Yesterday, I was doing two projects from school. I started at about four o'clock, and worked through two in the morning. I wasn't even watching TV in the meanwhile! I was in between doing my Biology Biome project (I will be uploading and tagging the Flickr contacts of whom I used their photos), and my project on the Crusades. At 11 o'clock at night, I unplugged my laptop to run into the room with it and get my flash drive. The battery is so poor on my laptop, that all the project documents I was working on in Photoshop, were lost, when the computer shut down. I lost three hours worth of work. I was about to rip out my hair, so I decided to cool off for about fourty minutes and make a composite landscape. This is it.

 

Well, the project went well, I got A's in both, but I also only got three hours of sleep!

 

Anyways, hope you Enjoy :D

 

View in "L" Lightbox

 

This is my first Landscape Photomanipulation.

Entry for the #DBChristmasNightmare.

 

Items featured: Futura Plugs V2, Futura Knife, Fear of God Hands (Blood, EvoX), God Sickness (Blood).

 

Full story below.

 

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2121: Tin Man

 

It’s the season, and Gray hated it.

 

Fake snow in a world where real snow no longer existed. Endless displays of Santas and Rudolphs in all sizes and materials, some of which all too lifelike, others deliberately cartoonish and tacky in a nod to tradition. Endless rows of plastic Christmas trees, presumed to look like the real thing from the tales of grandparents. In 2121, Mariah Carey’s Christmas albums were finally given an overdue rest – only because life-sized robo-Mariahs could now sing to you in the comfort of your living room.

 

In other words, a lot had changed, but it had all somehow managed to stay the same, like humanity was prisoner to its self-made myths and idols.

 

Not that Gray occupied himself with thoughts on humanity’s likes and dislikes on this merry-merry season. No. There was the hell that was Christmas Eve and the festivities around it. Namely, the table he shared with five other people.

 

“Hey, Tin Man!” Charlie called from across the table. “Can you make that thing glow green and red?”

 

Not this – not again. Charlie’s alcohol-ruddy face grinned at him obnoxiously from across the table as though he’d just dropped the bastard child of a brilliant idea and a funny joke.

 

Gray resisted the urge to react – let alone overreact. “It’s not a toy,” he responded with as much patience as he could muster, a hand passing over his chest almost protectively. The rest of the explanation he’d been repeating to his brother-in-law for the past few years at the tip of his tongue, dying to burst out, preferably accompanied by as many expletives and creatively profane combinations as he could muster.

 

“Drop it, Charlie” Gray’s sister – in more advanced stages of inebriation than her partner – chimed in. And for a second, Gray felt relieved. A second too soon, evidently, because next up the inappropriately-named Grace spilled half the contents of her glass onto her hideously festive sweater without noticing as she declared that “He’s no fun. No heart, no fun. Get it?”

 

Get what? It wasn’t even a joke – it didn’t even make sense. But she was busy snort-giggling into the remnants of her drink, joined by Charlie. Who…found that intelligible, but not the concept of dropping it, apparently.

 

“Come on, Tin Man. Be a good sport, bet you can program it to do some Christmas lights!” Charlie went on, much to Gray’s rising irritation. “Can it sing Jingle Bells?”

 

“I told you, it’s not a fucking toy. So just drop it.”

 

Apparently, the profanity is where the rest of the family got uncomfortable and put their feet – or forks, as it were –down, with three other people glancing pointedly at him. But otherwise, harassment was perfectly acceptable. Of course. That's the line in the sand - or the LED light in the damned asphalt.

 

Having had enough, Gray rose from the table and headed towards the cubicle that passed for a kitchen these days, a hand still passing over his chest – up and down his sternum, feeling the soft humming of the contraption that kept him alive and functioned as a heart. Conspicuous? Yes. Even in this day and age, people didn’t know how to look away and mind their own business and how to not ask stupid questions – or how to not make stupid comments. But Gray was grateful for it. It could glow neon all it wanted. That contraption was his heart, and it kept him alive.

 

But the jokes. Those were a different story.

 

At first, they were funny. References to old stories – Tin Man, Iron Man, whatever. They were funny and he laughed, finding the humor in a bad situation. Repetition though was the bane of his existence – the jokes stopped being funny, and indifference was only ever a brief phase before it turned to frustration, then resentment, then irritation, and now…he suspected it was turning to rage.

 

Fine. This was supposed to be a festive family gathering – one he didn’t want to ruin by allowing rage to get the best of him.

 

Charlie though. Bless his actual beating fucking heart, but he couldn’t take a hint sober, and he was far from sober. He barged in, following Gray into the kitchen “Come on, don’t be like that. We’re just trying to have fun!” The words came with a more pronounced slur, accompanied by wide, heavy-limbed gestures, Charlie stepping close enough to where Gray could smell the alcohol on his breath.

 

“Get out of my way, Charlie,” Gray didn’t reply to the comments, instead tried to leave the kitchen, only for Charlie to shift his weight to continue blocking him.

 

“You’re spoiling Christmas” Charlie declared with the enthusiasm only someone drunk could muster. And logically, Gray knew Charlie was drunk and about as capable of sound thinking as the roasted meat that sat in his rotund belly. “You do this all the time; we can’t say a damned thing to you without you getting all…all…you get all butthurt and shit!”

 

Who even fucking says butthurt anymore?

 

Whatever. He was done.

 

“Get out of my fucking way, Charlie…” Gray repeated, shifting on his feet to try to get around Charlie again, only to be blocked again.

 

“No! I’m done with your shit, Mr. High and Mighty! You do this all the time!” Charlie’s voice rose, the man moving further into Gray’s personal space to where the whiff became a stench. And to where Gray’s irritation was more solidly morphing to rage. But Charlie wasn’t giving up or giving way – he moved, continuing to block Gray’s way. “You do this all the time. Wah-wah, look at me, I got a…a…a fake fucking heart, don’t talk to me,” Charlie went on.

 

“Get out of my fucking way right now, Charlie!” Gray interjected but didn’t even get to say more – Charlie didn’t even stop his mocking tirade. He simply carried on, not listening, his voice going louder “Wah-wah, I lost my sense of humor on the operation table, wah-wah, I’m a fucking robot and it gives me the right to sit and sulk and ruin everybody’s time, wah-wah! Maybe this year you should wish for a heart and a sense of humor for Christmas!”

 

Strange thing, rage. Like the world comes crashing down, and there’s no time for thought and no room for anything other than action. Like there’s no choice but to let it all out, because the alternative was choking on it. There’s nothing else, and nobody else – just Charlie, reduced to flashes. His sickeningly ruddy face, his mocking expression, his obnoxious words, his breaths, warm and heavy with alcohol blowing straight into Gray’s face. The way his body blocked any path forward, and killed any chance that this could end any other way…

 

Flashes that were joined by the tactile memories of grasping the handle of a heavy knife. Of the physical force he used to drive it into the man before him so he could stop the bellowing mockery. Of the satisfaction of how it went through his flesh.

 

Over, and over, and over…

 

Gray wouldn’t remember the screaming. Not his own, and not anybody else’s.

 

He definitely wouldn’t remember his own bellowed words.

 

“I fucking told you to shut up! Shut up! Shut the fuck up! That’s what I want for Christmas. There, how does it feel now Charlie? How does it feel now? Now you don’t have a heart either! You find this funny? How about now? How about now, Charlie? Is this funny? You got your wish? Merry fucking Christmas, I got my wish! Merry Christmas!”

 

A lot has changed, but indeed, a lot remained the same by 2121.

     

Ladies and gentlemen of the Bijou Planks, welcome to Tuesday Night Fights ring... KINNIKUMAN!

 

*gasp*

So that's HIM! The original! The archetype!

 

Suguru began as a lazy and emotional man who always wishes to become famous. He often chased after women, while moving from job to job, until the Chojin Olympics, where he found his purpose as a chojin wrestler. He slowly grew a more serious personality while developing close friendships with the Justice Chojin. Before the end, Kinnikuman is crowned king of Planet Kinniku.

 

Suguru is a very childish character. He is also very arrogant and believes himself to be more popular than he is in reality. He complains when he does not get his way, pouts when someone gets more attention then him, and is often downright lazy. Early on, he would often refuse to fight certain monsters unless he got something in return. However, underneath this childish behaviour lies a very noble heart, and when times are at their worst, Suguru's courage surpasses that of the greatest of Justice Chojins. He has been known to fight better depending on how shameful or dishonourable his opponent is being. His honour and friendship has warmed the hearts of several an Evil Chojin.

 

Kinnikuman is a highly muscular man with exaggerated facial features, and a mask with a 'fin' piece that runs down the back of his head. He has naturally dark brown/black hair and blue eyes, with pale skin and very little clothes. If he does wear formal attire, it is usually in the form of unfashionable suits; a white suit to his wedding, a yellow suit with red swirls to dates and sometimes ceremonies.

 

Suguru is also lecherous and sometimes takes part in matches to impress women. Suguru often flirts with women, and has on numerous times tried to spy on his friends Mari Nikaido and Natsuko Shono. No women find him attractive except for Bibimba. However, when Bibimba first appears, it is a one-sided love on her part and he finds her more annoying than cute. By the time of the Seven Devil Chōjin Arc, he acknowledges her as his betrothed. During the Survivor Match for the Kinniku Throne Arc, he shows great concern for her and admits that he believes they are bound by the 'red string of fate'.

 

Terryman is the best friend of Kinnikuman. The two meet very early on in their careers, in their early twenties, and are at first antagonistic to one another, but soon they socialise on a regular basis, even with other members of each other's social circles. They form a tag-team that lasts for the entirety of their career, and - even when they temporarily argue or part - always reunite to work together and support each other. They display an unconditional trust and affection, often listening to one another when they would listen to no one else.

 

Bibimba at first is antagonistic to Kinnikuman, as she attempts to take his life (as per her role as an assassin). It is Kinnikuman's kindness that drives her to see him as a complex individual, and she develops a crush on him, which is - at first - one-sided and not reciprocated. Kinnikuman views her as a nuissance and often devises ways to be rid of Bibimba. At some point during the Universal Tag Tournament, they become engaged and act on a much more intimate level.

 

By the time of the Surivor Match Arc, Kinnikuman and Bibimba show great affection for one another, and Bibimba is even willing to sacrifice her life in order to save Kinnikuman, who also shows unconditional love towards her (wishing to be with her, even when he thinks she may be deformed). They proceed to later be married, and have a child together: Mantaro Kinniku. The two are shown to be close in the manga, where they celebrate and support their son together at multiple points.

 

In the beginning, Suguru would fights Kaiju by eating garlic and growing 30 meters tall. Despite his great strength and skill, Suguru is clumsy by nature. This causes most people to fear him more than the monsters he fights (due mostly to the possibility of him crashing into buildings while in his giant form). Even though a chojin's' wounds heal faster than a human's wound, it takes him longer to heal than a human.

 

Kinnikuman grows up alone on Earth, after being accidentally abandoned by Mayumi Kinniku. He is found by Meat Alexandria, and proceeds to mature over time with Meat as his second, leading him to befriend Terryman. Kinnikuman enters a series of tournaments, increasing his amount of friends and trophies, and finally competes in the Survivor Match for the Kinniku Throne Arc, where he proves his worth as a member of the Kinniku Clan and learns of his long-lost brother: Ataru Kinniku. This leads to him proclaiming his love for Bibimba, before assuming the throne as king of Planet Kinniku.

Prehistory

 

Suguru was born to Mayumi Kinniku and Sayuri Kinniku, the king and queen of Planet Kinniku on April 1, 1960. Suguru was so unattractive, even as a child, that on several occasions Mayumi would have an urge to strangle him just from looking at him. One day, the royal family went on vacation to Earth. While there, a pig sneaked aboard and got into Suguru's cradle. Mayumi mistook Suguru for the pig and threw Suguru out of the ship. Suguru was left behind on Earth to raise himself.

 

He built his own house, which only had one room, and tried to go to school, but he was so academically challenged that he flunked out. As he got older, he decided to become a hero like Ultraman. But despite his muscles and strength, he was too clumsy and lacked the intelligence to make it, so he settled for just being the president of the Gyudon Lovers Club.

 

Kaijuu Extermination Arc

Solo Life

At the age of 20, Kinnikuman had already become known as a worthless chojin, however he wasn't completely dismissed. When the Earth Defence Force learned of an upcoming attack by space kaiju, Kinnikuman was contacted because of the unavailability of the super heroes such as The Ultra Brothers, PP-Man, and Spider-Man. While being shown images of the kaiju coming to attack (such as Okamarasu, Eraginesu, Abdullah, Sheikian, and Acrobat-Seijin), he learned that he needed to create a finishing move. After a brief training session, he was able to find a technique that surpassed his Kinniku Flash, the Kinniku Beam. When the time came for the kaiju to arrive, a member of the EDF reported that, due to the embarrassment of having to fight Kinnikuman, they all turned back.

 

At some point during this time in his life, Kinnikuman grew an infatuation with pop idol Takahara Nana, having bought many of her records. In order to win Nana's heart, Kinnikuman attempted tried to impress her by showing of his muscles which only ended up angering her more. As a last resort, he called his kaiju henchman, Gorizaemon, to fake a kidnapping attempt on her in which Kinnikuman would save her. The plan backfired as Gorizaemon really did try to kidnap Nana. However, Kinnikuman was able to defeat his henchman and brought Nana to safety. By a simple misunderstanding, Nana thought that her manager, Hitoshi, had saved her and thus ran into his arms, much to Kinnikuman's disappointment.

 

Save Planet Kinniku

Kinnikuman received a visit from Alexandria Meat, who had been dispatched to find the Kinniku prince and bring him back. 5 Since Suguru's abandonment, the pig (King Tone) had taken over Planet Kinniku, and Kinnikuman was needed to defeat him. Kinnikuman, however, had no intention of going so was forced into a steel cage death match against Gouriki. He was able to win the match, thanks to the comical faces he made while he was being bear hugged, but was eventually bribed into going by Meat with a gyuudon.

 

When the two returned to Planet Kinniku, both of Kinnikuman's parents gave him a warm welcoming, as well as telling him of his name being Suguru. Kinnikuman's goal was to defeat King Tone in a three-round match of judo, boxing, and wrestling. Unfortunately, despite the confidence he displayed before the start of each match, he lost to Tone 0-3. Shortly after Tone's original owner, a butcher, chased him away from Planet Kinniku never to be seen again. 11 With the title now opened, Mayumi reclaimed his throne. Because of Suguru's disappointing match, Meat was ordered to bring him back to Earth and train him until he was a true hero.

 

Kaiju Fights

Kinnikuman and Meat began settling in the small house, doing normal activities. 13 After watching a television show, Kinnikuman gets the idea to fight the Loch Ness Monster and get it broadcast to boost his ratings as a chojin. After proving himself by defeating a kaiju, which was actually just a robot built by Meat, Kinnikuman was able to get the right to fight Nessie on air. Unfortunately, when Nessie finally did arrive, it turned out to be many times larger than Kinnikuman's giant form. Nessie simply licked him, which caused him to pass out.

 

Kinnikuman was introduced to Nikaido Mari, a preschool teacher and friend of Meat. Both he and Meat developed an obvious crush on Mari and would take different trips with her and her class, despite the fact that they would always beat him up. On their first trip to the preschool, the kaijuu Franky began attacking but actually gained the friendship of some of the children. Kinnikuman, who was hated by the children, wasn't able to fight but, Meat was able to come up with a strategy that caused Franky to run away.

 

After an encounter with the kaijuu Abdullah, Kinnikuman and Meat met The Terryman, an American chojin from Texas. Terryman would charge for his services against kaiju, but he became increasingly popular in Japan, much to Kinnikuman's dismay. After a while, Terryman came to Kinnikuman's house to brag of becoming Japan's sole super hero. An attack made Sheikian, caused a boy run to Terryman, saying he needed him to rescue his father. When Terryman kicked the boy, because he didn't have enough money, Kinnikuman, enraged, hit Terryman, gave the boy back his money, and went to rescue the boy's father. Terryman, after hearing the words of the Yamato Spirit from Kinnikuman, gave up his hero badge and went to help Kinnikuman fight Sheik-Seijin.

 

Roots Island Arc

Kunta first appears in the male onsen , where she throws herself on Kinnikuman and begs for his help. 19 Natsuko introduces Kunta as the princess of Roots Island, and Kunta explains that her island has been overrun by Kaiju, as well as that many warriors have been killed by Ukon. When Terryman and Kinnikman agree to the job, she gives each of them a kiss on the cheek, before they ride on Miss Karasu to the island in order to defeat the Kaiju.

 

As they arrive, they are greeted by Elder Yosaku, and introduces them to the last warrior of the island: Tabuchi. Kinnikuman and Terryman travel together to Roots Island to help Kunta and save the islanders. Octopus Dragon stops Kinnikuman from growing to giant size, by placing a tentacle on his head. The two then exchange blows, taking it in turns to swing one another and swapping body slams, until Octopus Dragon becomes intimidated, as he thinks Kinnikuman knows the moves of the Ultraman family. He is ultimately defeated by a Kinniku Flash. After they defeat Harigoras and Octopus King, a piece of meat appears before Kinnikuman and he eats the meat. Custom dictates whomever eats the meat must fight Ukon one-on-one in battle. It is meat thrown by Ukon in a challenge.

 

Kinnikuman goes to a Colosseum, who has taken Kunta hostage and is attacked by the locals with various objects, as they throw things into the Colosseum. Tabuchi tries to save the princess, but Ukon flicks him away with a giant finger. When Kinnikuman climbs a pole to escape, Ukon shakes it to get him down. Kinnikuman soon loses the fight, causing Ukon to rule over the people and turn them into slaves. Kinnikuman becomes his servant, but - when lighting a cigar for Ukon - he sets Ukon on fire in a blaze.

 

The skin melts off Ukon, revealing he was a robot all along. When he kidnaps Kunta once more, the locals call upon Mammora to save them. Mammora picks Kinnikuman up on his back and flies towards Ukon, whom they smash into a wall to remove his arm. Kinnikuman uses the Kinniku Flash, but it does not work on Ukon. After several exchanges of blows, Mammora destroys Ukon and it is revealed Kinkotsuman and Iwao were working the robot the entire time, but they soon run away. When Kunta is rescued, she pays Terryman and Kinnikuman with stone money (which they cannot use).

 

20th Chojin Olympics

Preliminary Rounds

Mayumi went to Earth to tell his son about the upcoming Chojin Olympics. Kinnikuman was convinced he was a shoe-in for the Japanese representative, due to Uldraman humiliating defeat at the hands of England's Robin Mask in the previous tournament. However, Terry informed him that Japan had decided not to compete if they could not be represented by Uldraman. Having lost all hope, Kinnikuman ran off to sulk but was confronted by Robin Mask. Robin put him in a Bow and Arrow Lock and told him to give up, but Suguru refused and persevered for several hours until Robin got tired and let go. Making last year's champion struggle caused Harabote Muscle, the chairman of the Olympics, to allow Suguru to compete.

 

The 20th Chojin Olympics soon began, with many well known chojin, including Robin Mask, Terryman, Specialman, Canadianman, Kintaman, Skyman, Brockenman, Lupin, and Kani Base, all competing for the title. The tournament had a rocky start for Kinnikuman when Meat, who was the Olympics mascot, accidentally hit Kinnikuman with the Olympics torch, which then caused him to hit Kani Base, and a brawl broke out. After the idiotic fighting was settled, the first preliminary match was announced, Rock-Paper-Scissors. Kinnikuman was able to beat Kani Base in the round with "rock" due to Kani Base's claws being stuck on "scissors".

 

The second preliminary was a weight lifting round with a catch, the weights are dead kaiju weighing 1 ton. The preliminaries went smoothly as many of the favourites easily lifted the kaiju. Kinnikuman, himself, was able to lift the kaijuu, albeit he sunk to the ground quite a bit. With many chojin passing, a second lift was done in which the weight was changed from 1 ton to 2 tons. While it would still seem favourable for many chojin, Kinkotsuman, Iwao, and the newly joined Kani Base had set up a trap for the chojin.

 

The three turned invisible thanks to Kinkotsuman's invisibility gun and begin to tickle or attack the chojin who was lifting. This would cause the chojin to lose focus and drop the kaiju, thus eliminating them. This tactic caused many chojin to fail, including Specialman, which caused Terryman to suspect their work. When it came to Kinnikuman's turn, he wasn't able to lift the kaiju up completely, but was able to withstand the tickling of Kinkotsuman. Thanks to a kick in the crotch from Kani Base, Kinnikuman was able to pass the round and expose Kinkotsuman, and the others fo

 

The third and final preliminary was a race in which the remaining chojin would fly to the moon, get a doll rabbit from one of the tournament reps, and fly back to the stadium. The first eight chojin to land would be the finalists. Kinnikuman, who was in last place, was given a doll rabbit by an unknown male who was actually Kinkotsuman in disguise. Kinkotsuman had set up a bomb in the rabbit that would explode. Fortunately, when the bomb exploded, it actually caused Kinnikuman as well many other chojin to fly straight down to the stadium. While 7 of the 8 finalists had been decided, 10 chojin, including Kinnikuman, Kintaman, Sphinxman, Amazonman, Copper Bellman, had all tied for the last spot. To settle this dispute, a battle royale would decide the eighth finalist.

 

Kinkotsuman hypnotised the other 9 finalists into eliminating Kinnikuman from the tournament as well as impersonating the referee. While Kinkotsuman's plan seemed to succeed, Terryman was able to realise Kinkotsuman's plan and was able to free the chojin of his control. With all the chojin back to normal, they all stopped their focused on Kinnikuman and just attacked each other. In the end, the other chojin knocked each other out, leaving only Kinnikuman, thus making the eighth finalist.

 

Quarter Finals

Kinnikuman had made it into the eight finalists of the 20th Chojin Olympics, which included Robin Mask, Terryman, Ramenman, Skyman, Brockenman, Canadianman, and Curry Cook. After a drawing, Kinnikuman was placed in B-Block which consisted of Curry Cook, Brockenman, and Ramenman, all known in the Planet Kinniku Grand Library for brutal fighting styles, hence them being Zangyaku chojin.

 

Due to the brutality of the chojin, Harabote placed the B-Block matches in the small Korakuen Hall which would only be broadcast on radio, compared to the massive Korakuen Stadium in which the A-Block matches were taking place and would be broadcast on television. The A-Block match against Robin Mask and Canadianman ended quickly with Robin taking down Canadianman in only a few moments. The B-Block match between Ramenman and Brockenman began with Brockenman using fowl and cheap tricks, such as spiked-knuckles and poison gas. Ramenman was able to take the upper-hand by taking Brockenman down with his Chinese Kenpo, finishing him off with his Camel Clutch, ripping Brockenman in half and which terrified Kinnikuman, Meat, and Mayumi.

 

After seeing the brutal death of Brockenman, Kinnikuman's fears of dying the same way at the hands of Curry Cook caused him to try to run away from the match. The only way Kinnikuman was able to get into the ring was because Meat and Mayumi dragged him back and told him that Curry Cook's face resembled that of a kappa. The match became a steel cage match and Curry Cook began the match by taking a weapon out of his curry sauce and stabbed Kinnikuman's forehead. While wallowing in pain, Kinnikuman was able to break Curry Cook's curry plate which caused Curry Cook to steal some gyuudon from the audience.

 

The sauce that had been stabbed into Kinnikuman's forehead caused him to act different, in which he bashed Curry Cook against the steel cage and even drank the milk that Curry Cook was originally going to use against him. Kinnikuman's insane tactics caused Curry Cook to give up the match and run away, advancing Kinnikuman to the semi-finals.

 

In Korakuen Stadium, Terryman's match with Skyman wasn't going well as Skyman's attacks were pushing Terry down. But Terry was able to make a comeback and defeat Skyman with an Oklahoma Stampede.

 

Semi-Finals

The match with Ramenman takes place on a solid block of ice.

 

Both competitors must be barefoot. Ramenman struggles to get a hold of Kinnikuman, who runs constantly away using the ropes as a tightrope. Eventually, Ramenman is able to deliver a series of blows and gets Kinnikuman into a Camel Clutch position, but soon lets go when Kinnikuman unleashes a bad smell and soils himself. Ramenman allows him a break to change his tights, while Kinnikuman gets used to the ice and gains an advantage.

 

Ramenman proceeds to use a pile-driver, but Kinnikuman gets his fin stuck in the melting ice. Ramenman kicks him across the ice and into the ropes, but the momentum allows the ropes to bounce Kinnikuman back and use an Elbow Smash. This knocks Ramenman out, which allows Kinnikuman to win the match. Unknown to Suguru, Kinkotsuman tries to shoot him, but Terryman intervenes and takes a bullet in his leg.

 

Finals

Before Suguru's fight with Robin Mask, Terry and Ramenman had a grudge match. Ramenman was soon disqualified for dirty fighting but then demanded that Suguru fight his best against Robin Mask, saying he wanted to be proud of his fight with Suguru. He got very emotional and cried tears of blood. Motivated by Ramenman's words, Suguru was a brand new fighter when he faced Robin. However, when he proved to be too much for Robin, Robin removed his armor, which he always wore to weaken his power rather than to protect himself.

 

Robin Mask became too tough, so Suguru tried to run away, but Ramenman, Kinkotsuman, and Iwao convinced him to return to the ring. Robin eventually put Suguru in his trademark Tower Bridge hold and seemingly broke his back. As Robin lamented over "killing" Suguru, Suguru stood up and defeated him with a Mexican Rolling Clutch Hold. Suguru had won the Olympics and Ramenman makes the first mention of Suguru's Kajiba no Kuso Djikara.

 

American Tour

After winning the chojin Olympics, Suguru is sent to tour the American Circuit. His first stop is Hawaii, where he challenges the Hawaiian Champion Jesse Maivia to a match. Jesse agrees, but only if Suguru can beat his manservant, Prince Kamehame. Suguru loses within seven seconds, but Kamehame is so impressed with him that he offers to teach him the Killer Techniques. With these techniques Suguru is able to defeat Jesse Maivia, the master of Move Reversion.

 

His next stop is the main continent, where he meets up with Dorlo Flairs and learns of the rivalry amongst the chojin Wrestling League chairmen. In order to disrupt the alliance between the Superhuman World Council and World Federation, he disguises himself as The Chanelman (a parody of blackface singers Chanels) and attacks the WSC's champions during their fights. Skull Boze and his manager Sheik Seijin figure out his identity and decide to set up a rematch between Suguru and Robin Mask.

 

Robin reappears in South America. 30 Kinnikuman confronts him when he sees Robin murder an opponent in the ring, when Robin's opponent is torn in two pieces.31 When Kinnikuman is captured by the World Supermen Federation, Robin brings him food so that he will survive and remain strong. 32 After tearing Dynamite Piper in half at the Luck Lumber Joe, Robin was allowed the chance to regain his title from Kinnikuman and faced him in a match.

 

The match with Kinnikuman takes place over the Grand Canyon, at 1,600 meters high. Before the fight can be finished, Iwao flies an aeroplane into the ring. The match is determined to be in Robin's favour, but - due to his assumed death - the belt then goes to the next in the WSF's line, which is Skull Bozu. Kinnikuman is revealed to be alive, while Robin took the brunt of the aeroplane attack and is willing to let himself be sacrificed as Kinnikuman has not enough strength to remove the plane.

 

Robin reveals that he read about Kinnikuman's activity in Hawaii and yearned to return to the life of a Justice Chojin. 34 Kinnikuman eventually manages to free Robin, but the WSF explode the ring, and only Kinnikuman can escape. Robin seemingly falls to his death.

 

After the battle between Kinnikuman and Robin Mask, the Chojin Council are chased by Kinnikuman to a remote location. The World Chojin Federation try to steal the championship belt, which creates a free-for-all battle, and God von Erich appears to command them to stop. 35 God von Erich announces a tag tournament to settle the differences between the three groups, as he says that the winner shall rule the American chojin world.

 

In this tag tournament, Kinnikuman must engage in a round robin.

 

He must fight the Chojin Council, Chojin Federation, Chojin Association, and the Kaiju - the winner of the four groups will gain control of America. 36 Kinnikuman finds Terryman in Amarillo, Texas; Terryman initially refuses to participate, due to the work on his ranch, and it is revealed he has lost his left leg. The wound he obtained by Kinkotsuman increasingly got worse, until he was forced to amputate. Kinnikuman eventually convinces him to use a prosthetic leg by winning a special bet.

 

Over 100,000 people attend to watch the tournament in Houston, Texas. They form The Machineguns, with the theme of "The Magnificent Seven" as they make an entrance. Their first match is against Beauty Rhodes and Jean Steamboard, who form The Emperors. During their match, Terryman is accidentally knocked out by Kinnikuman. Kinnikuman begins to lose, but Terryman wakes up long enough to save Kinnikuman with his own body. The match ultimately ends in a draw. The next few matches take place in Los Angeles.

 

Terryman and Kinnikuman are set to win by default against Rugged Brothers, as one of their opponents lost in their previous match and is unable to compete. Kinkotsuman reveals that he is the new tag partner, and the group rename themselves Monster Master/Student Combo. Kinnikuman and Terryman get trapped under a lighting rig that Kinkotsuman crashes down on them, but Kinnikuman knocks Terryman out when Terryman panics over the loss of his leg when faced with Kinkotsuman that caused his leg injury. Kinnikuman wins the match in record time against both Kinkotsuman and Iwao.

 

The next few matches take place at Madison Square Gardens, New York. The final match is against the Blood Illusions. Devil Magician starts by throwing cards at Kinnikuman and Terryman, before diving at them with a dagger, but Ramenman stops him and forces him to play by the rules. Skull Bozu attacks next, using his Hedgehog Move, where his body - except his head - erupts into spikes. Kinnikuman manages to defend, and stabs Skull Bozu's head with his own spikes.

 

Kinnikuman then uses a Drop Kick on Skull Bozu, while Terryman uses the Brain Buster on Devil Magician. They follow with a series of other wrestler's signature moves. Iwao then steals Terry's leg. Terryman - distracted by the abuse of a child - is showered in a flurry of punches by Skull Bozu. Skull Bozu proceeds to throw him out of the ring, but - on retrieving his leg - Terryman uses a Calf Branding against Skull Bozu, which results in a knock-out and thus secures their victory.

 

The Machineguns go on to win their final match against the Blood Illusions, while the New World Supermen Association - goes on to control America. Kinnikuman - after winning the tournament - take a break in Guam for the day, where he witnesses a kaiju attack on Japan, while watching television.

 

The kaiju Burugorasu is attacking children and destroying buildings, but the Earth Defence Force fails to stop him, but - on seeing the children plead for the help of Kinnikuman - Kinnikuman and Meat decide to return to Japan. He is given a wrist that will tell him the time to his next exhibition match, which is due five hours from now, and - as Olympic Champion - he is obliged to attend the match or he will forfeit his championship. Kinnikuman eventually arrives in Japan, with only 30 minutes to spare, and grows to a giant size. He struggles to use his Kinniku Flash, but succeeds after a child tosses him some garlic. He fails to make it back in time for his match, and forfeits his championship.

 

The Lost Three Days

The chapter begins with a brief recap of American Chojin politics during the 1980's, and the creation of the American Chojin Tag Tournament. 48 Kinnikuman sets his sights upon Terryman as a tag partner, but only has three days until the tournament starts to convince him of participation, and - on reaching Terry's Ranch - Kinnikuman begs him, only for Terry to rebuke him due to a lack of time.

 

Kinnikuman strikes Terryman, which knocks him off his horse, and this reveals that he has lost his leg, which Terryman states makes him useless as a partner. He thus rides away. A ranch-hand - Buckland - reveals that he has a prosthetic leg that Terryman can use, and gives it to Kinnikuman so that Terryman may fight again. Kinnikuman waits outside the ranch, even forgoing food and rest, in hopes that Terryman will take pity on him and use the leg.

 

The next day Terryman wakes them with water to the face, after they pass out from heatstroke. Terryman says that he will work with Kinnikuman, only if Kinnikuman can fill up his trough; he gives him two bags, and tells him the river is fifteen miles away. To do this, he lends Kinnikuman a wild horse (knowing that Kinnikuman will never tame the horse and thus make the necessary trips). The horse is named Machinegun.

 

Kinnikuman still refuses to find another partner, and - after being attacked by the horse - manages to eventually mount Machinegun. At sunset, Kinnikuman makes the first round-trip to empty some water into the trough. While Terryman goes about his daily routine, Kinnikuman continues to fill the trough, and it is noticed that Machinegun once lost his leg in an accident, too, until he was also given a prosthetic. Kinnikuman bonds with the horse and tames him. Kinnikuman makes it back just in time to win the bet made by Terryman, and Terryman thus dons his prosthetic leg and agrees to join his team. The two go on to enter the tournament.

 

2nd Kaiju Extermination Arc

Bibimba

Yaki Horumon sends Bibimba to take revenge on Kinnikuman. At first, she dives at him with a knife, but he ducks at the last moment and avoids her attack. This causes Bibimba to fall and scrape her knee, and Kinnikuman rips Meat Alexandria's to wrap her wound. Yaki - troubled by this - summons Kinnikuman to attend a duel with Bibimba, after he kidnaps Meat to force attendance.

 

Bibimba easily strikes a blow on Kinnikuman, and proceeds to take a sword to kill him, but she hesitates after remembering his act of kindness. Kinnikuman is thus able to stop her blow, but - when he counters with a sword-attack - he slices open her leotard and reveals her in a nude state. Kinnikuman shows mercy on her, as he gives her Meat's new cape to cover her naked form. Bibimba then believes herself to be in love with Kinnikuman.

 

Seeing how she is infatuated with Kinnikuman, Yaki Horumon introduces her to Shishkeba Boo. Yaki promises the hand of Bibimba in marriage, so long as Shishkeba defeats Kinnikuman in battle. Bibimba rushes to the palace to beg Kinnikuman to flee the planet, but - just as Kinnikuman tries to make his escape - Shiskeba arrives to stop him. Kinnikuman mocks his appearance, but agrees to fight him in a series of challenges.

 

The first challenge is a speed-eating contest, which he wins. The second challenge is to create a tower, but - after Kinnikuman cheats - they both descend into a fist-fight. They are evenly matched, using the same techniques, but Shiskeba is able to knock him unconscious. When it seems that Shishkeba may truly kill Kinnikuman, Bibimba refuses to allow him, saying that she will die, too, and is willing to sacrifice her life. Bibimba then travels back to Earth with Meat and Kinnikuman.

 

Without anywhere to live, Bibimba stays in Beverly Park with Kinnikuman and Meat. Unable to attend on Kinnikuman as well as Meat, Bibimba flees and it is revealed that Meat and Kinnikuman are actively trying to get her to return to Planet Kinniku. On her way to find Kinnikuman to make amends, she is attacked by a Kaiju: Gonta. When Kinnikuman refuses to help her, and the Earth Defence Force arrive, Bibimba believes she is being tested on whether she can defend herself. This inspires Bibimba to join the Earth Defence Force and become independent, as she starts a life alone.

 

Planet Rakka

When Planet Rakka became in danger by the Uchuu Nobushi, the chojin Beansman asked Terryman and Ramenman to fight. Kinnikuman, assuming he'd automatically be chosen, went straight to Beansman and joined them without any real test. In Africa, the group found the transforming chojin Puyo-Puyo, whom Kinnikuman teased because of his appearance, only to be punched at by him. In Antarctica, the group found the ice chojin Crystalman, who had been asleep in ice for 100,000 and was bribed into going by getting all the food he could eat. The least chojin was in Berlin, Germany, Brocken Jr., the son of Brockenman. At first, it seemed as though Brocken Jr. was going to begin his revenge on Ramenman but stopped, accepted Beansman's request to join, and said he would deal with it when they returned to Earth. With Brocken Jr. now having joined, the seven chojin had been gathered.

 

Using Puyo-Puyo as a space coaster, the group was able to reach Planet Rakka. Ingen, the elder and friend of Beansman, told the group that the survivors had built a fort and disguised it with a fog. Ingen said the only reason that the Uchu Nobushi hadn't been around was because they had gone to eat. Only moments later, the Uchu Nobushi returned, ready to take the fort. The seven chojin all gathered and began their assault. However, it seemed useless as the Uchu Nobushi would regenerate into even more members every time they were struck down.

 

When Crystalman found the weakness against the Uchu Nobushi as an attack to their hearts, the Uchu Nobushi all formed together into one giant creature. In order to stop the creature, Kinnikuman and the rest of the chojin combined their powers and were able to destroy the Uchu Nobushi, freeing Planet Rakka. When the chojin were going home Kinnikuman, who was driving their spaceship, was caught by the space police as an unlicensed speeding driver, much to the other chojins dismay.

 

21st Chojin Olympics: The Big Fight

Preliminary Rounds

One morning, a black letter came into the mail for Kinnikuman. The letter turned out to be an application for the 21st chojin Olympics, nicknamed "The Big Fight". At first Kinnikuman was ready to fight until he learned that he still had to pass the prelims like everyone else. On the chojin Hour program, Yoshigai and Harabote began speaking of Kinnikuman's loss of the belt and how it was worth 10,000,000 yen. Next, they went over the favourites for the tournament, such as Terryman, Ramenman, Brocken Jr., and Benkiman, a toilet chojin who can literally flush people down his drain. The next chojin representative was also from Japan, a sumo named Wolfman, who antagonised Kinnikuman on television. Wolfman's actions caused Kinnikuman to want to compete in the tournament once more.

 

Days passed, until the chojin Olympics: The Big Fight finally started. Over 100,000 chojin from all over the world came to compete, including many of Kinnikuman's friends and rivals from the previous chojin Olympics and his American Tour. The first preliminary was the "Terrifying chojin Sieve" in which the chojin were put into a giant sieve, shaken up, and all the chojin who were too fat or too skinny would fall through leaving only the chojin in good physical condition left. Harabote first started off with the German team, taking them directly from the stands, where only one chojin, Brocken Jr. stayed in.

 

Harabote soon got carried away and took all the other countries chojin at once. Fat and skinny chojin, such as Kani Base (as well as Skull Bozu and Beauty Rhodes), were eliminated quickly. As the shaking continued, Kinnikuman began to fall through, leaving only his head still inside the sieve at the end of the shaking. Since Kinnikuman's head was still inside the sieve, Harabote deemed it legal and he passed the first prelim.

 

Quarter Finals

At the 21st Chojin Olympics Benkiman fought against Kinnikuman. Kinnikuman eventually was sucked into Benkiman's toilet and flushed down. A person typically does not return once flushed. Kinnikuman, however, returned because he stuffed his shorts into the toilet causing it to back up. The back up resulted in Kinnikuman winning the match. Kinnikuman also saved the other Chojins that were flushed down Benkiman's toilet.

 

Semi-Finals

The semi-finals match takes place in Kuramae Public Arena, where Meat Alexandria acts as a guest commentator. Four people surround the ring, while Kinnikuman is required to wear a fundashi. The ring is flipped over to reveal a sumo circle, and Kinnikuman starts with a Kinniku-Sumo Kick. He attempts a brain-buster, but Wolfman evades the attack. Wolfman tries to throw Kinnikuman out of the circle, as per sumo rules, but Kinnikuman holds onto him to stop being thrown.

 

Wolfman delivers a Rubiks Cube Slap to Kinnikuman's face. He manages to toss Kinnikuman out of the circle, but Mayumi Kinniku bursts the swollen blisters of his head and Kinnikuman floats back into the circle. They grab each other's belts, where Kinnikuman is nearly thrown again, and he survives again an underarm throw. Wolfman tries to crush Kinnikuman into submission, but he pushes back. Wolfman distracts him by claiming his penis is visible through his fundashi, before throwing Kinnikuman down against the ring.

 

Just as he is about to be declared the winner, they realise Wolfman is fully outside of the ring. Kinnikuman has used a suplex to throw him, and he has touched ground outside of the circle first, which disqualifies him from continuing in the tournament.

 

Finals

Kinnikuman angers Warsman by mocking him, as he pulls back his chair and forces him to fall in public. After Kinnikuman strikes Bibimba, Warsman becomes infuriated at his actions and lunges to attack, at which point Kinnikuman uses his Bear Claw Defence to remove his clawed hand. Warsman counters with the Palo Special, before Terryman saves Kinnikuman by kicking him away into the waters. This makes Kinnikuman's mask fall off, and Barracuda declares the next match will be a Mask Removal Death Match.

 

Warsman later interferes with an exhibition match between Mayumi Kinniku and Harabote Muscle as a "training exercise". He tosses the ring with them away, until Kinnikuman tosses it back. Warsman is stopped from killing a catatonic Ramenman, only for Robin Mask to reveal his true identity to the crowd and that Warsman is his chance for revenge. Kinnikuman initially gains the upper hand, as Warsman essentially copies Robin's techniques, which Kinnikuman knows very well from their previous matches. 61 Warsman reverts back to his own style, then removes Kinnikuman's mask.

 

Underneath each of Kinnikuman's masks is another mask, so Warsman struggles to unmask him. Warsman starts to remove Kinnikuman's actual mask, revealing black hair, until Kinnikuman performs the Muscle Curtain. Bibimba begs Warsman to stop, after he leaves Kinnikuman a bloody mess, but Robin Mask threatens to return him to the streets. Kinnikuman has the chance to throw Warsman onto his own Bear Claw, but refuses as he doesn't want to become as brutal as Warsman. 65 Warsman thus changes his mind about his evil ways, but is attacked by Robin, who then proceeds to slap Bibimba. 65 Warsman attacks Robin and continues to fight fairly against Kinnikuman.

 

Warsman is able to overcome Kinnikuman's Fire of Inner Strength with his Palo Special, proving himself stronger and with greater techniques, but Warsman overheats in battle if he fights past 30 minutes and 35 minutes have gone by in the match. Kinnikuman uses the Kinniku Buster and wins the match; he is required to remove Warsman's mask, but Warsman - talking for the first time - reveals his face. He is revealed to have a cybernetic face. Kinnikuman thus returns his mask.

 

The Seven Devil Chojin

Prehistory

After taking the chojin Olympics championship twice, Suguru thew a parade honouring himself as the V2 champion. Unfortunately, while being lifted in the air by his fan girls, a more heavy-set girl threw him too high into space. This caused him to hit the detonation button on a roach motel which contained the Seven Devil Chojin, seven evil chojin that were banned from Earth due to their deadly ways of fighting.

 

In Korakuen Hall, while participating in the "Let's Play with the chojin" Fan Appreciation Day, the Seven Devil Chojin interrupted the celebration. At first, Kinnikuman thought it was just an unscripted sketch but Warsman corrected him and began to attack one of the Devil Chojin. Immediately, the Devil Chojin, Black Hole, punched Warsman, who was then forced down into the mat by Buffaloman, the leader of the Seven Devil Chojin. Buffaloman then stated a challenge to Kinnikuman to defeat all seven of them.

The Devil Chojin began challenging Kinnikuman, eager to battle him. Warsman rose up and continued to fight against Buffaloman, only for him to be attacked by SteCase King's 100,000 headphones which broke his ear drums destroyed his sensory system. While at first he was going to give it away, Kinnikuman decided to keep his belt but refused to fight the Devil Chojin after the battles that had just occurred in the chojin Olympics. In order to force Kinnikuman to fight, Buffaloman took Meat and separated him into seven pieces, each piece being taken by one of the Devil Chojin. Buffaloman set a challenge that, in order to revive Meat, Kinnikuman had to defeat all seven Devil Chojin in 10 days. Crying, Kinnikuman accepted the challenge immediately saying that Meat was like a brother to him.69

 

Kinnikuman vs. Stecasse King

The Devil Chojin gave Kinnikuman the opportunity to pick his first opponent. Using his own cassettes music, SteCase King was able to force Kinnikuman's body into picking him, much to the anger of the other Devil Chojin. The battle took place at Tokyo Tower, with Meat's torso at stake. The battle began with SteCase King jumping at Kinnikuman with his headphone feet to try to force him to listen to his Music of Hell.

 

Kinnikuman was able to dodge the attacks and even hit SteCase King, giving the impression that SteCase King was very weak, putting him into a Boston Crab Hold. SteCase King soon opened up his Miracle Backpack which contained five giant cassette tapes of the chojin Encyclopedia. Using the tapes, SteCase King was able to imitate Warsman perfectly, including Warsman's deep breathing and creepy smile, and released himself from the Boston Crab Hold. To show his strength, SteCase King then put Kinnikuman into the Palo Special, a technique that only Warsman knew.

 

SteCase King soon showed his abilities even more showing the abilities of Ramenman's kicks and Robin Mask's Tower Bridge, all on his tapes. Buffaloman then told Terryman that SteCase King's tapes contained 1,000 entries on chojin, giving the match and 1000 vs. 1 challenge. Kinnikuman's determination was able to release him from the Tower Bridge, however SteCase King soon put Kinnikuman into his own Music Hell technique. Even though Kinnikuman's mask was able to protect him from 100,000 phones, SteCase King set the sound for 1,000,000 phones, loud enough to penetrate even the Kinniku masks.

 

Thanks to observation by a child, Terryman was able to conclude that SteCase King's music was the same music that came from Tokyo Tower, hence why SteCase King set the match right below it. Thanks to a mistake by SteCase King, the music program had already ended and was switched by a comedy program, which was able to keep Kinnikuman conscious.

 

Now free, Kinnikuman countered with a back drop and injured SteCase King. As a last resort, SteCase King used the chojin Encyclopedia once more, except he accidentally took an outdated cassette of Kinnikuman, who had indeed become a competent chojin over the years. With SteCase King weakened, Kinnikuman finished him off with the Kinniku Buster. Despite SteCase King being the weakest of the Seven Devil Chojin, he managed to give Kinnikuman many wounds, enough so that the chojin doctor said that Kinnikuman would need 10 days to heal.

 

Kinnikuman vs. Black Hole

Despite initially having taken his torso, the match against Black Hole is to retrieve Meat's right arm. Black Hole - after lighting a fire - realises Kinnikuman has not arrived and threatens to destroy Meat's arm, but Kinnikuman seemingly arrives in perfect health. He blocks a punch from Black Hole, which Black Hole notes is with his left hand despite being right-handed, and Black Hole also notes that his body is no longer muscular.

 

Black Hole and his teammates reveal this is an intruder, only to beat him until he is bleeding profusely, and they show that this was Terryman. The real Kinnikuman appears and challenges Black Hole to fight. They fight in a Solar House Death Match at Korakuen Stadium. Kinnikuman initially thought that this was to be nice, as the Solar House made it warmer inside the ring while it was cold outside, but Black Hole's real reason was so that he could use his Shadow Travel technique. Kinnikuman begins the match with a punch, but his arm gets stuck in the hole in Black Hole's face. After a flurry of punches, Kinnikuman finally escapes, and kicks at Black Hole's chest, only to get his body stuck within the chest.

 

Kinnikuman is soon spat out, only for Black Hole to use Shadow Travel.

 

He uses a German Suplex upon Kinnikuman, before trapping him in a Cobra Twist. He proceeds to clone his bodies and fill the ring with them, as all of them attack Kinnikuman at once, but Kinnikuman uses a Sun Muscle to dissipate the fake Black Hole clones. Kinnikuman lands a Flying Body Scissors Drop. The inside of the hole on Black Hole's head then becomes a portal into space, which sucks Kinnikuman inside. Kinnikuman manages to escape and breaks through the Solar Dome back into the ring. Kinnikuman smashes down on Black Hole with a Nikudan Elbow Drop, which effectively knocks out Black Hole and allows Kinnikuman to win and retrieve Meat's right arm.

 

Kinnikuman vs. Atlantis

Later Kinnikuman fights against Atlantis. Atlantis begins with a Water Magnum, but Kinnikuman uses Salmon Swimming Stream to swim up the beam of water, and headbutts Atlantis in his face. Kinnikuman attempts a body-press, but the spirits of his deceased opponents hold him back: The Mountain, Stecasse King, Mr Khamen, and Black Hole. He thus can't move and lands on Atlantis knees. He tries to put Atlantis in a sleeping hold, but Black Hole cuts into his neck. Mongolman reveals that this is due to a Blood Bind, and he takes Terryman and Brocken Jr. into the spirit world to defeat the spirits.

 

Kinnikuman is thrown into the lake by Atlantis. Due to his friends defeating the spirits, Kinnikuman is able to swim upwards and jump back onto the ring. Atlantis jumps into the water and covers the ring in a thick fog, which enables him to trick Kinnikuman into thinking the corner-post is him and striking his head against it in the confusion. Atlantis uses a water magnum, which destroys some of the ropes, and then hits him with a Water Ball. He follows this with a St Helen's Eruption.

 

Kinnikuman uses his Fire of Inner Strength to escape the hold, and a Muscle Typhoon to get rid of the mist. In order to avenge Robin Mask, Kinnikuman use a Tower Bridge attack on Atlantis, at which point Atlantis tosses Meat's right leg into the leg. Kinnikuman jumps in to save the leg, as Atlantis follows, but uses a U-Boat technique against him. Buffaloman convince Kinnikuman to finish using his Kinniku Buster, which breaks Atlantis' back, neck, and hip-bones. This defeats Atlantis and allows Kinnikuman to retrieve the leg.

 

Kinnikuman vs. Buffaloman

From here on, the matches became rougher, as the Devil Chojins, the fierce enemies of the Justice Chojin, weren't just trying to beat them, but kill them in battle. Through the help of his friends, some of who valiantly gave their lives through fighting the evil Devil chojin, and Mongolman, the mystery fighter who Suguru first believed to be a Devil chojin, they were finally able to defeat the leader, Buffaloman. Touched by the bonds of friendship that Suguru and the Justice Chojin had for each other, Buffaloman vowed that one day he would like to join them, if he survived the punishment for his sins.

 

Golden Mask Arc

Kinnikuman attends a chojin physical with his colleagues.

 

The Chojin Power of his colleagues is halved, with only his power left intact. It is revealed that the golden mask on Planet Kinniku has been stolen, and the Silver Mask travels through space into Kinnikuman's hands, as a group of six masked men descend on Kinnikuman. Only one of them has the true Golden Mask, and each says they will go to a specific location to wait for Kinnikuman; if he battles them and wins, they will give him their mask, and their tournament will end when he finds the true Golden Mask.

 

Kinnikuman vs. Sneagator

The first match is against Sneagator in the Budokan Stadium. The ring seems empty, until Sneagator appears to turn all the chairs into alligators and the confetti into lizards. Sneagator bites through the ropes, which turn into snakes and attack Kinnikuman. He then bites down onto Kinnikuman's right shoulder, before using a Hell Space Walk, which is a powerful sneaker kick.

 

Sneagator then bites into Kinnikuman's torso, before using another sneaker-kick and biting him in three separate places. At this point, Meat realises the animals are illusions caused by a light projector. Sneagator attempts to bite off Kinnikuman's head, but Kinnikuman stops him by holding onto the sides of his jaws, before using a Mouth-Ripping Kinniku-Buster, and covers the light projector with Sneagator's blood.

 

Sneagtor then sheds his skin and returns in a tortoise form. He uses a Strong Body Press on Kinnikuman, but Kinnikuman uses a Muscle Curtain, and Sneagator sheds his skin again. Kinnikuman gets behind Sneagator and rips the fins from his head, but Sneagator turns again into a chameleon to camouflage into his environment. Kinnikuman allows himself to be injured, so he can use his blood to force Sneagator to become visible. Sneagator then turns into a dinosaur hand, but Kinnikuman gets him in a Bear Hug.

 

This allows him to see Sneagator's true face, which is on one of his fingers.

 

He uses a Front Suplex to then defeat Sneagator.

 

Kinnikuman vs. Planetman

 

Kinnikuman dies from his injuries against Sneagator.

 

Once he is revived by Wolfman's life force, Kinnikuman heads for the Toshimaen (豊島園) amusement park to face his next opponent. Upon arrival, he and Meat find a ring and are then confronted by several planets. The planets then fuse together and become Planetman. He knocks Kinnikuman into the ring, which is then elevated several hundred feet into the air.

 

Planetman starts out in control of the fight, slicing Kinnikuman up with his Planet Ring. 86 Kinnikuman tries to hide in a Ferris Wheel car, but Planetman is able to knock him out of there with his Ring Stone. He then freezes Kinnikuman's body with the Sub Zero Figure 4 Neck Lock and tries to shatter him with a knee drop, but Geronimo channels Wolfman's power and Kinnikuman is able to break free.

 

Planetman then reveals that his head is actually the legendary planet Vulcan. He also points out that Earth is nowhere on his body. 86 That is because Kinnikuman represents Earth, and with that a map of the world appears on Kinnikuman's body. 87 Planetman then begins striking the countries of specific Justice Chojins, causing their life-support bubbles to burst and their bodies to go through excruciating pain.

 

When he tries throwing his Apollo Dynamite at Japan, Kinnikuman catches the fireball and throws it back. Planetman then uses his horrible Face Planet technique, causing the faces of Terryman, Robin Mask, Warsman, Brocken Jr., Mayumi Kinniku, Sayuri Kinniku, Bibimba, and Canadianman to appear on the planets on his body. He also dons his Golden Mask so that Kinnikuman won't attack his head. Kinnikuman pays it no mind and tries a Knee Breaker, but realises that he would hurt Bibimba if he did. Kinnikuman finds himself unable to fight back until he realises that a Kinniku Buster wouldn't hurt any of them, just Planetman.

 

Unfortunately, Planetman transforms their surrounding into space, preventing Kinnikuman from completing the Kinniku Buster. Finally, Warsman insists that Kinnikuman punch through his face, which is directly over Planetman's heart. 88 Kinnikuman reluctantly complies and pierces Planetman's heart, putting Warsman in a coma and freeing everyone from the Face Planet technique. 89 Planetman then tries his Planet Ring one more time, but Kinnikuman gets behind him, causing the ring to decapitate Planetman. Kinnikuman then defeats him with Black Hole Suplex, throwing him through a hole in the middle of the ring.

 

Unfortunately, Planetman's Golden Mask turns out to be a fake, just like Sneagator's.

 

Five-Tier Ring

Kinnikuman then enters inside of Warsman.

 

Inside his body, there is a five-tier ring that begins a new tournament. Terryman, Geronimo, Brocken Jr., and Robin Mask fight on his behalf, so that Kinnikuman can climb the spine and reach the fifth ring, where he plans to jolt Warsman's heart to resuscitate him. Kinnikuman finally reaches the fourth-tier, but the Golden Mask is not the real Golden Mask, and General Devil appears above them on the fifth tier.

 

Kinnikuman vs. General Devil

General Devil first appears as the Golden Mask.

 

He shrinks the exit inside Warsman's body, to prevent Kinnikuman and his friends - who are growing to their regular size - from leaving in time so as not to tear Warsman apart. He steals forth the power of the Devil Chojin that worked underneath him during the tournament, and announces himself as their leader. Geronimo attacks General Devil, but General Devil retaliates with a Double-Arm Suplex. 94 He then uses a Spin Double Arm, and finishes with a Hell's Guillotine. This kills Geronimo, and inspires the others to distract General Devil by attacking him at once.

 

General Devil escapes from Warsman's body, along with Asuraman. Kinnikuman escapes and uses his Fire of Inner Strength, as he attempts to tackle General Devil, but he is struck by a Hell's Guillotine. It is revealed General Devil cannot absorb his Fire of Inner Strength and injures his knee. General Devil and Asuraman go through a door to their next venue, while Kinnikuman lingers behind due to fear, but - despite his hesitation - Buffaloman holds the door open for him and allows him to carry onward.

 

Buffaloman, on his arrival, shakes hands with General Devil; General Devil resurrected him to act as an adviser for the upcoming match. After Asuraman loses in his match against Kinnikuman, he is shunned by General Devil and decapitated by him. Buffaloman is thus persuaded to join the Justice Chojin, as he rejects such levels of cruelty, and holds General Devil about his waist, so that Kinnikuman may have a chance to use his Kinniku Driver. General Devil attempts a Hell Super Express.

 

This is reversed by Buffaloman, and the fight between the two allows Kinnikuman time to train with Terryman in an attempt to perfect the Kinniku Driver using logs in a nearby parkland. Buffaloman attempts a Special Hurricane Mixer, but General Devil reveals his body can feel no pain. Kinnikuman perfects his Kinniku Driver. Buffaloman impales General Devil with his long horns, while Terryman warns Kinnikuman about the fatal flaw with the Kinniku Driver, and Kinnikuman manages to correct the one flaw.

 

Kinnikuman returns and carries Buffaloman to the infirmary, after General Devil defeats Buffaloman. Kinnikuman learns - in the process - that General Devil is actually Goldman. Kinnikuman returns to the ring and throws the silver mask above the ring, along with General Devil and the gold mask, and and it is decided that the winner of the match will take both masks. Kinnikuman begins the match with a German Suplex, and General Devil attacks with a chair, causing a referee to be needed. Mongolman agrees to referee the match.

