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10 Most Luxurious Cruises of the World

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:28:00 -0800

Cruises make wonderful family vacations. Large cruise ships cater to all ages and many offer interesting and educational age-specific children’s programs. With over 60 cruise lines and almost 300 cruise ships to choose from, selecting the right cruise line for your family is often difficult.

Here I have compiled some of the most luxurious cruises of the world. I may have missed out some. So feel free to comment. Thanks.

Silversea, Silver Shadow

Silversea is the only six-star cruise liner in the world. It has lavishly decorated Owner’s Suite, Kitted out with plasma TV, a CD player, a Lavazza espresso maker, complementary butler service.

Windstar Cruises, Wind Spirit

Carrying just 148 privileged passengers; the Windstar Wind Spirit is a motored sail yacht like no other. Inside, you’ll be able to relax with a drink, enjoy a five-star meal, gamble the night away, or get the adrenalines pumping in the sea by the Water sports.

Crystal Cruises, Crystal Serenity

Crystal Serenity ups the glamor stakes in the world of cruising, with one of the highest guest-per-space ratios at sea. It features new hip dining venues such as Tastes, Silk Road and The Sushi Bar.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney isn’t just for kids. Enjoy adult-oriented amenities, such as the spa, fitness center, nightclub, several gourmet restaurants, and an adults-only retreat with good coffee, books, and WiFi Internet access.

Carnival, Spirit

Little touches make this cruise extra special, such as an escort for ladies entering the dining room. Other unexpected freebies include bottles of champagne on arrival, a complimentary in-suite mini-bar, drinks, and wine with lunch and dinner.

Regent, Seven Seas Voyager

It has a constellation theater, casino, fitness center, aerobics room, swimming pool, miniature golf course, paddle tennis court, and onboard Carita Spa one of the most luxurious spas in the world.

Orient Express, the Road to Mandalay

This five-star ship offers a super-luxurious cruise up the Ayeyarwady River in Myanmar. Your needs will be more than accommodated as you relax in your well-appointed state cabin.

Royal Caribbean, Freedom of the Seas

This ship has an interactive water park, cantilevered whirlpools, a rock-climbing wall, a miniature golf course, a full-size basketball court, and an ice-skating rink.

Nikki Beach at Sea

When it opens in 2009, the $498 million cruise liner will offer it all. The floating resort comprises a super Las Vegas-style casino, modeling agency, indoor theater, outdoor concert arena, shopping arcade, and a cosmetic surgery clinic.

Queen Mary 2

QM2, as it is better known, is as grand as cruising gets 15 world-class restaurants and bars, five swimming pools, a casino, a ballroom, a theater, and a planetarium.

10 Biggest Rockets Ever Built by Man

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:16:00 -0800

A Rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft, or a vehicle which obtains thrust by the reaction of the rocket to the ejection of fast moving fluid exhaust from a rocket engine. These rockets either contain solid rocket fuel or liquid fuel which chemically combines together to give enormous thrust to escape the gravity of Earth travelling nearly 11km/sec.

Rockets are not only used for military purpose but also for science, communication and even used for man to land on the Moon. Technological advancements in various parts of the world vary so does the size of a rocket.

So here I have compiled some of the Biggest Rockets Ever Built by man. It’s adapted from my other blog Astroaviator.

SATURN V

Saturn V world’s largest rocket and most powerful rocket ever built in the history of mankind. This was the rocket which made it possible for man to step on the Moon. Saturn V was 363 feet nearly as tall as a 40 story building.

N-1

N1 was yet another powerful and largest rocket developed by the soviets to launch man to the Moon. All rockets were destroyed during their test flights. N1 was 344.5 feet tall.

ARES-1

Ares-1 is another US designed rocket which is currently under development. After the retirement of shuttle, Ares will transport man to space and even to Moon again. Ares-1 is 310 feet long and powered by one solid rocket engine during lift off.

DELTA IV

Delta IV is a U.S made rocket designed for the military and commercial use. This rocket has height of 206 feet.

ATLAS V

Atlas V is a U.S made rocket designed to deliver heavy pay load to the Earth’s orbit. This rocket has height of 195 feet and has a total lift off mass of 333,298 kg.

ARIANE 5

Ariane 5′s first test flight in June 1996 failed, with the rocket self-destructing 37 seconds after launch because of a malfunction in the control software, which was arguably one of the most expensive computer bugs in history. This rocket has a height of 193 ft.

SPACE SHUTTLE

Now here comes the ultimate machine, the Space Shuttle. Made in USA, Space Shuttle is currently being used to deliver medium size cargo into orbit and operated by seven men crew. Space Shuttle has a height of 184 ft.

H-IIB ROCKET

The H-IIB is a Japanese liquid-fuelled rocket providing an expendable launch system for the main purpose of launching the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) towards the International Space Station (ISS). It has height of 56m.

FALCON 9

The Falcon 9 is a reusable two-stage-to-orbit; liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene powered launch vehicle manufactured by SpaceX. This rocket in under development and will be launch at the end of 2009. This rocket has height of 178 ft.

PROTON

The first Proton was launched in 1965 and the launch system is still in use as of 2009, which makes it one of the most successful heavy boosters in the history of spaceflight. It has height of 53m.

10 Most Popular Cargo Planes in the World

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:22:00 -0800

Cargo lift is one of the basic and primary necessities for an organization to run successfully and efficiently, for this various aircraft industries have manufactured a special and very important breed of aircrafts. These aircrafts are only meant for heavy duty to light duty transportation of equipment, passengers and troops. Their defenses are limited and thus are not meant to fight in any kind of war until or unless they are modified to do so like the AC-130 Gunship, a special breed of successful transport aircraft the C-130 Hercules.

Here I have compiled a list of the most popular cargo airplanes ever built in the history of aviation. I may have missed out some so feel free to comment.

C-130 HERCULES

C-130 is most successful aircraft ever developed by the Lockheed Martin. More than 70 countries right now are using these aircraft for multipurpose roles. This aircraft is easy to maintain and also fuel efficient.

ILYUSHIN IL-76

Il-76 also known as ‘Candid’ is a soviet built aircraft and is used primarily for strategic airlifts. Originally built for the military, the plane is also used for the delivery of outsized or very heavy cargo.

ANTONOV AN-12

An-12 also known as ‘Cub’ is also a soviet made aircraft design to compete with the American built aircraft C-130. Presently nearly 40 countries are operating An-12 for various purposes.

C-47 SKYTRAIN

The Douglas C-47 or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II. Due to its popularity more modified C-47′s were built later.

ANTONOV AN-32

An-32 also known as ‘Cline’ is a Russian made aircraft meant for military transportation. The An-32 is designed to withstand adverse weather conditions and enjoys excellent take-off characteristics under tropical and high-altitude conditions.

CASA CN-235

CN-235 is twin turbo-prop engine built in Spain and Indonesia. This aircraft was designed for light duty lift and was made for the military as well as commercial use. Nearly 30 countries are presently using this aircraft.

C-17 GLOBEMASTER III

C-17 is a US made aircraft built by the Boeing industry. The C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout the world.

ANTONOV AN-124

An-124 also known as ‘Condor’ is a Russian-Ukraine built aircraft and has the honor to be the biggest cargo plane in the world.

