The Great Race of 2009

Once again the Great Race was an exciting one. In the stock class, "38" took first in the first heat, but took fourth place overall. That's a two spot drop from last year. Next year I will bring home the Woods Cross 5th Ward X Cup.

In the modified class, "N3811H" did a great job flying down the track. "N3811H" is a slightly modified version of a DeHavilland DHC-2 Beaver. The main modification is the engine. I didn't have a radial engine, but I did have a small electric engine from an Air Hog plane. It was a fun one to build and will be hard to top next year.

Boeing 314 Clipper

The Boeing 314 Clipper was built as a transatlantic airliner as an agreement between Boeing and Pan American World Airlines. The 314 was first flown in 1938 with the first passenger flight in 1939. The 314 could carry up to 74 passengers which made it the largest airliner in the world. During WWII the Department of Defense bought five 314 mainly as transports for top officials. The 314 was retired from Pan American in 1946 due to more efficient land based aircraft. The last 314 was retired from service in 1950.

Speifications

Powerplant ...... 4 x Wright GR-2600 Twin Cyclone, 14 valve, air-cooled radials

Length..........................106 ft 0 in

Height............................27 ft 7 in

Wing Span...................152 ft 0 in

Maximum Speed................199 mph

Maximum Range................3,500 miles

Service Ceiling....................13,400 feet

I'm Back, for now.

Those of you who diligently check my blog for new posts, you have probably been wondering what I have been doing the past month and a half. Due to my very limited time since the beginning of January, I have been working two jobs. First I head off to the base at 0400 and come home (most of the time) at 1530. I am home anywhere from a half an hour to an hour before I have to leave for my second job. The great thing about my second job is that I get paid about $40.00 an hour, it only last three months, the location varies, most of my coworkers are great to work with, I get to exercise, and customers like to yell at me, but have no influence. I like my second job, but the time has come for it to end. Yes, I love officiating high school basketball. Now what am I going to do with all my extra time. Melissa already has that planned out. Time to finish the basement. I don't know when I will be posting again, but hopefully soon. It might be a plane or some rambling like this one. Nobody knows what it will be until I post it. I need to shut up now, so everybody, have fun.

Lockheed Vega

The Lockheed Vega is a four passenger aircraft that was first introduced in 1927. The Vega was considered to small for passenger service, so in 1929 the Vega was improved with a bigger engine and two more passenger seat were added. The Vega was built for speed in which it proved by setting a number of aviation speed records. The Vega was also built to last. The Vega is also known as the aircraft that Amelia Earhart flew when she became the first women to fly solo across the Atlantic. Wiley Post used his Vega to fly around the world twice. Both of those Vegas are on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. There were 132 Vegas built and only six exist today.

Specifications

Powerplant........................1 x Pratt & Whitney R1340C

Length................................27 ft 6 in

Height................................8 ft 6 in

Wing Span.........................41 ft 0 in

Maximum Speed..............185 mph

Maximum Range..............725 miles

Service Ceiling..................15,000 feet

Christmas Time

The presents I received this Christmas was just about the best presents I have received ever. Some of the gifts I received I would have never expected to get as long as Melissa was alive. To my amazement she got me the Napoleon Dynamite soundtrack which is "sweet." She also got me two 2-Liter bottles of the finest soda of PA, Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer. Oh, the smell, the taste, the memories. I will savor these two bottles especially the cost for them, $1.59/bottle plus shipping for a total of $15. Yes, $7.50/bottle, but it is so worth it. If you want to try a sample, just ask and maybe I will let you try some.
Christmas was good except for the whinny little kids, but I guess this is what you get for waking them up early in the morning to get the long day going.
Melissa, the sticky buns were very tasty and thanks for everything.

The Santa Experience

Since it is Christmas time, I was so excited to hear that Santa was coming to the Ward Christmas party. I couldn't wait to ask Santa for the one thing that I have always wanted, a Red Ryder carbine-action, two hundred shot Range Model air rifle with a compass in the stock and thing which tells time. But as usual I got the same answer that everybody gets when asking for this item. "You'll shot your eye out, kid."