 

Kinnikuman tries to attack General Devil several times, but his skin is torn open and every time his Kinniku Driver fails. General Devil attempts a Skull Crush, but Kinnikuman counters by bashing him against the corner-post of the ring. This is followed by Kinnikuman reversing an attempted Hell's Guillotine. General Devil gains the upper-hand with a Hell Windmill, and Kinnikuman - after thrown out the ring - makes it back in time for the count. Kinnikuman is then hit by a Human Bullet Dive Bomb.

 

Kinnikuman uses a Sideways Kinniku-Buster. This strikes General Devil against a far wall, where the chest-plate of his armour breaks away and reveals he is lacking a physical body. Kinnikuman attempts a Bear-Hug, but General Devil breaks free and the pieces of his body turn back into the Six Devil Knights, and General Devil reverses a Sideways Kinniku-Buster to harm Kinnikuman.

 

After using his Muscle Curtain, after exchanging a series of blows, Kinnikuman witnesses General Devil harden his body to level seven. General Devil turns his arms into swords, and Robin Mask tosses his armour for Kinnikuman to use, but General Devil goes to Hardness Level 10. He splits open Robin Mask's armour and attacks at Kinnikuman, and Kinnikuman attempts a Muscle Curtain Attack.

 

Kinnikuman manages to scratch General Devil's body. This is followed by a Burning Megaton Punch, which opens the crack in General Devil's armour, and his body shatters into millions of diamonds, as Kinnikuman retrieves the Golden Mask. The diamond pieces destroy the Golden Mask, and it is revealed the the real Golden Mask was underneath General Devil's fake mask all along. It was a part of his head. This triggers Kinnikuman into donning the Silver Mask, so that the two masks can communicate.

 

General Devil - now revealed to be Goldman - reveals he felt humiliated by Silverman, while they were still alive, and was given power by Satan, who granted him control over the Six Devil Knights. To gain the upper hand, General Devil places the ring on the bodies of Kinnikuman's Justice Chojin friends, and each attacks upon the canvas thus causes them pain. General Devil uses a Burning Bridge.

 

The ring is transformed, as General Devil starts to sweat, and his sweat turns the canvas into a diamond. 108 After a series of serious blows, Kinnikuman turns the tides and uses the diamond canvas against General Devil, and forces his Hardness Level back to normal. The Friendship Power exhibited by Kinnikuman, and the Justice Chojin beneath the ring, causes the Gold Mask to reject the armour gifted by Satan. 109 This causes a body to appear. Kinnikuman then uses his Fire of Inner Strength .

 

General Devil seals all Kinnikuman's vital points and uses a Hell Guillotine.

 

Kinnikuman stops the move, while the spirits of his friends come to his defence. The Friendship Power weakens him, before he summons the spirits of the Six Devil Knights to rip his limbs away; sacrificing his body means Kinnikuman cannot use any techniques against him. Buffaloman then intervenes to stop him from dismantling and recombining at will. He dons the mask, so that General Devil will have a body, and willingly sacrifices himself to help stop General Devil. Kinnikuman successfully uses the Kinniku Driver.

 

General Devil - now in his Golden Mask form - asks to be destroyed, but instead the Silver Mask combines with the Golden Mask and become the Perfect Mask. They revive all dead and injured Chojin, and never again will they ever be divided, which means never again can they bring harm on the people. Kinnikuman and his friends celebrate his victory.

 

Dream Chojin Tag Arc

Prehistory

 

A second Mount Fuji appears in Japan. On top of this mountain, the Universal Chojin Tag Team trophy appears. Underneath, there appears a series of rings that allow for eight tag-teams to compete. Kinnikuman - along with the other justice chojin - goes to Kourakuen Hall to discuss the situation. Terryman reveals he will not team up with Kinnikuman, but instead seeks to work with Geronimo and bring him back to health (since he is now in a vegetative state).

 

Quarter-Finals

The first match for them was against Pentagon and Black Hole: 4D Killer Combo. The 4D Killer Combo await in the first ring, and - as the Muscle Brothers enter - drop down upon them as a preemptive attack. Kinnikuman ignores Kinnikuman Great's attempt to tag in, despite bleeding profusely, and this allows Black Hole to swap places with Pentagon. Black Hole throws Kinnikuman to the ropes; Kinnikuman Great reassures Kinnikuman they are equals, but Kinnikuman is determined to prove himself to what he considers his master. He still tags in Kinnikuman Great, despite his reservations, who uses a martial arts kick to attack Black Hole. They exchange several blows, but Kinnikuman Great temporarily incapacitates Black Hole with a Rolling Savate.

 

The other teams leave their rings, so that they may watch the match. Black Hole catches Kinnikuman Great off-guard and throws him to the ropes, in an attempt to engage in a German Suplex, but Kinnikuman Great counters with a Reverse Kick. Kinnikuman argues with Kinnikuman Great and trust breaks down, and this leads to the 4D Killer Combo gaining an advantage. As the 4D Combo use 4D Warp again, Great throws Kinnikuman out of the ring so that he may strike Pentagon midair. This fatigues both Pentagon and Great.

 

Each move Kinnikuman uses on Black Hole becomes countered with Pentagon's Chronos Change, and - as Great comes to the defence - Pentagon uses Time Stop to freeze Great and stop with a Pile Driver. They stop Great with a 4D Cross and he is absorbed into Black Hole's body. The 4D Combo tries to use a 4D Cross on Kinnikuman, but he counters with advice from the voice of Great. Great tries to escape through Black Hole, grabbing his mask in the process, but Black Hole closes access to his dimension.

 

Black Hole and Great fight within the dimension, and Great uses a Kinniku Buster to defeat Black Hole, while Kinnikuman uses the Kinniku Driver to defeat Pentagon. They combine their attacks into a Muscle Docking, which allows them to win the match.

 

Semi-Finals

 

After Prince Kamehame's death, Terryman dons the Kinnikuman Great disguise.

 

In a match-up lottery, the Muscle Brothers Nouveau are matched against the Stray Devil Chojin Combo. The rules of the match determine that a KO'd opponent must be thrown into a cage overhead, and the non-competing semi-finalists surround the ring to stop anyone from leaving the ring before the end of the match. After Terryman is hurt, Kinnikuman attacks his opponents and is knocked out of the ring, where he is struck by Buffaloman's Hurricane Mixer. Kinnikuman tosses Asuraman, but the others do not harm him and allow him back into the ring, proving Kinnikuman's friendship with Buffaloman is not restored.

 

After Terryman fails to imitate Kinnikuman Great properly, Kinnikuman is forced to use his Fire of Inner Strength to protect him. They attempt to use a Muscle Docking, but they are unable to synchronise, and instead are subject to Hell's Combination Part 1. Kinnikuman is later tagged back into the match, where he gets Asuraman into a Cobra Twist. Terryman and Kinnikuman are soon tossed towards the cage above, but manage to stop themselves from entering the cage.

 

They both use Body Attacks on the Stray Devil Chojin Combo.

 

Asuraman uses a Hell's Canvas, causing Kinnikuman to be attacked by the spirits of past opponents. Kinnikuman is then hit by a Sunshine Magnum. This is followed by a Sunshine Rapid Fire. A Hell's Combination Part III knocks Kinnikuman head-first into the box above. The sweat from Kinnikuman's body falls down onto the ring, which banishes the spirits of his past opponents, and - at this point - he is able to free his body and escape the cage. In the ensuing events, Kinnikuman realises Kinnikuman Great is not Prince Kamehame and demands to be told the person's true identity.

 

Terryman saves Kinnikuman's life and begs him to trust him, but Kinnikuman tries to forcibly remove his mask. 126 After Terryman tries to sacrifice himself, and states his reason to fight for friendship, Kinnikuman believes that he is an ally of the Justice Chojin. Kinnikuman then throws Asuraman into Sunshine's Cursed Roller. Asuraman shifts into pieces of the Devil General's body in an attempt to psychologically dissuade Kinnikuman from continuing to fight. Asuraman and Sunshine succumb to Friendship Power. The Muscle Brothers win against the Stray Devil Chojin Combo with a Muscle Docking.

 

Finals

 

The final match is against Hell Missionaries; the ring is surrounded by swords, which will pierce anyone thrown out of the ring or who tries to escape. The match will be a three-round match, with each round lasting ten minutes until the final round, which will have no time-limit attached.

 

During the match against Neptuneman, some of Terryman's blond hair is exposed. More and more of Terryman's face is exposed, as he panics at the idea Kinnikuman may reject him on learning the truth, and thus leaves himself open to attacks. With only seconds to spare, Terryman is defeated with a Cross-Bomber in the first round and his face is revealed. Terryman has his stars returned to him by Asuraman, who rejects how he gave up earlier, and - thus due to not having technically quit his match - is still eligible to compete in...

 

Oh? You're all asleep?

 

...snoring...

 

💪M💪U💪S💪C💪L💪E💪

 

A year of the shows and performers of the Bijou Planks Theater.

 

M.U.S.C.L.E. No. 1, "Kinnikuman"

 

Painted by Paprika, thus losing all collectible value forever.

A Curious Vigilance p1

Grammarly another role play story idea

 

A Curious Vigilance

Part One of Two

 

A Watchman Cometh

  

“If you can’t take the heat, don’t be tickling dragons !”

 

Acte 1

 

Ginny and I had, several weeks ago, received invitations to a fellow student's upscale, formal evening wedding.

 

Since we both love to get dressed up, it was a no-brainer to accept. Even though we really weren’t players in her circle.

 

Probably just wanted the gifts. The git.

 

So I borrowed my twin brothers antique roadster, drove up the road a short way, and picked up Ginny.

 

As she walked up to the car I couldn’t help but think how we both were dressed for the kill.

 

I had on my smart purple silk dress with the long pleated slinky knee-length skirt and spaghetti straps. The dress came with a cuffed long-sleeved, waist-length, black satin jacket with rhinestone buttons.

 

I had put in a diamond pin on one side of the jacket. It was in the shape of a bursting star, giving off a pleasing shimmer.

 

My other jewels consisted of my silver v shaped necklace. The v was set with small round rhinestones with 3 kite shaped sapphires set hanging down the center of the V. I also had in the necklaces’s matching semi-long earrings. Also worn was my diamond tennis bracelet on my right wrist, while gracing my left was a wide rhinestone bracelet. One ring, diamonds surrounding a gold rose(my best ring) gracing the ring finger on my left hand, completed the look.

 

Ginny?

Well, our Ginny girl was smashing.

 

She had poured her lithe figure into the sleek satin high shoulder sleeve sheath dress she had bought to wear in a play she acted in last spring. It was midnight black with a brite lime green inner lining and tight lime green Lycra pants. The only decoration on the elegant dress was a glittery silver rhinestone Dragon, with green slanted eyes and a red fiery tongue. It was embroidered crawling up one side of the dress, grasping claws reaching around up towards her bosom.

 

“Naughty Dragon.”

 

Ginny had green mascara above her eyes, around which she drew lines of black mascara to give them a slanted look. The whole effect looked a lot like Shirley Jackson did in the Michael Caine movie Gambit. Right up to the solid gold headpiece in Gunny’s reddish hair.

 

Ginny also had in her emerald drop earrings, along with her wide emerald bracelet loosely dangling along an otherwise bare left wrist, and a fancy emerald cocktail ring flashing from the pinkie on her left hand.

 

But it was her necklace that stole the show.

 

The opulently handsome necklace was the estate auction won, long pendant that had neatly set her back a month's wages. We both had opened bids on it at the same time, with me immediately backing off so she would win it.

 

It was a very shimmery piece of jewellery, with its long rhinestone encrusted chain hanging past her breasts, ending with a dangling pendant which held a birds egg size synthetic oval-shaped emerald, surrounded by long rhinestone fringes that resembled the silver beard of the dragon on her dress.

 

It was a very striking effect, especially when it stopped swaying and hung straight down, appearing just out of reach from the grasping front rhinestone claw of the gem greedy dragon.

 

^^^^^^^^

 

The church and reception hall was only about a 60-minute drive away green m our village.

 

We arrived in the city where it was located early and stopped at a pub for a glass of wine, which we drank outside at a garden table.

 

We then left, arriving at the church with plenty of time to walk around and soak in the surroundings.

 

Acte 2

 

The wedding Proper was pretty normal, with the usual pomp, circumstance, and rigid schedule only the upper class seem to achieve with nothing atoll coming close to being original and new.

 

The reception was more of the same. Ginny, per normal, snagged more time on the dance floor than me. Though I was

by no means being ignored. The bar was free, so we made good use of that.

 

By around 7:30 we were a pair of happily well-fed, well-partied, and well-liquored-up young ladies.

 

The reception for the most part was the usual fun and the usual routine flow that goes on at such affairs.

 

There was only one incident of note, well actually I guess, two, that have a bearing on my story.

 

The first was this:

 

A young girl was wearing what must have been a previously worn, hideously yellow, satin bridesmaid gown. She also was wearing a nice set of real diamonds. Ginny was really impressed with the jewelry she was wearing. As the party went, and the more we drank, the more Ginny prattled on over different ways someone could try lifting some of those diamonds from the lady.

 

Sensing there may be trouble soon brewing, I was getting tired of holding Ginny back from her obsession, that I suggested we should be heading out.

 

Then I was asked to dance, and lost track of her. When I found her, she was chatting up the lady in yellow satin and diamonds. The lady was holding up Ginny’s shimmery pendant, and I saw that Ginny had a hand placed lightly on the lady’s wrist, next to her diamond bracelet

 

Telling myself:

“Enough of that missy!”

I went up and pried Ginny away.

 

“Don’t be tickling that Dragon, even if you were thinking of doing it as a prank.”

I scolded.

 

My twin brother is always saying “If you are not prepared to take the heat, don’t tickle a dragon!” In other words, don’t invite trouble if you are not sure you would welcome the outcome.

 

I started suggesting to her we might be heading home soon.

 

“Stop at our pub(The Poet & Peasant),” I suggested.

 

Ginny said we should do one better…

 

We could stop at the old cemetery where we liked to role-play various games of both pickpockets, and jewel thievery. Sometimes combining the two. There she could nick my jewels to her heart’s content.

 

I admitted that sounded promising.

 

Then came the second incident on the heels of her suggestion.

 

Ginny said pleasantly, if we’re not doing the pub, then we should take something to drink with us. That way we don’t need a pub.

 

Suspiciously, I asked my grinning childhood friend.

“What’s you on about? “

 

“I mean Cade, nick a bottle while I distract the bartender. He’s working over there alone for a few minutes.”

 

I sighed, but it may be fun, so game on….

 

We pulled it off. It was far easier than it should have been.

 

As Ginny flirted with the young man tending the open bar, so I kept moving till his back was to me, and I ended up sitting on the far end.

 

I took a deep breath, scurried around and grabbed a bottle from the supply bin on the floor, and walked straight out the nearest exit.

 

I circled around the building to the lot and found Ginny at the roadster waiting.

 

She had placed her black beaded purse, opened, on the bonnet of the car and was bending over to put lipstick on using the car's outside mirror.

 

“What did you snag luv?”

 

Breathless, I looked at the bottle for the first time. It was a bottle of Penderyn.

 

Slightly disappointed, I would have preferred wine over a single malt. But it would do.

 

Meanwhile, I was standing between Ginny and the roadsters’ bonnet.

 

I handed the bottle to her, and as she looked I reached out behind me and dipping my fingers into her purse pulled out her wallet.

 

Holding it behind, suppressing a desire to laugh, I circled around to the right side and got into the driver's seat.

 

Ginny put her lipstick inside her purse and snapped it close with one hand still holding the bottle. Then picking up the purse and got inside the passenger’s seat.

 

She never noticed her wallet was gone, and by then I had it inside my own purse.

 

Still totally clueless, Ginny asked as we drove away :

 

“Do you think we should include your brother in with us?”

 

I said he was practicing darts with Brian(my boyfriend) and their friend, teammate, and one of our fellow players, Derrick.

 

Ginny giggled, hoisting up the bottle.

“More for us then.”

 

Acte 3

 

We arrived at the cemetery with plenty of light left in the evening. Parking in the open lot, we made our way past the open wrought iron gates.

 

The almost 40 Hectares square-shaped cemetery is no longer in use, its main gates are permanently opened to the public, but besides us, only very few ever visit it. Judging by the dates on the gravestones, the last burial was not too long after the Victorian age officially ended. No way of truly establishing when its first burial was.

 

It lays along a lane called Abbots Chase.

 

Where a highwayman by the name of Craig Abbot used to roam several hundred years ago. It is said he is buried here in this very cemetery. Though most of the old stones are so blackened the names are not legible.

 

My dad is a direct descendant of Craig Abbot, and much to the chagrin of my mum’s Irish catholic family, my twin brother was named after him. Destiny?

 

The other end off Abbots Chase lane, west of the cemetery goes past the large old manor house some 5 kilometers away from the cemetery. The manor is now a private men’s seminary college.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^

 

We hung out at the cemetery and its interior, and surrounding woods, as kids, walking the 2 Kilometers along from the east end of the lane, where the local village was.

 

Both Ginny and I grew up in houses located on the opposite side of the village.

 

We use this private cemetery for our role-playing game adventures. We had the run of the area. Not only because of its solitude, and lack of visitors, but also because there were no roads in it. Only narrow overgrown horse-drawn cart paths. And a few cobblestone footpaths. Both of which are blocked by fallen gravestones.

 

The games have evolved. But they mostly are based on pickpocketing and other forms of thievery. Mainly related to lifting or the nicking of jewels that the one portraying the victim is wearing. We take turns being one or the other.

 

Originally there were just the 3 of us, Ginny, my twin brother, and myself. We would bring various costumes, play jewelry, and other various items. Backpacking them in from our homes.

 

We have since added four more “players” to our group, though only a few times have we all met here in force.

 

There are also times as we grew older that we have stopped to play after being somewhere dressed up. The motivation can be anything from too much to drink, or something that evening triggered the idea.

 

Like tonight, with Ginny taking a fancy to a young lady’s diamonds.

  

Acte 4

 

Ginny and I entered through the main gate and walked the 75 meters up to the marble pagoda sitting on a small hill.

 

In years long past, this pagoda would have served as the last service area for the deceased being buried here.

 

There is a set of steps leading up to the platform which is eye level. On the ground, flanking the steps are a pair of long marble benches. With old wrought iron ones scattered about surrounding the octagonal platform.

 

As per normal, no sign that anyone had been here in a while. Though we did have a bit of a jump when a fox ran out from underneath the pagoda, giving us the evil green eye before slipping off into some tall grass.

 

I had brought a blanket which we laid on the stairs. We put down our purses on one of the marble benches.

 

Sitting on the stairs, Ginny opened the bottle and took a small sip. Followed by a bigger one.

 

“Whew, that burns going down.”

She exclaimed passing it to me.

 

It smelled strong.

“Should have brought some water to cut it.”

I said taking a hit, feeling it burn warmly.

 

We each took several more sips before getting down to business.

 

I place a hand on Ginny’s arm, looking her in the eyes.

 

She starts to giggle. As do I also, both of us falling into each other’s arms, hugging as our figures are being racked by our uncontrollable laughter.

 

Meanwhile, I was busy. My hand running down her arm, I reached her her emerald bracelet and nimbly opened the clasp, easily pulling it off and cuffing it in my fist, moving that hand to her backside, using it to hold her quivering figure close.

 

Finally, we broke away, settling down. As I stroked her sleek backside with my hand, I say:

“Ok lass, are you ready to lift some of my diamonds?”

 

Taking a belt from the bottle ( it was not a sip, nor a gulp, somewhere in between)

Ginny nodded her head, earrings sparkling with intensity, like the look in her eyes just before she said:

 

“Let’s dance.”

  

Acte 5

 

I went over and pulled the cell from my purse, seeing a text from my brother asking if:

“Us girls were having fun?”

 

I sent one back:

“Smashing fun, wish you could be here, now I have to go and see a lady about doing a lift on some jewels she is wearing…”

 

That should make him stop in his tracks and ponder. I would imagine his own game now being off all of a sudden.

 

Giggling mischievously, I laid the cell in front of my purse on the marble seat, I selected “And we danced” by the Hooters.

 

Ginny was already on the platform, strutting her stuff. I went to the stairs, grabbed the bottle, took a swig, and ran up to join her.

 

She bumped into me with her hip, then went behind me, her hands running along my figure, then pulling me against her she ran her hands down along the satin sleeve of my jacket. I only felt it because I knew it was coming. After all, as her hand slipped along my wrist, she expertly whisked off my diamond bracelet.

 

I pushed her away using my hinney, then turned and began dancing close to her, wriggling up against and away from her figure. Her eyes had been opened quite wide, from the thrill of the bracelet lift, but she closed them as I rubbed my figure up along hers.

 

I had been eyeing her dazzling dripping jeweled pendant. My arms went up behind her back. Pulling down the clasp I unhooked it and reaching my hands up, pulled it away from her gown’s rhinestone dragon’s clutches

 

I had it pocketed before she reopened her eyes.

 

The music ended, and arm in arm we went back to the stairs, passing the bottle to each other.

 

We were becoming quite happily intoxicated by now, giggling at everything.

  

Acte 6

 

Ginny sets down the bottle, then stares at her bare wrist.

“I don’t suppose this bracelet fell off on its own?”

 

I chuckled, looking at where her necklace should have been dangling, picking up the bottle.

“No, it had a bit of help, I felt inside my pocket and pulled it out, replacing it as Ginny held up the bottle and asked:

 

“Another round?”

 

We both took several swigs before I decided it was time to have a bit more role play.

 

I place a hand on Ginny’s chest...

“Give me a lead luv…”

 

Ginny thinks a minute, long enough for us to take another swig each from the fast becoming 3/4 full bottle.

 

Looking me over, she tells me.

“Take a walk..”

I stand (maybe a little wobbly), and manage to do so, taking the path around the pagoda.

 

She comes up behind me, putting her hands over my eyes.

 

“Guess who Abigail?”

 

I answered...

I’m not Abigail?”

 

The voice behind me, as the hands are lifted from my eyes and reach down to my chest..”

 

“I’m so sorry, of course, your not, my bad.”

 

I turn around to face Ginny…

 

Placing a hand on my chest( lifting off my broach from the lapel of the jacket) Ginny says:

 

“I’m so sorry, I can’t believe I made a mistake like that. “

 

I feel her placing the broach in my pocket, as I say(thinking that counted as two lifts)

“That’s ok luv, we all make mistakes.’

 

Quite pleased with herself Ginny went back to the steps.

 

She thought I was following as she talked to me.

 

I did not, rather I hid in the bushes and watched her.

 

Ginny picked up the bottle and took a swig, handing it to me…

 

It was then she realized I wasn’t there.

 

“Where are you, you silly ninny?”

She called out, then began to walk back the way she had come.

 

I jump out of the bushes behind her my hand in the satin jacket's pocket( I can feel the cold necklace inside. I point my fingers In the pocket like I am ‘ packing heat’.

 

Prodding my finger in her back I say

“Stick 'em up, pretty lady!”

 

Ginny giggles,

 

“Speaking of sticks. Is that one or are you just happy to see me?

 

“Funny lady, now turn around. “

 

She did and gave a fake gasp, hand to her mouth, ring sparkly.

 

“There you go, now be a good Lass and hand over those jewels around your wrist and finger. ”

 

She lifted her wrist and undid the bracelet, then slips off her ring. As she hands them to me:

 

“My this bracelet is popular with thieves this evening.”

 

She then pulls out her gold hairpiece, shaking down her hair as I take it:

“Here thief. The thing was starting to pull on my hair and bothering me anyways.”

 

I smirk:

“Thanks, lady !”

 

We both have a laugh over this latest sequence of events, while I give her back the bracelet and ring.

 

I lead her, as her laughing satin clad figure leans into me, over to the steps.

 

But as we approach, Ginny stops and grabs my arm, her, heavily mascara’d eyes suddenly bugging out, placing a hand to her mouth, she really Gasped.

 

“Cade,Look, over by the gate!”

 

I did, feeling the hairs on my scalp rise by what I saw!

 

To be Continued…

 

To be Continued…

Hello, I have returned!

 

Oh, it's Ashuraman!*

We were-

 

Silence! I will now cue the announcer for... A LONG RAMBLING STORY OF MY PAST!

 

Nooooo!~!!!

 

Ashuraman is a member of the Six Devil Knights, before becoming a Justice Chojin.

 

Personality

Ashuraman starts as a typical Devil Chojin, acting in a brutal and merciless way during his fights, and adding a disturbing feature: he can take other people’s arms, technique that he uses against Terryman, both in a psychological and physical way. He is also shown to be an strategic and cunning fighter, that was even able to imitate the Kinniku Buster, giving birth to his Ashura Buster.

 

However, although he is supposed to not only be one of the Six Devil Knights and the prince of the Hell Realm, he has a more softer and kind side, which he always tries to hide, causing him live between the Devil Chojin and the Justice Chojin.

 

Appearance

He is a Devil Chojin, often blue-skinned, with six arms and three faces: one smiling, one angry, and one cold. Sometimes his skin color is changed to a light tan, giving him a more human appearance.

 

Relationships

Ashuraman hates weakness among the Devil Chojin. When the Seven Devil Chojin failed to stop Kinnikuman, he and the other Devil Knights decapitated them and stole their arms for Ashuraman's purposes. For some reason, he couldn't steal Buffaloman's arms. And to make matters worse for Buffaloman, Ashuraman admits that Buffaloman had the potential to be a Devil Knight before the meeting with Kinnikuman Soldier, but Buffaloman lets his emotions sway him.

 

Sunshine

He is absolutely loyal to General Devil and the other Devil Knights, but his strongest relationship lies with his friend Sunshine as they formed a tag team during the Dream Tag Tournament arc.

 

Abilities

Ashuraman has the power of stealing other Chojin arms and using them as his own. It has a weakness: if the Chojin is still alive, they can manipulate their stolen arms to their liking.

 

Prehistory

Twenty years previous to the events in the Survivor Match for the Kinniku Throne Arc, Ashuraman was personally trained by Samson. He is being taught the Ashura Izuna Drop, where he is warned never to let his opponent invert his technique, after having mildly injured himself.

 

Kinnikuman

Ashuraman is one of the Six Devil Knights during the Golden Mask Arc. He fights for Akuma Shogun, and fights against Terryman during a tournament, which ends in a double-knockout. He returns during the Dream Chojin Tag Arc, where e forms a tag-team with Sunshine as the Stray Devil Chojin Combo, and win against the New Machineguns, only to later lose against the Muscle Brothers. He will finally appear in the Survivor Match for the Kinniku Throne Arc, where he forms a part of Team Soldier, but his match against Satin Cross also ends in a double-knockout.

 

Golden Mask Arc

Ashuraman, with his distinctive six arms and three faces, initially appeared as one of the Devil Knights, Devil Chojin who stole the sacred Golden Mask of the Kinniku Clan. He first fought Terryman in the Five Story Ring battles inside Warsman's unconscious body. In this fight he introduced a new version of the Kinniku Buster: the Ashura Buster. If Terry were to have gone through even one Ashura Buster, his body would've been pulled apart. Luckily, Kinnikuman jumped into the ring and cushioned the blow. Terry then broke off Ashuraman's top two arms, causing his own arms to be on the verge of falling off.

 

It is here that Ashuraman reveals his ability to regenerate his arms by stealing the arms of others. As soon as Terry's arms fell off, they appeared on Ashuraman. He tried a second Ashura Buster on Terry, but Geronimo's tomahawks (protruding through the ring above for Terry to grab) and Buffaloman's arms (which suddenly appeared on Terry) put a stop to it. The fight eventually went out of the ring and, after Terry restarted Warsman's heart, they scramble to make it back to the ring before being counted out. With his last ounce of strength, Terry used Buffaloman's arms to stop Ashuraman from re-entering the ring, causing the match to end in a double count-out.

 

Because of this, he was the sole surviving Devil Knight when General Devil was revived, and when they both left Warsman's body, Ashuraman engages Kinnikuman soon afterwards, and was soon defeated by an incomplete Kinniku Driver. As punishment for his defeat, General Devil decapitates Ashuraman with his sword, and Ashuraman merges with his master's being like the others.

 

Deep of Muscles 12

After deciding that they will participate in the Dream Tag Tournament, Sunshine informs him that he will try to find a new technique, and also try to start an exclusive training to become stronger. Ashuraman agrees, and sees Sunshine become sand and traveling through the wind. Once Sunshine returns, he shows him his new technique, the Cursed Roller. Now they were ready to enter the tournament!

 

Dream Chojin Tag Arc

Ashuraman, as a part of the Stray Akuma Chojin Combo with Sunshine, takes part to the Dream Chojin Tag Tournament. The two demons, last survivors of the Golden Mask Arc concoct a plan to steal the Friendship Power of the Justice Chojin by using some cursed dolls.

 

They manage to steal the very emotion of friendship among the Justice Chojin, greatly weakening them, as a Justice Chojin can't fight without friendship in his heart.

 

As such, Ashuraman and Sunshine are able to beat effortlessly the Big Bombers and the New Machineguns, in the process turning the former friends Kinnikuman and Terryman against each other.

 

While during the fight against the New Machineguns Sunshine begins to believe in the power of friendship, Ashuraman keeps holding to his ideal as an uncaring, evil fiend, and by observing how the attempts made by Kinnikuman and Kinnikuman Great to save Geronimo and Terryman ended up in their cursed doll being broken, he claims the breaks are parts of a prophecy, and uses Sunshine's Cursed Roller to injure his foes where the dolls were broken: Geronimo ends up with a badly shattered right arm, and Terryman is forced to surrender his Star Emblems, or get Geronimo killed and himself decapitated.

 

The prophecy comes to pass in a roundabout way: Prince Kamehame, the former Kinnikuman Great, succumbs because of the strain of helping the New Machineguns and decapitates Terryman, giving him the Kinnikuman Great to allow him fight with Kinnikuman even though he lacks the Star Emblems and Kinnikuman now despises him.

 

During the fight between the Muscle Brothers and the Stray Akuma Chojin Combo Ashuraman is exposed to the Friendship power: he witnesses Kinnikuman and Terryman starting to mend their friendship, and sees Sunshine caring for him and even apologizing when the Cursed Roller ends up tearing off his right arms.

 

Ashuraman tries to still act cold and uncaring, but when Prince Kamehame's arm, who used as a replacement, rebels to his will and leads to his defeat, starts believing in friendship too, sharing with Sunshine the memories of Samson Teacher

 

He's then taken back to his kingdom to be healed, but escapes, still bandaged, to restore Terryman's Star Emblem and ask Harabote Muscle to reinstate The Machineguns as a team and allow them to fight together against the Hell Missionaries.

 

In the Hell Kingdom, his mother rationalizes his discovery of friendship by claiming Ashuraman found the Perfect Chojin a better target for his hatred than the Justice Chojin.

 

Chojin Blood Oath Brigade's Formation!

This story covered the formation of Kinnikuman Soldier's team in detail. Brocken Jr. and Buffaloman want to join Soldier's team, but Ashuraman and The Ninja aren't on board with that idea. According to Ashuraman, Buffaloman is too easily swayed by his emotions, which is why he never became a Devil Knight despite having exceptional talent.

 

Kinnikuman Soldier shows up and interrupted Ashuraman and The Ninja's departure. In response, The Ninja attempts to read Kinnikuman Soldier's mind with his Expose the Heart jutsu, but there's nothing to read. Unlike the other Fated Princes, Soldier has no ambition to destroy his opponents and take over the throne.

 

Ashuraman gets into a fight against Soldier, but Soldier easily fends him off. Soldier even escaped the Ashura Buster in a similar fashion to Kinnikuman and counters with a Dragon Cube Suplex. Buffaloman deduces why Soldier would pick those four. Pride is their main characteristic. According to Ashuraman, "all four chojin are bull headed guys who won't listen to anyone".

 

Ashuraman asks if Soldier is a fake Soldier and Soldier confirms this theory. He ambushed the real Soldier's team while they were training near Mt. Fuji and stole the real Soldier's mask. The fake Soldier explains that he joined the tournament because the Friendship Power the Justice Chojin use is a sham and that the pride that they share can bring out their true strength.

 

Ashuraman wants Soldier to prove why this team of outcasts would make an excellent team. Soldier tells him to be silent. A real man would never talk so much. Instead, he'd silently watch the result with his own eyes. Ashuraman follows up with his Tornado Hell, but Soldier dodges, causing the building already worn down by the Rolling Cube Suplex to collapse on top of them. Soldier heals them all with a Face Flash. With this act, Soldier convinced them to join his team for the upcoming tournament.

 

Survivor Match Arc

When Kinnikuman's right to the Kinniku Throne was challenged by five pretenders to the throne, Ataru Kinniku forms a team of five people to fight in a tournament to determine who shall be king of Planet Kinniku. [4] Buffaloman - sans his horns - arrives at the house of Brocken Jr., along with Ashuraman and The Ninja. Ataru asks them to join his team, as well as to meet him at Nagoya Castle in three days time, and - during that time - they watch him from a distance to ascertain his character.

 

After Ataru defeats Blockman and saves a boy, Ashuraman and the others decide to join his team. They proceed to enter Nagoya Castle and face against Team Phoenix, as they announce they have formed The Chojin Blood Oath Brigade. After The Ninja is defeated by Satin Cross, Ashuraman declares he is Satin Cross' next opponent and dons mechanical shoulder-pads gifted to him by the Ninja.

 

Ashuraman begins with a flurry of punches, but they are all evaded. He is knocked down after Satin Cross dodges a roundhouse kick, and a shoulder-tackle manages to crack Satin Cross' armor, which reveals Satin Cross' true form. Ashuraman attempts an Ashura-Buster, but - when Satin Cross tries to remove his head - the shoulder-pads on Ashuraman capture his head and prevent escape. Satin Cross counters with a Sand Cushion, which causes the ring to turn to sand and cushions the blow, softening the impact.

 

With Satin Cross seemingly down, despite the cushioned blow, Ashuraman adopts his Angry Face and attempts a Flying Elbow Drop from the top ropes. He then sees the eyes of Samson in Satin Cross, which forces him to deflect his blow and destroy his own elbows instead, as he shows sympathy to his once teacher and guardian. After Ashuraman breaks down with tears, Satin Cross uses a Break-Dance Shoot on him.

 

Satin Cross reveals that he changed after the incident at the waterfall, when Ashuraman was a child, and how he made a pact with the God of Intelligence to absorb a parasite into his body to change from Samson into Satin Cross. Satin Cross offers him the chance to join Team Phoenix, but Ashuraman feigns a handshake to crush his hand and reject the offer. Ashuraman moves his shoulder-pads to his knees for a Double Knee Drop. [8] Satin Cross attempts another Sand Cushion, but Ashuraman blows the sand away.

 

He performs an Ashura Izuna Drop, but Ashuraman forgets that he was taught that technique by Samson, and thus Satin Cross knows how to avoid damage from the technique. When Ashuraman attempts another Ashura Izuna Drop, Satin Cross disconnects two of his arms and extends his upper arms, which he uses to grab the ropes and reverse the move, slamming Ashuraman into the canvas. Satin Cross then uses a Demon World Swamp, which turns the canvas into a murky swamp, which connects to the Demon World.

 

Ashuraman then uses an improved Ashura Izuna Drop named the Azura Infinity Power.

 

The parasite leaves Samson's body to cushion the blow, as their body crashes against the wall. Satin Cross then uses the Triangle Dreamer, but both Satin Cross and Ashuraman collapse to the ground and are instantly knocked out, thus ending the match in a draw.

 

He watches as the remaining team members were defeated by Super Phoenix and his men in the Cube Match, leaving him the sole survivor. Later, when he and Kinnikuman's team ventured to the final arena, Super Phoenix activated a spiked ceiling trap to kill them all. However, Ashuraman sacrificed himself by holding the ceiling up long enough for Team Kinnikuman to escape, and was impaled. He was later revived by Suguru's Face Flash along with the rest of Kinnikuman Soldier's team.

 

Kinnikuman 2011 Perfect Origin Arc

During the beginning of the arc, Ashuraman shows up to sign the treaty between the Justice Chojin, Devil Chojin and the Perfect Chojin as the Devil Chojin's representative. As Ashuraman and Neptuneman had helped out Justice Chojin in their own special way, it made perfect sense to sign the treaty. However, he broke the treaty when he helps General Devil and his fellow Devil Knights invade the Chojin Graveyard.

 

Ashuraman vs. Justiceman

After killing countless Graveyard Demons, he enters the door for the Perfect Sixth and appears within a cave in the Demon World.

 

A voice calls to him and compliments his composure, where the Sixth Origin appears: Justiceman. Justiceman tells the story of Milosman, whose statue adorns the arena of Ashuraman's world, and that Milosman had his arms stolen by Ashuraman's ancestors. Ashuraman clicks his fingers an makes four screens appear about the ring within the arena, which enables them to speak to the chojin in other rings across the world, as the others also continue to participate within the tournament.

 

After Justiceman puts his scales on a corner-post, Ashuraman dives forward to attack. Justiceman counters before an attack can land, as he drops a high-kick to Ashuraman's upper arms. This knocks off Ashuraman's armlets, and it lands upon the scales, which strikes a balance that shows he is neither evil or good. Ashuraman proceeds to use an Ashura Six-Realm Lotus. Justiceman counters with a palm-press and a spin-kick. Ashuraman attempts an Ashura Torpedo, which is countered with a Chancery Drop.

 

Justiceman continues to perfectly counter Ashuraman's attacks, culminating in a double-arm suplex. Ashuraman attempts a Paramita Lariat, but this is countered with a Large Three-Arm Lock. Justiceman is able to predict with set of arms Ashuraman will use at any moment, which is due to the genetics of Milosman 'speaking' to Justiceman, and Justiceman uses a Judgement Crash. This wrenches off one of Ashuraman's arms, and a Judgement Twist removes another.

 

A Judgement Avalanche removes two more arms, leaving him with two arms. Ashuraman attempts an Ashura Izuna Drop, as his knees turn into hooks and hold onto Justiceman's feet, but Justiceman counters with a handstand. Justiceman attacks with a knee-strike. Buffaloman encourages Ashuraman to continue, who attempts a Lariat that misses and lands on a ring-post. This slices off Ashuraman's remaining left arm.

 

Ashuraman attempts a hand blow, but his arm gets entangled in the ropes. This slices off his right arm. He proceeds to grow six new arms, borrowed from various Devil Chojin. He proceeds to use a Revived Tornado Hell, which finally lands a blow on Justiceman. This is followed by an Ashura Face-Change and a Tornado Hell and an Ashura Six Realm Lotus. He lands a series of blows against Justiceman, as he leaves no openings, and follows with an Angry Suplex. This is broken by Justiceman with a Judgement Windmill.

 

After the attack, Ashuraman takes two corner-posts and slices indents in them. They attach to the top two ropes on each side of the ring, as he slips between them on one side to use an Ashura Flaming Bullet. The two incessantly try to counter each other's attacks during the fall, until Ashuraman uses his Ashura Buster. This is soon turned into a Blood Unit Ashura Buster. It fails to impact Justiceman, and - in anger - Ashuraman attacks Justiceman with a series of blows, but Justiceman dodges every single attack.

 

Justiceman proceeds to break off several of Ashuraman's arms, and destroys his various faces, until only one is left. He follows this with a Judgement Penalty. This destroys the rest of Ashuraman's arms and the final face. Justiceman is declared the victor. Despite this victory, the scales on the side of the ring declare Ashuraman innocent and Justiceman tosses back his armlet to him.

 

He doesn't return for the rest of the arc, but his "spirit" appears and follows Akuma Shogun out of the ring, after he defeated The Man.

 

Omega Centauri's Six Spears Arc

Ahuraman, now with his face bandaged, is training with some dumbbells, when suddenly, a magic barrier seals the Devil Chojin HQ.

 

Unnamed Arc

During the match between the Natural and Satin Cross at the Hill of Crosses, Ashuraman shows up. He calls out Satin Cross for leaving Makai without his permission. Satin Cross explains that he left Makai in order to redeem Team Intelligence as a whole. Satin Cross didn't tell Ashuraman as he felt that Ashuraman would never understand Satin Cross's resolve at all. Satin Cross came back to spit in this ridiculous world's face.

 

Satin Cross charges at The Natural with a Parmita Lariat. The Natural encourages this as The Natural wants more sport. The Natural catches Satin Cross and throws him aside before Satin Cross goes for a sweep kick, followed by a Tornado Hell to set up the Quadruple Buster. The Natural easily counters the Quadruple Buster by attacking Satin Cross's neck with one of his masks.

 

The Natural praises Satin Cross's move and notes the damage taken by Satin Cross before announcing that he will begin his counterattack. The Natural finishes off Satin Cross with a Natural Bone Crusher. During the grapple, The Natural praises Satin Cross for being the first Chojin to fight well and that it's a shame to kill him. Satin Cross admits that The Natural is right along on how The Natural is strong in comparison to him. Accepting his loss, Satin Cross is incomplete and empty. This incompleteness is what drives Chojin to evolve. Soon, a Chojin to outshine Satin Cross's imperfection will arrive and that The Natural will personally witness this.

 

The Natural will not forget this at all as he slams Satin Cross into the canvas. He notes that Satin Cross did well for a Chojin. Upon seeing Satin Cross's defeat, Ashuraman calls out Satin Cross's original name, Samson. The Natural retrieves the Capillaria Ray piece after finding it as one of Satin Cross's bracelets. Brocken is surprised at the piece's Now, that Satin Cross lived up to his promise, The Natural will dispose of him.

 

Ashuraman tries to aid Satin Cross, but Satin Cross harshly criticizes his own actions. However, Ashuraman believes that Satin Cross did well as he fought as the honorable Samson instead of his heel personality. Ashuraman cried tears of joy upon seeing that in action. Despite Ashuraman's help, Satin Cross will die soon enough. Now that Satin Cross is dying, it is up to Ashuraman to decide the Chojin world's future. And then Satin Cross passes away.

 

As Brocken Jr. and Ataru console Ashuraman's loss, Buffaloman and The Ninja arrive. Buffaloman notes the coincidence of the five in the same location. The Chojin Blood Oath Brigade has formed again. Ataru believes it is up to the Chojin Blood Oath Brigade to unite as one and put an end to the dangers of the Choushin. Ashuraman is the one who will step up to the plate first.

 

💪M💪U💪S💪C💪L💪E💪

 

A year of the shows and performers of the Bijou Planks Theater.

 

M.U.S.C.L.E. No. 70, "Ashuraman B"

 

Painted by Paprika, thus losing all collectible value forever.

 

* Ashuraman has been seen in BP 2020 Day 70!

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/49087345158/

 

And in BP 2020 Day 152!

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/51219159056/

 

And in BP 2022 Day 123!

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/52048838650/

 

A Curious Vigilance

Part One of Two

 

A Watchman Cometh

  

“If you can’t take the heat, don’t be tickling dragons !”

 

Acte 1

 

Ginny and I had, several weeks ago, received invitations to a fellow student's upscale, formal evening wedding.

 

Since we both love to get dressed up, it was a no-brainer to accept. Even though we really weren’t players in her circle.

 

Probably just wanted the gifts. The git.

 

So I borrowed my twin brothers antique roadster, drove up the road a short way, and picked up Ginny.

 

As she walked up to the car I couldn’t help but think how we both were dressed for the kill.

 

I had on my smart purple silk dress with the long pleated slinky knee-length skirt and spaghetti straps. The dress came with a cuffed long-sleeved, waist-length, black satin jacket with rhinestone buttons.

 

I had put in a diamond pin on one side of the jacket. It was in the shape of a bursting star, giving off a pleasing shimmer.

 

My other jewels consisted of my silver v shaped necklace. The v was set with small round rhinestones with 3 kite shaped sapphires set hanging down the center of the V. I also had in the necklaces’s matching semi-long earrings. Also worn was my diamond tennis bracelet on my right wrist, while gracing my left was a wide rhinestone bracelet. One ring, diamonds surrounding a gold rose(my best ring) gracing the ring finger on my left hand, completed the look.

 

Ginny?

Well, our Ginny girl was smashing.

 

She had poured her lithe figure into the sleek satin high shoulder sleeve sheath dress she had bought to wear in a play she acted in last spring. It was midnight black with a brite lime green inner lining and tight lime green Lycra pants. The only decoration on the elegant dress was a glittery silver rhinestone Dragon, with green slanted eyes and a red fiery tongue. It was embroidered crawling up one side of the dress, grasping claws reaching around up towards her bosom.

 

“Naughty Dragon.”

 

Ginny had green mascara above her eyes, around which she drew lines of black mascara to give them a slanted look. The whole effect looked a lot like Shirley Jackson did in the Michael Caine movie Gambit. Right up to the solid gold headpiece in Gunny’s reddish hair.

 

Ginny also had in her emerald drop earrings, along with her wide emerald bracelet loosely dangling along an otherwise bare left wrist, and a fancy emerald cocktail ring flashing from the pinkie on her left hand.

 

But it was her necklace that stole the show.

 

The opulently handsome necklace was the estate auction won, long pendant that had neatly set her back a month's wages. We both had opened bids on it at the same time, with me immediately backing off so she would win it.

 

It was a very shimmery piece of jewellery, with its long rhinestone encrusted chain hanging past her breasts, ending with a dangling pendant which held a birds egg size synthetic oval-shaped emerald, surrounded by long rhinestone fringes that resembled the silver beard of the dragon on her dress.

 

It was a very striking effect, especially when it stopped swaying and hung straight down, appearing just out of reach from the grasping front rhinestone claw of the gem greedy dragon.

 

^^^^^^^^

 

The church and reception hall was only about a 60-minute drive away green m our village.

 

We arrived in the city where it was located early and stopped at a pub for a glass of wine, which we drank outside at a garden table.

 

We then left, arriving at the church with plenty of time to walk around and soak in the surroundings.

 

Acte 2

 

The wedding Proper was pretty normal, with the usual pomp, circumstance, and rigid schedule only the upper class seem to achieve with nothing atoll coming close to being original and new.

 

The reception was more of the same. Ginny, per normal, snagged more time on the dance floor than me. Though I was

by no means being ignored. The bar was free, so we made good use of that.

 

By around 7:30 we were a pair of happily well-fed, well-partied, and well-liquored-up young ladies.

 

The reception for the most part was the usual fun and the usual routine flow that goes on at such affairs.

 

There was only one incident of note, well actually I guess, two, that have a bearing on my story.

 

The first was this:

 

A young girl was wearing what must have been a previously worn, hideously yellow, satin bridesmaid gown. She also was wearing a nice set of real diamonds. Ginny was really impressed with the jewelry she was wearing. As the party went, and the more we drank, the more Ginny prattled on over different ways someone could try lifting some of those diamonds from the lady.

 

Sensing there may be trouble soon brewing, I was getting tired of holding Ginny back from her obsession, that I suggested we should be heading out.

 

Then I was asked to dance, and lost track of her. When I found her, she was chatting up the lady in yellow satin and diamonds. The lady was holding up Ginny’s shimmery pendant, and I saw that Ginny had a hand placed lightly on the lady’s wrist, next to her diamond bracelet

 

Telling myself:

“Enough of that missy!”

I went up and pried Ginny away.

 

“Don’t be tickling that Dragon, even if you were thinking of doing it as a prank.”

I scolded.

 

My twin brother is always saying “If you are not prepared to take the heat, don’t tickle a dragon!” In other words, don’t invite trouble if you are not sure you would welcome the outcome.

 

I started suggesting to her we might be heading home soon.

 

“Stop at our pub(The Poet & Peasant),” I suggested.

 

Ginny said we should do one better…

 

We could stop at the old cemetery where we liked to role-play various games of both pickpockets, and jewel thievery. Sometimes combining the two. There she could nick my jewels to her heart’s content.

 

I admitted that sounded promising.

 

Then came the second incident on the heels of her suggestion.

 

Ginny said pleasantly, if we’re not doing the pub, then we should take something to drink with us. That way we don’t need a pub.

 

Suspiciously, I asked my grinning childhood friend.

“What’s you on about? “

 

“I mean Cade, nick a bottle while I distract the bartender. He’s working over there alone for a few minutes.”

 

I sighed, but it may be fun, so game on….

 

We pulled it off. It was far easier than it should have been.

 

As Ginny flirted with the young man tending the open bar, so I kept moving till his back was to me, and I ended up sitting on the far end.

 

I took a deep breath, scurried around and grabbed a bottle from the supply bin on the floor, and walked straight out the nearest exit.

 

I circled around the building to the lot and found Ginny at the roadster waiting.

 

She had placed her black beaded purse, opened, on the bonnet of the car and was bending over to put lipstick on using the car's outside mirror.

 

“What did you snag luv?”

 

Breathless, I looked at the bottle for the first time. It was a bottle of Penderyn.

 

Slightly disappointed, I would have preferred wine over a single malt. But it would do.

 

Meanwhile, I was standing between Ginny and the roadsters’ bonnet.

 

I handed the bottle to her, and as she looked I reached out behind me and dipping my fingers into her purse pulled out her wallet.

 

Holding it behind, suppressing a desire to laugh, I circled around to the right side and got into the driver's seat.

 

Ginny put her lipstick inside her purse and snapped it close with one hand still holding the bottle. Then picking up the purse and got inside the passenger’s seat.

 

She never noticed her wallet was gone, and by then I had it inside my own purse.

 

Still totally clueless, Ginny asked as we drove away :

 

“Do you think we should include your brother in with us?”

 

I said he was practicing darts with Brian(my boyfriend) and their friend, teammate, and one of our fellow players, Derrick.

 

Ginny giggled, hoisting up the bottle.

“More for us then.”

 

Acte 3

 

We arrived at the cemetery with plenty of light left in the evening. Parking in the open lot, we made our way past the open wrought iron gates.

 

The almost 40 Hectares square-shaped cemetery is no longer in use, its main gates are permanently opened to the public, but besides us, only very few ever visit it. Judging by the dates on the gravestones, the last burial was not too long after the Victorian age officially ended. No way of truly establishing when its first burial was.

 

It lays along a lane called Abbots Chase.

 

Where a highwayman by the name of Craig Abbot used to roam several hundred years ago. It is said he is buried here in this very cemetery. Though most of the old stones are so blackened the names are not legible.

 

My dad is a direct descendant of Craig Abbot, and much to the chagrin of my mum’s Irish catholic family, my twin brother was named after him. Destiny?

 

The other end off Abbots Chase lane, west of the cemetery goes past the large old manor house some 5 kilometers away from the cemetery. The manor is now a private men’s seminary college.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^

 

We hung out at the cemetery and its interior, and surrounding woods, as kids, walking the 2 Kilometers along from the east end of the lane, where the local village was.

 

Both Ginny and I grew up in houses located on the opposite side of the village.

 

We use this private cemetery for our role-playing game adventures. We had the run of the area. Not only because of its solitude, and lack of visitors, but also because there were no roads in it. Only narrow overgrown horse-drawn cart paths. And a few cobblestone footpaths. Both of which are blocked by fallen gravestones.

 

The games have evolved. But they mostly are based on pickpocketing and other forms of thievery. Mainly related to lifting or the nicking of jewels that the one portraying the victim is wearing. We take turns being one or the other.

 

Originally there were just the 3 of us, Ginny, my twin brother, and myself. We would bring various costumes, play jewelry, and other various items. Backpacking them in from our homes.

 

We have since added four more “players” to our group, though only a few times have we all met here in force.

 

There are also times as we grew older that we have stopped to play after being somewhere dressed up. The motivation can be anything from too much to drink, or something that evening triggered the idea.

 

Like tonight, with Ginny taking a fancy to a young lady’s diamonds.

  

Acte 4

 

Ginny and I entered through the main gate and walked the 75 meters up to the marble pagoda sitting on a small hill.

 

In years long past, this pagoda would have served as the last service area for the deceased being buried here.

 

There is a set of steps leading up to the platform which is eye level. On the ground, flanking the steps are a pair of long marble benches. With old wrought iron ones scattered about surrounding the octagonal platform.

 

As per normal, no sign that anyone had been here in a while. Though we did have a bit of a jump when a fox ran out from underneath the pagoda, giving us the evil green eye before slipping off into some tall grass.

 

I had brought a blanket which we laid on the stairs. We put down our purses on one of the marble benches.

 

Sitting on the stairs, Ginny opened the bottle and took a small sip. Followed by a bigger one.

 

“Whew, that burns going down.”

She exclaimed passing it to me.

 

It smelled strong.

“Should have brought some water to cut it.”

I said taking a hit, feeling it burn warmly.

 

We each took several more sips before getting down to business.

 

I place a hand on Ginny’s arm, looking her in the eyes.

 

She starts to giggle. As do I also, both of us falling into each other’s arms, hugging as our figures are being racked by our uncontrollable laughter.

 

Meanwhile, I was busy. My hand running down her arm, I reached her her emerald bracelet and nimbly opened the clasp, easily pulling it off and cuffing it in my fist, moving that hand to her backside, using it to hold her quivering figure close.

 

Finally, we broke away, settling down. As I stroked her sleek backside with my hand, I say:

“Ok lass, are you ready to lift some of my diamonds?”

 

Taking a belt from the bottle ( it was not a sip, nor a gulp, somewhere in between)

Ginny nodded her head, earrings sparkling with intensity, like the look in her eyes just before she said:

 

“Let’s dance.”

  

Acte 5

 

I went over and pulled the cell from my purse, seeing a text from my brother asking if:

“Us girls were having fun?”

 

I sent one back:

“Smashing fun, wish you could be here, now I have to go and see a lady about doing a lift on some jewels she is wearing…”

 

That should make him stop in his tracks and ponder. I would imagine his own game now being off all of a sudden.

 

Giggling mischievously, I laid the cell in front of my purse on the marble seat, I selected “And we danced” by the Hooters.

 

Ginny was already on the platform, strutting her stuff. I went to the stairs, grabbed the bottle, took a swig, and ran up to join her.

 

She bumped into me with her hip, then went behind me, her hands running along my figure, then pulling me against her she ran her hands down along the satin sleeve of my jacket. I only felt it because I knew it was coming. After all, as her hand slipped along my wrist, she expertly whisked off my diamond bracelet.

 

I pushed her away using my hinney, then turned and began dancing close to her, wriggling up against and away from her figure. Her eyes had been opened quite wide, from the thrill of the bracelet lift, but she closed them as I rubbed my figure up along hers.

 

I had been eyeing her dazzling dripping jeweled pendant. My arms went up behind her back. Pulling down the clasp I unhooked it and reaching my hands up, pulled it away from her gown’s rhinestone dragon’s clutches

 

I had it pocketed before she reopened her eyes.

 

The music ended, and arm in arm we went back to the stairs, passing the bottle to each other.

 

We were becoming quite happily intoxicated by now, giggling at everything.

  

Acte 6

 

Ginny sets down the bottle, then stares at her bare wrist.

“I don’t suppose this bracelet fell off on its own?”

 

I chuckled, looking at where her necklace should have been dangling, picking up the bottle.

“No, it had a bit of help, I felt inside my pocket and pulled it out, replacing it as Ginny held up the bottle and asked:

 

“Another round?”

 

We both took several swigs before I decided it was time to have a bit more role play.

 

I place a hand on Ginny’s chest...

“Give me a lead luv…”

 

Ginny thinks a minute, long enough for us to take another swig each from the fast becoming 3/4 full bottle.

 

Looking me over, she tells me.

“Take a walk..”

I stand (maybe a little wobbly), and manage to do so, taking the path around the pagoda.

 

She comes up behind me, putting her hands over my eyes.

 

“Guess who Abigail?”

 

I answered...

I’m not Abigail?”

 

The voice behind me, as the hands are lifted from my eyes and reach down to my chest..”

 

“I’m so sorry, of course, your not, my bad.”

 

I turn around to face Ginny…

 

Placing a hand on my chest( lifting off my broach from the lapel of the jacket) Ginny says:

 

“I’m so sorry, I can’t believe I made a mistake like that. “

 

I feel her placing the broach in my pocket, as I say(thinking that counted as two lifts)

“That’s ok luv, we all make mistakes.’

 

Quite pleased with herself Ginny went back to the steps.

 

She thought I was following as she talked to me.

 

I did not, rather I hid in the bushes and watched her.

 

Ginny picked up the bottle and took a swig, handing it to me…

 

It was then she realized I wasn’t there.

 

“Where are you, you silly ninny?”

She called out, then began to walk back the way she had come.

 

I jump out of the bushes behind her my hand in the satin jacket's pocket( I can feel the cold necklace inside. I point my fingers In the pocket like I am ‘ packing heat’.

 

Prodding my finger in her back I say

“Stick 'em up, pretty lady!”

 

Ginny giggles,

 

“Speaking of sticks. Is that one or are you just happy to see me?

