Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Genre/Period Discussion => Topic started by: Techno on 22 August 2018, 01:30:39 PM

Title: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 22 August 2018, 01:30:39 PM
Couple of questions chaps.

(This is just in case the awfully nice chap that's asked me to make him a few figures, is away for a few days and doesn't get a chance to respond to my query to him.)

What is a "pike vertical jack" ?....A particular way of holding the pike ?

Also......what is the difference between an arquebus and a musket ?......Just the size of shot they'd have used ?

Cheers - Mr Thicky.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: FierceKitty on 22 August 2018, 02:01:11 PM
Muskets were considerably longer at the beginning of the unhappy history of modern firearms.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 22 August 2018, 02:11:44 PM
Hi Techno.

Is is "pike vertical, jack"?

The pike vertical being a pike held vertical and the jack being a leather or padded jacket?

Are we talking Tudor period?

The aquebus may need to be a matchlock rather than a flintlock?
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Leman on 22 August 2018, 02:16:14 PM
The arquebus developed out of the handgun. It was a relatively handy weapon but could only take a certain amount of powder and thus had a very limited range. the Spanish began to develop the arquebus into the musket sometime in the 1520s. In order to increase range and/or penetration the weapon needed to be considerably longer and heavier. It was much more unwieldy than an arquebus and needed a rest to steady it. Consequently both weapons were in use for a considerable time. Mounted troops and skirmishers continued to use the arquebus. Initially so did the four corners of the tercios, but massed units of musketeers were also used separately to provide devastating firepower. In the C17th, with improvements in design and technology the musket totally usurped the arquebus, eventually becoming light enough not to need a rest. In some respects it could be argued that the carbine replaced the duties of the arquebus among the cavalry.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Nick the Lemming on 22 August 2018, 02:16:33 PM
Vertical pike jack = pike being held straight up rather than at an angle, while the bloke carrying it is wearing a jack (leather or padded cloth usually).

Bit like the bloke on the left, but with a pike.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0157/3412/products/f59a_medium.jpg?v=1346859725

Muskets are lighter and longer than arquebus, and don't need a rest.

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-the-Arquebus-and-the-Heavy-Musket
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 22 August 2018, 02:18:45 PM
There's no comma, Nobby.

Not sure about a padded jacket..... :-\
Nick....You got that in just before I pressed "post" in answer to Nobby's post.

Thanks both - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Leman on 22 August 2018, 02:20:08 PM
The pike vertical jack may well be something used by garage mechanics.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Nick the Lemming on 22 August 2018, 02:30:15 PM
Quote from: Leman on 22 August 2018, 02:20:08 PM
The pike vertical jack may well be something used by garage mechanics.

Or maybe a particular type of dive? Perhaps the client wants some aqua sports figures?

No Nobby, not that sort of water sports.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Leman on 22 August 2018, 02:32:29 PM
 :o oooer missus!
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: d_Guy on 22 August 2018, 02:55:38 PM
Arrived late as always.
The determining question is fsn's, are these to be c. 17th or c. 16th figures? This would determine what the pikemen might be wearing and how easy it would be to differentiate an arquibus from a musket.

In the mean time envision this: opponents hide in trees, enemy pikemen pass through the trees, opponents reach down from above and "jack the pikemen's pikes". (I am aware a more ribald interpretation is possible but not my intent).
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 22 August 2018, 02:59:49 PM
Quote from: Leman on 22 August 2018, 02:20:08 PM
The pike vertical jack may well be something used by garage mechanics.

Andy.....I got that when I tried a 'Google', earlier !!

Thanks for the other replies, too, chaps......You must have hit 'post', just before I did.

Bill, they're Elizabethan.

Cheers - Phil


Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: SV52 on 22 August 2018, 03:27:04 PM
A jack is a cheap form of armoured protection mainly used by the common soldier.  They were of several sorts but mainly consisted of layers of cloth with metal plates sewn into them.  On the figures they are easily seen due to their quilted appearance or strong verticals.  Both types appear or PenD figures.  So the guy in question is wearing a jack and holding his pike vertically.

I'm informed that: The matchlock musket originally called a heavy arquebus appeared around 1521. The common or garden arquebus in use before then became inadequate to contend with heavier armour coming into use because of firearms.  So the musket was longer, heavier and of larger calibre, probably why rests were popular. Original arquebuses were not fired from the shoulder, rather from the hip, belly or chest, hence the weird shapes the stocks assumed.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 22 August 2018, 10:00:26 PM



http://www.tauntongarrison.org/page4.html (http://www.tauntongarrison.org/page4.html)


https://www.antiquestradegazette.com/news/2016/very-rare-elizabethan-jack-of-plate-armour-bought-by-the-va-at-thomas-del-mar-auction/ (https://www.antiquestradegazette.com/news/2016/very-rare-elizabethan-jack-of-plate-armour-bought-by-the-va-at-thomas-del-mar-auction/)

https://collections.royalarmouries.org/object/rac-object-16361.html (https://collections.royalarmouries.org/object/rac-object-16361.html)

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: GrumpyOldMan on 22 August 2018, 11:54:47 PM
Hi Techno

My guess is standing - vertical pike, wearing a jack. There is a Basic Pike Drill doc file (at www.luckhardt.com/Basic_Pike_Drill.doc (http://www.luckhardt.com/Basic_Pike_Drill.doc)) that you could share with the punter and he could point to the required position.

Cheers

GrumpyOldMan
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 23 August 2018, 07:02:47 AM
Thanks for all the help, again, gang  !

Does look like everyone's in agreement....especially with Vic's last post, and Nobby's piccies.

Couple of other things that have made me wonder on other figures I've been asked to make.

The arquebus was a fairly heavy 'firearm' which would have been used with a 'monopod' to help with aiming....That's right, isn't it ?

Assuming I am right on that one, would a really strong chap have been able to fire this weapon from horseback ?

