier (Even several recent U.S. publications still call them failed attempts at building aircraft carriers!), and they were not strictly helicopter carriers, they were dedicated anti-submarine ships that carried a lot of anti-submarine helicopters.  The official Soviet Navy designation was Protivolodochny Kreyser (Противолодочный Крейсер), which literally means (In English) anti-submarine cruiser. The primary mission was to protect Soviet ballistic submarines from U.S. Navy (USN) attack submarines.

During the Cold War, I bought these two books in order to learn about Soviet naval development.  One book was published in 1970 by the U.S. Naval Institute, the other was published in 1979 under the direction of ‘intelligence’ officials with the U.S. Department of the Navy.  The ‘expert’ western analysts of both books acknowledge that the official Soviet designation for the latest Soviet ships was anti-submarine cruiser, however, they both insist on comparing them to full blown U.S. aircraft carriers (a felicitous Apples-to-Oranges comparison), and as a result they declare the ships to be miserable failures. Supposedly, there was some kind of agreement that forbade the Soviets from building full-blown aircraft carriers, and western/NATO analysts truly believed Moscow and Leningrad were feeble attempts by the Soviets to get around that agreement. For some odd reason, this western belief that Moscow and Leningrad were attempted aircraft carriers persists, as I’ve seen U.S. Navy, and even Royal Navy, articles published as recently as 2016 still harping on how terrible the Moscow and Leningrad were at being aircraft carriers!

Moskva (Москва, Moscow) and Leningrad (Ленинград) were sub-hunters. Hidden below their waterline, on the bottom of their hulls, was a relatively small fixed hydroacoustic dome and a ridiculously large and extendable/retractable hydroacoustic dome, used for hunting submarines, and possibly the cause of the ships’ reportedly poor rough seas handling.  The electronics on these ships were the latest and greatest that the Soviet Union could produce at that time, however, by the time they entered service new U.S. submarine technology already rendered the Moskva Class outdated as sub-hunters.

The USN released this photo in November 1990. #841 was used on Moscow in 1970, and again for a very short time in early 1978. Another clue that the USN date is wrong is that there is no name applied to the side of the ship, names were applied after mid-1978.

According to Russian sources, Project 1123 was ordered in December 1958. Moscow officially beginning operations in April 1967, Leningrad began operations in June 1969. The hull numbers on the anti-sub ships changed over the decades, dozens of hull #s were applied.

Silent USN film of #857 Moscow, from 26-27AUG1969:

Mediterranean Sea, sometime in 1970, USN film showing rough seas handling of 841 Moscow. According to an internet source, 841 was first used on Moscow in 1970, yet the U.S. National Archives information for this USN film claims that ship 841 is Leningrad:

Mediterranean Sea, February 1972, silent USN film of 845 Leningrad putting on a show for the crew of the USS Springfield (GLC-7), and allowing the USN to get some close-up shots that kit builders will love:

Mediterranean Sea, February 1972, Kamov 25 (NATO reporting name ‘Hormone’) helicopters of 845 putting on a show for USS Springfield, returned by a USN Kaman SH-2 Sea Sprite flying around 845.  Internet sources say hull number 845 was used on Leningrad starting in the later half of 1969, changing over to 844 sometime in 1972:

Silent USN film of 845 refueling off the coast of Greece, February 1972:

Just days after the above USN films of Leningrad were made, Russian sources say that in March 1972 Leningrad helped with rescue efforts for the submarine K-19, which had caught fire off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.  Moscow was used to test the Yak-36 VTOL jet in November 1972.  Both Moscow and Leningrad supported Egyptian operations against Israel from 1970 to early 1974.  From August to October 1974, Leningrad cleared anti-ship mines from the Gulf of Suez.

USN photo released in 1982. However, reportedly 847 was used on Moscow for a very short time only at the end of 1978, the hull # in 1982 was 106. Also, the name Москва is painted on the ship, prior to 1978 names were not painted on the ships.

A photo published in the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency’s Soviet Military Power review, dated May 1985. It shows refueling operations in the Caribbean Sea. There is a name painted on the side of the ship. Russian sources say Leningrad was visiting Cuba in 1984.

Another USN photo with an incorrect date. The USN claims the photo was taken in September 1990! However, it is clearly part of the film from above dated 1972. You can see the USN Sea Sprite circling 845 Leningrad, which is in the film. Also, hull #845 was used from mid-1969 to mid-1972. There is no ship’s name painted on the hull, which would have been present in 1990, as you will see in the photos below.

A USN photo with the correct date, September 1981! Leningrad used hull #113 from mid-1981 to mid-1984.