 

“Funny lady, now turn around. “

 

She did and gave a fake gasp, hand to her mouth, ring sparkly.

 

“There you go, now be a good Lass and hand over those jewels around your wrist and finger. ”

 

She lifted her wrist and undid the bracelet, then slips off her ring. As she hands them to me:

 

“My this bracelet is popular with thieves this evening.”

 

She then pulls out her gold hairpiece, shaking down her hair as I take it:

“Here thief. The thing was starting to pull on my hair and bothering me anyways.”

 

I smirk:

“Thanks, lady !”

 

We both have a laugh over this latest sequence of events, while I give her back the bracelet and ring.

 

I lead her, as her laughing satin clad figure leans into me, over to the steps.

 

But as we approach, Ginny stops and grabs my arm, her, heavily mascara’d eyes suddenly bugging out, placing a hand to her mouth, she really Gasped.

 

“Cade,Look, over by the gate!”

 

I did, feeling the hairs on my scalp rise by what I saw!

 

To be Continued…

"Hey Bijou Planks!"

 

It's Terryman!

Hi Terryman!

You're always fun! *

 

"Well, I just want to warn you, today's my origin."

 

Oh! Ah...

Just a moment!

Here's money, run and buy me a pillow.

At the concession stand??

No! Across the street at the store!

Oh, here's my money, pick me up one of those inflatable mattresses.

We can't be sleeping on the floor during the show!

It's an origin! We'll be sleeping in the chairs for sure!"

 

"Okay guys, here goes! Announcer?"

 

Terryman is a left-handed Justice Chojin from Texas and Kinnikuman's best friend. He is very business-like and looks down on Kinnikuman, when he first appears within the anime and manga, but - on seeing Kinnikuman's strong sense of justice and fair-play - they soon become best friends.

 

Personality

Terryman was originally introduced as a chojin who would only fight for money, who was also immensely popular, and this led him to act in a cruel manner to people. This changed very quickly in the early chapters, where - inspired by Kinnikuman - he fights only for justice and strives to always help those in need, especially Kinnikuman.

 

He quickly became Kinnikuman’s friend, and developed a calmer and composed personality, but still maintains a funny and charismatic side. Terryman became a passionate individual, even sacrificing his leg and his life in order to safe other people or animals (as seen during th 21st Chojin Olympics preliminaries, were he saved a puppy from been run over by a bullet train). He shows an upbeat and energetic actitude, and won’t ever surrender or give up, even in the worst situations, making him a respectable and loved figure in the Idol Chojins.

 

Appearance

Overall Design

Terryman is a highly muscular man, who is described as handsome throughout the manga. Terryman has white hair, dark blue/grey eyes and wears a red outfit consisting of red boots with white laces, red knee-bands, red shorts and gloves. In the anime, his colour scheme has changed to blonde hair, and a blue outfit. On his forehead is the character 米 (Bei) and on his shoulders are the Star Emblems (スターエンブレム) which give him his Fighting Spirit.

 

Prosthetic Leg

At the 20th Chojin Olympics his left leg is shot and wounded by Kinkotsuman, which causes him to need a prosthetic leg in order to continue fighting (however, the leg can be very easily removed ).After a while, the leg was no longer mentioned. This changes in the Perfect Origin Arc. It was revealed that Backlund was able to create a perfect, improved version of the earlier prosthetic, which is able to be sturdily affixed and perform as perfectly as a flesh-and-blood leg.

 

While fighting against Justiceman, however, Terryman got his latest prosthetic badly damaged, and - as Backlund is revealed to have died - it leaves no one able to rebuild his prosthetic. Even when Backlund was alive, he cautioned Terryman about his prosthetic leg being one of a kind, unlikely to be ever repaired or fixed. Terryman's sacrifice ultimately convinced Justiceman to forfeit, a he was touched by Terryman's keen sense of justice. He now relies on a lesser - visibly fake - metallic leg.

 

Relationships

Kinnikuman

Terryman is the best friend of Kinnikuman. The two meet very early on in their careers, in their early twenties, and are at first antagonistic to one another, but soon they socialise on a regular basis, even with other members of each other's social circles. They form a tag-team that lasts for the entirety of their career, and - even when they temporarily argue or part - always reunite to work together and support each other. They display an unconditional trust and affection, often listening to one another when they would listen to no one else. They are shown to be friends, even into the Kinnikman Nisei series.

 

Natsuko Shono

Natsuko showed an instant attraction to Terryman, with whom she often went on dates and supported in his matches. Natsuko can be possessive, sometimes verbally or physically attacking other fans that compete for his attention, and the two are very close friends with Kinnikuman. Terryman sometimes prioritises fighting over Natsuko, such as striking her unconscious so that he can fight in a match, but ultimately he cares very deeply for her, even willing to cancel a once-in-a-lifetime match to care for her when she was in the intensive care unit of a hospital. Once married, they live together on a Texan ranch, but sleep in separate beds and dress in the same clothes. They raise a child named Terry the Kid together.

 

Terry the Kid

Terry the Kid has a strained relationship with his father. In flashbacks, Terryman was a strict teacher and trained Kid thoroughly, even pitting him in a death-match against Volcano. Terryman is seen to be an attentive father, but sometimes struck Terry the Kid when Kid spoke rudely of his friends. Kid spends most of the series motivated by trying to be better than his father, resenting all comparisons to him, but - despite all this - Terryman and Kid are seen affectionate and supportive of each other at later points.

 

Geronimo

Terryman was the one that saw the potetintial that was within him, even if he was a mere human. He travels back to Geronimo's village to ask for help, and after Geronimo became a chojin, they form a Tag team to enter the new tournament.

 

History

The Young Prince of London Arc

Terryman watches Robin Mask alone in a bar, while drinking from a distance. He later watches while Robin Mask sacrifices his Chojin powers for Alisa Mackintosh, and Terryman laments - while crossing off Robin's name for a list - that the man he was scouting sacrificed real potential for a human woman.

 

Later, Terryman reappears when Robin expresses a wish to get back his powers. He breaks up a fight between Robin and some human youths, while carrying a piece of Stonehenge, which was an integral part of Robin losing his powers. He tosses the stone to Robin, who recovers his powers, and then stops one of the youths from escaping, by using a signature move on their leg.

 

Terryman watches in awe of Robin Mask, while defending him to Paul Mackintosh. Terryman tosses him back his helmet and armour, while saying that he now has faith Robin will be a great wrestler and that he did not waste his time by travelling to London. Terryman then joins the crowds in watching the match between Robin Mask and Guillotine King.

 

Kinnikuman

Terryman initially appears as an antagonist, only helping people for money. He learns from Kinnikuman the meaning of Friendship Power, while falling in love with Natsuko Shono, and comes to be a major protagonist. Terryman loses his leg during the Chojin Olympics, resulting in him using a prosthetic leg. He will team up with Kinnikuman several times, as they form a tag-team called The Machineguns, and temporarily assume the identity of Kinnikuman Great. He will also work for Team Kinnikuman in the Survivor Match for the Kinniku Throne Arc.

1st Kaiju Extermination Arc

Terryman first arrived as an American Super Hero taking over Kinnikuman's designated area of Japan. Terry charged money for his services, which the Japanese Government considered "a small price to pay compared to being saved by Kinnikuman", and soon he was made the sole Hero of Japan (meaning only he was legally allowed to fight against monsters and evil chojin).

 

A child comes to Terryman for help, as his father has been taken hostage by a monster, but Terryman kicks the child (whom lacks the finances to hire him). Kinnikuman strikes him for refusing to help someone in need, before choosing to help the child instead; Terryman warns him that the military will attack him for not being an approved hero. The selflessness of Kinnikuman convinces him to change his ways, as he fights for justice and not for money.

 

Terryman next appears during a meeting between Natsuko and Kinnikuman, in which he defeats a monster. He flirts with Natsuko and flies away. When a competition between chojin and monsters arises, Terryman refuses as he will not make any money. He changes his mind when he realises Natsuko will be present. The match is set to be a tag team, but Kinnikuman walks away, and this leads to Terryman being attacked with scissors. Kinnikuman hears his screams for help and returns.

 

He is seen on a date with Natsuko, too. During the date, Kinnikuman is attacked by Kinkotsuman and Terryman comes to his defence. He also teases Kinnikuman for not having gadgets, such as hover-bikes. Terryman later is forced to fight Natsuko when she is turned giant and evil by one of Kinkotsuman's schemes; he confesses his love and refuses to harm her, but - when Kinkotsuman attacks them - Terryman is willing to die for her safety. Kinnikuman intervenes and Natsuko is returned to normal size. After a trip to the south with Kinnikuman, they soon become best friends.

 

Roots Island Arc

Kunta first appears in the male onsen , where she throws herself on Kinnikuman and begs for his help. Natsuko introduces Kunta as the princess of Roots Island, and Kunta explains that her island has been overrun by Kaiju, as well as that many warriors have been killed by Ukon. When Terryman and Kinnikuman agree to the job, she gives each of them a kiss on the cheek, before they ride on Miss Karasu to the island in order to defeat the Kaiju.

 

As they arrive, they are greeted by Elder Yosaku, and introduces them to the last warrior of the island: Tabuchi. Kinnikuman and Terryman travel together to Roots Island to help Kunta and save the islanders.

 

Harigoras arrives at the same time as Octopus Dragon, but - while Kinnikuman fights Octopus Dragon - Terryman takes on Octopus Dragon. Harigoras turns into a ball-like creature, much like how a hedgehog curls in on itself, before he shoots it with a gun and destroys it (as it explodes into an array of body-parts).

 

After they defeat Harigoras and Octopus King, a piece of meat appears before Kinnikuman and he eats the meat. Custom dictates whomever eats the meat must fight Ukon one-on-one in battle. It is meat thrown by Ukon in a challenge. Eventually, Mammora destroys Ukon and it is revealed Kinkotsuman and Iwao were working the robot the entire time, but they soon run away. When Kunta is rescued, she pays Terryman and Kinnikuman with stone money (which they cannot use).

 

20th Chojin Olympics Arc

Terryman is first seen in this arc, when he tells Kinnikuman that he cannot compete in the Chojin Olympics as Japan's representative has been removed by the chairman.

 

He also reveals that he is the Southern USA representative. Terryman and Specialman appear together as the USA representatives in the opening ceremony, and later wins the first preliminary match, which is Rock-Paper-Scissors.

 

He is distraught in the second preliminary match by Specialman's defeat, and deduces that his accident is at the hands of Kinkotsuman. During the battle royale, to determine who comes in eight place during the third preliminary round, Terryman realises that the referee is Kinkotsuman in disguise and arranges his defeat, which leads Kinnikuman to win the match by default. The first match for Terryman is against Skyman. After an exchange of blows, Terryman is knocked briefly unconscious. Specialman - in his injured state - comes to cheer Terryman onward; Terryman defeats Skyman with an Oklahoma Stampede.

 

At the Nippon Budokan, Terryman arrives to the semi-finals alongside Robin Mask. Terryman gets up at the end of the Kinnikuman vs. Ramenman match, at which point he sees Kinkotsuman attempting to assassinate Kinnikuman with a gun, and gets shot in the leg by accident. He crawls to his dressing room, where he is found by Natsuko, and begs her not to tell the chairman, as it would cause him to forfeit his match against Robin Mask (which is about to start). Terryman knocks Natsuko unconscious, before arriving at the last minute for his match. He pretends to not be injured, before fighting with dirty tactics. He throws sand in Robin's face and uses steel knuckle-dusters to attack.

 

Terryman screams in pain when he attempts his spinning tone-hold. Robin implements the Boston Crab, which causes him to give up and forfeit the match. Natsuko reveals that Terryman fought injured, at which point Robin Mask and Kinnikuman offer him their places in the finals. He then engages in a minor scuffle with Kinnikuman, as they bicker as friends. He later dances with Natsuko at the ball celebrating the finals. In a competition to determine who will be third place, he then battles Ramenman.

 

Terryman wins the match due to foul-play by Ramenman.

 

The Lost Three Days

Kinnikuman sets his sights upon Terryman as a tag partner, but only has three days until the tournament starts to convince him of participation, and - on reaching Terry's Ranch - Kinnikuman begs him, only for Terry to rebuke him due to a lack of time. Kinnikuman strikes Terryman, which knocks him off his horse, and this reveals that he has lost his leg, which Terryman states makes him useless as a partner. He thus rides away.

 

A ranch-hand - Buckland - reveals that he has a prosthetic leg that Terryman can use, and gives it to Kinnikuman so that Terryman may fight again. Kinnikuman waits outside the ranch, even forgoing food and rest, in hopes that Terryman will take pity on him and use the leg.

 

The next day Terryman wakes them with water to the face, after they pass out from heatstroke. Terryman says that he will work with Kinnikuman, only if Kinnikuman can fill up his trough; he gives him two bags, and tells him the river is fifteen miles away. To do this, he lends Kinnikuman a wild horse (knowing that Kinnikuman will never tame the horse and thus make the necessary trips). The horse is named Machinegun.

 

Kinnikuman still refuses to find another partner, and - after being attacked by the horse - manages to eventually mount Machinegun. At sunset, Kinnikuman makes the first round-trip to empty some water into the trough. While Terryman goes about his daily routine, Kinnikuman continues to fill the trough. Kinnikuman bonds with the horse and tames him. Kinnikuman makes it back just in time to win the bet made by Terryman, and Terryman thus dons his prosthetic leg and agrees to join his team.

 

The two go on to enter the tournament.

 

American Tour Arc

A tag tournament is announced, in which Kinnikuman must engage in a round robin. He must fight the Chojin Council, Chojin Federation, Chojin Association, and the Kaiju - the winner of the four groups will gain control of America. Kinnikuman finds Terryman in Amarillo, Texas; Terryman initially refuses to participate, due to the work on his ranch, and it is revealed he has lost his left leg.

 

The wound he obtained by Kinkotsuman increasingly got worse, until he was forced to amputate. Kinnikuman eventually convinces him to use a prosthetic leg by winning a special bet. Kinnikuman has to ride on the most wild horse on Terryman's ranch, Machinegun, and draw some water from the nearby river. After learning that Machinegun lost his leg by bear-trap, Kinnikuman understands the horse's plight and promises to stick by Machinegun until he trusts other people again. Just as Kinnikuman is about to lose the bet, he makes it back with the last bit of water.

 

Over 100,000 people attend to watch the tournament in Houston, Texas. They form The Machineguns, with the theme of "The Magnificent Seven" as they make an entrance. Their first match is against Beauty Rhodes and Jean Steamboard, who form The Emperors. During their match, Terryman is accidentally knocked out by Kinnikuman. Kinnikuman begins to lose, but Terryman wakes up long enough to save Kinnikuman with his own body. The match ultimately ends in a draw. The next few matches take place in Los Angeles.

 

Terryman and Kinnikuman are set to win by default against Rugged Brothers, as one of their opponents lost in their previous match and is unable to compete. Kinkotsuman reveals that he is the new tag partner, and the group rename themselves Monster Master/Student Combo. Kinnikuman and Terryman get trapped under a lighting rig that Kinkotsuman crashes down on them, but Kinnikuman knocks Terryman out when Terryman panics over the loss of his leg when faced with Kinkotsuman that caused his leg injury. Kinnikuman wins the match in record time against both Kinkotsuman and Iwao.

 

In the The Emperors vs. Blood Illusions match, the Blood Illusions continue to attack despite The Emperors forfeiting the match. Terryman enters the ring to intervene; Terryman loses his prosthetic leg and is attacked by the Blood Illusions, as is Meat when Meat comes to his defence.

 

The next few matches take place at Madison Square Gardens, New York. Terryman panics in the waiting room while waiting for their match against the Blood Illusions, and seeks to quit the tournament, but a small boy in a wheelchair comes to return his lost hat. The boy also lost his leg, but - since seeing Terryman fight - was inspired to use his prosthetic leg to walk again, and walks unsteadily to Terryman. Terryman promises to be brave, just as the child was brave to try his prosthetic. Iwao intervenes in the match and removes Terryman's prosthetic leg. Kinkotsuman hits the child and knocks him unconscious.

 

Kinkotsuman keeps attacking the unconscious child, as he clings to the leg to prevent Kinkotsuman from destroying the lower limb. In this arc, Terry got stabbed in the forehead repeatedly, and from this point on, his forehead kanji looked more an asterisk. Beauty Rhodes returns the leg to Terryman. Terryman goes on to win the match and celebrates with the child, while they - the New World Supermen Association - goes on to control America.

 

2nd Kaiju Extermination Arc

Beansman goes to Texas to find seven chojin to protect Planet Rakka. He tests Terryman's power with a monster, which Terryman easily defeats. Terryman agrees to help the planet. They travel the world together to find the rest of the seven chojin needed to fight. They win against their opponents and manage to save Planet Rakka.

 

21st Chojin Olympics Arc

Terryman prevents Kinnikuman from fighting Wolfman, as the first preliminary events occurs. He wins the first round by not falling from the giant sieve. He wins the second round of a swimming competition, where they must swim faster than the ensuing fire, and cheers on Kinnikuman. [48] The third preliminary match tests how far each chojin can push a train; after pushing it far enough to disqualify Wolfman, who will now be in last place, he chases after the train at full speed. He stops the train to save a puppy, but the act of touching the train - after it has left the station - disqualifies him and allows Wolfman to be an entrant.

 

He acts as a commentator for much of the arc that follows, such as the final preliminary event. This trend follows even into the finally fight between Warsman and Kinnikuman, where he still acts as a commentator.

 

Seven Devil Chojin Arc

During the celebrations for the 21st Chojin Olympics: The Big Fight, the Seven Akuma Chojin are accidentally freed by Kinnikuman. They kidnap Alexandria Meat during the festivities, and each take a body part, and declare that Kinnikuman must defeat each of them to retrieve a part and bring Meat back to life. When Kinnikuman is later injured during his match with Stereo Cassette King, Terryman tries to fight in disguise as Kinnikuman, but it ultimately defeated as the remaining Seven Akuma Chojin fight him 6-on-1. The Mountain finishes this attack with a Mountain Drop.

 

When Kinnikuman beats Black Hole, he cannot fight any longer and the Justice Chojin decide to fight on his behalf. The remaining Seven Devil Chojin - and justice chojin - match up to find their opponents, and The Mountain is matched with Terryman (and the Mountain possesses Meat's hips). The match will take place in the Chichibu mountains. At first, it appears that Terryman is alone in the ring, but then the Mountain reveals he was disguised as one of the mountains and was there all along.

 

They exchange a series of blows, but - while grabbing Mountain in a Spinning Toe Hold - Terryman notices one of the laces on his shoe has snapped (a bad omen in Japanese culture). He later is in danger and caught on the ropes by Mountain. Terry attacks with a Deadly Drive, only for another shoe-lace to snap. A third lace snaps, but barely holds together, and Terryman realises that Brocken Jr. is clinging to life.

 

Terryman barely avoids a Body Slam.

 

The last string of Terryman's laces snaps. Terryman is heavily beaten by the Mountain, but - when Mountain insults his fallen comrades - this reinvigorates Terryman into attacking anew. Terryman cries, as he attacks Mountain, even when Mountain is touching the ropes and his actions are illegal. Terryman climbs the ropes and chances a Flying Knee Drop, but the attack causes Terry extreme pain, as it injures his prosthetic leg. The Mountain attempts a Mountain Drop, but Terryman counters with ease and stops the attack.

 

Terryman ends the match with a Brain Buster. The Mountain reveals that - although defeated - he won't die alone, and the ropes to the ring snap as he grabs at Terryman's ankle. They both fall from an extreme height, which results in The Mountain's death and Terryman's seeming demise. It is revealed that - remembering his promise to Kinnukuman- Terryman clung to life and returned to reunite with his friends.

 

During the fight with Atlantis, he, Brocken, and Mongolman go through the Spirit World Pocket to stop the fallen Devil Chojins from manipulating Kinnikuman. During the fight with Buffaloman, Terry is the one who gives Kinnikuman the idea of giving Buffaloman too much power.

 

Golden Mask Arc

Terryman appears with the other justice chojin for a fitness test.

 

It is during this time that the Golden Mask and Silver Mask are separated, resulting in all justice chojin slowly losing their power, and Terryman is the first to seen faint. Terryman rushes to attack the Devil Knights, but is knocked back by them. Terryman - along with his companions - are placed into plastic bubbles, which act as life-support devices. During Kinnikuman's battle with Planetman, Planetman steals the souls of the siegi chojin trapped within the life support devices. Terryman - and the others - are saved when Kinnikuman sacrifices Warsman in order to protect the rest of the group and defeat Planetman.

 

This defeat of Planetman restores Terryman - and others - to full power.

 

Warsman is revealed to be alive, but in a precarious state. Terryman decides to turn into a microscopic size and go inside Warsman's body, along with Robin Mask, Brocken Jr., Kinnikuman, and Geronimo. Terryman decides that the group will hold off the remaining Devil Knights, until Kinnikuman can reach the top floor and retrieve the Golden Mask - the matches will take place on a tower of rings formed along Warsman's spinal column. Kinnikuman eventually manages to climb his way to the third floor of the tower inside Warsman, where Terryman is fighting Asuraman.

 

When Ashuraman seeks to defeat Terryman with an Ashura Buster, Kinnikuman jumps into the ring to absorb the impact and save Terryman's life. Terryman manages to gain some advantage in battle, but Ashuraman steals both of his arms and leaves him without the ability to use attacks involving his arms. It is revealed that - during battle - Terryman allows Warsman's control unit to be hit, which causes him to spasm and threatens all their lives (and Warsman's), and only a second - and equal strike - will save the unit.

 

Terryman is willing to sacrifice his life to the Asura Buster to save the others.

 

Asuraman reveals that he never stole Buffaloman's arms, which gives Terryman an idea: he borrows Buffaloman's strength to summon his arms and use them to replace his missing arms. He grabs Geronimo's tomahawks, as Asuraman lifts him into the air, and commits the Honourable Death Drop against Asuraman, as both he and Asuraman plummet towards the control unit. He uses Buffaloman's arms to finish the blow to the unit, which gets it to work again.

 

Ashuraman is the first to stand after the attack, which means he has technically won, but - with both him and Terryman out of the ring - he has to return to the ring to claim his victory. Terryman uses the last of his strength to tackle Asuraman and prevent him from returning to the ring, which results in a draw. Terryman holds Asuraman back long enough for Kinnikuman to continue his climb. He soon collapses out of exhaustion, but - even unconscious - he manages to keep a leg hold on Asuraman, keeping him in place.

 

Dream Chojin Tag Arc

A second Mount Fuji appears in Japan.

 

On top of this mountain, the Universal Chojin Tag Team trophy appears. Underneath, there appears a series of rings that allow for eight tag-teams to compete. Terryman - along with the other justice chojin - goes to Kourakuen Hall to discuss the situation. After the others announce their group, Terryman states he has no reason to object to their decision and walks away. Terryman reveals he will not team up with Kinnikuman, but instead seeks to work with Geronimo and bring him back to full health (since he is now in a vegetative state).

 

Terryman visits a Cherokee village in Oklahoma, where - despite his soul supposedly having left his body - Geronimo protects him from being attacked by the villagers. Terryman begs Chief Cheyenne to heal Geronimo and bring him back to full health. Once Geronimo is healed, and turned into a chojin, they arrive together in Japan for the tournament. They enter their ring through a randomised set of corridors, which pits them against the Stray Akuma Chojin Combo. Later, when the justice chojin group together to protect Robin Mask, whose face is exposed, Terryman refuses to offer his help and states that his merciful nature has made him weak.

 

First Rounds

The New Machineguns - (compromised of Terryman and Geronimo) - start the match dirty, by attacking after pretending to shake hands with their opponents: Stray Akuma Chojin Combo. Terryman starts to strangle Asuraman with a bandage. Asuraman counters with a Body Slam, and Terryman then calls Geronimo in for a tag-team counter-move, before he tags in Geronimo. Terryman soon starts to doubt himself and regrets not having teamed with Kinnikuman. They then break off two of Ashuraman's arms.

 

The dolls collected by the Stray Akuma Chojin Combo scatter and break on the ring-mat, which leads Terryman to suspect that it means his destiny is to be killed in the match. They exchange a series of blows, but are soon outmatched with a Hell's Combination technique. Terryman is then heavily beaten, but Geronimo fails to understand his hand gestures, and Terryman realises his mistake in pairing up with someone other than Kinnikuman. Kinnikuman offers his support from the crowds, reinvigorating Terryman who nearly wins against Sunshine, but Asuraman threatens to take Geronimo's life lest Terryman concede.

 

Terryman rips off his stars from his arms, symbols of his chojin nature, and concedes. He is saved by Kinnikuman Great, when the Stray Akuma Chojin Combo fight on past the bell, but this act costs Kinnikuman Great a vast deal of injuries and incapacitates him. It is shown that Kinnikuman Great is dying, and he gives Terryman his mask and asks Terryman to act in his place: Terryman agrees.

 

Prince Kamehame's spirit then trains Terryman.

 

Semi-Finals

A tug-of-war determines that Terryman's next match is against the Stray Devil Combo again (due to him assuming Kamehame's position and joining Kinnikuman's team with no one wiser). The match takes place with their competitors surrounding the ring, so no one is allowed escape except through death. Terryman struggles to keep pace in the match, but Kamehame's spirit tells him that he should try to emulate him less and be his own person, and so he starts to use his own techniques and style again.

 

They begin to work well together as a team, until the cursed canvas comes to life with the spirits of the Seven Devil Chojin they destroyed in an earlier arc. The Muscle Brothers start to fail once more, when - after sowing seeds of doubt about Kinnikuman Great II's identity - Kinnikuman and Terryman start to fight among themselves, with Kinnikuman demanding to see his face. When Terryman sacrifices himself for Kinnikuman, it reignites their Friendship Power. The two then manage to win the match, after a series of events and some flashbacks to Ashuraman's childhood, with a Muscle Docking technique.

 

It is later Terryman who discovers Doctor Bombe is deceased, and stops the others from uncovering his dead body, lest it demotivate them, and he then buries Bombe alongside his best friend: Kamehame. The final match is against Hell Missionaries; the ring is surrounded by swords, which will pierce anyone thrown out of the ring or who tries to escape. [93] The match will be a three-round match, with each round lasting ten minutes until the final round, which will have no time-limit attached.

 

Finals

During the match against Neptuneman, some of Terryman's blond hair is exposed. More and more of Terryman's face is exposed, as he panics at the idea Kinnikuman may reject him on learning the truth, and thus leaves himself open to attacks. With only seconds to spare, Terryman is defeated with a Cross-Bomber in the first round and his face is revealed. Terryman has his stars returned to him by Asuraman, who rejects how he gave up earlier, and - thus due to not having technically quit his match - is still eligible to compete in the tournament, as he never technically lost.

 

They gain an advantage in the second round, and Kinnikuman - now their friendship is renewed - tears his white vest to offer a makeshift bandage to Terryman. They later manage to trick their opponents by switching places underneath the ring and swapping masks, and this lets them gain the upper-hand. Terryman is then knocked out of the ring onto the spikes, where he is incapacitated. They work together, after Terryman recovers to win with a Muscle Docking.

 

The two of them win the third round when both opponents faint.

 

They then continue together to retrieve their trophy.

 

Survivor Match Arc

Prehistory

Terryman attends Kinnikuman's coronation.

 

He is appointed "Staff Officer" of the Justice Chojin Corps. When the Five Fated Princes arrive, Terryman states that he is unable to help Kinnikuman due to his new role requiring him to be impartial, and that - as Kinnikuman is no longer prince he must not join his team. Terryman - instead - returns to Texas to teach his students, such as Dickieman, and watches the first round matches on a television set. On seeing Kinnikuman murdered in the ring, he abandons his medals and flees to go to the ring.

 

Terryman vs. King the 100-Ton

During the match against King the 100-Ton, Terryman and Robin Mask arrives together to save Meat. They are allowed to fight on Kinnikuman's team, as he has secretly added their names to the member roster in invisible ink (which is now visible). Terryman thus takes over in the match against 100-Ton. Terryman enters the ring on Kinnikuman's behalf, who begins the match with a drop-kick that is easily blocked by King, and - as tries again with a punch - his fists become bloodied.

 

King then jumps on his hands. King takes off several of his weights, until he is left with only 20 tons, as he seeks to prove a point to Terryman. This allows him to move at a quicker speed. King then presses a lever on the ring, which reveals a see-saw was hidden beneath the canvas. Each time King jumps on the see-saw, he adds weights to his body and Terryman goes higher and higher, until he finally strikes the ceiling at some force.

 

Terryman learns to time his attacks, so he can reverse the see-saw and send King hurtling backwards. After Terryman gets him in a hold, King withdraws his limbs inside his body and turns into a spherical shape. King is able to split into two balls and return as one, which enables him to be creative in his attacks, and finally his turns into a giant dumbbell, which starts to crush Terryman under its enormous weight. Kinnikuman discovers King is being manipulated by Kinnikuman Mariposa, who uses signs to tell him how to attack, and Kinnikuman uses a sign to force King to return to his usual form. Terryman is then able to use a Texas Clover Hold.

 

King finds a stray card, which allows him to turn his body into spikes to fight off Terryman. He finally returns to his full weight and full power, and he plans to hit Terryman with full impact, intending to break every bone in his body. It indeed breaks every one of Terryman's bones. Kinnikuman bends the see-saw with a Face Flash, which allows Terryman to alter his cause and headbutt King. The flashcards all fall from the ceiling in the kerfuffle, which causes King's body to shift chaotically into everything at once. Terryman takes advantage by stopping him from transforming, using the ropes of the ring, and wins with a Calf Branding.

 

This breaks King into dozens of pieces, killing him instantly. Unfortunately, a falling piece of 100-Ton's body knocks out Terryman, which means the match ends in an official tie. Terryman is too injured to continue, and so Robin Mask takes over against Kinnikuman Mariposa. When Robin struggles in his match, Terryman appears - heavily bandaged - to offer support for Kinnikuman and motivate Robin. Terryman is next pitted against Motorman, but is treated to a barrage of attacks that he is too weak to fend off.

 

Terryman vs. Motorman

Motorman appears as a competitor and second guard for Team Kinnikuman Zebra, where he is pitted against Terryman in Himeji Castle. Motorman lays a series of blows against an already weakened Terryman, until Terryman traps him in a double-arm suplex. The suplex is incomplete, leading Motorman to dive head-first into Terryman, who catches his drill with both hands. He proceeds to use his Battery Claw, before drilling into Terryman's chest. This is followed with a Spark Ring Flash.

 

Terryman aims an attack for his legs, which do not emit light, and knocks him down to the mat, but Motorman retaliates with a Drill-a-Hole Spark. He hits Terryman and sends him flying out of the ring. [113] Terryman is caught by Ramenman, who is in disguise as Bikeman. He is then laid down to rest.

 

Perfecting the Muscle Spark

Once healed, Terryman helps Kinnikuman train for his final match.

 

They work with Robin Mask on top of two adjacent towers, before a crystal lake pool, where they throw down dummies and judge by the reflection what position works best. Terryman then sacrifices himself, so that Kinnikuman can practise on a real human as opposed to a dummy. Terryman - now too injured to participate - sits out the rest of the tournament to rest and recover. Once recovered, Terryman - along with other Justice Chojin - go to the final battle to offer support, where he meets Kinnikuman Super Phoenix's mother and leads her to Osaka Castle. He is last seen supporting and celebrating Kinnikuman's victory.

 

Kinnikuman (2011)

Perfect Origin Arc

Prehistory

Terryman is reintroduced saving a boy in Japan.

 

He has come to Japan at the request of Meat Alexandria, where three chojin factions plan to sign a peace treaty: Justice Chojin, Perfect Chojin, and Devil Chojin. Terryman is the spokesman for the Justice Chojin. He signs the treaty at the Japan Martial Arts Stadium, and several days later he participates in a Chojin Appreciation Day. After his shoelace snaps, he notices that the arena is being invaded. Terryman gets the children to safety, when it is revealed these are Perfect Chojin from outer space.

 

After Max Radial defeats Specialman and Canadianman - and Tileman, Curry Cook, and Benkiman are turned into humans - Terryman jumps into the ring to protect people and stop the Perfect Chojin. He punches Strong the Budo and declares a full-scale tournament. Natsuko and Geronimo beg Terryman not to compete, as he would need to defeat all seven chojin alone, but he states that he must for the safety of the world. He picks a card at random that determines his opponent: Max Radial.

 

Terryman vs. Max Radial

The match takes place at the Tokyo Dome. Terryman attacks from the red corner, before the match begins, before landing a storm of punches and proceeds with a Spinning Toe Hold. It is revealed Max Radial's legs are made from suspensions, so the leg hold has no power, and he tightens them and releases them so that Terryman is sent flying in the distance. Terryman attempts a Calf Branding, but Max's tires stop his face from making contact with the ring canvas.

 

Terryman is attacked by a Drift Tackle, but - when he stands - his body is torn with slashes from the tires. Terryman attempts to counter with an Oklahoma Stampede-styled Throw, but Max stops this with a Big Radial Fin. Max attacks again and again, until Terryman's skin is ripped into shreds. Even after Terryman faints, he stands and prevents another Drift Tackle.

 

It is revealed that Terryman has been wearing down the tires on Max Radial's shoulders, which is where Terryman starts to focus his attacks. Terryman manages to scrape the rubber from the tires, before exploding the tires. He is finally able to use a Calf Branding attack and a Texas Condor Kick, before winning with a Tenacious Blow. Terryman falls out of the ring, only to be caught by Kinnikuman. When Max Radial is murdered by Strong the Budo, Terryman is horrified and fails to understand them.

 

Interim

As such, he fought and won Max Radial, getting grievously injured, sitting over until the Perfect Origin arrival.

 

Terryman vs. Justiceman

Justiceman fights Terryman on the 3rd floor of Yggdrasil.

 

Terryman grabs Justiceman's head with a Texas Bulldozer, but Justiceman counters with a back-drop. While Terryman writhes in pain, Justiceman attacks again with a Moonsault Drop, and Terryman uses this as an opportunity for a knee-crusher. The attack fails and Justiceman knocks him back. Justiceman announces that he will accept the Perfect Chojin are wrong, if Terryman can best him in battle. He also states that he intended to fight to the death. Terryman accepts and attempts a series of blows, but none work.

 

Justiceman tries to stomp on a downed Terryman, but Terryman attempts to knocks him down with a sliding kick. The kick misses, but Terryman manages to grab Justiceman's other leg and knock him to the canvas, before using a Spinning Toe Hold. The crowd cheers for Terryman, but Justiceman kicks him away and counters with a triangle-hold. He then uses a shoulder-throw to toss Terryman across the ring.

 

After flinging Terryman around the ring, but Terryman realises that Justiceman has a pattern to how he fights: he always uses "logical" movements. Terryman feigns a Condor Kick, which Justiceman raises his arms to counter, but Terryman changes to a double-somersault kick. He then uses a German Suplex, followed by a full-weight moonsault (aerial moves he would never usually move, so an opponent would not logically expect). Terryman uses a King Kong Drop, but Justiceman evades and uses a Judgement Crash.

 

The move does vast damage to Terryman's arms, but the stars on his arms begin to glow. Terryman proceeds to use continual middle-kicks with his left leg, despite seeming to have injured his left knee, but Justiceman blocks every kick. It is revealed that Buckland created Terryman a new artificial leg, almost as good as an organic leg, but the leg cannot be replaced if it is broken (especially due to Buckland's death.

 

Justiceman counters by attacking Terryman's right leg, before Terryman attempts a Texas Clover-Hold. The move is countered by Justiceman, who uses a knee-bar on the right leg, but Terryman breaks from the hold. Terryman accuses Justiceman of taking pity by not attacking his left leg, but Justiceman states he wants to leave Terryman no excuse for having lost the match. He follows this with a Judgement Twist, which destroys enough bones and tendons to make Terryman's left arm useless.

 

Terryman tears out two corners of the ring, which creates a Texas Twister. This knocks Justiceman to the canvas, allowing Terryman a chance to use the Texas Twister once again, but this time Justiceman is able to counter with a chop. Terryman follows with a Calf Branding. It fails to damage Justiceman, who uses an ankle-lock on Terryman's right leg and breaks his leg. A Judgement Avalanche follows, which causes the light on Terryman's stars to diminish. Even without working limbs, Terryman headbutts Justiceman.

 

Justiceman attacks back with a Justice Penalty. The light returns to Terryman's stars, as he regains his Texan Spirit. The force of the Judgement Penalty knocks Terryman's prosthetic leg from his body, and - despite his extensive injuries - Terryman crawls towards Justiceman. He tries to fight, but Justiceman declares that he already found him "guilty" when he used his Judgement Penalty, and he cannot judge a person twice; as Terryman survived the move and Justiceman cannot continue to fight (due to having given judgement), Terryman wins as the match is effectively forfeited. He gifts Terryman his dumbbell.

 

Justiceman proceeds to compliment Terryman's Fighting Spirit (what Terryman dubs his 'Texan Spirit').

 

Post-Tournament

He travels with Kinnikuman, Meat, and the rest to watch the final fight: The Man vs. General Devil, in Australia.

 

Omega Centauri's Six Spears Arc

Terryman attends Planet Kinniku for an awards ceremony, a month after the previous arc.

 

He has been given a new prosthetic leg, albeit inferior to the last. A force-field proceeds to trap him inside the Kinniku Palace, alongside the other Idol Chojin. The force-field also shuts down the palace in the demon realm, trapping inside the Devil Chojin, and the Chojin Graveyard; it is revealed Satan put the force-fields in place, as he plans to unleash the Omega Centauri Six Spears onto Earth.

 

Unnamed Arc

Prehistory

Terryman finally makes contact with Kinnikuman from Muscleham Palace. He states they were trapped due to a barrier created by Satan, but - now Satan is defeated - they can make contact and leave the palace. The Man asks the eight Justice Chojin to break up into teams of two, in order to defeat the choushin, and go to their locations: Terryman teams up with Geronimo. After twenty-four hours of preparation, the Man sends Terryman and the others to the choushin. The first location is revealed to be in Egypt.

 

After Terryman realises he is in Giza, Egypt, a ring bursts out of the sand and Prisman appears inside the ring. Prisman fights against Bicorn, leading Terryman to watch the fight alongside Geronimo. After Prisman dies, Geronimo becomes disheartened and Terryman inspires him to keep on fighting and maintain hope.

 

Then, once the Tower of Babel is opened, Terryman encourage Geronimo to go, saying that he isn't in good conditions to fight against the menace of the choushin.

 

Kinnikuman Nisei

Terryman is rarely seen in the first part of the manga. We see him mostly in flashbacks, where we know he has married Natsuko and owns a ranch in Texas, and as since fathered Terry the Kid. He is sometimes seen supporting his son in his matches, such as being their during the preliminary round of the Chojin Olympics, and later participates in a tag-team exhibition match with Kinnikuman against the 20 Million Powers.

In the Ultimate Chojin Tag Tournament Arc, a pair of Time Chojin go back to 1983. Terryman initially refuses to believe the Time Chojin or the Time Warp 8 are from the future, before participating with Kinnikuman as part of the Machineguns in the Ultimate Chojin Tag Tournament to defeat the New Generation participants. He eventually loses against the Muscle Brothers Nouveau in the semi-finals, where he realises that the New Generation were telling the truth, and goes on to support them.

Kinnikuman vs. Terryman

In a special edition chapter, Meat tells a story to Terry the Kid and Mantaro Kinniku. In which, Terryman challenges his best friend Kinnikuman to a fight. This is an filler arc set twenty-nine years previous to the Chojin Olympic Resurrection. After twenty-six years of service, Kinnikuman was set to return to Planet Kinniku, but Terryman challenges him to a fight for honour, and Kinnikuman is granted fives days for the match (preparation and the fight itself). He announces the fight will be at 6pm Todoroki Stadium, with no press or audiences allowed.

 

Warsman arrives at Terryman's ranch in the USA, riding a horse, and he is alongside Buffaloman - they declare they will help him to train. They initially defeat Terryman, proving he has a lot of progress to make to defeat Kinnikuman. Two days later, Terryman is able to defeat them both. They leave together for the match, only to discover Natsuko was in a car accident. Terryman stays by her side in the ICU, while Warsman and Buffaloman sleep outside. Natsuko awakes just long enough to tell Terryman to go to Japan and fight.

 

When Terryman cannot be found, Kinnikuman is one of the only people who believe he will appear. Robin Mask acts as referee and announcer, but it then begins to rain and Kinnikuman is scheduled to leave in just one hour. Terryman arrives at 6:50, just ten minutes before Kinnikuman must leave. Robin Mask intervenes at 7:00 to announce the match is a draw, and Kinnikuman and Terryman embrace.

 

Dawn of Terry the Kid

Kid returns home bruised and injured, which causes Natsuko Shono to chastise him, as he has came home from school with injuries every day for two weeks. After Terryman talks to Kid, Kid reveals that a new jujitsu chojin has transferred to his school. The jujitsu chojin then forms a new jujitsu club without Terry the Kid.

 

After Terry the Kid expresses a desire to join the jujitsu club, giving up wrestling, Terryman takes him out onto the ranch to fulfil a Terry Clan family tradition, which is to remove tree stumps at least once a day from the male chojin's tenth birthday. After Terryman cuts down the trees, he tells Kid to remove the stumps, but Kid grows tired and fails to remove any more. A group of Kid's ex-teammates show up, where they proceed to mock him for the training with his father, and mock Terryman in the process, at which point Volcano reveals he was the jujitsu chojin that displaced Kid and stole his teammates for a new club.

 

Terryman recognises him as the son of The Mountain, and Volcano declares that he wishes to challenge Kid to a fight to the death, which will occur in two days time. The Mountain is driving the truck that takes them away, and rams a street-sign that is sent hurtling against Terryman, who is injured by the pole. Terryman teaches Kid not to be afraid, which inspires Kid to train and remove all the remaining stumps, and Terryman leaves to go to bed for the evening. The following day, Kid has removed all stumps but one.

 

There is a four-leafed clover under the roots of the final tree, but Kid remove the tree stump without harming the four-leafed clover, and this begins the creation of his new signature technique: the Texas Clover-Hold. This move is witnessed by Terryman, who watches in surprise the success of his son.

 

Two days later, Terryman drives to the Palo Duro Canyon with Terry the Kid.

 

Terryman watches from the side-lines, as Kid expresses fear at the upcoming events, and Kid's club cheer on for Volcano. The Mountain reveals that he chose the venue due to his match against Terryman happening in a mountain range, and discusses how - after he died and went to the Chojin Graveyard - that Satan gave him a chance at a new life in order to exact his revenge. He raised his son to exact revenge on his behalf. Terryman states that he believes his son will win, as his son has the passion and heart.

 

At several times, Kid expresses fear throughout the match. Terryman reiterates that he believes in Kid's abilities and that Kid has a Texan spirit, and that - if he could overcome his training - he can overcome this match with just as much ease. Kid proceeds to use the Texas Clover-Hold, which defeats Volcano and secures him a victory. After Kid manages to save his lucky charm, Terryman appears on the ring and reveals that is where the name of their family-technique originated, as well as that he is proud of his son.

 

Hercules Factory Arc

Originally, Terryman had little impact in the sequel story. He appeared as one of the vanquished veteran chojin who were defeated by the dMp, but for the most part appeared in flashbacks regarding his son.

 

It is revealed at the Hercules Factory that Terryman still spoke highly and kindly about Kinnikuman, even slapping his own son for accusing Kinnikuman of stealing the glory, the limelight and the best trophies from his friend. This forces Terryman and Kinnikuman to attempt to repair the friendship between their sons; it pushes their sons into a repeat of their vitriolic, close knit, argumentative relationship of their earlier days.

 

D.M.p Arc

Terryman appears in several small flashbacks.

 

He explains to Terry the Kid that the Kenyon family aren't designed for high-impact power moves, as they do not put on a lot of muscle mass, and thus Terry the Kid would hurt himself trying moves like the Kinniku Buster. They instead inherit massive arm and leg strength, as well as a tenacious spirit, and have strong signature moves, such as the Spinning Toe Hold.

 

In a second flashback, Kid remembers how his father would ride horses in the ranch, and how - one time - he was thrown from the horse and Kid assumed he would be hurt. Terryman catches his balance and holds himself upright on the horse with both hands, and uses this as a lesson to Kid not to ever look away in fear, as the Texas spirit is what makes their clan strong and will always protect them.

 

Ultimate Chojin Tag Tournament

Prehistory

Terryman is first seen winning the 1983 Universal Tag Tournament.

 

He - alongside Kinnikuman - wins the tournament with Muscle Docking at 48 minutes and 23 seconds. They are stopped from removing the Championship trophy by the Time Chojin, who Terryman suspects are ancient Chojin from the past, unaware of their current status or strength or purpose.

 

They attack Terryman, who has been weakened by his previous battle. The Time Chojin reveal they are from 34 years in the future, setting the current arc in 2017. Robin Mask intervenes to save Terryman and Kinnikuman's lives, but dies in the process, which leads to Kevin Mask dying in 2017, as he is slowly wiped from existence. This triggers the New Generation to go back, in an attempt to save Robin's life.

 

The New Generation arrive before the Legends, but - when Terry the Kid seeks to make contact with his father - Terryman swat him away at a distance. Terryman believes them to be on the side of the Time Chojin, so he refuses to trust them. [148] After Alisa Mackintosh is severely injured in place of Robin Mask, the Time Chojin say that this is proof they are all on the same side, and Terryman completely distrusts them. When the New Generation attempts to make an emergency phone call, this panics the Legends - unused to seeing cell phones - and Terryman attacks Check Mate.

 

Harabote Muscle then announces a new Ultimate Chojin Tag Tournament.

 

On television, it is revealed Kinnikuman and Terryman have reformed The Machineguns, were they are seen training and sparring together. Terryman later spies on Terry the Kid and Robin Mask, as they train in an old gymnasium, but Natsuko Shono unmasks him and confronts him. Terryman later arrives at the tournament itself alongside Kinnikuman as Entry #1. Terryman starts an argument with Terry the Kid, when Harabote announces a battle royale to decide the tournament finalists.

 

Battle Royale

Terryman and Kinnikuman start the battle royale by attacking Terry the Kid together. Later, while Terryman attacks Neo Chopin, Kinnikuman attacks Roseman; this causes Roseman to expand his rose into full bloom. Roseman uses his Vampire Rose technique against Kinnikuman, and Neo Chopin uses Sickle Note to attack Terryman.

 

Roseman brags about his technique, as Kinnikuman's breathing starts to slow down. The Adrenalines try to intervene, but The Machineguns tell them to keep back, and Kinnikuman rips his way out of Roseman's body. Terryman also wrenched the sickle from his body, and together The Machineguns use the Muscle Docking techniques against The Celebrities. The Celebrities then disqualified and dragged out of the ring by medics.

 

After the Time Chojin fight against the Muscle Brothers Nouveau, the Machineguns intervene.

 

They stop the Time Chojin with backspin kicks, before Terryman captures Lightning in a Pendulum Breaker, and he follows up with a synchronised attack with Kinnikuman. The Time Chojin counter and knock The Machineguns onto the mat. When they struggle in battle, Barrierfreeman and Ilioukhine get involved and protect them. As the other teams are weeded out, they advance to the main tournament by process of elimination. Terryman then warms up with Kinnikuman for the main matches, before being pranked by Mantaro with a fart attack and adding to their rivalry.

 

Quarter-Finals

The match begins with Ortega and Kinnikuman in the ring; they lock right hands, but Kinnikuman refuses to lock with his left hand. Ortega lunges with a hip attack, and Kinnikuman tries to use a sleeper-hold, but fails. Moaidon clutches at Kinnikuman's left arm, causing him immense pain. Kinnikuman breaks free, as Ortega uses a series of palm strikes. Kinnikuman dodges until Ortega lands a rolling sobat to the stomach, followed by a kick to Kinnikuman's left arm (breaking his attempted Niku Curtain).

 

Kinnikuman uses a lariat with his right arm. Ortega seems like he may fall from the ring, but uses an Iguazu Terror at the last second and catches Kinnikuman into a neck-lock. He takes Kinnikuman's arm into a crucifixion pose, which reveals a fake skin on Kinnikuman's arm and a huge gash on his skin. Kinnikuman knocks Ortega onto the corner post, at which point Terryman tags into the match and both kick Ortega away. Ortega is knocked down, at which point Kinnikuman reveals that - the night before - he returned the Long Horn in his left arm back to Buffaloman.

 

Terryman gives Kinnikuman his bandanna to use as a tourniquet, and the two of them team up to use a set of drop-kicks against the Carpet Bombings to keep them at bay, which is followed by a pair of head-scissors. At this point, Terryman kicks Kinnikuman out of the ring to force him to take a break. Terryman appears to gain the upper-hand over Moaidon. This is followed by a Bronco Fist. Moaidon falls over the ropes, but grabs the top-rope at the last second. He lands back in the ring and Terryman uses a Spinning Toe Hold against him.

 

Moaidon uses his Brilliant Rock, which constricts his leg around Terryman's torso. He delivers a series of blows against Terryman, who refuses to touch Kinnikuman out of a desire to protect him, and Moaidon uses a Moai Doai Merikov, which is followed by an Atonement Awl. This is aimed at Kinnikuman, but Terryman jumps between Kinnikuman and Ortega. Ortega uses a Somersault Grand Slam. Terryman is then thrown into Moaidon's Liar's Mouth, which will close/slam down on Terryman any time he answers a question truthfully. Moaidon asks and Terryman answers:

 

Do you prefer hamburgers to gyudon? Yes.

Do you prefer blonde Americans to any other women? No.

Do you wish to usurp Kinnikuman as leader of the Machineguns? No.

Would you sacrifice your life for someone else? Yes.

The blows that result from truthful answers lead Terryman to be severely injured, as such Kinnikuman touches Terryman and tags into the ring. Kinnikuman forces his knee into the Liar's Mouth to stop it from crushing Terryman. He drags Terryman out of the Liar's Mouth, and Moaidon attempts a Rock Smash, which Kinnikuman evades. This is followed by expelling flatulence on Moaidon's face, and then a Pants Driver on Ortega. Kinnikuman delivers a set of horizontal chops to Moaidon, and the Carpet Bombings exchange a series of blows with Kinnikuman, until they force him to use his left arm, which knocks away the bandanna and reopens his wound.

 

The open gash on Kinnikuman's arm reveals there is no bone inside. The Carpet Bombings focus their attacks on Kinnikuman's left arm, as he uses the bandanna again as a tourniquet, and Moaidon uses a Iguazu Terror again. This leads them to use a Machu Pichu Crash. They place Kinnikuman into the Liar's Mouth, at which point he asks the following questions to Kinnikuman and Kinnikuman answers as follows:

 

Do you think your mask is ugly? Yes.

Did you wet the bed until you were eighteen? Yes.

Is it true you don't trust the New Generation? Yes.

Do you hate Mantaro most of all? Yes.

The Liar's Mouth closes on all answers except for the final question about hating Mantaro. Kinnikuman continues to assert he will never recognise Mantaro as his son, to which Meat speculates the Liar's Mouth goes off the truth deep in your heart and not what you believe to be true, so - deep down - Kinnikuman does not hate Mantaro. Mantaro shouts advice to Kinnikuman, which enables him to escape the Liar's Mouth, except for his left arm that is trapped inside. Ortega continues to attack Kinnikuman, until the bone in his arm starts to grow back.

 

Mantaro explains the bone is growing back due to the pressure of the Liar's Mouth acting as a form of pressurisation training, and that Kinnikuman's chojin heritage is amplifying its effects. Kinnikuman uses his Burning Inner Strength to throw Moaidon to the canvas, at which point his wound closes, and Terryman tags himself into the match. Terryman takes Moaidon in a Texas Clover Hold, while Kinnikuman takes Ortega in a compact hold, but they are thrown as Moaidon uses a Moai Doai Merikov. Ortega tries an Atonement Awl, while Terryman uses a Texas Twister, and this is followed by Kinnikuman using a Muscle Lariat.

 

Kinnikuman uses a Kinniku Buster on Ortega, and Terryman uses a Kinniku Driver on Moaidon. The Machineguns combine their techniques to use the Muscle Docking. Ortega falls from the Andes ring, followed by Moaidon, and the chairperson calls the match in the Machineguns' favour. The Carpet Bombings are then taken away on stretchers. Terryman and Kinnikuman celebrate with Natsuko and Bibimba respectively, until Mantaro tries to congratulate Kinnikuman. Kinnikuman rejects him, claiming that the Liar's Mouth was broken and he still hates Mantaro, and Mantaro responds by that he will never call Kinnikuman 'Father' again, as he leaves.

 

Semi-Finals

The tug-of-war match-up occurs on the 13th of May, 1983.

 

He stays with Kinnikuman in their waiting room, until ushered out by Bibimba. Just as everyone gives up hope that Kinnikuman will make it out on time, Kinnikuman exits the waiting-room and presents Terryman with his Texan hat and seems in perfect health. They perform the tug-of-war and are assigned the Muscle Brothers Nouveau as their opponents during the semi-final match.

 

The match starts ten minutes later.

 

Terryman enters the ring with Kinnikuman in perfect unison. After Kinnikuman declares a 'mask versus mask' death-match, he takes the lead and Terryman stands on the sides. He is later tagged into the match, where they are able to attack Mantaro together with tag-moves, which culminates in a Guillotine Drop. Chaos soon tags in and after attacking Terryman, works with Mantaro to attack Kinnikuman, and it is then Terryman notices the Demon Hourglass is still on Kinnikuman's chest.

 

Terry the Kid begs him to throw in the towel, which causes Terryman to notice that Mantaro's leg is starting to disappear, and - only revealing the Machineguns never bring towels to matches - Terry the Kid throws into the ring the Great Texan Hat. Terryman then turns against Kinnikuman, by provoking him and insulting him, which causes the sand in his Demon Hourglass to rise to the top; Terryman has worked out that inspiring Kinnikuman to hate him with cause the Iron Sweat, which will amplify the magnetic powers of his mask, and this will draw the sands of the hourglass upwards. This breaks the curse and saves him.

 

Mantaro tags in Chaos, who protects him from Kinnikuman's advances. After Chaos takes the lead, he learns about the value of teamwork and tags Mantaro back into the m Mantaro is taken into a Kamehame Lock, but distracts Kinnikuman by undoing the strings to his mask, and takes him into a Sleeper Hold. After Kinnikuman gains the upper-hand, Mantaro breaks his finger to escape the hold and uses a Kilaeau Stretch, and proceeds to throw Mantaro from the War Cube.

 

Kinnikuman saves him just in time, and both partners are tagged into the match. The Muscle Brothers Nouveau use a Double Shoulder Buster on the Machineguns. The Machineguns counter with a Muscle Docking, but - due to Kinnikuman's fatigue it is not at full power. Mantaro flashes back to his youth, and he uses his father's advice to break free from an attack, before using a Skull Campana with Chaos.

 

After an exchange of blows, Mantaro saves Kinnikuman from falling out of the War-Cube. They continue with an evenly matched match, until Kinnikuman attempts another Muscle Docking. Mantaro unleashes his Fire of Inner Strength and successfully counters the move. Despite Kinnikuman also channelling his Fire, Mantaro and Chaos defeat them using the Muscle Evolution. Both teams are knocked to the mat, starting a countdown, but Mantaro and Chaos stand in time to be declared the winners.

 

The Machineguns proceeds to rest, while watching the Five Disasters vs. Nova Hell Expansions.

 

Post-Tournament

They are both there to witness Muscle Brothers Nouveau win the tournament, which saves Alisa's life and by extension Kevin Mask's life. This ends the arc.

 

💪M💪U💪S💪C💪L💪E💪

 

A year of the shows and performers of the Bijou Planks Theater.

 

M.U.S.C.L.E. No. 31, "Terryman"

 

Painted by CM, thus losing all collectible value forever.

 

* Previous Terryman sightings include:

BP 2018 Day 205

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/48630571921/

BP 2019 Day 239

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/48630571921/

BP 2019 Day 344

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/49200789173/

BP 2020 Day 125

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/51157941806/

BP 2020 Day 168

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/48315029076/

And at T-Square:

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/50595262557/

 

© 2010 Steve Kelley

 

This was shot from the South Street seaport looking North - West towards downtown New York City (NYC) with the FDR Drive running along the shore and the South Street Seaport in the foreground.

 

This is the cropped version and will be interesting to see which is preferred. Personally I feel the crop provides focus on the composition illuminated by the lightning which acts like an uber flash.

 

just an fyi - no fake lightning on any of my lightning images... not that skilled anyways :)

 

single exposure

 

To view all images in larger sizes and to download, purchase, or license please click here: Lightning Images

At the end of my post “Domestic Terrorism In America Part 2”, I said “Now I wait for my dog, to be again Tortured, baited and retaliated; as Perpetrators drive and ride by; gloating, brandishing the American Flags”.

