Coldwaterjohn's photos

MCR 01 Sportster VLA The initial design program started in early 1994, and the Sportster flew for the first time in July 1996 The MCR Sportster is a side by side two-seater airplane with incredible performance and capability. Fast and agile, the VLA was specially designed to reach top speed while providing the most enjoyable experience to pilots. The MCR Sportster is a very high performance aircraft, that can cruise as fast as 300 km/h with only a 100 hp engine, at very low cost. Thanks to the highest level of technology available, and very light material, the Sportster has a very efficient direct control system that guarantees the same satisfaction as flying a fighter jet. The MCR Sportster can be equipped with a choice of different power plants, but may also be fitted with other options such as : * Ballistic Recovery System parachute * Extended range wing tanks. * Toe operated Hydraulic brakes The MCR Sportster is available in kit form in respect with the CNSK regulation (specific kit airworthiness certificate) or in the experimental category depending on the registration country. Source: dynaero.com Specifications Empty weight: 573 lbs MTOW: 1080 lbs Stall speed: 47 kts Cruise speed: 159 kts Never exceed speed VNE: 173 kts Climb: 1750 ft/min Takeoff distance (50ft obstacle): 656 ft Landing distance (50´ft obstacle): 984 ft Engine: Rotax 912, 912 S or 914, Jabiru

The trick in photographing falling snow is to use a flash.

The trick in photographing falling snow is to use a flash.

Who needs Michael Fish to tell us we have a low depression overhead? Once more last night we had spectacular lightning displays. I must figure out how to photograph it successfully. We have seen it as low as 970mb in recent years but that is nowhere near as bad as it gets. If you go back to January 1884 (it helps having these things at your fingertips!) 925.6mb was recorded at Ochertyre, near Crieff, Perthshire on the 26th January 1884 London: barometer fell to 28.529" (966mb) at 7.30pm Dr Beverly of Aberdeen at 11.30pm recorded a barometer reading at sea level of 27.381" (927.1mb) Forest of Glen Tana, a reading of 27.39" (927.4mb) was recorded Hitchin: 28.32" (959mb) North Shields: 27.63" (936mb) Cargen: 27.66" (936mb) Oban: 27.39" (927.4mb) Dublin: 28.15" (953mb) Croydon: 28.548" (966mb) at 7.40pm Weather reports from that depression - London: Violent SW gale Stanmore: Terrific gale from SW to W after 4pm Reigate: Violent storm with very low pressure Croydon: Strong gale, max hourly velocity of wind 40 miles Hythe: From 5.30 to 9.30pm, terrific hurricane, with heavy thunderstorm rain and hail Littlehampton: Awful gale St Lawrence: Severe SW gale with vivid lightning Oundle: Hurricane with heavy rain, snow and lightning Diss: Tremendous gale from west, thunderstorm in evening Torquay: Fearful SW gale with rain, thunder and lightning Coventry: Much lightning, violent wind and unusually low bar Mansfield: Very violent gale with snow, vivid lightning and thunder Macclesfield: Gales, snow, rain and lightning Morpeth: A great gale with very low pressure Penrith: Great storm with extremely low barometer Elterwater: Great gale with snow, sleet and rain Llanfrechfa Grange: Violent SW wind, thunder, lightning and rain Girvan: Severe storm; pressure fell almost 2.5" very rapidly and rose again almost as quickly. Cassillis: Storm of extraordinary severity with snow and rain Keith: About two inches of snow fell with fearful drifts on the following day. Aviemore: Severe gale from west, highland railway blocked by snow Forsinard: High winds, snow and drifts Castle Lough: Great storm with heavy rain followed by snow Kilconnell: Violent storm from SW, veering to NW Castlebar: Violent storm follwed by a fall of snow Enniskillen: A very severe storm with remarkable fall of pressure; old trees which had stood for 130 years were blown down. Newtownlands: The most terrific storm since 1839, wind 78 miles an hour. Douglas: Hurricane from 4pm on 26th to 4am on 27th.

Seen in a jewellers shop in Aberdeen

Sterling silver creamer by Harry Synyer and Charles Joseph Beddoes of Vyse Street Birmingham, sterling silver, hall marked 1930

Moonbeams on the pond