Featured Custom Model: Fairchild Hiller FH 1100 “Littleton”

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A happy customer who received his custom-made Fairchild Hiller FH 1100 “Littleton” scale model writes:

“It arrived yesterday. I must tell you I am so impressed with all your work. The model is awesome, my father will really enjoy it. If I have anything else like this in the future, I will definitely be turning to you all. Also, I work in the aerospace industry, and if anyone is looking for something like this, I will recommend your group.”

If you have a made-to-order replica that you’d like to share as well, don’t hesitate to make your order. You might see your custom model in this spot next time. In the meantime, here are some pictures of “Littleton”, our featured custom model.

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AMC Commander Cites Successes, Needed Upgrades

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f-16-fighting-falcons.pngThe commander of Air Mobility Command briefed attendees from across the globe Sept. 26 on the command’s past, present and future contributions to the nation’s defense during the Air Force Association’s Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here.

“It takes bravery and courage to do our mission today,” Gen. Arthur Lichte said. “We put tankers over hostile territory. We go in and save people’s lives with aeromedical evacuation. We deliver cargo. We do air drop, and we’re always in harm’s way… and we’re doing it around the clock.”

Since the Sept. 11 attacks, he said, AMC has transfered 1.1 billion gallons of fuel during air refueling operations. To get an idea of how much this is, imagine watching Niagra Falls, in the summertime, for 25 minutes, he said.

“AMC delivers troops to the fight and keeps convoys off the ground,” General Lichte said, and since operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the survival rate of injured troops has improved from 10 days to three, from theater to home.

“We do this (mission) as a total force,” he said. To explain the total force attributes of AMC, General Lichte told a story about Sgt. Dan Powers that happened this year.

In the early morning hours of July 3, Sergeant Powers became the victim of an enemy attack in Iraq, having a knife lodged in his brain.

As a C-17 Globemaster III Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and a critical care unit prepared to take the sergeant to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., another call came in to provide transport for a second patient, an Army specialist with a gunshot wound to the neck, the general explained.

Read more on this article: visit http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123069642

Bringing the Moon Closer to Earth

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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, has recently added new higher resolution images and multimedia content to the Google Moon website. Updated information includes panoramic images, links to audio and video clips, and descriptions of the astronauts’ activities, all of which are from the Apollo space missions. The site also features detailed charts of various regions of the moon “suitable for use by anyone simulating a lunar mission,” according to the agency.

“NASA’s objective is for Google Moon to become a more accurate and useful lunar mapping platform that will be a foundation for future web-based moon applications, much like the many applications that have been built on top of Google Maps,” said Chris C. Kemp, director of strategic business development at NASA’s Ames Research Center. “This will make it easier for scientists everywhere to make lunar data more available and accessible.”

The site update is part of an ongoing partnership between NASA and Google, under a Space Act Agreement signed in December 2006. NASA has also added photographs, taken from their Earth observing satellite sensors, to Google Earth.

Explore the moon at http://www.google.com/moon.

AFA honors 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

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outstanding-airmen-of-the-year.pngThe Air Force’s top 12 enlisted Airmen were treated to a gala affair Sept. 24 during the Air Force Association’s Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here.

Each year, the AFA honors the 12 Airmen at its annual convention in Washington, D.C. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley presented the awards. He said that each Airman is an outstanding role model for the nation.

“These 12 outstanding Airmen will continue to be great Air Force ambassadors around the world,” he said. “And, I’d like to say that I am extremely proud to serve with each and every one of you.”

Air Force Vice Chief of Staff General Duncan J. McNabb, the event’s keynote speaker, evoked the Airmen’s Creed when describing these 12 Airmen.

“You symbolize our proud tradition,” General McNabb said. “You symbolize our tradition of honor and legacy and valor. You are our nation’s guardian of freedom and justice. You are the sword and shield. You are its sentry and avenger. And you are a wingman, a warrior, and a leader. It has been great to be with you. Congratulations to all of you.”

The 12 Airmen are authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year ribbon and will wear the bronze service star device on the ribbon. The winners also will wear the Outstanding Airman Badge for one year from the date of the formal presentation. They also will serve as members of the AFA’s enlisted advisory council for the next year.

The Outstanding Airmen of the Year are:

  1. Staff Sgt. Jonathan C. McCoy
  2. Staff Sgt. David
  3. Staff Sgt. Geoffrey M. Welsh
  4. Senior Airman Matthew C. Hulsman
  5. Master Sgt. Lawrence B. Taylor
  6. Staff Sgt. Richard W. Rose
  7. Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Hefti
  8. Tech. Sgt. Jeremy L. Griffin
  9. Senior Master Sgt. Ronald A. Colaninno
  10. Senior Airman Linn Aubrey
  11. Senior Master Sgt. Tammy L. Brangard-Hern
  12. Tech. Sgt. Sachiko D. Jones

To know more about the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Years: visit http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123070054

September Dates in History

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September 30

1949 – The Berlin Airlift is officially halted after 277,264 flights.