 

Here it is, on 8-21-21. First Picture is of the Black Hawk helicopter, that keeps flying over our Motorhome, from camp to camp, and as I scout for new camp sites. The last three camp sites, were miles, miles apart. Still, I get a Black Hawk helicopter buzzing within 100 feet, at night. This would happen; when I would take Koda out to use the bathroom, and repeatedly, when I would go to bed for the night. It could be 9 pm, 11 pm. 1:20 am, just as I tried to fall asleep. Why would a Black Hawk, buzz my Motorhome repeatedly? I could understand it if I were within a flight pattern. But, not while scouting for new campsites, or after I have set up at a new sites, miles away.

Now, why would a Single Prop Plane, do the same and more? The first thing I hear, when I wake in the morning; is a Single Prop low flying Plane, buzzing our Motorhome. As I get dressed to take Koda for a hike; there’s a low flying Single Prop Plane. When we come back towards camp; a low flying Single Prop Plane. Ten minutes after we pulled into our new camp, this week; we get a fly over by a Single Prop Plane. You’ve hear it in previous post. You’ve also heard the low flying Black Hawk. I have 100s, maybe 1000s more. From California, Colorado, Arizona, and now Wyoming. How many more would you like to hear? It gets kinda old after a while, so I’ll spare you, unless you really need to hear more. Do you think, someone is trying to stifle me, overwhelm me, discredit me?

Now for the rest of the pictures from top to right; the 2nd picture is the beginning of the Convoy of Hate. It’s again, an ATV brandishing the American Flag. Remember, I predicted this. Then following right behind are 11 more in the Convoy. This is, as Koda and I are returning from another hike, and coming close to the road. I mention these same acts, in previous post. The others are Motorcycles, 4 Wheeler's, ATVs and bringing up the rear, is a Natrona County, Fire Protection District Truck. We are in a National Forest. But, that just adds validity, embodiment; to these Perpetrators.

The 10th picture with the Black and White ATV; the driver is giving me the White Supremacist Sign. Look close! He held up that sigh, the whole time he passed. The 11th picture; the woman keeps her face turned away. I wonder why, not really. The 12th picture; the driver is looking at his rear-view mirror, watching the Natrona Country Truck, bringing up the rear. The driver in the County truck, kept his face turned away, as I was taking pictures. The passenger was laughing at me. The last picture; is one of the camp neighbors, from across the road, as we arrived back to our camp. So, there you have; 12 vehicles, meeting up with us, just as we get to the road, like so many have before. But, Mr FBI Guy, who hung-up on me; it's just a coincidence, and it’s NOT TERRORIZING, RIGHT. Your falure to do anything, except hang up; emboldens these parisites.

As Koda and I headed out for our hike; we got the plane fly over. What they didn’t expect was; us walking across the road, and pass the many camps that tormented us; day and night. Many of them had left their camps, like the many perps do, as we our camp. There was a camp that had a woman waiting on her RV step; smacking plastic balls together, trying to irritate Koda, as we walked by. There was another woman outside with a couple kids. We walked further down the Forest Road. When we came back, there was a man at the same camp. He was standing behind his truck, just as we passed; he did something that caused Koda to stop, jump, then turn around. I couldn’t hear it, but Koda sure did. As I turned around and looked; the woman that was on the step, was laughing. After we passed another camp; two women coming rushing to an intersection; to zoom off and fill the air with exhaust. As we headed back towards our camp; other camp neighbors come rushing back to their camps, thinking we were going back to our Motorhome. Including the Creep in the Gray Dodge truck, with Wyoming plates on his truck, but Maryland plates on his Deluxe RV. Once we crossed the road, other perps thought, we were going back ot our camp. So, we had a Barrage of Motorcycles, followed by an ATV. That will all be covered in another Collage.

What you don’t see in this Collage; are the Direct Energy Weapon (DEW), Attacks we received when we did settle in, once back. Yes, again, I said Direct Energy Weapon, Attacks. They were Extreme. And, we received the low flying Black Hawk, just after 11 pm, as I tried to fall asleep. I had about 3 hours of sleep that night. Recently our Vice Presidents flight was delayed, by three hours, because of ‘Havana Syndrome’. Two US staffers were medevacked out of Vietnam, because of what they are also calling ‘Anomalous Health Incident’. When White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki was asked, that same day, about the ‘Direct Energy Weapon’ Attack; she said “the White House takes these Attacks seriously”. Meanwhile, her current answers to the Afghanistan situation, are constantly contradicted, by facts on the ground. Why is it, that over 200 Americans, US Officials, can report these Attacks, and the Press Secretary, says the White House Takes These Seriously, but an Average American, informs the FBI, and is abruptly hung-up on? I’m really not that average America, knowing that only 1% of the American population, serves in the Military.

Seriously, I have been addressing this for over 12 years. Many, many Targeted Individuals in the United States, have informed the FBI, for decades. United State Citizens have suffered from these attacks for decades. We are ridiculed, discredited, mobbed, stalked and Terrorized, our lives Destroyed, on US Soil, and no one gives a damn.

When this first started with me; I knew something was off. I did as much research as I could. It was extreme, in Yosemite National Park. At work, in the 3 different residences I lived in, when I shopped or visited any of the concessions. I bought books on Workplace Mobbing, Bullying in the Workplace, but this was beyond work and Bullying. These were intense Direct Energy Attacks, along with Noise Campaigns, Mobbing and Terrorizing. You can look, listen and read through my photostream. I went through my Chain of Command, even to the Secretary of the Interior; to be retaliated beyond belief. I showed pictures, videos, audio; only to be told by one of the two, ‘Special Agent’ Investigators, after they turned their recorder off, “I’m advising you to stop taking videos and recordings”. Nothing was done about the Fraud, Waist and Corruption; I was trying to report. Except, that I was retaliated against even more. One woman told me “You are the most Hated Person in Yosemite”. She was part of the Mob that tormented me daily. A couple of years after she quit, she came into my work location and apologized. Her boyfriend, that she broke up with, stayed on, and was promoted to Senior Management. There was another woman that blocked, fake coughed and mobbed me daily. One day I was rushing to clock in. She stepped out from a wall, stopped right in front of me, then chuckled. I gave her a stern look, didn’t say a word, walked around her and to the time clock. Within minutes; 3 National Park Law Enforcement Officers and two Security Officers, came in. They came up to me and said; we’d like to speak to you in private. I asked why, they said there was an incident. I told them, we could talk outside, in a public dinning area. They said I terrified a the woman, by the way that I looked at her. She felt threatened. I laughed, told them what happened, and said this is ridiculous, may I go back to work?

I’ll give you another resent example of attempted intimidation. The other day, we went into town, to dump and fill the tanks in our Motorhome. We went to the same RV Park, where we received the “Bait & Hate”, that I posted. I’ll tell you about our experience there, that day, in another post. So, we leave the RV Park, and hit the Highway. Just before the exit, that will take you to a local Walmart; a Sheriff’s Truck, comes flying up behind us, with all its lights flashing. It passed us, then takes that exit, just before we get there. I’ve had that happens so many times, by Law Enforcement. Most cases, I would have taken that exit, but we were good on supplies. And, no folks; I’m not paranoid, I have documented these same acts of intimidation, year after year. On that note; most Americans are devastated by these overwhelming acts. Then again, I’m not most Americans. I come from a long heritage, of Service to Country. I wasn’t elected Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, or received 12 Medals, for being average, or paranoid. Not trying to brag, I know who I am, but these Parasites are also Terrorizing my dog, my companion, my best friend. They have tried to push me over the top for years, without success. So now they Attack, Torment and Terrorize my companion, to get at me.

Now, at our new camp, 10 minutes after we arrive; we get a Fly Over. The first day I take Koda out for a hike and exercise, miles away from any other camps, secluded in the middle of nowhere; we are chased down by two perps in a Red Toyota Truck. The same truck, I’ve seen over and over again, many miles away, going pass our previous camps. I have the pictures, audio and video; to prove everything I’ve told you. Sadly, many Americans don’t have a clue and are left devastated, destroyed, lost and alone. To those Americans; You Are Not Alone and never will be, as long as I’m alive.

 

Gang Stalking; Domestic Terrorism in America is Real. Don’t let anyone tell you its not. Direct Enegry Weapon Attracts are real, don’t let anyone tell you they are not. Our President, in his speech today, addressing the loss of our Servicemen in Afghanistan, said; Our Military Service Members are the “Backbone of America”. Then why, Mr President, does America, continually turn its Back on Us? Like it has on the Afgans, that helped keep us safe, abroad.

 

There will be much more to come. I am paying heavily for these post; by Extreme Eletronic Weapons Attacks.

Thanks for visiting our photostream

 

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

I was first tagged by Christian et Cie then by Thierry la Fronde, so I feel I don't really have a choice here... ;-) That's a fun game, I admit (because I learned a lot about my contacts), but I would never consider being tagged alone, as my partner in crime helps a lot with the pictures I post here. I'm talking about David of course (Birdman)... ;-)

 

So here are 16 random things about us (there will be less to say about me):

 

1. I'm 4 years older than David. Yeah, I know how to pick them! I spotted him in Cuba on 26 December 2003. What do you know... He was travelling with a friend but ended spending more time with me (sorry John!). ;-)

 

2. We live in Bishop's Stortford in Hertfordshire, England, a pleasant little town close to Stansted airport (convenient for our travels). People often comment about the amount we travel. I suppose it's become a bit of an addiction as it's easy and cheap for us to reach many destinations in Europe on 'no-frills' budget airlines (and sometimes the flights are even free! Not too expensive when you book an hotel with your Airmiles).

 

3. I used to be a legal secretary who always wanted to be a graphic artist. Now I'm a legal secretary who would like to be a professional photographer. David is a technologist who invents recipes for polymers, glues and all those fascinating things that you can buy in a tube at B&Q. As a teenager, he wanted to become a make-up artist for horror movies... oh dear! He used to ‘entertain’ his parents by entering the room with fake flesh wounds, missing limbs and eyes hanging out on stalks.

 

He tried that with me once, lying on the kitchen floor with ketchup on his jeans and a bit of hotdog on the floor, pretending he'd chopped off a finger. I was not impressed! I just stepped over him and went to the loo. Since then he says I'm very insensitive!

 

4. I'm not a sporty person (I much prefer my chair in front of the PC) as I feel I'm kind of jinxed: someone once threw a dart in my forearm, then at the 'school's Olympics', someone threw a discus into the back of my head, then later on it was a pool ball in the forehead, then my cousin tried to drown me under a rowing boat... David, on the other hand, is a football maniac and Manchester United fan. He played regularly up until a few months ago, but kept coming home broken after each game. "I'm too old, he said!". (Oops! Update here – He says he's going to try again this Friday evening!)

 

5. As you probably have realised by now, David is a keen birdwatcher. This fits well with my photography, as we get to see a lot of places I wouldn't normally think of visiting (such as the Scilly Isles). While he chases birds around, I have fun with my Canon! David has seen 407 species of birds in the UK, God knows how many worldwide...

 

6. What kind of music do we like? Well, that's not easy to answer. I remember the first two albums I bought at 13: Dark Side of the Moon and Saturday Night Fever... Yeah... ;-) A short while after that I bought the first five albums of Led Zep, as well as Abba and Beatles albums. But lets say that for a long time, you could classify me as a Rocker, as my gang and I were into Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, etc. Today I'm more into easy listening stuff, and I really like Amy Winehouse! ;-) As for David, he also likes all the above and Rush (a Canadian band... yeh!). His favourite album is Grace by Jeff Buckley.

 

7. David plays the guitar and sings (pretty well!) He should have joined a band when he was young but was always too lazy (some things never change)! ;-) Now he just plays for his own amusement. I'm the only person who ever hears him play (and sing) these days, what a shame! At least it gives him something to do while I play Flickr!

 

8. We both like good movies, especially on a lazy Sunday morning when the weather's too bad to go out to play! Our all time favourites are the French classics Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources, by Marcel Pagnol. Other favourites include:

 

Anik: Frida, Gandhi, Catch me if you can, Forrest Gump and C.R.A.Z.Y. (a Québec movie that depicts what Québec was like when I grew up).

 

David: The Green Mile, Shawshank Redemption, Twelve Monkeys, American Beauty, Midnight Cowboy, March of the penguins (oh boy ... does he love March of the penguins!...)

 

9. Thanks to **Gwen**, I have discovered an author I really like these days, and I'm talking about Welsh novelist Ken Follett. One day Gwen suggested I read "Pillars of the Earth". It took me forever, but I finally read it in French (Les Piliers de la terre). I simply adored it. Then I read the 'sequel' (in English), World without End. David is now reading this but he keeps complaining that the book is too heavy!!!

 

10. Our current car is a gold coloured Peugeot 307 (which I chose by the way!). David does not like it much. It's an automatic, which I insisted we buy instead of the sports car he wanted! Anyway, being a Canadian, apparently I'm only allowed to drive automatics around here. David would be OK with that if only I would actually drive... but I don't! I never got used to the damn roundabouts and the narrowness of the roads in this country. To make things worse, I still need the GPS just to go to the grocery store, and I still manage to bump the curb every time (that's probably because I drive with my two eyes shut and I scream all the time...) ;-)

 

11. You know what annoys me most about England? ...the fact that they don't have screens in their windows here. I hate that because I'm terrified of spiders. Have you seen the size of the spiders around here? They're as big as mice and run as fast! I always try to make David kill them when I see one, but he systematically refuses! Instead, he carefully catches them (which can sometimes take half-hour) and puts them outside the door (so that they can easily get back in!)... HATE THAT!!! My solution is more radical. I Hoover them up whilst standing on the couch.

 

12. We both gave up smoking in October 2008 after I got very sick on our return from our trip to the Scilly Isles. I had a very bad chest infection and David, being the wonderful husband that he is, agreed to give up smoking with me from that day forward. Since we both love smoking and find it very difficult to stop altogether, we agreed that we could still smoke every now and then, but only when we're on holiday. Need I tell you I can't wait for the next one? ;-)

 

13. As a young man David was very accident prone. He once ran into a concrete pipe which caused such a deep wound on his head that he could touch his skull! He also broke his arm from sliding down the banister in his house and was hit by a motorbike which resulted in him having to have his earlobe stitched back on! I think it's just as well that he gave up paragliding when he did...

 

14. When we met, David had a nipple ring! I think you know what I think of piercings by now... ;-) Eventually I made him get rid of it (body-piercings on over-40's is very undignified I think!)

 

15. This photo is absolutely rubbish. I just wanted to try (without too much effort, I confess), my new Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens... I wanted to see what I could obtain in our dark living room without a flash. Not impressed so far! ;-))

 

16. Where does this story end? Hopefully in British-Columbia, Canada. This is one of the places I would like to retire to, if not in Québec (but this is very unlikely because David doesn't seem to be able to learn French). However, wherever we are in the world when we retire, one of our dreams would be to publish a book about all the places we visited, with my photos and David's texts. Yeah, dream on...

 

* * *

 

Now it's my turn to tag five of my contacts (but feel free to decline eh, no sweat!), I know some of you are really busy!... ;-)

 

Nino H

**Gwen**

green little monster's

jelrdan

AmsterS@m

 

Flickr friends, here is my attempt at making a unique and real photo of False Kiva. We hiked in at about 4 in the afternoon, watched and photographed the sunset, then spent hours getting our shots set up and lighting figured out. Then we waited until 3AM for the milky way to make its way into view. For this shot I have a lot of lighting going on... In the kiva I have my 580EXII strobe pointed towards the camera with a purple gel, shooting at a silver reflector disk. This flash was popped 3 times at 1/4 power with skyports. I am standing camera right with my vivitar flash in hand. Two pops at 1/2 power on zoom setting, at a very specific point on the ampitheater roof above the camera (it took test ~100 frames to find this magic spot) and then switch it to wide angle, 1/16th power, single pop against the far right wall to bounce more light back into the amphitheater.

 

Anyway, now I am going to rant about the rediculous Astronomy Picture of the Day for September 29, 2008 posted by Wally Pacholka. When I first saw his A True Image from False Kiva all I could think is what a load of crap. It is one thing to photoshop things into photos and create a stunning image -- but it is another to call it a true image and suggest it is 'real' and spread that lie far and wide across the internet (especially for such a fragile cultural resource). Sorry Wally, I don't care what you say, your image is super fake and you did a terrible job at the photoshop faking. The horizon looks terrible -- I assume you did a magnetic lasso and deleted the sky with out even feathering it. The milky way is too bright and sharp -- the only way you got that is with a sidereal drive tripod, shooting just the sky and then photoshopped the sky back in. The milky way in your shot is too large too, its not quite that big in real life. Sorry to bust your balls, but if you'd come clean about how you made the image, I wouldn't care. Throw in that crap about mountain lions and you sir are a bozo.

Officer Kenneth was most forthcoming in the end. The fear of death is often when people are most honest. The natural survival instinct we possess is a wonderous thing. We’ll do anything to avoid death. Whether it’s squeel to the man dressed as a bat, stab our Friends in the back, or take a dip in a pool of a ‘magical’ compound. Curiously I’ve faced death quite a few times over the years yet I've never done any of these things. I like to tell myself that it’s because of my training and the strong moral principles my parents raised me on, or I'm just lucky enough to have never found myself attacked by a guy in a batsuit. Well, beyond when Alfred wore the suit once early into my career so a large number of people have seen Bruce Wayne and Batman in the same room to prevent any suspicion from being aroused. Deep down though I fear the reality of the situation is that after all these years as Batman I’m anything but human. Mentally anyways.

 

Physically I’m the same boy who needed Tommy and Harvey to help me fight back against a single bully. I wonder if Clark ever had to deal with bullies during his early years? I’d imagine that whole boyscout routine really bugged quite a few people at school. Hell it bugs me to this day. I wonder when he started to develop that boyscout persona as he sure didn’t have it when we first met. He still had that killer throw though, at least now I know where he got it from. He said he got it from baseball camp, yeah the baseball camp of Krypton. He keeps talking about the league having a game one day. I wish he knew how stupid an idea that is, especially when both he and Barry are faster than a speeding bullet nevermind a speeding baseball.

 

It took a few minutes for the batwing to scan Gotham and pin down the only exposed signal that matches the specifications of the trackers used by Wrath. Curious that I can only track one though. That should have been my first warning but I quickly brushed it off. From the time I spent dissecting Wrath’s technology last year I know how they work and that when surrounded by Lead the signal is blocked. Presumably Baum knew this as well and has his caches stored in lead containers. A Smart move really, it prevents me from tracking them and a Kryptonian from finding them should he inevitably swing by as he likes to do. Dick’s had him acting as a sniffer dog a couple of times to help him crack down on human traffickers.

  

With the signal found I quickly make my way to Dixon Docks, Cobblepot’s old shipping area before Sionis claimed it. I wonder if this was the place that Jason supposedly killed him. His memories are a tad sketchy in certain parts thanks to the bullet so he’s not overly sure where it was that killed Sionis but I know he didn’t do it. I’ve had a few sightings of Roman Sionis around Bludhaven and Dick’s been keeping an eye on him ever since I learned where he was hiding. At the moment he’s nothing. His empire is in tatters thanks to Jason and the last thing I want is for him to begin a resurgence. After circling the skies for a few minutes to scan the área I exit the Batwing and make it to the warehouse where the trackers signal originates from. The building is old and a scan with my thermal vision gives me nothing just static, clearly there’s something affecting my connection to the batcomputer so entering the building is probably going to cause me to lose comms. I inform Alfred of my position before I enter the building and he mentions something about Tim’s father. Apparently he’s back in Gotham and at the Manor. Regardless of this I press on and enter the building.

 

I don’t bother try to use the sensors in my cowl to scan the room as without a connection to the batcomputer they can’t tell me much. Fortunately though I don’t require the sensors to notice the explosives rigged up to blow behind a set of hastily placed fake walls. It’s clearly a trap, but not a desperate trap. If the one behind all this was keen to get me off their trail they would have detonated the explosives the moment I entered the buidling. Whoever is behind this wants me to investigate. Given the amount of explosives it’s clear the intention is to bring the whole building down on me so naturally the one behind this won’t be here. That means he’ll be detonating the explosives remotely so he’ll be sending to a reciever somewhere in the building to trigger the explosives. As I walk further in to the warehouse the lights begin to come exposing more and more of the inside and it’s then that I see the scale of the trap. Every single pillar of the warehouse is covered in military grade C4 as well as large cans of petroleum placed in the walls. Unwilling to risk the culprit getting trigger happy I start throwing down jammers from my belt every few steps. It’s once I run out of jammers that a light comes on in the middle of the room showing a table with what I can only asume to be the gun I’ve been tracking.

 

Cautiously I approach the table and after checking that there’s no mechanism attached to it, I lift it off the table to inspect it. It’s the standard pistol of the US army corps I’ve seen quite a few of them before mainly as Bruce Wayne rather than Batman though. I still remember the weight this gun carries and as I inspect it I can’t help but notice it’s heavier than usual.

 

I remove the clip and it’s missing two rounds so it’s clearly been used only to execute the ones who killed Mayor March. Delving deeper in to the gun I finally find the tracker that Officer Baum had placed in the firearm and I must admit it’s very well concealed. Only someone who knows this firearm well would able to spot it. My hope is that these trackers still keep a record of where they’ve gone in the last seven days so I can hopefully find where the one behind this is hiding. As I start to pack the parts of the pistol into my belt to be analysed back at the cave a voice begins to speak over the tanoid.

 

“Congratulations. You’re faster than those pigs at the GCPD I’ll give you that. I hope you didn’t hurt Officer Baum too much, I am rather fond of him.”

 

The voice is male. That much is clear but there’s no distinct accent to help identify him from the words he just spoke so I try to engage him in a conversation to get him talking. Hopefully then he’ll slip up and expose any accent that he’s hiding.

 

“He’s fine. For the moment at least. Why’d you have Mayor March killed?”

 

“Why did you choose to start dressing like a bat one day?”

 

“I asked you a question.”

 

“I know but the answer isn't important so I chose to pose a more interesting one.”

 

“Why did you kill your own gunmen?”

 

“What does any child do once it grows tired of its toys? I merely disposed of them.”

 

“Disposed of them? They’re not your puppets!”

 

"Not anymore they’re not no. Now they’re nothing more than a couple of wood chippings since I threw them out.”

 

“Why did you kill them?”

 

“What can I say? I like to be entertained and those puppets got boring so I cut their strings. All they wanted was money but you……you’re far more interesting. Judging from your attire and equipment, such as that big jet of yours far above us, you don’t have a funding issue so you’re not merely driven by money like those other two clowns. No. What drives you is your desire to help this city, god only knows why.”

 

“Gotham can be a god place. it just needs protecting from monsters like you.”

 

“Monsters? Look around you, who’s the one dressed like a rodent?”

 

I fall silent for a few seconds and in those few seconds of silence I can feel his smugness through the tanoid. It is a valid point really as much as I do hate to admit it.

 

“Now Dark Knight, it’s been fun having this little discussion with you but alas I must move on. Thus I have no choice but to cut your strings now.”

 

As he says those words I hear the familiar click of a remote detonator being pressed. Most people would have begged for their lives when he revealed his plan to off me, but I’m not most people and I’m more than adept at getting keeping the odds in my favour.

 

“Most impressive Dark Knight, you’ve managed to block my detonators signal from reaching the transmitters.”

 

That sure didn’t take him long to figure out and I didn’t hear any more presses of the detonator. Clearly he’s confident in his own abilities. Most people I know would have pressed the detonator two or three extra times before realizing I’d done something rather than their detonator being faulty.

 

“It looks like you will be a fun play mate.”

 

“This isn’t a game.”

 

“Of course it is. Life’s nothing but one big game of chance. You manage to stop a bomb one day you don’t manage the other day! You manage to save the Commisioner from the clown, his daughter’s less fortunate.”

 

As he continues monologing to himself I take the momento to disable the reciever for his detonator. I have complete faith in Lucius’ equipment but these days it’s better to be safe than sorry. A quick inspection of the device reveals it to be a modified Amertek reciever. These things usually can only recieve the specific signal of its matching transmitter from a 500 meters away thanks to a limiter installed in the device by order of the US government to prevent it being using as a tool for terror attacks. This reciever though has had its limiter disabled. Not an easy task to accomplish. You need to know the complete specifications of the device to modify it not short out the device, believe me I’ve tried. As I rip the device off the wall and start to leave the building with the bombs difused I notice the familiar red dot of a sniper on the barrel in front of me. Great. Looks like this looney had a back up plan. With the jammers active I can’t signal the Batwing to intervene so I race for the nearest window as the the red dot disappears and I hear the sniper rifle let off it's first shot…

"I want an APB sent out immediately," Ira West shouted, rushing from his office to the CCPD breeding room. "Every available officer needs to be searching this city up and down, every damn apartment!"

 

Inside the room sat August, his eyes locked onto the floor. When paramedics arrived, he refused to be taken to the hospital, electing to have a quick patch up and be taken straight to the precinct. The gauze wrapped around his head was stained red, but it didn't bother him at the moment, his mind was occupied.

 

"Sir, everyone is already here," Patty replied with a frown. "The fire at Iron Heights was worse than Trickster's breakout; multiple wings were able to escape."

 

"Damnit…" the commissioner cursed, clenching his fist. "We need to contact Keystone, see if-"

 

"Ira!"

 

August's head final rose, looking towards the doorway. Joe stormed into the room, Flash following in behind him.

 

"What are the patrols looking like?" he demanded, his face flushed red. "Do we have any choppers out? Wh-"

 

"Joe, Joe!" Ira called out, interrupting his brother. "Take a breather, please."

 

"It's… but…" Joe mumbled, before stopping himself, breathing in deeply. "How ma… is this everyone?"

 

Ira frowned, nodding his head solemnly. "Everyone here is what we have available," he said. "Everyone else is dealing with the breakout."

 

"Ira… you… you know that- that he took him, right?" Joe whispered out, Flash placing his hand on the man's shoulder. "Him."

 

"Yes, I do. And you know how much I want that fucker's head on a block, but I can't," Ira replied, gaze shifting to the new footage of Iron Heights. "He's my nephew. I want him home, safe, but I can't just drop everything for him. As Commissioner I need to th-"

 

August quietly stood, the group in the room not taking notice of him. August watched the Commissioner's mouth continue to move, but no words could be heard. The television was running a fast food ad, but the commercial was silent. August's eyes were fixated on Ira, his fist balling at his side. He could feel his breath pass through his teeth, gritting together tightly.

 

"He's some random dealer who got shot in an alleyway, it happens everyday. We aren't dropping everything going on right now just to start an investigation for him and that's final."

 

"Detective."

 

August flinched as a red-gloved hand was placed onto his shoulder. He quickly brushed the hand off, staring at the hero in front of him. He then noticed Joe, Ira, and Patty were all looking at him as well, causing him to unclench his fist.

 

"You okay, Detective?" Flash asked with a small, endearing smile on his face. "I know you and Daniel are close, if there's anything-"

 

"You can do to help?" August interrupted, narrowing his eyes at the hero. "How about stop standing around like everyone else and go find him."

  

Flash frowned, nodding. "I'm here to get CCPD's patrol routes," he explained, looking back at the group. "Once they start sending cars out, I'll know where is getting covered. It'll help us find him faster."

 

August stayed silent, nodding lightly before stepping past Flash and out the door. He paused as he reached the hallway, looking back into the room. "You should know by now…" he said, staring into Flash's eyes, "the right way isn't the right way… not always."

 

-^-

 

You must be swift as a coursing river, (Be a man!)

 

Blue lightning bounced off Wally's body as he slid to the right, dodging the cane strike.

 

With all the force of a great typhoon, (Be a man!)

 

The next strike came rushing at Wally's head, but the boy raised his arms to block the attack.

 

With all the strength of a raging fire…

 

Wally's other hand shot up, grabbing onto the cane and pulling it free from Eddie's hands.

 

Mysterious as the dark side of the moon!

 

Spinning the object, he pointed it at Eddie's face, panting lightly as the song on the radio ended. After a moment of silence, his eyes widened, reaching forward to catch Eddie as he stumbled backwards.

 

"I'm sorry Mr. Jones," he apologized, handing the man his cane back and guiding him to the chair. "I, uh, guess it got kinda intense back there."

 

Wally was surprised to see Eddie chuckle once more, sliding his sunglasses off and placing them next to the radio. "I'm not sure what you're apologizing for, Wallace," he said, turning the radio off. "If you didn't notice, you were able to stay in complete control for three whole minutes."

 

"I… huh," Wally mumbled, sitting down next to Eddie. "I guess I did… I did! What… prompted it? The music, I mean."

 

"Heh… well, would you believe me if I said it was you?" he asked, his smile falling slightly, but becoming evermore sincere. "Remember the day I met you? Christmas at your uncle's place?"

 

"I mean, yeah," Wally said, chuckling slightly. "August hit you in the head with a snowball and you decided to join us."

 

"Yeah that's it," he said with a nod. "That day, I hated you."

 

"Huh?"

 

"For three years I just… I didn't even like looking at you," he explained, chewing on the inside of his cheek. "When Barry told me what happened with Trickster, that we'd be training you… I wanted to opt out."

 

"Wait wait wait, go back a bit?" Wally asked, a confused frown on his face. "Why did you hate me? We hardly even saw each other."

 

"I know. I made sure of that," he said, taking a deep breath. "I… I hated you because you just… you remind me of her, so much."

 

"Her?"

 

"My daughter, Colly," Eddie mumbled with his eyes closed. "Your kindness, your sass, your carefree attitude, your ability to get knocked down and get back up laughing… it was like her ghost was haunting me."

 

"That's why you call me-" Wally began, stopping as Eddie nodded. "So… so what changed? I mean, I assume you don't hate me now?"

 

"You're still a pain in the ass, but I don't…" he said smiling again. "When Barry and Jay asked for my help with that fake Clariss, when I had to use my power for the first time since she… it was like a fog in my mind cleared. You aren't some spectre looming over me with the spirit of my baby girl held hostage. You're a reminder of her. Her heart, her brain… her soul. I told Barry he was the reason I broke out of my solitude and was able to smile again. You though? You gave me something worth more than a thousand smiles, so thank you, Wally. Thank you for being you."

 

"I uh… I'm not sure exactly what to say," Wally chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

 

"Well I say, we head upstairs and get some grub," Eddie said, brushing away a tear before putting his glasses back on. "Once we eat, I've got something special to show you, I think you'll really like it."

 

-^-

 

The crowd roared as a man in robes performed a roundhouse kick, knocking the other to the floor with a thud. The man was quickly back on his feet, throwing a wild uppercut at his opponent. August stood in the entrance to the club, the music blasting loud and the building reeking of sweat and alcohol.

 

Goldrush: An underground night-fight club located just outside the city border. Its owner, Damion Poitier, had run the club for a decade now under the alias of Bling. Through the years Poitier accumulated wealth and power through Goldrush, making a name for himself and dipping his fingers into the CCPD as well as the KCPD.

 

August began to survey the room, searching for the head of the establishment. Poitier, more than anything, was a businessman. A businessman who made sure he knew what went on in the gem cities at all times.

 

It was a long shot, but August had no other options.

 

As he searched the dancefloor, his eyes were drawn to the bar, narrowing as he spotted the bartender. 'Is that…' he thought to himself, pushing through the crowd, confirming his suspicions as he approached the bar and taking a seat.

 

"And what will it be f-" the woman started, before gasping. "August?"

 

"Didn't know you worked here, Becky," he said, staring at the woman, dressed in a white button down with a crimson vest.

 

"Well, things happen after you don't talk to someone for five years," she responded, a slight venom in her words. "I don't think you really should know, either. What's one of CCPD's finest doing here?"

 

"I-"

 

"And that is round two, we have had a great fight on our hands so far ladies and gentlemen, it shall continue shortly!"

 

"I need information," August said, noticing the unphased look on Becky's face. "If you could point me in the direction of your boss, I'll be out of your hair."

 

"Pretty ballsy to walk in here demanding to speak to Bling," she said with a coy smirk, leaning forward on the counter. "I'm not too sure he'd enjoy me sending a cop to his doorstep."

 

"I'm not playing games, not today," August growled, causing Becky to frown. "Tell me where he is, or I'll make sure this club comes crashing down."

 

Becky sighed, crossing her arms as she pulled back from the counter. "You're not much fun anymore," she mumbled, jutting her thumb to the side. "Door behind me, it'll take you to the VIP lounge. If they ask, say you threatened me with a knife or something, 'kay?"

 

August didn't respond, stepping through the opening and past Becky through the door. He quickly made his way up the carpeted stairs, finding himself on a balcony positioned to view the arena and dance floor.

 

August spotted a plethora of mobsters, CEOs, and high ranking officials sitting at the various tables lining the balcony. It didn't take long to find his target, however, as he sat at the largest of them all. August approached the table with a quickness, his eyes locking onto Poitier's.

 

"Well, well, well," Poitier said, an invisible smile forming under his mask, "what an interesting turnup we have here. Never expected to see you in here, Detective Heart."

 

August stared at the man, who sat on the couch of the VIP lounge, scantily clad men sat around him. He was dressed in a crisp white suit, arms splayed across the back of the couch as he chuckled, a drink in one hand.

 

"Bling," August said, narrowing his eyes. "I don't have time for any bullshit, I need information."

 

"I do like someone who can cut to the chase," he said, raising his glass to August before sticking the straw through his mask and taking a sip. "You need information, I've likely got it."

 

"Eradicator, where is he?" August asked, crossing his arms, watching the man's golden eyes narrow.

 

"Eradicator…" Poitier mumbled, bringing his free hand to his chin. "Ah yes, Eradicator, good old Mr. Phillips."

 

"Well?"

 

"Well?"

 

"Where is he!?" August shouted, his fists clenching.

 

Poitier was silent for a moment, his eyes staring into August's. Then suddenly, he began to cackle, throwing his head back and holding his stomach. "Oh… oh that… that's rich," he wheezed, trying to contain his laughter. "Yo- ha. Do you think you're Batman or something? Why in the hell would I be afraid of you?"

 

"Do you want to find out!" August shouted, reaching forward and grabbing onto the man's collar. "I'm not playing around, Poitier! My family is-"

 

Suddenly, a large hand clasped onto August's shoulder, tearing him from Poitier and lifting him into the air. August began to struggle, but the grip tightened, making him groan in pain. A cold blade was pressed against his throat, the edge pressing into his skin. August's eyes shifted slightly, eyeing the man that held him up.

 

He stood tall, much taller than August's own frame. He was clad in a blue suit, pieces of silver armor covering his body. His face was rough and mean, a scar running from his cheek through his lips. The blade pressed against August's neck was attached to the man's gauntlets, the silver stained red.

 

"It seems I forgot to introduce you two," Poitier smirked, slipping the straw through his mask once more. "Razor, meet Detective Heart. Detective Heart, meet Razor, my personal bodyguard."

 

Poitier gave a slight nod, causing the large man to drop August to the ground. "You've got a supervillain working for you?" August grunted, rubbing his shoulder.

 

"I've got supervillains working for me," Poitier corrected, shooing the strippers away as he leaned forward. "Razor's good at his job, earns his paycheck and then some. Now, you wanna try being a good boy and continue our conversation?"

 

"I need to know where he is," August said, standing up from the ground. "I don't have time for your games. He has my… my brother."

 

"Yes, I know," Poitier said, nodding his head. "It would be a shame if something were to happen to Daniel. Here's the thing though, Detective. I am a businessman," he explained, placing his glass onto the table and bringing his right leg over his left. "When I do something for someone, I get something in return. If I just started handing out things, all of this wouldn't last."

 

"And Crowbar goes down! Your winner for the match, the beastly, Kung!"

 

"I've got an uneven amount of fighters tonight," Poitier said, raising his hand into his coat pocket, pulling out a stack of cash. "If someone were willing to, say… help me fill that spot…" the man's eyes narrowed, "well, let's just say I like to help my employees with their troubles."

 

August stared at Poitier, his own eyes narrowing.

 

"I can't lose anyone else either."

 

-^-

 

"Get ready folks, you won't want to miss this next matchup!" the announcer shouted, riling the crowd up.

 

August sat in the small locker room located in the back of the club. His jacket, shirt, and gun were all placed in the locker Poitier had given him. He stared at his gauzed wrapped hands, mind flooding with the events that occurred earlier that night. Eradicator beating him effortlessly, Daniel being dragged out of the house after trying to save him. His teeth grit, hard.

 

"You've seen him here before," the announcer returned, introducing his opponent. "He strikes like a winter wind, give it up for… Chillblaine!"

 

August turned to see his opponent discarding an aviator jacket into the locker. The man smacked his head a few times, before turning towards the arena.

 

"Get ready to die, piggy," Blaine said with a devious smirk before rushing out into the arena, earning a roar of applause.

 

August looked down to the bench he sat on, lifting his badge from the seat.

 

"If having this badge means I can't even help a child in need, then maybe I shouldn't have it."

 

"Facing off against Chillblaine," the announcer began, causing August to stand, throwing the badge into the locker before slamming it shut, "he's a never before seen fighter here at Goldrush. Taken straight from the other side, Detective August Heart!"

 

As August exited the locker room, he was met by a barrage of negativity. Food was thrown at him, hands tried to grab ahold of him, and insults were loud enough to drown out the music. His head stayed down, eyes locked onto the stage in front of him.

 

They could think whatever they wanted. He was here for one reason, their words didn't matter.

 

Stepping into the cage, the door was slammed shut behind him. As the lock ticked, the ref mumbled out a threat, but August was unable to decipher it. Blaine stood across from him, chatting with a woman outside the cage.

 

"Are… you… ready!?" The announcer asked, earning another roar from the crowd. "Alright! Let's get ready to rumble!"

 

The sound of a bell ringing caused Blaine to turn. August kept his head straight, eyes locked onto Blaine. He readied his fists and began to sidestep around the cage.

 

"I'm gonna kill you in here," Blaine said, taking a similar stance to August and following his movements. "Filthy fucking pig ruining my night."

 

August didn't speak, the events from earlier once again flashing through his mind. 'Powerless,' he thought to himself, narrowing his eyes.

 

Blaine charged forward with a quick jab, one August was able to block with his forearm. The man followed up quickly with a low hook, connecting with Blaine's abdomen. Blaine easily tanked the hit, responding with another two jabs, one right one left. August attempted to use the opening, but was met with a rising knee to the stomach, the force causing him to stumble. Blaine didn't let up on the attack, rushing forward with another jab and a right hook. August was able to block the first strike, but the second connected with his skull, putting him into a daze.

 

"How you like that, hog!?" Blaine shouted, sending another hook into August's head, knocking him to the ground. "Gonna be joining old Jorgy soon, fucker!"

 

Blaine brought his foot down, smashing it against August's abs, vomit spilling from the detective's mouth.

 

"Screw dad, he's not family, not real family, I mean."

 

Another stomp was against his chest, causing August's vision to darken.

 

"Real family is… well, it's the people who you care about. Not just like friends, but people who've changed and impacted your life so much that… that you'd do anything for them. People who you'd steal for, kill for… and even die for. That's what a real family is."

 

August laid on the arena's floor, Blaine's foot tauntingly hovering above his face. Blood trickled down his face, from new wounds and his cut from earlier reopened. As he watched Blaine taunt, the image of Daniel passed through his mind once more, causing a guttural cry to be ripped from his stomach.

 

August grabbed Blaine's foot in one hand and leg in the other. With all the force he could muster, he pushed in opposite directions until he heard a pop, as well as a cry from his opponent. Stumbling to a stand, he still held Blaine's now broken foot, panting. His body rushed forward as fast as it could, slamming Blaine's back against the cage. Once there, he brought his elbow crashing down onto his opponent's kneecap, attempting to break it. Blaine was quick enough to bend his knee, stopping the attempt, but drawing August in closer in the process.

 

Still holding onto Blaine's foot, August slammed his free fist into Blaine's abdomen. Blaine doubled over at the strike, allowing August to let the man's foot fall and perform a devastating uppercut. August then sent his fist into Blaine's face, smashing the blond's nose and slamming his head back into the cage. A second strike connected with his upper jaw, with a third again hitting the bridge of his nose.

 

Grabbing him by the hair, August hit him with two more quick head punches before throwing him to the ground. August quickly straddled the man's hips, his breathing erratic. Blaine raised his hands in a weak defense, but August pushed them aside, bringing his fist down. He began pounding the man's face, each strike causing another crunch, every hit staining his wraps a deeper red.

 

"Please…"

 

August paused with his fist ready to strike again. He panted heavily, a concoction of blood and sweat dripping from his chin. His eyes widened as he truly looked at the man beneath him.

 

His head was smothered in crimson, his skin torn all along his bruised face. Blood was pooling underneath him, coloring his blond hair an orange-y red. His nose was broken, his bottom lip split open, and his right eye was sealed shut.

 

With uneven breaths, placing a hand on his knee, August pulled himself to a stand. It was only now when he noticed the crowd, completely silent.

 

"A-a-and… I'm sorry," the announcer stuttered, gulping audibly. "Your winner, Detective August Heart!"

 

August looked up to the balcony as the crowd began to roar. Poitier was looking down at him, slowly clapping his hands. August could tell, even with the mask over his face, the man was smiling.

 

'It was for Daniel,' August thought, looking up into the blinding lights as he panted. 'It was for Daniel… anything for family.'

 

-^-

 

"That was a spectacular fight," Poitier said, his feet kicked up on the table, clapping as August entered the VIP lounge. "I'd say the best we've had in this place in years, at least since that blond kid with a temper came in a few years back."

 

August stood across from the man, his wounds crudely wrapped in gauze and his jacket laid over his shoulder. "Eradicator..." he mumbled, "where is he?"

 

Poitier sighed, dropping his feet to the floor. "A deal... is a deal," he said, pulling out the same stack of bills from before. "I had one of my informants follow them after they took down that building. Apparently, he and the fire fella are heading to the northern power plant. What for, beats me, but you should find them there."

 

August stared at the Poitier, the stack of cash, then back at Poitier. "Keep your damn money," he mumbled, turning away from the man.

 

"You're welcome to step into the cage again anytime, detective," Poitier called out, causing August to stop.

 

"When all of this passes," he mumbled, looking over his shoulder, "I'll be back to shut this place down."

 

"I cannot wait to see you try," Poitier chuckled, as August left Goldrush

 

-^-

 

"Nothing… we've got nothing," Joe said, slamming his fist against the wall. "What are we supposed to do!?"

 

"Joe, calm down," Barry said, placing his hand atop his shoulder. "We'll head back to CCPD and check in with Patty, I'm sure they've got some updates."

 

"I should've brought him to the station…" Joe said, his voice wobbly. "If he was there instead of home-"

 

"Nothing would've changed, Joe," Barry said, causing Joe to look at the blond. "What would've been different if you had him at CCPD instead of home?"

 

"I… I could've…"

 

"Nothing," Barry continued, giving Joe a sad smile. "You… you have to accept the things you can't change… it's the only way you can make real change."

 

"I… Yeah… I just-"

 

bzzt bzzt bzzt bzzt

 

Barry looked at Joe, confused, before tapping the wing on his cowl. "Hello?"

 

"I found Daniel, get to the Northern Power Plant, now."

 

"A-August? Wait, what? How did you? A-alright, I'll text Joe and-"

 

"Cut the act, Barry," August responded, a drive Barry had never heard before in his voice. "I know you're him. Bring Joe if you want, but get here, now."

 

As the line cut, Barry was frozen in shock. Before he could let the reveal get to him, he turned to Joe, a small, but hopeful smile on his face.

 

"August found him."

 

----------------------------

 

NEXT TIME: Faceoff! The Flash vs The Eradicator!

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

Making the reverse commute from Chicago everyday can really drive a man insane.

 

Lens: 8mm fisheye - manual f11

 

Lighting:

430EX II behind me with orange gel for back (fake sun) light

430EX II with Gary Fong Sphere off camera for key

 

Day 4/365

Ah! The infamous, Zipper! Meet California's most notorious criminal; one who goes above and beyond to fulfill his filthy duties, ranging from physical violence to downright thievery and, in many cases, murder! The thug-for-hire with direct connections to Eric Raymond and the Misfits. If you're not speaking green cha-ching, then you're not speaking his language. A complete louse when it comes to most criminal activity, Zipper always has one foot out the door and, when he fails a mission, two revved up and ready to dash. This snake constantly shows his love for dirty cash and also acts as the handler for Eric's underhanded affairs - examining, counting and stacking the figures all without a lick of common sense rattling around in his empty head. Zipper is a typical guttersnipe who craves danger, and he does not mind demonstrating such action as he did, when he crashed his way onto the scene, in 1985, during “The Beginning.” Ole' Zip committed his first crime against Jem and the Holograms one night by breaking into the Starlight Foster House with the intent to spook the Holograms, but the assignment ended in the fiery destruction of their home! As the smoke grew out of control, Zipper ran off avoiding charges for arson. His next attack went tick, tick, BOOM, in “Disaster”...um, need I say more?! Howard E. Sands gave Jerrica and the Holograms the greenlight to move into Starlight Mansion after the tragic loss of their foster house, and they explored every inch of the luxurious manor, alongside Rio who reminded them that the photographers for their special magazine layout on new Rock groups were waiting outside. A few seconds after the photogs arrival, the remaining members of their styling team had just walked through the security gates...and that's when Zipper made his move by appearing from inside the bushes, creeping along the steel gate, and slithering directly behind Jem's dream team with only his duffel bag and a pair of rad Ray-Ban shades to disguise his bloodshot eyes. The venomous cobra moved fast into the servants quarters where he unwrapped a 2-pack of dynamite and stashed them under the cushions of the couch, all while Jem and the Holograms were out front posing for their photoshoot. After destroying Howard's property, and not to mention endangering the lives of the Starlight girls who were still inside, Zipper waited for Eric to distract the news reporters by lying about the blast, and then he peeled out of there on foot. Life was beginning to look up for the pink-haired entertainer, during “Kimber's Rebellion”, and she had finally experienced her first taste of international fame. It's somewhat true that adventure equals danger, and trouble was carved in granite as Zipper worked side by side with Eric on a plan to follow the women to Paris to decimate their video shoot for “Twilight in Paris!” The second he arrived, he went HARD at trying to kill the Pop stars, first by striking out with his failed attempt to kidnap Kimber, and then batting a home run by dropping a statue of stone from 20 stories above down to the ground where the musicians were acting out a scene for video pioneer, Anthony Julian! When the menace of mayhem realized he had been spotted from below, he made a break for the airport and escaped Paris unscathed and unfazed. He had the hook-up in “Frame Up”, and left no room for mistakes. Following the direction of Eric, and with the help of the Misfits, he planted a safe full of money from both bands' Las Vegas concert inside Jem's tour bag. He then transferred the operation over to the Misfits who sent in the police to search her dressing room! Even though he's strictly a one-man show, Zipper works real well with two or more players as was the deal, in “Battle of the Bands”, when he teamed up with Eric's goons to hold Jem and the Holograms hostage at the old Starlight Drive-In, leaving the girls no choice but to forfeit the Battle of the Bands competition to the Misfits who swore that they were “Takin' it All!” Time was winding down and Jem's back was against the wall, but she wasn't going to allow those undeserving rockers to win by default, so she made a break for the exit and escaped. Primed for some good ole' rock 'em sock 'em action, Zipper chased her down on his motorcycle and dragged her back to the abandoned hideout! Then Jem did what came naturally; she held her star earring between her fingers and conjured up holographic illusions of wild tigers, exit doors, and an entire field full of police cars to psych him out. The illusions worked for a second, but once he realized they were false images, he proceeded to snatch Kimber by the arm and pull her back as she and the others tried to run away. Eventually, sirens and lights went off in the distance, and this time, there were NO holographic illusions to see as a REAL army of police cars arrived to the scene and arrested Zipper and his twisted cohorts. Los Angeles' infamous convict switched things up, in “The World Hunger Shindig”, after finally fleeing from the hard-knock life of mugshots, mushy food and cold jail cells, and deciding to dye his hair black to blend in with his surroundings. Now, with a darker, more mysterious appearance, he accepted his first assignment: to get rid of Jem and the Holograms! The next day of the Shindig, Jerrica felt that Jem deserved a break, so she joined her girls in an hour of outdoor activities with Sean Harrison, and spent a few minutes of relaxation in preparation for the big concert. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, Sean was contacted over the phone to handle business, so he hopped on his horse and waved goodbye. Shortly after waving him off, the Pop superstars were ambushed by Zipper and his band of cowboys who appeared from the woods with scarves around their mouths, cowboy hats, and shotguns, and forced them to walk the trail of a ravine! Jerrica knew she needed to act promptly, so she and Kimber cooked up a topper that was sure to foil Zips plan. As they continued down the rocky path to their doom, Kimber suddenly fell to the ground and faked a foot injury, while Jerrica called on Synergy to project a flash flood that frightened the s**t out of Zipper and his pals, sending them running in the opposite direction with their tails between their legs. It pained him to call Eric on the phone and admit defeat, but he managed with a promise to take care of everything the night of the concert, at the Astrodome. Fans came pouring in from different countries and tumbled over to the ticket booth where the money-hungry maniac sat while skimming the booth off the books as fans paid him face to face for their tickets. He wanted to keep the cash close by, so he placed it all inside a suitcase and stored it deep within the vent in Eric's room. Well, it just so happened that Jem and the Holograms had escaped from a storage room that they were locked in by climbing out through the vent and crawling along the open shaft to safety. Eventually, they made their way past Eric's office where they overheard the two crooks discussing their part in stealing the proceeds and their plan to sabotage the Pop stars' performance. Jem wasted no time apprehending the suitcase of cash and followed the path all the way up to a trapdoor at the top of the stage where she and the Holograms stood awaiting their introduction from Synergy. Though heights weren't exactly his cup of tea (mixed with rum lol), Zipper didn't allow the situation to slow him down from getting what was due, so he moved as quick as a rat in pursuit of the doe and arrived at the same spot situated above the audience. As he peeked out from inside the vent, he actually tried to steal the money back from Jem by reaching over and grabbing the suitcase, but she used her foot to slide it over to where she stood. He wasn't concerned about being recognized until a spotlight from the stage shined on his face, proving that what you do in the dark will eventually come to light! Moving forward, Zipper was skating on thin ice, in “Last Resorts”, when Eric paid him to climb the tower of a ski lift to unhinge the bolts on the walking beam that supports the sheave wheels, at Rick Franklin's resort, just minutes before Jem and her band hopped aboard! The incident left Shana and Jem suspended from their seat and in fear for their lives! Then, on the day of the ski race, which was a competition Eric suggested to Rick pitting the Misfits against Jem and the Holograms, Zipper decided to decorate the top of a pine tree with HIMSELF so that he could send out one last signal below to his three troops, all of whom arranged a maze of accidents to prevent the girls from winning the race. You would think this time he'd have better luck escaping the avalanche of penalties or that maybe it missed him by a hair, but that would be simplicity at its finest, and he's not fortunate enough to afforded that luxury. As usual, the entire operation failed with Eric losing his resort to Rick, the silver he hid in a cave, and his pride! As for Zipper, he was wrangled up along with his three allies and then turned over to the boys in blue. With all his past troubles haunting him in California, it was now time for a change of scenery, so he traveled to Venice, Italy, free of charge...but it wasn't to take a vacation. Eric and the Misfits were already on their way over to compete in a Rock fashion contest and needed extra help to liberate the superstars of their prizewinning outfits. So Zipper packed his blue jumpsuit and combat boots to complete his work, but he didn't need them for his first attack, anyway, just a few extra bucks to pick up a disguise as an oarsmen and to rent a gondola, the same gondola that was expected to escort Shana across the water with her designs. He kept his eyes on the prize as the purple-haired percussionist entered the boat to take a seat. Then he swiped the long capsule that housed her work and bounced out of the boat and onto the next like a frog out of water, finally landing in the Misfits' speedboat where the capsule hit the clutch and sent all four offenders coasting on top of the water and back around to Shana's gondola, almost taking her out of more than just the competition! Eager for a breather, Zipper and the Misfits arrived at the hotel room and were pumped up from their heist. Zipper handed Pizzazz the cylindrical capsule with confidence that he achieved his goal of grand theft, but when she opened it, she discovered a few doodles that belonged to Starlight teen, Ashley, who later admitted to Shana and the others that she brought along her artwork to commingle with the star designer's portfolio of fashions. Eric huffed and puffed and blew his top, while Pizzazz quipped that he'd been duped. The situation didn't sit right with Zipper. Was he having an off day?! Was he not at the top of his game?! Whatever problem he had, he made sure not to dwell on it for too long because his second attempt was moments away and it required his lengthy rope and duffel bag, both of which he carefully packed. The goof then hoofed over to Countess Danielle du Voisin's palazzo, where Shana was staying, to burglarize her estate by hoisting himself to the top of the building, shimmying down through the skylight to grab all four outfits, then pulling himself back up again to the top of the roof. On his way back to the hotel, he covered a wide stretch of ground while grimacing madly with an ego the size of Alcatraz. The thought of getting away with such a pricey task of smash-n-grab was almost too exciting for his heart to handle. So one can only imaging how he felt when he realized that all of his hard work put forth was for nothing, and it was all on account of the Misfits who, in the end, lost the contest to Jem and her fab sisters. However, the excursion didn't turn out so bad for Eric whose trip to Italy was actually considered an overdue vacation. And with the large bonus Zipper received from his boss, he used half the money for tickets to Huey Lewis & the News' ‘86 concert tour. I do believe that's what you call a win-win lol! Barely a month had gone by “In Search of the Stolen Album”, and he was overcome with a strong desire to commit a crime. The timing couldn't have been better, either, because Eric needed assistance with gaining possession of Jem and the Holograms' master tape for their chart-topping smash hit, “There's a Melody Playing”, so that the Misfits could dub their own lyrics over the melody and bump them off the charts. Since his recent court case was still pending, Zipper was forced to operate incognito. So, once again, he threw on his hooded sweatsuit and sprinted over to Eric's low rent shack where he climbed through the window while ducking under a set of trashy blinds to find the self-proclaimed record producer sleeping on a flee-infested sofa! After Eric awoke from a deep slumber, he explained the lowdown on what he needed, and added that there would be a generous bonus cash reward for stealing the tape. Zipper's eyes circled swiftly like two slot machines, and with his lucky lasso wrapped around his body, he rolled like dice across town to Starlight Music Studios where he leaped through the back window, clicked on his flashlight, rustled the master tape, along with a pile of sheet music, dumped everything in his satchel, then vamoosed! Big, bad Pizzazz thought she covered her tracks, but Jem sure hit her where it hurt the most by driving to Flash Recording Studios and switching their master tapes. Shortly after, four major record companies were in line to hear the Misfits' so-called new album at a press conference inside Gabor Mansion, but the tape Jem replaced earlier that day was with a recording for French lessons instead. The false feeling of confidence was high and heavy in that room, but, after several interviews with the media, and posing for the cameras, the Misfits were left standing in disgrace lol! The cash bonus was enough to boast about to his fellow thugs, but to avoid additional charges and the slammer, Zipper quickly zipped out of sight. Another crime that he so proudly brags about occurred during “Hot Time in Hawaii”, when he trained the Misfits in the art of cheating for the Battle of the Music Stars competition, in Honolulu. Zipper promised the Misfits that they wouldn't have to do anything LEGAL to prepare for the contest. And that was the precise moment when he unveiled the special equipment he rigged for each Misfit, beginning with his first secret weapon: an electromagnetic switch on the handlebar of Roxy's bike that controlled a sharp drill from inside the spokes of her tires! He then supplied Pizzazz with a flexible, spring-poppin' pole that would catapult her as high as a palm tree for her pole vault competition. And Stormer was provided a pair of track shoes with booster springs attached to the outsoles. His dirtiest trick, however, went down during Kimber's swim practice in the ocean, when he attacked her with a fake metal shark that he controlled from the beach. He needed to keep her from competing in the freestyle and backstroke events, which she was sure to win, but he preferred wiping her clean out of the competition all together. So he cranked up the power on his controller and chased the talented keyboardist through the water, almost devouring her with his dangerous contraption! When she survived his test, he then turned to his usual hands-on approach by kidnapping her and placing her inside a live volcano! Back on the field, the crowd was treated to the Misfits' performance of prolific achievements in each event, but the entertainers slowly lost their grip during the tug of war competition, when Jem, Kimber and Shana gained leverage of the rope and sent them belly-flopping into the mud where they surfaced looking like three mini Chewbaccas lol! Zipper sensed trouble and began to haul a**, but before he knew it, he was tackled by the Holograms' training coach, Steve, and suffered a one-two straight to the face before taking a header into the mud bath with his three glamazons. More trouble awaited the four bamboozlers at the athletics office, where the Misfits were disqualified for cheating, and Zipper was apprehended and carted off to jail for kidnapping! Why Rio never snatched him by the throat early in the series beats the hell out of me. What I find most shocking, though, is the fact that he never appeared on America's Most Wanted, along with Clash lol! The most treacherous incidental character in Jem, bar none! However, it's a well-known fact that the incidental characters in the show are all very important to the story, each equipped with personality, emotion, and an overall purpose for existing. And when it comes to every incidental character who has EVER appeared in Jem, this monster here stands heads above the crowd, and that's no compliment! But again, every character is special in his/her own way and have all etched their mark in Jem history. Unfortunately, in this case, my sentiment does not exclude careered criminals. Having said that, I will go on record and admit that Zipper is absolutely essential to Jem! Not only was he present during the first season, but he was the sole reason for Jem's jump from small estate to the luxurious, mega Starlight Mansion. Now, while it's safe to say that he will not receive any accolades for his vile behavior anytime soon, there's one reasonable question that remains: Could he be considered the inner core of the show? After all, Zipper represents three important elements to Jem: action, adventure, and death-defying danger! He sure seems to cover the action-packed aspect all on his own, and his resumé (hit list) speaks for itself.