Cheers - Phil


Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 23 August 2018, 07:52:13 AM
Quote from: Techno on 23 August 2018, 07:02:47 AM
The arquebus was a fairly heavy 'firearm' which would have been used with a 'monopod' to help with aiming....That's right, isn't it ?
Yes ... and no. Terminology gets a bit confused. I'm away from my books at the mo' but IIRC, arquebus was a fairly generic term; musket was orginally a heavy arquebus, but there were lighter versions - calivers and fusils and the like. To me (and it's not my period) an arquebus should have a monopod - or rest as I think they were known.

Quote from: Techno on 23 August 2018, 07:02:47 AM
Assuming I am right on that one, would a really strong chap have been able to fire this weapon from horseback ?
He'd have to be a bloomin' optimist. Again not my period, but I don't think firing from the saddle would be very effective. I would have thought that anyone with a full length arquebus would be more in the way of mounted infantry.

And this is why I eschew 1500-1700. It's all confused and confusing.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 23 August 2018, 10:06:14 AM
Hmmm....thanks, Matey.

Would cavalry ever dismount so they could use their 'guns'.

That sounds a little bit waffy, as it seems to defeat 'the objective'.

Cheers - Puzzled of Wales
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 23 August 2018, 10:48:11 AM
Dont tell Phil anything, he'll only forget it.

And no cavalry didn't regularly dismount to use fire arms till the mid/late 19th Century. Note that 17th Century Dragoons aren't cavalry, but mounted infantry.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 23 August 2018, 11:37:05 AM
That's just about (being a complete historical Muppet) that I'd have imagined, Ian.

I suppose I could surmise that a 'mounted arquebus'  could be ARMED with said ' big shooty bang stick' (Carrying said 'stick' on his back)....But he'd never tried to 'fire from his horse'.........So, he could 'jump down'.....and then fire.......WHY ?......What a waste of a horse.....and he might 'take out' a whole one infantryman......If he was lucky.....Before he , and his horse, got hacked to bits.

That, to me, seems a tad daft.

Maybe the 'generals' a few hundred years ago didn't bother about the 'grunts'......

What am I saying ? (I'm not THAT stupid.)

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 23 August 2018, 12:40:03 PM
Dismount in cover, work in pairs, one loads one fires, stay out the way of shock cav, prey they ignore you, shoot, remount, scoot.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: FierceKitty on 23 August 2018, 12:42:11 PM
Not entirely silly; you might want to grab a village, ford, or pass, and getting mounted troops there fast could be handy. But cavalry aren't much use on the defensive,,,,
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 23 August 2018, 01:10:36 PM
What FK said.

Strategically it may be advantageous to mount men on horseback. The origial dragoons were just mounted infantry; not expected to get involved in a fight on horsebck, and mounted on inferior nags.

They scored on being able to cover 25 miles a day as opposed to the 10 days of a man on foot. They also arrived fresher than their footslogger bretheren, the horse doing most of the work.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Orcs on 23 August 2018, 01:37:51 PM
The shorter Arquebus would have been fired without a rest. It was also used by Light Horse, which would imply that it was light enough  to be fired mounted.  The later longer heavier one needed a rest and developed into Muskets. 

I think I know what range your doing  ;)

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Westmarcher on 23 August 2018, 01:42:38 PM
Link to images of a mounted arquebusier, his equipment and firing from his horse*:-

https://www.google.com/search?q=wallhavsen+art+militaire+a+cheval+images+1616&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwifyvzqloPdAhWpKMAKHfHJBi0QsAR6BAgAEAE&biw=1420&bih=720#imgrc=cKrJTPbCngPQJM: (https://www.google.com/search?q=wallhavsen+art+militaire+a+cheval+images+1616&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwifyvzqloPdAhWpKMAKHfHJBi0QsAR6BAgAEAE&biw=1420&bih=720#imgrc=cKrJTPbCngPQJM:)

* also in Chapter 3 of George Gush's "Renaissance Armies"** (his source is Wallhavsen, Art Militaire à Cheval, 1616)
** this book also has a section about the arquebus (aka harquebus, hagbush, hagbut, etc.) in Chapter 2. The musket is described as a heavier and longer type of arquebus.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 23 August 2018, 02:05:37 PM
Phil, think of a dragoon as a very early version of the thinking that leads to infantry in half-tracks or IFVs.

They are a better infantryman than cavalry are and better cavalry than the infantry are but not as good as either in their own specialisation.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Westmarcher on 23 August 2018, 02:24:26 PM
Phil, in case you don't have Renaissance Armies, some links to more George Gush articles which partially cover the English, Irish and Spanish armies of the Elizabethan era:-

https://myarmoury.com/feature_armies_eng.html (https://myarmoury.com/feature_armies_eng.html)
https://myarmoury.com/feature_armies_irish.html (https://myarmoury.com/feature_armies_irish.html)
https://myarmoury.com/feature_armies_spanish.html (https://myarmoury.com/feature_armies_spanish.html)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: d_Guy on 23 August 2018, 02:41:13 PM
You seem well supplied with info now, Phil. As you are doing 16th c., one oddity I have not seen (I don't get out much) is there was, for a time, mounted pikemen to accompany the mounted arquibusiers. A quick strike force as fsn suggests. I can not recall any actual deployments of the mounted pikes, but a novelty certainly.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 23 August 2018, 02:53:04 PM
This is getting more and more complicated !  ;D ;D ;D ;D (Not really...I'm getting the hang of this now))

It's beginning to sound as though I could get away with almost 'anything'......

But I truly am finding this incredibly interesting.

Quote from: Orcs on 23 August 2018, 01:37:51 PM
I think I know what range your doing  ;)

ELIZABETHAN ! (For someone at Pendraken who is not 'Sir' or Milady.).....Can you guess, now ?

Cheers - A Muppet

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 23 August 2018, 03:02:36 PM
Quote from: Techno on 23 August 2018, 02:53:04 PM
Cheers - A Muppet

Hi Miss Piggy !  :D
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: OldenBUA on 23 August 2018, 03:17:05 PM
Cavalry in the 16th and 17th century did rely on shooting from horseback.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harquebusier
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 23 August 2018, 03:22:42 PM
Blimey !

