The Holiday Season Begins

Blog Post
Larry-Lambert

With one thing and another, I have no idea how much blogging I will be doing as the Thanksgiving Holiday rolls forward. I have no plans to shop on Black Friday. Many of you will call that racist.

So you are left with an open microphone on the Virtual Mirage Blog. Please be civil and refrain from whatever you usually do…who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? You know, don’t you? Ask not for whom the bell tolls.

 

 

Are OLD NFO and BRM Involved in this Flap?

This just in from CNN: Anonymous sources reported that War has broken out early this morning between Texas and Oklahoma along the border formed by the Red River. It has been reported that the Okies were throwing dynamite sticks across the river in an all-out assault. The Texans quickly responded by lighting the dynamite sticks and throwing them back. So far, it is unknown if there are any casualties from this skirmish, except for one unfortunate duck that was hit while swimming desperately to the wrong side. It won’t go to waste, though, as the Okies will have it for Thanksgiving dinner—more details as they become available.

 

The War of 1812

(right) A detail from “Battle of the Thames”, Oct 5 1813, during the War of 1812. A large force of American Mounted Rifles, Militia, and some regulars crushed a smaller British force of Indians ( under their leader Tecumseh) and regulars of the British 41st Regiment. Here, I painted the part with the British; the Native Americans were in another area of the battlefield. https://artofdontroiani.com/

 

Art and History Meet (again)

In the 1810s Pacific, whaling crews began reporting an outsized sperm whale haunting the waters around Mocha Island. He wasn’t pure white; age scars and barnacles mottled his hide, and iron lodged in his back from past fights gave him a battered, spectral look. Sailors named him Mocha Dick, and soon learned he was no ordinary quarry. Accounts said he would sound deep, then wheel back, ramming pursuing whaleboats and lashing his flukes until oars, ribs, and gunwales snapped. Over years of encounters, he survived attack after attack—some said scores of them—turning a dangerous trade into a waking nightmare.

The legend leapt ashore in 1839 when American explorer Jeremiah N. Reynolds published “Mocha Dick; or the White Whale of the Pacific” in The Knickerbocker. His article described a thinking, vengeful animal etched with harpoons like battle honors. A young clerk-turned-writer named Herman Melville read such sea tales and, two years later, launched Moby-Dick (1851), transforming Mocha Dick’s hard-won survival into literary immortality. Reports say the real whale was finally killed near Chile in the late 1830s, but by then his fame had outrun the harpoon. Mocha Dick had already breached into folklore, where whales fight back, and men learn what it means to be hunted.

 

 

Am I too Old?

(more on a cool kit aircraft here) VFR works for me.

The price of a Ruckus kit plane starts at $28,000 for the standard kit, which requires a $15,000 deposit. The final all-in price for a fully equipped and flying aircraft can be around $70,000, but this can be lower or higher depending on the engine, avionics, and upgrades you choose, and whether you build it yourself. Some options, like the “full package” with a Rotax 912 engine, bring the estimated cost to roughly $70,000. My birthday is coming up… Yeah, you’ll need a trailer too to haul it around when you’re barnstorming across the country. What other accessories would you want? (If you give a mouse a cookie)

 

 

Bullet Points:

** The Russian partnership with Togo (in Africa) has grown rapidly since 2022, when Togo acquired Russian Mi-35 and Mi-17 helicopters and the Kremlin allegedly began recruiting Togoese nationals to offset battlefield losses in Ukraine—part of Moscow’s wider reliance on foreign fighters, through both formal agreements (such as with North Korea) and informal recruitment campaigns targeting the financially vulnerable. (h/t Claudio)

(VM Comment – Russia will take the meat wherever it’s the cheapest. Spending domestic meat on the Ukrainian Front in a forever war brings problems for Moscow. I hadn’t realized that they were buying meat in Togo, but I’m not surprised. They purchased some in Venezuela, and of course, the men who went to the Front from there never returned. They never do. The same is true of Cuba and Norkland. The present talk of a peace deal is Pres. Trump’s way of extricating himself from the conversation. Moscow CAN’T accept anything short of the complete conquest of Ukraine. The only way to keep Russia from breaking its word is a division or two of US troops along the Ukraine-Russia border forever, backed up by a US fleet in the Black Sea and heavy aviation assets in places like Romania, where we’ve built a HUGE base. You could augment with some amalgamated force of Europeans, but the only thing that the Russians would respect is US troops, and that’s the very last thing that Putin wants to see there. There is no Russia deal if there are US troops, because that means that they can’t overrun Ukraine.)