 

Zipper was never planned during the heyday of Jem, so it's real nice to have him now! Even though he has a limited bio and only appeared in a handful of episodes, I still feel that Integrity could have chosen a few dangerous items that he carries in the show and incorporated them with this set. That's my only problem with this doll and his set, there's not enough to go by, and it feels rather bland! On the other side of the token, I'm floored at the sight of him. Give me flocked black hair any day! It worked for Anthony Julian, and it works for Zipper as well. Initially, I was excited about his new face sculpt, so excited, in fact, that I keep lifting him up near my eyes to closely examine the details. His outfit surprised me from day one: black leather moto jacket with his trademark logo on the back, which is a great surprise! For myself, I'd say that the style of the pockets and the zipper (both wrists included) are my favorite features! Hell, just the fact that he actually has a black leather jacket excites me! Add his tight, white “grease lightning” Hanes teeshirt and blue Levi 501 denim jeans to the mix and you have a cross between Danny and Kenickie from Rydell High lol! Zipper's second outfit is a dark blue sweatsuit used for more suitable occasions, like ducking, diving, running, rolling, or rope-climbing up and down the glass structure of Starlight Music. And to do this successfully, he tightens the laces on his shiny black combat boots, provided inside, and wraps them three times around the boot itself in double knots. Integrity added a pair of dark socks with slippery material to make it easier when squeezing his feet inside his rugged footwear, because it's no easy task—believe that! Everything's perfect with this set. Having said that, I'm still in shock at the absence of his accessories! Sorry, but one item is bogus for a doll like this. Sure, the black rope was a nice addition, but a rather typical choice. Integrity's Design Team would have been better off throwing all caution to the wind and going BIG with his accessories, say, a set of binoculars, ransom note, floor plans and escape plans, or a flashlight, grappling hook, spiked bat, 2X4 of wood, gasoline can...oops, did I hint at too many bright ideas?!

 

In all honesty, I am extremely happy to see this man in doll form. No more pondering what he'd look like as a fashion doll because the real deal is here and he's fire! Zipper was one out of a few dolls on my wish list that I considered crucial to the entire doll line and, after the debut of Graphix, I was confident that he'd see the light of day. Besides, within the world of Jem, the villains are just as important as their rivals. So, despite his shortcomings, and record-breaking rap sheet, I'm honored to welcome this felon into my Jem and the Holograms/Misfits doll collection! ☠

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

{Portraits without series get pointless stories without ends}

 

‘I was surprised, I was happy for a day, in 1975’

 

It's 2am on a Friday night. I’m in a dingy corner of a dingy nightclub, sweat is dripping from the walls, the DJ is playing the 4th interminable Belle and Sebastian track of the night and worst of all, my beer is broken. What I want to be is drunk and somewhere else instead of here and sober. No, what I want to be is very drunk and anywhere else rather than this sweaty wee room that is trying to pass itself off as a den of iniquity.

 

I’m crouched in this corner alone. My friends are either engrossed in conversations with people I don’t know and don’t care to know or are bopping their schmindie little bops on the crowded dance floor. God knows how they do it. There is a time and a place for such music but the pulse and sway of a late night crowd is not. So, as I said, I’m sitting alone, in silence, staring at this malfunctioning beverage and wondering why I come to this god awful club week after week after week.

 

My flat being just across the road is one reason. What else? Well, my friends seem to enjoy it and if I’m honest with myself, I have some flawed hope that repetition of deed will engender some soggy form of camaraderie between me and them. It’s been a while since I’ve felt that buzz of ownership, of belonging to anything. Gone are the days of linking arms with friends and foes alike, of climbing on the stage to whirl in abandon to the force of my favourite new tune.

 

Sadly, for the umpteenth night, I feel nothing of the sort. I feel the opposite if I’m honest. The more often I come here and the more familiar the faces become, the more profoundly I feel that stolid lump of sadness swell up in my chest. I so want to be part of all of this. I so want to feel my feet crashing down on that dance floor, to see nothing but those flashing lights and dry ice, to hear nothing more than that next, wonderful tune. But I can’t. I don’t feel it and I can never lose myself in it. So instead I sit here in my sodden corner wondering where else on this world I could possibly go.

 

Home is always an option. Or at least it would be if those grey walls and quiet rooms didn’t provide such a dank welcome. It doesn’t matter if I’m there alone or if she comes around, it’s been a while since it felt like an escape or even a home. So instead I sit here, spinning out my weekends like some sad sack character from a Smiths tune. Back turned on the crowd, my eyes fixed on the floor and my head tuning it all out to nothing.

 

‘I’m going to write the song, that makes Israel and Palestine get along’

 

From the outside, Glasgow has this great indie scene. Every year at least one group stumble together a collection of songs that have nothing to do with the Glasgow I know and send them spinning across the world. Mogwai, Belle and Sebastian, Camera Obscura, The Twilight Sad, The Phantom Band, Franz Ferdinand, The Vaselines, Frightened Rabbit and on goes the list. It's commendable and I would never change it, but I do wonder how and why I have come to float around on its periphery. This nightclub is where the indie kids come for their weekly baptism of sweat and beer. This is where the collaborations are formed and the big boys, the ones that made it, can come to switch off from the wider world.

 

Here is a place where everybody knows your name, and yes, they are always glad you came, if only so they can feel that frisson of dancing to a Franz Ferdinand track with someone from the very same band. Here is where people aren’t just friends, they’re band mates. They are gangs and groups of knowing, oddly smug scenesters who know that, if they can just nail that elusive tune, that the roads outside are paved with tweed, chord and fanzine adulation.

 

‘What do I get, ohoooohoh, what do I get?’

 

The thing is though, I don't write songs, I can't play guitar and am the sprawling embodiment of arrhythmic. My musical ambition stretches to learning all the words to Wichita Lineman and maybe, just maybe, getting into jazz. What’s more, my hair is bluntly drab and lacks the irksome foppish flop that is in permanent fashion. And as for my clothes, well, I own a few chord jackets and have been known to frequent second hand shops from time to time but let’s just say that I have no intention of ensnaring what I consider vital organs into jeans that cling quite so tight.

 

Yet here I am, once again suffering a night in the National Pop League. It's the cities prima indie club where the wannabes and the never will be’s strut their swaying strut alongside the already made it. This tiny room with its bar queue and its sweating walls is the fizzing catalyst for all that spins out of this city in the way of music and song. Here is a club so full of emoting young writers and sensitive new guitar heroes that if you cut the power I swear you would here the quiet hum of a hundred unwritten songs, each one gestating inside their genteel new parent’s mind quietly waiting for the right person to unlock that particularly Glasgow combination of fop and rock from it’s unsung shackles.

 

‘Stay out super late tonight, picking apples, making pie’

 

I have no problem with this world. I admire it in a way. Here in this sweaty old social club, happy, like minded people congregate to sweat and sway their night away. What is it to me if they seek out individuality with a myriad of slanting, awkward fringes that all look the bloody same. Where is the harm if the room is packed with a prosaic parade of vintage clothes and tweed under-wear? No, there is no harm in any of this. I’ve already said that if I could lose myself in it, that this would be a moment of some not inconsiderable joy.

 

After all, here is a ready made world of make believe. Of big smiles when you see your little friends. Of cheering when your mate’s band get a gig. Of working behind the bar while you wait for your big break and of knowing where the party is without ever being told.

 

That’s the story anyway. Sometimes though, if you look closely enough, if you maybe catch a sly glance in a sweaty mirror or see a momentary drop of someone’s sensitive demeanour, that’s when you see a world where inspiration has been replaced by aspiration. The door, for this generation at least, was opened by Belle and Sebastian, Camera Obscura and Mogwai. Behind them the rest are forming a disorderly queue.

 

‘Dance, dance, dance to the radio’

 

From my corner, I see a lot of this. I watch the interactions and the mingling out there. At its best, it looks like stilted posing, at its worst; you watch the horror that is a networking session for the indie crowd.

 

Tonight I’m feeling especially bitter. Maybe it’s this defiant pint and it’s ineffective alcohol content, or maybe it’ sitting here watching all the jolly japes that pass for fun in here. Why don’t they see that this is a snide labyrinth of cliques and groups? What I see are people who profess to be sensitive and open minded who wander around in a politely vicious world of sniping and backbiting. I see all those girls who flirt with cold eyes and all those guys who flash you sharp smiles while they wait patiently to **** your friend.

 

It's a veneer I can't help but want to snap every time I see it, but what's the point? It's there, it's harmless and after all, I chose to be here. And anyway, if I could climb beneath its protective cover, wouldn’t I do just that? I’ve sought comfort in other patterns and places, I’ve sought comfort from the stability of her but it’s not enough. It’s never enough.

 

‘Trudging slowly over wet sand’

 

The third Morrissey track of the evening comes on. Have you ever tried to dance to the likes of 'Suedehead'? I have and it’s hell. Whatever innate sense of beat that lies within us all rebels against the jangling, verbose outpourings of our bequiffed hero and you find yourself jerking across the floor looking all the world like a drunk mannequin.

 

Tonight of all nights I’m even less inclined to repeat this feat. I'm tired. Very tired, and Mr Morrissey is not the man to shift my bones of an early morning. My eyes sag with grit and weight. My face, even in the pallid disco lights is pale and drawn. I used to be able to sit through the most drawn out nights with a ready made smile and a fidgeting sense of fun. Not in here and not tonight. It's starting to feel like I've grown old, or at least grown out of all of this. I look around me. The dance floor still bops to that polite beat, the sweat that lines the room now marks everyone's brow and all around me. These people are laughing, happily and cynically lost on the other side of the veneer. Well, everyone apart from her that is.

 

‘Maybe lily does the Astro’

 

She has been looking at me all night. Looking but never smiling. If I was being more accurate, I would say she had been staring with an aggressive scowl. Surveying both me and the rest of this room with a cynicism I can relate to all too readily. I meet her eye for a moment and try to express some level of communion about our shared disdain for this night. She looks away and frowns some more and with that I am locked into the inescapable rules of attraction. She doesn’t want me and thus, I must have her.

 

I shift my seat slightly and shout some mind clogging line about the music. Befitting the low rate comedy I’ve just shat out of my mouth she raises an eyebrow, looks me up and down with her dark eyes and sighs. I grab for my pint and swill some more of it down my mouth. It’s part sweat, part beer and all warm by now but all previous insults are off, I need it’s help.

 

‘Come on, come on, you think you drive me crazy’

 

What would I have done before, on a good night? Before I became a corner hugging bore? Would I have gone up to talk to her again? Would I f*ck, that’s suicide of the pride that is. I’ve never, ever chosen the shuffling sacrifice of ego that is trying to dance with a girl, that’s the post nuclear option I felt the need for a more effective beer, or beers or a cold, straight vodka. The 30 person bar queue meant this was unlikely to be implemented before closing time. . I sat back defeated.

 

Us Scottish lads, for all our noise and flustered bluster are shy types deep down. Just at the beginning of this night some of us had gathered together to agree which girls we were definitely too frightened to speak to. A shameless show I admit, but better the companionship of the pathetic than the solitude of a romantic kicking.

 

It's an odd thing though, I’ve never really needed to do the chasing, in the past I've usually relied upon (and rarely been let down by) the 'let them come to you' strategy. I would claim with no ego to be of reasonable attractiveness and too many years in my sisters company meant that I project well as the elusive understanding, sensitive male. For reasons that remain baffling, there was always a certain kind of girl who would fall for this. The more you outlined that you genuinely weren't interested in shallow liaisons, the more they would crave one with you. I can't claim to have the highest success ratio in town, but this odd combination of effete conversation and semi-celibate announcements had more benefits than negatives.

 

All of that though was before the fall out that has dogged me this past year. That was back then before I had these lines on my face and bad thoughts in my mind. These days that easy chat and subtle shifting of melancholy eyes which made such a heady mix has been replaced by stultifying mundane blathering and the genuinely scary twitches of sadness that rippled across my face. My chest is too laden down with the recent past to allow me the air needed to leaven conversation with jokes and quiet questions.

  

‘I’m calling your name, don’t let me blow up or honk it all up’

 

So here I am, in this club I don’t like with these people I can’t stand trying for no reason to communicate with this girl I don’t know.

 

I sink back into my corner to consider my loss. Not just her, but all of this. I have to decide when all this light and noise just stopped meaning something to me. Maybe I have to admit to myself that I just don't get lost in music the way I did before, I just don't have the energy to chase or be chased by a girl and worst of all, whatever it was that once made me attractive was gone. I’ve grown so ugly, in outlook and in looks and I never ever noticed. I’m little more than a staid, worn down nobody in a comfortable rut that can no longer lose himself in the simplest of pleasures. Now I am nowhere and it’s now.

 

Is this how it happens? One day you're something, the next nothing? Have I really become tired of life and tired in looks? Grown so ugly and I never even noticed.

 

‘Oooooohhhhhaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhah!

 

'You look tired' it’s her! She is sitting right across from me, speaking to me. Her harsh look still unwavering, but there she was, sitting right across from me.

 

'Yeh, I'm pretty tired, I guess' is my coruscating opening line. Brilliant, fucking brilliant, I am the great seducer, watch me work.

 

'I think it looks sexy’ she says and with a straight face. I think she means it. I am staring back at her, it is all I can do.

 

‘I like men who look like that, worn out, tired. It turns me on'. She looks into my eyes with what I hope is intent and then sits back.

 

Saying nothings seems better than any of the below par drivel that is whirling through my mind. I shall swig my beer, an act that could be construed as cool defiance if my hand hadn't started shaking. She is slouching coolly in her chair as insouciant as they come, but her leg moves across until it is gently touching mine. Her scowl continues to scan the room but it never falls on me anymore.

 

I know what she is seeing, I see the same thing. The DJ plays the Hidden Cameras 'Smells like Happiness' and I want to sing, I want to sing so fucking loudly that I'll drown out the PA. I may have grown so ugly in so many ways, but as long as she's sitting there, as long as that song is playing and as long as this beer is going down as well as this, I've still got something to smile about.

 

I look around the room once again. People are dancing to the tune, singing to the whooping, wailing chorus without a care. Sweat drips from the mirror ball and onto their faces, sweat drips down my forehead and into my tired, vibrant eyes. There is so much wrong with what is about to happen. Tonight is a night that should not happen, she is someone I should move away from but, I can’t. Or to speak honestly, I won’t. Here and now is where those grey rooms gain some lustre, here is where I feel the beat of the music again, here is where I decide that I will reach out for a girl who is not and should not be mine. Here and now is where I know that I have grown so ugly in so many ways, and in this glowing moment, it feels so good.

   

68/365

 

Guess I can't keep using Illinois driving habits now that I'm back in good old BFE, Wisconsin. I've been stopped twice this month- but both the Omar (Sheriff/Sharif- get it?) and the Trooper let me off with a warning. And no, I don't bat my eyelashes or give a sob story. I just honestly admit how fast I was actually going when they ask if I know why I was pulled over and apologize politely for not following the regulations.

 

I actually used to be a fairly lawful and obedient driver until I spent about a year and a half living in the Chicago area. After I moved back to Wisconsin, I started getting terrible feelings of road rage dealing with slow drivers and getting upset that people here actually slow down for yellow lights and follow speed limits. The worst culprits are minvans of any make and Buicks- guaranteed to piss me off. The list of fake rules and driving habits below actually seemed to be followed pretty closely by drivers in Chicago city proper and suburbs from what I witnessed.

 

Driving in Illinois: Basic Rules (Kids- don't try these at home... save them for your visit to Chi-town!)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

1. Turn signals will give away your next move. A real Illinois driver never uses them.

2. Under no circumstances should you leave a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, or the space will be filled in by somebody else putting you in an even more dangerous situation.

3. Crossing two or more lanes in a single lane-change is considered going with the flow.

4. The faster you drive through a red light, the smaller the chance you have of getting hit.

5. Never, ever come to a complete stop at a stop sign. No one expects it and it will inevitably result in you being rear ended. If you want your insurance company to pay for a new rear bumper, come to a complete stop at all stop signs.

6. A right lane construction closure is just a game to see how many people can cut in line by passing you on the right as you sit in the left lane waiting for the same jerks to squeeze their way back in before hitting the orange construction barrels.

7. Never get in the way of an older car that needs extensive bodywork. Illinois is a no-fault insurance state and the other guy doesn't have anything to lose.

8. Braking is to be done as hard and late as possible to ensure that your ABS kicks in, giving a nice, relaxing foot massage as the brake pedal pulsates. For those of you without ABS, it's a chance to stretch your legs.

9. Never pass on the left when you can pass on the right. It's a good way to scare people entering the highway.

10. Speed limits are arbitrary figures, given only as suggestions and are apparently not enforceable in Illinois during rush hour.

11. Just because you're in the left lane and have no room to speed up or move over doesn't mean that a Illinois driver flashing his high beams behind you doesn't think he can go faster in your spot.

12. Please remember that there is no such thing as a shortcut during rush-hour traffic in Illinois.

13. Always slow down and rubberneck when you see an accident or even someone changing a tire.

14. Learn to swerve abruptly. Illinois is the home of high-speed slalom driving thanks to the State Highway Department, which puts potholes in key locations to test drivers' reflexes and keep them on their toes.

15. It is traditional in Illinois to honk your horn at cars that don't move the instant the light changes.

16. Never take a green light at face value. Always look right and left before proceeding.

17. Remember that the goal of every Illinois driver is to get there first, by whatever means necessary.

 

(No wonder we call 'em FIBs here...) ;)

 

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

1. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/409125844/, 2. View from steering wheel, 3. Presence knob, 4. First picture ever (by Everet), 5. Hotel sign, 6. Rusty screw, 7. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/401444446/, 8. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/401301239/, 9. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/401300386/, 10. Cars on freeway, 11. Freeway post-crash, 12. Staircase puddle, 13. Round Table Robert, 14. Downtown L.A. sunset afar, 15. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/393452144/, 16. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/391759360/, 17. Plymouth, 18. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/389910392/, 19. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/388828818/, 20. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/387659259/

1. Rose droplets, 2. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/430075267/, 3. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/428984025/, 4. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/427719926/, 5. In-N-Out 4x2 macro, 6. Table at the Magic Lamp, 7. Follow the red brick road, 8. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/422726520/, 9. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/421818891/, 10. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/420759081/, 11. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/419742561/, 12. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/418543058/, 13. Transparent laptop, 14. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/417190624/, 15. Where's the tree?, 16. Joshua Tree Video Wall, 17. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/413721382/, 18. Car-fixing-white-haired Hippie Man, 19. Hi Ho Market, 20. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/409281502/

1. Gavin head shaking, 2. Boat tie, 3. Brent the lifeguard sunset, 4. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/451887288/, 5. April shower bring... April flowers?, 6. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/449743942/, 7. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/448055578/, 8. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/446860366/, 9. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/445824822/, 10. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/444595638/, 11. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/443179373/, 12. Star Trails (round 1), 13. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/441126374/, 14. Bike ride, 15. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/438310463/, 16. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/437210611/, 17. Joshua Tree Contact Sheet, 18. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/435709557/, 19. Rainy sphere, 20. Horse statue, miniature

1. Joshua Tree Video Wall, 2. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/413721382/, 3. Car-fixing-white-haired Hippie Man, 4. Hi Ho Market, 5. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/409281502/, 6. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/409125844/, 7. View from steering wheel, 8. Presence knob, 9. First picture ever (by Everet), 10. Hotel sign, 11. Rusty screw, 12. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/401444446/, 13. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/401301239/, 14. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/401300386/, 15. Cars on freeway, 16. Freeway post-crash, 17. Staircase puddle, 18. Round Table Robert, 19. Downtown L.A. sunset afar, 20. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/393452144/, 21. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/391759360/, 22. Plymouth, 23. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/389910392/, 24. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/388828818/, 25. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/387659259/

 

1. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/443179373/, 2. Star Trails (round 1), 3. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/441126374/, 4. Bike ride, 5. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/438310463/, 6. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/437210611/, 7. Joshua Tree Contact Sheet, 8. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/435709557/, 9. Rainy sphere, 10. Horse statue, miniature, 11. Rose droplets, 12. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/430075267/, 13. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/428984025/, 14. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/427719926/, 15. In-N-Out 4x2 macro, 16. Table at the Magic Lamp, 17. Follow the red brick road, 18. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/422726520/, 19. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/421818891/, 20. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/420759081/, 21. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/419742561/, 22. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/418543058/, 23. Transparent laptop, 24. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/417190624/, 25. Where's the tree?

 

1. Allie, 2. Reflections and Flames, 3. Old guy with a leather vest on a large motorcycle, 4. Red Palm Trees, 5. Isabelle framed, 6. Soul, 7. Cloudy Nightfall, 8. Twenty, 9. Looking through the glass, 10. Really, really big pipes, 11. Color Wonder, 12. Drum kit I Spy, 13. Money dancing groom, 14. Eye Shadow, 15. Andy at Salle's Paint and Body Shop, 16. Gavin head shaking, 17. Boat tie, 18. Brent the lifeguard sunset, 19. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/451887288/, 20. April shower bring... April flowers?, 21. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/449743942/, 22. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/448055578/, 23. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/446860366/, 24. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/445824822/, 25. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/444595638/

 

1. in the wind, 2. DoF poles, 3. Wet outdoor furniture, 4. Congratulations graduates, 5. ONE bowl of food, 6. #2, 7. Los Angeles Riverbed, 8. Titanium Apple, 9. Birthday candle action, 10. Bubbles, 11. I wear dark sunglasses..., 12. Clocks in the Twilight Zone, 13. Rooftop abstracts, 14. The carpool lane is my friend, 15. Make like a tree, and get outta here., 16. Lots of dots, 17. Class of 2007, 18. Trevor: up close and personal, 19. iPod + laptop = love, 20. A can for... what?, 21. Before the carnival, 22. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/479472667/, 23. Red zone gutter, 24. Portland Saturday Market Hammer, 25. towel rack self-portrait

 

1. GQ Junior, 2. Checking out, 3. Backyard Skunk, 4. Featured Fan, 5. Garden of Radishes, 6. Slow Shutter Isa, 7. Corner pocket, 8. Bob Dylan books, 9. The Mall, 10. We Bake Our Own, 11. A Sign of the Times, 12. Arches, 13. Spangled, 14. Crawly bug (caterpillar?), 15. Honda Center Watch Party, 16. iLongExposure, 17. Eject!, 18. Forks, forks, forks, 19. 99 years, 20. Tuning keys, 21. Erick in Red, 22. I Spy big TV, 23. BMX, 24. Nav, 25. Angel waiter

 

1. Scavenger Hunt x2, 2. Slide Show, 3. Web of life, 4. Show me the ring, 5. Danny polka dots, 6. Dusty, 7. Groom and best man, 8. The proposal, 9. Long exposure flashes, 10. Bass case, 11. Nikon Speedlight, 12. Thai Town, 13. Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, 14. Francis, meet my new flash, 15. Passing violins, 16. Industrial Fire, 17. Inside the Union Pacific, 18. My photography books, 19. Fake candle chandelier, 20. Shadow dice, 21. All you can drink?, 22. Strange empty freeway, 23. This way to the beach, 24. Staircase silhouette, 25. Sunday Drive

 

1. Spring time, 2. small town brick road, 3. Harbor bird, 4. Hay, 5. Choose the green door, 6. Spaghetti contrast, 7. Manhole in the back, 8. Car wash, 9. Stained glass, 10. Carrots from the garden, 11. Hollywood from above, 12. Elephant macro, 13. Spotlight, 14. Gate, 15. Rosewood, 16. Walkway, 17. My summer "vacation", 18. Hollywood parking, 19. flickr.com/photos/98274023@N00/849328944/, 20. Pool, 21. Jumping, 22. Condiments, 23. 3CCD, 24. Photo Booth Mosaic, 25. Empty bed

 

1. L.A. Galaxy confetti, 2. Wild Sunflower, 3. Little feet, 4. Labor, 5. Steamroller, 6. Oversize, 7. It's what on the inside that counts, 8. Veil, 9. Element, 10. Mac & Cheese, 11. This holds the barrels together, 12. Point, 13. Balboa, 14. Pedal, 15. The Office, 16. Go, 17. Confidential, 18. Central Coast, 19. Relic, 20. SLO Creek, 21. Harbor, 22. Ode to Wayne, 23. Worn, 24. Climbing Point Dume, 25. SLO crowd

 

1. Dirty nighttime windshield, 2. Shopping center, 3. the edge of the house thing, 4. Being Bill Malkovich, 5. The drinking fountain, 6. Stop and smell the palm trees, 7. Half moon (not the bay), 8. Cycling, 9. Evolution of a Shoe, 10. Civic minded, 11. Razr portrait, 12. Lifeguard (not) on Duty, 13. Blu-ray notes, 14. Min, 15. Why did the peahen cross the road?, 16. I cannot tell a lie, 17. Night doors, 18. Swing, 19. Hollywood Lines, 20. Concrete smoke, 21. Activate orange, 22. Red wall and a Rose Parade elevator, 23. SD800IS, 24. Guitar shelf forged of silver, 25. Nikon D70s

 

1. Blues Before Sunrise, 2. Halloween fan, 3. Bulldozer in traffic, 4. Load the dishwasher, 5. joshua radin singing, 6. Glowing frisbee of awe, 7. a translucent purple flower, 8. Shingles, 9. Outdoor furniture, 10. Behind the scene, 11. cup, 12. Heroes, 13. zebra, 14. Push for Service, 15. post-its, 16. I saw it, 17. Basin, 18. Fingers, 19. DoF pages, 20. Irwindale church, 21. EQ, 22. Depth, 23. Whiffle, 24. Post, 25. the sky is actually falling

 

1. Orange arch, 2. A calm drive, 3. Corner, 4. Rainbow, 5. Breaker, breaker, 6. Intersection, 7. pwr, 8. Lines of power, 9. Funny cars, 10. color wheel, 11. 15 pink erasers, 12. Eye eye captain, 13. 30th, 14. Case, 15. Glass, 16. Leaning Tower of Diet Mountain Dew, 17. bus, 18. Night sky, 19. Hinge, 20. Hops, 21. Hangar doors, 22. Walkway, 23. Hindsight, 24. fire in the sky, 25. Mars

 

1. 365, 2. sptlgt, 3. Photo op a la Wal Mart, 4. Palatte, 5. I've got the whole..., 6. Foothills at the 57, 7. Heartlight, 8. Evening Star, 9. Race car driver, 10. Mic, 11. Christmastime Carbs, 12. comprehend., 13. Apple TV, 14. Pedro's Taco, 15. Four leaf clover desktop, 16. Profile of a double double, 17. Bike ride, 18. Down the aisle, 19. Orange and brown, 20. Learning Curve, 21. Blu-Ray stuff, 22. Bridge, 23. money, 24. Kenny, 25. Dew'd

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

Thursday, August 24, 2006

 

Snakes on a Plane starring: Samuel L. Jackson

 

Aight, so I went to watch the Snakes on a Plane today. Everyone... literally speaking, was raving about this movie. IMDB rating 8.2/10 with over 11k votes. That's pretty impressive for a B movie like this one. Apparently they had some funky marketing campaign for this movie that attracted a lot of hype. Something about a personal cellphone message from the man himself, Samuel L. Jackson... for the past couple of weeks. Anyways... on to the review...

 

If they had to rename this movie it would have to be: “Snakes On Crack” (A very funny quote that Jackson made during the movie), in a very literal sense (just like "Snakes On a Plane" is). Jackson put on his "A" game for this movie, and should be commended for his performance. Reading the title... one might not expect too much from the movie. I sure as hell didn't... When I came out... I was totally surprised.

 

The story itself is all layed out to you in the title... Duh!!! hahaha... But it's new one... You've probably seen some movies with terrorists, ghosts and crazy people on a plane... But snakes??? Come on... you gotta hand it to them for coming up with such an original idea! I was expecting a lot of laughs, I got that and more!

 

To be honest with you, this movie freaked me out... Snakes freak me out... Hell, I'd chuck all my camera gear at these snakes if I were on that plane... There were plenty of in your face out of no where snake scenes, that'll make you jump out of your seat. It was that freaky. Along with these freaky moments, there were plenty of scenes of pure humor. Like the couple that were bangin' in the restroom... The flight attendants were listening and stuff... Little did they know the oooo aaaa eeee aaaa's and the banging on the restroom door were not of pleasure, but they were actually cries of pain from being bitten by a kazillion exotic poisonous snakes! While the flight attendants were listening to them, one of them said "Oh this guy is really good...", then when the snakes finally let off the couple and the bangin' and screaming stops... she says "Oh, I guess he's not that good..." I think the whole theatre bursted out in laughter for that scene... You'd have to watch it, to fully appreciate the humor... Oh oh and the guy that goes to the restoom and pee's on a snake... urgh lez just say... he got bitten or shall a say sucked by a snake in the most private part of a man's body... I think this dude got the worst of all the snake bites in the movie... hahahaha oh man that's just wrong... hahah ooo... I can't stop laughing ^____^ Even during these humorous scenes, the directors managed to keep the movie reasonably serious and didn't let the humor take over the actual story.

 

The movie gets an A+++ for being geniune, however I was not impressed by the visual effects of this movie. I think 95% of the snakes in this movie were CG and you could tell they were fake... So you might be dissappointed if you're going to watch the movie for the snakes... BUT, that doesn't mean they weren't freaky... They were still 101% freaky, believe me I had my fair share of yelling "HOLY $#@!" during the movie, just like everyone else in the theatre.

 

Was it worth the hype? Tough question, can't really answer that... But I can tell you that I felt I got my $9.50 worth.

 

My rating for this movie: 3.5/5.

 

P.S. After the movie, I was subject to a random drive-by flashing by a couple of gurlies, when I was walking to my car har har har... Crazy white people... -___-

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

October 2008

 

Discipline yourself so no one else has to.

 

Rules can't take the place of character.

 

www.flickr.com/photos/31246478@N06/

 

uh owh...um wrong date for Justin Cruz? was it in August or this month? I apologize...radio and tv I tell yeow!!! and Ron Mizutani aka Farrington New Hope...October 15th? Happy Bday my favorite News Steh shen KHON2...muahz 2 allz 4 me thanx ={)

 

Let us clear our throats...cough3, gag3, ralf3 n all yo evil peepoz faces... ;) heh heh heh

 

Haffeh Burfdei 2 yeoo!!! woowh!!!

Yeoo live N Duh Zeoo!!! woowh!!!

U L@@K like Juan Monkeh!!!! woowh!!!

N yeoo shmell like Juan Toe!!! woowh!!!

 

Jus Kidding, Haffah good Juan wit all yo family and frenz...n let dem all b positive Y 10-Q

 

As 4 all that who has passed....respect the passed, therefore, never b 4goten!!!!

 

N eh booh tay eye missed? so sorreh...pah leez 4give me...tanx ah...Levi Suzuki in PA

 

October 1

Dawn (LaRosa) and Landon Tafaoa Wed'n Annie 2001HPD Owh seh fers

Frank Madriz leaves the island for 2 weeks

Dinner with my kids and their daddy in Ewa Beach

Hangout with Wes Flores =)

 

October 2

Rochelle (Costales) Querubin Dynamic 88 Ypahu High School Bday

Take Mom to the Couple Lei Social Security Office

Hang out with Wes Flores little bit

 

Thanx Jaren Alika Tabuyo Lopes for your bike to Dean2. He loves it =) Muah ={)

 

Thanx Felisity Noelani Boys for your small clothing for Hunter =) she loves it too =) Muah ={)

 

Thanx Richie Gage Gabres for your legos and army men for Dean2 =) he loves it too

 

2 D Lost WWW...someone elses trash maybe someon else's treasure. get it? got it? great. don't grumble...be humble!!! don't hate...appreciate!!! butt hate what IZ evil and cling on to all thing good!

 

October 3

Last day to order Hooded Jackets from Ewa Beach Elementary School. Sorry kids, mommy no moa mullahz....next time...owh...thanx Daddy Dean1 for buying our son and daughter's Hooded Jackets =) butt no thanx to ur offer of a quickie...I don't do those Y thank you. And kids will be home by 7am tomorrow

 

Hangout with Wes Flores and Family =) heh heh heh...Nyse family I might add =)

 

October 4

2005 Flashback any KCCN FM100 DJz? Let me refresh all yallz memory...Juiced prize from Billy V $250 Mystery DJ was Lina Girl. I won the prize before even guessing her name...hee hee hee..thanx! You got any more? My mom getting all nutts cause she paying all my bills. Not my fault you all when turn evil on me. God sed to cling on to all things good and hate what IZ evil so there....N all yo evil mockers faces LMAO. owh and um jus' replay that juiced tape KCCN FM100 Cox Steh shen...heh heh heh..."R U related 2 N E Cox @$$0$#!7?" Me sed not yet...heh heh heh....have a great day allz...and shannon scott called a week or 2 later from his cell (808) 275-suh n to my verizon cell at that time about what day we can start picking up our prizes....Billy V (105.1 Hawn Kine) and Shannon Scott (KCCN/FM100) still talking o'wut? per Ivan Sanches aka Shannon Scott's cousin on HomeGrownHawaii.com only when deh work 2gether...Lie or Truth? N Eh Hu....have a great day allz!!! ... n wut t-shirt? d pro bowl juan? where's my mnmz ladat kine kuzez =p didn't I say sharing IZ caring? hhhmmm...Camp Wizzard of Lour Cox and Hellton evil mockers? Sorry, I'm booked LMAO =O

 

UH (32) against Fresno State (29)...owh Royal Makani...u still N Fresno? Alice was its? www.alice967.com/pages/makani.html Miss U ... Muah ={) U still getting MySpace Messages from the McKeague Gyrls? Jus wundrn...88s...butt flashbax 4 u Makani www.midweek.com/content/spotted/image_full/6927/ and www.flickr.com/photos/25451821@N06/

www.midweek.com/content/spotted/image_full/6922/

 

Hangout with Wes after Ohana day. Moanalua Gardens and drive to the North Shore til we had to turn around. God will take care. Watched "Lakeside Terrace"

 

October 5

Cinderella got locked out of the house 3:30am in the morning and 10pm at night by her step-mother LOL thanx nephew Richie Gage Gabres for unlocking the top lock muah ={) I was hanging out with Wes Thank you!!!! Watched "Eagle Eye"

 

radiobigboy.com/

RadioBigBoy.com

 

Thanx Ivan Sanches for your message on HomeGrownHawaii.com don't work too hard.

 

Thanx 4 ur visit and chit chatting my bestfriend 4ever dude. Don't let anyone tell you what to do. It's your choice! Jus' like how I chose to be a stay at home mommy lost WWW. It's a cruel world out there and my heart belongs to all things good like my kids...not your evil ways. And no, I am not koo koo! I am intellegent aka Genius aye RLBCH? Mahalo Ke Akua aka Thank God not me. I take orders from JAH and only JAH...not dah evil cruel world...all hu think my life was a game? it's not!!! Pay bax aye royal queen biatch (booh tay full, intellegent aka genius, almost almighty aka angel, clairvoyant/dreamer charmed and chosen of Go, hilarious) aint it...heh heh heh....right back at all yallz!!!! Kden!!! 88s

 

JAH afternoon sistah Rella!!! 88s

P.S. I still have Premonitions jus fyi =) Mahalo Ke Akua =)

 

Ihilani Canoy...missed call from u...u need a ride again? Auntie was sleeping...

 

Watch the Sunset or dinner again with my 2 babies and der dad? hhhmmm let me dwell on it a bit...kbye

 

October 6 - 13 Ewa Beach Elementary Fall Break =)

 

October 6

Auntie Cora Madriaga Bday

Loreta "Lori" (Lazaro) Cadiz Dynamic 88 Ypahu High School Bday

Ko'olina Lagoon 1 n my secret heh heh heh...snoozerz LMAO

Minnesota Vikings 30 New Orleans Saints 27 =)

owh Ihilani ... um...Auntie have no gas 4 2morrow =( so sorry

 

October 7

Montereyz Karaoke with Wes Flores N Family .... I nevah get locked out....hee hee hee amazing...saw your hubby Jimmy there Wendy Peterson of MySpace and um D Dude hu was from Ewa Beach with the green mango car that now lives in Kalihi out in back.

 

October 8

Lowen aka RLBCH muah ={) u mek me bitter...eye mean better =)

Have a safe trip to Vegas Marj and Troy Vicari...say HI 2 everyone 4 me...thanx =) n yes Marj...I still gedum....heh heh heh

Waikele Park and Pool with Hunter, Dean2, Patricia Asuncion, Felisity, Kayla, Jaren, and Wes ;)

  

Waipahu High School Dynamic Class Of 1988 Happy Bday

 

www.myspace.com/dynamic1988

 

October 9

Happy Bday Ivan Sanches Aiea High 1986 and on HomeGrownHawaii Natl Gaurdsman N HPD Owh seh fer, C U N Haleiwa ;)

 

NYSE hearing from you Virgin Virgil Seatriz of Maui No Ka Oishi Desu Ne...evreh booh tay still miss meh on MySpace? LMAO ;) Ne-yo's "all because of you" hold muzak iz berreh NYSE =)

 

Dollar Movies N Town wit d Ohana "Kung Fu Panda" Thanx ohana...??Stalkers...choke!!!

 

Ocean Club had some hunnehz n der working...wow ;) when's the re-opening? can my VIP Studebakers Card get me in? ;)

 

Nuuanu Family bonding and Pizza N eh juan for dinner? N thanx 4 d threads 4 Dean2 and skooter and skateboard =) Mahalo Plenteh!!! Watched "Another Cinderella Story" =)

 

October 10

Mike Colozzi ICOM in Kahala Happy Bday Muah ={)

 

Dale Earnhardt Jr Happy Bday

 

Mario Lopez =) Happy Bday thanx 102.7 da bomb steh shen muah ={)

 

Water Balloon Fight N D Backyard

Cuzzin Rox...u beep beeped me and called? I radio'd back...what did you need?

 

October 10 and 11 4

Waipahu High School

Dynamic Class of 1988

"20 Year Las Vegas Reunion"

 

WHEN & WHERE:

 

Social Night

Friday, October 10, 2008

7pm - 11pm

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant @ Fashion Show Mall

3200 Las Vegas Boulevard South #1132

Las Vegas NV

(702) 696-0008

COST:

$10 per person (RA Sushi Bar)

 

slide show www.slide.com/r/O2JZNf4Q6j_B-OAmVefmRcVb5UzlngsC?previous...

  

Class Dinner

Saturday, October 11, 2008

5:30pm - 10pm

Fremont Hotel, Downtown Las Vegas

200 Fremont Street

Las Vegas, NV 89101

COST:

$40 per person (Fremont Hotel)

  

RSVP BY:

June 30, 2008

(After July 1, 2008 - $10 Late Fee)

 

MAIL TO:

Waipahu Class of 1988

c/o 925 Ala Lilikoi Street #202

Honolulu, HI 96818

 

CONTACT:

Phone: (808) 277-9014

EMAIL: waipahu1988@yahoo.com

 

TRAVEL ASSISTANCE:

 

Noland Magbaleta

www.esc2travel.com

(808) 778-4921

 

Patrice Pastor

  

Jayne & Emmanuel Kaai

janynek@helloworld.com

(808) 551-0610

 

These are the ones that are going:

 

**pending payment

 

Juvy Abad

Pamela (Saramosing) Abad-Kansas

Cher Daguman-Adams

Glenn Alcalde

Sheldon Anguay-Vegas

Leilani (Manuel) Ayers-California

Cris Bartolome

Marvic Bartolome-Vegas

Conan Berongis

Allan Bonsilao

Diana Bueno

Thomas Bush-Vegas**

Lisa (Ramiscal) Cabais**

Lori (Shiroma) & Robert Carino-Vegas

Dawn Castellano

Robin (Chambers) Chang-Washington

Darilyn (Ceno) Cochran-Texas

Denise (Dudoit) Compehos-Vegas

Joce (Pascual) Dacuycuy

Rene Dela Cruz-Maui

Rose (Domingo) Dela Cruz

Christine (Arigo) Donabedian-Washington

Lori Escobido--Vegas**

Marites (Mendoza) Espinosa-Vegas

Jaylyn (Aguada) Estabilio**

Erron Engbino

Mario Fines-Vegas

Geoffrey Gasmen

Lianne (Gambol) Gilbert-New York

Shane Hamamoto

James Higaki

Janet (Clemente) Iboshi**

Kim (kamaka) Jhun**

Leilani (Tadena) Kam

Nicole Kaneapua**

David Kaui-Vegas

Walter Keckhut-Arizona**

Wanda Kina-Arizona

Lawrence Kuamoo

Kam Lai

Angela (Ildefonso) Mccolor

Markita (Abbot) Mcnair

David Medina-California**

Maria Mino**

Mary Joy Natgalon**

Lalaine (Fuentes) Palabrica-Washington

Warfe Pasicaran

Patrice Pastor-California

Janine Place**

Shel (Costales) Querubin**

Darin Quiocho-California

Dave Rivera-Vegas**

Lorena Rosete**

Marc & Alissa (Vallente) Sabate

Curtis Sakauye**

Veronica (todd) Salley-Vegas**

Michelle Salvado**

Elsa (Sabas) Santa Elena-Georgia

Alden Simbahon

Palee (Sithiyothakarn) Swisher-Arizona

Zena (Sales) Torres--California

Karen Tunstall-California

Jessica (Telles) Ulep**

Emily (Agos) Valle

Jessnard Valle

Renee (Alcantara) Vallesteros

Marjorie (Pascual) Vicari**

Caroline Villa

Kenneth Villanueva-Washington

Josette (Endo) Wakakuwa

Nancy (Pagurigan) Walker-Vegas

Winona (Cadiente) White-Florida**

Wailani Wong**

Annabelle (Fabia) Yamada

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waipahu_High_School

 

Alma Mater

Midst the waving tassles,

stands Waipahu High.

Breezes from the mountains

sweep across the skies.

Let us pledge our love to

Alma Mater.

 

Keep the precepts

without fail.

In loving praise,

our voices raise:

WAIPAHU, our high school,

Our Alma Mater hail.

 

ALL HAIL WAIPAHU!

HAIL WAIPAHU!

HAIL! X3

  

October 11

Dentist Appointment 4 Dean2 and Hunter...der daddy wrote a check Ladies of Dr Teruya's office. No cavities...only on baby teeth. Next check up Saturday April 25th 2009 11:15am I think. Thanx Dr Teruya and cashier in back. The girls in the front gave wrong billing rate...How cum? erreh time...owh well...thanx all.

 

Then shop bound to watch Nascar Racing on ESPN #31 1st place.

 

Watch movies with Wes later =) Tokyo Drift...N I nevah get locked out again...amazing...heh heh heh home at 12:15am

 

October 12

LA Lakers 2005 at the Stan Sherrif Center flash bax d next day battle of the sexes LA wut steh shen? hhhmmm And Tina Laguit, great pix I took of Kobe Bryant aye, court side seating near Mufi Hannemann? heh heh heh all yours....

 

My 2 babies with me while daddy go bike riding =) yipee =) chee hee!!! 9:30am - 6pm me think =) if it doesn't rain...had my kids til 6:30pm =)

 

No texting me please..."network not available" I must be out of this world lol I might suspend my cell number cause no funds LOST www. Jus call home if you guys got the home number and leave a message lol

 

And hu calls my cell and dont leave a message? owh LOST WWW who's number is (808) 679-6562? I should list the numbers on my cell that don't leave a message on here so the LOST WWW can call them...heh heh heh...that's an Idea =) let me dwell on that a bit.....laundry time =)

 

ok I'm done dwelling...owh LOST WWW does N E of these digits belong to you? Leave a message next time you call....

 

(808) 429-8255 Kaleo Pilanca aka KP

leave message next time! lol n hu called after u? (808) 428-6818 butt I know u guys still communitcating wit dah madriagaz...LMFAO =0 hardee harr harr

 

(808) 585-8854

(808) 433-5000

(808) 474-6692

(808) 520 3785

(724) 255-5838

(808) 368-1790

(808) 479-8286

(886) 953-2606

(808) 677-8085

(808) 223-7112

(808) 722-6127

(808) 689-1321

(808) 224-9277

 

sprint/nextel n e juan?

184*3*12935

184*3*20510

184*3*8586

 

if you guys get crank calls...no blame me, deh all called me first with out leaving a message so rite bak at all yallz!!! heh heh heh 2 can play that game...I suggest you all change ur digits or don't answer ur calls like me and b selective pah hah hah hah hah hah

 

wut step-mother? clean up the rooms too? no moa room foa clean up dah rooms...too much dang clothes with no drawers LMFAO =P pah hah hah hah hah hah...kbye allz...signing oots

 

radiobigboy.com/

 

Watched "The X Filezzzzzzzzzzzzzz with Wes =)

 

October 13

JAH Morn'n allz =) have a GREAT day =)

Slick Vick Happy Bday

Columbus Day

Canadian Thanksgiving

Cousin Charlene Jane Bendico Bday n owh canada muah ={)

 

Owh Chassidy K M Nee...correction on your MySpace

 

profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile...

 

Chas:) your (You're aka you are) the reason for the smile on my face.aha

 

"expect nothing,& APPRECIATE EVERYTHING"

 

Female

15 years old

Waimanalo, Hawaii

United States

 

Last Login: 10/12/2008

 

This profile is set to private. This user must add you as a friend to see his/her profile.

 

Hangout with Wes and Ohana =) Monday Knight Football on ESPN and Phillies and Dodgers Baseball Game =), UPS Ypio N amazing I wuznt locked out agaian. LMAO =O

 

October 14

JAH Morn N allz read my YouTube.com lateleh? heh heh heh I luv it...MTV or VH1 N eh Juan?

 

Last day to order EBES Zipper Jackets with the Ewa Beach Elementary School logo. If you have already placed your order and would like a zippered jacket, please contact Cathy Wilson at (808) 689-1271

 

Owh Victoria Lum of the Hellton Hawn Bitch Resort & Spa...I'm du'n great n not rot'n n dat hell whole Y thank u. Almost a year out of that prison...Let's celebrate LMAO...as for the Elvis Presley Cards from Wal*Mart, call the operator from the Hellton Village Cafe for Ranelle Akau press "0" for the Prison Operator and ask if she can buy them for U. I am a stay at home mommy and not getting paid by no one on this cruel Lost WWW...I am getting paid by the Almighty Y thank u =) Have a great day allz...

 

Owh and Jenn/Jerr...as for the Sprint/Nextel Bill...I give u permission to suspend or cancel the services. N eh booh tay needs me they can call home if they have the home number or email meh...heh heh heh...I reactivated my uka million email accounts hardee harr harr

 

Allan B...thanx 4 ur call and the heads up on who and what happened N Vegas...I guess that saying isnt true, "wut hapnz n vegas stayz n vegas" ;) kidn. NYSE chat'n wit'chah =) I cant wait to c the 20th Reunion pix on www.myspace.com/dynamic1988 and great to hear Juvy Abad will make another get together for our class N 2 months. I'll be there most def =) Talk to you again soon. N really? Leilani Manuel Ayers hubby Daniel Scott Ayers looks like hu again? Will Ferrel? I better email Lani LOL...Red Rock you guys went to N Vegas...I have yet to check that place out....wen I have mullahz that IZ...lol

 

You got my email LudyAnn Capitle in Texas and all our Hawai'i Troopers? That's Entertainment with Lour LOL

 

Hungout with Wes again =)

 

October 15

JAH Morn'n allz...have a great day =)

 

2006 Earthquake 6.7 magnitude in Hawai'i

 

Ewa Beach Elementary Schools 50th Anniversary in the 2009 - 2010 meeting 2pm in the school library. Thanks! That was a great experience...hope all goes well for next year =)

 

Remove everything online regarding Ewa Beach Elementary Students due to the forms that were signed by parents in the beginning of the school year per the Principal...owh well...so much for my master pieces....heh heh heh all gone...ohana bonding on youtube.com and flickr.com only...heh heh heh...it was fun while it lasted...carry on Ewa Beach Elementary School and thanx aye bunch.

 

Power Outage N d Moena Hud 6:46 - 8:02pm...

 

October 16

MySpace Comment from Haunted Plantation...thanx 4 d Nveyet butt me scared like crap...Njoy allz...Shanna Kealoha...ur fam biz reyet eye think? n u leaving messages to me behind d scenes about KP n BVO? ;) kidn

 

1999 Earthquake 7.0 magnitude in California but felt as far as Las Vegas Nevada

 

2007 Beat around da bush pete in couple lei aye RCA? heh heh heh

 

2005 Rumours fundraising for aye Halau aye MC knight n king dweeb armor? =p

 

2007 Last day of being in prison at the hellton hawaiian bitch resort & spa worked 1/2 day...called in sick til Oct 31 then no call no show from November 2007 on....make all your own dreams come true lost www. I'm done making your dreams come true. God gave me rest and making all my dreams come true not yours LMAO =O Mahalo Ke Akua =) I'm on God's time and they're all on Evil time aka Money IZ their master while God IZ Mines =)

 

Flashbax Cox and Hellton? click on (more info) after the date of August 12, 2008 to refresh all you evil mockers memoreh...heh heh heh www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAsfPY7Nw6w

 

National Bosses Day? pah hah hah hah hah hah!!! owh evil cruel world...urz IZ moneh N mines IZ D Creator of all!!!! He IZ D Best Boss n d Ntire WWW galaxeh, universe and out of the world!!! Hu getting paid $250? cox n hellton n ohana a na kama? pah hah hah hah hah hah lmfao...pardon my french =P

 

October 17

2007 Last Log in On MySpace.com and Friendster.com for Lourdes Madriaga LOL...should I make a new one? hee hee hee

profile.myspace.com/jesusitsallaboutu profiles.friendster.com/lourdesmadriaga .... to much fake people and dramahz I don't need on there LMFAO =O

 

sorry LOST WWW me onz youtube.com and homegrownhawaii.com and bebo.com Try it, you might LOVE it =)

 

youtube.com/lourdesmadriaga

choke channels and choke views...c yea myspace and friendsters heh heh heh

 

www.homegrownhawaii.com/LourNFam

200 views and 19,510 members so far and climbing higher =)

 

www.bebo.com/LourdesMadriaga

My Private Page with Wes Flores....heh heh heh

 

Flickr.com...I got choke accounts with choke @$$ views...heh heh heh...look on LOST WWW!!! Mahalo Ke Akua!!!

 

(Tentative...might b MIA...due to unforeseen circumstances..things came up so sorry)

Ewa Beach Elementary School

America's Choice School

91-740 Papipi Road

Ewa Beach, HI 96706

(808) 689-1271

Parent Workshop #2 Achieve 3000 8:30-10am

School Community Council Parent Meeting 10-11am

Pizza and beverages will be served after the meeting...owh yum yum yum jus' like the Penny Carnival =)

165.248.6.166/data/school.asp?schoolcode=254

 

www.oiasports.com/sports/football

7:30pm White Division Aiea and Moanalua Football Game. Go Phillip Madriaga #19 and Na Ali'i. C U there also Ihilani Canoy, Puakea and Pono Gregory Moanalua High School Vars and JV Cheerleaders.

 

Happy Bday David "Ziggy" Marley (Parents: Robert "Bob" Nesta Marley and Rita) thanx 102.7 da bomb party baby steh shen ;)

 

LOST: Hunter Smith's Library Card. Ewa Beach Public Library I hope someone turns it in =( It's probably in the parking lot =( and Daddy Dean we hope you went to check. If not then we'll check saturday.

 

FOUND: Hunter's Library Card was stuck in Dean2 books...me call u soon to reactivate Ewa Beach Elementary Public Library =)

 

Nyse seeing you Cherido at Wal*Mart Royal Kunia =) Take Care and God Bless =)

 

Ypio with Jenn and Jerr 4 a little bit.

 

October 18

Davina Barrios Happy Bday

Lucky Dube - Gaurdian Angel 2007

Ohana Day with my kids =)

Bonsai Reastaurant and Lounge at Knight with D Adult Madriagaz =) Thanx

www.flickr.com/photos/31246478@N06/

 

sonecessary.starbulletin.com/adventures-in-clubland-bonsa...

 

honolulu.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/photogallery/party-p...

 

honolulu.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/photogallery/party-p...

 

October 19

Daddy Dean going biking again and my na keiki with me chee hee =)

 

Ohana day with all my kids =) Chas, Dean2, Hunter and Mom Charmaine and Fely...and Ko'olau and WAS aka Windward Adventist School in Kailua 12:30-3:15pm

www.flickr.com/photos/30869619@N04/

 

Hangout wit Wes =)

 

October 20

Snoop Dogg'z 37th Bday thanx 102.7 88s

Melynda Lou (DeVera) and Derek Sato Wedn Annie 2001

Daniel Yoro Happy Bday

Jewelia Nicole Madriaga 1st Bday Muah ={)

 

7am - 1:15pm Babysit Tryten Lee Makakoa Vicari in the Morning =) 4 luv...yeps..me luv dem kids...all u kid haters...so sux 2 b u kuz u b stuk on earth or hell bound cum ur judgement day....pah hah hah hah hah hah www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkGAGOIFyak

 

www.flickr.com/photos/29157652@N04/page2/

 

www.flickr.com/photos/31246478@N06/

 

owh and Ma Pat Vicari, evereh booh tay taking care me =) since I did take care of all of them...it's pay back time =) heh heh heh

 

?huh? 21 time for a change? from london boy? nutts rlbch? three 6 mafia ;) 88s

 

Wow ZBL has a MySpace Page now? GREAT =) My luvz 2 u n ur ohana 4 me N #1 DAD Jesse Canoy Jr...pah hah hah hah hah hah...hee hee hee...crak otots...hu u like me chek out on yo page? only get chix ;) my luvz 2 ur na keiki 4 me and ur ohana butt u..heh heh heh sorry Ihilani...I missed ur call yesterday, I was hanging out wit Uncle Wes =) more smooching ;) butt yes I did c ur fellow cheerleading mates of Moanalua High School Na Menehune =) Pono and Puakea Gregory on Sunday at Windward Adventist School in Kailua O'ahu. 88s 2 u allz

 

Hantout wit Wes =)

 

October 21

Daniel Yoro Jr Happy BDay

 

7am - 2:30pm Babysit Tryten Lee Makakoa Vicari in the Morning =) 4 luv...yeps..me luv dem kids...all u kid haters...so sux 2 b u kuz u b stuk on earth or hell bound cum ur judgement day....pah hah hah hah hah hah

 

Hangout wit Wes =)

 

October 22

Vince May Happy Bday

Tony Sagucio Happy Bday

 

7am - 11:30am Babysit Tryten Lee Makakoa Vicari in the Morning =) 4 luv...yeps..me luv dem kids...all u kid haters...so sux 2 b u kuz u b stuk on earth or hell bound cum ur judgement day....pah hah hah hah hah hah

 

owh WWW...my Text on my cell not working...so sorry...I'm still out of this world and Jenn it still says "Network Not Available" Save your texting WWW thanx =)

 

Flashbax Ladies First I aka Us Gyrlz and Company?

www.flickr.com/photos/31653488@N03/

 

www.flickr.com/photos/30869619@N04/

 

www.flickr.com/photos/31945036@N08/

 

October 23

owh ebes computer...heh heh heh no comment ;) lunch meals taken care of 1st 2 quarters thanx 2 step-mother lol thanx...heh heh heh

 

N yes, Luau Committee I am 4 D 50th Anniversary 4 Ewa Beach Elementary School 2009 - 2010 school year...brain farts...whens the next meeting? ;) jus FYI...I am D Fart Raid...eye mean PARTY heh heh heh

 

Thanx 4 ur hugs again Kailey Tapaoan...3 ...so sweet

 

Hung out with Wes =)

 

Thursday, October 23, 2008 12:17 PM

 

Guess who finally is engaged ?

