And the other Wall's? Second Chapter

Most likely, after the Berlin Wall, the most spoken barrier is what we call the "Trump Wall" in between México and the United States of America. I don´t like Trump presidency, but the wall was there since Clinton times, and the actual presidente wish to fortify and extend the one that already exists. Of course Mexico doesn´t want, but himself made one huge wall in border with Guatemala. And all around the world the reality of the fence or wall, is present, from Europe to Africa, passing by Asia and ending in America. So, is not only between USA and Mexico, but a global problem in the planet, that the midia hypocrisy only talks about one or another, acording to the ideology or geopolitics situation, when is a global reality, and maybe beguins in the personal nead of safety that wich one of us have in is personality. 
Reasons are varied: Since security to imigrations problems, passing by the need to counter the population to run away, or also an ancestral state of war, there are thousands of reasons who leaves to the construction of a fence or wall, especially in border areas.  
Is only the seccond chapter about walls and fences, but i think if we want to talk seriously, much more will come.

México /Usa border wall

Mexico /Guatemalla Wall

Hungary /Servian fence

Marocco / Spain border fence

Pakistan /India wall

North Korea /China border fence

Gunatanamo / Cuba fence

North Korea /South Korea DMZ

India /Bangladesh border fence

North /South Sudan Border

http://foreignpolicy.com/2011/06/24/the-worlds-most-dangerous-borders/

Military Parades: Spain

I like military parades a lot, especially the ones from ancient nations with a long military tradition. To bad that cinema and pictures are only two centuries old, so from an old era we  have only some modern reconstructions.

Spain is the other country of Iberic Península, and was formed in XV century after the union of the several kingdoms.  So there's a huge military tradition, with a growing belic industry, from tanks to ships, passing by aeroplanes, that we can see in the great military parades that Spain organizes since at least 1910. 
From fighters Typhoon, to Pizarro infantry vehicles, passing by german and american material, Spain offers a variety in their parades that reflets the need of strong armed forces, in a nation were from Catalunha to Galiza, passing by the Basco's, all want more autonomy or even the independence from central Madrid. Also the situation in North Africa and Mediterranean contributes to one of the powerfull NATO military forces. 
So, airforce and army are strong but also navy (a subjet that we will talk about it in a future article about navy parades). But that's a matter for another time.

2017

2016

2015

2014

2012

1973

1971

1960-70

1973

1973

1942

1910

https://www.youtube.com/

A day in NRP Sagres II - Part 1

Ah, the Portuguese Navy icon, made in Hitler's German (lol) and used by the nazi navy. Some say that is a war veteran, with various supposed russian fighters shoot down by is AA, in the Baltic retreat (were was hit by a mine and almost sunk). But is a pretty ship and i had the objective of see him, but i was always late and so the Sagres II (Sagres I was made of wood, and after some abandon years in Alfeite, was sold to Germany, were is preserved), was close to public or at sea. This time i made it and this is the result: a group of spectacular pictures and a great afternon spending visiting this ancient ship. A special word to the crew, for the simpathy and pacience with thousants of visitors with all ages. So, lets see the photos in this first part.

At the Port. Entrance in a moment with family, after a nice member of the crew give us all a warm "Welcome". Some clouds and one or another piece of light rain but the imotion of a unique visit to this mobile embassy was above any weather problem. The story of Sagres II is well documented in the links beyond, so let´s move on.

The ship "frown" at the proa (it´s Vasco da Gama), in fine conditions, as all the ship may i say. Sailors are busy with sails has the visitors enter in Sagres II, in a perfect line and order, folow the simple indications of one member of the crew. Serving in Sagres II is a honour that only a small fraction of the portuguese navy is able to.

Another view of the ship from a diferent angle. To be a ship were the open space are so many often cause problems in the transaction to Frigates and Corvettes who are most claustrofobic, so some people in the portuguese navy defend that they should have a ship like brazilian navy "NE Brasil" to make this transaction more easy. 

Before the visit at the river "Sado". It's always a extraordinary view to see this magnific ship walk on the port, especially sailing at low speed, and accompanied with other boats, sometimes hundreds of them arround this great main attraction.  Still the same after more than 80 years (81 to be exactly in time), and the public love him each generation.

The ship´s name bewind the chimney. It's common like in other navie's, the use of  names, ship after ship, when in active dutty. and Sagres have a important significant for portuguese Navy since is conected with the expansion and navegation. But  probably the more correct name his Sagres II, since there was a first one.

A plate with the name of the naval constructor, place and date. The origin of Sagres and Sagres II was that cadets nead to learn from old naval examples in ancient ships, so B&V made an upgrade from wood models, with a metal "casco" and a more strong construction not only to Baltic Sea but also for Atlantique waters.

Portuguese and wine have a huge relationship. Most famous is "Porto" but others like "Moscatel" or in this case "vinho da madeira", are also well known abroad. In our ships, it's like water or air, so is always present. Is this case there´s a pipa, but in some frigates like Vasco da Gama Class was a reservoir made specially for wine.