** According to Sen. Mullin (R-OK), Oklahoma State Police stopped 110 semis at a single traffic checkpoint over a ten-hour period, and each one was driven by criminal aliens using “No Name Given” on their CDLs: “They literally said ‘No Name Given.’ Licenses issued in California and New York. We only did this for ten hours at one stop.”

** “You only own what you don’t pretend.” – Robert Mitchum

** Leah offers hints on writing female characters for books or films.

** A reminder from CBP to self-deport.

** Business-wise, everything is screwed up between now and January 15. That’s not true if you punch a time clock or if you are working for the government, but if you’re a feather merchant or if you want to “do something” – that ship has sailed for you. Go and invent a longer-lasting lightbulb in your spare time, or do something useful like curing cancer or figuring out a way to divert asteroids (save humanity) during the dead zone. If you’re a priest, you’ll keep busy as people pour out their hearts during this time of long nights and short days. LSP will stay busy, for example. But for the regular schleps – no.

 

Identify the armor

1

Not many produced (end of war)

 

2

 

Identify the Aircraft

3

Hint: When Viktor Belenko defected to the West and arrived in American hands, his new friends naturally milked him for information. While they quite naturally demanded he reveal everything he knew about the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25P he defected in, they also asked him about potential new developments in the Soviet Union at the time. And Belenko did not disappoint his new patrons. Belenko revealed the existence of what he called the ‘Super Foxbat’, which was under development in 1976.

 

4

Myth? Legend?

 

5

64 Built

 

6

Not an F4F

 

Parting Shot

 

When you’re not buying what Big Mike is selling.

Big Mike Obama spends a lot of money to try to look less like a man, but testosterone is a relentless foe.

 

End

 

Related Posts

Fury (Movie Review)

I went to see the feature film, Fury, at the theater last Saturday. I give it 10 out of a…

Sunday Sermonette

It’s difficult to live life without picking up ‘baggage’ – and I don’t necessarily mean that in a bad way.…

Free Cheese

You all know that the government (meaning both Congress and the Executive Branch) plan to cut checks for many Americans.…

48 thoughts on “The Holiday Season Begins”

  1. (1) Maybe a Chi-To ?
    (2) IDK. The band-tracks are quite unusual.
    (3) MiG-31.
    (4) Blue Thunder. Started as an Aerospatiale Gazelle.
    (5) Wellington Mk VI, I think. In any case, a high-altitude pressurized Vickers Wellington variant.
    (6) GM FM-2.
    – Kle.

    1. #2 – that’s pretty funny. It looks totally different w/o the side skirts
      / applique armor. I cheated, so I will not name it.
      – Kle.

    2. 1. Chi-Ha, the Japanese ‘Sherman Killer.’ Only deployed on the main southern island in preparation for The Invasion, which thankfully didn’t happen.

  2. 1 – Japanese Type 4 Chi-To
    2 – Indian Zorawar
    3 – Soviet Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound
    4 – Aérospatiale Gazelle Blue Thunder
    5 – British Vickers Wellington Mk VI
    6 – General Motors FM-2 Wildcat

  3. The Battle of the Thames – Resulted in the death of Tecumseh and was a turning point in the War of 1812, an American victory that allowed US forces to reclaim Detroit and end British power and influence in the northwest,
    Ruckus Kit – That would be fun. Flying and letting the wind blow up your skirt. I would prefer seating for 2, an enclosed cockpit and a Lycoming sitting out front but 40 gallons of fuel in that lightweight STOL would allow you to spend a fun day in the air and then stop at your local Circle K for a refuel to get you home.