TRANSALL C-160

C-160 is a military transport aircraft. It is turboprop-powered and of conventional configuration for aircraft of this type, with high wings, and a loading ramp built into the rear of the fuselage.

C-27J SPARTAN

C-27J Spartan is a medium-sized military transport aircraft, with the engines and systems of the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules. Nearly 8 countries are using this aircraft for military air lift purpose.
For more details you can visit AstroAviator.

10 Most Popular Transport Helicopters

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 6 Feb 2012 00:18:00 -0800

Helicopter is one of the great inventions by the man. It is a vehicle that can go anywhere from mountains to sea and can deal with extreme weather conditions, thus proving itself to be the most versatile vehicle used for military purpose and civil purpose. Helicopters can be used as a lethal weapon against enemy’s troops and the land vehicles and on the other hand can be used for transport and rescue purposes.

Here I have compiled some the most popular transport helicopters used around the globe.

UH-1 HUEY

UH-1 is a multipurpose military helicopter, famous for its use in the Vietnam War. It is commonly known as the “Huey”. The UH-1 was developed by Bell Helicopter.

MIL MI-17

MI-17 is a Russian-designed helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude.

UH-60 BLACKHAWK

UH-60 Blackhawk is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft.

SA 330 PUMA

The Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engine medium transport/utility helicopter. The Puma was originally manufactured by Sud Aviation of France under the designation SA.330.

SH-3 SEA KING

The Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King is a twin-engine helicopter. The Sea King has been built under license in Italy and Japan, and in the United Kingdom as the Westland Sea King.

ALOUETTE III

The Alouette III is a single-engine, light utility helicopter developed by Sud Aviation,

MIL MI-8

The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world’s most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries.

MIL MI-26

The Mil Mi-26 is a Soviet/Russian heavy transport helicopter in service in civilian and military roles. It is the biggest and most powerful helicopter ever to have gone into production.

CH-47 CHINOOK

The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a versatile, twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. Its top speed is 170 knots which is faster than utility and attack helicopters even many of today.

CH-53E SUPER STALLION

The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is the largest and heaviest helicopter in the United States military. It was built by Sikorsky Aircraft for the United States Marine Corps.

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10 Most Deadly Gunships

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 6 Feb 2012 00:13:00 -0800

A gunship in aviation may be in reference to an attack helicopter, such as a Mil Mi-24 or an AH-64 Apache. Another application of the term for military aircraft is more specific, describing an aircraft that circles its target instead of performing strafing runs. Such aircraft have their armament on one side harmonized to fire at the apex of an imaginary cone formed by the aircraft and the ground when performing a banking turn. Such gunships with an operational profile that relies on flying in circles can only operate with the guarantee of air superiority.

Here is the list of most lethal and deadly gunships.

AC-130 SPECTRE

AC-130 gunship is a heavily-armed ground-attack aircraft. The basic airframe is manufactured by Lockheed, and Boeing is responsible for the conversion into a gunship and for aircraft support. It is a variant of the C-130 Hercules transport plane.

AH-64 APACHE

AH-64 Apache is a four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter with reverse-tricycle landing gear, and tandem cockpit for a crew of two. The helicopter is armed with a 30 mm automatic M230 Chain Gun that can be slaved to the gunner’s Helmet mounted display, fixed to a locked forward firing position, or controlled via the Target Acquisition and Designation System (TADS).

AH-1 COBRA

AH-1 Cobra is a two-bladed, single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell. The AH-1 was the backbone of the United States Army’s attack helicopter fleet, but has been replaced by the AH-64 Apache in Army service. Upgraded versions continue to fly with several other users.

MIL MI-24

Mil Mi-24 (Cyrillic Миль Ми-24, NATO reporting name ‘Hind’) is a large helicopter gunship and low-capacity troop transport produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant. The body is heavily armoured and can resist impacts from .50 calibre (12.7 mm) rounds from all angles, including the titanium rotor blades. The cockpit is an even more heavily armoured titanium tub and can resist impact from 37mm cannon rounds.

EUROCOPTER TIGER

Eurocopter Tiger is an attack helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter. In Germany it is known as the Tiger; in France and Spain it is called the Tigre. The body of the Tiger is made from 80% carbon fibber reinforced polymer and Kevlar, 11% aluminium, and 6% titanium. The EC Tiger is capable of stopping 23mm auto cannon fire.

A-129 MANGUSTA

Agusta A129 Mangusta (Mongoose) (AW129 from June 2007) is an attack helicopter manufactured by Agusta of Italy. The A129 can be used in the anti-armour, armed reconnaissance, ground attack, escort, fire support and anti-aircraft roles. In the anti-armour role, the helicopter can carry either Hellfire, TOW or Spike-ER missiles, or a mix of them and has a three-barrel 20 mm cannon in a turret mounted under its nose.

MIL MI-28

Mil Mi-28 (NATO reporting name ‘Havoc’) is a Russian all-weather day-night military tandem two-seat anti-armour attack helicopter. It carries a single gun in an under nose barbette, plus external loads carried on pylons beneath stub wings.

UH-1 HUEY

The “Huey” as it was called after it’s original model designation, the HU-1. “Hueys” armed with only two M60D door guns, called “Slicks” because of their uncluttered external appearance.

MH-60

The MH-60L Army Special Operations variant is a UH-60L with various mods to include updated cockpit, additional avionics, precision navigation system, FLIR, aircraft survivability equipment, external tank system. Pylon mounting cannon, rockets, or missiles can be supplemented by door or port mounting guns or launchers, limited mainly by the range, duration, cargo, or troops required to complete the mission.

KA-50 BLACK SHARK

The KA-50 Black Shark (referred to by NATO as ‘Hokum’) is a sophisticated Russian-built attack helicopter that is in service in small numbers (8 actively deployed) with the Russian army. The KA-50 is unusual for an attack helicopter in that it is crew by a single pilot/gunner, making it a very demanding aircraft to fly and fight in.

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10 Most Famous American Muscle Cars

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:16:00 -0800

With the popularity of the new Fast & Furious films and the Barrett-Jackson Auto auction I figure it is time to explore the world of American Muscle cars. These cars are known for power and speed as well as, in today’s world, collectability.

Here I have compiled some of the most famous American muscle cars. My dream car is not some Lamborghini but one in this list.