 

Hi everyone, She is finally back from her 3 week vacation from the East Coast. Ryan proposed to her after her Birthday in New York. Yes, Davina finally is going to get married. She said sometime next year in March. Have a great week everyone. Luvs,Mirm

 

October 24

CANCELLED - Mary J Blige Concert - Friday Blaisdell Arena Honolulu Hawai'i with www.1027dabomb.net/

The Partying Steh Shen

Hu Parties 7 Knights a week =)

 

Happy ALOHA Friday =) Zima? dang...we used to drink that at the Old Joy Square at the Hellton Hawn Bitch and Studebakers 1995 in my MySpace Pix ... butt eye used to break out in hives...that drink was onolicious =) viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPi...

Lani, Andrea, Cris, Zary, and Lour...no longer Prizonerz!!! Thank GOD!!!

 

Janice "Sweetie" Bolosan on MySpace and Dynamic 88 Classmate...happy Bday

 

Schofield Bowling Center with Wes Flores =) Nyse meeting you Art Maglangit of Mililani =) Yes I know your niece Marla Maglangit and I did go to her 1st Wedding her and Michael Irion. Her 2nd was at the Turtle Bay Resort I know and my older sister Mirm went to it. The kids love it there. Anyways, yes she got remarried on 07.07.07 (80's concierto wit d ohana @ Pipeline =) to Greg Ravelo and he's a realtor in town aye? Jus' tell them I'm the gyrl hu uzed 2 work at the Hellton LMAO. Sorry Marz and Greg Ravelo, I'm no longer a prizoner. But it was my pleasure booking ur friends and family in them cells lol. owh and Art their MC was =P lol at both weddings.

 

owh and Army Dude with a las' nem Philips...thanx 4 calling me sunshine =) I am...heh heh heh...and gentlemen waving people in 4 car wash...I'm taken hee hee hee...but d 3rds a charm u sed? hhhmmm, I heard that 1 b4 aye Eric "Happily Married 2 juan Kumu Hula, wink wink at me broken eyez Lee" at the Cheese Factory with Cleo McKeague. Owh Cleo I saw ur son Nawai n d West O'ahu pepah Nanakuli High School Lifting weights...deh still got dem pix of d LA Lakers Pix I gave u? N U N Me at d Stan Sherrifffff 2005 October? hee hee hee great memories aye?

 

owh n SD Sinclair DryWall Kailua....wow...u guyz can bowl after work? 12:00pm? sheesh...lucky buggahz aye? U guys so mok out...so pidgeon 2 dah max eye tell yeoo....

 

www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/haw.asp

 

N chick on dah road on yo cell fone!!! No Toot yo horn at me and stick fingah kuz right bak @chah!!! sheesh...slow down 8!7(# mek u come close tuh me n I step on dah brakes...I dare u bang in 2 me ... heh heh heh... I toot my horn back at u c if yo party on dah adah line can hear u 8!7(3!N9 ! about meh!!! me Pele'e so watch out!!! sorry kids...mommy wen swear I know and yes....GOD IZ so watchin!!! 4gives!!!

 

102.7 da bomb...u guyz trow me off wit dat local musicians on yo steh shen...wen dat commercial pau n eh way? LMAO ;)

 

High School Musical 3 Movies =) Pearl Highlands Regal Theatre. Nyse seeing u again Jerry Gungap Ypahu Grad 1991 and Hellton Priznor still? GREAT movie =) Gabriella Made a difference and so am EYE!!! Change ur hearts Lost WWW!!! Galatians 5:22-23 Jus like my bday =) and party like a rock star...2days lol

 

Shane Victorino Day =) Go Phillies =) U can do it!!!

 

Have a GREAT weekend all!!!! 88s aka xoxo aka hugs n kisses

 

October 25

Tati of TypicalYouth.com Happy Bday

 

chas nee n kailua jv cheerleaders

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqZQ43T7PHM

kailua cheerbabes. october 25th, 2008 pre-season competition.

  

Davina and Ryan's Casa 4 Davina'z Sweet 16 and Engagement thang =) Congrats again and great proposal Ryan in New York on a carriage. =)

www.flickr.com/photos/31246478@N06/

 

October 26

Joanne Calbero MySpace and Dynamic 88 Classmate Happy Bday

 

radiobigboy.com/

Music now playing: 102.7 Da Bomb

Party Station 7 Knights A Weak ;)

Waipahu Honolulu O'ahu

www.1027dabomb.net/

(808) 296-1027

 

Laundry and cruising in town and schofield Bowling Center with Wes =)

 

Owh Victoria Lum, Elvis Cards...Call Ranelle Akau ur Hellton Operator..she still N prison o'wut? heh heh heh

 

Marla Maglangit Ravelo...did u retrieve ur email az well? It's about ur Uncle Art Maglangit I met at Schofield Bowling Center.

 

Virgin Virgil Of Maui No Ka Oishi Desu Ne...U got my email to o'wut? Wut U guyz missed out on MySpace for 1 yr on Flickr.com hee hee hee...you to Kalei Perez and Ohana =) Mean ah MyLife...It's sponsored by JAH!!! and no one elses!!! Mahalo Ke Akua!!!

 

October 27

JAH Morning allz...sorry my texting plan IZ still out of this world...I best be change my digits of 2 years lol Message to Sprint/Nextel...my message reads this when I try to get into the texting field: "You are not currently provisioned for Two-way Messagin. If you would like to subscribe to it, contact your Nextel Representative or press 'Call'." You guyz put me on hold forever!!! I have things to do. FIX IT!!! If not, it's all good, I don't need to text but change my plan to no texting plan then...heh heh heh

 

Ko'olau Nee Happy Bday

 

7am - 12:20pm Babysit Tryten Lee Makakoa Vicari in the Morning =) 4 luv...yeps..me luv dem kids...all u kid haters...so sux 2 b u kuz u b stuk on earth or hell bound cum ur judgement day....pah hah hah hah hah hah...thanx 4 breakfast and lunch Vicari ohana muah ={) all the days that I baby sit Little Precious Tryten =)

 

Thanx Doris Sagusio for your email on HomeGrownHawaii.com....hope to chat witu soon....my luvz 2 all 4 me...mahalo nui loa muah ={) muah ={) muah ={)

 

Pick up my 2 babies at Ewa Beach Elementary while der daddy was having lunch with his biker buddies. Nyse seeing u again Asia muah ={) give our luvz 2 Demi and d ohana...thanx =)

 

High School Musical 3 #1 this past weekend? GREAT =)

 

October 28

7am - 2:30pm Babysit Tryten Lee Makakoa Vicari in the Morning =) 4 luv...yeps..me luv dem kids...all u kid haters...so sux 2 b u kuz u b stuk on earth or hell bound cum ur judgement day....pah hah hah hah hah hah...thanx 4 breakfast and lunch Vicari ohana muah ={) all the days that I baby sit Little Precious Tryten =)

 

Kmart Ykele bought Hunters Spider Witch Costume from her daddy while he went out bike riding with his buddy. =) more time with the kids 4 me...thanx

 

Thanx Jenn and Sprint/Nextel ... sorry LOST WWW my texting plan still sux...I can retrieve text butt not text out...owh well... what's a good carrier? Thanx 4 ur assistance Aaron the Rep =) I got ur digits via ur test text. I'll call u wen I need help, Mahalo Plenteh...sum booh tah really screwed up my plan aye?

 

Keh hu called n no leave message today on my cell gun fun its...

 

(866) 888 5233 at 12:27pm Hawaii Time ... I was baby sitting!!! hee hee hee

 

(808) 628-8853 I was trying to get marungay in d back yard for Marj!!! hee hee hee...have a safe trip Marj, Tryten and Tory tomorrow and show dem all what u gots on Friday night....muah ={)

 

Tuesday, October 28, 2008 6:04 AM Aloha My San Diego Boys

From: Warren G Valbuena

Hi Lourdes!

 

How are you? Hope all is well...Thanks for the pics! What a trip! We should plan a Hawaii and Cali reunion! =) That brought back some memories! Thanks again!

 

www.flickr.com/photos/31653488@N03/

 

www.flickr.com/photos/30869619@N04/

 

www.flickr.com/photos/31945036@N08/

 

I haven't been on myspace lately...I'm now on Facebook more. It's much better. Joy and Dawn are on there too. You need to join us on Facebook!

 

Miss you all too! Keep in touch and take care! God Bless!

 

Much Love from Daygo! =)

 

Warren G.

 

Angel Unciano Happy Bday

  

October 29

Ewa Beach Elementary School Parent/Teacher Conference for Dean D Smith II and Hunter A J Smith

165.248.6.166/data/school.asp?schoolcode=254

 

EBES School Costume Fart Raid...eye mean Parade ;)

 

Marj, Tryten, and Tory leaves for Cali. Good Luck Tory at Pleasanton Cali...Dance ur booh tay off and show them all what U got! My Luvz to Auntie Hoku and Halau 4 me...thanx =) I'll take you 3 to the airport then head to EBES for the Fart Raid I mean Costume Parade LOL.

 

October 30

Take Wes to the airport. Flying out to the east coast til November 2 =(

 

Thursday, October 30, 2008 7:54 AM

I'm leaving for the "ROCK"

From: "Capitle, Ludyann B SSG NG NG FORSCOM"

Hi guys

 

I just wanted to let you all know that I had a blast on my 4day pass. I went to Vegas not to gamble but to spend time with Jeff, my daughter Jewels and to make up for her 1 year old Birthday. We were 2 days late because our pass didn't start till the 24th of October and her bday is 20Oct. Anyways I'm packing up and getting ready to move out to Kuwait on the 3rd of November. I hope that we can continue to keep in touch and who knows maybe I'll get a carepackage with goodies...hahahahaha JOKE! Honestly I may be miles away but I hope that we can continue to keep in touch. I miss you all and please keep us and our families in your prayers. Untill then I'll be back in a year!

 

My address and email address is:

 

SSG Ludy Ann Capitle

HHC, 29th BSB

Command Cell

APO AE 09815

 

AKO: Ludyann.Capitle@us.army.mil

Kuwait: ludyann.capitle@asab.afcent.af.mil

Myspace: kauaigirl163@hotmail.com

 

Till then I miss u all......

 

V/R

SSG Ludy Ann Capitle

S1 Human Resources Sergeant

HHC, 29th BSB

PH: 254-288-0308

Ludyann.Capitle@us.army.mil

  

October 31

Happy Halloween

Pot Luck and BYOB/D @ D Moena Hood from D Madriaga Ohana 6pm - Midnight....have fun Madriaga Ohana...we might make it...LMFAO

 

Trick or Treating for the small children and grown up adults =)

Pearlridge Uptown and Downtown ...5pm - candies run out me be der wit my 2 babies =) Luv Miss M.I.A heh heh heh

 

Ohana Night with Mom, Dad, at the Baldueza Residence in Ewa Beach Trick or Treating and then Moena Hud wit Da Madriagaz.

 

Obake at Bonsai Restaurant & Lounge in Restaurant Row www.flickr.com/photos/31246478@N06/

 

Torylynn Vicari wins 1st Place Soloist in Pleasanton California =) You Go Gyrl!!! C U Soon!!! My Luvz 2 D Halau 4 me...thanx =)

 

88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88

 

Aloha with D 88s aka xoxo aka hugz n kisses, SoulJAH Mommy Lourdes Saludes Madriaga aka "B All Dat U can Pee eye mean B... Chee Hee!!

 

peace out!!!

 

muzak now playing 102.7 da bomb baby =)

(808) 296-1027

www.1027dabomb.net/

The Partying Steh Shen

Hu Parties 7 Knights a week =)

 

November Bdayz 2008

www.flickr.com/photos/31246478@N06/

 

flickr.com/photos/31943756@N02/

 

88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88

 

message to all: if you talk to me piss off or in an angry tone...I will so ignore you because that is so a negative! do on to others as you would want them to do on to you...so there...I have no time for your angry negative and gossing/rumours mout LMAO

To see details in this drawing, try the largest image size...

 

The weather was hot, the creeks were spring fed and cold.

There was a BLUE MOON at this gathering! I wrote a long story about our trip, full of run-on-sentences. No names were changed to protect the innicent. All facts are just my opinions. I am not a journalist. Here is the story....

 

----------------------------------

 

Rainbow Recollections

1996 Missouri

 

"Who fears today

His rites to pay

Deserves his chains to wear.

The forest's free!

This wood take we,

and straight a pile prepare.

Yet in the wood

To stay 'tis good

By day till all is still.

With watchers all around us placed

Protecting you from ill.

With courage fresh, then,

Let us haste

Our duties to fulfill......" - Goethe

 

My daughter Skater (aka: Pixie, Shine, age 13) and I had a grand time at the Missouri Rainbow. We arrived Sunday June 23 and left July 3, and those were 11 magical days! Our drive in was 12 hours, and started with thunderstorms and a downburst in central Illinois that forced us off the road near Springfield. Big booming lightning! Old Mother Nature's power chords! Ba-BOOM!! Ka-Pow!!!!!

 

We got in about 1 am, drove right past FS road 3173 in the dark. Whoops! When we hit Thomasville we turned around and headed back north. Right exactly at 3 miles on the odometer from Thomasville there was FS #3173 off to the right. We drove on in quietly without seeing a single cop. There was the big green and yellow "Welcome Home" banner and a quiet group with a lone drummer singing and pounding out his heartsongs. We parked in the dark fog and decided to get some sleep in our old pickup until the sunrise. Just before dawn it rained hard for about 45 minutes, and that made the air smell clean and sweet! :)

  

We got up and meandered through the parking lot and met a lot of kind folks at the front gate. Out in the lot we met Katie and Brian and Althea (shy white Siberian husky puppy with pretty blue eyes) in the green bubbletop "Save the Buses" bus from Chicago. We also shared munchies and explored with Funky (Matt) and Shannon in the green VW camper bus, and met Victor and Kevin. At dawn we started packing for the hike in towards Kiddie Village where we would set up our camp.

 

It was nearly 3 miles to Kiddie Village. The first mile was dry and hot, then we started crossing the streams and it was like heaven to stop and play in that cold water. There was a steep incline down to the first stream, too steep for bikes to ride, but not too steep for horses. Spring creek was it's name, filled with tadpoles and there were lovely Spicebush and Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies hovering about the banks.

 

The second creek crossing had MARVELOUS sand!! SO nice on bare feet! The White Dove kitchen settled here and had the secret luxury of a hidden beautiful white portable shitter with a lid. "Pixie" was a frequent stopper at White Dove and we kept their secret close to the vest. Up the hill from the "good sand" crossing was the first clearing, a beautiful meadow with five tipis. The path here was named Hanuman Highway.

 

The main path crossed Spring Creek again and opened onto the big meadow with main fire circle and C.A.L.M. and good water piped from underground springs. We drank copious amounts of the spring water for 11 days with no problem. Our friend Question Mark happily spent his time filtering the water for anyone patient enough to get that extra protection. The pipe system evolved and grew with the gathering, so that eventually you were always close to a source of underground spring fed clean drinking water. We give an A+ to all who hauled pipe and ran samples for tests. GREAT water is such a luxury! :)

 

The next creek crossing had a pipe with roaring spring water you could shower in! Fill up the canteens! No waiting! Cold clean showers! The bridge there was called H20 bridge or Rainbow Bridge, and the crossing was called "Copperhead Crossing" after a snake was sighted in the water by some shady bushes. The original location of C.A.L.M. was to the right just after H20 Bridge. Continuing up, the main path was called Son Dance Trail and opened onto another fine meadow.

 

At the end of the meadow on the left side was Kiddie Village, which eventually grew to a City of Wonder! We parked our camp halfway twixt original C.A.L.M. and Kiddie Village, up into the shade of the tree line in the raspberry bushes by a big broken tree. Flattening out a place for our sleeping tent we ate juicy raspberries as we stomped. There was poison ivy everywhere so we sacrificed a shade tarp to cover the ground for safe lounging and relaxing. We set up a second small dome tent for all our gear and food and clothes and schtuff. We were on the map, had our own gnome home at home!

 

Pixie donated a pile of her old Golden Books to Kiddie Village. She talked with the smaller kids while I helped a crew installing support poles and guy ropes for that immense circus-tent-sized tarp for the main play area. I was amazed how four folks could hold a 25' ladder firmly in the air while another person climbed fearlessly to the top to adjust rope connections. The kids were having a blast here! There were four teeter-totters and the kids had figured how to "launch" each other, so the adults were trying to calm their butts down. Then we gravitated over to Kiddie C.A.L.M. where she helped Pat take care of several kids. One had poison oak all around his eyes.

 

Water and Flame were the main healers at Kiddie C.A.L.M., but Pat and the Swedish Bitters woman also put in huge hours there. Pat's dog Gaia was hilarious to play stick with. Gaia would plunge pell mell into high thick weeds and come out in a nanosecond with the very same stick you'd thrown. We trudged back to parking and got a second load of supplies that day. We donated a lot of apple juice and zuzu drink (cola) and that made for heavy loads to haul.

 

We learned to linger in the shade. In the stretches of sun it was best to conserve energy and keep moving towards the shade. We drank constantly from our canteens and often poured as much on our heads as we put in our mouths. We quickly learned all the places we could get water and paced our water consumption accordingly. It was close to 100 degrees everyday, and only rained one other time just before dawn for about two hours (July 2nd). Two pack loads in one day (and setting up the camp) wore us out, so we collapsed at sunset and slept with rainbow dreams. The Missouri whippoorwills sang us to sleep.

 

The next morning we found our Lovin' Touch kitchen up in the trees on the hillside in the shade. The big sign said "Kitten Safety Zone, All Dogs On Leashes!" and we met Grace, who had three kittens and a full grown cat! Grace told us how she and Steps had come in on June 10th and started Lovin' Touch in a shady patch of poison ivy. They knew where to find the good spring water, and they brought in a reporter from the West Plains Daily Quill. Grace opened her trunk and showed us the beautiful photo of the start of Lovin' Touch kitchen that made the front page of the June 13th Quill, along with an excellent article. Great public relations!!

 

Steps gave us the best hugs of the gathering and Piper played his didgeridu, and Lizard had made some great pancakes with apples and strawberries in them. This was OUR kitchen! I helped Justin chop wood and Pixie found every cat and dog in the area and gave em all hello hugs! There was a big tie-dye of a pot frond and hammocks strung all over. John was reciting poetry in the corner and Buddy Paul floated in with his beautiful cutaway Applause guitar and just let anyone play away on it.

 

The next morning we went to Copperhead Crossing for a shower and to splash in the stream and we met Nancy who was entering 6th grade in the fall. She was lugging around a big heavy bedroll. Pixie and Nancy became best friends instantly. I put her gear in my backpack and we trudged off to her mom's van back in A-camp, then came back to Kiddie Village. On the way they caught 50 tadpoles at the first creek crossing and had them all in a single drinking cup! Nancy slept about half the time in a hammock at Lovin' Touch. Nancy traded for two matching filigree rings and gave one to Pixie, and they changed their names to Sunshine. Pixie was Sun and Nancy was Shine. Nancy showed us where the kids were swinging off a rope into a deep cold spot in the creek. It was too cold for me, but the kids could stand it and had a great time!

 

There was also a swing/hammock for kids to swing in over the creek, and children's toys scattered about. The milk for Kiddie village was stored in the cold water, a natural refrigerator. Then came early dinner call at Kiddie Village! Many courses! Seconds and thirds for all who wanted!! Filled us up (yummy!) and we went off burping to the main circle to hear all the news and see how big the OM circle was getting. My best guess was two to three thousand at the site on our arrival June 23rd. When we left on Wednesday, July 3rd there were maybe 10,000 and it was growing every hour with the four day weekend approaching.

 

About Thursday, June 27th, Pixie patiently had sat through another evening main circle and eaten good Rainbow food. She went to her first "Sister Circle" with an older friend. The hot topic was the rape of a sister in A-camp. It turns out a young woman had gotten real drunk and been passed around and passed out. She wasn't with the girls discussing the hearsay at Sister Circle, she was already back getting loaded with those same brothers at A-camp who had taken advantage of her. The news I heard was that she was "consenting" until she passed out, but I wonder how could she consent while unconscious? A sorry story, but she apparently knew and stood by her rapist friends even afterwards. They were her drinking buds. A more tragic story was a pregnant 14 year old who miscarried at the Rainbow. I never met either woman, just passing on what I heard at the site.

 

The RUMORS on the computer newsgroup alt.gathering.rainbow (when I got home to read it) were really silly! The National Guard was not called out! No one was shot in A-camp. Hillbillies were NOT beating up hippies! The locals thought we were a godsend and treated us kindly with smiles! The police traffic checks were only for driver's license/insurance/registration. We passed in and out many times and most times there was no traffic check, or they just waved us by without stopping. Pixie did catch an ancient box turtle at the gathering, and had it in her lap on our way in when we were stopped. The Forest Service made her set the turtle free, it was a protected citizen of the Irish Wilderness!!

 

There were about 8 horse cops we met on the main trail and we learned the names of all the beautiful horses. Rebel Command and Ollie were our favorites. The riders were especially courteous, three women and five men, I think. There were about four FS cops on mountain bikes, and they ate a lot of dust from the cars on FS road 3173 going from the site to the police command location about 2 miles down the road. We stopped and greeted the FS and Dept. of Interior police we met and they were all friendly and kind. We even had a FS cop by A-camp get out of his jeep and paw through his supplies to find Pixie a Band-Aid for a finger cut.

 

One woman (who was a little crazed) climbed on top of a FS jeep and jumped up and down, denting the roof! And she wasn't arrested! Many were openly rude to the cops, calling out "Six UP!" or "Doughnut!!" as they went by. A select few chanted OM towards them. I always asked if all was well, and never heard any problems, although some were nervous and would say, "No problems .... yet!" I give the cops a C+, they are only human. We saw very little of them inside the real gathering, and only on the main trail, and always preceded by shouts of warning. I wish they would have stayed out of the church altogether and turned in their guns. HA!

 

The main trail crosses Spring Creek again to the right of Kiddie village, and heads upwards past the Animal Rainbow Family first aid for dogs and cats (Arf Arf!!) and Teen Village and Granola Funk Express kitchen. If you follow it all the way to the end there were three ropes tied across the trail and a sign that said "Turn around, Private property". Just before that sign, if you turned left, you could meander down to Cafe Cough Fee (Coffee Coffee) and find the best swimming spot of the gathering! Spring Creek is 12 feet deep here, fifty feet across, and cold cold COLD! The bank on the Coffee Coffee side is full of good mud and music all day. Those who can handle the cold water swim across and scramble up the rocky bank, and the adventurous climb up to dive off rock ledges 20 and 30 feet up.

 

There was a cave upstream to explore, and some kind souls left an inflatable raft for kids to paddle back and forth. Frisbees hummed back and forth as didgeridus droned and the mud people drew designs on themselves. This was a hopping swim hole! Musicians would gravitate in and stay for hours singing heavenly songs. We met Megan out by Coffee Coffee and she blew Pixie dust on Skater, then told her she was now a Pixie and had Pixie dust in her blood! That's when Skater changed her name to Sunshine Pixie, but she shortened it to Pixie later, and we got some gold glitter dust so she could turn others into Pixies. Skater was a glittering gold-dusted free spirit the last five days we were there. One bottle of glitter covers a LOT of people! :) Sparkling like star dust in the moonlight and sunshine!

 

Early in the gathering we met Steve and Cheyenne and their daughter. Steve was giving out water about the 1 mile point from A-camp at the end of a long dry path in the hot sun. Each day Steve and Foxfire (aka: Bridge Troll, Pegleg) went on a water run to Birch Tree and brought back water to give out at the water station, as well as "PowerBurst" electrolyte drink. Steve and Cheyenne also brought two riding horses and hung out a sign that read "Horse Camp". They brought a white horse (age 13) named Patches, and another spirited brown horse, both elegant females. Cheyenne took Pixie for a four hour horse ride one day, while I baby-sat their younger girl Kailey. Kailey was 15 months old and an energetic whirlwind. Kailey was born premature at only 1 pound and hydrocephalic, but was obviously doing well and happy to be at her first rainbow!

 

Cheyenne and Pixie washed the two horses and brushed them and got them water. Then they rode them down the steep path to the first creek for an hour or so and tried to get them to drink. Pixie rode the white horse, Patches. The brown horse drank some and had a coughing fit, Cheyenne thought maybe she had swallowed a tadpole! Then they went up into the first meadow and galloped around the tipis. They decided to take them all the way in to Kiddie Village and back.

 

In the main circle meadow they walked the horses through the big fire pit and really stirred up some ashes and dust. Then Pixie had to hold on as Patches decided to take off and run some around the main meadow, even leaping over some logs by where the wash station was later set up by the water people. Patches was the type of horse that needed to be ridden firm or whacked a bit with a stick to get going. Pixie was uncomfortable doing that, but she had a great time riding nonetheless. They rode through the thick fog of the gathering at sunset and came back after dark with the fireflies twinkling around them in the mist.

 

When they returned, Pixie had bowlegs and saddleburns and was worn out! That's when Cheyenne's stomach began to hurt a LOT! She tried some herbal cures from C.A.L.M. but nothing seemed to help. We all felt for her. She wound up going in to the hospital the next day before feeling better, and came back to the Gathering again. After her long ride Pixie volunteered to run the water station. It was dark and she was lit by a lantern and offered weary incoming travelers water or electrolytes or pixie dust. Just about everyone wanted pixie dust! A kind soul gave her a bag of little chocolate bars with the instructions to only give them to girls, but she gave them to everybody! We were given strawberries and watermelon and also changed Kailey's diaper twice! We stayed until after midnight, then closed down the water station and finally wandered back to our tent by the light of the big smiling moon.

 

One evening after main circle I went to wash our dishes while Pixie played hacky-sack with a group of teens. I met George while washing. His 12-string guitar was autographed by Peter Yarrow (of Peter Paul and Mary) and Stanley Jordan and Kenny Burrell and John Prine and Stevie Ray Vaughan's nephew Roy Vaughan, and about 40 others. He was from Austin and sang me a song he wrote about the Wyoming gathering... "on July 1st there was a fire, on July 2nd there was a fire, on July 3rd there was a fire, on July 4th there was a Raaaaaaainbow!" ...and as he sang the sunset disappeared quickly... where was Pixie?

 

The hacky-sack group was nowhere to be seen. I started looking for Pixie in her dark purple shirt. I circled the fire twice, the drummers were already roaring, a BIG crowd! I had lost her! I circled inside right next to the fire so Pixie could see me if she was there, I was wearing her giant red & black Dr. Suess hat. Night had come on in a hurry and it was too dark to see faces even up close. Being a parent is a wonderful thing, and I was VERY concerned. The gathering had grown to a sizable city. I wandered away from the fire and hollered out "Ska-a-a-a-a-aterrrrr!!!!" and she called out "Right here, Dad!" right under my feet! What a relief! After that I stuck with her like glue, and brought a white T-shirt for her to wear after main circle sunset!

 

That night Pixie wanted to stay by the fire, so we crept in close between the drummers and found two saxophone players and sat near them listening to the sounds. Pixie kept wanting to sit closer and closer to the fire and we wound up almost IN the fire! The fire tenders had to walk over us as they added logs, and we were well-done and roasted by the heat of the flames! All our clothes were covered in soot and the next day our throats were sore from breathing so much smoke! But we stayed right in the thick of the drums and dancers and hung in there until that blue moon finally went down behind the trees over the mountainside. Just before the moon disappeared she met her friend Eagle, they talked as the fire crackled and the dark night settled in around us. After about six hours at the main drum circle we crept back to the tent and brushed our teeth and slept.

 

All that night and most every night we visited the fire there was a big menacing dude like Big Daddy in sinister sunglasses with a shaved head. He apparently thought he was King of the Fire or something and would stop the drums and recite a short poem to tell us to listen to the birds or hear the spirits talk. He also threatened to shove the trombone up the ass of a trombone player! He also would occasionally give slices of sweet melon to everyone in the inner circle of the fire, and maybe also drinks of electric punch. He never bothered us, thank goodness, and Pixie was able to dust him with Pixie dust the last day we were there. Good work, Pixie! We always ended the day by brushing out teeth and started the day by brushing our teeth. We were probably the only two at the gathering that didn't have morning breath!

 

Three nights later it was a full blue moon! The main circle was filled with pomp and drama, lots of poetry and heartsongs and then a special OM circle where we all laid back and chanted to the sky while holding hands laying down! After the food there was a Rainbow Wedding and we got right up close to observe and take part! The crowd was swept up and chanting "HO!" as the couple exchanged vows and were blessed and covered with incense smoke and then there was a huge group hug and OM chant. Pixie had big stars in her eyes and she said, "Dad, I want a hippie wedding!"

 

They had piled up a huge pile of logs for the fire, and after the wedding it ROARED into life and there were tons of wild dancers circling the fire. Little blond 13 year-old Eagle came up with half his head shaved and the other half dyed bright green with braided dreads. He raced naked around the fire in circles leaping and cavorting! We were among the first to spot the moon's entrance over the hill, and the drumming soared with that big lunar energy! We hung in with the drums and the fire and wailed on our bells and trumpet and rhythm egg up till the moment of fullness at 10:58 pm, then meandered back listening for vampires and werewolves on the paths!

 

The full moon night, Pixie was asleep by midnight and I wanted to stay close to the tent but soak up some sounds of the gathering. About 50 feet away by the trail that leads to Lovin' Touch kitchen was a couple of flute players and a drummer that were jamming their asses off. Both flutists were singing and scatting into their flutes as they played, and throwing wild jazz riffs back and forth like two Johnny Heartsman clones with Roland Kirk egging them on! A person nearby with a laser light did a light show at their feet with that eerie flashing red light, and Piper wandered down from Lovin' Touch with his "D" wood flute and joined in.

 

This was the best music I heard at the gathering, these souls were on FIRE! I nestled up right next to them and leaned on my walking staff and just inhaled the magic for a half hour in delight! Afterwards there was a couple banjos and a guitar and a real fine fiddle over at Tea & Toke kitchen a hundred feet to the north of our tent. I sat down and played on the rhythm egg, and a big golden lab drooled all over me wagging his tail. They were playing real Ozark bluegrass, and they ripped through a dozen tunes and had a captive audience of about 40 clapping for more each time they would stop!

 

The first day we packed in I was lured into the Popcorn Palace kitchen by the sounds of Robbie playing a mandolin and singing. Robbie was older and his legs were crippled, but he could and did sing like a songbird and played that mandolin all the time beaming a big rainbow smile! He'd also been at the 1980 gathering and told us about how they had finally jailed the guy that killed the two girls hitching to that West Virginia national. While I was talking to him and his friends, a 17 year old named Cheshire Cat was trying to attach himself to Pixie! Cheshire was hard to escape the next two days. He found and followed us wherever we went. Finally Pixie met Eric (age 17) and then it was in reverse, with Pixie dragging Dad all over trying to find and hang out with Eric. After Eric, Dad got dragged around as Pixie hung out with Eagle (age 13) all day.

 

Eagle had a fake English accent and claimed to have 190 wives. His Mom had brought him to gatherings about every year and also to regional gatherings in-between, and he was a creative soul! After Eagle, a different fellow named Weasel decided to hang with us non-stop and try wooing Pixie. Weasel was 19, but shorter than Pixie by a couple inches, and liked to hang out with the younger kids. Weasel was extremely polite and good company, but he really had no business with a 13 year old just out of grade school. After a couple of days I told Weasel he was a little too old for my girl and he respectfully backed off. Rainbow men are cut of a finer cloth, I think. I had done my utmost patient share of being flexible and mellow and allowing Pixie to meet and mingle with a LOT of folks, all the while never letting her too far out of my sight. I did about seven days of non-interfering chaperoning before explaining to Pixie that we weren't there to chase and be chased by boys. Amazingly, she agreed! The rest of the time we hung together and still managed to have major fun!

 

Out in the parking lot after an early visit to Steve and Cheyenne to see about riding horses, Pixie serenaded the FS with her trumpet. They drove past in a jeep and stopped right in front of us and asked if she would play them a song. She pulled out her sheet music for "This Land Is Your Land, This Land Is My Land" by Woody Guthrie and blasted them with about three full verses with choruses! I was mighty proud! Afterwards we sang the two banned socialist verses to folks in the lot, and a day later I heard Pixie singing those verses to people at the Bliss kitchen!

 

"As I was walking, in the shadow of the steeple,

by the relief office, I seen my people.

As they stood there hungry, I stood there whistling..

(whistle melody to "This land was made for you and me")

 

As I was walking, I saw a sign there!

And on the sign it said, No Trespassing!

But on the other side, it didn't say nothing...

THAT side was made for you and me!"

 

The Krishna commune in West Virginia sent a bus and a couple of Swiss brown work bulls to the gathering. The bulls were twin brothers named Gita and Bhagavad. They were HUGE! We saw them as they arrived in a big trailer, and later grazing in a meadow. The Krishna's brought their usual assortment of fine musicians, including Indian drums and a harmonium, and put on theater in a stage in the first clearing. They had two big tipis and two large tents. Pixie and I stopped in their first tipi right after it went up, the incense was real fine and sweet and they were singing sweet songs to Krishna.

 

The inside of the tent had little triangular flags all around in a circle with some of the many names of god written on each flag. I wrote down the name of "Ksamah, one who is patient in all things!" Pixie grew impatient to leave and we tried to wait until their song ended, but it turned out to be an ENDLESS song so we snuck out quietly. They gave Pixie a glossy postcard of a blue lotus Shiva with four arms holding a nice talking drum and a ceremonial spear. Krishna was late arriving this year and we never made it to their kitchen, which opened about July 1st. Their kitchen has a reputation for the sweetest food!!

 

Josef arrived for the full moon sans his beard, but he brought his bagpipes! He remembered us from the Kentucky gathering where he worked communications and organized healers at the C.A.L.M. tipi. We also met Caribou, who maintains an unofficial Rainbow Family of Living Light homepage on the internet. Also it was a pleasure to meet Running Bear, an elder and cartoonist who posts regularly on the "alt.gathering.rainbow" internet newsgroup.

 

Early on we met Woody and his niece and her young friend David at the main circle. They were from West Virginia, and Woody told me an interesting tale of searching caves in Belize for artifacts. He was in a tight spot in a cave and poked at a mound of bat guano when a cloud of guano dust burst into the air and right down his lungs. He went into distress almost right away and developed histoplasmosis, a dangerous lung disease. After years of herbal and natural remedies, Woody's histoplasmosis is now in remission. Beware the guano dust in caves!

 

Woody's camp was near ours but on the other side of the Son Dance Trail and right next to Spring Creek. Woody heard some funny sounds one night and got up with a flashlight to find two armadillos had waddled out of the creek and were rummaging through his camp! He followed them a ways with the light as they waddled slowly off, and the next day he thinks he found their burrow a bit further downstream.

 

I would have loved to see those critters myself, but had to settle for the armadillos we saw hit by cars on the highway. Pixie and I stopped when we saw our first armadillo road-kill. The poor thing had really been clobbered by cars and we dragged it off the asphalt and into the weeds. Soon after we saw another armadillo in the classic four feet in the air bloated road-kill posture. Woody was a trader and kept business hours by his tent with wares on display luring folks in from the main trail. His demeanor was elegantly mellow and I liked him a lot. He had been at the Kentucky National in 1993, so I brought him some apple juice and a copy of the map I drew of that Gathering. He gave Pixie a beautiful ankle bracelet with bells. Later we brought him a set of juggling balls because the ankle bracelet was so sweet.

 

Everywhere we went we saw juggling sticks and Pixie was fascinated. The first juggler we saw with them was in Lovin' Touch kitchen, and he was a MOST excellent and smooooth juggler! Eric's friend Sage was playing an extended set of songs on Buddy Paul's guitar, and this juggler was sitting cross-legged in the dirt and working magic with those sticks in time with the music.

 

Sage was playing Nirvana and other tunes. He was real young but could play like my friend Johnny OH and sing like Kurt Cobain.

Sage and I traded songs later at their camp out by Granola Funk Express. Pixie was embarrassed to hear Dad chomping out bad versions of God Save The Queen (Sex Pistols) and Hey Baby (Hendrix) while she was trying to make eyes at Sage's friend Eric. Eric had a joker's hat and gave Pixie a necklace that came apart later. Pixie was sweet on this guy after getting that necklace! He was a drummer without a drum, promised to meet Pixie by the Kiddie Village swimming hole, but we couldn't find him. It's easy to lose folks at a Rainbow.

 

Trader's blankets were spread out at all the congested spots on the main trail, slowing foot traffic and bringing the shopping MALL spirit into the church. Call me a relic but I remember in 1980 the traders were NOT allowed to peddle inside until July 4th, when they flooded inside to the main meadow with all their trinkets glittering on their blankets. For many of these traders the Rainbow is just another stop on the flea market trail, and I resent this crass materialistic merchandising. Pixie was constantly drawn to gawk at their wares, and Dad (the Old Grouch) was given to grousing & crabbing & whining & beefing as I tried to pry her from those little portable stores. Jesus threw the bastards out of the temple on their ears, didn't he? Heeheheeheheee! Enough... :)

 

This was the first national where I didn't squirm my way into blowing the conch shell at main circle to call the family to grub. I must be getting old. The conch blowers I heard were doing their best but weren't getting the volume that the tuba player from Michigan got back in Kentucky in 1993! We had meadow neighbors from Urbana, Illinois, that brought a trombone and blew reveille way too EARLY one morning right next to our camp! Pixie had been sleeping but that blew her right out of the tent into the morning sunshine! Another trombonist at the Gathering liked to haunt the main drum circle and would let anyone pass around his trombone while he wandered off for hours. Way up by Arf Arf!! there was a cackle of five saxophones that regularly gathered in the shady trail and jammed together. They sounded to me like Frank Zappa's "The Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue // Dwarf Nebula Professional March & Dwarf Nebula", a real soaring pack of honkers in disarray.

 

Ours was the only trumpet we saw, and carrying it around a coupla days, we indulged a lot of requests from former trumpet players to play on it! It was played at the swimming holes with didgeridoos, tooted with wandering clarinets on the trail, and covered with fire soot at the main drum circle. We saw hordes of wood and orchestral flutes. There seemed to be a hundred didgeridoos! There were scores of guitars from the precious to the silly variety, and hundreds of big and small drums (the new Rainbow instrument of choice). SOOOO many drummers! Deep in the thundering buffalo stampede of oblivious amateur drumming there lurked a serious core of talented and demented real percussionists. The good drumming would surface and carry the energy in surprising places, even in the Walmart parking lot in West Plains!

 

There was a hilarious handbill posted at info about the telltale warning signs of drum abuse! It's interesting to note that lots of regional gatherings are just called "Drum Circles" now. The domination of the rhythmic ones has beaten the melodic minority to the sidelines! All hail the thumping BEAT!! Just kidding, I like drums a lot. Someday I would like to have a talking drum and a real low pitched booming tabla. I got a chance to play on both at the Shawnee regional in Early October! I didn't see many of either at this years National, but for all I know there were undoubtedly some real fine drums out there lurking in that foggy misty pulsing valley.

 

Pixie's new Rainbow friend Flipper was 19 and had been married and divorced twice already. Claimed to have already owned a house and had a high powered job at one point. He had a green spiked mohawk that kept lying down without his spray and mouse, and Pixie loved to take her fingers and mess it up! For him life was black leather and tattoos and musical angst (post-Punk) but he was obviously filled with joy and had a happy soul enjoying the Rainbow. He left July 2nd, hitching his way to Colorado with friends. A kind dude!

 

My Rainbow friend Jarrod had sliced three toes open in a farm accident loading hay bales a week before the rainbow. He wandered into Kiddie C.A.L.M. limping on a cane with no shoes or socks, and had flies crawling in & out of the mud caked around his wound! The Swedish Bitters woman decided he needed to clean that and apply Swedish Bitters. She prescribed Swedish Bitters for everything! We donated a clean sock for him to wear and he kept returning for more Swedish Bitters and cleaning each day. By the end of our stay he was walking without a cane, and new skin was growing on his wound. It was looking 100% improved! We poured through the ancient herbal tomes but never did find out the secret ingredients of Swedish Bitters. What the hay, Jarrod was healing fast! Center for Alternative Living Medicine does it again! May the Goddess praise Swedish Bitters!

 

A-camp, or Alcoholic Camp, lived up to it's bad reputation as usual. While there were a few kind souls welcoming folks home out on the road before parking, the welcome home info board area was home to a motley crue of sordid motorcyclists and macho self-designated Shanti Sena bosses. There was a giant "my-size" Barbi doll, naked, with duct tape over her mouth greeting everyone. The next day we went by and they were doing rather unspeakable things to her in the grass. I had Pixie turn her head and we walked quickly by.

 

The next time we went by, there was a crowd trashing a compact car. They had broken all the windows and were kicking in the doors. Some people have their own special forms of amusement, I guess. For a couple days there was a nice three-wheeled motorcycle that looked like a hearse parked right at the front gate, and the cycle gang members who brought it in were loading up on beer before hiking in where their feet would have to carry them.

 

The woman who had jumped up and down on the FS jeep without being arrested eventually calmed down a lot. We saw her several times being reeeeeally wacky but in better control. That day when she jumped on the jeep she had been hugging people on the trail, then tearing off their metal jewelry and throwing their rings and bracelets off into the weeds. Our friend Funky had his silver ring and silver bracelet thrown down into a ravine filled with poison ivy. Pixie and I and Cheshire Cat climbed down into it and helped him search. The bracelet was found quickly, but it was a long while later when Cheshire finally found the ring. Another brother lost an amulet and necklace and was extremely upset, but did not file charges against the woman.

 

One brother I met had the handle of "Less Stress". Now that is a good name! We can all use less Stress! Have you heard of "Vermin Supreme"? He is the infamous Disco Ball and giant toothbrush wielding hippie we met in Kentucky. He was here and passing out bumperstickers that said VERMIN SUPREME `96 "Brush Your Teeth, It's The Law!" We ran into him with a group that was asking cosmic questions of a Magic Eight Ball. I asked an important question and the 8-ball gave me the answer I was hoping for, but the exact words were, "Of course, you dork!"

 

The new summer edition of the 1996 Rainbow Guide was given away at info and there was a big color photo of Vermin Supreme with a shit-eating grin right on the cover! Fame!!! We had met Vermin in Kentucky in 1993. Vermin wandered around at night with a mobile and raucous party entourage. They carried that giant-size disco mirror-ball everywhere they went, shining flashlights on it and calling out for all to "Bow down and worship the Sacred Disco Ball!!" It was too-o-o-o hilarious! :)

 

Out in the parking lot we met and shared grub and laughs with Geo (George) from Minneapolis. The next night we heard machete whacking sounds back behind our camp in the trees, it seemed to go on all night! It was Geo and several of his Minneapolis friends carving out a shady campsite from the poison ivy and poison oak and raspberry brambles! Wack-a-wack-a-wack!! While we had set up at the tree line and had a tarp for protection from rain, the angle of the morning sun slanted in and heated up our tent in the early morning, ewwwwwwww!!!! Hot! Geo and friends did the extra work and wound up with a fine cool site with all day shade! A few set up tents out in the baking sun, only to move them the next day when they discovered how HOT the sun can be!

 

Our big hot meadow suddenly FILLED with tents on the weekend of June 29 and 30. An explosion of people arriving really changed the chemistry of the gathering from seed camp to full national homecoming! I crawled from our tent to find both paths we usually took to get to the main trail were now covered by new arrivals. There were tents everywhere!! A German shepherd from out of nowhere took umbrage at my emerging and growled and advanced on me to chew on my skinny leg!! I yelped backwards and grabbed my walking staff, which saved me! Dogs do not like big sticks wielded with a little bravisimmo! This big shepherd belonged to a tent two tents over, turned out to have a name (Nebraska) and took huge shits wherever he pleased.

 

The next night we tucked Pixie's sandals under the drop tarp next to the door of out tent because they were too raunchy and sandy to bring inside. The next morning Nebraska was using one of her sandals as a chew toy! I took several time outs during the gathering to move and cover other folks dog shit on the main trail. As much as I love cats, the Rainbow just makes me love cats all the more! I saw several people dive in to break up dog fights and almost got bowled over by fighting dogs a few times myself. As Bob Dylan says, "If dogs run free, then why not me? Across the swoop of tiiiiime........"

 

My favorite dog of the gathering was a three legged little black terrier that thought he was Napoleon! His name was Weasel. He stayed wherever he wanted, and had friends at Lovin' Touch and out at Horse Camp. His owner said he had picked a fight with a big German shepherd and got his leg bit off as a result. I was baby-sitting Kailey out at horse camp when a brother handed me Weasel and pleaded with me to hold him long enough for him to get away with his lady doggie that was in heat. Weasel had been romancing his pooch non stop, haahahaahaha! Who would bring a dog in heat to a Rainbow?

 

We also saw a beautiful brown/gray Afghan dog roaming without an owner (I like Afghans) and several big wolfhounds. There were a number of real classy fancy doggies whose owners kept them sensibly in tow, but 90% of the dogs just ran free. We came walking down the trail when two dogs locked in intercourse were captured by their owners who tried to separate them, but they were stuck! Pixie's eyes almost popped out of her head! Here were these silly humans pouring water and oil on these two pooches to no avail and trying to pull them apart. Oh the pain! I tried to move Pixie down the trail but all her friends had stopped to gawk at the sight.

 

Pixie was helping at Kiddie C.A.L.M. when a guy asked her to watch his little black cuddly puppy named Zodax while he ran a quick errand. Three hours later, the guy finally comes back! In the meantime, Pat had diagnosed Zodax as starving and loaded with worms! Pat and Pixie and I marched this guy down to the Animal Rainbow Family (ARF ARF!!) first aid camp. There he got medicine for his puppy and free food and a lecture, but the next day we found out he had given the puppy away. Rainbow people are BAD to their animals! Just my $.02 opinion! We met a family of 3 week old kittens in a sack. The mother had died, they said. They were taking care of them, they said. They had no milk, no food. My heart went out for them and their chances of surviving the Rainbow. :(

 

We saw lots of kittens but only about four adult cats. Adult cats will not put up with these conditions! Grace had a beautiful black and white cat named Fat Cat that ran free and safe at Lovin' Touch, but there was an uncomfortable and vulnerable black cat on a tied leash at the Popcorn Palace. We saw a couple of people on the trail carrying adult cats as they hiked. We saw people carrying mice and leading goats. Someone brought a rooster that crowed all day long! There were ferrets and pet birds and snakes and baby dwarf rabbits. Pixie caught and released her box turtle, caught and released butterflies and tadpoles. She got bit by a crawfish in the creek. We were all enjoyably nibbled on by little fish.

 

We both got chigger bites and TRIED not to scratch `em. We still have `em *scratch scratch* to tell ya the truth! There weren't many flies or mosquitoes or spiders. The great paranoia about Lyme disease from ticks was totally overblown. Any black bears or snakes probably fled the area after the first drum circle. Several folks went out of their way to seek out and kill some snakes, and their unlucky hides wound up as wares on the Trader's blankets. There were beautiful little golden finches fluttering around the kitchens and Red Tailed Hawks circling the updrafts above the hills. We spotted some fast little lizards that were black with narrow yellow stripes on their backs and bright blue tails.

 

I was really happy with the diversity of butterflies! Beautiful butterflies everywhere! Harvesters and Checkerspots and Blues and Viceroys and Fritillaries and lovely Dark Tiger Swallowtails! Saw my first live Zebra Swallowtail ever! And tattoos of butterflies! Tattoos everywhere! Tattoos in progress in the dust of the main trail! Pierced lips and tongues and nipples and belly buttons and ears and genitals and whole body irezumi tattoos. One woman from New Orleans wore an owl foot, alligator teeth, eagle feathers, and a gris-gris bag of zu-zu mamou! The further you got from A-camp, and the closer you got to the great swimming by Coffee Coffee, there were a lot of folks who wore only woven leaves of grape vine, or creative mud designs, or just shone with the light of their smiles! Rainbow spirit embraces all!!

 

Packing out the tents on our last trip down the trail, we came upon a man pushing his son (Zack) in a baby-buggy with little swivel wheels. The dirt path reached a rocky bUmPy stretch, so we swept the buggy up in the air and Zack was flying down the trail like a bird! We reached A-camp after a block-long flight, and set him back down on the dirt path. Dad suddenly took off and pushed that buggy about 200 yards down the path at a full sprint, with Zack laughing all the way! We were left smiling in clouds of buggy dust!

 

We saw a couple unloading a cello case from a van, so I asked about it. Sure enough, the kind brother got out his cello and treated us to a Bach concerto right there on the road in A-camp! Marvelous!!! I loooove cello! He was nailing the pitch and playing those hammer-ons and trills and getting those bow-stutters in there. I was in heaven! But soon we were loading the last of our gear into our old pickup truck. We ambled out of parking and onto FS road 3173. Eagle spotted us and ran to say farewell, then we headed out slowly, winding up through the Irish Wilderness towards Route 99. Farewell Rainbow `96!

 

Here's a partial list of kitchens and campsites we saw by July 3rd:

 

KITCHENS:

Tea Time

Granola Funk Express

Lovin' Touch/munchateria

Instant Soup

Ship of Love (Diva Diner)

White Dove

Bliss Kitchen

Brew Ha Ha

Popcorn Palace

Jah Love

Milliways (Cafe At The End Of The Universe)

Sun Dog

Musical Veggie

Have a Beautiful Day

The Woderfull Whirrled of OZ

Avalon

Everybody's Whatever Lovin' Ovins/NERT

Kool Aid Coroner

Cofee Cough (no fee, pop free)(Cafe Cough Fee)(Coffee Coffee)

Dee Bakery (Da Bakers)

Beeck Party

Jesus Soup Kitchen

Tow Back Go Kitchen

Krishna Kitchen

Turtle Soup

Dragon Kitchen

 

CAMPSITES and ORGANIZED MAYHEM:

Kiddie Village

Kiddie C.A.L.M.

C.A.L.M.

Info/Rumor control

Welcome Home

A-Camp

Bus Village

Teen Village

Kiddie Camping

Sorta First Aid

Celestial Tea & Toke

Lost Tribe

Kaw Valley

Mo Love/Dragon Camp

S.H.Y. Camp

Morning Star

Illinois Dysfunctional Family

Yoga Loca

Camp Got A Minute

Be Here Now

Butterflies & Roses

This Camp (Not That Camp)

That Camp (Not This Camp)

Thier Streak - Frier Camp

Sacred Space

Shama Lama Ding Dong

RME RUNE

Top Secret Research Facility

Area 51

Poison Ivy Camp

Teen Barbarian Space

Know Mun Land

FAEREYE Camp

Faerie Camp

Pixie Camp

Multi 4th Dimension

Polka Dot Camp

Safe Love Bowl

Baby Nap

H(({{OM}})) KLA HOMA

Sparrows Nest

Bliss Pit

Madame Frogs

World Peace Pilgrimage

Purple Gang

A.R.F. Animal Rainbow Family

Rest Area

Prop-A-Ghandi Camp

Seven Minit Low

Children Of The Sun

Health Info

Bench March

Calif Cove

Freedome Village L.P.

Camp Calm Union

Kamp U Can't Fine

Fallen Tree Tribe

Flip-N-Tripe E.E.

N.W. - S.W. Western Tribe (Scroll Deaf Tribe)

The Nurd Ick

Mother Ship of F.U.E.L.

NVR NVR LND

Bufins Party

Camp Of Know Repute

Yell Oh Flash Lite

No Feds Tree House

White Hawk

Kumformeee

Ora Gone Camp

Hum Zah

Bah Ree

Bi The Way

Serenity Ridge

Blissters

Cody Massage

Rooster Shack

Blues Party

Mayan Camp

Zoe (Ask For Oness)

High Times

Palm Tribe

Greenwitch Village

Sister Space

Aloha Camp

Om Home

Nowhere

Minnesota Camp

Turk's Head/East Wind

Katuah

No Butt Heads Be Us

The MADD Tea Party

Choc Olate Roomers

All Around The Universe

Coo Cool Ka Chew

Good Space Grove (New Amsterdam)

  

Well this rambling blathering spew has gone on long enough!

We had a great time and all was good!

The only way to describe a Gathering is to be there, really.

The vision doesn't get through to all,

but enough get the drift to keep this magical thing afloat now for 25 years!

 

Thanks for your patience and ear,

Lovin’ you,

 

guano

 

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"What if money really did grow on trees? I heard my neighbor had a money tree… it was a little bare but we decided to grab a little cash for the holidays. A covert mission yielded a small reward… we almost got caught but our black clothes blended into the night."

 

Despite what may appear to be two me's, I assure you it is really Shawn in the background and myself in the foreground. Ok, now that we've got that out of the way, we can get down to brass tacks or gold or silver or those nifty multi colored ones I use for my "where i've been" map.

 

Ever wish money grew on trees? Well, if you consider the fruit industries views, money does grow on trees, in the form of their product of course. However, I'm talking about for real. You go out back, and pick a few fresh 20's from the branches. Thats what I wished for today as I had to take a look at my budget in order to be certain that I could afford to drop a whopping $400 on a new Hard Drive. I know its a small drop in the bucket for peace of mind. I have thousands in gear but how much is my stock worth? It's from all over the country, I have shots that I can't get again. That in my opinion is priceless. If I lose those do to being cheap and not getting a backup drive, well… I'll be the only one to blame. So, even though It killed me to do it… I ordered the drive. Unfortunately, I need it ASAP and had it overnighted. I swear, when my chain of drive in turkish mail order bride stores are up and operational I will most definitely be overnighting any and all of my purchases including the lovely ladies for your enjoyment, (additional charges will apply for expedited services).

 

The money tree idea reminds me of another type of fictional tree I've encountered in my past. When we were younger, say, 18 years ago, one summer night, my Uncle Rob came over all excited. Of course, being a 26 year old man, my uncle was… unaware of his how his actions would affect young children. He told my youngest brother Cory that if he planted this stick he had in his hands that it would grow into a fish tree. Yes, we were all gullible as kids. So, Cory and My uncle run in the back yard with a flash light and planted this stick into the ground. During the wee hours of the morning, my uncle, being the slick con artist he was, snuck over and hung a few fishes from the "tree". Cory woke up and of course, HAD to check his tree. Low and behold… there were fish on it. Cory was the happiest kid in the world. "look mom, it really did grow fish!" No one had the heart to tell him it wasn't real, So… we watered it and let it continue to grow. The rotting fish smell was pretty strong but Cory didn't seem to mind. The next morning, Cory runs out to check if more fish had grown. His little feet couldn't get him their fast enough. His chubby little legs working overtime, all in an effort to see what magic the fish tree had for him. He made it out to the back only to find the Fish tree was destroyed, un earthed and broken. He was in instant tears! The punk kids next door has seen the tree and decided to be… well… punk kids! Looking back now, I would have shown those to dick heads what it meant to lose something as magical as a fish tree! It gets me mad thinking about it.

 

So… for all of you out there wanting the secret to the money tree. Unfortunately, I faked it. I know I know… A Michael Herb Photo not being 100% true to life. I'm sorry that I deceived you all! I never meant to upset anyone. The trick was simple, we taped thread to the bills and tied them to the branches.

 

I wanted to get more shots of the money so I could have duplicated the bills, thus filling out the tree but… As I was loading the foreground shots to assure focus and exposure, it started to rain! My gear was outside and I had to rush to get it in. Funny that when we were shooting the skies were clear as far as the eye could see - Weird!

 

So… Money… it comes and it goes. The more you have the more you spend and you don't really ever truly appreciate its power until you don't have any. One day my intake will out weight my output… I just can't wait until that happens.

 

Lighting:

 

AB800 Med Gridded Sofbox 2:00 full power

AB800 Med Gridded Softbox 4:00 1/2 power

www.imdb.com/title/tt0061512/

 

Impresiile despre acest film sunt mult prea la cald pentru a le consemna acum, daca l-as fi vazut mai demult as fi zis si eu Sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand.

 

De retinut si o alta replica memorabila: What we got here is a failure to communicate.

 

Voi reveri cu unele insemnari personale despre acest mare film, pana atunci se cuvine sa aduc si eu, cu putina intarziere ce-i drept, omagiul cuvenit unui mare actor, cu atat mai mult cu cat ne-a mai daruit, intre altele, un alt mare film din care eu am invatat enorm: Cineva acolo sus me (ne) iubeste

  

Cool Hand Luke is a 1967 American drama film starring Paul Newman and directed by Stuart Rosenberg. The screenplay was adapted by Donn Pearce and Frank Pierson from the novel by Pearce.