109 Leningrad cruising the Mediterranean, Spring 1990. Hull # 109 was used from mid-1988 to mid-1990. Notice the feathered prop on the USN P-3 Orion. USN photo by Photographers Mate Third Class Stephen L. Batiz.

109 in The Med, Spring 1990, about one year before the collapse of the Soviet Union literally killed the Leningrad. The name Ленинград is applied. It looks as if the Leningrad has a fresh coat of paint. USN photo by Photographers Mate Third Class Stephen L. Batiz.

Leningrad was scheduled for major upgrades in 1991, but the economic collapse of the Soviet Union instead resulted in Leningrad being stricken from naval service, due to lack of money.

The last hull number for Leningrad was 702, there are photos on the inter-web showing a rusting 702, apparently moored in a Crimean port in 1995, just before being scrapped in Greece (according to the website). However, Russian sources say Leningrad was hauled to India, not Greece, for scrapping in August 1995. 

There are also photos showing a beached 702, apparently at a scrapping operation somewhere along the coast of the Indian Ocean (going by the way the people in the photo are dressed), one inter-web posting claims the photos were taken in August 2007 (And incorrectly says it is Moscow, the hull # is clearly 702.)!

The last hull # for Moscow was 108, it was stricken from naval service in November 1996, Russian sources say 108 Moscow was hauled from Crimea to India in May 1997 to be scrapped.  One website dates the photo of Moscow (going by the name on the hull) on the beach at Alang, India, as 1997.

By the early 2000s, the collective scrapping operation known as the Alang Ship Breaking Yard became the world’s largest ship recycling operation, and an environmental time bomb as a result.  Russia has sent many Soviet era ships to the graveyard of Alang.

Building Moskva/Leningrad in 1:600 Scale: Project 1123: AURORA VS AIRFIX

Cold War Helicopters: KAMOV 25 ‘HORMONE’

Cold War Boats: FIBERGLASS & WOOD, USS AVENGER (MCM-1), KEEL LAYING TO COMMISSIONING.

Cold War Finale:  SOVIET Ka-27 HELIX BOARDS U.S. AIRCRAFT CARRIER!

Technology

Cold War Helicopters: Kamov 25 ‘Hormone’

Video

Kamov 25, NATO reporting name Hormone, was developed in the late 1950s, first flight in April 1963, production from 1965 to 1977, numerous variants with the main variant being anti-submarine.

February or March 1972, Ka-25 shows-off for the crew of the USS Springfield (CLG-7), Mediterranean Sea, silent U.S. Navy (USN) film:

February or March 1972, silent USN film of Ka-25s flying near the coast of Greece, notice the Soviet cameraman taking pictures of the U.S. cameraman:

Photo via USN, dated October 1985.

Onboard the carrier Kiev(?).

The U.S. Navy says these are two different types of Ka-25, notice that one of the Hormones has its landing gear raised. May 1986.

Anti-submarine sweep, Mediterranean Sea, August 1986. Photo via USN.

The photo is mottled, it is not a camo scheme on the Minsk. #55 onboard the carrier Minsk, August 1986, Mediterranean Sea. Photo via USN.

55 over the Gulf of Oman, October 1987. USN photo by Storekeeper Third Class Bob Marsh.

Folded rotary wings.

The USN claims this Soviet Ka-25 was spying on U.S. military build-up during Operation Desert Shield. Operation Desert Shield was from August 1990 to 17JAN1991, however, the USN did not release this photo until April 1992!

Nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser Kalinin with a Ka-25 and a Ka-27 ‘Helix’. The Ka-27 is essentially a stretched version of the Ka-25. Photo via USN, Mediterranean Sea, dated April 1991.

I have not found any official information as to when or if the Russian navy has stopped using the Ka-25 (although it is obvious the Ka-25 has been replaced with the Ka-27, which is still in use).  It appears that the Ka-25s of Bulgaria, former Yugoslavia-Serbia, and Viet Nam, are now serving as ‘gate guards’.  India purchased at least seven ex-Soviet Ka-25s in the 1980s, apparently they are still in use.  Apparently, the Syrian navy also still operates the Ka-25?  Silly-vilian (civilian) versions are still in operation.

Cold War Finale:  SOVIET Ka-27 HELIX BOARDS U.S. AIRCRAFT CARRIER!

Cold War Battle Damage: THE HIND-END OF DESERT STORM

Cold War Helicopters:

USAF photo.

SIKORSKY DRAGONFLY

Technology

Cold War Boats: Fiberglass & Wood, USS Avenger (MCM-1), Keel Laying to Commissioning.

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Photo via Peterson Builders.

United States Ship Avenger (MCM-1) was the lead ship in a class of ‘mine sweepers’, the MCM stood for Mine Counter-Measure.  Built and launched at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, construction began 03JUN1983, commissioned on 12SEP1987.