1969 Chevy Camaro

With the meaner look of this car compared to the softer look of the years prior, this car was a high seller. You had your choice of either a big block or a small block V8 engine and that just depended on how much power you wanted.(Image Source)

1969 Dodge Charger

This car became extremely popular when the TV show the Dukes of Hazard first aired. You could seat 6 people in this big block V8 hemi engine power car and that was a rarity.(Image Source)

1969 Dodge Challenger

With this car you could get a hardtop or a convertible version and either a road/track version or the luxury version. The typical engine was a slant 6, but you could upgrade to a V8 engine.(Image Source)

1969 Chevy Chevelle

This car appeared to be a low key car with none of the fancy mark ups of that generation, but in actuality it was one of the fast cars on the road.(Image Source)

1970 Ford Torino

The standard engine for this car was a 250 six cylinder, but you could upgrade to the 302, 351, or the 429 V8 engines. These cars came with a three speed transmission instead of a four speed, except for the Cobra versions.(Image Source)

1970 Dodge Dart Swinger

This car was little, light and fast. They were typically equipped with a 318, 340 or a 360 small block V8 engine and could stand up to the bigger muscle cars of that time.(Image Source)

1970 Plymouth Cuda

This 425 horse power V8 engine was available in a coupe and convertible version. This car was available in three different models, The Barracuda, The Gran Coupe and The Cuda.(Image Source)

1970 Pontiac GTO Judge

There were very few cars that made a bigger statement visually than this car. This car had creases in the body, which wasn’t available in any cars until then, and a big V8 engine that made it a terror on the road.(Image Source)

1965 Ford Mustang

This car was the only car that allowed you to customize the car to your needs and it had a cheap price tag. It was available in hardtop and convertible versions and you had a choice of three V8 engine sizes up to 271 horsepower, four speed transmissions.(Image Source)

1969 Ford Thunderbird

This car was available as a four door model, unlike the other muscle cars of this generation. The rear doors opened backwards, which made it different from every other four door car available. They came with 360 horsepower V8 engines. (Image Source)

10 Vision Dynamics Bmw

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:34:00 -0800

the most dashing and fabulous car “BMW” images are below.i have some new designs of BMW.

1. side open door show

2. lights

3. bmw comfortable sites

4. bmw

5. superb rims

6. bmw in forest

7. bmw wheel

8. bmw inside mirror view

9. bmw on road

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10 Futuristic Three Wheeled Vehicles

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 01:05:00 -0800

1. Designs

Quite obviously quietness and “green” are two objectives that seem to be driving the auto scene at the moment. We often see electric vehicles and concepts powered by renewable energy being displayed at various auto shows. Moreover, the rise in the cost of fuel has made auto makers think about possibilities that are fuel efficient as well. When reducing fuel or energy consumption is the need, the best possible solution is to let go of one wheel and make the vehicle run on three wheels. This approach helps aid in better mileage and doesn’t make the user sacrifice on performance and safety. Here are some of the coolest vehicles that run on three wheels for better streets of tomorrow:

2. Peugeot +

The Peugeot+ is supposed to be a fusion of a scooter and car. Designed to run on a smaller electric motor, it aims to leave less or rather no carbon prints behind. From what I can gather from the images, it is a two-seater just like a scooter but with two front wheels for extra stability.

3. EVARO

Designed by Future Vehicles Technology, the eVARO hybrid three-wheeled car is designed to compete in the Progressive Automotive X-Prize that is to be held in May 2010. The vehicle can reach 60mph in just five seconds and according to the developers, it has the potential to go 275 miles on a single gallon of fuel. With an all-electric range of 90 miles, the eVARO produces no emissions for 90% of its time on the road and can radically change the automotive industry of today.

4. Venture One

Designed by Los Angeles-based automobile company Venture Vehicles, this vroom-ing Y shaped 3-wheeler will come in two versions, one a basic HEV, and a high-performance PHEV which will have a wide range of accessories. With a fuel economy of 100 mpg and a top speed of over 100 mph (160 km/h), this vehicle is unquestionably groundbreaking!

5. XR3

The XR3 is a DIY vehicle. This beauty will give you 225 miles per gallon. With the firm offering $200 worth of construction plans, the whole activity could be a little challenging yet a lot of fun.

6. The Moby

The Moby by WooJin Chung is one such trike that can take you to the future on zero-emission electric engines. The concept vehicle can displace its rear and alter it in different fashion to suit the traffic and to add additional components like an additional high capacity battery or an additional seat, which gives it both practicality and performance. The trike occupies about half the space as a conventional four-wheeler.

7. Solar-Powered ATV

Designed by Gadi Dudler, this solar-powered trike has all the essentials needed to work in the harshest of terrains. The vehicle design is inspired by nature and carries solar panels on the top of the cabin and the spoiler that generate the necessary power to run an electric engine mounted on the front wheel. The rear wheels are mostly used for turning, but they too are equipped with an electric engine that provides the necessary power the vehicle needs on harsh terrains.

8. E. Rex

Designed by Silicon Valley startup OptaMotive, the E. Rex has a top speed of 144mph and offers a range of about 100 miles. With an ability to go 0-60mph in less than 5 seconds, the vehicle sports a water-cooled permanent magnet that produces 45KW continuous and 125KW peak power. The battery pack that fuels the vehicle consists of 96 lithium-iron phosphate cells that have a claimed recharge time of 2.5 hours at 220V and 20amps.

9. Sampdesign Neo

The brainchild of Brazilian designer Maurício Sampaio, tmhe “Sapdesign Neo” is an electric vehicle for urban use that offers a safe and sustainable ride on cramped city roads. Powered by three engines embedded in each wheel, the three-wheeler features an exterior surround by LED lighting, which makes it extremely safe during night rides. The zero-emission vehicle comes equipped with buffers that generate energy, smart rubber that totally isolates the cabin from the outer world and an air conditioner, which allows occupants to choose the internal temperature.

10. SV1

The SV1 actually looks like something out of the comic books (easy to understand since it is but a concept) with its shiny body and three wheels. The vehicle is meant to seat two and is driven by a sole rear vehicle, while steering is delegated to the two front wheels.

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10 Beautiful Mercedes Benz Images

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:09:00 -0800

Most valuable and very unique design of Mercedes Benz.

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10 Most Wonderful Concepts Of Cars

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:05:00 -0800

very amazing concepts of cars.

realitypod.