    1. Weight is an issue. If you’re small and light and your passenger is small and light, you might be able to fly tandem (no mile high club though). Unfortunately I’m a big guy.

  4. Re; Big Mike’s comment – respect is EARNED, not demanded .

    A pressurized Wellington ? Weren’t they fabric skinned ? How could that hols pressure ?

    1. I have no idea how they pressurized that cabin. Maybe plastic sheeting? It was rare but available by the end of WW2.

      1. If there were still popular porno magazines, I’m sure that Big Mike would do a lay-out for cash when he splits with hubby Barack.

        1. Skin mags are not where the money is at these days. Drug inserts are however highly profitable. (You know, those folded up pieces of paper no one reads that come with your medications.) Pfizer (Viagra) and Eli Lilly (Cialis) should pay Big Mike to use his layout in their inserts. “If you have an erection that persists for more than six hours, take a good hard [ahem] look at THESE photos.”

    3. I think the only pressurized part was the capsule above the nose.
      Most pressurized WW2 aircraft were only partially so.
      – Kle.

  5. Too Old? Whether it’s another she devil or winged aircraft, “All inventions matter”. You’re not to Old L.L. We’re all inspired to climb the next mountain ( or hill), complete our own endeavors, pursue new ideas, by your relentless creativity and applied wisdom.
    –
    Thoroughly enjoying the V.M. “magazine” format! Even though some days not commenting, it’s my first read of the day, be it only parts – and off to work. Sometimes catching up on a few days, or on hiatus days, reading the random archives. H/T and condolences on your recent losses.
    –
    Black Friday; ” All sales matter” IF a body really needs it, or love the lines / crowd atmosphere ect. We’re on our 3rd “No spend December”, except essentials, which are partially stocked for winter interruptions for travel, power outages anyway. Mrs W. has been making frequent trips to the P.O. to have all correspondence and giving completed, so we can enjoy the “holy days” w/o all the commercial bombardment.

    1. For the first time since I had children, we are scaling back on Christmas presents. I’m only getting things for grandkids. My four daughters and their husbands are, for the most part, like me. They buy whatever they want during the year.

  6. “history of witchery” heh-heh.
    .
    RE: the Ruckas. Absolutely, you should build it. If an M-60 sheen gun can be mounted atop the wing like a Lewis gun was on some WW-One fighter aircraft, even better.

    1. What a wonderful idea. Belt fed. I wouldn’t need to change the drum the way you would with a Lewis Gun.

      1. Johnny Dollar for me…good stuff…harkens back to a less complicated time, altho human nature hasn’t changed a whole lot.

          2. I totally agree Bob Bailey was the best Johnny Dollar. I just finished listening to all of the Six Shooter with Jimmy Stewart. Great tories.

  8. Black Friday…let the shopping begin!…early of course because BF is…uhh…Friday and it’s only Tuesday…sorta like Christmas deco’s in Sam’s before Halloween…because we all need another blow up Santa out front of our house. All I hear in my head is that Senator doing his best Foghorn Leghorn, “There’s too much consumin’ goin’ on out there”. BUT (always a ‘but’), that’s gonna get fixed in short order in NYC and a bunch of other Socialist run cities, so don’t you worry as supply tanks while prices go up exponentially and the heat gets turned off. No complainin’ now, ya hear?
    ***
    Read this yesterday after seeing some overreach Swamp judge decided to dismiss the charges against Comey and James over some micro-technicality, solid cases…essentially more lawfare, but in reverse:
    “ after DJT’s groundbreaking win we began to hear about the deep state, and for years it was spoken of how a web of high ranking leaders, former leaders, and intelligence folks weaved together to make a shadow government. And with this understanding I knew to never hold my breath waiting for these high ranking foes to the United States of America to see justice when justice is being overseen by those with ties to these same wretched scum.
    I’m fully on board with PDJT’s retribution presidency, but I knew that this filth seeing justice would be highly unlikely given everything we know about the shared links between all who make up this aforesaid shadowy deep state. Unless we begin taking to the streets, lawfully, there’s no way the same system will fix itself.”
    .
    That was from a young millennial.
    Point is it is Thanksgiving week, and a hat tip to our Learned Host for ‘going light’…may we ignore those who believe WTP work for them and by extension believe they are celebrities requiring our undivided attention. We have bigger things to focus, like family and friends around the Thanksgiving table, enjoying a pressure-relived life under this President, and more importantly, God’s merciful blessings. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