 

Newman stars in the title role as Luke, a prisoner in a Florida prison camp[1] who refuses to submit to the system. His inability to conform drives the plot of the movie, in the same vein as characters such as Winston Smith from Nineteen Eighty-Four, Randle McMurphy from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and Jake Holman in The Sand Pebbles.

 

Luke is sent to the prison camp for cutting the heads off parking meters one drunken night. His unquenchable spirit makes the other prisoners idolize him.[2]

 

Luke becomes notorious for his escapes from prison. During the longest such escape, Luke mails a magazine to the other prisoners with a photograph in it of him with two beautiful women, which the prisoners receive with awe and delight. However, Luke is again caught and beaten after being returned to the prison. He receives immediate care from his friends as they tell him how amazed they were at his picture. The delirious Luke, however, admits that the picture was a fake and it cost him a whole week's pay. Afterward, as he struggles to recover, Luke's will is broken in front of the other prisoners. As punishment for trying to escape, he has to dig a large hole in the prison camp yard, then fill it in and repeat the process, as his comrades look on with shame. At night, an exhausted Luke collapses in his hole and begs the bosses for mercy and not to be hit again. His friends hear this and lose the last of the idealized image they had of him. One prisoner pulls out the magazine with Luke's picture in it and tears it up. Luke is hauled back into the bunk house, where he struggles to his bed alone.

 

Broken in spirit, Luke nonetheless takes one last stab at freedom when he gets the chance to steal the guards' truck. Dragline, his closest associate in the prison gang, jumps in the truck with Luke and they drive off. The two travel together until at night near a church Luke tells Dragline that they should split up. Saddened and regretful, Dragline thanks Luke as the two part, and Luke enters the church. Moments later, police cars arrive outside the church. Dragline suddenly enters and tells Luke it's over and he made a deal with the bosses that they won't hurt him if he surrenders peacefully. Luke, knowing better, appears in an open window and remarks, "What we've got here is a failure to communicate," echoing the Captain's own words to Luke earlier in the film. Luke is immediately shot in the neck. A distraught Dragline hauls him outside, where he is placed in a car with orders to take him to the prison hospital, even though someone protests that it is more than an hour away and he needs immediate medical attention.

 

Later, Dragline and the other prisoners reminisce about Luke in the fields. Dragline describes Luke's unique smile as scenes of the protagonist flash across the screen. The final image is the now-restored picture of Luke and the two women, with the rips forming the shape of a cross, before the screen fades to black.

 

[edit] The Christ Parallel

 

Many symbolic references to Jesus Christ are made throughout the film:

 

* Luke is looked upon as a leader and inspiration for the underdogs of society.

* After the egg eating contest, Luke is shown lying in a crucified position on the table.

* After Boss Godfried shoots the head off a snake, Luke throws the dead snake at him and hands him his walking stick where in the Bible, the Devil's walking stick is a snake.

* Luke refers to God as "Old Man" when praying in the church.

* Dragline acts as an unwitting Judas when he brings the police to the church.

* The last shot showing the picture of Luke with the two women is taped backed together with the tears forming the shape of a cross, then superimposed over an aerial shot of rural crossroads.

 

El cine siempre estuvo plagado de personajes entrañables, pero en este rubro hubo uno que se despegó por su simpatía. El joven Luke, excede la arrogancia natural de Paul Newman para potenciarla a un grado de mito, desafía sistemáticamente a las autoridades con una sonrisa en la boca sin importar las consecuencias de semejante desacato. Y lo que es más querible aún es su moral inquebrantable que le hace llevar sus causas al límite para cruzarlos en un camino sin retorno.

Esta fábula sureña con ritmo de blues y personajes orgullosos dista mucho de la narración convencional que se venía viendo en materia de films relacionados a la vida en prisión. Tomemos en cuenta que desde aquella obra maestra de Jean Renoir “La Grande Illusion" (1937) a “Escape from Alcatraz” (1979) de Don Siegel, el objetivo de los protagonistas de estas historias era el escape del campo o la fortaleza en la que estaban atrapados. O sea que la mayor parte del relato podía dividirse en una primera fase de entrada al presidio (donde se nos mostraba su reforzada seguridad y lo complejo del escape), una segunda fase de conformación de grupo y elaboración del plan, y la tercera donde se ejecutaba lo anterior. En casi todos los casos la meta era escapar y el film servía como vehículo para construir este sueño. Sin embrago en “Cool Hanf Luke”, la cuestión argumental cumple el primer eslabón expuesto pero no el segundo y me animaría a decir que si se da el tercero es más por una suerte de decantación crítica hacia las convenciones clásicas del género que por otra cosa, pero veamos como funciona esto en el film.

Paul Newman es Luke, un joven rebelde que comete un crimen menor (destruir propiedad municipal) y es condenado a cumplir su condena de dos años en un presidio rural. Lo primero que hace Luke es mostrarse como diferente y conquistar de manera poco ortodoxa la estima de sus compañeros de celda. Pero, aquí viene el elemento extraño, no intenta persuadir a sus colegas de escapar ni maquina un plan maestro, Luke quiere divertirse aceptando desafíos absurdos que alimenten su carácter de héroe hedonista. Está claro que en algún momento va a intentar huir, pero no por los métodos convencionales sino respondiendo a los arrebatos de libertad propios de una personalidad como la de él. Este motivo principal hace de la película de Stuart Rosenberg un relato fresco, simpático y renovador.

Otra de las claves para entender el tema de esta producción es el carácter de parábola bíblica que se construye a nivel visual a lo largo de la historia. Luke es una suerte de Cristo a pesar que no crea en él. Esa paradoja subraya la idea del salvador de almas y se expresa con el recorrido de nuestro héroe. Primero despierta la conciencia de que si se trabaja rápido se consigue más tiempo libre (cosa que no agrada a las autoridades), luego unifica al grupo sin hacer distinciones, después desafía a sus superiores con el buen trato para terminar viviendo su propio vía crucis. Es azotado y golpeado hasta el hartazgo por estos pseudo romanos, encadenado y usado como ejemplo de castigo. Su deambular entre sus fieles con la túnica blanca y las cadenas lo convierten en un verdadero mártir, que además muestra la multiplicación de los panes en la escena del comedor donde todos comen un poco de su comida. Sustentando aún más esta idea, el final de Luke va a ser justamente en una iglesia intentando por primera vez hablar en serio con Dios. En definitiva, la aparición de este protagonista va a devolver cierta ilusión y dignidad a sus pares encerrados.

Más allá de todas las lecturas posibles y por cierto muy ricas que nos propone la cinta, es posible dejarlas de lado para sólo quedarnos con la legendaria escena en la que Newman desafía a la cuadrilla con comerse cincuenta huevos duros en el lapso de una hora. Tal vez esa situación tan imposible como absurda defina mejor que todo lo expuesto al personaje y a la película. Cool Hand Luke: un verdadero indomable del cine.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

Within about 10 minutes of posting the above picture of Aaron's toy whale next to the Yin Yang symbol on a Lost forum, with my explanation of Black vs White, I was banned from the forum.

 

This Yin Yang Whale is pulled out of Claire's bag by Kate in "What Kate Does"

Season 6, Episode 2, 10 minutes in.

 

Many of my posts were deleted on Lost forums that got too close to the truth. But I just found a lot of my old archived forum posts. As I come across these posts that got me banned from Lost forums, I will copy and paste them over here.

 

Now you will be able to read my infamous posts that the Lost producers don't want you to see!

  

---------------------------------------

  

In regards to the producers saying in TV and magazine interviews that John is the smoke monster and the Man in Black, another forum member says...

 

"Are we really to believe the producers would give us the answer to such and intricate question in the first episode of the season, absolutely not."

 

Finally someone that understands this!

 

In fact, the "writers" and actors are always saying they can't answer questions, but for the past few months have been telling everyone that he is no longer playing John Locke, and suggesting that he may be playing the man in black. That should send up RED FLAGS to everyone! Why try so hard to keep information from leaking, and then spread THIS "spoiler" information, unless it is MIS-information.

 

Don't listen to anything that Damon and Carlton say! They will never give you any REAL spoilers about what is happening, everything they say is mis-information.

 

Jeremy was lucky the bullet bounced off his knife or buckle, and quickly took cover in a Shen door behind the pillar, as the "smoke monster" arrived.

 

Another forum member posts:

"I'm sorry you had to see that side of me"...this would lead us to believe Flocke/MIB is smokey."

 

He only wanted to lead BEN to think he was the "smoke monster". Why? Because if Ben knew he was only human, Ben might try to kill him. If Ben thinks he is an invincible monster that can't be killed, then Ben won't bother trying, and Jeremy can get back to business at hand.

 

From another forum member:

"ash circles and were scurrying when they found out Jacob had died....but hasn't smokey lived inside the temple walls?"

 

We also saw Kate walk ahead of the rest of them through the tunnel leading to the temple and walk right through to the other polarity reality. (flash sideways sfx) What polarity is the "smoke monster" and from which polarity is the ash?

 

Ben walked towards the opening the smoke monster left (and also came from) and the director made sure to show you Ben turning around to see that "John" then came out of the secret room from BEHIND him. It would be easy to skip special morphing effects but still have "John" walk out of the door right in front of Ben, right?

 

They are SHOWING you here, and in other scenes, that John is NOT the smoke monster.

 

If bullets really could bounce off of him, he wouldn't have had to run away and hide as he did! He could have stood there like superman.

 

----------------------

 

This plane wasn't big enough to make it from Sydney to LAX. They probably figured, they didn't need to do the entire bit over again, just the part where Jack tries to save Charlie and fails. But Jack spilled one of his bottles and wasn't as intoxicated as last time, so even though they took his pen and Cindy wouldn't give him anything, he managed to save Charlie anyway with his hands. Charlie seems as pissed having to go through it all over again as Eloise was when Desmond wouldn't do what he was supposed to. Or Jeremy when he tells Jack at the radio tower "Your not supposed to do this!"

 

Rose almost blew it when trying to cover for Desmond when she said they were sleeping.

 

Another important key piece of information from season one:

 

TOM: (to Michael) "Did the bullet bounce off your skull, or did the gun just jam on you?"

 

Michael couldn't die, just as the bullet bounced off of Jeremy in the statue.

 

Did this mean Michael was the smoke monster because he couldn't be killed? Of course not.

 

----------------------

 

In this season, we have already seen two slightly different versions of Kate hijacking the Taxi and heard two different versions of Ford leaving the Temple. One where he shoots someone on the way out, and one where he doesn't. The gun he uses is a different gun in the scene where he leaves and doesn't shoot anyone.

 

ALDO: So what's your strategy for bringing your boyfriend back - I hope you got one because he shot a guy on his way out.

 

And yet Ford did NOT shoot someone on the way out in the reality WE saw, so why would he say that he did?

 

LENNON: He swallowed it?

DOGEN: Yes.

 

And yet Jack did NOT swallow it. So why would he answer "YES" ?

 

In one reality, Dogen's hand is not healed, he wears a bandage on it. In another reality, Sayid's bullet wound is healing fast.

 

-----------------

 

The Loophole:

 

You can't kill one of them, and you can't tell someone else to kill them. That's the rules.

 

A loophole would be if you got someone ELSE to kill, because they really wanted to kill, the way "John" tricked Ben into wanting to kill Jacob.

 

Ben thought that Widmore changed the rules by telling Keamy to kill Alex, but it was actually Ben that told Keamy to kill Alex. And Keamy that wanted to do it, not Widmore.

 

-----------------

 

I have seen two different Jacobs so far, so just because one is dead, doesn't mean the other is.

 

The moment someone other than Hugo can see him, that will probably be the other Jacob.

 

Note: this ended up exactly how the producers showed it, with other characters besides Hugo being able to see the other Jacob at the campfire.

 

While John Locke exited the island at the antipode point in Tunisia, Jeremy Bentham stayed on the island and has been showing Claire how to sharpen axe blades, shoot guns, sew up wounds, etc. for the past 3 years.

 

In one Temple, they have Aaron. In the other Temple, they do not.

 

You need to pay attention to the flash-sideways sound effects of the plane crashing, or there is no way you can follow what is happening. They don't flash sideways EVERY time the scene changes from on island to off island, so it is real important you keep track of WHEN they play this sound effect, so you know which reality you are watching both on and off island.

 

-------------------------

 

In one reality, Widmore fakes the crash, but in the other, he spends a lot of money to go down and acquire the black box of the real crash.

 

In ONE reality, Widmore put it there. But in another reality, it is NOT a fake, it is the real Oceanic with the real passengers.

 

Do remember that Daniel was crying and really upset, (not over complete strangers, but passengers he KNEW were on that plane) the pilot didn't have a wedding ring on, Jack told us he had pilot training, and Jack told Sun about why he isn't wearing a wedding ring and that it is in his sock drawer at home.

 

And do note that the Flash Sideways sound effects is of a plane going down.

 

-----------------------

 

People who only watched each episode ONCE, in order, will NEVER understand what is going on.

 

For instance, of what did we care in season one that Charlie goes to Sydney to tell his brother that they got a gig to open up for MEAT COAT in LA?

 

But in season 6, we see Jack's son David with a poster of MEAT COAT on his wall, and listening to DRIVE SHAFT in his headphones when he tells Jack that Jack wouldn't know who they are.

 

You will note that the audio was scrambled so we couldn't actually hear it was Drive Shaft, but if it wasn't, there would have been NO REASON to scramble the audio to the viewer.

 

------------------

 

When Claire mentioned being tortured, the other guy from the Temple said she wasn't remembering it right. (that other guy remembers it different, because it DID happen different in the other reality)

 

So while in ONE reality, she was burned there, in the other she wasn't.

 

Just as in ONE reality, Ben killed Jacob, but in the other, he didn't.

 

In one reality, Ben kept his promise to Alex, to keep it between them what Alex told Ben about the Principal's affair.

 

They don't put those "flash sideways" sounds in there for nothing.

 

Even in Season One, when Claire is attacked and has needles put in her, for which Jack thinks she is just making it up, because there are no needle marks on her, if you watch, you will see her shirt change from black to white, and only ONE version of her got stuck with the needles, not the other version of her. But her mind was able to experience what her other self was going through.

 

It makes perfect sense that she doesn't have that burn mark in one reality, just as she didn't have needle marks in one reality.

 

----------------

 

Claire once again lets us know, by telling Jack, she has been with "John" since Jack left the island.

 

"John" tells Jack that John Locke's dead body needed to be brought to the island before he could take his form.

 

So then you tell me WHO Claire was with, if John Locke's body wasn't yet brought back to the island?

 

See the problem? See the CONTRADICTION in the show itself?

 

"John" is lying to Jack, his motive being, he LIKES that they think he is a smoke monster. That way, they will fear him and think they can't hurt or kill him, and thus not try to hurt or kill him.

 

Claire was with "John" for the 3 years they were off the island! Years BEFORE John's body was brought back to the island! ONE version of John on the island teaching Claire how to sharpen axes and hunt, while ANOTHER version of John is off the island being killed by Ben.

 

Ever since LAST season, there has been tons of proof that show "John" can not be the "MIB" or the Smoke Monster.

 

Did you notice towards the end of the episode prior to this one, that "John" was very thirsty and took a drink of WATER from that green US army canteen? Or that Micheal pointed to Hugo where "John Locke" was, and didn't say anything about him being dead, or warning Hugo to stay away from him? Why wouldn't Micheal's spirit tell Hugo that it wasn't really "John Locke" but it was a smoke monster? Because he was NOT a smoke monster.

 

---------------------

 

Claire is only crazy on the dark side, and more normal on the light side.

 

--------------------

 

He made a DEAL with Ricardo and then when Ricardo wanted out of the deal, this "Man in Black" didn't hold him to it. Instead, he said that he understands that Jacob can make a convincing argument, and said that the offer would always stand, if he ever changed his mind.

 

Doesn't sound like very EVIL actions, when the other guy broke the agreement they had, does it?

 

Remember what Frank Lapidus said. When ever someone tells you they are "the good guys"...

 

In any war, the government of your own country will try to tell you that they are the good guys.

 

The government of which side tell's it's people it are the "bad guys"? NEITHER.

 

We have seen the same thing here in LOST. Everyone says THEY are the good guys.

 

------------------

 

Sayid taught us in the previous episode that John can't tell if someone is lying to him. (He doesn't have special mind reading powers or anything) He couldn't tell that Sayid lied to him about killing Desmond.

 

Previous seasons have shown us that John knows when things are going to happen (like it will start to rain, seconds after he says it will) because he has lived through all of this before. Same as others like Eloise, Alex, Desmond, etc.

 

He knew everyone would not die on the sub, probably the same way he knew (while carving that stick recently) that they would just sit at their camp and wait, and Jack and company would come to them. Because that is always the way it happens.

 

The cheap homemade leg cuff, made from airplane wreckage by Illana and put around Ben's leg, always ends up breaking off at that exact moment too. Right at the moment he points down for Ben to look at it.

 

John didn't magically make it pop off, just as he didn't magically make it rain on command in previous seasons either.

 

Keep in mind this season started on Ground Hog Day.

 

John is like Bill Murray's character. Each time, he uses more knowledge of what he seen happen last time around, to use that to his advantage.

 

He also remembers each time the Smoke Monster appears too. Gee if one knew that, one could actually trick others into believing that he was the Smoke Monster.

 

----------------------

 

Daniel isn't going to be sad and cry about some strangers he doesn't know on a plane crash wreckage he sees on TV. He is crying, because part of his mind knows those people, but the other part doesn't. Just like Jack is confused at his appendix scar and when he had it removed, because part of his mind is linking to the other reality where he had it out on the island as an adult. People kept saying that when the flash forward showed him taking a shower and he didn't have that scar anymore, that it was a "production error" well, this season proved that it was NOT a production error. In fact, one of the characters this season shares the same last name as the Script Supervisor of the program, who keeps a large bible to make sure there are no continuity errors. And how anyone can suggest that it could be an ERROR or MISTAKE or OVERSIGHT that Hugo and Jame's shirts have been changing color and getting darker all season long, is just ABSURD.

 

In a news story, it was asked if they would ever consider publishing the continuity log book after the series is over, and the answer was no, because they want some mystery to remain.

 

Well, that PROVES they are not continuity errors! Because unless that book shows PROOF of intentional changing colors of shirts, or changing the turntable in the hatch, then why would publishing it reveal any mystery?

 

It would be a very BORING book to read, UNLESS... It gives every intentional change of every prop, costume, and everything else.

 

There have to be more than 2 realities/timelines, because we have photographic PROOF of Sun and Jin's wedding with Sun in THREE different dresses for her wedding. But keep in mind that we know some characters have been through this more than once, so you would have to add another 2 realities, at least, to each of the time loops, and that brings a lot more differences to account for.

 

-----------------

 

Why would the person in charge of costumes, get the same style shirt for James in 3 different colors? You always have more than one, in case one gets lost or damaged, but they would all be the SAME COLOR!

 

One of the characters on the series was even named AFTER the script supervisor (in charge of CONTINUITY) his name is Gregg Nations. No such production, in all of recorded history, has ever had this many production errors, and it is the job of Gregg Nations to make sure there AREN'T ANY continuity errors in LOST. If these were production errors, then he would have been fired years ago. He would also never be able to get another job in the industry ever again!

 

And you only seen the PICTURE evidence I posted. Every time they have shown the same scene more than once, the DIALOG has been different too!

 

Now that can NOT be a mistake, because the text on the scripts doesn't CHANGE by accident or by magic!

 

Also.. Say the script supervisor, who's job it is to watch every scene being filmed and make sure there are no continuity errors, misses one. And say the actors and crew and director all missed it too. Well now it goes to post production and the director usually supervises there too, and it could be caught there, and redone.

 

Watch the scene in Widmore's office this season with the scale painting again. Note EVERY LAMP in the room and EVERY ITEM on his desk! Things are moving and disappearing like CRAZY in that one short scene! Go watch it and be amazed! No one can make that many mistakes, there must be a dozen alone in that one scene! See how many you can count up!

 

If you want to go back and look at the best example of alternate realities being shown, probably the best example would be from season 5 where they show the exact same incident, played out in each reality:

 

5.05 THIS PLACE IS DEATH -

Sayid: And if I see you or him again, it'll be extremely unpleasant for all of us"

 

5.10 HE'S OUR YOU -

Sayid: And if I see you again, it'll be extremely unpleasant for us both"

 

In one reality, Sayid makes the threat to both Ben and Jack, in the other, he is only angry at Ben.

 

In 3.08, is the most obvious time, back when Desmond saw Charlie singing and playing on the street, knowing it was going to rain, then it rained, and Charlie didn't get to save Nadia, because Desmond was speaking to him.

 

In 3.21, when it starts to rain, Desmond isn't there to distract Charlie, so Charlie hears Nadia's call for help in the alley and saves her.

 

But since Desmond remembers he was there before and that it was going to rain, this means there is at least a third variation of this same scene, that was never shown to us, that Desmond remembers living through.

 

1.05 - Charlie tells Jack that he can't swim.

 

In a later episode, he tells Jack he is an excellent swimmer and wants to volunteer to swim down to the looking glass station.

 

Once again, we have been watching alternate realities all along. In one, Charlie doesn't know how to swim, in the other he does.

 

These are NOT production or continuity errors, they are written into the script that way.

 

Watch the scene with Kate getting into the airport Taxi in "LA X Part 2" and then watch the same event in the other reality in "What Kate Does" Note the differences.

 

Anytime they show you a scene you have already seen in a previous episode, you will want to compare them both back to back to see the differences.

 

The only reason they show a scene we already seen AGAIN, is to show how it happened in another reality.

 

Why else, with so little time left, would they waste valuable episode time showing us a scene we already saw in a previous episode?

 

In the scene of Hugo and John in the parking lot, Hugo's lines were about him parking in the handicap space, but the scene they showed, he wasn't in the handicap space.

 

This is one way of showing what happened in both realities, by only showing the scene once. The video shows one reality, and what they said, is what took place in the other reality.

 

------------------

 

I explain this elsewhere in more detail, but there are two main realities in which one is slightly ahead in time from the other. Thus why people can only make decisions one way, because they can't link to the other half of their minds which give them better judgment (together), because that version of their minds are doing different events and tasks. They are out of sync. Someone is trying to get both sides back in sync.

 

On the dark side reality, everyone can only have the attitude: "don't tell me what I can't do!" and always just want to do the opposite of whatever anyone tells them. In the light side reality, the same people "don't have what it takes" and just go along with what anyone tells them and never argue.

 

The problem comes when one of them has already made a decision and took a path, and the other version wants to keep doing things differently, making it hard for the universe to course correct. Thus why our "time police" keep trying to get them to do things differently, only they really aren't allowed to tell them what to do, the characters have to WANT to do it themselves. That's the rules.

 

---------------------

 

Most any of them this season (other than ones like Ab Aeterno) which include the "whoosh" with the plane engine sound in it that separates light and dark realities.

 

Dr Linus is a perfect example, because in one reality he keeps his promise to Alex and in the other he doesn't. On one side he tries to blackmail the principal, and in the other side he went to speak to the school board instead. If you can't see that in the off island scenes in that episode, there were two completely different Bens and two completely different versions of the same story taking place, then what you saw most likely didn't make any sense at all to you.

 

In one, all he cares about is power, and in the other, he cares about others. He even TELLS US THIS via clues in his history lesson he teaches the students, which is really more of a clue for the viewer, than a history lesson for students.

 

When he writes ELBA on the chalkboard, it can be seen how it is written DIFFERENT in both realities.

 

Happily Ever After and Everybody Loves Hugo are a perfect matched set to see this in action too.

 

Because at the very end of the first one, you end up in the dark side reality, where you can see the sinister look in Desmond's face as he wants a list of the other passengers of the plane from his driver, and we KNOW it is because he wants to do to them what Charlie did to him!

 

But the next episode, each time we see him meeting one of the other passengers, it always occurs on the LIGHT side reality. (once again, each episode starts in the light side, REGARDLESS if the scene is on or off island, and each time you hear the Flash Sideways SFX, you toggle back and forth between light and dark realities.)

 

In Happily Ever After, almost the ENTIRE EPISODE is on the light side, and they never play the Flash Sideways SFX until the very end. THEN you hear the SFX and the scene is at the stadium.

 

In Everybody Loves Hugo, we hear the Flash Sideways SFX 9 times. When Desmond hits John with his car, guess which side that takes place in? The DARK side reality. Which makes perfect sense, because it is in that reality that in the last episode, we could read in Desmond's face that he was going to go and try to bring each of the passengers to a near death experience, even BEFORE we saw the next episode!

 

But then he DIDN'T do that at all, he ended up playing cupid instead! But that is because that is what he did on the LIGHT side.

 

Thus why you need to watch each episode twice, and the second time, use pen and paper to log the episode and MARK off the paragraphs to light and dark sides. Remember, each episode STARTS in the light side, and commercial breaks never count for any changes, when you come back from commercial, you are still on the same side you were before the break. Because there was no Flash Sideways SFX.

 

Again, ask yourself, WHY THE HELL DID THEY PUT THESE SOUND EFFECTS IN THESE EPISODES IF THEY WERE NOT SO IMPORTANT!

 

-----------------

 

It does start out where the Flash Sideways are heard between island and off island, so that the first two off island scenes are on the dark side. But After the on island scene where Ben says to Lapidus, "The island still got you in the end, didn't it?" there is a commercial break. When we come back from the commercial break we are OFF island again, but there was NO WHOOSH, so we are now seeing the FIRST time that episode of the OFF island scene in the LIGHT reality side.

 

This is where Ben promises to Alex that he will keep what she told him between them, and that a promise is a promise. Right after he says that, WHOOSH SFX, we are on the island in the DARK reality. Then there is another commercial break, and after the commercial, we are OFF island again, but this is still the DARK reality, there was no WHOOSH separating it. So when LIGHT Ben has Artzt break into the principal's emails for him, he is not breaking his promise to Alex, because this is the OTHER side, this is DARK side Ben.

 

In fact, the only OTHER scene that is OFF island that is LIGHT reality again, is when Ben tells Alex he didn't have anything to do with the principal's letter of recommendation for her. He also tells Artzt that he didn't do it. Ben is telling the truth.

 

Miles also had no way in hell enough time to dig up those diamonds if everything you see this episode on island was one linear reality. He had only 3 minutes. Also, in one reality, James threw the diamonds out LOOSE over the bodies before they were buried, it would take many long hours to find them.

 

This episode ONLY makes sense, when you separate the two LIGHT and DARK realities of BOTH on AND off island with the flash sideways. Any why else would the sound effects be there if they had no purpose? They wouldn't.

 

----------------------

 

The Flash Sideways SFX are very obvious in The Last Recruit, so really no reason for me to take the time to explain every scene, they are where they are. I will only mention ONE of them, because ONE of them was sort of faint, and some people might have missed it.

 

It is after James trips Sayid at the back door with the garden hose, is handcuffed and arrested. There is a Flash Sideways between that, and going back on island where Jack is talking to Claire. Of course, if you MISS that, then the rest of the episode will be off, you will think you are on the wrong sides, both on and off island.

 

------------------

 

Yes he told Artzt he didn't do it, in the LIGHT side, but he DID do it in the DARK side.

 

I suspect in the ending we saw, which was the LIGHT side, he had gone to the school board (under more of the suggestion from John at the beginning of the story) and went through the LEGAL channels, and the school board came to some sort of a compromise in which he got to have his history club back, because if his blackmail effort didn't work, why and how did he get to have his history club back?

 

See?

 

One Ben doesn't seem very enthusiastic to dig that grave, but the other Ben is really into the digging and gets pretty deep. Yes, they showed them in that order, so one can think the hole just got deeper because more a period of time went by, but that is what they do with everything. If they showed the OTHER Ben digging a pretty good sized hole, and then later showed the Ben with a hole hardly two inches deep, then you would have a better time believing me, right? But they showed it in the order they did, so that it sort of almost makes sense as a THIRD story, by editing bits and pieces of the two stories together like that.

 

Picture it this way....

 

One side's motto is: "Don't tell me what I can't do!" and no matter what you try to tell that person, or how you try to convince them, they will always want to do the exact opposite, because that is all they can ever want to do.

 

The other side's motto is: "I don't have what it takes" and no matter what you tell that person, they will be agreeable and do whatever you tell them, without argument. Because that is all they can ever want to do.

 

There is no "freewill" or rational decision making so long as your brain or soul is split up Yin vs Yang, in slightly different times, so that the mind can never sync up and make a rational decision. Each part is stuck in the same situations, from minutes, to even days apart, so each half always wants to do the opposite decision in each of those same exact situations.

 

We saw John not being able to decide which color swatch to choose, whatever Hellen wants, that is what he wants. But we didn't get to see the other John. In that other reality, whatever Hellen wants, he would choose the exact opposite color, and wouldn't budge on that decision.

 

Most of this series, Jack has been a real stubborn ass, and always arguing and wanting to do things just to argue and be difficult. This season, we finally get to see the OTHER Jack, who can't make decisions, and just wants to do whatever Hugo tells him to do.

 

One would instantly guess that the goal of this story is to get both realities back in SYNC, so that the mind can view each situation and incident at exactly the same time, and people would be able to use BOTH their Yin and Yang to come to a more BALANCED way of decision making.

 

Yes, the producers have edited the two realities together, back and forth, to try and give you a rounded out view and actually create something that more resembles what reality would resemble if the problem this whole story is about, didn't happen.

 

Let's suppose you argue that the hole got deeper from one Ben, because time had gone by. But you can never explain how Miles could dig up and find all those loose strewn about diamonds in that grave, in only 3 minutes time.

 

THAT is the proof that what I say is correct. Because what I say, ends up having a way to make that FIT, whereas, saying my way is wrong, and things are just happening in one time line off island, and one time line on island, you have a BIG IMPOSSIBLE problem trying to explain how Miles got those diamonds.

 

Interesting too that they were in a sack, when we saw James thrown them in that grave all loose.

 

Seems that in the OTHER reality, James didn't throw them in loose like that, and that in the other reality, Ben and Illana had talked for a lot longer than 3 minutes, giving Miles enough time to dig and find that sack of diamonds.

 

And I can't repeat it enough.. But each time you hear the flash sideways SFX, if you mark each side LIGHT and DARK as they alternate, you see that things that would HAVE to be in opposite realities ARE!

 

In other words, I can watch an episode, without paying attention to the flash sideways, and GUESS which scene is taking place in which reality. Then when I watch the episode again, the sides I guessed each would be on, MATCH UP PERFECTLY to the sides divided by the flash sideways sfx. In EVERY episode this season.

 

So to say that is coincidence is just crazy. I obviously discovered something that is consistent, to the point I can predict it, and then double check with pen and paper, and it comes out EXACTLY as it should, each time.

 

When such an experiment can be repeated over and over again with 100% same results, then scientists tend to stop considering it a "theory" and safely start to consider it a "fact".

 

Here is the problem with REAL LIFE...

 

No matter what one finds to be a fact with rational logical reasoning, if an authority figure tells the masses it is wrong and gives a lie as the official story, then MOST people will believe the lie.

 

There were always a small minority of people like me, that disagreed with authority figures throughout time. Big respectable authority figures like these...

  

"Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible."

(Lord Kelvin, president, Royal Society, 1895)

 

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."

(Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943)

 

"There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in their home."

(Ken Olsen, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977)

 

"The telephone has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us." (Western Union internal memo, 1876)

 

"Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value."

(Marshal Ferdinand Foch, French commander of Allied forces during the closing months of World War I, 1918)

 

"The wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to nobody in particular?"

(David Sarnoff's associates, in response to his urgings for investment in radio in the 1920's)

 

"Professor Goddard does not know the relation between action and reaction and the need to have something better than a vacuum against which to react. He seems to lack the basic knowledge ladled out daily in high schools."

(New York Times editorial about Robert Goddard's revolutionary rocket work, 1921)

 

"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?"

(Harry M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927)

 

"Everything that can be invented has been invented."

(Charles H. Duell, commissioner, US Office of Patents, 1899)

  

In our own lifetimes, we were told that butter was not good for us, and that margarine with hydrogenated oils were much healthier! Chocolate was not good for us either, and now it is sold in every health food store!

 

Now they tell you sugar is bad, and that Aspartame and Sucralose (not sucrose, check spelling difference) are completely safe and much healthier than Sugar.

 

The authority figures (writers/producers) will tell you something, such as something was really just a "production error" while I will tell you it most certainly was NOT a production error and why it would be IMPOSSIBLE for it to be so, and yet who will most people believe?

 

Me, or the producers and writers of the show?

 

Because people tend not to THINK or REASON, they just care about what the "authority figure" said, and then just take it on blind faith!

 

People are trained from school on wards, not to THINK, but to react in the way that gives the best reward. Be it better grades in school for selecting the answers and responses the "teachers" will give a higher grade for, rather than the answer that makes the most sense and results in a failing grade or paper.

 

I retained my ability to think and reason. Thus why I can easily figure out what is going on in Lost better than most people, because I don't let anything the producers or writers say, influence what my own eyes and ears show me.

 

In fact, since they are so secretive in filming episodes and letting information out, when they DO volunteer any information, a wise person always questions the MOTIVE of WHY would they volunteer such information or spoiler!

 

Most likely, because it is FALSE information meant to deceive and throw you farther away from the truth.

 

-------------------

 

You replied to Guest

Thank you.

 

It makes you wonder why I was suddenly, without reason or cause, prevented from posting these same theories on that other site you found, doesn't it?

 

Nothing assures you are on the right track to the truth better than suddenly being prevented from speaking it.

 

-------------------------

 

Lindelof is recently quoted on this website saying: "There might, possibly, be some questions that we, as storytellers, will answer in the body of the show that might not be appearing in the finale."

 

This I knew years ago. Because that is how I already have many answers that most people don't. I have always said that all the MAJOR spoilers are back in the previous seasons and episodes. If you don't like spoilers, then do NOT go back and watch any former episodes.

 

A magician can make the illusion of having an object appear or disappear right in front of your eyes.

 

And the reason most magicians will never show you the same trick again, or more than twice tops, is because once you know what is going to happen, the NEXT time you watch the trick, you are looking elsewhere and will see how it is done.

 

Every episode of LOST has a similar effect, in that your attention is directed in one place, while all sorts of other things are being revealed that are not picked up by your conscious mind the first time you watch them. You MUST watch any episode more than once, or you are missing MOST of the information contained in it.

 

The "writers" have said that they intend to go into hiding after the series is over. This is not something you say or feel you need to do, unless you have INTENT to make the viewers angry. Because if you FEAR the viewers are going to be angry, then you can choose NOT to end the series in that way.

 

------------------------------------

 

Someone suggested I edit together only scenes from each side and produce two completely different stories from them, putting each side only in it's own story, however, they don't SHOW everything from each side, so it isn't possible to do this, unless one had access to the other footage that was never aired or released. The show was set up to give enough clues so that we can FIGURE OUT what happens in those scenes, even if they are never shown.

 

For example, the scene where Hugo parks his Yellow Hummer in the handicap parking space, because the sign said "Reserved" and they told him they were going to reserve a spot for him to park.

 

We never got to SEE that scene to date, but we KNOW it happened in the other reality. That is also why John can't get his remote controlled ramp to smash into Hugo's car, because that isn't how it happened, and the cars were not in those positions on the other side. The universe course corrects by not allowing that ramp to hit Hugo's vehicle.

 

-----------------------------------

 

Why such an elaborate large wooden stairway built going up to the Ajira on the island? Wouldn't a simple rope ladder have sufficed?

 

-----------------------------------

 

Kate said "I don't want to be Eve."

 

She also did NOT say "I don't want to end up LIKE Eve." she said she didn't want to BE Eve, implying that she already was.

 

----------------------------------

 

These two are not the "Adam and Eve" skeletons. The clothes on the Adam and Eve skeletons are not that old, and Adam and Eve were not laid side by side.

 

When you walk through the Shen door at the Temple, you come out in the reality in which the bodies are side by side, a lighthouse exists and Shannon's inhaler was found at the cave. (because in that side she DID live at the "rape caves" and they DID find her inhaler)

 

They never show if Jack puts the rocks back, or if he kept them.

 

-----------------------------

 

The light can be seen when Ben and John each turn the wheel.

 

Another thing to keep in mind, the hole was not widened and the wheel not yet attached when the well was filled in.

 

Yet we have seen the wheel attached and operational.

 

Either someone digs back down there again and completes the project, or in one reality it gets built, and in another reality it does not get built.

 

-------------------------

 

If John was the smoke monster, why didn't he turn into the smoke monster instead of being beaten to death by Jack?

 

And why does John's dead human body remain at the bottom of that cliff?

 

----------------------------

 

The "man in black" told Jacob he wanted to kill him, Jacob already knew this and told him "well when you do, I'll BE RIGHT HERE." (at the statue) so he KNEW where Jacob was.

 

"John" did NOT know where Jacob was, and needed Richard to show him. Even as they got to the statue, he says: "Well, it's a wonderful foot, Richard, but what does it have to do with Jacob?" When Richard tells him, you can tell in his face he was surprised to learn of this fact. A fact that "the man in black" would know.

 

Ben says: "and clearly it hasn't told you where Jacob is, or YOU WOULDN'T NEED RICHARD TO SHOW YOU"

 

Excellent point, Ben.

 

When Ben tells him that "the smoke monster" told him to follow and do what John says, "John" was again very surprised to learn of this fact. You also see the look of surprise in his face as he looks down in the hole after Ben just dealt with the smoke monster. If John was the smoke monster, then he would know these things and not be surprised by them.

 

"the smoke monster" or "Alex", told Ben it was known Ben wanted to kill John, but that he better NOT and better do as John says.

 

Why would the smoke monster tell Ben not to kill John unless he CAN be killed. And would the smoke monster need to tell Ben not to kill the smoke monster that he wouldn't be able to kill?

 

Now that Ben thinks "John" is the all powerful smoke monster, Ben has got it out of his mind to try and kill him, and we can go on with the task at hand.

 

The rule is no other can kill one of their own. Thus why "the man in black" was not able to kill Jacob. And if he is going to pretend to be John, just to go to see Jacob, that would be cheating. And if he was going to cheat, he could just have killed Jacob many years ago.

 

------------------------

 

There really never was any story being told here at all. Had we seen the finale of the TV series 6 years ago, it wouldn't have mattered.

 

This was like going through life and just observing things around you every day. Not really a story, but you can tell stories about certain events you have witnessed.

 

Lost wasn't a story being told, but you can MAKE stories from all the events witnessed from it.

 

------------------------------

  

7-27-2009

Damon Lindelof says the final season will address the origin of the food drop from Season 2.

  

Jun 2 2009

Carlton Cuse and Damen Lindelof drop hints about how ABC hit drama will end

Among the mysteries unraveled in the very last episode will be the significance of the four-toed statue, and what the Smoke Monster really is.

 

Says Cuse: "The end of the show will be a combination of trying to answer mysteries the audience still cares about, such as the statue and the Smoke Monster.

  

11-19-2009

Lindelof: "I can't believe we're going to be able to end the show on our own terms. And there are no excuses. We get to do the ending on our own terms, and hopefully people will like it."

 

"The questions that count will be answered.”

 

"All I can say is that we've spent the last five years answering the question, 'Were you guys making it up as you go along?' 'Do you know what you're doing?' It's a great comfort to know that in about six months people will stop asking us that question. They'll go 'Wow, you really had a plan.'"

 

-------------------------------

 

This episode was not "two and a half hours"

 

The final episode ended up being only 1 hour and 42 minutes long when I edited the commercial breaks out.

 

That leaves 48 minutes of commercials!

 

That's longer than an entire episode of Lost which is usually 40 minutes.

 

They could have aired another entire episode in that same time period, with some answers, and still have 8 long minutes left over to play commercials.

 

-------------------------------

 

Splodge replied to you

Why are most of your comments removed?

 

Where are you LZ-128, I'd like to hear your take on the ending?

 

--------------------------------

  

Overview

Steph, hands photo shoot.

 

The set, the hands…

This set is very important for the meaning of the photograph and a lot of thought has gone into how it would be created. The cube symbolizes being surrounded and being stuck in a certain situation. I have constructed the set very carefully and the end photograph gives the illusion of a 3D, showing how feelings are realistic, and emphasizing of the idea, feeling and illusion of being surrounded.

 

I originally wanted to stick white latex gloves all over the walls inside the box, but for many reasons it would have been ineffective, such as; the cost for purchasing many gloves, would have been very expensive- due to the fact I would have to of had enough to cover 5 square meters of area, adhesives such as: blue tack and tapes would have been ineffective and weak in holding such a surface to the vertical walls and ceiling, there wouldn’t have been much texture to the walls because all the white would have blended together and form one cohesive mass and I wouldn’t know if the walls would have held it for an entire photo shoot and the time to construct the set would have been unimaginable…

I knew I wanted to do something with hands and I later came up with the idea of using a photocopier and photocopying my hands as the design for inside the cube. It also seemed to be more environmentally friendly than using latex gloves because paper can be easily recycled. Also there was little cost involved, I could use blue tack to stick the paper to the walls securely, there isn’t much mess involved and it only took me about 3-4 hours to photocopy my hands and complete the set.

 

I have been fascinated with the idea of using hands for a photo shoot because I like how they can be posed in many ways to give different meanings, messages and symbols.

This also seemed ideal for my theme and ideas for my photo shoot in showing the inner feelings of teenagers.

 

With reading and understanding my message for the need to create such a set, so when photocopying my hands, the poses I did were crucial- they all had to be different and show the idea of trying to harm and to get to whatever what in the box, the poses had to be aggressive and angry looking.

 

I also really liked the contrast of the white hands to the black background- this also showed the important detail of the positive space what you can see: the hands and how they were trying to get into the box, to the person in it and made the negative space: the black area looks dark as though to think ‘what else is out there?’, and to reveal that there is the unknown

 

When sticking the hands to the wall, I had the choice of sticking them anywhere and everywhere or neatly in a pattern or an order. I chose to do them in a pattern, not only to save paper but to add to the meaning of the set. To just stick them all over the place would still have meaning to it- how people can attack from any direction any where, but I feel that the meaning of the contrast between the black and white was like ‘good vs evil’ and normally when two sides confront in a battle there is an order of event and who goes first- like in a game of chest which also incorporates the these shades. The pattern of the paper is of a brick laying pattern which demonstrates the foundation of the ‘attacking’ on the victim in levels, that it keeps building up and up, until it consumes you- thus being in a box and the wall are covered in this pattern.

 

The message…

I wanted to show symbolic and surreal pictures showing inside an emotionally unstable, victimized and bullied persons head and telling how some people can’t even find comfort inside them self to escape from the world, how it feels like that some ‘things’ and people just never go away; like your in a small dark enclosed room thinking your safe and suddenly you realize that your not alone, and you cant see the objects of words and abuse attacking you again, no matter how much you try to adapt, change yourself, ignore them they are still there, trying to get to you and destroy you.

I must admit this idea seems very negative in how I have wrote about it, but I want people to understand my messages as clear as possible, I want people to understand how some people can feel, and to open eyes to these predators who are looked upon with fear and the act of conformity, to avoid being the victim.

I feel that there is hope to be found in certain understandings, not from my picture as such, but from the viewer; to see it, and to then think about it and realize what not to be and what not to let happen to cause a reform in society where there is no need to for suicide, self harm, bad thoughts for ones self or others or anything of this nature which is primarily caused by that persons environment- ‘others’, these others who aim to torture drive one insane, insane to a breaking point, where you think ‘maybe there right, I don’t belong’ and then you become what you fear most, you become your own enemy.

 

I also have more meanings into this set/photoshoot which are more subtle but are there. It also displays how people having expectations of you, wanting to control you and your life, you not being able to make your own decisions freely and peacefully and the feeling that everyone is watching you wanting and waiting for you to fail and screw up. A lot of my inspiration for this photo shoot comes from myself and my understanding of the lyrics of the Linkin Park song ‘;Paper cut’, the lyrics and my feeling about them can be found in my inspiration near to start of my folio.

 

The model…

I used a family friend, Steph for this photoshoot. She is nine years old, a very shy girl and a very nice person. I used her not only because she was photogenic but because she is young and she worked with me very well to get a range of expressions and poses. When you’re young you have a silliness and immaturity where you can get into a range of moods, but with her shyness it took her a while to let loose but having fun and really mucking around and making faces really helped her adapt into a range of characters which was necessary for my aim.

This was the second photoshoot I had done with her. The first one she was very shy, it was hard for her to feel comfortable, she seemed scared that I was mocking her by having her pose, but she then learned to trust me and I tried to make her have as much fun and be as comfortable as possible. The first photoshoot she had never done anything like that before and when I asked to do another photoshoot with me she was more comfortable, excited, and understood what to do and enjoyed herself through the photoshoot.

 

The hair…

I instantly wanted to do her hair big and teased, to give her a crazy unstable look, and to associate her with looking like she is going insane, that she isn’t normal like every one else, that she is unstable and out of control-like her hair. And I also wanted to cover as much space negative space in the cube as possible, so by having the hair big, it took up more area.

 

The make-up…

For the make-up I wanted something dramatic and dark to contrast with her white clothes, so put heavy black eyes make-up around her eyes and then smudged it with water so it looked like she had been crying. I really liked the make-up especially how it makes her look like she had been crying.

 

The clothes and costume…

I had done the set the day before Steph was to come over for the photoshoot and she wanted to know what clothes to bring. I thought that white would have been the most appropriate due to the large amount of black in the box. Also I think the white outfit works best because white is seen to be a shade which symbolizes innocent and good and black is the opposite, the contrast of white and black displays the fight between those good and those bad, Steph as a good person trying to be corrupted by bad people- the black darkness around the hands- demonstrates the unknown possibilities of what the future brings and what she is install for, for no one can see the future.

Also for the costume the white gloves on her hands are an important aspect which helps link her to the set and give an important meaning.

The gloves question the person/victim(Steph), about their intention, and reveal what she is escaping from: people. The white gloves contrast to the white hands in the direction they are going. I made sure that when I was photo coping my hands that it was only my palms facing down wards on the scanner, and not showing the back of my hands- it contrast because Steph is unable, and its impossible for her to be on the same side of the wall on the side of the hands who are trying to attack her, the only direction she can put her hands is against the ones on the walls- which shows hope and courage, that she can over come this and strive for better turns in the future- that good can over come evil.

Also the hands on the wall can be seen as ‘fake’, copies, followers and symbolize conformity in their repletion and 2D form, where as Steph white gloves are realistic, are a real objects, individual, 3D and you can see who they belong to.

 

Lighting

For lighting I used natural light and flash light. Klieg light was an idea to trial but I didn’t have access to it at the time of the photo shoot.

With using natural light that meant that I had to turn off the flash off on the digital camera which seemed to affect the quality of the images in that it made them blurry and distorted, I haven’t incorporated many of these photos in my folio due to this, but if I had, it was because I really liked the composition of the photo and that I will try to see if I can fix them with photoshop later down the track.

Flash light seemed to be the best because natural light couldn’t get all the way into the cube because of it’s depth and angle of lighting during the time of day of the photoshoot, but the flash seemed to be able to help this and get into the box to lighten it up as well as the model when I took a picture.

The TV Series that had all the world watching with guilty pleasure is now Collector Dolls by Laurie Everton the award-winning re-paint artist.

 

Desperate Housewives is an American television dramedy-mystery series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. It aired on ABC from October 3, 2004 to May 13, 2012. Executive producer Cherry served as showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season included Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, George W. Perkins, John Pardee, Joey Murphy, David Grossman, Larry Shaw and Sabrina Wind.

 

The main setting of the show is Wisteria Lane, a street in the fictional American town of Fairview in the fictional Eagle State. The show follows the lives of a group of women, seen through the eyes of their dead neighbor, who committed suicide in the very first episode. They work through domestic struggles and family life, while facing the secrets, crimes and mysteries hidden behind the doors of their — at the surface — beautiful and seemingly perfect suburban neighborhood.

 

The show features an ensemble cast, headed by Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Van de Kamp and Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis. Brenda Strong narrates the show as the deceased Mary Alice Young, appearing sporadically in flashbacks or dream sequences.

 

Since its premiere on ABC on October 3, 2004, the show has been well received by viewers and critics alike. The show is a multiple Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award winner. The series premiere drew 21.6 million viewers and the show's first season finale attracted over 30 million viewers. In 2007 it was reported to be the most popular show in its demographic worldwide, with an audience of approximately 120 million[7] and was also reported that the series is the third most watched TV show in a study of ratings in 20 countries. In 2012, it remained as the most-watched comedy series internationally based on data from Eurodata TV Worldwide, which measured ratings across five continents it has held this position since 2006. Moreover, it was the third-highest revenue earning show for 2010, with US$2.74 million per half hour. The show placed #56 on Entertainment Weekly's "New TV Classics" list.

 

Desperate Housewives was officially renewed by ABC on May 17, 2011 for an eighth season. The season premiere episode was broadcast on Sunday, September 25. The eighth season was the show's final season. The series concluded on May 13, 2012. By the end of its eighth season, it had surpassed Charmed as the longest running hour-long drama featuring all female leads.

 

Internationally, Desperate Housewives is broadcast on Channel 4, Seven Network, RÚV, TV2, E4, TVNZ, Arena, STAR World, OSN First, RAI, Hot 3, POP TV, RTÉ and Jurnal TV.

 

The first season premiered on October 3, 2004, and introduces the four central characters of the show: Susan Mayer, Lynette Scavo, Bree Van de Kamp and Gabrielle Solis, as well as their families and neighbors on Wisteria Lane. The main mystery of the season is the unexpected suicide of Mary Alice Young, and her husband and son's involvement in the events leading up to it. Bree fights to save her marriage, Lynette struggles to cope with her demanding children, Susan fights Edie Britt (Nicollette Sheridan) for the affection of new neighbor Mike Delfino (James Denton), and Gabrielle tries to prevent her husband Carlos Solis (Ricardo Antonio Chavira) from discovering that she is having an affair with their gardener, John Rowland (Jesse Metcalfe). The end of the first season results in Bree's husband, Rex Van de Kamp (Steven Culp), dying while believing Bree has poisoned him, Carlos being informed of Gaby's affair by John himself before being sent to prison, a fired Tom Scavo (Doug Savant) allowing Lynette to take his place as the bread-winner of the household, and a cliffhanger which puts Mike in danger of being shot by his own son.

 

The second season premiered on September 25, 2005 and its central mystery is that of new neighbor Betty Applewhite (Alfre Woodard), who moved onto Wisteria Lane in the middle of the night. Throughout the season, Bree tries to cope with being a widow, unknowingly begins dating the man who poisoned her husband, fights alcoholism, and is unable to prevent the gap between her and her son from growing to extremes. Susan’s love life becomes even more complicated as her ex-husband is engaged to Edie and is also started to incline towards Susan. Lynette goes back to her career in advertising and eventually becomes her husband's boss, and Gabrielle decides to be faithful to her husband, and begins preparations to have a child. In the closing moments of the season finale, Mike is run over by Susan's dentist friend Orson Hodge (Kyle MacLachlan), Bree saves her daughter from a killer, Gaby kicks out Carlos who had an affair of his own, and Lynette finds out Tom has a love child.

 

The third season premiered on September 24, 2006. In the third season, Bree marries Orson, whose past and involvement with a recently discovered dead body becomes the main mystery for half of the season. Meanwhile, Lynette has to adjust to having another child around the house, as a previously unknown daughter of her husband arrives. The Scavos also experience tension as Tom, Lynette's husband, wants to start a pizzeria. Gabrielle goes through a rough divorce, but finally finds new love in Fairview’s new mayor. Edie sees her chance to make her move on Mike, who is suffering from amnesia. Susan loses hope that Mike's memory will return and in the process moves on to a handsome Englishman whose wife is also in a coma. Edie's family relations are explored throughout the season. A shooting at the local grocery store leaves two characters dead and changes everyone's lives forever.

 

The fourth season premiered on September 30, 2007, and its main mystery revolves around new neighbor Katherine Mayfair (Dana Delany) and her family, who return to Wisteria Lane after twelve years away. Her daughter remembers nothing about living on Wisteria Lane. Lynette battles cancer; the newlywed – but unhappy – Gabrielle starts an affair with her ex-husband Carlos; Susan and Mike enjoy life as a married couple and learn that they are expecting a child; Bree fakes a pregnancy and plans to raise her teenage daughter's illegitimate child as her own; and Edie schemes to hold on to her new love, Carlos. A gay couple from Chicago – Lee McDermott (Kevin Rahm) and Bob Hunter (Tuc Watkins) – become residents of Wisteria Lane when they move into the house formerly occupied by Betty, and later Gloria and Alma Hodge. A tornado threatens to destroy everything, and everyone, that the housewives hold dear. The season finale has Katherine's abusive cop ex-husband killing and getting killed, then in the closing minute the characters and their story have flashed forward by five years: Bree is a successful cookbook writer, her son works for her, Gabrielle has had children, Lynette's twins are old enough to drive cars, and Susan has a new lover.

 

The fifth season premiered on September 28, 2008, with the time period jumping five years after the previous season, with some flashbacks to events which happened between the two periods. The season mystery revolves around Edie's new husband, Dave Williams (Neal McDonough). Dave is looking for revenge on someone on Wisteria Lane (later revealed to be Mike). Susan deals with being a single mother and having a new romance with Jackson Braddock (Gale Harold), while Mike starts dating Katherine. Lynette and Tom learn that their son is having an affair with a married woman whose husband's nightclub burns down with all of Wisteria Lane's neighbors inside. Carlos and Gabrielle struggle with their two daughters, Juanita and Celia, as Carlos' sight returns. Bree and Orson have marriage problems, because Bree has become too focused on her career, and Orson begins to steal from neighbors as a coping mechanism. As a result, Orson is found lying in the street when Edie is racing away from her house after she discovers that Dave is plotting to kill Mike and all those he loves; Edie swerves to avoid hitting Orson and crashes into an electrical pole, then exits the car, only to die of electrocution before she can expose Dave. It is later when Susan reveals to Dave that it was she, not Mike, who was driving the car the night that a woman and child ran a stop sign because it had fallen over on a dark stretch of road. Dave plans to kill M.J. Delfino (Mason Vale Cotton), Mike and Susan's son, but in the end has a change of heart.

 

The fifth season featured the show's one-hundredth episode, revolving around Eli Scruggs (Beau Bridges), a handyman who had an important role in all of the ladies' lives. This episode features flashbacks and returning characters, including Mary Alice, Rex Van de Kamp, and Martha Huber (Christine Estabrook). The episode was broadcast on ABC on Sunday, January 18, 2009.

 

The sixth season premiered on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 9pm. The main mystery of this season is surrounding new neighbor Angie Bolen (Drea de Matteo) and her family. The first half of the season consists of the conflict between Lynette and Gabrielle as Lynette attempts to sue Carlos, Susan's daughter Julie Mayer (Andrea Bowen) being attacked by an unknown person, Katherine's eventual breakdown at losing Mike to Susan and Bree's affair with Karl Mayer (Richard Burgi), Susan's ex-husband. Bree's affair ends tragically when Karl's hired plane crashes into a building with the two of them and Orson inside. The second half of the season focuses on Katherine experimenting with her sexuality, Lynette inviting the Fairview strangler to stay with them before discovering the truth, the conflict between Bree and a son of Rex whom he had before meeting Bree, and the solving of the Bolen mystery.

 

The seventh season premiered on September 26, 2010 and its main focus is the return of Mary Alice's husband Paul Young (Mark Moses) to Wisteria Lane and his plans of seeking revenge on the residents for shunning him during his incarceration. This season also focuses on the mystery of Paul's new wife Beth Young (Emily Bergl), and Felicia Tilman's (Harriet Sansom Harris) plans to avenge the death of her sister, Martha Huber. Gabrielle and Carlos learn an unsettling fact about their daughter Juanita, which ultimately takes them back to Gabrielle's home town of Las Colinas. Orson leaves Bree, and so she starts dating her contractor, Keith Watson (Brian Austin Green). However, when it becomes apparent that their relationship cannot continue, Bree eventually begins seeing Detective Chuck Vance (Jonathan Cake) of Fairview Police Department. Due to financial problems, Susan and her family have moved off the lane, and Susan is forced to earn money by somewhat untraditional means. Lynette's best friend from college, Renee Perry (Vanessa Williams) moves to the Lane and stirs things up among the other housewives. Following a major riot on the lane, Susan is put on the waiting list for a vital organ donation. Carlos learns the truth about his mother's death, consequently ending the friendship between the Solis family and Bree. Lynette persuades Tom to take an exciting new job, which leads to unprecedented problems in their marriage. The two-hour season finale aired on May 15, 2011, and seemingly ends the troubles between Paul and Felicia. An unexpected visitor arrives in the Solis family home, paving the way for the eighth season.