Mongol Rally: Driving Across Central Asia in a Hatchback

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:27:00 -0800

Photo: purpaboo
It struck me recently just how quickly a ‘wouldn’t it be exciting if...’-type statement can become a rather serious reality, rather quickly. My disastrous Pyrenees crossing was born in this manner, as was my trip to India last year that landed me in explosive and unstable Kashmir, and the same thing has just happened to me again.
A few weeks ago, I gained a follower on Twitter who turned out to be a team taking part in the Mongol Rally 2010. The concept behind the rally is simple: starting in Western Europe (the UK in my case), teams
drive their sub-1.2 litre cars across almost the entire Eurasian continent, battling through everything from angry Russian border guards to empty Kazakhstani deserts to reach the finish line in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. It is a distance of about 10,000 miles, and usually takes 4-6 weeks.
This struck me as a deliciously insane thing to do with one’s summer, and this belief was strengthened by the eloquently penned website that invites adventurers to abandon their comforts and familiarities and go and do something incredible that they will remember for the rest of their lives. After all, I’ve to tell my grandchildren something.
So I hopped onto Facebook, posted a link to the website and invited anyone mad enough to join me to come along. Frankly, I expected enthusiasm from the more romantic souls amongst my friends, but also a good helping of inaction and apathy. It was a bit of a surprise therefore when, about a week after my post, I found myself with a committed team of four on my hands, something resembling a plan, and a firm commitment to do everything in our power to get a place.
Photo: joepyrek
The sign-up for the Mongol Rally 2011 opened on September 1st 2010, at 2pm. And at about ten past two, after some frantic passport finding and bank detail entering, we somehow found ourselves with a place on the rally. I was extremely pleased, as were my team mates.
It is a few days later, when the euphoria has faded slightly, that the reality of what we have gotten ourselves into hit home to me. Nobody on the team has any knowledge of motor mechanics. We are all university students, two of us facing final year exams, and somehow through all this, we need to raise at least £1000 of sponsorship and enough money to pay for the rally itself, which our estimates guess will cost in the region of £1500, per person.
We need to choose and buy a car, and not only that but a car that is rather unsuitable for the journey. Finally add to this sobering mix the very real possibility of imprisonment, death or serious injury along the way (the first death occurred this year in Iran), and you have a rather more serious undertaking than might at first be thought.
I have been in one or two life-threatening situations before and I haven’t really enjoyed them. I doubt I would enjoy having to walk 100 miles to civilisation from the middle of the Kazakh desert either.
Photo: Leon Hart
On the other hand, gone are the days where you would unroll a map in front of yourself, examine the inaccurately drawn land masses with wonder and then note with a shiver of fear the blank bit at the edge that says “Here be monsters”. The profession “explorer” is no longer an option on the list your career adviser gives you at school. And true hardship, comradeship, laughter in the face of danger and epic journeys across thousands of miles are very difficult to come by these days, at least in the bubble-wrapped world of the West. Besides, in what other situation can you get away with wearing flying goggles and growing a neatly clipped moustache to go with your neatly clipped exclamations of “Gadzooks!” and “Top hole!”?
So it is with a mix of trepidation and considerable excitement that I look forward to the start of the race next summer. I will have passed my final exams by then. Many of my friends will have proper jobs, jobs that some of them may even remain in until they retire. I look forward to the real world, but I want to avoid looking it straight in the eye for as long as possible.
Somehow, I suspect that I will be able to keep my gaze lowered until our little car leaves Europe, but when we reach the bit that says ‘Here be monsters’, I will have to face up to them. Our trip is no Jupiter’s Travels (for the uninitiated Ted Simon rode 126,000km around the world for four years on a Triumph), but when I come back I don’t think I’ll be the same person as the one who left. In a way, this is much more frightening than the danger – but exhilarating too.
Photo: tiarescott
There’s a lot to do as well before we even reach the start line. We need to choose a faithful steed, and then find the money to buy it, fill it with petrol, and equip both it and ourselves. We still need to decide on a route. We need to raise sponsorship, earn visa money, bribe money, bits-falling-off-car money and plane ticket home money. I am going to try and learn Russian and motor mechanics and somehow figure out what stuff we definitely need, and what stuff we can make do with leaving at home.
In short, there’s a mountain to climb between now and next July, but then again, I rather like climbing mountains. And if there weren’t monsters at the edge of the map, why would anyone bother going there? It’d be boring!
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10 Easy Steps to a Winter-Ready Car

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:40:00 -0800

Photo: nick farnhill
Baby, it's getting cold outside! The heat is on, the heavy blankets are on the bed, the winter sweaters have been taken out of the closet and you have stocked up on hot coco and firewood, but well, have you forgotten something? What about your car? You know, that thing with four wheels parked outside that you rely on to get you from point A to point B and back again all of the time?
Well, just as you need to be prepared for the colder weather, so does your car. And what about if you got stranded - would you be prepared? Is your car ready? Do you know what to do? First relax, it is rather
simple to winterize your car and assemble a winter emergency kit. We are going to cover it in 10 easy steps.
Photo: Mouleesha
1. Make sure you keep any regularly scheduled service appointments.
Please check your car's owners’ manual for the recommended timing.
A tune-up in general will help you with better gas mileage and ensure a faster response from your car all around.
Photo: Dvortygirl
2. You are going to make sure you are using the proper kind of oil for the colder weather.
In general, you will want to change over to thinner oil. The thinner oil will reduce wear on your engine because it will flow more quickly in colder temperatures, but again your owner’s manual should be able to offer you guidance on this.
Photo: dno1967
3. You are going to want to check your antifreeze or coolant.
This is very important because done properly, this can protect your engine in the winter down to -34 F! It is recommended that you use a good ethylene glycol-based antifreeze that is run in at about 60% coolant to 40% water.
Photo: DagosNavy
4. Replace your windshield wiper blades.
Assuming they need to be changed, and fill your washer reservoir with windshield wiper fluid. Do not use plain water - I repeat, do not use plain water, it will freeze!
Photo: Frettie
5. Clean and inspect your battery.
Make sure you check over all the cables for any signs of any excessive wear or cracks. Make sure all your connections are clean and tight and finally make sure your fluid level is good. If low, you can top off with plain water. Finally, you may want to consider replacing your battery all together if it is more than 4-4 1/2 years old.
Photo: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Frank Snider
6. You are going to need to give your tires some TLC.
Make sure they are in overall good shape with minimal tread wear and it might be a good idea to have them rotated and balanced - they can get a good inspection that way. You are going to want to keep a tire gauge in the car and check your pressure fairly often in the winter because the cold makes the air contract and your pressure may be too low. You are also going to want to inspect the spare tire - make sure it is in good shape with adequate tire pressure.
Photo: Neodarkshadow
7. Get your brakes checked!
If you have anti-lock brakes on your car, you want to make sure they are working well so they do not freeze up when you need them most. Remember to allow for extra braking distance when the weather is bad and my safety tip of the day - if you don’t have anti-lock brakes, it is better to pump your brakes gently rather than slam on them, which could send you right into a spin.
Photo: Zuzu
8. Some general good car care tips.
Make sure your lights, heater and defroster are all in good working condition. After all, you want to be warm in your car and you need to be able to see out of your windows!
Photo: FEMA
9. What to put in an emergency kit.

Make sure your cell phone has a full battery before you leave!
It is a smart idea to keep some tools for snow removal such as an ice scraper and a small broom in the car.
In addition to these, make sure you have a tool kit assembled with a few small tools that could come in handy such as a pocketknife, a wrench and a screwdriver.
Make sure you have a shovel and jumper cables!
Flashlights, extra batteries and a first aid kit with medication is a necessity.
Each individual should have a complete set of dry clothing as well as a hat and gloves to stay warm.
Don’t forget blankets or sleeping bags to ward off the cold.
Have something bright in color to place in the windows and tie to the car's antenna to signal to others you need help.
A sack or two of kitty litter to help with getting traction under your tires is also a good idea.
Pack bottled water and high-calorie snacks (enough for everyone).
Finally, some games or cards to pass the time until help arrives.

Photo: NOAA.gov
10. What to do if you get stranded.

Stay with your car! In blowing snow, it is extremely easy to become confused or turned around. Your car is the safest place.
Let others know you need help. Take out that “something bright” from your emergency kit and place it in your window and tie it to your antenna.
If possible, run your engine for 10 minutes out of every hour. No longer, that could be dangerous due to carbon monoxide.
Move about! Try to keep your blood flowing with simple exercises such as clapping your hands and wiggling your legs - this will help to keep you warm.
Sleep in shifts. Hypothermia can make you sleepy so if you can, sleep in shifts to keep an eye on each other.
Crack a window slightly to let in fresh air. Just make sure it is away from the blowing wind and snow (if possible).
Keep your fingers and toes moving as much as possible to avoid frostbite - don’t forget about your extra blankest from your emergency kit and huddle together for the extra body heat.
Drink your bottled water! If you can, avoid using snow for liquid because it will lower your body temperature, but you need to avoid dehydration so remember to sip on your bottled water. If you must use the snow for liquid, melt it first!
Avoid doing too much. I know this sounds crazy because you are stuck but cold weather adds extra strain to your heart and can make certain medical conditions even worse, so be careful with things like pushing the car or shoveling snow.

