Last Posting Of The Year?

After taking forever to update this damned blog, I got around to it... I doubt there will be another of 2013, but who knows?

I had to run to Wal-Mart tonight *shudders* and on the way back, I figured why not go shoot some shit?

A lonely, rusting dozer:

Not really landscape, but it is my type of fun:

Back To My Comfort Level

After not shooting for far too long, I decided to go out to some... shall we say seedy areas of Peoria. There was only was run in with a security guard who wanted to know "why on Earth someone would want to take pictures of dumpy stuff." Industrial stuff is my thing, I guess?

Without more boring talk, these are the ones I like from today:

 

Odds & Ends

To finish up with my photo-journey to the Air Force museum, here are the rest of the pictures that I deem acceptable to post. All in all, I took over 300 photos, and had one helluva great time. I am sure that I will go back at some point to see my Jesus (SR-71) but alas, it will be another time and another post.

Next on the "To Do" list, is to see the next black-bird that is close to Illinois. Anyway, here is the final blog posting of my trip:

ME-262 (Germany's Jet Fighter of WW2 [the one that started it all])

The ME-163 "Comet" from the Germans, late in the war:

The "Fritz X" or X1 guided bomb of WW2 (Germany)

The venerable JB-2 Loon (V1 Buzz bomb).

The V2 Rocket. This is the basis for America's space program. The Nazi that designed this, designed our rockets.

A WW2 German surveillance camera:

Lockheed F80-C

The Apollo 15 Command module (Successful moon landing mission).

Gemini EVA unit:

Another great plane, and my second favorite: The U2 spy plane. This, like the SR-71, was made by Lockheed's "Skunk Works" and was a huge reason we have "Area 51."

Inside the landing gear bay of a C-17 Globe Master... I am not sure if I was really allowed in here, but tough shit.

The C-17 that is on display here (and pictured) is the protoype C-17. It was also used in "Transformers" and "Iron Man."

Nukes, Nukes Everywhere, But Not A Drop To... Wait. What?

Ah, one of my favorite things: Nuclear Weapons.

Yes, I am a fan. They are marvels of technology pushed to limits that are still not fully understood, and damnit... they are just a beautiful thing to see when they detonate.

The best goddamn caution sticker I have ever seen:

And for good measure, some rocket engines:

The Bockscar Conversation

Today, while at the Air Force museum, I spoke with an older gentleman about a plane and people. When you first walk into the museum, you are welcomed by Boeing B-29 bomber. It is a beautiful plane by itself, but it has an amazing, if not tragic, history behind her.

This is the lesser know plane that put a stop to WW2. As we all (should) know, the Enola Gay dropped the first nuclear bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. A few days later, after Japan still did not surrender, another nuclear bomb was dropped. This bomb, "Fat man" was dropped on Nagaski, and effectively ended the war. The plane that dropped the bomb is this plane, Bockscar.


"Fat man"

Anyway, as I stood in awe looking at this plane, an older man asked if I knew what I was looking at. My response was, "Yes, sir. This is the second plane that ended the war." After that, he smiled and told me thank you for knowing this.

After inquiring why, he went on to tell me how he had been sitting there for about half an hour, and not one person younger than him gave the plane any real attention. As he said, they are all too busy looking at the jets with the missiles and rockets. I told him that it was sad that most people my age and younger have no idea about half of the amazing histories behind most of these planes. We talked for a good 10 minutes about this plane and that plane, and then went our seperate ways. It really struck a chord with me that so many people are sooooo ignorant of what sacrifices have been made and what has been done in our world (both good and bad).