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Leman on 23 August 2018, 03:48:14 PM
Some duff info being bandied around by persons who then claim not to know the period. Phil, if you are researching for sculpting purposes I do know the period, I game the period, and I have it in FOUR scales:

1. The arquebus is a handy weapon and does not require a rest.

2. The musket, 1520 - 1640ish was a heavy weapon and did require a rest becoming lighter in the 1640s, hence ECW figures both with and without a rest.

3. The arquebus could be fired from horseback, hence the term mounted arquebusier.

4. During the Italian  Wars there was an ultra-light artillery piece which looked like a giant musket. It had a wooden three-legged rest, allowing the firer to stand, not like the later machine guns, and required a crew of two.

5. If you want to see the current most accurate figures for the earlier Italian Wars I suggest a look at those produced in 28mm by The Assault Group. Below are some Italian arquebusiers. The arquebus looks pretty handy and no sign or need of rests:

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: SV52 on 23 August 2018, 04:21:09 PM
What about petronels then?  :d
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 23 August 2018, 05:33:31 PM
I'm going to be going with 'Wot Andy sed.'

Thanks, Andy ! :)

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Leman on 24 August 2018, 09:12:08 AM
Quote from: SV52 on 23 August 2018, 04:21:09 PM
What about petronels then?  :d
I don't go birdwatching.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: SV52 on 24 August 2018, 09:40:19 AM
Quote from: Leman on 24 August 2018, 09:12:08 AM
I don't go birdwatching.

I think you're mixing them up with Mother Carey's Chickens.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: mollinary on 24 August 2018, 10:26:55 AM
Quote from: Leman on 23 August 2018, 03:48:14 PM
Some duff info being bandied around by persons who then claim not to know the period. Phil, if you are researching for sculpting purposes I do know the period, I game the period, and I have it in FOUR scales:

1. The arquebus is a handy weapon and does not require a rest.

2. The musket, 1520 - 1640ish was a heavy weapon and did require a rest becoming lighter in the 1640s, hence ECW figures both with and without a rest.

3. The arquebus could be fired from horseback, hence the term mounted arquebusier.

4. During the Italian  Wars there was an ultra-light artillery piece which looked like a giant musket. It had a wooden three-legged rest, allowing the firer to stand, not like the later machine guns, and required a crew of two.

5. If you want to see the current most accurate figures for the earlier Italian Wars I suggest a look at those produced in 28mm by The Assault Group. Below are some Italian arquebusiers. The arquebus looks pretty handy and no sign or need of rests:


. Now those are what I call potatoes!! Wow! 
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 24 August 2018, 10:28:50 AM
You OIK !!  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Orcs on 24 August 2018, 11:08:40 AM

They are not Arquebus's They are 16th Century  SPUD Guns  :)

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 24 August 2018, 11:10:51 AM
Quote from: Orcs on 24 August 2018, 11:08:40 AM
They are not Arquebus's They are 16th Century  SPUD Guns  :)

Soooooo....You want to be an OIK too, then, Mark.

Well deserved !  ;)

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Leman on 24 August 2018, 06:48:43 PM
 ;D ;D ;D, Spudsa you like-a. Those nifty Italians - way before Pizza Hut!
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 20 September 2018, 01:19:18 PM
I've got another question....(Inspired by the talking book I'm listening to at the mo')

Why do we class a century as 100.....When a Roman Centurion was in charge of 80 'grunts' ?

When did 80 become 100 ?

I need to be told.

Cheers - Puzzled of Wales.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 20 September 2018, 01:34:56 PM
The Servian Reforms, attributed to the sixth king of Rome (Servius Tullius) in the mid 500's BC, but probably an accretion of bits and pieces of legislation, custom and practice in the 600s to 400s divided the military into centuries of, nominally, 100 men according to their wealth.

I doubt centuries were ever exactly 100, except by chance!

The Marian Reforms of 107BC (named for Gaius Marius) introduced centuries of a more realistic 80 men, again "more honoured in the breach than the observance."

That help any?
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 20 September 2018, 01:43:30 PM
That's great, Mike !!

Ta for that.  :-bd

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Leman on 20 September 2018, 02:22:41 PM
So when you turn 80 next week you will be able to call yourself a centenarian.  :d Keep on truckin' Phil.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: FierceKitty on 20 September 2018, 03:53:43 PM
And the Grey Musketeers were a cavalry regiment; the SYW Austrian musketeers were called fusiliers, while few grenadiers still used grenades; I understand the 10th hussars are a tank unit now, and of course Poland's famous hussars were heavier than some knights have been; Napoleon had "foot cuirassiers" (not wearing armour); the US has "cavalry" in helicopters; dragoons, hastati and principes, renaissance French "archers"; Hellenistic peltasts may have been part of the phalanx; many so-called destroyers are bigger than cruisers these days....

You're looking for a logical and coherent narrative in military matters?  ;D
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 20 September 2018, 06:04:34 PM
My favourite is: A Major is a higher rank than a lieutenant (pronounced left-tenant), but a major-general is lower than a lieutenant-general.

My understanding is that in the days of clip-clop-bang-ffttt (about the C17 to those who aren't with modern period naming conventions) a major general was a sergeant-major-general, and so came below the lieutenant-general. At some point they must have thought that the sergreant-major-general sounded a bit silly (probably when Gilbert and Sullivan couldn't make it scan) and so the sergeant bit was dropped.

Am I correct? Do I win my prize?

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 21 September 2018, 08:02:16 AM
Yes for once you got it right Nobby.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Leman on 21 September 2018, 12:30:54 PM
That has also answered something that has been puzzling me for a while.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: FierceKitty on 21 September 2018, 02:09:53 PM
Quote from: fsn on 20 September 2018, 06:04:34 PM
My favourite is: A Major is a higher rank than a lieutenant (pronounced left-tenant), but a major-general is lower than a lieutenant-general.



