JG-L News-2016-April-A

- NEWS & ADVENTURES -

- APRIL (A), 2016 -

COMPLETE ARCHIVES ACCESS PAGE IS -----------> HERE

Although I do this for fun, I'd like to request your assistance with the costs of keeping the site on-line.

Bandwidth use is well over 900 GIGabytes a month and it ain't cheap here in The Great White North. Anything you can spare will help to keep the site humming along. As you may have noted the DONATION BUTTON has been replaced, this at the command of the folks who provided the facility. I am prohibited from mentioning them by name. However, electronic donations can still be deposited to keep this web site alive, by using the button below, which, effectively, does the same thing.

In the 'Send Money To' box, just type in my e-mail addy, JC-GREEN@TELUS.NET, and all will work fine. Your support and donations are MOST appreciated!

Thanks all for your patience, and in advance, for your assistance to cover the costs incurred.

I will generally do an update between the 15th and 25th of the month (and once in a while, small ones will be added on to the main update), and occasionally these will come with new pages from different sections of the site. Please read the introduction for each update and you'll find that I normally remember to hot-link to the appropriate new page.

As to the sequencing, I will now do only ONE monthly update and they will be ordered as follows, to reduce my work load to 4 days/month ... an agreeable amount for a hobby.

Previous pages for this section will be placed in the archives for future reference and it's structure will normally be a month by month basis for each year (12 pages), and until September, 2012, sub-divided into three sections (A, B & C).

Please Note: There is no "INDEX" page per se. Use the month and year pages at the the bottom of the page to review previous updates to this Section and the Rogue's Gallery.

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You'll note that the page size has been increased to 900 pixels in width and this allows me to use larger thumb nail images and full sized images; sometimes by as much as 35-40%. A good thing I think, but there is a draw back, in that the pages take longer to load than they did with the smaller thumbnails. I've made one other "editorial" decision in that I will attempt to show image with accompanying or embedded text in their full size, where possible, so that if there is a story or data that is of interest, you should now be able to read it.

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I'll start off with the usual set of four calendar pix and hope you enjoy them as much as I do everyday.

NOTE: Next month (May) I'll be leaving for BoundCon around the 17th of the month and so will try to have the site up-load for may in just before I depart. No Guarantees but I'm hoping for good things :-).

All things considered, life is treating me pretty well, other than a decided lack of kink activity over the past year or so, :-(. I'm continuing to collect assorted 'toys' from China and am happily surprised at the quality of the goods. Here's a selection of pix of the various collars and stretcher weights that I've bought.

One set of aluminium rings (the others are all stainless steel) has been slightly modified to accept e-stim plug-ns and so I continue to mess with the various forms of stimulation. Here below is a set of pix of the most recent acquisitions and modified 'stretcher weights'.

Then there's always the worry about what I should wear each day :-). I have a wide selection of devices and combinations of devices as well as leashing options and so there's always a certain amount of dithering :-).

Those who frequent these pages know that I'm a more than bit of a nut case when it comes to aircraft, seeing as how most of my vanilla careers were in aviation of one form or another. Over the years, I've refined my taste as to what I think is beautiful and what is butt ugly, in terms of aircraft.

Surprisingly, some of the ugliest of aircraft can also be considered quite pretty in terms of their effectiveness and how well they performed, but that's subjective of course.

Remember that beauty is all in the eye of the beholder, as is ugliness, and all of the opinions expressed below are mine alone, although you may agree with many of them.

The FAIRCHILD REPUBLIC A-10, THUNDERBOLT-II, (WARTHOG) has been around since 1972 and is a superb ground support aircraft, despite and because of it's ugliness. The aircraft was, essentially, built around the 30mm rotary cannon, but it can also carry an extraordinary amount of external ordinance. If you're a bad guy and this airplane shows up, prepare to meet your maker.

The CONVAIR, B-36 "PEACEMAKER"was a strategic bomber that is both big and ugly, but it did the job for the USAF from 1949 to 1959. The B-36 was the largest, mass-produced piston engine aircraft ever made and had the longest wingspan of any combat aircraft ever built, at 230 ft. The B-36 was the first bomber capable of delivering any of the nuclear weapons in the U.S. arsenal from inside its four bomb bays, without aircraft modifications. An example that you actually touch is resident at the PIMA COUNTY AIR MUSEUM, in Tucson, AZ.

