Don ChanFWIW, my favourite Christmas carol parody, which I read aeons ago.
“Rudolph Flies For UPS”
(Sung, if possible, to “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer”)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed-Reindeer
used to have a steady job.
Then Santa hired a new guy,
a flying mule whose name was Bob.
All of the other Reindeer
used to wonder what he was.
“He’ll make us miss our deadlines,
plodding on the way Bob does.”
Then one foggy Christmas Eve,
Santa made a call.
“Rudolph with your nose so bright,
won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?”
Then how the Reindeer loved him,
as he helped them though the mess.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed-Reindeer
flies a plane for UPS.
Borrowed from:
http://www.humournet.com/collage.archives/collage195.txt
Don Chanhttp://hk.news.yahoo.com/article/081222/4/9v68.html
http://hk.news.yahoo.com/article/081221/4/9uik.html
21 December 2008:
The South Sea Fleet of PLAN sends three warships to Somalia: the 169 Wu Han (Type 52B guided missile destroyer), 171 Hai Kou (Type 52C “Chinese Aegis” guided missile destroyer), and 887 Wei Shan Hu (supply ship).
Also on the warships are some special forces soldiers.
Last week, the crew of a Chinese civilian engineering ship managed to resist some Somali pirates for a while, until foreign military heloes arrived above the ship, and the pirates fled.
IMO: I wonder how effective are these destroyers and their Ka-28 ASW heloes against pirates?
TV news say their close-range weapons are a 100 mm cannon and two CIWS.
ISTR reading somewhere that after the USS Cole was attacked, the CIWS on USN warships were modified, such that they could engage surface targets in close-range.
And, in addition, Commie China sent two pandas to Taiwan; Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan. 8D
http://hk.news.yahoo.com/article/081223/4/9vku.html
http://hk.news.yahoo.com/article/081223/4/9vkj.html
23 December 2008:
Chicom Ministry of Defense spokesperson says the Chicom government is seriously considering the construction of aircraft carriers.
IMO: As usual, I’ll believe it when I see it.
“We are simply patrolling our seas. Think of us like a
coast guard.”
– Sugule Ali, Somali pirate, and spokesman of a group of
bandits who last week hijacked an Ukrainian freighter
carrying tanks, grenade launchers, artillery, and held it
for a $20 million cash ransom, “Perspectives”, page 5,
Newsweek Magazine, 13 October 2008
Don Chanhttp://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20081222-00000004-yom-soci
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%8B%E3%82%A4%E3%83%8F%E3%82%A6%E5%B3%B6
22 December 2008:
On 7 December 1941, during the Pearl Harbour attack, an IJN Zero fighter had engine trouble, and emergency landed on Niihau Island.
A Nisei (“Second Generation”; US citizen who was born and grew up in US, and whose parents immigrated from Japan) called Harada Yosio (then 39) hid the pilot, Petty Officer First Class (posthumous Ensign) Nisikaiti Sigenori.
They attempted to recover Nisikaiti’s captured map and pistol, and battled islanders. Nisikaiti was killed, and Harada committed suicide.
Six days after the Pearl Harbour attack, on 13 December 1941, Harada’s wife Umeno was arrested for treason, and detained for two years nine months. Soon, she learnt and worked as a tailor, and raised her three children.
Harada’s younger brother attempted to help clear Harada’s reputation, and joined the Nisei units of US Army.
Nisikaiti’s family lived in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture.
In 1968, Nisikaiti’s younger brother, Yositada (now 78 in 2008), moved to Kauai Island and met Harada’s wife. She and Harada’s brother did not blame or complain about Nisikaiti.
She died, 10 or more years ago.