  9. LL, you are never too old to aviate. I had a friend who was a prolific builder of homebuilt aircraft. He died when he was 92. He was out flying one of his creations when he had either a heart attack or stroke. It is best to go when you are doing something you love to do.

    2. A la Nelson Rockefeller, who when he passed might have been happy though he was not feeling Happy.

  12. “Black female beauty is so powerful, we are owed respect.”
    -Big Mike
    “So, I will just say it like this, that [Trump] has always been intimidated by the intellectual prowess of Black men.”
    -Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson
    —
    “Women have always been intimidated by the length and girth of Asian penises.”
    -Chinese philosopher Wang Hung Lo

  13. Chuckled about the private enterprise shutdown between now and January 15. 40 years ago when I ran the test center for Ma Bell our 24 x 7 on call rotated every 7 weeks. I would take everyone’s holiday duty concurrent with mine and build up comp time hours. Using only a week of personal vacation, I could go skiing for 3 or four consecutive weeks during late January and February.

    Wifey and I also use philosophy of buying whatever we want when we want, Christmas is our way of happiness doing for others .

    Relax, have a homebrew or other spirits for the next 50 days.

  16. Reference Top Of The Wing Mounted Guns: During WW I an RAF lieutenant was on patrol with his squadron when they met a large German force. He expended the ammo in his Lewis gun and pulled the cable to release the gun to allow it to slide into the cockpit for changing the magazine. No luck. It would not move and he was in still in the fight, he undid his seatbelt, stood up with the provided hammer to release the magazine. A gust flipped his plane inverted and he was dangling holding onto the magazine. As an intrepid aviator would do, he got a foot in the cockpit and started kicking hoping to hit the stick. That was accomplished and he fell through the wicker seat returning to the cockpit. The instrument dials were all damaged. He looked around and found that he was alone and the fight was over. Upon returning to base, he wrote his combat report, was called in to the commander, reprimanded for filing a false report, fined for the damage and ordered to stay with his lead.

    After the war, German combat reports were examined and a report written by a German lieutenant was found. He wrote that he observed an RAF pilot hanging onto a Lewis gun while the plane was inverted and that this RAF pilot flew right through the fight and out the far side. The German lieutenant was also reprimanded, fined and ordered to avoid theatrics in his reports.

    So, if you get an ultra light and mount a gun, you may want to consider how to clear jams and such. Additionally, LL mentioned weight. During the early portion of Vietnam, the Bell 47 helicopter was used as a gunship. The in-country trials concluded that it could carry a pilot, a limited amount of .30 caliber ammo and that was about it. The Army aviators tried mounting a .50 caliber gun but the Bell couldn’t get out of ground hover with the additional weight of gun and ammo. It would be fun though and the Texas ranchers would appreciate you visiting their pigs.

    1. I’d like to think that in an alternate, better, timeline, that RAF LT met that German LT in the early 1920’s, and they became fast friends.

      https://youtu.be/dslO-3GgenY?si=zPWdlUwD8pdy_6zy
      —
      Follow-on remarks on “better timelines” and the Treaty of Versailles, the murder of the Romanovs, the Weimar Republic, the rise of the Bolsheviks, and the eventual open domination of the West by the Finance/Victimhood Complex withheld. Y’all are welcome 😉.

Comments are closed.

Scroll to top