The DORNIER DO-X was the largest, heaviest, and most powerful flying boat in the world when it was produced in Germany in 1929. First conceived by Dr. Claude Dornier in 1924, it was completed in June 1929. The Do X was financed by the German Transport Ministry. While the type was popular with the public, a lack of commercial interest and a number of non-fatal accidents prevented more than three examples from being built. It may be pretty to some, but I still think of it as ugly.

The FAIREY SWORDFISH torpedo bomber was used by the Royal Navy During WW-II, primarily as a carrier based plane. Even though heavily outdated at the beginning of the WW-II, it stayed in service until the end of the war in Europe. A sturdy aircraft but with the plethora of support wires, it quickly gained the nick-name of "Stringbag". Despite it's rather primitive capabilities, the Swordfish achieved some spectacular successes, notably sinking one and damaging two battleships of the Italian Navy, in the Battle of Taranto and the famous crippling of the Bismarck battleship.

The TUPOLEV TU-95 BEAR (NATO designation) is a large, four-engine, turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform. It was first flown in 1952, and entered service in 1956 with an expectation that it will still be in service until at least 2040.

The aircraft has four Kuznetsov NK-12 engines, each driving contra-rotating propellers. It is the only propeller-powered strategic bomber still in operational use today. The tips of the propeller-blades move faster than the speed of sound, making it one of the noisiest military aircraft] Its distinctive swept wings are at a 35° angle.

The FAIREY GANNET was a carrier-borne aircraft developed for the Royal Navy. and has to be one of the ugliest airplanes I've ever seen up close and personal.. Given its tricycle undercarriage and a crew of three, with a double turboprop engine driving two contra-rotating propellers, I think the term ugly is well deserved. An example can be see at the PIMA COUNTY AIR MUSEUM in Tucson, AZ.

The AVRO (UK) LANCASTER, heavy bomber was without a doubt, until very late in WW-II, the pre-eminent heavy bomber of all the Allied air forces. Nothing else, until the advent of the American heavies used mostly in the Pacific campaigns, could equal the payload and range capabilities of the "LANC". The largest payload it carried was the 22,000 lb. - the GRAND SLAM bomb used on submarine pens. It also carried the 12,000 lb TALL BOY, used to destroy the German Battleship TIRPITZ

Fieseler, Fi-156, Storch

The FIESELER, FI-156 STORCH was a small German liaison aircraft built before and during World War II. Production continued in other countries into the 1950s for the private market. It remains famous for its excellent STOL performance; French-built later variants often appear at air shows. One of the very first and best STOL aircraft.

The MCDOONNELL DOUGLAS, F-4 PHANTOM II is a proven, supersonic fighter-interceptor design where form follows function to a "T". It's a big, gronky, ugly machine in appearance and bloody good at what it was designed to do and seven countries bought their own because it was so good.

The SUPERMARINE, STRANRAER flying boat was used primarily in a Coastal Patrol role and occasionally in an anti-submarine role. It was generally referred to as the "STRANNY" and thanks to the huge number of bracing wires used to hold the wings together, all vibrating and howling at different frequencies, it was also referred to as "THE WHISTLING SHIT HOUSE". No doubt that it was a worthy and functional design for the time, but it's still bloody ugly :-).

The JUNKERS, JU-52, known to the German military of WW-II affectionately as TANT JU, and later to others as IRON ANNIE, was a rugged and effective design that served in many roles, but primarily as a passenger and paratrooper transport. One is still flying and another can bee seen at the DEUTCHES MUSEUM in Munich. It's an effective design for the time, but it's still kinda gronky and ugly.

The LOCKHEED, CONSTELLATION and the L-1049 SUPER CONSTELLATION are, in my estimation, the prettiest, propeller driven passenger aircraft ever built. It's a classic and graceful design that has yet to be equalled by any of today's (April, 2016) aircraft. A few still survive in various aviation museums and at least one is being brought back to flying status.

The LOCKHEED, SR-71 BLACKBIRD is another classic design that has an evil beauty. No other than America has built anything close to it in terms of capability and speed. One of its pilots once said that "You ain't lost until you're lost at Mach3." The aircraft is made with a great deal of titanium, this purchased from the unknowing Russians who had the only huge and available supply of the metal. An incredible aircraft and I've seen at least 6 of them up close and personal.