Sources: 1, 2, 3

Top 5 Catastrophic Shipwrecks

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:50:00 -0800

5. RMS Titanic
Death Toll: 1,517

RMS Titanic was an Olympic-class passenger liner owned by the White Star Line and built at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Ireland. On the night of 14 April 1912, during her maiden voyage, Titanic struck an iceberg, and sank two hours and forty minutes later, early on 15 April 1912. At the time of her launching in 1912, she was the largest passenger steamship in the world. The sinking resulted in the deaths of 1,517 people, ranking it as one of the worst peacetime maritime disasters in history and by far the most infamous. The Titanic used some of the most advanced technology available at the time and was popularly
believed to be “unsinkable” – indeed, in a 1910 White Star Line brochure advertising the Titanic; it was claimed that she was “designed to be unsinkable”. It was a great shock to many that despite the advanced technology and experienced crew; the Titanic still sank with a great loss of life. The media frenzy about Titanic’s famous victims, the legends about what happened on board the ship, the resulting changes to maritime law, and the discovery of the wreck in 1985 by a team led by Robert Ballard have made Titanic persistently famous in the years since. [Source]
4. Sultana
Death Toll: 1800

The steamboat Sultana was a Mississippi River paddlewheeler destroyed in an explosion on 27 April 1865. This resulted in the greatest maritime disaster in United States history. An estimated 1,800 of the 2,400 passengers were killed when one of the ship’s four boilers exploded and the Sultana sank not far from Memphis, Tennessee. This disaster received somewhat diminished attention as it took place soon after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and during the closing weeks of the Civil War. Most of the new passengers were Union soldiers, chiefly from Ohio and just released from Confederate prison camps such as Cahawba and Andersonville. The US government had contracted with the Sultana to transport these former prisoners of war back to their homes. The cause of the explosion was a leaky and poorly repaired steam boiler. The boiler (or “boilers”) gave way when the steamer was about 7 to 9 miles north of Memphis at 2:00 A.M. in a terrific explosion that sent some of the passengers on deck into the water and destroyed a good portion of the ship. Hot coals scattered by the explosion soon turned the remaining superstructure into an inferno, the glare of which could be seen in Memphis. [Source]
3. MV Joola
Death Toll: 1,863

MV Le Joola was a Senegalese government-owned ferry that capsized off the coast of Gambia on September 26, 2002. The disaster resulted in the deaths of at least 1,863 people. On September 26, 2002, the ferry Joola set sail from Ziguinchor in the Casamance region on one of its frequent trips between southern Senegal and the country’s capital Dakar. It was about 1:30 p.m. At the time of voyage the ship was designed to carry approximately 580 passengers. In all, almost 2,000 passengers are believed to have been on board. The last call from the ferry staff broadcast to a maritime security center in Dakar was at 10 p.m. and reported good travel conditions. In Titanic-culture style, people were dancing and drinking inside the ship to the sound of a live band playing. At around 11 p.m., the ship sailed into a storm off the coast of Gambia. As a result of the rough seas and wind, the ferry quickly capsized, throwing passengers and cargo into the sea. Detailed reports indicate that this happened in less than five minutes. Only one lifeboat was deployed and was able to transport 25 people. Government rescue teams did not arrive at the scene until the morning following the accident, although local fishermen rescued some survivors from the sea several hours before. [Source]
2. Halifax Explosion
Death Toll: 1,950

The Halifax Explosion occurred on Thursday, December 6, 1917, when the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, was devastated by the huge detonation of a French cargo ship, fully loaded with wartime explosives, that had accidentally collided with a Norwegian ship in “The Narrows” section of the Halifax Harbour. Approximately 2,000 people (mostly Canadians) were killed by debris, fires, or collapsed buildings and it is estimated that over 9,000 people were injured. This is still one of the world’s largest man-made, conventional explosions to date. At 8:40 in the morning, Mont-Blanc, a French cargo ship that was chartered by the French government to carry munitions, collided with the unloaded Norwegian ship Imo (pronounced E-mo); chartered by the Commission for Relief in Belgium to carry relief supplies. Mont-Blanc caught fire ten minutes after the collision and exploded about twenty-five minutes later (at 9:04:35 AM). All buildings and structures covering nearly two square kilometres along the adjacent shore of the exploded ship were obliterated, including those in the neighbouring communities of Richmond and Dartmouth. The explosion caused a tsunami in the harbour, and a pressure wave of air that snapped trees, bent iron rails, demolished buildings, grounded vessels, and carried fragments of the Mont-Blanc for kilometres. Pictured above is the Imo after the explosion. [Source]
1. MV Doña Paz
Death Toll: 4,375

The Doña Paz was a passenger ferry that sank after colliding with the oil tanker Vector on December 20, 1987. The Doña Paz was en route from Catbalogan, on Samar Island, Philippines, to Manila when, while it was in the Tablas Strait, between the islands of Mindoro and Tablas, it collided with a small oil tanker, the Vector, which was carrying 8,800 barrels of petroleum products. The Vector’s cargo ignited and caused a fire that rapidly spread onto the Doña Paz, which sank within minutes. Two of the 13 crewmembers aboard the Vector survived but all 58 crew of the Doña Paz died. The official death toll on the ferry is 1,565 although some reports claim that the ferry was overcrowded and that the true death toll was at least 4,341. The ships would put the death toll at 4,375 although admitting that only 1,568 were on the manifest (still more than the licensed maximum of 1,518). The 21 (or 24) survivors from the ferry had to swim, as there was no time to launch lifeboats. An inquiry later revealed that the crew of the Vector was under-qualified and that the boat’s license had expired. It is the worst ferry disaster and the worst peacetime maritime disaster in history.
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10 Most Unique and Futuristic Yacht Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:08:00 -0800

Yachts have always been something for the rich and famous. Most of us can only dream of ever owning one. I’d like to fuel this dream with amazing futuristic yacht designs. These creative designs show us that a yacht doesn’t always have to be dull or luxurious only they can also be inspirationally beautiful.

So here are some of the most unique futuristic yacht designs. Not all of these yachts are concepts, some of them are real. I hope you will like these.

Code X Yacht

This extremely cool yacht was designed by Code X AG, a Swiss company based in Meggan on Lake Lucerne. This yacht combines solar technology with Formula 1 engines. If you combine these ingredients with a kick-ass design, you end up with this jaw-dropping yacht.

Wally Hermes Yacht

The Wally Hermes Yacht was designed around space, shade and light. This yacht offers 200 square meter suite covering the entire third floor. You can even invite plenty of your closest friends, because there are five guest suites located on the second floor.

Eden

The Eden is a luxury yacht that was designed by Daniel Hahn. The goal of this design study was to create luxurious yacht which relied on its aesthetics more than technical innovation. All in all, I think this is a really striking design that will definitely turn heads.

Ocean Emerald

The Ocean Emerald is the first of four identical yachts that will be launched over the next two years. The next two super-yachts will be called ‘Ocean Pearl’ and ‘Ocean Sapphire’. This cool yacht has four deck levels where you’ll find suites, a saloon, bathrooms…

Earthrace

The Earthrace is an alternative fuel powered trimaran. The goal of this project is to break the world record for circumnavigating the world in a powerboat. It actually succeeded with a time of 60 days, 23 hours and 49 minutes.