It's a lootenant, ya Limey faggot!
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 22 September 2018, 08:05:40 AM
Danmed foreiners, ITS OUR BLOODY LANGUAGE
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: FierceKitty on 22 September 2018, 02:30:47 PM
The Yanks are speaking something closer to the original than you lot are these days.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Leman on 22 September 2018, 02:34:51 PM
Who cares what they speak - it's most definitely American and not English.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: d_Guy on 22 September 2018, 06:15:53 PM
I'm still curious how anyone gets "F" out of "ieu". Of course you lot do get Fanshaw out of Featherstonhaugh so all things are possible.
As Kitty suggests, in the rural mountains of my birth we are said to still speak something akin to Elizabethan English. In fact if you read aloud Shakespeare in my former dialect it come out rather well.  :)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Leman on 22 September 2018, 10:34:38 PM
Dead simple mate - the English hate pronouncing French correctly. You don't go to war with a country for centuries and then suddenly forget about it.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 23 September 2018, 09:39:50 AM
It's so passé
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Leman on 23 September 2018, 07:26:19 PM
Murcky buckets for that Lem.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 24 September 2018, 04:30:20 PM
Today's question.

I know what an epaulette is...(I think)...But is there another name for the 'big epaulette' that's more of 'cap' on the shoulder and the very upper arm of a soldier.
From ones I've seen they're usually slightly ornate.

Hope that makes sense.

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: sunjester on 24 September 2018, 04:52:48 PM
My understanding is that they are all epaulettes, whether plain or very ornate with bullion braiding.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Leman on 24 September 2018, 05:20:20 PM
Omlettes are very nice as well, despite being French. I bet Ian even likes an omelette now and then.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 24 September 2018, 06:44:35 PM
 X_X

Good grief !!  ;D ;D

Thanks SJ !!

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: d_Guy on 25 September 2018, 05:18:43 AM
I like omelettes and we have a love/hate relationship with the French. I assume in England omelette is pronounced Ludbanger or some such?
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 25 September 2018, 07:39:29 AM
Since I'm sulking about not being offered a stiff one by the Last Hussar, I shall instead muster my dignity and place this little item for clarification.

I seem to recall that (in the UK) naval officers were not considered Gentlemen, because they had to learn their trade, and for the same reasons Engineers were viewed ascance.

Is this true, or did I just pick it up from a novel somewhere?  
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 25 September 2018, 07:43:45 AM
Forum barfight later, Nobby.

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Leman on 25 September 2018, 11:03:30 AM
Quote from: d_Guy on 25 September 2018, 05:18:43 AM
I like omelettes and we have a love/hate relationship with the French. I assume in England omelette is pronounced Ludbanger or some such?
Omlut
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 25 September 2018, 11:24:38 AM
Quote from: fsn on 25 September 2018, 07:39:29 AM
I seem to recall that (in the UK) naval officers were not considered Gentlemen, because they had to learn their trade, and for the same reasons Engineers were viewed ascance.

Is this true, or did I just pick it up from a novel somewhere?  


Given the number of titled naval officers the first seems very unlikely. Royal Navy, Senior Service don'cha know and all that.

Engineers and Artillerymen do seem to have been looked down upon. Possibly down to a need for them to actually know what they were doing!
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: barbarian on 25 September 2018, 11:45:57 AM
Quote from: Leman on 25 September 2018, 11:03:30 AM
Omlut

Worst offence by Americans is saying " Omelette du fromage " which is not french.
Should be Omelette au fromage.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: d_Guy on 25 September 2018, 01:08:56 PM
Quote from: Leman on 25 September 2018, 11:03:30 AM
Omlut
Ah - so like the German diacritical mark - very interesting.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: d_Guy on 25 September 2018, 01:12:45 PM
Quote from: barbarian on 25 September 2018, 11:45:57 AM
Worst offence by Americans is saying " Omelette du fromage " which is not french.
Should be Omelette au fromage.

True - rather laboriously.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 25 September 2018, 01:18:07 PM
Quote from: d_Guy on 25 September 2018, 01:08:56 PM
Ah - so like the German diacritical mark - very interesting.
I sometimes get diacritical marks if I've been eating omlettes.

Not sure if they're German though.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Nick the Lemming on 25 September 2018, 01:37:48 PM
Quote from: barbarian on 25 September 2018, 11:45:57 AM
Worst offence by Americans is saying " Omelette du fromage " which is not french.
Should be Omelette au fromage.


I don't think I've ever heard an American say either - usually it's just omelette, or at most cheese omelette. Then again, I haven't been to many fancy restaurants in the US. And their habit of writing "Bleu Cheese" (but pronounce it "blue") is very strange.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 25 September 2018, 05:10:12 PM
This forum just amazes me.......In the BEST way possible. ;D

How we get from A to B to 'Z' (so quickly) in so many threads is just hilarious........

You guys are just awesome......Stay that way. :)

Cheers - Phil

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: OldenBUA on 25 September 2018, 05:43:45 PM
Omelette du frontage!

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: d_Guy on 25 September 2018, 05:48:40 PM
Thanks Olden - was on the road and couldn't get to YouTube.  :-bd
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: d_Guy on 25 September 2018, 05:50:07 PM
Quote from: fsn on 25 September 2018, 01:18:07 PM
I sometimes get diacritical marks if I've been eating omlettes.

Not sure if they're German though.

The Spanish tilde maybe?  :-\
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: d_Guy on 25 September 2018, 05:51:37 PM
Quote from: Nick the Lemming on 25 September 2018, 01:37:48 PM
I don't think I've ever heard an American say either - usually it's just omelette, or at most cheese omelette. Then again, I haven't been to many fancy restaurants in the US. And their habit of writing "Bleu Cheese" (but pronounce it "blue") is very strange.