The DEHAVILLAND MOSQUITO fighter, bomber, photo-reconnaisance, pathfinder and ground assault aircraft (The MOSSIE) is another classic British design, but one that almost didn't happen. It's unique in that it is almost entirely made of wood. THIS is the airplane that the British, Americans and Canadian SHOULD have used rather than the heavy bombers they did.

There are two flying versions now, one in Canada and one in the USA, as of April, 2016, with quite a few more being rebuilt or created from new.

The AVRO (CANADA) CF-105, ARROW was one of the prettiest and would have been the most effective multi-role fighters and interceptors of its time and perhaps in future iterations into today's world, still one of the best. Unfortunately, THAT never came to pass, as, the Canadian government of the day, headed by an imbecile, country bumpkin lawyer by the name of John George Diefenbaker cancelled and killed the project.

The BAC-AEROSPATIALE CONCORDE was one of the prettiest, fastest but not really cost-effective, passenger transport aircraft ever built. Unfortunately, sour grapes on the part of the US government and the American aviation industry in general, denied the aircraft its full potential. It's quite amazing what frustrated envy will do and the existence of the Concorde indeed proved that the USA is NOT number one in everything in the world, much as they'd like the rest of use to accept.

Even the Russians had their own version of the Concorde (called derogatorily, the Konkordski) in the form of the TUPOLEV, TU-144.

Tupolev, TU-144, Charger (Konkordski)

The TUPOLEV TU-144, CHARGER (NATO designator) was the world's first commercial supersonic passenger aircraft aircraft (SST). It is one of only two SST's to enter commercial service, the other being the Anglo-French Concorde. Throughout its 55-flight operational history, the Tu-144 flew at an average service altitude of 52,000 ft and cruised at a speed of around 1,200 mph. The prototype first flew on 31 December 1968, two months before the first flight of Concorde.

The SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE and all of its variants is probably the prettiest propeller-driven fighter aircraft ever created and was and is instantly recognizable just by its unique, elliptical wing form and of course by the powerful; rumble of its ROLLS-ROYCE MERLIN engine. Over the past ten years more and more of these superb aircraft are being rebuilt and flown again.

When the ROLLS-ROYCE GRIFFON engine was used late in the war and the aircraft's armament was increased from the 8 Browning, .303 machine guns to the HISPANO-SUIZA, HS-404 20 mm cannons, the aircraft was an incredibly deadly opponent.

The TUPOLEV, TU-160 , BLACKJACK - a strategic, supersonic heavy bomber is a pretty airplane. For some reason, the folks over at the Tupolev design bureau always come up with classic designs that are effective and worthy opponents.

Similarly to my comments, above, about aircraft, the same thing applies to steam locomotives :-), and those who enjoy browsing though the imagery in this web site know also that my first real love is for these enormous, gronky and generally brutish machines. I've been fortunate to have visited a fair number of rail road museums here in North America and a bunch of them in the UK.

As with aircraft, some of the ugliest of locomotives can occasionally also be considered quite pretty in terms of their effectiveness and how well they worked, but that's subjective of course.

In most cases below of the ugly locomotives, I've not bothered to make comments as I did with the airplanes, but just let the images speak for themselves. In a few cases there's a smidgeon of beauty in these ugly ducklings but damned few.

The LIMA LOCOMOTIVE WORKS, ALLEGHENY TYPE: 2-6-6-6 was used primarily by Virginian Railway and the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway as heavy haulers, bringing coal out of the Blue Ridge mountains. Not widely used by other roads, but effective and very powerful machines.

The Canadian National Railway CNR (then CN) ordered the purchase of the CONFEDERATION or as more commonly known, the NORTHERN class of locomotive from the Canadian Locomotive Works in Montreal and used them extensively from the 1930's to the late 1950's. Big engines, fast and efficient. I've been in the cab of this engine when under steam (proving beyond any doubt that I am an old fart).

The FLYING SCOTSMAN, A3 Class: 4-6-2, was initially used by LNER in the UK, is probably the best known steam locomotive name in the world. It was designed to be run as an express passenger engine between London and Edinburgh. As an FYI, I have been aboard the engine itself with it under steam, when it was in Ottawa, as a part of its North American Tour, away back when. Now (April, 2016) after a 10 year re-fit at 4.2 million Sterling, it is once more in operation.