Don Chanhttp://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/081220/17/1bj55.html
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/081220/78/1bihq.html
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/081220/78/1biea.html
20 December 2008:
News articles that claim ROCAF RF-16s with Feng Yan (Phoenix Eye) recon pods (max range of 70 NM) that flew along the centre-line of the Taiwan Strait, are being discouraged/hindered by flights of Chicom fighters that took off before the RF-16s, suggesting the Chicom is well-aware of the schedules of the ROCAF RF-16 sorties.
The Feng Yan pod is used by Holland and Taiwan.
Worse, Hua Lian AB is one of the airports for direct flights between Commie China and Taiwan, and is where 12th Recon Squadron is based; anyone there can observe/report when a RF-16 takes off.
Don Chan] ttp://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/202168/blog/11265205/
] that air to air missile by the F2 looks like a Japanese IRIS-T.
AAM-5 SRAAM.
] that drone with an undercarridge?
TACOM experimental UAV. Released from another aircraft, then automatic landing.
Don Chan18 December 2008:
US-2 amphibious SAR aircraft. Mass-production #1.
Shinmeiwa, based at Takaraduka City.
First flight, in Oosaka Bay, near Koube City, Hyougo Prefecture.
Will replace US-1A.
2004, prototype #1 and #2 accepted by JMSDF.
2007, after practical and technical tests at Iwakuni JMSDF AB, officially assigned to amphibious SAR unit.
Official profile:
http://www.shinmaywa.co.jp/products/list/aircraft_02.htm
Don Chanhttp://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20081219-00000017-ryu-oki
Between early January 2009 and late March 2009, about 20 JASDF F-15 will deploy to Naha AB, Okinawa Prefecture.
JASDF F-4 now based at Naha AB, will deploy to [and probably retire at] Hyakuri AB, Ibaraki Prefecture.
Don ChanIncidentally, until the 1980s, Chicom military pilots who defected to Taiwan, even when via South Korea, were awarded real gold. For example:
16 October 1982:
JZ-6 (Jian Zhen-6, Fighter Recon-6). 3220.
2nd Squadron, 1st Group, 1st Recon Aircraft Regiment, PLAAF.
Took off at Deng Shan AB (Wen Deng?), Shan Dong Province, defected to South Korea, and landed at Seoul AP.
Claimed engine flamed out, to spoof Chicom ground control.
Pilot was WU Rong Gen (25). (WU Sen Gen?)
On 1982.10.31, arrived in Taiwan.
ROC MND awarded 5,000 liang of gold (50 g per liang) to him (then worthed an astronomical NT$ 85 mil), and promoted him to Major.
On 31 December 1994, he retired as Lieutenant Colonel, served in ROCAF for 12 years, but not eligible for life pension.
Now, emigrated and naturalised as US nationality.
http://www.rocahc.org/memo/10.htm
http://nc.kl.edu.tw/bbs/archive/index.php/t-3081-p-21.html
http://tw.knowledge.yahoo.com/question/question?qid=1405112305317
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/081207/78/1aqdv.html
And until the 1980s, civilians who hijacked passenger planes to Taiwan, were arrested/tried/convicted/imprisoned in Taiwan, then allowed to live in Taiwan.
After the 1980s, hijackers are arrested/tried/convicted/imprisoned in Taiwan, then thrown back to Commie China.
Don Chan] when was the last time anything PLAAF defect to Taiwan?
AFAIK, the last time anything Chicom defected to Taiwan was:
6 September 1989:
J-6 (MiG-19).
Chicom.
Took off at Long Xi, Fu Jian Province, defected to Taiwan, and landed at Jin Men.
Pilot was JIANG Wen Hao.
http://tw.knowledge.yahoo.com/question/question?qid=1405112305317
And the last time anything Taiwanese defected to the Chicom was:
11 February 1989:
F-5E. 5120.
44th FS, 737th FW, 7th FG, ROCAF, based at Tao Yuan AB, Tao Yuan County. (Tai Tung AB?)
Defected to PRC, but couldn’t find Shan Tou AP, Guang Dong Province, due to fog.