It's short for Sacre Bleu.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: d_Guy on 25 September 2018, 05:56:56 PM
Quote from: Techno on 25 September 2018, 05:10:12 PM
This forum just amazes me.......In the BEST way possible. ;D

How we get from A to B to 'Z' (so quickly) in so many threads is just hilarious........

You guys are just awesome......Stay that way. :)

Cheers - Phil



You say Zed - we say Zee

Will endeavor to persevere to reach fsn's level of awesomeness
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 25 September 2018, 06:24:32 PM
No.....I'm sorry......

It's Led ZEPpelin.

I think I've made my point.  ;D ;D ;D ;D..... ;)

Cheers - Phil (Who's in a daft mood again......I hurt from being up a ladder, this afto'0
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 25 September 2018, 07:02:12 PM
I'm just off to listen to some Zed-Zed Top ;)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: d_Guy on 25 September 2018, 07:14:12 PM
Would Techno be a sharp dressed man?
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: mollinary on 25 September 2018, 07:14:53 PM
Quote from: Ithoriel on 25 September 2018, 07:02:12 PM
I'm just off to listen to some Zed-Zed Top ;)

Sounds EeZED - PeeZED!
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 26 September 2018, 07:31:33 AM
Quote from: d_Guy on 25 September 2018, 07:14:12 PM
Would Techno be a sharp dressed man?

Definitely NOT, Bill. ;D ;D

Versace and Armani have both offered me a retainer NOT to ever be seen (or wear) their creations.

Whatever I put on, I look like a sack of poop, tied up in the middle. :D

Cheers - A Scruff who doesn't even have to try. ;)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 26 September 2018, 08:34:54 AM
Quote from: Techno on 26 September 2018, 07:31:33 AM
Cheers - A Scruff who doesn't even have to try. ;)

But  is very trying !!!!
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 26 September 2018, 12:10:47 PM
Thank you, Ian !  ;D ;D ;D

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: FierceKitty on 26 September 2018, 12:19:24 PM
Quote from: d_Guy on 25 September 2018, 05:56:56 PM
You say Zed - we say Zee.

The different names for the last letter of the alphabet are curious. Usually, where American differs from English, the reason is that an old 17th century usage lingered on in the USA since it was once such a backwater; but "zed" was the original, so in this case the American form seems to be the neologism. Unless it's a Celtic variation that survived out west...?
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Leman on 26 September 2018, 02:46:06 PM
No z in the Welsh alphabet, so unlikely to be Brythonic Celtic, unless the Bretons use a z, eg Welsh for zoo is sw with a circumflex over the w.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 26 September 2018, 03:22:16 PM
No 'V' either, is there, Andy ?.....

Though there's a place a few miles from us called Velindre Varchog...(or something like that...I'm too lazy to look it up)....which appears to be the spelling in Welsh.
Perhaps the council was too lazy to put an 'F' instead of the 'V'.......which is how I believe it's pronounced.

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: d_Guy on 26 September 2018, 04:41:18 PM
Quote from: Techno on 26 September 2018, 07:31:33 AM
Whatever I put on, I look like a sack of poop, tied up in the middle. :D
You have a way with words, Sir!  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: d_Guy on 26 September 2018, 04:56:32 PM
Quote from: FierceKitty on 26 September 2018, 12:19:24 PM
The different names for the last letter of the alphabet are curious. Usually, where American differs from English, the reason is that an old 17th century usage lingered on in the USA since it was once such a backwater; but "zed" was the original, so in this case the American form seems to be the neologism. Unless it's a Celtic variation that survived out west...?
My part of the USA is still a backwater.
I found this possible explanation:
https://theuijunkie.com/z-zee-zed-americans-british/

"The Lost City of Z" was confusing to us.

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: d_Guy on 26 September 2018, 05:00:10 PM
Quote from: Leman on 26 September 2018, 02:46:06 PM
No z in the Welsh alphabet, so unlikely to be Brythonic Celtic, unless the Bretons use a z, eg Welsh for zoo is sw with a circumflex over the w.
In our brief visits to Wales, we learned that "LL" is pronounced rather like clearing one's throat of phlegm. As one with post nasal drip, I was a natural!  :D
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 26 September 2018, 05:17:23 PM
Ahhh! You missed the delights of "rh" and "ch" as well.

As someone who was forced to learn Welsh for many, many years, I remember the delights of a classroom of fellow oiks chanting "rh", "ch", "ll".

What finished me with Welsh was the horrible, horrible mutations. Apparently I scared the other children, but this was just as well as I couldn't cope with the apparently arbitrary changing of letters in the Welsh language. For example "llan" = "lake". "Mair" = "Mary" so you would think that "LLanmair" would be "Mary's Lake". No, no, no. Because it's a Wednesday or something equally Brythnotic, the "m" must be changed to a "f" (which isn't half a "ff" as you would think) and become "LLanfair".

Then after two years the Welsh teach retires and we get a new one who tells us we've been learning South Welsh which isn't proper in North Wales.

Techno, pass me the orange tablets. I'm having one of my turns. 

And there's more words for "no" in Welsh than Scotsmen have for "rain".
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 26 September 2018, 07:28:21 PM
Quote from: fsn on 26 September 2018, 05:17:23 PM
Then after two years the Welsh teach retires and we get a new one who tells us we've been learning South Welsh which isn't proper in North Wales.

Techno, pass me the orange tablets. I'm having one of my turns. 

I haven't got any orange pills, Nobby.....The nearest I've got is a sort of pinkish 'hue'.
This pill has replaced the blue ones.

As for the North/South Wales....When we first moved here, I was chatting  to one chap who would definitely agree with you.
He was from South Wales....His wife was from North Wales.
They were both 'native' Welsh speakers, but had to speak to each other in English, as neither of them could understand the others Welsh.

Go figure.  ;D ;D

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 26 September 2018, 09:07:46 PM
Quote from: Techno on 26 September 2018, 07:28:21 PM
I haven't got any orange pills, Nobby.....The nearest I've got is a sort of pinkish 'hue'.
S'O.K.  I found  mine.

