Its not just NASA

The Russians also have problems with waste and deadlines with their space program.  This confirms that while governments still have a significant role to play in space exploration, the development of commercial space programs is a good development. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

MiG-19

KP has announced a new mold MiG-19 Farmer-C.  I am very excited for this.  This is a huge hole in Soviet aircraft.

Movie review: The Winter War (1989)

Welcome to Terry’s movie vault.  Dr. Terry Hill has the most extensive collection of war films and war documentaries (including many foreign films) I’ve ever seen.  From time to time Terry lends me some of the better films.  This film, The Winter War (Talvisota in Finnish) is a Finnish film about the 1939-1940 winter war between Finland and the Soviet Union.  As you would expect, the film is in Finnish, with English subtitles.

The film revolves around two brothers, who are part of a reserve unit called up in anticipation of the coming war.  There are several subplots revolving around members of the unit.  In structure it is very reminiscent of US war films of the 50s and 60s. As far as the acting goes, it is hard to judge the quality of acting in many foreign films. It is amazing how cultural acting is and how it varies from country to country.

Now, for us modelers, the main area of interest in any war film is the combat sequences.  The ones in this movie are pretty good.  It is amazing how much the Winter War resembled WWI with massed hordes of Russians charging entrenched Finnish positions.  There are several T-26 style tanks that appear in the film and hordes of Soviet troops in full battle dress. (I’d love to hear Mike Baskette’s commentary on this)

The film is 2 hours and 5 minutes in length.  It drags a bit in spots, but overall it is a very good film.  Well worth watching. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Hypersonics. Not ready for prime time?

Model-blogger Jeff “Inch High” Groves points to this article which has a very sober take on the “hypersonic craze”.  Well worth reading.

BMD

I can’t explain why, but I have a soft spot for the BMD series of air transportable military vehicles.  Same goes for the ASU series of assault guns.  Now it looks like Russia has developed a follow on vehicle to the BMD series. Story here.  However, given Russia’s financial problems I have my doubts they’ll be deployed in large numbers anytime soon.

I’ll believe it when I see it

The Russians talk a good game when talking about upcoming weapons systems and new technologies.  The latest is this.  But given that their Floating Drydocks are sinking and their only carrier has a hole punched in its flight deck and may never be repaired, I am a little skeptical.

Undersea spying

Are the Russians tapping into undersea cables?  Is this ship involved?  I’d bet the answer to both questions is yes.

SS-2

I noted previously that this kit had been announced.  Now it is apparently about to be released.  Looks like a a nice model with no obvious flaws.

Pigs

I am going to leave this right here.

Su-57 Felon

Great name.