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bri

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March 31, 2025 at 1:28 pm in reply to: Dangerous instruments again (yes I know) #1134745

bri
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Safer Alternative?

When I was an ‘instrument basher’ in the RAAF, about two centuries ago, we were informed of the radiation and the terrible injuries suffered in US instrument factories.

Apparently the ladies who painted the stuff on used to lick their paint brushes first, and developed awful cancers of the jaw. No doubt many died as a result.

Some of our RAAF instrument departments were razed to the ground and everything burnt or buried at this time (mid-1950s). So this thread is not just an over-reaction.

A bright green powder called ‘Mesathorium’ was issued to us in a plain glass bottle for marking instruments afterward. The blurb that came with it said it was non-radioactive at the dangerous frequencies, but it certainly glowed in the dark!

May be useful for marking up replicas, if you can get some.

Bri

May 10, 2011 at 11:07 am in reply to: When the fuel-oil runs out #2347147

bri
Participant

When I started this post I didn’t realise it would result in so many diverse opinions and comments!

However, as far as hydrogen is concerned, it should be realised that it has to be manufactured – using other fuels! The same goes for wind turbines and solar panels.

And I find it hard to accept that military aviation only uses 5% of the world’s oil stocks. Bearing in mind that fighters have to ‘top up’ several times for one fairly long-distance flight – from a tanker that uses fuel too, that accounts for more than a bucketful! Where did that 5% figure come from, please.

I was wondering if completely new types of propulsion might be developed. Inventiveness surely doesn’t stop with gas turbines and rockets…

Bri 🙂

May 8, 2011 at 4:45 pm in reply to: Beriev #1053097

bri
Participant

Flanker Man, I just had a browse through your website – I’m impressed by the number and quality of the pictures!

Just a couple of thoughts on the Be-200 design: the aircraft is a very pretty aircraft; the wing planform reminds me of the Comet wing; the fuselage sits very low in the water; a lot of hosing down would be needed after it’s driven out of the water. Apart from that, she should be a winner!

Keep up the good work.

Bri 🙂

May 6, 2011 at 9:14 am in reply to: Beriev #1056652

bri
Participant

Interesting responses and some great pictures! Thanks lads.

The Be-200 looks great – but one thing puzzles me. It doesn’t seem to have a ‘step’ on the hull. So how does that work? I thought all seaplanes needed a step to get unstuck off the water.

Another point is that not all places have the room for airports and long runways. Think of somewhere like Indonesia, which has thousands of small islands dotted around the ocean!

Bri 🙂

May 4, 2011 at 4:33 pm in reply to: The passing of British Historian Richard Holmes #1059056

bri
Participant

I have just completed reading his book about the redcoat army in the 17th and 18th century and it almost took you there.

It was sheer reading pleasure, and one I can heartily recommend.

May we all enjoy seeing and reading his work in future years.

bri

April 11, 2011 at 5:04 pm in reply to: Airliner Seats not Airline Seats #487218

bri
Participant

Where is Apsley? I havent ever heard of that!
I’m always taking a walk along the canal and photographing the boats as they go by 🙂
I always thought people lived on them as they were cheaper, but i’d now take a guess that isnt the case? I understand what you mean about moorings. Theres a marina not far from me, near to MK General hospital, and whenever i’ve gone past there hasnt ever been a mooring space available.

Apsley is just south of Hemel Hempstead, on the Grand Union Canal. Search for it on Google maps and select satellite view and you will see the marina I live in.

Bri 🙂

April 9, 2011 at 4:45 pm in reply to: Airliner Seats not Airline Seats #487584

bri
Participant

I wont be much help, but I wondered, whats it like living on a narrowboat? I live not far from the grand union canal in MK and always take a walk along there and take photos of the boats moored there and wondered what it must be like to live on one.

It can be very pleasant, but costs more than you think. I’m at Apsley, not far south of MK and one problem is that there are not enough moorings for all the boats on the canals, particularly in the South of England. Plenty up in the Midlands, but it is colder there in the Winter!

Bri 🙂

April 6, 2011 at 5:17 pm in reply to: Airliner Seats not Airline Seats #488293

bri
Participant

Nashio & Skymonster:

I looked at the seat Nashio, and it looks bright yellow on my display! Actually, I need a seat with a higher back thanks. Yes, I am fussy!

Skymonster, I think it was the outfit at Kemble that wanted a lot of money for a seat. Just looked again, and navigating their site is like finding your way around Hampton Court maze! Couldn’t see any reference to seats…

Thanks for the suggestions though.

Bri 🙂

April 6, 2011 at 9:41 am in reply to: Airliner Seats not Airline Seats #488467

bri
Participant

Mr Bri, what a wonderful idea. I’d probably try to get a First Class seat if I were you, for added comfort, seat pitch and leg room.
I have a very boring chair at my desk in my classroom. How much more wonderful would it be to have a mounted aircraft seat or a mounted car seat? The boys would love it as well.

You wouldn’t get to sit on it much – your students would use it!

Bri 😉

April 5, 2011 at 1:18 pm in reply to: Airliner Seats not Airline Seats #488747

bri
Participant

And a ten second ebay search gives… 😀

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Premium-Seats-Aircraft-Airline-Aeroplane-Airplane-/270730111819?pt=UK_Collectables_Aeronautica_MJ&hash=item3f08c5ab4b

Thanks for that Nashio – they look great! But I only want one seat…

Bri 🙂

April 2, 2011 at 2:39 pm in reply to: Manx Spacecraft! #489593

bri
Participant

Yes, rockets do make a noise! The public viewing areas for space shuttle takeoffs is, I believe, about 5 miles away yet still shattering.

Years ago, a US navy instructor told me he was present at the launch of one of the first Harpoon ship to ship missiles.

At the designated time, he waited on the ship’s deck with his own expensive camera to his eye and, when the launch took place, he was so shocked he dropped the camera on deck and broke it!

Bri 😀

March 31, 2011 at 2:40 pm in reply to: Manx Spacecraft! #490030

bri
Participant

Thanks Tony. Are we the only two people on this forum who are interested in real spaceflight? 😀

I did ask Key some time ago if a spaceflight section could be added, but they declined.

Bri 🙂

March 1, 2011 at 3:46 pm in reply to: Ground Power Units #1102665

bri
Participant

Yes, there’s loadsa stuff there. None as ancient though.

bri 😉

February 19, 2011 at 1:56 pm in reply to: General Discussion #294301

bri
Participant

Do you think I could get some kryptonite on Ebay? 😉

February 19, 2011 at 1:56 pm in reply to: Freak Broadcast #1886977

bri
Participant

Do you think I could get some kryptonite on Ebay? 😉
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