Mike Hanson

2014 IPMS Nationals Wed/Thu Pt. 2 of 2

Posted by Mike Hanson on Aug 7, 2014 | Comments Off on 2014 IPMS Nationals Wed/Thu Pt. 2 of 2

The remainder of the photos taken Thursday Afternoon.

2014 IPMS Nationals – Wed/Thu Pt. 1 of 2

Posted by Mike Hanson on Aug 7, 2014 | Comments Off on 2014 IPMS Nationals – Wed/Thu Pt. 1 of 2

Some photos from a walkthrough I did on Thursday. About 560 photos, of all genres, in the order the tables were lined up. Towards the end will be some shots of the vendor room. Stay tuned, will be posting more Saturday evening.

Chance Vought F7U ‘Cutlass’

Posted by Mike Hanson on Jul 23, 2014 | Comments Off on Chance Vought F7U ‘Cutlass’

This F7U Cutlass is on display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola. The Cutlass first flew in March 1950, and the program ended in December 1955. After design changes and modifications, there were 290 variations delivered to the Navy.

F7U Cutlass

F7U Cutlass – Nose gear

F7U Cutlass – Nose gear compartment

F7U Cutlass – Drop tank

F7U Cutlass – Cockpit

F7U Cutlass – Jet intake

F7U Cutlass – Wing fold

F7U Cutlass – Wing fold detail

F7U Cutlass – Main gear

F7U Cutlass – Main gear compartment

F7U Cutlass – Stabilizers

F7U Cutlass – Jet exhaust

F7U Cutlass – Air brake

F7U Cutlass – Jet exhaust detail

Grumman F8F ‘Bearcat’

Posted by Mike Hanson on Jun 27, 2014 | Comments Off on Grumman F8F ‘Bearcat’

The F8F Bearcat was the last in the evolution of Grumman piston-engined fighters. It is widely considered to be one of the best fighters ever designed; however, the war in the Pacific ended before the first operational squadron arrived. It did see combat with the French and Thai air forces. The example seen here is found at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida. It has been the prototype for a number of plastic kits – you may recognize the markings.

Wing Fold

Front landing gear well

Drop tank

Drop Tank

Wing fold

Main landing gear well

Main landing gear well

HL Hunley Submarine

Posted by Mike Hanson on Apr 15, 2014 | Comments Off on HL Hunley Submarine

The HL Hunley (also known, incorrectly, as the CSS Hunley) was the the first submarine to see successful combat. After sinking and killing it’s first two crews – including HL Hunley himself on the second test sailing – the third time was a charm and the submarine successfully sank the USS Housatonic in Charleston harbor. During its escape from this action, the Hunley was swamped and sank for the third and final time. It remained on the bottom of the harbor until the wreck was located by Clive Cussler’s NUMA team in April of 1995. The submarine was subsequently raised on August 8, 2000 and now resides at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center in Charleston, SC.

These photos were taken April 12, 2014. This was my second trip to see the Hunley; on the first visit photographs of the sub in the tank were not allowed. This time, that restriction had been lifted; however, glass panels have been placed in front of the tank, and windows in the upper part of the building make it very difficult to get clear photos. So these have obvious reflections and can be difficult to make out. The remaining photos are of the rest of the museum, mostly in the order it would be seen on a typical visit.

To start off, here’s a video I took, again there’s a lot of noise from various reflections.

[jwplayer mediaid=”5119″]