Oculus

This 250 foot beauty has an awesome exterior which symbolizes the bone structure of the jaw and eye socket of large oceanic fish and mammals. In my opinion, this is the coolest yacht in this list. It looks so stylish and elegant, unlike anything I’ve seen before.

118 WallyPower

The 118 WallyPower is a high performance super-yacht with some striking features. This boat looks like the aquatic offspring of a stealth bomber and KITT from Night Rider. The superstructure is made of a carbon frame to ensure the best possible performance.

Infinitas

The design of the Infinitas was inspired by the symbol for infinity which has been abstractly expressed within the yacht’s elevation. A central ‘spine’ holds the loop together allowing the yacht’s superstructure to seamlessly flow within itself.

Poseidon 180

The Poseidon 180 is a yacht that was designed by the Giancarlo Zema Design Group. It measures 180 feet in length. The main features of the Poseidon 180 are the huge glass dome. This glass dome ensures you have the best panoramic view possible.

Marino 52

Well, according to Barrett Prelogar and Franco Marino Cagnina it can. They describe the Marino 52 as motion art. The function and purpose of every single component has been studied at the most finite level of detail. This eye for detail results in a sleek, high-tech yacht.

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10 Most Amazing Concept Lamborghini Cars

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 01:03:00 -0800

Everyone car lover loves Lamborghini for sure. As technology evolves, we shall be seeing new concept cars with some unique design anatomy. I guess most of us dream of owning a car like the one we see in ads but only few live long enough to experience them. Though fascinating, some of these cars concepts share a common aptitude of never making into the real world.

Compiled below is a list of the most amazing concept Lamborghini cars you will ever see. Some of them may even hit the roads of reality in coming future but most of them are just idealized for the imaginary world.

Lamborghini Ankonian Concept

Lamborghini Ankonian Concept is being designed by Slavche Tanevsky which is basically more aggressive version of the famous Lamborghini Reventon.

Lamborghini Reventon Roadster

Is a beautiful concept turned into a real car. Reventón Roadster costs around $1.6 million dollars and only 20 cars will be made.

Lamborghini Embolado Concept

Designed by a talented Italian design student Luca Serafini, the name of the concept derives from a Spanish festival called “Embolado Bull”.

Lamborghini Furia Concept

Inspired by the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, designer Amadou Ndiaye has come up with a new version, the Furia, which is designed with more dramatic and aggressive lines.

Lamborghini Ratun Concept

Beautiful Lamborghini concept car designed by Niels Steinhoff is an aggressively styled concept for a flagship supercar designed to compete against the Bugatti Veyron.

Lamborghini Cachazo Concept

Designer Marouane Bembli thinks this car could be a suitable replacement for the Lamborghini Gallardo. The concept car has been created with Lamborghini’s design language in mind, albeit with some alterations that would give the concept its own place to stand.

Lamborghini Timador Concept

Lamborghini Timador design by Johannes Brandsch was to create a lighter supercar through the use of overlapping shells the biggest one of which forms the shoulders of the car separating the air inlets from the passenger compartment story.

Lamborghini Madura Concept

Designed by Slavche Tanevsky, this concept was created in collaboration with Lamborghini’s and Audi’s designers, and is a proposal for the first hybrid Lamborghini that is scheduled for a 2016 launch.

Lamborghini Insecta Concept

The design of this Lamborghini concept combines the brand’s styling cues with elements inspired by insect exoskeletons.

Lamborghini X Concept

Emil Baddad, an extremely talented artist from Iran, was not very satisfied with the design of Lamborghini Reventon, so he decided to make a new design for it.
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Collingswood Fair Car Show

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:23:00 -0800

Collingswood Fair Car Show is fantastic show for every person and every age. In this day a lot of people arrived a popular place with cars, In this show whose cars is beautiful and clean then he get a price from other peoples. If you go on this show then you see everywhere is beautiful and fair cars, These cars really awesome and its better then the normal cars in other words more then 80 percent people are racers and he want to make our car more faster then the others But in this show the fairness of car is also important and car fairness tell the other that how much you love your car and how much you try to maintain it. Lets our beautiful and so impressive collection.

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Top 5 Real Cars Inspired by Cartoons

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 9 Jan 2012 22:40:00 -0800

5. The Mystery Machine (Scooby-Doo)

In the summer of 2002, Lou and Steve Raguse painted an old van into a replica of the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine. Raguse’s paint job was so realistic that they decided to paint two more vans to sell.
4. Batmobile (Batman)

One of the Batmobiles from the sixties television series was sold for $233,000. After the series zoomed to popularity, the producers of the show commissioned a number of replicas for promotional use. This is Batmobile number six, and one of the functional models.
3. Ecto-1 (Ghostbusters)

This is the 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance limo that was transformed by Universal Studios into the Ecto-1 Ghostbusters car.
But actually, the cartoon was inspired by the movie “Ghostbusters” created in 1984. Thanks to Jayson for the tip!
2. Turtle Van (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

The Ninja Turtles Van (or Party Wagon, as it is sometimes referred to) is what the A-Team van would look like if it made sweet love to a tortoise. Fully equipped with a wide range of weapons and defense mechanisms, this is a transformed News Ch 6 mobile. Some hardcore fans have constructed their own Turtle vans, like the man of the picture above.
1. Mater (Cars)

Many people have seen the films made by Pixar, especially the movie “Cars”. These are cartoon characters of course, and yet, if we look at EP Industries run by the great Eddie Paul, he can transform these cartoon cars into real vehicles. So that means, you will see Mater the tow truck, Sally Carrera the Porsche 911 and the Lightning McQueen, which is the Pontiac Trans Am, all converted into the real thing!
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Top 5 Coolest Submarines

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 9 Jan 2012 22:35:00 -0800

5. Hyper-Sub

Not even James Bond would scoff at the beautiful Hyper-Sub. After all, how could he not want to step foot onto a $3.5 million submersible powerboat? This craft designed by Marion HSPD, will finally be heading to the production line. Of course $3.5 million may be a tough price tag to cope with, but you’re getting a rather powerful little toy in exchange.

On the powerboat side, it’s a heavy-duty, 31-ft. surface-cruiser with an enclosed cabin. Powered by twin 440 hp inboard diesels for a total output of 880 hp, the Hyper-Sub has a maximum surface speed of 40 knots and a maximum surface range of 500 miles. In dive mode the Hyper-Sub can plunge up to 250 feet, and offers umbilical SCUBA support.
4. Yellow Submarine

This is another personal submarine, and it is yellow. Unfortunately, it is not big enough so we all can live in it, as it only seats two people with upright seating. It is good for going 1,000 feet under the water, and the life support is good for six hours. It also features a 120 volt and 24 volt battery bank, two 3 horsepower main thrusters, two 3 horsepower vertical thrusters, four external halogen lamps, VHF communication radio, GPS, as well as a climate controlled sphere. I’m not certain what that means, but I’m guessing you can make it very warm or very cool in there.
I don’t know how far you could go with this guy from the shore, but man, I would love to see it for myself. After all, they only cost a low price of…two million dollars? Well, I knew that this type of hobby wouldn’t be cheap.
3. EGO Compact Semi Submarine