About 10:00, ran out of fuel, and crashed/ditched, into a primary school sports ground, Tang Nan Town, Feng Shun County, Guang Dong Province.
One pilot bailed out/ejected, and landed in a farm. Major (Lieutenant Colonel?) LIN Hsien Shun (35). Ideological counsellor of his squadron. (Moron.)
11 February 1989 was sixth day of Chinese New Year.
Reportedly, he feared his wife was disloyal to him, and he couldn’t face his squadron-mates.
Although he was emotionally unstable and grounded, the air base personnel (from ground crew to runway guards) still allowed him to take off.
In the morning, he found a fuelled F-5E, waiting for its pilot, beside the runway. He told its ground crew he was flying it, and told them to hurry up.
Two minutes later, he took off.
Five minutes later, the correct pilot came to the runway, couldn’t find his aircraft, and alarmed the commanders.
By then, Lin had switched off his radio, flown to the Taiwan Strait, and dived to very low altitude, to avoid radars.
About 20 NM behind him, up to 12 ROCAF fighters diverted/scrambled from Tai Tung AB, &c, tried to intercept him, and were authorised to fire at will.
At least four PLAAF fighters scrambled to intercept the ROCAF fighters.
The ROCAF fighters withdrew after they crossed the centre-line of Taiwan Strait.
OTOH, after Lin switched on his radio, he couldn’t contact anyone in PRC. He loitered above Shan Tou for almost half an hour, but couldn’t find Shan Tou AP.
He loitered above Feng Shun County for about 17 minutes. No PLAAF fighter escorted/guided him, and no PLA air defense reacted.
Same night, a deputy commander of Guang Zhou military region came by helo, and met Lin.
Next day, they returned to Guang Zhou City, Guang Dong Province.
http://www.dajunshi.com/MilData/JunShi/China/200610/10020.htm
dated 26 October 2006, claims to be an interview (dated summer 2000) with Lin, who was living in Shi Jia Zhuang City, He Bei Province.
In October 1989, he was assigned to a PLAAF academy in Shi Jia Zhuang City, as deputy chief of staff.
Next year, promoted as Colonel.
In March 1991, he and his Taiwanese wife divorced.
On 24 May 1991, he and a radio show hostess at a Shi Jia Zhuang City radio station, married. Soon, they had a daughter.
By summer 2000, he was a vice principal at a PLAAF academy.
Lin’s most recent photo, in news articles dated 6 March 2008:
http://www.chinareviewnews.com/doc/1005/8/4/7/100584709.html?coluid=24&kindid=0&docid=100584709&mdate=0306141450
http://news.sina.com/tw/phoenixtv/101-102-101-103/2008-03-05/20202716291.html
Contemporary photos of 5120 debris at crash site:
http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/jw!C5OWHc6VGx0wXcRKNzw-/article?mid=294
http://www.ettoday.com/2001/07/21/706-526714.htm
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2002/06/07/139301
http://www.taiwanairpower.org/history/defection.html
http://city.udn.com/1308/1086446?tpno=58&cate_no=0
http://ln.yeker.com/1/js/jsmw/20061128002.htm
http://nc.kl.edu.tw/bbs/archive/index.php/t-3081-p-28.html
Don Chanhttp://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=19041
“$278m AWACS deal struck with China”
Thursday, December 18, 2008
By Rauf Klasra
ISLAMABAD: In an effort to help the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) boost its air defence capability, Islamabad has struck a $278 million deal with Beijing to purchase a modern Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), legislators were informed here on Wednesday.
Don Chan18 December 2008:
CH-47SD Super Chinook. 7303.
Air Lift Battalion, ROCA, based at Gui Ren AB, Tai Nan.
During training, due to engine malfunction and poor visibility, crash-landed in Zhong Liao Mountain area, Kao Hsiung County.
Five crew. Main pilot Major WU Cheng Wang, co-pilot LIN Ci Yi, and examination officer Lieutenant Colonel SHEN Xiao Xing were OK.
