In this fascinating video for aviation enthusiasts and new aircraft engines, we cover the new, revolutionary engine from Rolls Royce – the F130 Dual Pod Engine for the B-52! It’s a dual engine that hasn’t been updated in over 70 years! We’ll talk in detail about the specifications, aircraft, aviation, and how this engine will change aviation forever. This is really something new for aviation, as this engine is scheduled to be used as far back as 2050 and was developed in conjunction with the U.S. government. So if you are a fan of aviation, be sure to watch the video to the end and you will learn many facts about aviation, airplanes and airplane engines.

On July 3, 1976 Israel launched the most daring, complicated, long range, logistically challenging and political volatile hostage rescue in history. The raid made history in more ways than one, and proved to the world the lengths that Israel would go to rescue its citizens. Hosted by Colin D. Heaton. Forgotten History is a 10th Legion Pictures Production.

On this day at 1830 hours 28 years ago, during night training operations in the High Range Training Area (HRTA), two Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawks, designated A25-209 and A25-113, collided at a speed of 200 km/h while conducting low-flying tactical operations. This tragic incident resulted in the deaths of 15 members of the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) and 3 members of the 5th Aviation Regiment. It stands as one of the most devastating peacetime disasters ever to impact the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The collision and subsequent crash of these helicopters had a profound effect on the ADF and the nation as a whole. Many stories of heroism emerged from that fateful evening, highlighting the bravery and dedication of those involved. However, the heartbreaking reality remains that we lost 18 of our finest servicemen that night. Their sacrifice is a sombre reminder of the inherent risks faced by military personnel, even during training exercises.

The loss of these 18 soldiers is deeply felt within the ADF and the broader Australian community. Their commitment to their duty and their ultimate sacrifice serves as a poignant testament to the dangers associated with military service. The incident has had lasting implications, prompting reviews and changes in training protocols to enhance safety and prevent such tragedies in the future.

As we remember this day, we honour the memory of those who perished and acknowledge the enduring impact of their loss on their families, comrades, and the nation. Their legacy of service and courage continues to inspire and remind us of the profound cost of maintaining our defence capabilities.

LEST WE FORGET

Innovaero Next-Gen “Owl” Loitering Munition (Picture source: Innovaero)

The Australian Army is preparing to deploy the “Owl” loitering munition, an advanced electric-powered drone, by the end of this year. This drone, capable of covering nearly 200 kilometres or loitering in the air for 30 minutes with a lethal payload, has been developed by Innovaero, a Western Australia-based company, in collaboration with its subsidiary Boeing Insitu Pacific. The Owl is currently undergoing testing with an unspecified special operations unit of the Australian Army.

The development of the Owl, a one-way loitering munition (OWL), began in 2022. It is designed to integrate with other drones acquired by the Australian Defence Force (ADF). According to a government tender document, Innovaero, which is partly owned by BAE Systems Australia, has secured over $5.3 million in defence contracts since May 2022 for the design, development, building, and testing of this device. The importance of armed drones has been underscored by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has drawn criticism from military experts regarding Australia’s urgency in acquiring such technology.

A Defence spokesperson, while not specifically commenting on Innovaero’s Owl, confirmed that “the loitering munition capability will be introduced this calendar year.” Following the National Defence Strategy and the Integrated Investment Program, the Defence Department continues to test maritime, land, and air platforms with both Australian and foreign suppliers to ensure the ADF can deploy the latest technologies and maximize its advantage. The introduction of loitering munitions across most combat units of the Australian Army will be guided by the outcomes of these trials.

Despite the defence industry’s satisfaction with the progress of Innovaero’s Owl, there are concerns about significant delays in other critical innovation programs due to a lack of funding. A senior official, speaking anonymously, warned that the services have very little funding, preventing them from financing small programs and meeting the long-term needs of ships and aircraft. It seems a decision has been made to prioritize large, expensive, long-term projects, leaving small, inexpensive, and immediate capabilities underfunded.