Technically this isn’t a submarine. This is not to say that the EGO semi-submarine does not travel underwater. In fact, the cockpit is always that way. However, the upper part of the boat remains above the water all the time. This reduces the risk factor of traveling underwater, and makes it very easy to control. The company website says that “you don’t even need to know how to swim”. I say that it probably wouldn’t hurt.
The clear view gives the user a terrific view of the aquatic life, which is perfect for those who want to see fish up close without getting wet. Best of all, the EGO is eco-friendly as it is mostly electric-powered. On a 6-10 hour charge, the user is able to get about four hours worth of cruising time. The EGO semi-submarine is made by a company called RAONHAJE, and the product’s official website does not have a price. All I have to say is: “if you have to ask, then you can’t afford it”.
2. Seabreacher X

Called the Seabreacher X, this incredible shark-shaped water submersible boasts “a 260 hp supercharged engine, propelling the vessel to a top speed of 50 mph on the surface and 25 mph below.”
The Seabreacher X can sustain high speed dives and then breach the surface, launching the entire vessel clear out of the water. The new fully vectored thrust system mimic the tail articulation of real aquatic animals like sharks and dolphins. The custom tuned exhaust system also gives the vessel a more throaty growl as it tears across the surface.
1. Deep Flight Super Falcon

Marine engineer Graham Hawkes’ latest creation, Deep Flight Super Falcon is a $1.5 million battery-powered winged submarine that looks just like a plane, except it “flies” underwater.
It has a single rear-mounted propeller, looking much like an electric fan, drives the vessel, and a 48-volt lithium phosphate battery provides power. Its thick pressure hull is a carbon-epoxy mixture, and the two passengers aboard ride seated in cockpits fore and aft, observing their watery surroundings through thick Plexiglas canopies.
According to Hawkes, the craft “flies” just like a jet plane, with electric motors controlling for roll, pitch and yaw. It can fly downward at a maximum of 200 feet per minute, upward at twice that speed and keep flying for a maximum of five hours at 4 knots – about 4.6 mph. John McCosker, [California Academy of Sciences] chair of aquatic biology, said the agile submarine will enable him and his colleagues for the first time to follow along with the travels of “whales and dolphins and even super sharks – maybe even the mysterious giant squid.”
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Beautiful Japanese Scooters Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 9 Jan 2012 06:32:00 -0800

Motor scooters are popular in most parts of the first world, Europe (particularly Italy and the Mediterranean), Japan and Taiwan, but not the US. They are even more popular in most parts of the third world, particularly in countries such as India and China where there is local manufacture. Parking, storage, and traffic issues in crowded cities, along with the easy driving position make them a popular form of urban transportation. In many nations, scooter (or other small motorcycle) sales exceed those of automobiles, and a motor scooter may even be the family transport. This is Japanese scooter designs. its too comfortable and stylish.

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10 Most Amazing Concept Bicycles

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 9 Jan 2012 06:14:00 -0800

Invented in the 19th century, the bicycle hasn’t changed much since then, and it’s sorely in need of a 21st century makeover. Luckily, there are plenty of designers eager to jump in and do just that, with amazing concepts that fold into compact portable packages, harness solar energy, store kinetic pedal power and even allow amphibious travel.

Some are ready for the assembly line while others will never be more than an idea, but all 10 of these designs are quite a departure from the ordinary. So here are some of the most amazing Concept or futuristic bicycles.

Minimalist Theft-Proof Computer-Aided Bicycle

With spokeless wheels designed to eliminate wind drag, tires that can’t be punctured, no visible chain and a minimalist frame, this bicycle is a definite departure from old school designs.. This is definitely a bike of the future.

Laptop-Charging Bike Concept

It’s probably the boxiest and least aerodynamic bicycle concept, but the most interesting part of this strange design has nothing to do with looks. This electric bicycle has a docking station for your laptop, charged by the bike’s battery as you ride.

Nulla: Ultramodern Spokeless Bike

Nulla means “nothing” in Italian, and though this bicycle is closer to “nothing” than most, it’s still a whole lot of something. Like the minimalist theft-proof bicycle by Chris Boardman, the Nulla has no hubs or chain drive for perhaps the sleekest, most futuristic look yet.

Incredible Folding Backback Bicycle

The Bergmonch folding backpack bicycle eliminates the problem of terrain that has to be negotiated on foot, not only is it small and lightweight, it folds perfectly onto itself in less than two minutes in a convenient configuration.

Collapsible Bike Concept

Portability is key when it comes to the bikes of the future, and concept designers are finding incredibly creative ways to make bikes light and collapsible. This design not only breaks down into a small package, but also provides storage space in the form of a bag positioned between the wheels.

Solar Powered Electric Bike

Cycle Sol owners can glide up effortlessly using solar power instead of muscle power. This electric bicycle has a roof that both protects the rider from the sun and rain and collects solar energy.

Bizarre Di-Cycle

Designed to carry the rider over both land and water, this strange bicycle concept was designed especially for the city of Helmond in the Netherlands, which has as many canals as it does roads.

All-Weather Bicycle Design

All-weather bicycle concepts aren’t entirely new, but they’ve always been rather clunky and unrealistic until now. This bicycle concept features a transparent roof that can protect against precipitation.

Locust Flexible Folding Bicycle

With its large circular frame, the Locust folds in a way that most other portable, collapsible bikes don’t. It is designed by Josef Cardek.

Grasshopper: Folding Electric Bike

Naturally, some intrepid designers have taken folding bicycles to the next level by making them electric. Grasshopper design not only gets you to and fro, but can also become a stationary exercise bike and even generates and stores the energy you produce when pedaling.

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Top 5 Most Outstanding Pilots

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 9 Jan 2012 01:40:00 -0800

5. Jessica Cox: the first pilot with no arms

Jessica Cox suffered a rare birth defect and was born without arms. None of the prenatal tests her mother took showed there was anything wrong with her. And yet she was born with this rare congenital disease, but also with a great spirit. The psychology graduate can write, type, drive a car, brush her hair and talk on her phone simply using her feet. Ms Cox, from Tuscon, Arizona, USA, is also a former dancer and double black belt in Tai Kwon-Do. She has a no-restrictions driving license, she flies planes and she can type 25 words a minute.

The plane she is flying is called an Ercoupe and it is one of the few airplanes to be made and certified without pedals. Without rudder pedals Jessica is free to use her feet as hands. It took her three years instead of the usual six months to complete her lightweight aircraft license. She had three flying instructors and practiced 89 hours of flying, becoming the first pilot with no arms.
4. Ian Fortune: the pilot who managed to safely land a helicopter with 20 people after being shot in the face

A British military pilot managed to get twenty passengers to the ground despite a bullet between his eyes. Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune was ferrying the wounded from a battle between American troops and the Taliban in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. As he was taking off with a full load of casualties, a bullet ricocheted through the helicopter and struck Fortune in the face. Further rounds then struck the helicopter’s automatic stabilization system, shutting it down and making it extremely difficult to fly.
Despite blood streaming into his eyes, Flight Lt Fortune battled with the controls for eight minutes and managed to get the casualties back to Camp Bastion. TV Presenter Mike Brewer was on the helicopter when the incident took place. He told Sky News: “It was terrifying. We came under fire just as the ramp was closing. Then just after we’d taken off, the Chinook suddenly lurched from side to side and we heard the pilot had been shot. The only reason we didn’t plunge straight back into the desert was because of the sheer bravery and skill of Ian and the rest of the crew. They’re all heroes.”
3. Frank Vogt: the traffic pilot who landed on Jersey turnpike