Two flight engineers were wounded, and taken by UH-1H to hospital. CHEN Jian Yu (left arm and left leg fractured), and WANG Huang Kun (jaw swollen).
10:00, took off at Gui Ren AB.
10:30, during field training, about 50′ AGL, main pilot noticed engine #2 lost power, and due to low altitude, decided to emergency land on a flat ravine.
ROC purchased nine CH-47s, to replace the three B234s (civilian version of CH-47) that transferred to fire department air rescue.
Last year, on 3 April 2007, a ROCA UH-1H crashed into a police radio broadcast tower, in the same area. Eight crew and passengers were killed.
In the previous eight years, under the DPP government, 12 planes crashed. This year, under the KMT government, four heloes and planes crashed.
Photo of one of the wounded:
http://163.29.207.53/MNANew/Internet/NewsDetail.aspx?GUID=44215
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/081218/60/1bett.html
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/081218/17/1beuq.html
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/081218/17/1beke.html
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/081218/8/1bfg3.html
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/081218/8/1bejv.html
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/081218/8/1becm.html
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/081218/5/1beve.html
Don Chan19 December 2008:
JMOD announced: in February 2007, JMOD brought 195 US Dunlop Aircraft Tire Company tires for U-125A SAR aircraft, from Science Technology Trading, based in Toukyou, for 15 million Yen.
52 tires are defective. Manufacture dates and numbers on certificates are fake.
The trading company claimed: the certificates were originally attached, and it was not involved in counterfeiting.
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20081219-00000156-mai-soci
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20081219-00000092-jij-soci
18 December 2008:
C-130.
JASDF.
About 10:00, while checked at an unnamed stop-over AP, fuel pump malfunctioned.
Departed Kuwait on 16 December. Second of three JASDF C-130 that were returning from Kuwait to Japan.
Intended to arrive at Komaki AB, Aichi Prefecture, on 20 December. Delayed to 23 December.
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20081218-00000178-jij-soci
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20081218-00000118-mai-soci
> Wednesday, 31 October 2007:
> F-2B. 43-8126, #126.
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20081216-00000129-jij-soci
16 December 2008:
Three Mitsubishi Heavy employees are indicted for the crimes of aviation dangerous act, and negligence of duty resulting in bodily injury, at the Nagoya district court.
Mechanic (22) in charge of the accident aircraft, on-site instructor (32), and inspector (24).
Don Chan“NORAD Tracks Santa 2008”
I don’t remember whether it had Chinese last year, but now it has.
Don ChanTamogami Toshio’s new book comes out in December 2008. The title roughly means “No regard for oneself” or “To disregard oneself”.
Amazon Japan customer reviews:
Don ChanCivilian direct air flights and sea voyages between Commie China and Taiwan are suspended since the last Chinese Civil War between Mao’s CCP and Chiang’s KMT ended in 1949, when the KMT lost and relocated the ROC to Taiwan.
These civilian direct links will resume tomorrow: Monday, 15 December 2008.
For comparison, Yahoo! Taiwan Knowledge has an article in Chinese, about earlier, illegal direct links, albeit one-way, that I’m researching, at
http://www.mac.gov.tw/big5/rpir/2nd2_8.htm
http://tw.knowledge.yahoo.com/question/question?qid=1405112305317
Military defections and civilian hijacks from Commie China to Taiwan.
The good old days, IMO. 8D
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/081217/78/1bbd1.html
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/081216/60/1bafw.html
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/081216/60/1bafp.html
16 December 2008:
F-16 flight sim.
401st Composite Wing, ROCAF, based at Hua Lian AB.
The virtual reality of the flight sim covers Taiwan and a radius of 300 NM, which includes the Ryuukyuu air-space.
Flight sim costs NT$ 17,000 an hour. Actual flight costs NT$ 8.5 mil an hour!
Sign In
