We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/a_most_excellent_veterans_day.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 16:05:47 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification "If it ain't raining, you ain't training!" That was the comment on a post several days ago - and so it proved yesterday, as parade participants and spectators got some good cold, wet, training in. I was supposed to have today off, but I find that the engine of business churns on and requires my presence. So I'll leave you with these pictures - and a promise of a more fleshed-out post to come. But most of all, Thank You Monteith! You've got a hell of a ride, and yesterday certainly reignited that itch! This is the Armorer, Monteith,... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/a_most_excellent_veterans_day.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/a_most_excellent_veterans_day.html Fri, 12 Nov 2004 09:55:08 -0600 Aviators... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/a_most_excellent_veterans_day.html#comment-8641 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/a_most_excellent_veterans_day.html#comment-8641 Mon, 15 Nov 2004 06:20:39 -0600 An epicyclic gear sounds intriguing. Does it have an epicollective gear and epiantitorque gears too? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/a_most_excellent_veterans_day.html#comment-8630 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/a_most_excellent_veterans_day.html#comment-8630 Mon, 15 Nov 2004 00:54:45 -0600 Looks like I hit 'send' fractionally before the helo-driver did. Actually, Bill, I think I'll leave the details to Monteith - because I'd have to look 'em up, and he can rattle 'em off from the top of his head! I got an off-the-cuff discussion of an epicyclic gear system, so I suspect he's got the rest down pat, too. Actually - I ought to have Monteith do up a descriptive post, that I can plug in the pictures I took. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/a_most_excellent_veterans_day.html#comment-8588 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/a_most_excellent_veterans_day.html#comment-8588 Sat, 13 Nov 2004 09:14:35 -0600 JC: The Ferret's a golden oldie. It made its debut in the days when half-tracks ruled the armored scout vehicle realm (note to Willys fans--I said "armored"). It was still in active service in the mid-90's; I had to ID one for my annual gunnery evaluation in 1997 (yer a lucky lad, Instapilot, 'cuz "good guy/bad guy" doesn't cut it in the attack helicopter world). I haven't kept up with the latest Brit iron, but dollars to dipsticks the Armorer will fill in the inexcusable gaps in my knowledge sometime soon, though...to include engine specs... =[ http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/a_most_excellent_veterans_day.html#comment-8587 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/a_most_excellent_veterans_day.html#comment-8587 Sat, 13 Nov 2004 09:11:01 -0600 It's a Brit two man scout/reconaissance vehicle. Lightly armed and armored, it was intended for scouting duties and the troop's job was to scout, not fight, so it wasn't built in such a way as to encourage them to slug it out with anyone. They carried a machine gun for self defense, armor enough to stop small arms - they were supposed to run like hell (and it's quite a scooter) if spotted. Entered service in 1953 or so, and stayed in service with British and Commonwealth forces through the 1st Gulf War. It's cold warrior. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/a_most_excellent_veterans_day.html#comment-8586 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/a_most_excellent_veterans_day.html#comment-8586 Sat, 13 Nov 2004 09:08:39 -0600 Interesting rig, that Ferret. It must be fairly old, I don't think I have ever seen one before. When was it in use? it looks rather small. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/a_most_excellent_veterans_day.html#comment-8584 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/a_most_excellent_veterans_day.html#comment-8584 Sat, 13 Nov 2004 08:37:02 -0600 I'm glad you had a good time! You should come out again in time to come. If you can get a WWII BD/Denim uniform together, I'm sure I can drag you to a WWII event or two. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/a_most_excellent_veterans_day.html#comment-8549 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/a_most_excellent_veterans_day.html#comment-8549 Fri, 12 Nov 2004 10:58:22 -0600