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Leman on 27 September 2018, 02:34:12 PM
I think you'll find llan means parish and that llyn means lake. The mutation of Welsh letters is a result of the way the language flows. When a written grammar of Welsh was finally developed (centuries after it was first spoken) the mutations were included in the grammar. A similar approach in English has been very hit and miss, with the result, for example, that most people don't say I could have, but instead say I could of, which is technically incorrect,  but they then write it as that. It should be written could've but most English people can't be bothered to master the apostrophe. Consequently most twitter feeds look like only the completely ignorant use them. Doubtless someone will return with the now well worn comment about English is a living language and constantly changing and developing. Well, sorry, but to the educated such a person just comes across as a lazy moron who can't be bothered to learn the correct way to do something.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Westmarcher on 27 September 2018, 03:44:20 PM
Quote from: Leman on 27 September 2018, 02:34:12 PM
Doubtless someone will return with the now well worn comment about English is a living language and constantly changing and developing. Well, sorry, but to the educated such a person just comes across as a lazy moron who can't be bothered to learn the correct way to do something.

Hear, hear! (.... and, of course, you'll get the odd one who spells it, "here, here."  #-o )

I'm no great grammar or spelling expert but one of the mis-pronunciations that irks me in my neck of the woods (Scotland) is in respect of the word, "definitely." This is nothing to do with the old Scots tongue. Often I hear "definetely" - sometimes "definately" - and once, recently, "definately."  ~X(

It's spelled with two "i"s, two "e"s (not three) and no "a."  So, my fellow Scots, please pronounce this, "definitely."  OK?
 
Another word is "sang-witch" (sandwich).

I also found it disappointing that one of the "could of" brigade includes a well known author and wargamer based in Edinburgh ... I mean, the guy is supposed to be well-educated ...

... mutter, mutter .....:-<

[rant over  :-[ ]
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 27 September 2018, 03:55:03 PM
Quote from: d_Guy on 26 September 2018, 05:00:10 PM
In our brief visits to Wales, we learned that "LL" is pronounced rather like clearing one's throat of phlegm. As one with post nasal drip, I was a natural!  :D

Hi, Bill....If I ever have to order something from a firm I haven't dealt with before....I have to spell my home address phonetically.......Either that, or I let them guess from my postcode, which one's my home addy.

Cheers - Phil....(Yep...Part of my home address is a throat clearing sound.) ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 27 September 2018, 05:00:24 PM
Of course there are those of us who think the pedants are simply failing to recognise the ever-evolving, mutable nature of language.

Language is about belonging and "in groups" as well as communication. It would be a shame if it's diversity and change were strait-jacketed by arbitrary rules about "correct" usage.

Providing the target reader/ listener understands the writer/ speaker then it's "right" so far as I'm concerned.

But each to their own. A'ight? ;)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Leman on 27 September 2018, 05:53:28 PM
I suppose you could therefore assert that not bothering to use an indicator, switching from one side of the road to another, going the opposite way round a roundabout is ok because the driver is developing his/her own way of doing things regardless of the rules. This developing language thing has always surprised me when uttered by someone who follows a hobby governed by rules. Language was standardised for a reason - so we understand exactly what someone is trying to say or write. The whole point of the book 'Eats shoots and leaves.' Also the really ridiculous Banana's 75p. Lucky old Canaan Banana having 75p to spend!
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 27 September 2018, 06:07:02 PM
I doubt a missing Oxford Comma has caused many fatalities.

To be fair, the driving style you describe does seem to be prevalent in many parts of the world!

If it matters to you feel free to use the "correct" version, if it doesn't don't let others shame you for not following their rules.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: mollinary on 27 September 2018, 06:47:44 PM
Quote from: Leman on 27 September 2018, 05:53:28 PM
I suppose you could therefore assert that not bothering to use an indicator, switching from one side of the road to another, going the opposite way round a roundabout is ok because the driver is developing his/her own way of doing things regardless of the rules. This developing language thing has always surprised me when uttered by someone who follows a hobby governed by rules. Language was standardised for a reason - so we understand exactly what someone is trying to say or write. The whole point of the book 'Eats shoots and leaves.' Also the really ridiculous Banana's 75p. Lucky old Canaan Banana having 75p to spend!

'An indicator'?   Hmm.... Is that the thing that is automatically disabled when entering supermarket car parks, and is programmed to random direction flashing when on roundabourts?  I have often wondered what it is for!
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: d_Guy on 27 September 2018, 08:36:59 PM
Picks up forum thread again. A multiple choice test. What to chose? In no particular order:

It's a sam'itch.

I have some orange pills if you need them, fsn. I don't remember what they do but that may not be a concern?

I live in a town whose pronounced name does not hint at the correct spelling.

The best Welch occasion was spending time in a pub near the Black Mountains when, after being recognized as ignorant hillbillies, the locals took delight in teaching us how to pronounce the unpronounceable. The beer and spittle flowed freely.

We had an existential philosopher/president once who parsed the meaning of "is"

Grew up with fingers being savaged with a ruler for the "its/it's" mistake. Went to grad school with Oxford commas ingrained, but soon learned to minimize when points were deducted for the unnecessary ones.

I play horseshoes with spelling and grammar.

Roundabout = clockwise, rotary = counterclockwise (directional notation that has lost meaning).

We call them "blinkers", our constabulary calls them "turn indicators". Their use is often cavalier and their meaning ambiguous.

My wife's car has side looking radar that alerts me to shopping carts and fast moving pigeons .

Everyone I encounter at the infrequent con says "Pendragon" when naming our beloved hosts.

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 27 September 2018, 10:15:26 PM
The car in front of you is a BMW.

The rear left turn indicator light is flashing.

What does that tell you?

...

...

...

At least one turn indicator bulb is working! :)

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Westmarcher on 27 September 2018, 11:07:34 PM
All of this progressive thinking and not being "straight-jacketed by arbitrary rules" from you is heartening, Mike.

