The HMS Prince of Wales

New to me but I'm sure not to some here I just read an analysis on the death of this British Warship. State of art for the time, lost with one torpedo hit. 

World powers were painfully figuring out that what was the preferred projection of power on the seas was dated and prone to aircraft attack without air cover. General Billy Mitchel proved this long before this happened. I guess institutional inertia prevented everyone from figuring this out until grievous loss of life and capitol ships.

I read this today. "A Re-Analysis of the Tragic Loss of HMS Prince of Wales."  

A torpedo hit at 1144 hours was fatal. At 1210, she hoisted the "Out of Control" signal. 

If any of this interests you I suggest reading the investigation linked above.

   
 

Anybody Got a Magazine for This?

It's a Femaru Model 37M. Or FEG 37M depending on how you look at it. In .32 ACP, with the German proof stamp. The magazine in it is stamped "MEXICO" and really does not do well and is incorrect. I'm looking for a repro or the the real thing. Tamera clued me in for a repro, but just got notification its back ordered. 

Help?

Yard Sale!

Sorry, I have been remiss here! 

One of the last times I went to visit Mr. and Mrs. Curmudgeon, Mr. was proud to show me what Mrs. picked up at a yard sale. I think she has a good eye! What do you think? I'm in over my head here with this stuff, but it appears to be the real deal. A Union Fork and Hoe Bayonet, scabbard, and some type of shovel. 

I have no idea about any of this. Any help to research this stuff or information you may have would be greatly appreciated! 

Thanks!
 

Got Wood?

I do. Some new wood that was presented during the M1 Garand AMC class in June. It came out of a box. Looks like this. 

So now that if conditions allow I will take this to my friends Blogshoot in November. 

My question to you is this. What to put on the wood? Pressed Linseed Oil, LinSpeed (the same thing but with a small amount of solvent in it), Flitz "Gun Wax", etc? 

What do I need to put on this wood? 
 

M-65 Field Jacket

Back in the day I was a Civil Air Patrol Cadet. We dressed out in pretty much the same as the military. It is getting cold here tonight and I think the accuguessers are saying the high here tomorrow will be 32F.

Last year my Mother dug this out and gave it to me. 

It appears to be an M-1965 field jacket made in 1972 based on the contract number above. It still fits even though its been around since the *cough* mid 70's. I have looked around on the Interwebz and it seems prudent to NOT wear this jacket tomorrow 

So be it. It's a safe queen jacket. Never thought I would have one of those.   

I have to do this!

The Showboat. BB-55. Yeah lets lurk for a bit!

 

Airshow Update

I heard a lot less radial engines at the house this year and noted a general lack of noise coming from the airport today. The skies were overcast and cloudy but they are forecasting better conditions tomorrow. 

In the meantime, from a previous show here are some pics of a B-25J "Briefing Time":

Hey look! Non politically correct nose art to boot:

 More about this aircraft here.

Colt lost the M-4 Contract but Picked Up This One!

"The Marine Corps has tapped Colt Defense LLC to make more than 10,000 new Close Quarter Battle Pistols for the service's elite special operations troops.

The July 19 contract, which has a total value of $22.5 million, brings an end to the Corps' exhaustive search for the top .45 caliber, 1911-style pistol to replace the fleet of worn-out Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, or MARSOC, M45 pistols.....The most visual difference is the Colt models will come in Coyote tan instead of gunmetal, Clark said.  Marine officials would not discuss the individual price for each new pistol. But the $22.5 million contract to Colt will allow the Corps to buy replacements for the new pistols as they wear out, Clark said. The contract also includes some money for spare parts." From Military.com

Nice looking 1911!

Friday Glamor Shot. The M1's

I have taken to heart the advise from Brigid about using outdoor lighting. So here is an attempt with the little Canon SX130 of the girls. Charline, the Garand is on top, Suzi, the Carbine bottom. Suzi is going for testing after repairs for the failure to feed problem tomorrow. Clickey to make biggerey.

  









Oh, its still 91 degrees here as the sun goes down. Thanks for the A/C Mr. Carrier!

