Architect: Lucien Thomas1939
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Confederation
In 1936 the Montreal Locomotive Works built five locomotives (6400-6404) for the Canadian National Railway. The CNR did extensive research using wind tunnel tests to keep smoke from swirling around the locomotive cab in their streamlined 4-8-4 design, however, they were fitted with non-streamlined Vanderbilt tenders. CNR gave the name Confederation to this 4-8-4 wheel arrangement. The Grand Trunk Western used the same design for their class U-4-b 6405-6410. CNR 6400 was displayed at the New York World's Fair of 1939. It is now on display at the National Museum of Science & Industry in Ottawa, Ontario.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Sea Eagle
ORP Orzel, 1939Orzel means eagle in English. The boat, built in the Netherlands for the Polish Navy, arrived in Poland on February 7, 1939.
She famously escaped the German forces in September 1939 and reached England where she served during the war.
Orzel (commander Jan Grudzinski) sailed on her seventh patrol on May 23, 1940. She was sent to the central region of the North Sea. A wireless message was sent from Rosyth on the 1st and 2nd of June to the Orzel, with an order to change her patrol area and proceed for the Skagerrak. No signals had been received from the Orzel since her departure and on the 5th of June the order was sent for her to return. She failed to acknowledge reception of this signal (as well as the other signals) and she never came back to her base. The 8th of June, 1940, has been officially accepted as the day of the Orzel's loss.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Flying Tube
Stipa-Caproni tubular fuselage monoplane1932
It basically was a flying venturi tube with a 120 h.p. de Havilland Gipsy III engine fitted inside it, while the propeller turned in the front edge of the tube. The crew sat in a bulge on top of the fuselage.
Australian 3/5-scale replica built by Bruce Wolf for Aerotec Pty. Ltd.,powered by a 75 h.p. Simmonini Vee Twin engine.
Source
Friday, September 17, 2010
The Mighty T
The Pennsylvania Railroad's 52 T1 class duplex-drive 4-4-4-4 steam locomotives, introduced in 1942 (2 prototypes) and 1946 (50 production), were their last-built steam locomotives and their most controversial.They were ambitious, technologically sophisticated, powerful, fast, and uniquely streamlined by Raymond Loewy. However, they were also prone to violent wheelslip both when starting and at speed, complicated to maintain, and expensive to run. In 1948, the PRR vowed to place diesel locomotives on all express passenger trains, leaving unanswered whether the T1's flaws were solvable (Wiki).
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Radio in Every Room
Opened on June 11, 1929, the Royal York was designed by Ross and Macdonald (with Sproatt and Rolph) and built by the Canadian Pacific Railway across the street from Union Station. With 28 floors, the Château-style building was the tallest building in Toronto at that time, and the tallest building in the British Empire until the construction of Toronto’s Canadian Bank of Commerce tower on King Street one year later. It was a state-of-the-art hotel when it was constructed, with ten elevators, a radio in each of its 1,048 rooms, and a private shower or bath in each room. (Wiki).Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Bidirectional
This 28-seat trolleybus with two driver's positions was build in 1932 for the RELSE (Belgium). It was converted into conventional unidirectional vehicle in 1940 and remained in service untill 1963. Later it was restored into original form - its front and rear are identical.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Marcel Doret
Louis Marcel Germain Doret (1896-1955) was a French test pilot, aerobatics virtuoso and military aviator.Poster (1930) via Vintage Poster
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Reflex-Korelle
Presented in 1935 by Franz Kochmann Fabrik (Dresden, Germany), this 6 x 6 cm roll film camera paved the way for many medium-format SLR designs. Here's a Korelle I from the first batch.More photos of the Korelle (1939 model II) and info @ the Tomei Collection
Image: Kameramuseum
Captain America is Back
As a comic book star of the Forties, Captain America was as patriotic emblem for his country, often depicted fighting the Nazi powers of World War II.But it seems the Captain America in the forthcoming movie based on the iconic cartoon character is going to be bringing his powers to Britain as well.
American actor Chris Evans, who also starred in the Fantastic Four comic book films, is playing the title role in the film.
There was also a magnificent Forties-style car on set, which was seen being driven through a woodland location, as well as some more futuristic looking motorcycles.The film started shooting in June, when Tommy Lee Jones was confirmed as playing US Army Colonel Chester Phillips.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Fantasy Fighter
Twin-boom pusher against Northrop Flying WingActually, this fantasy is not too far from reality - Swedish SAAB 21 had the same configuration.
The pusher is Mansyu Ki-98 attacker (never built).
Image © Ronnie Olsthoorn, Ian Allan Publishing
Monday, September 6, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Lady Victory II
New Lady V is a multi-purpose floatplane powered by 1150-hp V12 engine and armed with two 20mm Oerlikon cannons and two MGs.