The ROYAL HUDSON, CP-2860, HUDSON, Type: 4-6-4 was built by Montreal Locomotive Works and given the designation "Royal" when one of the type was used to pull a Royal Train around the country. These engines were used primarily for passenger service but saw employment as freight haulers. I've ridden in the cab of the Royal Hudson that's housed in the museum in Squamish, BC and it was a thrilling experience for sure.

The LNER's SIR NIGEL GRESLEY, Type A4, Pacific: 4-6-2, is a beautiful example of the steam locomotive builder's art. It was initially employed in the Express Passenger role, but is now, still functional, used for special steam excursions, based out of Grosemont, Yorkshire. I was fortunate a couple of years ago to actually get into the cab of the engine with steam up and it was great. The damned thing will easily do 85 mph and a similar engine of the Mallard class set the all time speed record for a steam locomotive at 125.88 mph, in 1936 and it's never been beaten.

The Union Pacific ALCO, CHALLENGER Class of locomotives: 4-6-6-2-4 was built by the American Locomotive Company and used almost exclusively in the western USA as a heavy freight hauler. One of these enormous engines is still in operation for steam excursions and is operated and maintained by the UP shops in Cheyenne, WY.

Union Pacific also more widely used another classic engine design, this being the NORTHERN Type, FEF-3 Class; 4-8-4 and maintains this engine in working condition for steam excursions all over the USA. It is based at the UP Cheyenne Depot.

The 4000 series of engines known as BIG BOYS Mallet Class 4-8-8-4 are enormous engines and move the earth when they go by. UP-4014 is a classic example of this rare type and was built by ALCO (the American Locomotive Company) for extremely heavy freight hauling in the western USA, It could haul a 5 mile long train at 85 mph. UP-4014 is currently housed in the UP shops at Cheyenne, WY where it is being restored to full operating condition.

I've had this interview "in the can" for a couple of years and so it's time to bring it out, dust it off and put it on-line for you to take a look through. Hope you enjoy it and here's a few preview pix to whet your appetite.

I've doubled up on the up-loads this month and have put up the next set of images from the JG-L TRAVEL PIX SECTION, this being Page 52. They're vanilla pix for those of you who aren't interested in the other sides of my life :-).

Here's a selection of the images I've found during my wandering around the internet over the past moth. Hope you enjoy this adjunct to the regular Rogue's Gallery.

BELOW: A GREAT sequence for total head encasement. I've been around the block a few times with regard to head encasement, helmets and sensory deprivation, but this truly takes the cake for non commercial equipment head bondage. It's hard to imagine just how intense this must feel. I'd love top connect with these folks :-).

And finally the ROGUE'S GALLERY has also received the usual update. As with most of the pages, there are a Hell of a lot of images and so please be patient for the pages to load completely.

On far more happy level, I will be attending the annual "BOUNDCON EVENT, in Munich, towards the end of May and hope I will see a lot of the European and UK friends and acquaintances there :-). As per usual, I'll be hanging out at the CAPTURED TABOO'S booth and hope to meet folks there.

As things have evolved, many of my more notorious friends will also be attending. Such luminaries as GRIMLY_FEENDISH and his lady THISGIRLSUB, and their good friends from BOUND IN LATEX as well as friends from Scotland will attend.

From America, my good friend (the one you can blame and who is responsible for getting this site up and on-line, 10 years ago), MARK BURNLEY, the owner and web master of SERIOUS BONDAGE, SERIOUS IMAGES, MUMMIFICATION PLEASE, MAXIMUM RESTRAINT and SERIOUS MALE BONDAGE will be coming as well, and accompanied by some of his associates. From the East Coast, JURGEN VON STUKA, an author friend of mine will also be coming.

From my own neck of the woods, my good friend HENRY and his lady MS_TIA will also be coming to share in the fun and games.

I recommend this event most highly, having attended it for many years. It's held in a huge facility, VERY well organized, clean and safe. As well, for folks who are younger than me (I go to sleep now at about 10:00 pm) there is a great party just across the parking lot of ZENITH, at a venue called the KESSELHAUS and if you can handle the crowds, the noise,/music, its a party that goes on into the wee hours.

- ABOVE: NEWS & ADVENTURES FOR APRIL (A), 2016 -

** BANNERS & THEIR PIX FOR THIS MONTH APPEAR HERE **

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COMPLETE ARCHIVES ACCESS PAGE IS -----------> HERE

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