BZhRK Barguzin Russian Rail Missile Had Precedent with Peacekeeper Rail System, 1986

Peacekeeper Rail Garrison Car Cutaway, 1986

Over at Popular Mechanics, Kyle Mizokami reports that Russia is developing a rail-mounted system of mobile ICBMs that will constantly rove the country, making “the country’s nuclear arsenal more mobile and thus more difficult to locate in wartime.” Fantastic idea.  But it’s hardly a new idea. The Peacekeeper Rail Garrison Car Program was developed by… Continue reading BZhRK Barguzin Russian Rail Missile Had Precedent with Peacekeeper Rail System, 1986

Atomic Pile Cutaway Drawing, 1950

Atomic Pile Cutaway 1950

A gorgeous noir-like cutaway of an atomic pile by Alexander Leydenfrost.  But why does the drawing look so vague and devoid of details? Partially, that was the Leydenfrost style.  His Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel cutaway drawing shows that he emphasized moody shadows and light over the cool and the technical. But mainly, at the time of this… Continue reading Atomic Pile Cutaway Drawing, 1950

Jim Creek Naval Radio Station Illustration 1950

Jim Creek Naval Transmitting Station 1950

Artist unknown, as this was a tossed-off illustration in the middle of a Popular Science, but what interested me: This is one helluva massive radio station. It’s still around. It’s called the Jim Creek Naval Radio Station, and the Center for Land Use Interpretation tells us: One of the world’s most powerful transmitters, this million… Continue reading Jim Creek Naval Radio Station Illustration 1950

Dry-Land Submarine Trainer, 1950

Dry Land Submarine Trainer 1950

Its proper name was the Mark VII Attack Teacher and it was housed in a 3 story building in New London, CT. In an age before computers could process graphics, vehicle and nautical simulations had to be done with models. Trainees sat in a submarine mockup on the second floor, with a periscope jutting up… Continue reading Dry-Land Submarine Trainer, 1950

Inflatable Vietnam War-Era Quonset Hut Cutaway, 1967

Inflatable Vietnam War-Era Quonset Hut Cutaway, 1967

This Quonset hut-style hospital was kept inflated by compressed air from a utility unit.  Standing 20 x 52 feet, this portable hospital’s utility unit provided the positive air flow, power, heat, hot and cold water, and most welcome in the Southeast Asia jungles–air conditioning. Note:  poor alignment of pages cuts off part of structure. Click… Continue reading Inflatable Vietnam War-Era Quonset Hut Cutaway, 1967