Velame aparail and the portuguese flag at the top. Sagres II continues a long tradition of navigators in Portugal since the XIV century, when the portuguese strated the expansion, first in North Africa and them to India an Brasil, with ships arriving in China, Japan and probably also Australia (ancient guns and maps, are the main reason that made us belive in this possibility). 

Two metal heads (Me and a salvo 75mm gun...lol). The story of this ship armed in the Baltic Sea at World War II was told in the introduction, but the only confirmation was from ancient german sailors that told to the brazilian, when they became the ownors after the war. Sold to Portugal, the are no referencies to this episode, and also the almost sinking of the ship by a mine, was forgoten.

A piece of history from Sagres II, is S. Filipe fortress, made by the Filipe's dynastie when they rule Portugal for almost 50 years. It is one of many, because from Viso Fort, to Outão Hospital there are much of ancient ruines and places by the city. Behind S. Filipe Fort there´s the rest of a gun battory, and down him there's a house were Jacklyn Kennedy was after her usband was shoot down in Dallas.

Piece of art in the picture is the national shild. The ship is always in great conditions with fresh paint and smelling clining at the maximum, folow by a very proud crue in their Sagres II, what is a sucess in every port he visit, nacional or internacional. There are plans to a upgrade and portuguese navy don´t speak about there reteirement. And the age of 100 years is near...

http://restosdecoleccao.blogspot.pt/2010/11/os-navios-escola-sagres.html

https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/NRP_Sagres_III

Directly from... Scracht (the story of an 1/72 Aeroslade made 90% by me, PART 2)

Last part of the Aeroslade (also call aerosan) from finish armed forces, made most of all from scracht using Evergreen and some spare material from Airfix (motor and propeler), Rocco (Gun, fire extintor and propeler protection), Revell (Troop), Academy and Hasegawa (Boxes and shelt). A fine experiênce after all and the proove that everybody can make a self made simple model with a good quality (at least for me..lol). The history of this one is simple: a pure transportation device use by military since the 20's in north of Finland lakes, with an upgrade to Winter war and WWII war. Hope you like it (i have hundreads of photos from all the process, but is this publications i only use some of them).

With all the down under build and motor, propeler and structure on. Arfix, Hasegawa and Academy are present with little pieces. Heller and Fujimi were options but at the end i prefer another ones or i self made them.

The propeler protection in is sight. After that i used a Rocco piece that is better for the upgrade with a more modern efect. The interior was simple, but the next time i made a instument painel have to be in high relief.

Interior and machine gun support. In the outside there's a motor protection made from silver paper and the skis from evergreen. Then i use the same material to make a radio support and the antena (radio is from Rocco Hq).

Front view. The main problem was the support for the skies that broke constantly so in future constructions another way is need, probably with some tini holes or cinocrilato glue. Skis are also a fragile parts but theres not much to do in this case.

First colours and machine gun in place. Use enamel from Revell, but also some acrylic (Tamyia).The radio is in his box and in front is the ligh that was also a problem for is little piece. Than i use superglue and problem was resolve.

A preview in the base with a Revell troop modified with a sheld from Rocco. Base was made with white glue mixed with terracota (the wood base came from a Supermarket). After that i went to kitchen and made the ice and snow. I panted with Revell white paint.

The interior all done. We can see the conection between motor and guide system near the machine gun.The motor coverture was made after this first situation from light papper and painted with white paint (with that no oils, moust be dry pastel). All Revell enamel.

Near the end. Time to make the windscreen and the material for the interior, with the talked Hasegawa boxes and Roco jerrycands. Suástica is from polish shirt and the number in the lights coverture are hand made. 

With matterial. Miss the oils and more snow at the Aeroslade and also the oldie in the wood boxes but it is all done by 90%. Probably in future i will make another one from Russia or again Finish Armed Forces, since is not a common model.

Frontal view with windscreen that was a challenge. A piece from a modeling knive recipient, and with UHU glue was all done, with no problem. Transparent pieces from plastic were use without glue but were not acetable.

The final photos (yes, i need a new photo camera because this is from filming machine, but no money...lol). A simple diorama with the Aeroslade preparation for the voyage, some material and the soldier cleanig the snow from the area near the machine.

Rear view with motor coverture and propeler protection. The acrylic paint is great with the oils, but in some parts i use dry pastel, some times with water beacause it is less agressive than  trebentine. Snow in the Aeroslade were made from chalk.

Were we cant see the interior, with machine gun, radio and amunition boxes. The soldier is busy with the snow sice the motor is minutes from running for another voyage to transport groceries to the armed forces.

Profile view. The Soviet and Finish Army used the Aerosan /Aeroslade in World War II for transport and patrol ducties, domestic and in the front. At least 10 types since the 20´s, civil and military utilization  that is materialezed in this fine pice of art. At least for me. Cheers.

https://mimilitary.blogspot.pt/

A day at NRP Creoula

NRP Sagres II is the most recognized ship of the Portuguese Navy, but i saw him live only once (talking about interior). Most of the times too late and the ship already in the sea. NRP Creoula was not made as a training ship (today is...lol), but has a fisherman brigue in the North Sea, and after some owners was recovered by the nacional navy, to give first sea impression to young people.  After years of abandon at Alfeite Naval Base in Cacilhas, Almada (all think that the end was near, in scrap or sold to another country like Sagres I) . It is a great ship and a history mark to all portuguese in one of the ancient activities, fishing. When was in Setúbal, i went to see her (and also the caravelle replica near by), and in this page are some photos of the visit and one or another were taking from Sagres, but that's a subjet for another article (all pictures by Miguel Ferreira).