So, "Wendy houses" ......  :P  ;D
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 27 September 2018, 11:39:02 PM
Quote from: Westmarcher on 27 September 2018, 11:07:34 PM
All of this progressive thinking and not being "straight-jacketed by arbitrary rules" from you is heartening, Mike.

So, "Wendy houses" ......  :P  ;D

I've always said that people were free to use Wendy Houses in their games if they wished but that I felt free to find that perplexing and amusing.

"Mankind will reach maturity on the day it learns to value diversity—of life and ideas. To be different is not necessarily to be ugly; to have a different idea is not necessarily to be wrong. The worst thing that could happen is for all of us to look and think and act alike." — Gene Roddenberry
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Norm on 28 September 2018, 05:48:26 AM
I was watching a program some years ago about the migration of mankind using the out of Africa theory. They were looking at the progress of one route, that into Polynesia, a large area with islands spread apart that use different language. They used a formula that language evolves at the rate of 1% every 19 years to work out the rate of expansion.

So language evolving seems a natural occurrence, but I guess it happened to slowly and so locally in the past that it was never really noticed. In todays age of small world and instant media and every body having access to that media without having to go through an editor, the rate of change is so much more noticeable.

The nature of the internet means that often people are not using a native tongue when participating and the internet is a leveller, so that anyone, regardless of education / knowledge etc can participate and against that background, I'm not sure I like the idea of people being pulled up for phrasing things in a away that are not necessarily correct, yet remains understandable - especially when the person doing the pulling up clearly understands the message, it is all a bit condescending in my view - though I fully appreciate that the same actually accelerates the issue about deterioration and confusion in language.

Frankly, a lot of years have passed since I was at school learning the 'rules' of English and much of those rules have been forgotten. Do I care, well yes, it would nice to be fully articulate, do I care enough to do something about it - well no, not really, those around me seem pretty forgiving. My hand writing is now appalling (spell-checker has just told me there is no 'u' in appalling :-) ) because I only use a keyboard. I have a couple of friends who are ex- English teachers, so sometimes I run things through them first, before hitting the keyboard and attracting harsh stares!.

 
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: paulr on 28 September 2018, 05:59:32 AM
An interesting post Norm :)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 28 September 2018, 06:48:03 AM
Round here its 'somefink' and 'enyfink' both with hard k
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: sunjester on 28 September 2018, 07:15:30 AM
But surely (Don't call me Shirley!) it would be easier for all the English-as-a-2nd/3rd-language users on the internet, if there were rules that everybody adhered to rather than a hodge-podge that changes on a daily basis?

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 28 September 2018, 09:39:17 AM
Whoever told you life was easy? :)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Westmarcher on 28 September 2018, 10:03:30 AM
Yeah, at times, "life thucks."  [Cockney or man with lithp?]

"Free mumfs"  [three months or a dose of mumps for nothing?]

"Don't never do that!"  [so, have I to do 'that,' never to do 'that' or always do 'that?']

"Fork handles ......" 

;) :D



Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 28 September 2018, 11:46:58 AM
Sex.

(What rich people have their coal delivered in.)

Right.... another quick question.. What's the right pronunciation of the Roman javeliny thing called a pilum ?

I'd always assumed that it was pill-um.....But now I'm not so sure that it shouldn't be pye-lum.

Having done a bit of 'googling'....the concensus appears to show the latter.....That right ?

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Westmarcher on 28 September 2018, 12:36:11 PM
Quote from: Techno on 28 September 2018, 11:46:58 AM
Sex.

(What rich people have their coal delivered in.)

Right.... another quick question.. What's the right pronunciation of the Roman javeliny thing called a pilum ?

I'd always assumed that it was pill-um.....But now I'm not so sure that it shouldn't be pye-lum.

Having done a bit of 'googling'....the concensus appears to show the latter.....That right ?

Cheers - Phil

;D ;D ; ;D Took me a while to figure out the 'sex' one!    :-[

As for how the Romans pronounced Latin, there is a school of thought that Roman Catholic Church Latin is probably the closest, based on the fact that Latin has been spoken in the Church ever since the Church was founded away back in Roman times. So, after consulting Google translate, it appears it is "pee-loom.' Click to the link below, enter the word 'pilum' then click on the loudspeaker icon to hear how it is pronounced in 'modern' Latin (if there is such a thing?).  :-B

https://translate.google.com/?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&client=tw-ob#la/en/pilum (https://translate.google.com/?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&client=tw-ob#la/en/pilum)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 28 September 2018, 02:00:17 PM
I was going to say PiLAA, as der wuz always lots o dem  ;)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Leman on 28 September 2018, 03:14:40 PM
One excuse after another. Maybe some of you really are thick. Goodbye.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: FierceKitty on 28 September 2018, 03:20:08 PM
It's certainly clear that the terminal -um in Latin must have been much softer than our final sound in red rum or Where's Mum? It may have been close to a modern Italian -o termination.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: sunjester on 28 September 2018, 04:02:44 PM
All the Roman reenactors I knew always called them pee-la or pee-lurm. And some of them were really OCD on their research!
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Orcs on 11 November 2018, 02:33:53 PM
Quote from: Techno on 27 September 2018, 03:55:03 PM
Hi, Bill....If I ever have to order something from a firm I haven't dealt with before....I have to spell my home address phonetically.......Either that, or I let them guess from my postcode, which one's my home addy.

Cheers - Phil....(Yep...Part of my home address is a throat clearing sound.) ;D ;D ;D



Amazon Found you OK  ;D
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Orcs on 11 November 2018, 02:45:49 PM
Quote from: Norm on 28 September 2018, 05:48:26 AM
I'm not sure I like the idea of people being pulled up for phrasing things in a away that are not necessarily correct, yet remains understandable - especially when the person doing the pulling up clearly understands the message, it is all a bit condescending in my view 

I totally agree Norm.  If you understand what the person posting is saying, there is no need to correct them. it is very condescending and in my opinion downright rude, particularly if you do not know if English is their first language, or that they do not have difficulties using the computer. 