 

The eighth and final season premiered on Sunday, September 25, 2011. The final season picks up straight after the dinner party that featured in the previous season finale, in which Gabrielle's perverted stepfather Alejandro Perez (Tony Plana) is unintentionally killed by Carlos. Bree, Lynette and Susan walk in on this, and conspire to cover up what has happened. Due to her relationship with Chuck, Bree becomes the main affected by the cover-up of Alejandro's murder, and is eventually accused of killing Alejandro herself. A new neighbor, Ben Faulkner (Charles Mesure), moves into the lane, attracting Renee along the way. Ben is going through severe financial problems in his construction company, and resorts to a dangerous and unruly loan shark to bail him out. Mike meddles in the business of Ben's loan shark in an attempt to protect Renee, but he pays the ultimate price. During the first half of the season, Susan struggles with the guilt of her involvement in the Alejandro case, and during the second half, she tries to deal with both Mike's death and Julie's unexpected pregnancy. Following the cover-up of Alejandro's murder, Carlos develops an alcohol problem, but Gabrielle persuades him to recover in rehab. Due to his guilty conscience, combined with recent events on the lane, Carlos decides to leave his highly paid career for a more charitable alternative, which forces Gabrielle to take a personal shopper position to bring in more money. Tom moves out of the family home, and Lynette struggles to come to terms with how quickly Tom seems to have moved on, until she accepts that she is still in love with him, and decides she will try to win him back. Karen McCluskey (Kathryn Joosten) receives worrying news about her health and decides to end it all, but Bree manages to convince her otherwise.

 

The two-hour series finale which aired on Sunday, May 13, features the conclusion of Bree's court case. There is a wedding, a birth and a death, and the future of the four main housewives is revealed.

Most people who know me, know that migraines and other headaches rule a large percentage of my life. I have had a Chronic Daily Headache every single day of my life since I was a freshman in high school. It feels like a tight hat that grows and shrinks and drives me crazy. I have had Chronic Migraines (15 days of headache per month with at least 8 of those days migraine) since I was in middle school. I have had migraines virtually every day since I was 23. I will be turning 40 this month. I don't remember what it feels like to not have some sort of head pain. I remember that I have been pain free in the past, but I don’t remember what it’s like. I have had Chronic Migraines three times longer than not. Once you are Chronic, it is extremely difficult to go back to Episodic Migraines (7 days or fewer migraines per month). Chances are I will never again Not have Chronic Migraines. There is no cure; there will probably be no cure in my lifetime.

 

Many of my earliest memories (age 3-5) are of me having a horrible migraine and not being able to articulate that I’m in pain and need help or being ignored (or at least, misunderstood) when I was able to ask for help. Today, most of my friends and family are incredibly supportive and sympathetic. I am very lucky to have so much support, but most migrainures are not. There is a great deal of stigma associated against people who have migraines. I have experienced stigma, derision and abuse in every single job I’ve had, from several teachers, school nurses, nurses in general, from so called friends and from significant others too selfish to even grasp a tenth of what I go through every single day. Those experiences are some of my worst memories.

 

If you ever hear someone bashing another person with migraines as a faker looking for drugs or to get out of some task, will you please remember me and tell those people they are wrong. Migraines are real; they are not all in our heads. Migraines are incredibly painful and shockingly debilitating. But it’s the stigma that hurts us more than anyone may realize. I would love nothing more than for my pain to go away, to be able to leave my house for more than doctor appointments, to enjoy going outside instead of being afraid of the sun, to eat food without fear of it triggering pain, to take and be in photos without worrying that the flash will trigger pain and end my one evening out that month. I would deeply love to have finished college, to have a job, to go on vacation, to enjoy friends and family at any time, to go dancing again, to meet new people, to have a family of my own, to be normal and do normal things! Most of these things are nearly impossible for me, unless there is a miracle change in my life, which is not likely, or at least, should not be counted on.

 

Migraineurs would almost always rather be with you and spend time with you rather than be stuck in bed in agony or sleeping on the floor of the bathroom between vomiting sessions. We would rather be with friends and family going to movies, or a birthday party, or even the grocery store, or almost anything rather than miss the moments, big or small, in the lives of those we care about.

 

Migraine is not a choice, it is a disease.

 

MODEL: Steph

HAIR/MAKE-UP/COSTUMING/SET/POST PRODUCTION: me

   

Overview

Steph, hands photo shoot.

 

The set, the hands…

This set is very important for the meaning of the photograph and a lot of thought has gone into how it would be created. The cube symbolizes being surrounded and being stuck in a certain situation. I have constructed the set very carefully and the end photograph gives the illusion of a 3D, showing how feelings are realistic, and emphasizing of the idea, feeling and illusion of being surrounded.

 

I originally wanted to stick white latex gloves all over the walls inside the box, but for many reasons it would have been ineffective, such as; the cost for purchasing many gloves, would have been very expensive- due to the fact I would have to of had enough to cover 5 square meters of area, adhesives such as: blue tack and tapes would have been ineffective and weak in holding such a surface to the vertical walls and ceiling, there wouldn’t have been much texture to the walls because all the white would have blended together and form one cohesive mass and I wouldn’t know if the walls would have held it for an entire photo shoot and the time to construct the set would have been unimaginable…

I knew I wanted to do something with hands and I later came up with the idea of using a photocopier and photocopying my hands as the design for inside the cube. It also seemed to be more environmentally friendly than using latex gloves because paper can be easily recycled. Also there was little cost involved, I could use blue tack to stick the paper to the walls securely, there isn’t much mess involved and it only took me about 3-4 hours to photocopy my hands and complete the set.

 

I have been fascinated with the idea of using hands for a photo shoot because I like how they can be posed in many ways to give different meanings, messages and symbols.

This also seemed ideal for my theme and ideas for my photo shoot in showing the inner feelings of teenagers.

 

With reading and understanding my message for the need to create such a set, so when photocopying my hands, the poses I did were crucial- they all had to be different and show the idea of trying to harm and to get to whatever what in the box, the poses had to be aggressive and angry looking.

 

I also really liked the contrast of the white hands to the black background- this also showed the important detail of the positive space what you can see: the hands and how they were trying to get into the box, to the person in it and made the negative space: the black area looks dark as though to think ‘what else is out there?’, and to reveal that there is the unknown

 

When sticking the hands to the wall, I had the choice of sticking them anywhere and everywhere or neatly in a pattern or an order. I chose to do them in a pattern, not only to save paper but to add to the meaning of the set. To just stick them all over the place would still have meaning to it- how people can attack from any direction any where, but I feel that the meaning of the contrast between the black and white was like ‘good vs evil’ and normally when two sides confront in a battle there is an order of event and who goes first- like in a game of chest which also incorporates the these shades. The pattern of the paper is of a brick laying pattern which demonstrates the foundation of the ‘attacking’ on the victim in levels, that it keeps building up and up, until it consumes you- thus being in a box and the wall are covered in this pattern.

 

The message…

I wanted to show symbolic and surreal pictures showing inside an emotionally unstable, victimized and bullied persons head and telling how some people can’t even find comfort inside them self to escape from the world, how it feels like that some ‘things’ and people just never go away; like your in a small dark enclosed room thinking your safe and suddenly you realize that your not alone, and you cant see the objects of words and abuse attacking you again, no matter how much you try to adapt, change yourself, ignore them they are still there, trying to get to you and destroy you.

I must admit this idea seems very negative in how I have wrote about it, but I want people to understand my messages as clear as possible, I want people to understand how some people can feel, and to open eyes to these predators who are looked upon with fear and the act of conformity, to avoid being the victim.

I feel that there is hope to be found in certain understandings, not from my picture as such, but from the viewer; to see it, and to then think about it and realize what not to be and what not to let happen to cause a reform in society where there is no need to for suicide, self harm, bad thoughts for ones self or others or anything of this nature which is primarily caused by that persons environment- ‘others’, these others who aim to torture drive one insane, insane to a breaking point, where you think ‘maybe there right, I don’t belong’ and then you become what you fear most, you become your own enemy.

 

I also have more meanings into this set/photoshoot which are more subtle but are there. It also displays how people having expectations of you, wanting to control you and your life, you not being able to make your own decisions freely and peacefully and the feeling that everyone is watching you wanting and waiting for you to fail and screw up. A lot of my inspiration for this photo shoot comes from myself and my understanding of the lyrics of the Linkin Park song ‘;Paper cut’, the lyrics and my feeling about them can be found in my inspiration near to start of my folio.

 

The model…

I used a family friend, Steph for this photoshoot. She is nine years old, a very shy girl and a very nice person. I used her not only because she was photogenic but because she is young and she worked with me very well to get a range of expressions and poses. When you’re young you have a silliness and immaturity where you can get into a range of moods, but with her shyness it took her a while to let loose but having fun and really mucking around and making faces really helped her adapt into a range of characters which was necessary for my aim.

This was the second photoshoot I had done with her. The first one she was very shy, it was hard for her to feel comfortable, she seemed scared that I was mocking her by having her pose, but she then learned to trust me and I tried to make her have as much fun and be as comfortable as possible. The first photoshoot she had never done anything like that before and when I asked to do another photoshoot with me she was more comfortable, excited, and understood what to do and enjoyed herself through the photoshoot.

 

The hair…

I instantly wanted to do her hair big and teased, to give her a crazy unstable look, and to associate her with looking like she is going insane, that she isn’t normal like every one else, that she is unstable and out of control-like her hair. And I also wanted to cover as much space negative space in the cube as possible, so by having the hair big, it took up more area.

 

The make-up…

For the make-up I wanted something dramatic and dark to contrast with her white clothes, so put heavy black eyes make-up around her eyes and then smudged it with water so it looked like she had been crying. I really liked the make-up especially how it makes her look like she had been crying.

 

The clothes and costume…

I had done the set the day before Steph was to come over for the photoshoot and she wanted to know what clothes to bring. I thought that white would have been the most appropriate due to the large amount of black in the box. Also I think the white outfit works best because white is seen to be a shade which symbolizes innocent and good and black is the opposite, the contrast of white and black displays the fight between those good and those bad, Steph as a good person trying to be corrupted by bad people- the black darkness around the hands- demonstrates the unknown possibilities of what the future brings and what she is install for, for no one can see the future.

Also for the costume the white gloves on her hands are an important aspect which helps link her to the set and give an important meaning.

The gloves question the person/victim(Steph), about their intention, and reveal what she is escaping from: people. The white gloves contrast to the white hands in the direction they are going. I made sure that when I was photo coping my hands that it was only my palms facing down wards on the scanner, and not showing the back of my hands- it contrast because Steph is unable, and its impossible for her to be on the same side of the wall on the side of the hands who are trying to attack her, the only direction she can put her hands is against the ones on the walls- which shows hope and courage, that she can over come this and strive for better turns in the future- that good can over come evil.

Also the hands on the wall can be seen as ‘fake’, copies, followers and symbolize conformity in their repletion and 2D form, where as Steph white gloves are realistic, are a real objects, individual, 3D and you can see who they belong to.

 

Lighting

For lighting I used natural light and flash light. Klieg light was an idea to trial but I didn’t have access to it at the time of the photo shoot.

With using natural light that meant that I had to turn off the flash off on the digital camera which seemed to affect the quality of the images in that it made them blurry and distorted, I haven’t incorporated many of these photos in my folio due to this, but if I had, it was because I really liked the composition of the photo and that I will try to see if I can fix them with photoshop later down the track.

Flash light seemed to be the best because natural light couldn’t get all the way into the cube because of it’s depth and angle of lighting during the time of day of the photoshoot, but the flash seemed to be able to help this and get into the box to lighten it up as well as the model when I took a picture.

The TV Series that had all the world watching with guilty pleasure is now Collector Dolls by Laurie Everton the award-winning re-paint artist.

 

Desperate Housewives is an American television dramedy-mystery series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. It aired on ABC from October 3, 2004 to May 13, 2012. Executive producer Cherry served as showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season included Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, George W. Perkins, John Pardee, Joey Murphy, David Grossman, Larry Shaw and Sabrina Wind.

 

The main setting of the show is Wisteria Lane, a street in the fictional American town of Fairview in the fictional Eagle State. The show follows the lives of a group of women, seen through the eyes of their dead neighbor, who committed suicide in the very first episode. They work through domestic struggles and family life, while facing the secrets, crimes and mysteries hidden behind the doors of their — at the surface — beautiful and seemingly perfect suburban neighborhood.

 

The show features an ensemble cast, headed by Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Van de Kamp and Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis. Brenda Strong narrates the show as the deceased Mary Alice Young, appearing sporadically in flashbacks or dream sequences.

 

Since its premiere on ABC on October 3, 2004, the show has been well received by viewers and critics alike. The show is a multiple Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award winner. The series premiere drew 21.6 million viewers and the show's first season finale attracted over 30 million viewers. In 2007 it was reported to be the most popular show in its demographic worldwide, with an audience of approximately 120 million[7] and was also reported that the series is the third most watched TV show in a study of ratings in 20 countries. In 2012, it remained as the most-watched comedy series internationally based on data from Eurodata TV Worldwide, which measured ratings across five continents it has held this position since 2006. Moreover, it was the third-highest revenue earning show for 2010, with US$2.74 million per half hour. The show placed #56 on Entertainment Weekly's "New TV Classics" list.

 

Desperate Housewives was officially renewed by ABC on May 17, 2011 for an eighth season. The season premiere episode was broadcast on Sunday, September 25. The eighth season was the show's final season. The series concluded on May 13, 2012. By the end of its eighth season, it had surpassed Charmed as the longest running hour-long drama featuring all female leads.

 

Internationally, Desperate Housewives is broadcast on Channel 4, Seven Network, RÚV, TV2, E4, TVNZ, Arena, STAR World, OSN First, RAI, Hot 3, POP TV, RTÉ and Jurnal TV.

 

The first season premiered on October 3, 2004, and introduces the four central characters of the show: Susan Mayer, Lynette Scavo, Bree Van de Kamp and Gabrielle Solis, as well as their families and neighbors on Wisteria Lane. The main mystery of the season is the unexpected suicide of Mary Alice Young, and her husband and son's involvement in the events leading up to it. Bree fights to save her marriage, Lynette struggles to cope with her demanding children, Susan fights Edie Britt (Nicollette Sheridan) for the affection of new neighbor Mike Delfino (James Denton), and Gabrielle tries to prevent her husband Carlos Solis (Ricardo Antonio Chavira) from discovering that she is having an affair with their gardener, John Rowland (Jesse Metcalfe). The end of the first season results in Bree's husband, Rex Van de Kamp (Steven Culp), dying while believing Bree has poisoned him, Carlos being informed of Gaby's affair by John himself before being sent to prison, a fired Tom Scavo (Doug Savant) allowing Lynette to take his place as the bread-winner of the household, and a cliffhanger which puts Mike in danger of being shot by his own son.

 

The second season premiered on September 25, 2005 and its central mystery is that of new neighbor Betty Applewhite (Alfre Woodard), who moved onto Wisteria Lane in the middle of the night. Throughout the season, Bree tries to cope with being a widow, unknowingly begins dating the man who poisoned her husband, fights alcoholism, and is unable to prevent the gap between her and her son from growing to extremes. Susan’s love life becomes even more complicated as her ex-husband is engaged to Edie and is also started to incline towards Susan. Lynette goes back to her career in advertising and eventually becomes her husband's boss, and Gabrielle decides to be faithful to her husband, and begins preparations to have a child. In the closing moments of the season finale, Mike is run over by Susan's dentist friend Orson Hodge (Kyle MacLachlan), Bree saves her daughter from a killer, Gaby kicks out Carlos who had an affair of his own, and Lynette finds out Tom has a love child.

 

The third season premiered on September 24, 2006. In the third season, Bree marries Orson, whose past and involvement with a recently discovered dead body becomes the main mystery for half of the season. Meanwhile, Lynette has to adjust to having another child around the house, as a previously unknown daughter of her husband arrives. The Scavos also experience tension as Tom, Lynette's husband, wants to start a pizzeria. Gabrielle goes through a rough divorce, but finally finds new love in Fairview’s new mayor. Edie sees her chance to make her move on Mike, who is suffering from amnesia. Susan loses hope that Mike's memory will return and in the process moves on to a handsome Englishman whose wife is also in a coma. Edie's family relations are explored throughout the season. A shooting at the local grocery store leaves two characters dead and changes everyone's lives forever.

 

The fourth season premiered on September 30, 2007, and its main mystery revolves around new neighbor Katherine Mayfair (Dana Delany) and her family, who return to Wisteria Lane after twelve years away. Her daughter remembers nothing about living on Wisteria Lane. Lynette battles cancer; the newlywed – but unhappy – Gabrielle starts an affair with her ex-husband Carlos; Susan and Mike enjoy life as a married couple and learn that they are expecting a child; Bree fakes a pregnancy and plans to raise her teenage daughter's illegitimate child as her own; and Edie schemes to hold on to her new love, Carlos. A gay couple from Chicago – Lee McDermott (Kevin Rahm) and Bob Hunter (Tuc Watkins) – become residents of Wisteria Lane when they move into the house formerly occupied by Betty, and later Gloria and Alma Hodge. A tornado threatens to destroy everything, and everyone, that the housewives hold dear. The season finale has Katherine's abusive cop ex-husband killing and getting killed, then in the closing minute the characters and their story have flashed forward by five years: Bree is a successful cookbook writer, her son works for her, Gabrielle has had children, Lynette's twins are old enough to drive cars, and Susan has a new lover.

 

The fifth season premiered on September 28, 2008, with the time period jumping five years after the previous season, with some flashbacks to events which happened between the two periods. The season mystery revolves around Edie's new husband, Dave Williams (Neal McDonough). Dave is looking for revenge on someone on Wisteria Lane (later revealed to be Mike). Susan deals with being a single mother and having a new romance with Jackson Braddock (Gale Harold), while Mike starts dating Katherine. Lynette and Tom learn that their son is having an affair with a married woman whose husband's nightclub burns down with all of Wisteria Lane's neighbors inside. Carlos and Gabrielle struggle with their two daughters, Juanita and Celia, as Carlos' sight returns. Bree and Orson have marriage problems, because Bree has become too focused on her career, and Orson begins to steal from neighbors as a coping mechanism. As a result, Orson is found lying in the street when Edie is racing away from her house after she discovers that Dave is plotting to kill Mike and all those he loves; Edie swerves to avoid hitting Orson and crashes into an electrical pole, then exits the car, only to die of electrocution before she can expose Dave. It is later when Susan reveals to Dave that it was she, not Mike, who was driving the car the night that a woman and child ran a stop sign because it had fallen over on a dark stretch of road. Dave plans to kill M.J. Delfino (Mason Vale Cotton), Mike and Susan's son, but in the end has a change of heart.

 

The fifth season featured the show's one-hundredth episode, revolving around Eli Scruggs (Beau Bridges), a handyman who had an important role in all of the ladies' lives. This episode features flashbacks and returning characters, including Mary Alice, Rex Van de Kamp, and Martha Huber (Christine Estabrook). The episode was broadcast on ABC on Sunday, January 18, 2009.

 

The sixth season premiered on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 9pm. The main mystery of this season is surrounding new neighbor Angie Bolen (Drea de Matteo) and her family. The first half of the season consists of the conflict between Lynette and Gabrielle as Lynette attempts to sue Carlos, Susan's daughter Julie Mayer (Andrea Bowen) being attacked by an unknown person, Katherine's eventual breakdown at losing Mike to Susan and Bree's affair with Karl Mayer (Richard Burgi), Susan's ex-husband. Bree's affair ends tragically when Karl's hired plane crashes into a building with the two of them and Orson inside. The second half of the season focuses on Katherine experimenting with her sexuality, Lynette inviting the Fairview strangler to stay with them before discovering the truth, the conflict between Bree and a son of Rex whom he had before meeting Bree, and the solving of the Bolen mystery.

 

The seventh season premiered on September 26, 2010 and its main focus is the return of Mary Alice's husband Paul Young (Mark Moses) to Wisteria Lane and his plans of seeking revenge on the residents for shunning him during his incarceration. This season also focuses on the mystery of Paul's new wife Beth Young (Emily Bergl), and Felicia Tilman's (Harriet Sansom Harris) plans to avenge the death of her sister, Martha Huber. Gabrielle and Carlos learn an unsettling fact about their daughter Juanita, which ultimately takes them back to Gabrielle's home town of Las Colinas. Orson leaves Bree, and so she starts dating her contractor, Keith Watson (Brian Austin Green). However, when it becomes apparent that their relationship cannot continue, Bree eventually begins seeing Detective Chuck Vance (Jonathan Cake) of Fairview Police Department. Due to financial problems, Susan and her family have moved off the lane, and Susan is forced to earn money by somewhat untraditional means. Lynette's best friend from college, Renee Perry (Vanessa Williams) moves to the Lane and stirs things up among the other housewives. Following a major riot on the lane, Susan is put on the waiting list for a vital organ donation. Carlos learns the truth about his mother's death, consequently ending the friendship between the Solis family and Bree. Lynette persuades Tom to take an exciting new job, which leads to unprecedented problems in their marriage. The two-hour season finale aired on May 15, 2011, and seemingly ends the troubles between Paul and Felicia. An unexpected visitor arrives in the Solis family home, paving the way for the eighth season.

 

The eighth and final season premiered on Sunday, September 25, 2011. The final season picks up straight after the dinner party that featured in the previous season finale, in which Gabrielle's perverted stepfather Alejandro Perez (Tony Plana) is unintentionally killed by Carlos. Bree, Lynette and Susan walk in on this, and conspire to cover up what has happened. Due to her relationship with Chuck, Bree becomes the main affected by the cover-up of Alejandro's murder, and is eventually accused of killing Alejandro herself. A new neighbor, Ben Faulkner (Charles Mesure), moves into the lane, attracting Renee along the way. Ben is going through severe financial problems in his construction company, and resorts to a dangerous and unruly loan shark to bail him out. Mike meddles in the business of Ben's loan shark in an attempt to protect Renee, but he pays the ultimate price. During the first half of the season, Susan struggles with the guilt of her involvement in the Alejandro case, and during the second half, she tries to deal with both Mike's death and Julie's unexpected pregnancy. Following the cover-up of Alejandro's murder, Carlos develops an alcohol problem, but Gabrielle persuades him to recover in rehab. Due to his guilty conscience, combined with recent events on the lane, Carlos decides to leave his highly paid career for a more charitable alternative, which forces Gabrielle to take a personal shopper position to bring in more money. Tom moves out of the family home, and Lynette struggles to come to terms with how quickly Tom seems to have moved on, until she accepts that she is still in love with him, and decides she will try to win him back. Karen McCluskey (Kathryn Joosten) receives worrying news about her health and decides to end it all, but Bree manages to convince her otherwise.

 

The two-hour series finale which aired on Sunday, May 13, features the conclusion of Bree's court case. There is a wedding, a birth and a death, and the future of the four main housewives is revealed.

At 07:00 the new regualtions came into force, and despite saysing as recently as Wednesday he would not cancel Christmas, Johnson did just that. And as Kent is not plague capital of Kent, we were in the top tier, meaning that we could meet no one outside the family support bubble inside, and just one person from another household outside.

 

I had planned to go an meet my friend Gary on Sunday, to look for and photograph kingfishers, but the new lockdown seemed to put a stop to that. And, indeed, when you read the rules, not laws, you had to have a good reason for being out, apparently driving to a park for a walk was OK, and sitting on a bench or the ground was fine, so not just for exercise, so Gary and I decided I would go down as planned, park at his then we would walk, whilst socially distancing, to the park, and look for the pretty birdies.

 

I would, however, would have to get out of bed. And another Sunday morning came round and I slept in, and slept in realy good. I woke up and it was nearly daylight, it was ten past eight, or nearly dinner time in the Jelltex household.

 

So, I get up and get dressed, Jools made a coffee, giving me about an hour before I had to be out to drive to Gary's in River. That's the town of River, not an actual river. Just to be clear.

 

So, I put the big boy lens on the camera, check battery and memory car. And I can leave. I remember to grab a new face mask on my way out.

 

The roads are quiet, which makes a pleasant change, so I can drive along the A2 to Whitfield, then down the hill to River, and then to Gary's house beside Kearsney Abbey.

 

He was waiting in his porch, he waved. I waved back. Getting out of the car, I hand him a Christmas card, we swap news, and we are ready to go.

 

Opposite his house is the top gate to the Abbey Park, we go through and find that the council has been busy laying new gravel paths through the park, which means we won't get muddy feet. We follow the path down to a new bridge that has been built over the fake waterfall, and there, in among the tree branches Gary spots a Kingfisher.

 

I mean, I doubted I would see one, in all my life there have been four occasions where I have seen one or the person I was with saw one, but when my Granddad told me thaone had flown by on the path to Ham on Oulton Marsh, I looked and saw nothing. A few years ago I saw one in Germany walking along from the harbour at Husum. I was thrilled, I mean only saw the blue-orange flash of it taking flight into the reedbed, but I saw one. Then I saw them twice last year, once at Stodmarsh in March and when we went on the beaver hunt at Ham Fen, both were fleeting glimpses, and too quick to raise my camera at in anger.

 

But here was a Kindfisher, about 20 feet away, I edged closer, raised the camera, took aim and hit the shutter. Moved closer, shot again.

 

I moved to try to get a better shot, and some movement above my head caught my eye, I saw it was a bird, the bird was tiny. It could only be a Gold or Fire Crest. It was a Goldcrest, I took some shots in the gloom, and rattled off several shots.

 

I got lucky.

 

We watch the kingfisher some more, but it came no closer, so we move on after it flew off to sit on a distant fallen treetrunk to fish some more.

  

Down by the lakes there were the usual mix of swans, ducks and moorhens. We walk on.

 

The renovation of the tea house is nearly done. Its only taken four years, look good. I take a shot of that and of the massive and ancient Cedar of Lebanon which is still thriving.

 

We were walking to Russell Garden, but a dog walker sees us coming and was waving at us to look back to where we had crossed the steam on a small bridge. We look back but could see nothing.

 

He comes to us and points to a branch, and there is another Kingfisher.

 

We stop to watch and see it dive twice for fish, me even getting a shot as it took off back to the branch.

 

Over the main road, we meet up three other snappers, where a pair of Kingfishers were keeping us all entertained We were even able to point out to some familes of the delightful birds, there were as thrilled as we were.

 

The light wasn't good, or when it was sunny the birds sat in deep shade, now showing off their plumage to best effect.

 

We walked back over heading for his house as I saw dark clouds rolling in, we only got a hundred yards before the rain came down, with the sun still shining, a rainbow formed between us and the massive cedar tree, the light was fabulous. We sheltered under a tree until the rain eased, taking us back to the first spot where we watched the female fish some more, and get more shots.

 

That done, we walk back to his house, say goodbye and I climb back in the car to come home, taking Reach Road past the Castle and along the cliffs so to miss any jams that might have formed. Light across the Channel was stunning, with the cliff of France rising from the sea in the shadows 23 miles away.

 

Back home to have a brew, a slice of Christmas Cake and review my shots taken, and am pretty happy. One would have been great. I have over 500.

 

I cook dinner, chorizo hash and have another Christmas beer with it, before settling down for football, because, Sunday. And outside rain falls.

 

Darkness falls, as does the rain, and in the football it rains goals, eight in Manchester as Utd beat Dirty Leeds. Odd how when Norwich played like that last year we were naive and stupid that we would not change our approach, but for Leeds to do the same was loveable. This Sky love-in with Dirty Leeds knows no bounds.

 

Sigh.

 

I'm not bitter.

 

At least the later game is not on Sky, so Jools watches the last episode of His Dark Materials, series two, which I couldn't get excited about. Same with series 5 of The Exapanse, I don't watch that either.

 

I follow the footy on Twitter, and then, at half nine, we go to bed.

 

Phew.

Natural light isn't any big challenge for me. I shoot everything in natural light. Mostly because I hate flash light. It's fluorescent and fake.

 

If you have $47,000 of lighting equipment that gives a soft, warm, natural effect to your images, great.

 

I do not. And I detest, abhor, recoil, loathe and otherwise find it pukey to use flash. If I'm in a situation where I have to use flash light, I just crank my ISO over and shoot naturally.

 

I would rather have grain in my image than use a flash.

 

I would rather get a slight blur in my image than use a flash.

 

I would rather not take the picture than use a flash.

 

No...Wait...I know...

 

I would rather get a root canal and a bikini wax at the same time than use a flash.

 

I would rather watch every episode of Barney than use a flash.

 

I would rather let a spider crawl on my arm while a chicken walks on my head than use a flash.

 

Don't stop me. I'm on a roll.

 

I would rather filter my coffee through a pair of underwear than use a flash.

 

I would rather stick a bobby pin in an electrical socket than use a flash.

 

I would rather use my hair as dental floss than use a flash.

 

Okay...now this is just getting stupid....

 

Oooohhh...

 

I would rather dance on the hood of a moving car while singing a medley of 99 Luftballons, How Do You Talk To An Angel and the theme song from Greatest American Hero than use a flash.

 

I would rather wear white spandex with neon yellow leg warmers and moon boots down Rodeo Drive than use a flash.

 

I would rather get Botox all over my body and look like one of those creepy, plastic, surprised ladies than use a flash.

 

I bet I can keep this going. Just gimme a minute....

  

Tim Wright

 

...

 

USB Flash Drive :

 

Tim Wright

Algorithms For Electronics Fake Woodwind And Strings

Entr'acte

E176

 

Audio & Visual by Tim Wright

 

Design by Allon Kaye

 

Use Hearing Protection

 

GMA

The TV Series that had all the world watching with guilty pleasure is now Collector Dolls by Laurie Everton the award-winning re-paint artist.

 

Desperate Housewives is an American television dramedy-mystery series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. It aired on ABC from October 3, 2004 to May 13, 2012. Executive producer Cherry served as showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season included Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, George W. Perkins, John Pardee, Joey Murphy, David Grossman, Larry Shaw and Sabrina Wind.

 

The main setting of the show is Wisteria Lane, a street in the fictional American town of Fairview in the fictional Eagle State. The show follows the lives of a group of women, seen through the eyes of their dead neighbor, who committed suicide in the very first episode. They work through domestic struggles and family life, while facing the secrets, crimes and mysteries hidden behind the doors of their — at the surface — beautiful and seemingly perfect suburban neighborhood.

 

The show features an ensemble cast, headed by Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Van de Kamp and Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis. Brenda Strong narrates the show as the deceased Mary Alice Young, appearing sporadically in flashbacks or dream sequences.

 

Since its premiere on ABC on October 3, 2004, the show has been well received by viewers and critics alike. The show is a multiple Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award winner. The series premiere drew 21.6 million viewers and the show's first season finale attracted over 30 million viewers. In 2007 it was reported to be the most popular show in its demographic worldwide, with an audience of approximately 120 million[7] and was also reported that the series is the third most watched TV show in a study of ratings in 20 countries. In 2012, it remained as the most-watched comedy series internationally based on data from Eurodata TV Worldwide, which measured ratings across five continents it has held this position since 2006. Moreover, it was the third-highest revenue earning show for 2010, with US$2.74 million per half hour. The show placed #56 on Entertainment Weekly's "New TV Classics" list.

 

Desperate Housewives was officially renewed by ABC on May 17, 2011 for an eighth season. The season premiere episode was broadcast on Sunday, September 25. The eighth season was the show's final season. The series concluded on May 13, 2012. By the end of its eighth season, it had surpassed Charmed as the longest running hour-long drama featuring all female leads.

 

Internationally, Desperate Housewives is broadcast on Channel 4, Seven Network, RÚV, TV2, E4, TVNZ, Arena, STAR World, OSN First, RAI, Hot 3, POP TV, RTÉ and Jurnal TV.

 

The first season premiered on October 3, 2004, and introduces the four central characters of the show: Susan Mayer, Lynette Scavo, Bree Van de Kamp and Gabrielle Solis, as well as their families and neighbors on Wisteria Lane. The main mystery of the season is the unexpected suicide of Mary Alice Young, and her husband and son's involvement in the events leading up to it. Bree fights to save her marriage, Lynette struggles to cope with her demanding children, Susan fights Edie Britt (Nicollette Sheridan) for the affection of new neighbor Mike Delfino (James Denton), and Gabrielle tries to prevent her husband Carlos Solis (Ricardo Antonio Chavira) from discovering that she is having an affair with their gardener, John Rowland (Jesse Metcalfe). The end of the first season results in Bree's husband, Rex Van de Kamp (Steven Culp), dying while believing Bree has poisoned him, Carlos being informed of Gaby's affair by John himself before being sent to prison, a fired Tom Scavo (Doug Savant) allowing Lynette to take his place as the bread-winner of the household, and a cliffhanger which puts Mike in danger of being shot by his own son.

 

The second season premiered on September 25, 2005 and its central mystery is that of new neighbor Betty Applewhite (Alfre Woodard), who moved onto Wisteria Lane in the middle of the night. Throughout the season, Bree tries to cope with being a widow, unknowingly begins dating the man who poisoned her husband, fights alcoholism, and is unable to prevent the gap between her and her son from growing to extremes. Susan’s love life becomes even more complicated as her ex-husband is engaged to Edie and is also started to incline towards Susan. Lynette goes back to her career in advertising and eventually becomes her husband's boss, and Gabrielle decides to be faithful to her husband, and begins preparations to have a child. In the closing moments of the season finale, Mike is run over by Susan's dentist friend Orson Hodge (Kyle MacLachlan), Bree saves her daughter from a killer, Gaby kicks out Carlos who had an affair of his own, and Lynette finds out Tom has a love child.

 

The third season premiered on September 24, 2006. In the third season, Bree marries Orson, whose past and involvement with a recently discovered dead body becomes the main mystery for half of the season. Meanwhile, Lynette has to adjust to having another child around the house, as a previously unknown daughter of her husband arrives. The Scavos also experience tension as Tom, Lynette's husband, wants to start a pizzeria. Gabrielle goes through a rough divorce, but finally finds new love in Fairview’s new mayor. Edie sees her chance to make her move on Mike, who is suffering from amnesia. Susan loses hope that Mike's memory will return and in the process moves on to a handsome Englishman whose wife is also in a coma. Edie's family relations are explored throughout the season. A shooting at the local grocery store leaves two characters dead and changes everyone's lives forever.

 

The fourth season premiered on September 30, 2007, and its main mystery revolves around new neighbor Katherine Mayfair (Dana Delany) and her family, who return to Wisteria Lane after twelve years away. Her daughter remembers nothing about living on Wisteria Lane. Lynette battles cancer; the newlywed – but unhappy – Gabrielle starts an affair with her ex-husband Carlos; Susan and Mike enjoy life as a married couple and learn that they are expecting a child; Bree fakes a pregnancy and plans to raise her teenage daughter's illegitimate child as her own; and Edie schemes to hold on to her new love, Carlos. A gay couple from Chicago – Lee McDermott (Kevin Rahm) and Bob Hunter (Tuc Watkins) – become residents of Wisteria Lane when they move into the house formerly occupied by Betty, and later Gloria and Alma Hodge. A tornado threatens to destroy everything, and everyone, that the housewives hold dear. The season finale has Katherine's abusive cop ex-husband killing and getting killed, then in the closing minute the characters and their story have flashed forward by five years: Bree is a successful cookbook writer, her son works for her, Gabrielle has had children, Lynette's twins are old enough to drive cars, and Susan has a new lover.

 

The fifth season premiered on September 28, 2008, with the time period jumping five years after the previous season, with some flashbacks to events which happened between the two periods. The season mystery revolves around Edie's new husband, Dave Williams (Neal McDonough). Dave is looking for revenge on someone on Wisteria Lane (later revealed to be Mike). Susan deals with being a single mother and having a new romance with Jackson Braddock (Gale Harold), while Mike starts dating Katherine. Lynette and Tom learn that their son is having an affair with a married woman whose husband's nightclub burns down with all of Wisteria Lane's neighbors inside. Carlos and Gabrielle struggle with their two daughters, Juanita and Celia, as Carlos' sight returns. Bree and Orson have marriage problems, because Bree has become too focused on her career, and Orson begins to steal from neighbors as a coping mechanism. As a result, Orson is found lying in the street when Edie is racing away from her house after she discovers that Dave is plotting to kill Mike and all those he loves; Edie swerves to avoid hitting Orson and crashes into an electrical pole, then exits the car, only to die of electrocution before she can expose Dave. It is later when Susan reveals to Dave that it was she, not Mike, who was driving the car the night that a woman and child ran a stop sign because it had fallen over on a dark stretch of road. Dave plans to kill M.J. Delfino (Mason Vale Cotton), Mike and Susan's son, but in the end has a change of heart.

 

The fifth season featured the show's one-hundredth episode, revolving around Eli Scruggs (Beau Bridges), a handyman who had an important role in all of the ladies' lives. This episode features flashbacks and returning characters, including Mary Alice, Rex Van de Kamp, and Martha Huber (Christine Estabrook). The episode was broadcast on ABC on Sunday, January 18, 2009.

 

The sixth season premiered on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 9pm. The main mystery of this season is surrounding new neighbor Angie Bolen (Drea de Matteo) and her family. The first half of the season consists of the conflict between Lynette and Gabrielle as Lynette attempts to sue Carlos, Susan's daughter Julie Mayer (Andrea Bowen) being attacked by an unknown person, Katherine's eventual breakdown at losing Mike to Susan and Bree's affair with Karl Mayer (Richard Burgi), Susan's ex-husband. Bree's affair ends tragically when Karl's hired plane crashes into a building with the two of them and Orson inside. The second half of the season focuses on Katherine experimenting with her sexuality, Lynette inviting the Fairview strangler to stay with them before discovering the truth, the conflict between Bree and a son of Rex whom he had before meeting Bree, and the solving of the Bolen mystery.

 

The seventh season premiered on September 26, 2010 and its main focus is the return of Mary Alice's husband Paul Young (Mark Moses) to Wisteria Lane and his plans of seeking revenge on the residents for shunning him during his incarceration. This season also focuses on the mystery of Paul's new wife Beth Young (Emily Bergl), and Felicia Tilman's (Harriet Sansom Harris) plans to avenge the death of her sister, Martha Huber. Gabrielle and Carlos learn an unsettling fact about their daughter Juanita, which ultimately takes them back to Gabrielle's home town of Las Colinas. Orson leaves Bree, and so she starts dating her contractor, Keith Watson (Brian Austin Green). However, when it becomes apparent that their relationship cannot continue, Bree eventually begins seeing Detective Chuck Vance (Jonathan Cake) of Fairview Police Department. Due to financial problems, Susan and her family have moved off the lane, and Susan is forced to earn money by somewhat untraditional means. Lynette's best friend from college, Renee Perry (Vanessa Williams) moves to the Lane and stirs things up among the other housewives. Following a major riot on the lane, Susan is put on the waiting list for a vital organ donation. Carlos learns the truth about his mother's death, consequently ending the friendship between the Solis family and Bree. Lynette persuades Tom to take an exciting new job, which leads to unprecedented problems in their marriage. The two-hour season finale aired on May 15, 2011, and seemingly ends the troubles between Paul and Felicia. An unexpected visitor arrives in the Solis family home, paving the way for the eighth season.

 

The eighth and final season premiered on Sunday, September 25, 2011. The final season picks up straight after the dinner party that featured in the previous season finale, in which Gabrielle's perverted stepfather Alejandro Perez (Tony Plana) is unintentionally killed by Carlos. Bree, Lynette and Susan walk in on this, and conspire to cover up what has happened. Due to her relationship with Chuck, Bree becomes the main affected by the cover-up of Alejandro's murder, and is eventually accused of killing Alejandro herself. A new neighbor, Ben Faulkner (Charles Mesure), moves into the lane, attracting Renee along the way. Ben is going through severe financial problems in his construction company, and resorts to a dangerous and unruly loan shark to bail him out. Mike meddles in the business of Ben's loan shark in an attempt to protect Renee, but he pays the ultimate price. During the first half of the season, Susan struggles with the guilt of her involvement in the Alejandro case, and during the second half, she tries to deal with both Mike's death and Julie's unexpected pregnancy. Following the cover-up of Alejandro's murder, Carlos develops an alcohol problem, but Gabrielle persuades him to recover in rehab. Due to his guilty conscience, combined with recent events on the lane, Carlos decides to leave his highly paid career for a more charitable alternative, which forces Gabrielle to take a personal shopper position to bring in more money. Tom moves out of the family home, and Lynette struggles to come to terms with how quickly Tom seems to have moved on, until she accepts that she is still in love with him, and decides she will try to win him back. Karen McCluskey (Kathryn Joosten) receives worrying news about her health and decides to end it all, but Bree manages to convince her otherwise.

 

The two-hour series finale which aired on Sunday, May 13, features the conclusion of Bree's court case. There is a wedding, a birth and a death, and the future of the four main housewives is revealed.

The TV Series that had all the world watching with guilty pleasure is now Collector Dolls by Laurie Everton the award-winning re-paint artist.

 

Desperate Housewives is an American television dramedy-mystery series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. It aired on ABC from October 3, 2004 to May 13, 2012. Executive producer Cherry served as showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season included Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, George W. Perkins, John Pardee, Joey Murphy, David Grossman, Larry Shaw and Sabrina Wind.

 

The main setting of the show is Wisteria Lane, a street in the fictional American town of Fairview in the fictional Eagle State. The show follows the lives of a group of women, seen through the eyes of their dead neighbor, who committed suicide in the very first episode. They work through domestic struggles and family life, while facing the secrets, crimes and mysteries hidden behind the doors of their — at the surface — beautiful and seemingly perfect suburban neighborhood.

 

The show features an ensemble cast, headed by Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Van de Kamp and Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis. Brenda Strong narrates the show as the deceased Mary Alice Young, appearing sporadically in flashbacks or dream sequences.

 

Since its premiere on ABC on October 3, 2004, the show has been well received by viewers and critics alike. The show is a multiple Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award winner. The series premiere drew 21.6 million viewers and the show's first season finale attracted over 30 million viewers. In 2007 it was reported to be the most popular show in its demographic worldwide, with an audience of approximately 120 million[7] and was also reported that the series is the third most watched TV show in a study of ratings in 20 countries. In 2012, it remained as the most-watched comedy series internationally based on data from Eurodata TV Worldwide, which measured ratings across five continents it has held this position since 2006. Moreover, it was the third-highest revenue earning show for 2010, with US$2.74 million per half hour. The show placed #56 on Entertainment Weekly's "New TV Classics" list.

 

Desperate Housewives was officially renewed by ABC on May 17, 2011 for an eighth season. The season premiere episode was broadcast on Sunday, September 25. The eighth season was the show's final season. The series concluded on May 13, 2012. By the end of its eighth season, it had surpassed Charmed as the longest running hour-long drama featuring all female leads.

 

Internationally, Desperate Housewives is broadcast on Channel 4, Seven Network, RÚV, TV2, E4, TVNZ, Arena, STAR World, OSN First, RAI, Hot 3, POP TV, RTÉ and Jurnal TV.

 

The first season premiered on October 3, 2004, and introduces the four central characters of the show: Susan Mayer, Lynette Scavo, Bree Van de Kamp and Gabrielle Solis, as well as their families and neighbors on Wisteria Lane. The main mystery of the season is the unexpected suicide of Mary Alice Young, and her husband and son's involvement in the events leading up to it. Bree fights to save her marriage, Lynette struggles to cope with her demanding children, Susan fights Edie Britt (Nicollette Sheridan) for the affection of new neighbor Mike Delfino (James Denton), and Gabrielle tries to prevent her husband Carlos Solis (Ricardo Antonio Chavira) from discovering that she is having an affair with their gardener, John Rowland (Jesse Metcalfe). The end of the first season results in Bree's husband, Rex Van de Kamp (Steven Culp), dying while believing Bree has poisoned him, Carlos being informed of Gaby's affair by John himself before being sent to prison, a fired Tom Scavo (Doug Savant) allowing Lynette to take his place as the bread-winner of the household, and a cliffhanger which puts Mike in danger of being shot by his own son.

 

The second season premiered on September 25, 2005 and its central mystery is that of new neighbor Betty Applewhite (Alfre Woodard), who moved onto Wisteria Lane in the middle of the night. Throughout the season, Bree tries to cope with being a widow, unknowingly begins dating the man who poisoned her husband, fights alcoholism, and is unable to prevent the gap between her and her son from growing to extremes. Susan’s love life becomes even more complicated as her ex-husband is engaged to Edie and is also started to incline towards Susan. Lynette goes back to her career in advertising and eventually becomes her husband's boss, and Gabrielle decides to be faithful to her husband, and begins preparations to have a child. In the closing moments of the season finale, Mike is run over by Susan's dentist friend Orson Hodge (Kyle MacLachlan), Bree saves her daughter from a killer, Gaby kicks out Carlos who had an affair of his own, and Lynette finds out Tom has a love child.

 

The third season premiered on September 24, 2006. In the third season, Bree marries Orson, whose past and involvement with a recently discovered dead body becomes the main mystery for half of the season. Meanwhile, Lynette has to adjust to having another child around the house, as a previously unknown daughter of her husband arrives. The Scavos also experience tension as Tom, Lynette's husband, wants to start a pizzeria. Gabrielle goes through a rough divorce, but finally finds new love in Fairview’s new mayor. Edie sees her chance to make her move on Mike, who is suffering from amnesia. Susan loses hope that Mike's memory will return and in the process moves on to a handsome Englishman whose wife is also in a coma. Edie's family relations are explored throughout the season. A shooting at the local grocery store leaves two characters dead and changes everyone's lives forever.

 

The fourth season premiered on September 30, 2007, and its main mystery revolves around new neighbor Katherine Mayfair (Dana Delany) and her family, who return to Wisteria Lane after twelve years away. Her daughter remembers nothing about living on Wisteria Lane. Lynette battles cancer; the newlywed – but unhappy – Gabrielle starts an affair with her ex-husband Carlos; Susan and Mike enjoy life as a married couple and learn that they are expecting a child; Bree fakes a pregnancy and plans to raise her teenage daughter's illegitimate child as her own; and Edie schemes to hold on to her new love, Carlos. A gay couple from Chicago – Lee McDermott (Kevin Rahm) and Bob Hunter (Tuc Watkins) – become residents of Wisteria Lane when they move into the house formerly occupied by Betty, and later Gloria and Alma Hodge. A tornado threatens to destroy everything, and everyone, that the housewives hold dear. The season finale has Katherine's abusive cop ex-husband killing and getting killed, then in the closing minute the characters and their story have flashed forward by five years: Bree is a successful cookbook writer, her son works for her, Gabrielle has had children, Lynette's twins are old enough to drive cars, and Susan has a new lover.

 

The fifth season premiered on September 28, 2008, with the time period jumping five years after the previous season, with some flashbacks to events which happened between the two periods. The season mystery revolves around Edie's new husband, Dave Williams (Neal McDonough). Dave is looking for revenge on someone on Wisteria Lane (later revealed to be Mike). Susan deals with being a single mother and having a new romance with Jackson Braddock (Gale Harold), while Mike starts dating Katherine. Lynette and Tom learn that their son is having an affair with a married woman whose husband's nightclub burns down with all of Wisteria Lane's neighbors inside. Carlos and Gabrielle struggle with their two daughters, Juanita and Celia, as Carlos' sight returns. Bree and Orson have marriage problems, because Bree has become too focused on her career, and Orson begins to steal from neighbors as a coping mechanism. As a result, Orson is found lying in the street when Edie is racing away from her house after she discovers that Dave is plotting to kill Mike and all those he loves; Edie swerves to avoid hitting Orson and crashes into an electrical pole, then exits the car, only to die of electrocution before she can expose Dave. It is later when Susan reveals to Dave that it was she, not Mike, who was driving the car the night that a woman and child ran a stop sign because it had fallen over on a dark stretch of road. Dave plans to kill M.J. Delfino (Mason Vale Cotton), Mike and Susan's son, but in the end has a change of heart.

 

The fifth season featured the show's one-hundredth episode, revolving around Eli Scruggs (Beau Bridges), a handyman who had an important role in all of the ladies' lives. This episode features flashbacks and returning characters, including Mary Alice, Rex Van de Kamp, and Martha Huber (Christine Estabrook). The episode was broadcast on ABC on Sunday, January 18, 2009.

 

The sixth season premiered on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 9pm. The main mystery of this season is surrounding new neighbor Angie Bolen (Drea de Matteo) and her family. The first half of the season consists of the conflict between Lynette and Gabrielle as Lynette attempts to sue Carlos, Susan's daughter Julie Mayer (Andrea Bowen) being attacked by an unknown person, Katherine's eventual breakdown at losing Mike to Susan and Bree's affair with Karl Mayer (Richard Burgi), Susan's ex-husband. Bree's affair ends tragically when Karl's hired plane crashes into a building with the two of them and Orson inside. The second half of the season focuses on Katherine experimenting with her sexuality, Lynette inviting the Fairview strangler to stay with them before discovering the truth, the conflict between Bree and a son of Rex whom he had before meeting Bree, and the solving of the Bolen mystery.

 

The seventh season premiered on September 26, 2010 and its main focus is the return of Mary Alice's husband Paul Young (Mark Moses) to Wisteria Lane and his plans of seeking revenge on the residents for shunning him during his incarceration. This season also focuses on the mystery of Paul's new wife Beth Young (Emily Bergl), and Felicia Tilman's (Harriet Sansom Harris) plans to avenge the death of her sister, Martha Huber. Gabrielle and Carlos learn an unsettling fact about their daughter Juanita, which ultimately takes them back to Gabrielle's home town of Las Colinas. Orson leaves Bree, and so she starts dating her contractor, Keith Watson (Brian Austin Green). However, when it becomes apparent that their relationship cannot continue, Bree eventually begins seeing Detective Chuck Vance (Jonathan Cake) of Fairview Police Department. Due to financial problems, Susan and her family have moved off the lane, and Susan is forced to earn money by somewhat untraditional means. Lynette's best friend from college, Renee Perry (Vanessa Williams) moves to the Lane and stirs things up among the other housewives. Following a major riot on the lane, Susan is put on the waiting list for a vital organ donation. Carlos learns the truth about his mother's death, consequently ending the friendship between the Solis family and Bree. Lynette persuades Tom to take an exciting new job, which leads to unprecedented problems in their marriage. The two-hour season finale aired on May 15, 2011, and seemingly ends the troubles between Paul and Felicia. An unexpected visitor arrives in the Solis family home, paving the way for the eighth season.

 

The eighth and final season premiered on Sunday, September 25, 2011. The final season picks up straight after the dinner party that featured in the previous season finale, in which Gabrielle's perverted stepfather Alejandro Perez (Tony Plana) is unintentionally killed by Carlos. Bree, Lynette and Susan walk in on this, and conspire to cover up what has happened. Due to her relationship with Chuck, Bree becomes the main affected by the cover-up of Alejandro's murder, and is eventually accused of killing Alejandro herself. A new neighbor, Ben Faulkner (Charles Mesure), moves into the lane, attracting Renee along the way. Ben is going through severe financial problems in his construction company, and resorts to a dangerous and unruly loan shark to bail him out. Mike meddles in the business of Ben's loan shark in an attempt to protect Renee, but he pays the ultimate price. During the first half of the season, Susan struggles with the guilt of her involvement in the Alejandro case, and during the second half, she tries to deal with both Mike's death and Julie's unexpected pregnancy. Following the cover-up of Alejandro's murder, Carlos develops an alcohol problem, but Gabrielle persuades him to recover in rehab. Due to his guilty conscience, combined with recent events on the lane, Carlos decides to leave his highly paid career for a more charitable alternative, which forces Gabrielle to take a personal shopper position to bring in more money. Tom moves out of the family home, and Lynette struggles to come to terms with how quickly Tom seems to have moved on, until she accepts that she is still in love with him, and decides she will try to win him back. Karen McCluskey (Kathryn Joosten) receives worrying news about her health and decides to end it all, but Bree manages to convince her otherwise.

 

The two-hour series finale which aired on Sunday, May 13, features the conclusion of Bree's court case. There is a wedding, a birth and a death, and the future of the four main housewives is revealed.

At 07:00 the new regualtions came into force, and despite saysing as recently as Wednesday he would not cancel Christmas, Johnson did just that. And as Kent is not plague capital of Kent, we were in the top tier, meaning that we could meet no one outside the family support bubble inside, and just one person from another household outside.

 

I had planned to go an meet my friend Gary on Sunday, to look for and photograph kingfishers, but the new lockdown seemed to put a stop to that. And, indeed, when you read the rules, not laws, you had to have a good reason for being out, apparently driving to a park for a walk was OK, and sitting on a bench or the ground was fine, so not just for exercise, so Gary and I decided I would go down as planned, park at his then we would walk, whilst socially distancing, to the park, and look for the pretty birdies.

 

I would, however, would have to get out of bed. And another Sunday morning came round and I slept in, and slept in realy good. I woke up and it was nearly daylight, it was ten past eight, or nearly dinner time in the Jelltex household.

 

So, I get up and get dressed, Jools made a coffee, giving me about an hour before I had to be out to drive to Gary's in River. That's the town of River, not an actual river. Just to be clear.

 

So, I put the big boy lens on the camera, check battery and memory car. And I can leave. I remember to grab a new face mask on my way out.

 

The roads are quiet, which makes a pleasant change, so I can drive along the A2 to Whitfield, then down the hill to River, and then to Gary's house beside Kearsney Abbey.

 

He was waiting in his porch, he waved. I waved back. Getting out of the car, I hand him a Christmas card, we swap news, and we are ready to go.

 

Opposite his house is the top gate to the Abbey Park, we go through and find that the council has been busy laying new gravel paths through the park, which means we won't get muddy feet. We follow the path down to a new bridge that has been built over the fake waterfall, and there, in among the tree branches Gary spots a Kingfisher.

 

I mean, I doubted I would see one, in all my life there have been four occasions where I have seen one or the person I was with saw one, but when my Granddad told me thaone had flown by on the path to Ham on Oulton Marsh, I looked and saw nothing. A few years ago I saw one in Germany walking along from the harbour at Husum. I was thrilled, I mean only saw the blue-orange flash of it taking flight into the reedbed, but I saw one. Then I saw them twice last year, once at Stodmarsh in March and when we went on the beaver hunt at Ham Fen, both were fleeting glimpses, and too quick to raise my camera at in anger.

 

But here was a Kindfisher, about 20 feet away, I edged closer, raised the camera, took aim and hit the shutter. Moved closer, shot again.

 

I moved to try to get a better shot, and some movement above my head caught my eye, I saw it was a bird, the bird was tiny. It could only be a Gold or Fire Crest. It was a Goldcrest, I took some shots in the gloom, and rattled off several shots.

 

I got lucky.

 

We watch the kingfisher some more, but it came no closer, so we move on after it flew off to sit on a distant fallen treetrunk to fish some more.

  

Down by the lakes there were the usual mix of swans, ducks and moorhens. We walk on.

 

The renovation of the tea house is nearly done. Its only taken four years, look good. I take a shot of that and of the massive and ancient Cedar of Lebanon which is still thriving.

 

We were walking to Russell Garden, but a dog walker sees us coming and was waving at us to look back to where we had crossed the steam on a small bridge. We look back but could see nothing.

 

He comes to us and points to a branch, and there is another Kingfisher.

 

We stop to watch and see it dive twice for fish, me even getting a shot as it took off back to the branch.

 

Over the main road, we meet up three other snappers, where a pair of Kingfishers were keeping us all entertained We were even able to point out to some familes of the delightful birds, there were as thrilled as we were.

 

The light wasn't good, or when it was sunny the birds sat in deep shade, now showing off their plumage to best effect.

 

We walked back over heading for his house as I saw dark clouds rolling in, we only got a hundred yards before the rain came down, with the sun still shining, a rainbow formed between us and the massive cedar tree, the light was fabulous. We sheltered under a tree until the rain eased, taking us back to the first spot where we watched the female fish some more, and get more shots.

 

That done, we walk back to his house, say goodbye and I climb back in the car to come home, taking Reach Road past the Castle and along the cliffs so to miss any jams that might have formed. Light across the Channel was stunning, with the cliff of France rising from the sea in the shadows 23 miles away.

 

Back home to have a brew, a slice of Christmas Cake and review my shots taken, and am pretty happy. One would have been great. I have over 500.

 

I cook dinner, chorizo hash and have another Christmas beer with it, before settling down for football, because, Sunday. And outside rain falls.

 

Darkness falls, as does the rain, and in the football it rains goals, eight in Manchester as Utd beat Dirty Leeds. Odd how when Norwich played like that last year we were naive and stupid that we would not change our approach, but for Leeds to do the same was loveable. This Sky love-in with Dirty Leeds knows no bounds.

 

Sigh.

 

I'm not bitter.

 

At least the later game is not on Sky, so Jools watches the last episode of His Dark Materials, series two, which I couldn't get excited about. Same with series 5 of The Exapanse, I don't watch that either.

 

I follow the footy on Twitter, and then, at half nine, we go to bed.

 

Phew.