Darn it, Melissa got to Santa before I did. Oh well, maybe next year.

Meleagris gallopavo

The Meleagris gallopavo is also know as the Wild Turkey. It was designed and built by God. It has been in service since the beginning of time. It runs on grass, seeds, berries, roots, insects, and small reptiles. The Meleagris gallopavo does not carry any weapons, so it will fly or run at any sight of danger. The Meleagris gallopavo has an excellent camera system and is very stealthy. The are six models of the Meleagris gallopavo, each in a different part of North and Central America.

Specifications

Powerplant.....................Biotechnology Engine System

Length...........................30 - 49 inches

Wing Span.....................49 - 57 inches

Maximum Speed..........50 mph

Maximum Range..........1,312 feet

Service Ceiling...............Usually stay close to the ground.

Lockheed F-35 Lighting II

The Lockheed F-35 Lighting II was built as all-weather, stealth, multi-role aircraft. Originally known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), the F-35 was designed with the US Air Force, Marines, and Navy in mind. Lockheed has built three different models to accommodate these branches.

The JSF program started as a competition between Boeing's F-32 and Lockheed's F-35. Both aircraft surpassed the DOD's expectations, but the F-35 outperformed the F-32.

Lockheed F-35A Lighting II

The F-35A is built for the Air Force with conventional take-offs and landings. The F-35A will replace the F-16 Fighting Falcon starting in 2013 with the 388th at Hill AFB and replace the A-10 in 2028.

The F-35B is built for the Marines with short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities. The F-35B will replace the Marines' F/A-18 Hornet, AV-8B Harrier II, and EA-6B Prowler starting in 2013.

The F-35C is built for the Navy with carrier capabilities like folding wings, stronger landing gear, and bigger wing area. The F-35C will replace the F/A-18 Hornet starting in 2015. (The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet will still be in service.)

The F-35 is armed with a GAU-22/A 25mm cannon and can carry 15,000 lbs of ordinance

Computer Animation of F-35B

Specifications

Powerplant..................1 x Pratt & Whitney F135 afterburning turbofan

Lifting Fan (B model Only).......1 x Rolls-Royce LiftSystem driven by F135

Length..........................50 ft 6 in

Height..........................17 ft 4 in

Wing Span...................35 ft 0 in

Maximum Speed........1,200 mph

Maximum Range........900-1,400 nautical miles

Service Ceiling.............Currently Unknown

IAI F-21 Kfir

The F-21 Kfir (lion cub) was built by Israeli Aircraft Industries. It is a all-weather, multi-role aircraft based on a modified Dassault Mirage 5. The Kfir entered service with the Israeli Air Force in 1975 and has been in many combat situations with Israel's neighbors. The Kfir was bought by Columbia, Equador, and Sri Lanka. It was also leased by the US Navy and US Marines as adversary aircraft for training from 1985 to 1989. About 220 Kfirs were built. The Israeli Air Force retired the Kfir in 1996.

Specifications

Powerplant....................1 x IAI Bedek built GE J-79-J1E tubrojet

Length............................51 ft 4.25 in

Height.............................14 ft 11.5 in

Wing Span......................26 ft 11.5 in

Maximum Speed...........1,516 mph

Maximum Range...........480 miles

Service Ceiling................58,000 feet

Airbus A320

The Airbus A320 was developed to replace the Boeing 727 and early 737 models. The technology incorperated into the A320 was a step ahead of the 737 and two steps ahead of the 727. The A320 was the first commerical aircraft to use fly-by-wire flight controls and a "glass cockpit". The A320 can carry 148 to 180 passengers depending on class arrangement.