By Captain Brittany Evans

Members of 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment completed construction of an underground command post during Exercise Brolga Run at Townsville Field Training Area.

The design process for the 40x20m bunker started in November 2023, and construction began in February during Exercise Brolga Walk.

Bunkers are typically small concrete structures, partly dug into the ground and built in defensive positions.

Project designer Lieutenant Ji-Sang Yu, who oversaw the project, said the construction process took the equivalent of about 15 working days to finish – “two and a half weeks tactical, two weeks non-tactical”.

“We had about 25 members working on the bunker from the construction troop, and support from six tradesman apprentices. What the team has achieved with the amount of people is amazing,” he said.

A newly graduated engineer officer, Lieutenant Yu said he was quite nervous at the start of the project.

“Imagine a fresh mechanical engineer being asked to build a car,” he said.

“We learnt a lot of lessons from this; for example, it ended up being too rocky, so we had to use a rock-breaker to break the whole lot out.

“It’s amazing, seeing my design and being able to walk through it.

“I can’t take all the credit for it – the team have been working really hard to bring this together.”

Bunkers were used extensively during World War 1, World War 2 and the Cold War for weapon facilities, command-and-control centres and storage facilities.

Commander 3rd Brigade Brigadier Dave McCammon said the bunker design incorporated modern-day features such as natural and mechanical ventilation, lighting and power outlets.

“This is World War 1 meets the future, in a trench bunker, and you have a computer server room,” Brigadier McCammon said.

“The server room is air-conditioned because there are so many computers, and it would get too hot.

“This was a big consideration as we were planning.

“It will be a variation getting used to working under here instead of a tent, in particular for the signallers.”

Brigadier McCammon said a variety of skills were required for the construction.

“Everyone has a view that the Army is a bunch of people that drive tanks or shoot rifles,” he said.

“We have signals infrastructure, we’ve got engineers, plant operators are digging, and carpenters on site are in high demand.

“They are smart soldiers and people that can quickly improvise, find solutions and get things done.

“This is why an exercise like this is so important; you see the diversity of skills available within members of 3rd Brigade.”

TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates, commenced construction on Monday in Kemmerer, Wyoming, on what is set to be America’s first next-generation nuclear power facility and the world’s most advanced nuclear plant.

“This is a big step toward safe, abundant, zero-carbon energy,” Gates stated during the groundbreaking ceremony. “And it’s important for the future of this country that projects like this succeed.”

Addressing the audience, Gates highlighted the significance of the project, saying they were “standing on what will soon be the bedrock of America’s energy future.”

Co-founded by Gates, TerraPower aims to “revolutionize” power generation. The construction site in Wyoming is being prepared for the installation of a cutting-edge reactor. In March, TerraPower applied for a construction permit for an advanced nuclear reactor that uses sodium instead of water for cooling.

Though non-water-cooling reactor technology has existed for some time, Gates’ initiative in Wyoming marks the first attempt in 40 years by a private company to commercially launch such an advanced reactor.

The new facility is located next to the Naughton Power Plant, a coal-burning plant scheduled to cease coal operations in 2026 and switch to natural gas, which it will phase out around 2036. Naughton plans to source clean energy from the TerraPower reactor.

This groundbreaking project places America in a race against Russia, which is also developing reactors utilizing sodium for cooling.

A Shau Valley – near the Việt-Lào border (Thừa Thiên – Huế Province).

“A NVA soldier positions a Chinese-made mannequin used to mislead the enemy.

One of the Hồ Chí Minh Trail’s main entry points into the South from southern Làos, the A Shau Valley was the site of some

of the fiercest fighting of the Vietnam War … including Hamburger Hill.” (photographer: Hoàng Kim Đáng)

Regards,

Ernie Chamberlain

ED: I remember cracker night well, at the end of our street was a large paddock for weeks beforehand built a bonfire and on the cracker night the whole street would gather, the fathers supervised, and we all had a wonderful time … great memories even today. 

