RCAF CF-104s

Here are some really cool images I found on the web of the old F-104's that the RCAF used to fly in the 1960s to the 1980s.
Here's an early shot of five CF-104's in formation:

Canadian F-104's were called CF-104's.
And here's and unusual shot of a CF-104 cockpit, from the cockpit of another CF-104:

Looks like this one is from the CFB Cold Lake area; can't be sure tho...
And another really cool formation shot:

More CF-104's on the tarmac. Those are a couple of F-86 Sabre jets in the background- the jets that the CF-104 was replacing in the early 1960's:

Vietnam :== Aghanistan

I watched this show on History Channel recently (http://www.history.ca/ontv/titledetails.aspx?titleid=280849). 
What began as the US trying to prevent the North from overrunning the South in Vietnam turned into something completely different. As the North infiltrated the South, the US troops couldn’t tell the difference between infiltrators and the people they were ostensibly there to help. Gradually, you couldn’t tell the civilians from the enemy. And eventually, many of the civilians actually became the enemy. Sounds familiar?
This is the same problem that the US, UK and Canada were having / are still having in Afghanistan. Once this happens, the mission has changed. The original mission doesn’t exist anymore. If you’re still pushing the original mission, you have no chance of success. The result will be the same as Vietnam- a lost war (unless you plan to stay forever, and that can’t happen). The Taliban will not go away, and will prevail weeks after you quit the situation.
So can the situation be salvaged? If so, what is the new mission? Escalation? Total war? What would have worked in Vietnam? Difficult question. 
Unfortunately, the parallels are too close to ignore.
Depressing.

And some more Oldsmobile pics!!

Here's the best one- it's another 1969 Cutlass 442 in absolutely beautiful shape. Took this one at the weekly  Kanata Cruise Night last summer. I only saw this Cutty once at the show; I guess the owner isn't a local. Hope they bring it back this summer!

Here's a 1970 Cutlass from another evening at the Kanata Cruise Night. This was earlier in the summer, and was taken by my Android cell phone camera. Sorry for the quality. As you can see, the car is not quite finished, but is pretty close. I like the fender protectors! Found some on eBay that I think I'll pick up soon.

Interesting colour choice for a Cutty. Car is looking pretty good tho!

Another one from the Kanata Cruise Night; I think this might have been two summers ago. I believe it's a 1949 Futurmatic 88 - please correct me if I'm wrong:

I just love the Olds logo on the front (and back, too, I think), and that hood ornament is fantastic!!

Last one is a 1968 Cutlass that I saw at the Rideau Carleton Raceway show- I think the was two years ago as well. Sorry for the quality of the photo again- Samsung Android phone camera again:

Car was in spectacular shape. I prefer black, both car and top, but this car was done up nice, and did it look sharp!

Well that's all for this session. I can't wait to get my 68/69 out, shined up and out on the street!
(I'll have to tho- there's still at least a foot of show on the ground :-(

Some more car pics

My last trip to the local car show this past summer saw several really nice cars; let's have a look!
First off, here's a couple of shots of a red hot 72 Cutlass. Didn't meet the guy, but he's got a terrific ride, there:

Here is Chris' '69 Cutlass hard top- he's had it for many year, done a lot of work to it, and it looks just awesome. Really nice work there Chris. I've posted some pics of his car before:

There was a young guy, whom I did actually meet, but have forgotten his name (sorry)- he had his girl with him, and he wasn't too talkative, but he had a very interesting ride. I believe that this is a 1981 Olds 88; he's had it done up with the fancy adjustable suspension. Pretty cool. Down:

And up:

Also saw a nicely cared-for newer model Olds- I think this is a 1993 Cutlass Supreme. Not a vert, but still a nice summer ride:

And a photo of Chris' car and my car:

An old Chrysler 300; 1961 I think:

And another angle:

An absolutely sick GTO from 1971:

A fantastic 1967 Chevelle:

A less fantastic, but still way cool 1970 Chevelle:

A 65(?) Plymouth Fury wagon (I think my dad had one just like this, but not a wagon):

That's all for now. Up next: some older cars from the last couple of Kanata Cruise nights from 2011.
Until next time, thanks for reading!