A total of 14 MCMs were built between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s. Apparently, as of 2021 there are still eight in operation; Chief, Devastator, Dexterous, Gladiator, Patriot, Pioneer, Sentry, and Warrior.

The wooden structure of USS CHAMPION (MCM-4), typical of the Avenger class. 08MAY1985, photo via Marinette Marine Corporation.

The Avenger class mine-sweepers are fiberglass-sheathed, wooden-hull ships, using sonar and video systems to identify mines, deploy a mine-detonating device to remotely explode mines, and can also conduct what is considered ‘conventional’ minesweeping activities.

MCM-1’s official plaque. Notice it states the launch was 05JUN1985, this does not jive with official records, or photos that are dated 15JUN1985.

The following photos are from the undeclared/unofficial Cold War period:

Pre-launch. Photo via Peterson Builders, 15JUN1985.

Pre-launch. Photo via Peterson Builders, 15JUN1985.

Pre-launch. Photo via Peterson Builders, 15JUN1985.

Pre-launch. Photo via Peterson Builders, 15JUN1985.

Sliding down the launchways. Photo via Peterson Builders, 15JUN1985.

Launch. Photo via Peterson Builders, 15JUN1985.

Photo via Peterson Builders, 15JUN1985.

Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.

Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.

Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.

Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.

Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.

Engine room (main machinery room). Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.

Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.

Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.

Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.

Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.

Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.

Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.

Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.

Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.

Gussied up for commissioning. Peterson Builders’ photo is dated 12SEP1987.

Waiting for the crowd. Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 12SEP1987.

Commissioning, 12SEP1987. Photo via Peterson Builders.

Wisconsin politicians, a contractor executive, and a USN official, get a personal tour of the newly commissioned USS Avenger. Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 12SEP1987.

USS Avenger was decommissioned on 30SEP2014.  It is now in Reserve status for the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The U.S. Navy (USN) plans to replace the remaining MCMs with Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).  However, on 28MAY2021, the USN reported that President Biden’s 2022 budget request is complicating the LCS effort.

On 26JUL2021, the USN’s Mine Countermeasures Squadron-7 (based in Japan) reported they had conducted ‘intense availabilities’ (USN talk for major overhaul) on USS Warrior (MCM 10), USS Chief (MCM 14) and USS Pioneer (MCM 9), at a cost of “more than $31.4 million” (I’m assuming that is for all three ships, the report didn’t specify. If that is so that is way cheap compared to the cost of one new build ship.).  The overhaul of the three Avenger class ships included maintenance on the main reduction gears, diesel generators, diesel engines, and rudders. Additionally, the shafting was removed and re-insulated on all three platforms.

USS Bonhomme Richard (LH-6): STEEL INFERNO, ONE YEAR LATER, SABOTAGE & LACK OF LEADERSHIP=DEATH OF A SHIP!

River Gun Boats: ROMÂNIA

Technology

Cold War Ooops: Sea Harrier malfunction during 75th Anniversary of Naval Aviation

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From February 1986 to February 1987, the U.S. Navy’s Memorial Museum (now National Museum of the U.S. Navy) celebrated the 75th Anniversary of Naval Aviation with airshows around the United States. Of course, the British Empire had to get involved and the Royal Navy sent at least one FRS Mark 1 (FRS.1) Sea Harriers (Two? I read somewhere that there were two Royal Navy Harriers, however, after reviewing tarmac staging area photos I’ve concluded that it was one Royal Navy FRS.1 and a brand new USMC AV-8B.).

FRS.1 #122 takes off on its fateful public demonstration. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Petty Officer Third Class Paquette.

The FRS.1 was relatively new, having entered service in 1979 for testing, with the first operation unit formed in 1980.

The FRS.1 climbs into the sky over Naval Air Station Pensacola, 10MAY1986. USN photo by PH3 Paquette.

The week of May 3rd through 11th, 1986, saw the aircraft fluttering about over Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.  The photos are dated 10MAY1986. I found an article about that specific airshow, dubbed ‘Magic Week’ in the U.S. Navy’s July-August 1986 issue of Naval Aviation News, all it says on page 40 is “The Air Shows on May 10-11 wrapped up the week’s events….. flights of vintage aircraft such as… as well as current operational aircraft such as…  and a British Sea Harrier.”    

U.S. Marine Corps KC-130F Hercules ‘Fat Albert’ Blue Angels support aircraft demonstrates its RATO abilities, just after #122 landed on its Aden gun pods due to failure of the landing gear to extend. USN photo by PH3 Paquette.

Fat Albert has launched, the FRS.1 pilot opens the canopy, emergency vehicles are on their way. USN photo by PH3 Paquette.