At the port of Setúbal in a cloudy day. I think we had some rain, but the visit was normal and very interesting from the ludic and historic view, and i'm not talking only about the ship, because if you can see in the top righ there's a XVI century fort by Filipe II of Spain (first in Portugal), besides all the great vew.

A plate with details from the ship construction and service with portuguese navy. Most of is history was in North Sea fishing the coldfish (in portuguese "Bacalhau"). Other great ships like Sagres I and Cutty Sark were sold to German and Ingland, but this one was put in fine conditions by the portuguese navy (who made 700 years this year).

Light´s and an old anchor, a perfect wedding between the old out of service and new with a job to make. As we can see the brige is in great condition, preserved and there's no sign of the times in the ship. The Portuguese flag is at the bottom, and is a proud for any sailor or cadet who travell or learn is this living legend.

A general view from bottom to top. Two semi-rigid on the starbord and the name of the brige in the sail protection, with a satellite plate at the top between the first and second mast. Always important for who spend lots of time at the sea is to have intertainement and contact with the native country and people, with tv or internet.

Mast at mid ship. Comunication system and the chimney used only when the auxiliar motor is running. An ancient ship but it all modern security and navegation items, important to give to man and women from the crew all the conditions to make navigation save and easy to sailors and officers, traveling miles and miles in the deep sea.

The wheel of the rudeer in wood with a great shape and was we can see a fine piece of art. The interior is protected by the coverture with cane and timber rectalgular pieces, screw with iron or steel resistant material. Also theres a little door that gives acess to wheel mechanism without remove the massive coverture.

More at detail the exelent piece of art that is the wheel of "Crioula". Besides being a sail "brigue barca" there´s an auxiliar engine for use in special situations, like manouvers or when there´s no wind. Being a ship with sails, the principal function is to give to cadets the experiênce of a aincient travel with old practices. 

The mechanism that gives the information to engine room. At the bottom the treated wood that present some weather conditions sign of the times. Ropes and pulleyes always present in a ship with almost one century of construction. Not so recognized like Sagres II, Crioula is also a symbol of the portuguese navy and country in foreign ports.

Creoula from Sagres. Most of the times the two ships are together when they vist in Setúbal, with 1  other unit from portuguese navy and private operators (we cant see in the right corner of photo one patrol boat giving to the public a first experiênce with the navy in sea or river). Being an important cargo and fishing Port always have some celebration relationated with the sea.  

http://www.marinha.pt/pt-pt/servicos/ntm-creoula/Paginas/NTM-Creoula.aspx

Military Parades: Portugal - Part Two

Portuguese Marines, Comandos, Paratroopers and special forces (like UPF from Portuguese air Force or Rangers from the Army) are known by their efficiency in battle and peace missions but also by the piece of art that they do in military parades. Of course the main gear and vehicles are important,  speacially in a situation were the forces are seen by the public, but also the songs and motto are impressive for the population who see them march. Let's take a breve look:

700 years of Portuguese Navy

Army day, Elvas

Commandos

Marines

Paratroopers

Marine Day

BRR, Rangers, Commandos and Paratroopers

Military Academy 

Naval School

Military School

Marines on March

Portuguese Paratroops (second BIAT)

Special Troops (songs on parade)

Air Force 56º birthday

Air Force, Navy and Army on parade

https://www.youtube.com/

Military Parades: Portugal

Portugal, one of the most old nations in the world with more than 874 years of history (if we begin with Zamora document between Portugal and Castela, today Spain), have a rich military history with VII centuries in the Navy and a much older Army (was created in the XII century). We had so many wars, most of them with Spain, but also in Asia, Africa and South America.  In the last century, we fight in WWI and Africa Colonies, after that we went to Kosovo, Afghanistan and back to Africa again. And of course there's the domestic missions like SAR and Patrol our Economic Naval Area (or EEZ - Economic Exclusiv Zone). 
But he have a problem with history. Much of the material end in scrapp, or abroad, with one significant part in the top of a air base, waiting recovery. Even in film and video there's not much things recorded, but in military paredes, this is what i have find in youtube:

Dia de Portugal 2017

Dia de Portugal 2016

Dia de Portugal 2015

Dia de Portugal 2013

Dia de Portugal 2012

Dia de Portugal 2010

Desfile Militar 2009

Dia do Exército 2008

O 10 de Junho, 2007, Setúbal

Desfile Militar, Porto 1994

Dia 10 de Junho, 1971 

O 10 de Junho de 1970

Dia 10 de Junho de 1967 

Em Macau, anos 60

No Porto, 1949

www.youtube.com/