My 1969 (1968) Oldsmobile Cutlass

A few years ago I bought a 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass- its a convertible, and I drive it only when its sunny out. If it looks cloudy, I leave it at home. My main client is all the way across town; I don't take it there due to the one hour drive on the freeway. Here is an early photo of the car taken just before I bought it:

Now I used to be a muscle car guy when I was younger- I had several Camaros- a 79, a 68 and an 84. All were very nice. Got married, and had kids, and suddenly sinking money into a 1984 Camaro didn't seem right anymore, so away it went. When finances improved, I started looking at GM A-body cars- Chevelles, Buicks, Pontiacs, etc. My good buddy Cory had (and still has) a 1969 Cutlass, and I got the bug again while at his place looking at his ride. I asked the wife what she thought about getting one, and her response: only if it's a convertible. I remembered. Didn't get one right away, as things changed: another kid, a layoff, etc. But when things settled again, I decided that I would, and so I went ahead and started looking again. Then I saw this beauty. Loved it, bought it, and have been pretty happy with it ever since. Here's a photo of Cory with his gold '69, and my '69 black beauty:

You migh be saying to yourself: Hey; that's not a '69, it's a '68! Well, when Cory and I went to look at the car, he noticed it right away. Turns out that the car was indeed a '69, but was rebuilt with a 1968 front end-- header, fenders and hood. I decided to get it anyway, since it never was intended to be an "investment" anyway- got it for a little less, too.
Needs a new ragtop, some body work, some frame work and some interior work. Oh well, what do you expect from an old car?
The family likes it (the wife likes driving it); here's one with the boys in it @ the car show a few years back:

Here is a more recent photo of my car at a local show this past summer:

Thanks for looking!

Book review: The Art of War

The Art of War
Sun-tsu


Not sure why this book made it to my "must read" list- possibly because his writings were quoted by one or more authors of books I've read in the past. This is the classic "art of war" text from the original bamboo strips as recorded by the ancient Chinese general. Master Sun was born in the state of Qi around 550BC, and served the Kingdom of Wu. My edition is the Penguin Classic from 2002, edited by J. Minford. There's not a lot to it- some 100 pages, double-spaces and written in a poetic-verse form. There is considerable foreword information, and the whole text is reproduced and interdispersed with commentaries from Chinese and British military experts- this was only moderately interesting. Master Sun's text by itself was more interesting; coming direct from a voice from 2500 years ago.

It's pretty simple stuff in general: "Invulnerability is defense; vulnerability is attack." ... that sort of thing. But most verses bring to mind something specific in military history. For example, "When a general misjudges an enemy,... the outcome is rout." To me this immediately brought to mind Napoleon's rout in Russia. To others, it might bring to mind any other of hundreds of examples through history.

The commentators were quick to point out flaws, which I found boring, self-serving, and made possible only through the benefit of hindsight. Sun says that he "has never seen delay that was wise." To which I thought (and the commentators mentioned): "what about Maximus against Hannibal?" But this was a defensive action- Sun was talking about aggressiveness versus timidity. The commentators (and I) were out of context.

The most interesting parts were when Sun suggests that on the battlefield, the general is in complete command, and should overrule his political superiors, should they send orders contrary to his better judgement. One can come up with many examples through history where rulers spoiled the plans of commanders in the field. The commentators didn't have much to say on the subject, not surprisingly, being military men, and subject to chain of command.

In summary, I'd definitely recommend Sun's "The Art of War" verses to anyone with interest in military history- after all, he's been quoted by many of the most successful generals in history. 
Otherwise, pass.

Car Museum in Punta Gorda Florida

Just less than a year ago, the family went down to Florida to visit family and go to Disney World. While there I discovered a car museum in Punta Gorda near Fort Myers. Saw a LOT of awesome muscle cars there! Here's a some highlights:
First, of course, a line-up of hot-hot Oldsmobiles:

From another angle:

A closer shot of a 67 442 (one word COOL):

This is the best shot I could get of the 1972 Indy pace car:

(I really like looking at engines, but I prefer to look at the cars with the hood closed to see the gorgeous lines- but that's just me...)
One of the many awesome 1st generation Camaros (a 68 I think):

They even look fantastic from the back:

An awesome 66 Chevelle (I think its a 66, anyway):

And one of many hot, hot 2nd generation Corvettes:

A pretty cool 66 Impala:

A real bad-ass GTO:

And a few oddities like this chopper with a 502 chevy big block (!!):

You can't drive this thing unless you have long legs...
A built WWII-era Chevy truck:

A big, bad, built Chevy Blazer (the perfect winter car! :-):

Me and the boys in front of a bizarre 1930's RV:

An interior shot:

I have a lot more; maybe Ill post a few more, but next time you're in FLA, please check this spot out; it is a must see!
Until next time...