Silberpfeil

Yes, another birthday in the flight log, but it's really just another unpaid day on the tarmac...

No CGI back in the mid-'60's, so the Blue Max movie used a Morane-Saulnier MS.230 for the flight-test monoplane that Bruno Stachel used to create a smoking hole in the ground. That aircraft model was primarily a two-seat trainer so for film-making purposes, the front cockpit had to be covered in order for it to remotely resemble a single seat fighter. And among many other discrepancies, FE aficionados will immediately recognize the use of incorrect Luftstreitkrafte insignia for late 1918. Not really sure why I had trailing in my archives (except maybe I was going to model it at some point)...

Rutan made some good and stout aircraft! Here's an old Long E-Z I caught on its nose several years ago...

FWIW, here's an example of what modifying the ShockStroke entry can accomplish. Top image shows too low ("too short") of an entry, and bottom shows too high ("too long") of an entry. IIRC, middle image reminds me most of what the tires on a Sikorsky S-61R looked like when parked - just a little squashed...

O.K., and notwithstanding the warbirds, where are you going to get the ability to park over 10,000 General Aviation aircraft - some way out in the North 40?

Canceled U.S.N. Constellation class FF(X) to be replaced by Coast Guard's current National Security Cutter to expedite ship production and enhance the Navy's small surface combatant capabilities, with the first new frigate expected to be in the water by 2028. https://taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-frigate-coast-guard/

Interesting video with Combat Search And Rescue footage and information:

Great stuff, Major Bloodnok - thanks for posting, but they look like 50-years-old RAF recruiting videos to me! The second one is equally as good, showing RAF Hercules C.1's and Sikorsky S-55 / Westland Whirlwind units during insertion training exercises.

https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/royal-air-force-raf-f-35-iran-drone-shootdown/

Neat video, GKABS - thanks for posting! Unfortunately, at 3:41 it also documents what appears to be a 1958 Edsel Roundup station wagon (today a fairly rare showcar) ending up as collateral damage! Trailing for your interest...

Interesting video about E-7 Wedgetail, E-2D Hawkeye, and Space Force surface-tracking satellite options.

For Wrench - just in case you wondered who those guys with the black jet skis were when you were looking out your back window over Coronado Beach... https://www.dvidshub.net/video/993668/us-coast-guard-conducts-jet-ski-training-offshore-san-diego

Very impressive detail, Sundowner - I've only just scratched the surface of all the many layers of effort that went into this undertaking. All one would need for total immersion is an aroma machine that generates the effects of high humidity laced with Diesel fumes and the smell of cattle dung. Haven't seen an 82-footer from Coast Guard Squadron One on any of the small rivers yet, but I'm still looking!

Phase Two offers 26 missions divided in two episodes (Solomons and Coral Sea), plus all of the 37 missions in Phase One (Oahu, Wake, Force Z and Burma), for a total of 63 historically accurate combat missions. Also contains updates and upgrades made on aircraft, cockpits, avionics, weapons, decals, ships, briefings and terrains. Free to download at https://www.yap-revamp-works.com/rising-sun-rw/

Interesting story from Business Insider e-zine: https://www.businessinsider.com/us-pilot-dodged-missiles-extreme-turns-during-middle-east-mission-2025-12

Seen this before - could it be G-8's old nemesis is back?