- http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/berlin_airlift.htm

1954 – The first atomic-powered submarine, the Nautilus, is commissioned in Groton, Connecticut.

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nautilus_(Verne)

September 27

1956 – The U.S. Air Force Bell X-2, the world’s fastest and highest-flying plane, crashes, killing the test pilot.

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_X-2

September 26

1580 – Sir Francis Drake returns to Plymouth, England, aboard the Golden Hind, after a 33-month voyage to circumvent the globe.

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Hind

1941 – The U.S. Army establishes the Military Police Corps.

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Police_Corps

September 24

1960 -The USS Enterprise, the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, is launched.

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Enterprise_(CVN-65)

1970 – The Soviet Luna 16 lands, completing the first unmanned round trip to the moon.

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_16

September 22

1947 – A Douglas C-54 Skymaster makes the first automatic pilot flight over the Atlantic.

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_C-54_Skymaster

September 20

1965 – Seven U.S. planes are downed in one day over Vietnam: Republic Aircraft’s F-105 Thunderchief, better known as the ‘Thud,’ was the Air Force’s warhorse in Vietnam.

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-105_Thunderchief

September 17

1959 – The X-15 rocket plane makes its first flight.

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_X-15

Folke Wolf FW 190D Longnose “Beach”

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Folke Wolf FW 190D Longnose “Beach”

For this week, we turn the spotlight on a custom-made model of the Folke Wolf FW 190D Longnose. The custom model was ordered by an aviation enthusiast. After Mr. John got his order from us, we received an email from him containing his comment regarding the customized aircraft. He writes,

“I’m very excited with your creation. It is really a work of art and exceeds my expectations. Thank you very much for your company’s outstanding craftsmanship. You folks do such excellent work. If only I had a bigger house. “Yellow 10″ will join my Bf 109 and my F-14 Tom Cat, two of your other creations. I really must find room for more of your models. Again, it’s a wonderful art piece. Thank you so much.”

No problem, Sir! Here at TMC Pacific Modelworks, we’re more than happy to oblige our customers’ requests. Do you have a made-to-order replica that you’d like to share as well? Please let us know! You might see your custom model in this spot next time.

Learn more about the Custom Models we offer, or order yours today!

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Featured Model: Presidential Collection

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Presidential Collection

This Collection features the seven of the aircraft and helicopters used to support the President of the United States. The collection includes (from left to right): Marine One VH-34, Marine One VH3, VC-121 Columbine III, VC-25A, SAM 26000, Marine One VH60, and Marine One VH-71.

This each miniature model of the Presidential aircrafts and helicopters is an authentic replica made from the finest grade of select kiln dried mahogany wood. The model is hand-carved; from the aircraft fuselage, to the sanding of the airplane’s contours. Every part is assembled precisely into place. Each model passes through various stages; from priming and sanding before it is hand-painted to duplicate the actual colors of the original historical aircraft. Every detail of the actual airplane is also copied — from insignias to squadron badges, nose-art, emblems and serial numbers. Finally, multiple coats of clear lacquer are applied to protect the artwork and provide an overall glossy finish.

Mounted on a beautiful mahogany base all seven aircraft and helicopters are precisely hand finished to exact detail. Complete with the Presidential logo and brass plaques indicating the aircraft type. Now you can have the Presidential Collection right before your very eyes at the most reasonable price.

Check out our top-quality Presidential Model Collection.

Featured Model: Blue Angels Collection

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Blue Angels Collection

Formed in 1946, the Blue Angels of the US Navy (USN) are the world’s first officially sanctioned military aerial demonstration team. The group performs more than 70 shows at 34 locations throughout the United States each year, where they still employ many of the same practices and techniques in their aerial displays as in 1946. Their first performance was in 1956 in Toronto, Canada. During the four-day Paris Air Show in 1965, the Blue Angels were the only team to receive a standing ovation. Since their inception, they have flown for more than 427 million spectators worldwide. The team has operated eight aircraft so far, including the current F/A-18 Hornet.

Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat (1946)
Descended from the F4F Wildcat, the Hellcat was one of the two primary USN carrier fighters in the second half of World War II. It was the most successful aircraft in naval history, destroying 5,163 aircraft in service with the US Navy and Marine Corps, and an additional 52 with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm during World War II. The Blue Angels, known simply as the “Navy Flight Exhibition Team” back then, flew three specially modified Hellcats during their inaugural performance at Craig Field, Florida. On July 19, 1946, the team officially adopted the name “Blue Angels” after a popular nightclub in New York City.

Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat (1946 – 1949)
The Bearcat was the last piston-engine carrier-based fighter plane built by Grumman. Affectionately called “Bear”, it was intended to be an interceptor aircraft. It is often mentioned as one of the best handling piston-engine fighters ever built, even outperforming many early jets.

Grumman F9F-2 Panther (1949 – 1954)
The Panther was the most widely used USN jet fighter of the Korean War. It flew 78,000 sorties and was responsible for the first air kill by the Navy in the conflict. It was the first jet aircraft flown by the Blue Angels.

Grumman F9F-8 Cougar (1954 – 1957)
The Cougar is a carrier-based fighter aircraft based on the Panther. It replaced the straight wing of the Panther with a more modern swept wing.

Grumman F11F-1 Tiger (1957 – 1969)
The Tiger is a single-seat carrier-based fighter aircraft, best known for its use as a demonstration plane. Its career as a fighter lasted only four years, but the Blue Angels flew it for nearly ten. It was the squadron’s first supersonic jet.

McDonnell F-4J Phantom II (1969 – 1974)
The Phantom II is a tandem-seating, supersonic, long-range, all-weather fighter-bomber. It was the primary air superiority fighter and a workhorse fighter-bomber for the US Air Force (USAF), Navy and Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. It was the only plane to be flown by both the “Blues” and the USAF Thunderbirds.

Douglas A-4F Skyhawk (1974 – 1986)
In December 1974, the team downsized to the more economical subsonic Skyhawk. It was the Navy’s primary light bomber in the early years of the Vietnam War. The Skyhawk was also the pioneer of the “buddy” self air-to-air refueling concept, allowing aircraft to supply fuel to others of the same type without the need for a dedicated tanker.

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (1986 – Present)
The Blue Angels have been using the Hornet since they completed their 40th anniversary year and unveiled the sleek aircraft on November 8, 1986. The power and aerodynamics of the Hornet allow them to perform a slow high angle of attack “tail sitting” maneuver, and to fly a loop with landing gear down in formation, neither of which has been duplicated by the Thunderbirds.

This beautiful collection is a must for any Blue Angels fan. Why settle for one aircraft when you can have all eight? Each wooden scale model is hand-made and hand-painted. Carefully carved from mahogany by skilled craftsmen, every piece is sanded and primed several times until perfect. A final coat of clear lacquer seals in the intricate details which have been meticulously painted on by talented artists. The entire collection is mounted on a mahogany base, complete with the squadron’s crest and brass plaques that indicate the aircraft name and years flown.

Check out our museum-quality Blue Angels Models Collection.

Pratt & Whitney checks F-35 JSF engine after test anomaly

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After F135 test engine automatically shut down, Pratt & Whitney checks the said engine during ground testing for the short take-off and vertical landing variant of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

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The incident occurred on 30 August on a test stand at Pratt & Whitney’s West Palm Beach, Florida facility, where the company is working towards initial flight release of the STOVL F135 to support the planned May 2008 first flight of the F-35B.

P&W says the F135 was “completing a control model validation qualification test in powered-lift mode… when it automatically powered down based on a stall indication”.

Read the full article: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/09/11/216723/pratt.html

Relief after Hurricane Felix

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Early September saw the aerial delivery of relief supplies to victims of Hurricane Felix in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. USS Wasp (LHD-1), USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58) and the World Food Programme collectively provided much needed food and water to the hurricane victims. Delivery of relief goods began from Wasp on September 7. Two days later, Samuel B. Roberts took over the mission with its embarked SH-60B Seahawks from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 48.

On its first day of the relief effort, Samuel B. Roberts and its helicopters flew 11 missions and delivered nearly 10,000 liters of water to the hardest hit areas, one of which was Sandy Bay. Helicopter crews and ground support personnel directed distribution and loaded relief supplies.

Said Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 15 Commanding Officer Commander Frank Dowd, “Our helicopters flew over the region Thursday and saw many communities that received the worst of Felix’s wrath. The crews marked each position, and we relayed the information to coordinate the distribution efforts. It was easy to see we could make an immediate difference as soon as we could deliver relief supplies.”

Close to 16,000 people were without fresh food and water, and very little medicine. Thus when help arrived, there was a bit of a commotion. The locals, unaware of the potential dangers of hovering helicopters delivering supplies by air, came swarming forward as soon as they saw water. Other emergency relief supplies, most of which were provided by the Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance, were hygiene kits, blankets and plastic sheeting to provide cover from rain.

Marvin Hendriquez, a resident of Sandy Bay, said that while it will take three years to rebuild, eventually they will. He said local communities were grateful to the US military for providing aid.

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