Click for version with full “f-bomb”.
Category: Photographs
PAK-FA/T-50 Video and Photo Pr0n
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This shot shows that the fan face is visible.
(Note, full size pic is humongous)
Detail of inlet
A variable geometry radar blocking technology.
Russian with subtitles
A useful PowerPoint from public sources
In terms of the development of the aircraft, it appears that both the Salut and United Engine Corp. (UEC) will work jointly to develop the a 2ndproduction engine for the aircraft, (paid subscription required) in addition to the engine being developed by Saturn, the prototype is flying with a variant of Saturn’s AL-31-F.
This indicates I think that the Russians are placing a lot of importance on the timely service entry of this aircraft, and I think is a far more sensible course of action than the jihad the Pentagon has had against the F136 alternate engine for the JSF, which may lower development costs in the near term, but almost certainly raises costs, and risks in the longer term.
As to stealth, it’s clear from the top two pictures that the engine fan face is clearly visible from a fairly wide (15°+) angle, which implies that some sort of radar blocker must be present. (H/t whoever posted them online)
If you look at the first video (3rd item on right), it looks like they may have a variable geometry radar blocker, which would provide a helical path for air, and signal, under some circumstances, non-maneuvering subsonic CAP, for example, and would provide a straight path when more airflow is desired, such as during a dogfight or supercruise.
Additionally, the bottom video lets drop an interesting manufacturing technology at about 2:25.
The fixtures for composite construction that that they are using have a very different philosophy than those used with US aircraft.
With US aircraft, Invar, which has a low coefficient of expansion, is used, where the Russians are going with tooling that is made from the same composite that is used on the airframe, so it will expand and contract with the underlying structure during the autoclaving process.
I just find this interesting as an engineer.
H/t Bill Sweetman for both vids.
Finally, there is a PowerPoint, h/t Stephen Trimble, which assembles most of the publicly available data on the PAK-FA, and serves to paint a rather more complete picture of the program and its capabilities.
Deep Thought
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Get your motor runnin’
Head out on the highway
Lookin’ for adventure
And whatever comes our way
No matter who you are, or what you do, you will never be as cool as a tailless iguana tegu* in diapers driving a car.
Don’t even bother to try.
Thanks to Tiempo at the ShortSkoolBus BBS for the picture.
*A lizard of the genus Tupinambis, it can be mistaken for an iguana, but this is really not fair to either reptile.
OK, I Don’t Want to Clean That Podium
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It reminds me of a scene from the Police Academy movies
I’m just saying.
And, no, it is not photoshopped.
Deep Thought
H/t onegoodmove.
I Really Want to Know the Whole Back-Story On This
According to the associated article, “As firefighters cleaned up the scene late this morning, Kali Burns, who lives next door, ran up and down the street dressed in a gorilla suit and caught the attention of some firefighters. Burns said his friends dared him to put the costume on, so he did. He said he only wanted to ‘cheer everybody up.'”
I dunno, I think that there is something deeper involved.
You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!
H/t Americablog.
Cute Slide Show
It’s called, “A History of Obama Feigning Interest in Mundane Things,” and it’s amusing, though, just to be fair, every politician has these sorts of photo-ops.
Deep Thought
H/t Driftglass.
Posted Without Comment
H/t Probably Bad News.
Deep Thought
Click for full size.
Heh
2 Feet of Snow in New York
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File under “Only in New York.”
Heh
The Russians Have Repainted the T-50
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It cleans up good
They have applied the Russian air force blue and white camp scheme.
This is not surprising.
In related unsurprising news, the folks at Air Power Australia have looked at the T-50 (PAK-FA), and determined that it’s 10 feet tall and requires the resumption of F-22 production this very minute.
I don’t doubt these guys technical chops, but I knew what they would say as soon as I saw the link.
They are kind of predictable.
The New Supreme Court Official Photo
Taken just after their vote on the Citizens United case, which allowed unlimited corporate campaign donations:
Someone at the by invitation only Stellar Parthenon BBS received this via email.
Our Supreme Court
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We’re Beatrice
I have no clue as to who did the Photoshop® of this, but whoever did this, let me say, “Well Done, Sir”.
The Boys from Brazil
Or maybe Crawford, TX, and Bush’s pig farm.
OK, so this picture is captioned, “Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, also known as Joe the Plumber, right, appears with Arkansas Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Conrad Reynolds.”
Does Mr. Reynolds look familiar, as in Boys from Brazil familiar?
The Republicans are cloning George W. Bush.
Tekeli Li!!!! Tekeli Li!!!! Tekeli Li!!!!
shiver
H/t Jollyreaper at the by invitation only Stellar Parthenon BBS for the catch.
I Want Those MuthaF%$#in’ Snakes off This MuthaF%$#in’ bus!
You have to love the Dutch.
Deep Thought
When a Big Box Stores Turn to Terrorism
I don’t mean terrorism in stores, I mean terrorism by stores.
Specifically, a vicious and malicious assault on the eyes by a warehouse store known as Brandsmart.
As “jollyreaper,” who introduced me to the photo, notes, “Never did I think I could find a store to make Best Buy seem tasteful and sedate. That entire store is turned up to 11. “
Maybe even turned up to 12:
Click for full size
I think that my eyes are now bleeding, and it’s way worse in full size.
Deep Thought
H/t Pundit Kitchen