Cracker Night, also known as Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night, was a prominent tradition celebrated on the 5th of November for over 400 years. This historic event commemorates the foiled Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators attempted to blow up the House of Lords in London. The night is marked by fireworks, bonfires, and the burning of effigies, originally of Guy Fawkes himself.

In its heyday, Cracker Night was an eagerly anticipated event, especially for young boys.

Modern-day Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) regulations would undoubtedly frown upon the activities that were commonplace during Cracker Night’s peak. By the 1980s, concerns about the injuries from burns and other accidents led to the banning of such celebrations in most states. However, it is worth noting that the hazards of the time were not limited to fireworks; magpies, with their aggressive swooping, were notorious for causing eye injuries during the season.

Despite the inherent risks, Cracker Night was typically overseen by adults. This supervision was crucial in managing the bonfires and ensuring that children handled crackers and rockets as safely as possible. The potential for pain and injury from improper handling taught many youngsters valuable lessons in common sense and caution. They learned quickly when to turn their backs, cover their faces, and run to avoid harm.

Cracker Night holds a significant place in cultural memory, evoking nostalgia for a time when communal festivities and the thrill of a little danger were part and parcel of growing up. While the safety regulations have since curtailed such practices, the stories and memories of Cracker Night continue to be passed down, a testament to its enduring legacy.

Cracker Night was more than just a celebration; it was a rite of passage for many, blending excitement, danger, and valuable life lessons. Although modern safety concerns have largely put an end to such traditions, the spirit of Cracker Night lives on in the stories and memories of those who experienced its thrills and learned from its risks.

In 1951, the RAAF Rathmines flying boat base was the starting point for a notable aviation event involving pilot P.G. Taylor and his aircraft, the PBY Frigate Bird II. Taylor was conducting a test flight for the Jet Assisted Take-Off (JATO) bottles. This technology was crucial for enhancing the take-off performance of aircraft, especially when heavily laden.

In March of that year, Taylor departed from Rose Bay on an ambitious survey flight aimed at scouting a future airline route to South America. His journey was set to conclude in Valparaiso, Chile, with stops at several islands along the way. Notably, his route included Tahiti and Easter Island.

Easter Island Challenges

Landing on Easter Island posed significant challenges, as it required touchdown in the open sea. After fully refuelling, the JATO bottles were essential for the aircraft’s take-off. During this leg of the journey, a sudden storm struck, exacerbating the already difficult conditions. Amidst the chaos, Taylor was washed overboard. Despite this harrowing incident, the crew managed to complete the flight successfully and eventually returned to Sydney.

P.G. Taylor’s Heroic Deeds

Patrick Gordon “Bill” Taylor was already a celebrated aviator by this time, renowned for his bravery and ingenuity. One of his most famous exploits occurred in 1935, during a flight in the Southern Cross, where he demonstrated extraordinary heroism. Halfway to New Zealand, the aircraft’s right-hand engine failed, causing a critical drop in oil pressure in the left-hand engine. Under the command of Captain Charles Kingsford Smith, Taylor performed six perilous trips outside the aircraft. Each time, he carried a thermos full of oil, transferring it from the dead right-hand engine to the functioning left-hand engine, all while precariously standing on the struts of the plane. This act of bravery ensured the crew’s safe return to Sydney on the remaining two engines.

Legacy and Recognition

P.G. Taylor’s extensive flying career spanned both World War I and World War II, marking him as one of the most experienced and daring pilots of his time. Despite his remarkable contributions to aviation, his story remains relatively unknown today. More about his life and achievements can be explored through sources like the Australian Dictionary of Biography.

Upon his successful return from the Chilean expedition, Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies gifted the Catalina flying boat to Captain P.G. Taylor in recognition of his accomplishments. Today, this historic aircraft is proudly displayed at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, serving as a testament to Taylor’s legacy and the pioneering spirit of early aviation.