Hey! A M4! Update

No, not one of these silly.

One of these:

Suzi, although the elder sister to Charline was having an inferiority complex. So, we helped her self esteem. Best I could do without spending a boat load of money, a period correct Bayonet. An M-4. With an M-8A1 scabbard to boot! 

Suzi's self esteem just got bumped a notch up! 

Hopefully this will stop the sibling wars! 

I was tasked by a friend last night to do better on my pictures here. I hope I have done so with these! She keeps me on my toes to be sure!   

So some critic runs in and tells me I should have put a magazine in for the glamor shot. Sheesh. Everyone IS a critic huh? 

This. Exactly. This.

From the Bill Mauldin book "Willie and Joe, the WWII years". Link here. 

Remember...

While some celebrate Memorial Day as the unofficial start of summer and ask if you will be "chilling and grillin" during this Holiday, I must point out that is not the reason for this Holiday. Others in the Blogosphere are much more eloquent than I on this matter. 

People died in defense of this Country and the rapidly decreasing freedoms for individuals it stands for. I run this every year here:



I also replace this:

With a new one made here. The old one will be disposed of properly.

Never Forget. The Honor Guard last week performed the final duty for a Brother in Arms. It means much.

Anna's Clue Tank: Army pilots, man your planes!

Remember today! An excellent write up below at the link from one of my favorite Blogs. God bless the gallantry and sacrifice these brave flight crews showed so that we could remain a free Nation.    

Anna's Clue Tank: Army pilots, man your planes!

Tonight's Puzzle! The M-1 Garand

So taking it apart is easy, does anyone have any hints for this?

So far I have done the usual, simple green and water in the ultrasonic cleaner and then spray down with Break Free. So my question is what to simply wipe down and where to put grease? Any tips on reassembly? What to look for on abnormal wear? Leather sling and proper gas port tools are on the way.  

Meet Charlene!

Well after about two months or so, the lesser known variant of the Big Brown Truck of Happiness, the Little White Truck of Happiness brought me this today:

What was inside you ask? Why ladies and gentlemen meet the only Firearm here I have named:

Charlene, a M1 Garand, serial # 586XXXX. Appears to be at the end of the run for this rifle around 1957 if my GoogleFu works right. 

The CMP did it right, I have a great manual, target, clip, and other such stuff. So my question for my M1 experts *cough* Murphy, what to do next? I cannot fire it at my home range and it will be a couple of weeks before I can get here to shoot it. 
 

US Navy Speak....

"The free flow of goods and services through the Strait of Hormuz is vital to regional and global prosperity," said a spokeswoman for the US Navy's Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet. "Anyone who threatens to disrupt freedom of navigation in an international strait is clearly outside the community of nations; any disruption will not be tolerated." 

Translation? "Come get some!"

USS Laffey

Many have asked why I post about her. The answer is simple. I visited her several years ago. I was impressed by the story of her. The most devastating Kamikaze attack on a single ship ever. She served a long time. She was in good shape cosmetically. I came to know that was because of the "work parties", veterans that volunteer to clean, paint, and maintain her to this day. I joined the Association.

I have conversed with Ari and others who served on her.   I am humbled to be in the presence of these Men, even on this electronic media.

What a Country!

So I can take this class and possibly meet Murphy's Law as a classmate ? I think he is sandbagging me as he has already done it once. Oh, and while I am in Virgina I can possibly get a ride in this? 

Hey, Old NFO? want to join us? We would be glad to have ya!

Wish I had a correct piece of hardware to put in this for the flight as I will be wearing a parachute!

Remember.....

Many have posted about the import of Memorial Day. ASM has one. So does DirtCrashr. I am sure there will be more over the Weekend. Remember those that gave all and as ASM points out remember the ones they leave behind. 

Retro Sunday Addendum! The 1971 Mustang

So I took the new camera out for a drive. Here is video from it. Lighting is bad, but you get the idea!

If you would like to help wounded warriors from active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, take a look here. I'm in! If I win I will sell you the 2012 Boss so I can build a garage for the '69 Boss!