Specifications

Powerplant...............................2 x IAE V2500 tubrofans -or- 2 x CFM56-5 turbofans

Length...........................123 ft 0 in

Height............................38 ft 7 in

Wing Span.....................111 ft 10 in

Maximum Speed.........541 mph

Maximum Range........3,542 miles

Service Ceiling............39,000 ft

Lockheed Martin/Boeing F/A-22 Raptor

The F/A-22 Raptor is the first all weather, stealth fighter produced in the world. It is built in a partnership between Lockheed Martin and Boeing, despite the two compaines being rivials. The F/A-22 has the capability of cruising at supersonic speeds without using its afterbuners (supercruising). Supercruising extends the range of the aircraft because it saves fuel. The F/A-22 is to replace the F-15 Eagle. The F-22 is armed with a 20mm M61A2 Vulcan Gattling gun and can carry a variety of missiles and bombs in three internal weapons bays and/or on four external hardpoints. The F/A-22 cost $137.5 million (2008) and there has been about 125 built thus far. The F/A-22 is currently active with the USAF.

Specifications

Powerplant......2 x Pratt & Whitney F-119-PW-100 Pitch Thrust Vectoring Tubrofans

Length...............................62ft 1in

Height................................16ft 8in

Wing Span.........................44ft 6in

Maximum Speed..............1,500mph

Maximum Range..............1,840 miles

Service Ceiling...................65,000ft

Taking Requests

To My Viewers,

I am taking request for the plane of the week. If you would like to see a certian aircraft or type of aircraft, please leave your request in the comments of any recent post. Thank you for your suggestions.

Sincerely,

Chris Hall
President
Ecce Homo Qui Est Atrium

How to do a Birthday Party

Here are some easy steps to throw a awesome birthday party.

Prepartions
Make invitations on Excel and print out (I got six per page).
Sent out invitations 4-5 days before party.
Make cake and decorate the night before.

Day of Party
Get home from work 5-10 minutes before start of party.
Shower and dress.
Wait for all the guest to arrive.
Let the guest play (15 minutes).
Have cake and ice cream (15 minutes).
Let guest play (5 minutes).
Open presents (10 minutes).
Let guest play (15 minutes).
Guest leave.

The total cost of this party should be less then $10.
No fancy decorations or party bags with cheap toys that get throwen away the same day or candy (They already had cake and ice cream).

This is the greatest birthday party you can ever plan. It take minimal effort, money, and time, and the guest still have fun.

Bell X-22

The Bell X-22 was designed for the Navy to meet their request of a V/STOL prototype aircraft powered by ducted fans. Bell had the know how to due to their helicopters and previous testing with ducted fans. The X-22 first flew in 1966. Two X-22s were built. The testing proved successful at the time, but the program was canceled. The second X-22 flew until 1988 at Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory. It is now displayed at Niagara Aerospace Musuem in New York.

Specifications

Powerplant...........................4 x General Electric YT58-GE-8D Turboshafts

Length...................................39 ft 7 in

Height....................................20 ft 8 in

Wing Span.............................39 ft 3 in

Maximum Speed..................255 mph

Maximum Range..................445 miles

Service Ceiling.......................27,800 feet

Grumman E-2 Hawkeye

The E-2 Hawkeye is a all-weather, aircraft carrier based Airborne Early Warning aircraft. The E-2 was first flew in 1960 and was operational with the US Navy in 1964. The E-2 is an easy aircraft to indetify due to the circular, rotating radar and twin tubroprops. The E-2 has been involved in all aircraft carrier activities since becoming operational. The E-2 currently has no date set for retirement. The E-2 will continue to serve the US Navy and its allies well into the future.

Specifications

Powerplant...................................2 x Allison T56-A-425 Tubroprops

Length..........................................57 ft 7 in

Height..........................................18 ft 4 in

Wing Span...................................80 ft 7 in

Maximum Speed........................375 mph

Maximum Range........................1,605 miles

Service Ceiling.............................30,800 ft

McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle

The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather fighter built for air superiority. It first flew in 1972 and was in full operation in 1976. The F-15 has a variety of advanced avionics and weapons. It can carry up to 16,000 lbs on its 11 pylon hardpoints. The F-15 is also armed with a 20mm M61A1 Gatling Gun.