In this photo you see the pilot laying on the grass behind the Sea Harrier. USN photo by PH3 Paquette.

USN photo by PH3 Paquette.

I have not been able to find any official documentation about this incident.

Cold War Battle Damage: ALL HAIL THE HAIL BUSTER! WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FLY YOUR C-130E THROUGH A HAILSTORM?

Idaho, Technology

Disaster 2021: Idaho Militia & Boise FD train for swift water rescues, without water!

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Idaho National Guard photo by Thomas Alvarez.

On 02NOV2021, just days before the Idaho based 116th Cavalry Brigade deployed for Kuwait, the Idaho Army National Guard teamed up with the City of Boise Fire Department to conduct swift water rescue training (specifically; hoisting victims out of the water), without water (Idaho has been in a long drought you know) for the first time!

UH-72 Lakota. Idaho National Guard photo by Thomas Alvarez.

UH-60 Black Hawk. ING photo by Thomas Alvarez.

On one corner of Gowen Field/Boise Airport (the air assault strip), militia personnel and Boise fire fighters gathered to conduct their waterless water rescue training.  They used the latest in hi-tech equipment; UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, UH-72 Lakota helicopter, and a pickup truck pulling a trailer!

Mark-1 Swift Water Simulator. ING photo by Thomas Alvarez.

UH-60 Black Hawk and hi-tech Mark-1 Swift Water Simulator. Idaho National Guard photo by Thomas Alvarez.

Before pulling an actual human to ‘safety’ from a moving vehicle, they practiced with sandbags.  This also helped determine a safe speed to drive the truck-trailer combo.

One by one they boarded the impromptu training device. ING photo by Thomas Alvarez.

Believe it or not, they actually referred to the fire-fighter playing the victim as the “simulated victim”! Maybe they should patent their hi-tech invention as the Mark-1 Swift Water Simulator?

Even two at a time. ING photo by Thomas Alvarez.

Several hoists were made using the UH-72. ING photo by Thomas Alvarez.

Idaho Army National Guard photo by First Lieutenant Ianhunter Thorpe.

Several hoists were made using the UH-60. ING photo by Thomas Alvarez.

Idaho Army National Guard photo by First Lieutenant Ianhunter Thorpe.

Disaster 2021: VERMONT & CONNECTICUT VALKYRIE FIGHT FIRES IN KOSOVO!

U.S. Wildfire 2021: IDAHO UPDATE, 15 AUGUST

Disaster 2018: IDAHO MILITIA PREPS FIREFIGHTERS FOR COMING NATURAL DISASTERS, using UH-60 Black Hawk!

IDAHO AIR MILITIA PREPS CIVILIANS FOR NATURAL DISASTER, using UH-72 Lakota!

IDAHO MILITIA PROVIDES ITS OWN CELL PHONE SERVICE, TO SURVIVE COMING NATURAL DISASTER?

Biden’s War, November 2021: ‘REBELLIOUS’ SNAKE RIVER (IDAHO, OREGON) DEPLOYS! POLITICIAN BEGS IDAHOANS TO RESIST THE WILL OF BIDEN!

World War 3: IDAHO TRAINS KOREAN ANTI-NUCLEAR COMBAT TEAMS!

Technology

Cold War Battle Damage: All Hail the Hail Buster! What happens when you fly your C-130E through a hailstorm?

Image

A case of ‘hail nose’. This is what happens when a Hurlburt Field, Florida, based C-130E gets hit by a hailstorm while in flight. March 1987, U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sergeant C. A. Thompson.

The damaged C-130E Hercules landed at Naval Air Station New Orleans, Louisiana. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant C. A. Thompson.

Awaiting the repair crew. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant C. A. Thompson.

Damaged SKE (Station Keeping Equipment) radome. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant C. A. Thompson.

Damage to the leading edge of the wing. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant C. A. Thompson.

Broken formation light. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant C. A. Thompson.

Gotta have that metal tape, and I don’t mean that cassette tape of the latest ’80s metal band. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant C. A. Thompson.

A bit of damage to the engine intake. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant C. A. Thompson.

A new nose for the old Hercules. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant C. A. Thompson.

Replacing the ‘greenhouse’ glass. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant C. A. Thompson.

New glass. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant C. A. Thompson.

With hail damage repaired, the crew of the C-130E used reflective tape to give it a new name; Hail Buster! USAF photo by Technical Sergeant C. A. Thompson.

September 2021: OLD HC-130 GETS NEW JOB AS GATE GUARD

Cold War Battle Damage:  S-A-C INTENTIONALLY MACHINE-GUNS A B-52, USING THE B-D-I-G!