Frank Vogt is a traffic pilot whose Cessna lost oil pressure 1200 feet off the ground. In the early dawn darkness, the ground looked like one big mass of black void – except the turnpike. “I knew it was wide enough, I knew it was straight enough. There weren’t any wires, and I didn’t see many overpasses,” Vogt said. He reasoned that since the traffic was still light, there would be enough space between the cars so that they could slow down and let him in. His hastily concocted plan worked perfectly. He even managed to pull his Cessna to the side of the road, although the inevitable rubbernecking — completely justified in this case — still blocked traffic a mile-and-a-half in both directions.
2. Evan Graham: the solo pilot who could fly five different aircrafts by the age of 16

Evan Graham celebrated his 16th birthday (on August 6) by soloing five different aircrafts: a vintage WWII L-4 Piper Cub taildrager, a R-22 Robinson helicopter, a Cessna 150 Aerobat, a Robinson 44 Raven II and a 1965 Cessna 150-150 – setting the world record for the youngest solo pilot to fly five different aircrafts. On a grass runway, with three flight instructors present and three sign offs, Evan logged 2 hours of solo time in 5 different aircrafts, ending the morning before noon with the traditional bucket drench.
1. James Terry: the pilot who could fix his airplane from the outside while flying

One of the difficulties of air travel is the impossibility of making repairs outside of the cockpit while the ship is in flight. This holds particularly true when the trouble is centered around the tail. Look closely at the photo: yup, that’s James Terry of Miami, Florida, an inventor who demonstrated his safety device for repairing airplanes while flying! From the June 1930 edition of Modern Mechanic.
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Top 5 Coolest Baby Carriages

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 9 Jan 2012 01:34:00 -0800

5. Retro Baby Carriage

If you have a thing for retro stuff then this 1950′s Italian baby carriage is the one for your little toddler! The cool retro carriage is designed by Giordani Bambino and it sells for an expensive price tag of $2,200. And, in case you are anywhere like the celebrity parents, this covered carriage will keep your baby protected from all those prying eyes, you want to evade!!

4. Egg-shaped Baby Carriage

Artist John Knott, aka Bent Fabrication, created this baby carriage out of hand-shaped aluminum panels and antique baby stroller parts. You definitely would NOT want to leave the baby inside this thing on a hot day.
3. Gun-shaped Baby Carriage

This baby carriage looks like a gun machine and ready to shoot the enemy. I think it’s too dangerous for your baby and for the babysitter. Created by the Chinese artist Shi Jinsong.
2. Bike Baby Carriage

Check this cool invention. Cruise around with your baby in style and get some exercise at the same time. You can also go to the grocery store with this one. A lot of people use the car for the grocery errands because they need the car trunk. With this bike carrier bike there is a solution to use the car less when you need to haul the goods. The bike can haul 80kg and will cost 3,150 UK pounds.
1. The Monster Baby Carriage

This extremely detailed monstrosity is from Elmer Presslee, house of weird furniture and art. In case you haven’t noticed, the baby sits on the brain of the Cyclops, which is probably what’s making his eye pop out like that. Imagine if someone sat on your brain. If you’re into this kind of art, be sure to check out Elmer Presslee’s website for more nightmare-inducing art as well as furniture.
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10 Most Luxurious Airlines in the World

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 8 Jan 2012 03:26:00 -0800

Do you have any idea which international airlines offer the plushest service and the most perks in first class? I’ve done the dirty work and present to you some of the best air accoutrements short of a private plane. So the next time you plan for an air travel you might want to consider to have some luxurious time in one of these fabulous cabins.

So here are some of the most luxurious airlines in the world. I hope you will like them. I may have missed out some so do add your recommendations in comment section. Thanks

EMIRATES

As a passenger, you’ll feel like a million dollars too. And while we’re throwing numbers at you, 500-channel entertainment systems have been introduced. The best is yet to come, and you’d better believe it’ll be fine: A full shower with dressing area in your private cabin.

British Airways

Rolls-Royce aircraft engines are legendary, and you’d swear the company had an influence on British Airways’ cabins. BA’s luxurious first-class “demi cabins” multitask to serve as workspaces, dens, and even places to stretch and sleep.

Eos Airlines

21 square feet of space per passenger is unheard of, but it’s a reality on Eos. Score one for the personal space lover. Eos Airlines has room for 220 on its 757s, but it only allows 48 lucky souls aboard. Each passenger’s multifunctional seat is a joy to occupy across the Atlantic.

Cathay Pacific Airways

If you’re flying first-class on Cathay Pacific you’ll surely wish the flight was longer. In 2006 Air Transport World magazine’s Airline of the Year honors went to Cathay.

Japan Airlines

JAL has been a leader in first-class comfort, and apparently for a long time now. They equip you with adjustable headrests and side cushions, down pillows and comforters and you can also enjoy the built-in massage feature in the seats.

Lufthansa Airlines

Adjustable privacy screens between seats, generous room to stretch. Chefs and sommeliers continuously update their onboard cuisine and wine selection. Luxury is all they got.

Singapore Airlines

It has Bvlgari toiletry kits and Givenchy-designed sleeper suits. There is also a “Book the Cook” service which allows a meal selection in advance. One gets the feeling of being in a big Bentley with wings rather than a plane.

Swiss International Air Lines

Swiss has a longstanding reputation for courtesy and efficiency, and so far their reputation remains solid. All the expected luxury appointments and services are present. Btw two onboard cameras let you watch the world in front of the aircraft as well as below it.

Virgin Atlantic

Considering Sir Richard Branson is at the company’s helm, you’re going to get your money’s worth and then some. You’ll love the pampering, including the surprisingly roomy beds, which convert from your seat.

Thai Airways International

40 consecutive years of profit that’s no small feat in the corporate world, and it’s even more noteworthy in the sky biz. You’ll become quite familiar with “best” during your flight.
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New Design Of Superb Racing Bike

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 7 Jan 2012 08:18:00 -0800

This racing bike is sure to turn heads whether you’re tearing up the asphalt or carrying it in-hand. This concept by Allen Chester G. Zhang was designed to be easily transported between work and play. It can be stowed quickly as it folds at the center to create a barely-there yet aesthetically pleasing accessory. Unfold to expose it’s natural suspension shape and gear-to-gear spokeless wheels. Fluorescent copper-zinc components add not only to it’s aesthetic appeal but the rider’s safety. The color choices on this model are a beautiful combination.

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10 Most Beautiful Skateboards Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 7 Jan 2012 08:17:00 -0800

Skateboarding is a modern sport for modern people. If you are trying to find an exciting hobby for you and to experience some crazy moments then skateboarding could be a good solution for you. When you are watching a guy who easily skates down the street, you are probably going to think how it is easy to do that. However, skateboarding is a hobby which needs a lot of your time and practice. For some skateboarders who do skateboarding every day, is very important to have the best skateboard. Also, they want their skateboard to be different from others. As a cause of such wishes, a lot of different skateboards have been made by different skateboarding fans and we have decided to show you here some of the coolest of them, right here and right now. Enjoy!

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