In 1989, the F-15E Strike Eagle was introduced, The E model gave the F-15 the ability ability as a long range fighter as well as a ground attack aircraft.

The F-15 is to be replaced by the Lockheed F-22 Raptor, except for the F-15E which is schedule to be in service till 2025.

Specifications

Powerplant.........2 xPratt & Whitney F100 tubrofans

Length........................................63 ft 9 in

Height.........................................18 ft 6 in

Wing Span..................................42 ft 10 in

Maximum Speed.......................1,650 mph

Maximum Range.......................1,222 miles

Service Ceiling............................65,000 ft

The Great Race of 2008

The Great Race of 2008 was a great one indeed. There were two classes: stock class and modified class. My stock class "The Puke" lost the first heat which put in in the loser's bracket. But after other successful races, "The Puke" made it two the championship race. With the best of three, "The Puke" lost the first two. Defeated, "The Puke" was not disappointed. She raced better that expected.

In the modified class, "FrontRunner" was not expected to do well to the other racers. FrontRunner ended up with a bye in the first heat. In the second heat, "FrontRunner" took third, not enough to qualify for the next race. After the races, during open track, "FrontRunner" ran better backwards. Only if the driver knew.

Many will be surprised and amazed on what I will be racing next year during The Great Race of 2009.

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

The P-47 first flew in 1941. It was designed as a fighter, but quickly became a multi-role aircraft during WWII. It was used as an interceptor, bomber escort, small bomber, and close support. The P-47 was armed with 8 x 0.5" M2 Browning machine guns. It could carry up to 2,500 lbs of bombs or 10 x 5" unguided rockets. Over 15,600 P-47s were built by the time it was retired in 1955.







Specifications

Length.........................36 ft 1 in

Height.........................14 ft 8 in

Wing Span......................40 ft 9 in

Powerplant...........1 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 twin-row radial engine

Maximum Speed..................433 mph

Maximum Range..................1,800 miles

Service Ceiling................43,000 ft

To Whom It May Concern

Due to the overwhelming complaints of the missing aircraft, I have decided to continue to post the Plane of the Week along with other stuff. This should satisfy all parties. The Plane of the Week will resume on the week of September 7th. Please stay tuned to this blog. Same world wide web. Same address. Till next time.

Ride the Train

It was a lovely warm summer night, I was with my family at the Ledgemere picnic area in Big Cottonwood Canyon enjoying dinner and throwing large rocks in the river with the kids. We had a lot of fun, but that fun had to end because it was getting dark and I had to go to work early the next morning. (I really didn't have to go to work because it was voluntary overtime, but Melissa makes it mandatory.) I had my sexy, hot wife drop me off at the Midvale/Fort Union TRAX Station so I could go home while she and the 3 little monsters (sometimes) go and sleep at Grandma's house. I went to buy my ticket at the kiosk, but the stupid machine wouldn't take bills. So I went to the next kiosk, and that stupid machine wasn't working. I decided, screw it, I am getting on anyway. Luckily I made to the Free Fare Zone without a Transit Officer checking for tickets.

When the TRAX train arrived to the Salt Lake Central Station, the FrontRunner train was just leaving. Blast, I thought, I have to wait another half an hour till the next train. So I went a bought my ticket for FrontRunner and then looked at the schedule. To my surprise the train only ran every half an hour until that train that just left and I had to wait an hour for the next one. I then decide to kill some time and go to the Planetarium and walk around Gateway. I went back to the station and waited a few minutes more for the next train. When the train arrived, the UTA employees said we couldn't get on this train because it was having some mechanical problems and we would have to wait for the next train. Crap. So an hour later I was on the train to Woods Cross. Then I had to walk home (which was a long and treacherous mile) because I didn't have a car. I finally got home about two hours later then I would have liked to- at 12:45 AM.

But in the end I didn't get to work that morning and got chewed out by my mother-in-law the next day for not calling them to come get me at the station, and for waiting that whole time. It was fun.