By way of an illustration .  You have played a wargame with an opponent. Its been a fun and friendly game with both of you playing fairly and honestly. You then notice his figure painting skills  are below the standard of yours. Would you then start telling him what's wrong with his painting and point out he has use the wrong shade of blue etc etc.  I think not.

If you do not understand the post then by all means ask politely for them to explain further. If you do understand it  accept your written English is better than theirs and move on.

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 14 December 2018, 08:03:56 AM
Next daft question, Gang.

Throughout the periods, where the sword was the 'main' or secondary weapon of choice....Would a right handed chap always have worn the scabbard on the left hip.
My thought is, that it would be far easier/quicker to reach across your body.

I'm only asking, as I tend to think of all the wee men I make are right handed..But I find that I often want to put the scabbard on the right hip.

If a soldier was carrying a long spear, or similar, in his right hand at the start of a battle.....and he had a large shield being carried on the left arm, would that ever have meant that it would be 'better' to have the scabbard on his right hip, so he didn't have to reach behind the shield ?

Cheers - Phil





Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 14 December 2018, 08:07:37 AM
Put your fire out Phil, cause der Womans carried theirs on the right for at least 300 years.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Westmarcher on 14 December 2018, 09:46:57 AM
Quote from: Techno on 14 December 2018, 08:03:56 AM
Throughout the periods, where the sword was the 'main' or secondary weapon of choice....Would a right handed chap always have worn the scabbard on the left hip.
My thought is, that it would be far easier/quicker to reach across your body.

If a soldier was carrying a long spear, or similar, in his right hand at the start of a battle.....and he had a large shield being carried on the left arm, would that ever have meant that it would be 'better' to have the scabbard on his right hip, so he didn't have to reach behind the shield ?

Depends on the length of the sword, perhaps? I would say it would be easier for a right handed person to have the scabbard on the left but apparently the Roman gladius was worn on the right (see video at 1.14, below)

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 14 December 2018, 12:53:26 PM
Thanks chaps !!

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 14 December 2018, 01:16:20 PM
Romans sword was carried on the right. Reason being it was drawn in the left and held there until the pila were used up.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 14 December 2018, 01:57:00 PM
I believe the wearing of the gladius on the right was to avoid fouling of the draw with the scutum and/or to avoid jostling neighbours in close formations.

As shields grew smaller, swords grew longer and formations more open Roman foot soldiers took to carrying their swords on the left. It is often asserted that this was formally approved for all ranks by Septimus Severus somewhere either side of 200AD but I've seen no actual evidence for that.

I doubt legionaries drew with their left hand, at least as standard practice.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 14 December 2018, 04:12:04 PM
Interesting.

Thanks again, chaps.

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: FierceKitty on 14 December 2018, 08:54:01 PM
Just off the top of my balding head, perhaps if you were jammed up against a foeman, your shield might be pressed against your body and render a sword on the left impossible to reach, let alone draw?
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Last Hussar on 14 December 2018, 09:18:20 PM
If that is the case you have a very effective weapon in the shield. If you are waiting that late until you draw your sword you're an idiot. And even then you wouldn't be able to use it- it becomes very one dimensional, and the enemy is already inside your point.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: O Dinas Powys on 15 December 2018, 09:48:05 PM
Quote from: Westmarcher on 14 December 2018, 09:46:57 AM
Depends on the length of the sword, perhaps? I would say it would be easier for a right handed person to have the scabbard on the left but apparently the Roman gladius was worn on the right (see video at 1.14, below)



I'm sure it's probably, but it looks a very cack-handed and awkward-looking way of doing it!  :-\

I have seen re-enactors grip the sword, twist it so that the blade is orientated up then draw it using a sharp, downwards motion.  Since he gladius is quite short and worn high on the hip there is plenty of clearance for the blade and it comes out in the blink of an eye.  Unfortunately I can't find any video or pictorial evidence for this technique  :-[ ;)

Cheers!

Meirion
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 16 December 2018, 08:31:36 AM
OK.

I can picture that technique, Meirion, Ta  :)....and I've just looked up the length of a gladius (24-27 inches...60-68cm.)

How long was the sword that 'Joe average' would have been able to wield, throughout history ?.....Up to about 3 feet ?

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Westmarcher on 16 December 2018, 10:33:37 AM
Still on the gladius (sorry, Phil, can't give you a definitive answer on later sword lengths), another video which includes a demonstration of drawing the gladius (although I think he cheats slightly) together with evidence of wearing the sword on either hip (officers often wore theirs on the left). I didn't watch the whole video (got what I wanted within the first 4 minutes) so I don't know what the conclusion was regarding wearing swords on the back.

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 16 December 2018, 12:17:53 PM
The spatha, which superseded the gladius as the legionaries main weapon, was roughly 0.75m to 1m (approx 29" - 39") long. Of that 150mm - 200mm (approx 6" - 8") would be the hilt.

The spatha was the model for European swords through to the 10th/11th centuries.

Blade lengths for Japanese katana, as another example, are similar.

However, "how long is a sword blade?" is up there with "how long is a piece of string?" :)

Largest sword I've actually seen is a ceremonial blade housed in the museum in Chambers Street in Edinburgh.

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 16 December 2018, 02:55:17 PM
 :o :o :o :o

How the 'hell' would anyone ever been able to use that !
Get inside 'the swing' and a penknife would have been of more use, to kill the 'wielder'.

I don't know how tall matey is, standing by the cabinet...But that sword could be anything up to 10 to 12 feet. (Is it ?)

Mike....Go and take measurements.  ;).....I need to know. :)

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Westmarcher on 16 December 2018, 03:44:04 PM
So, are you saying, size isn't everything?  :-\

.... I knew it! ....
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 16 December 2018, 06:05:54 PM
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 16 December 2018, 07:01:42 PM
Quote from: Techno on 16 December 2018, 02:55:17 PM
:o :o :o :o

How the 'hell' would anyone ever been able to use that !
Get inside 'the swing' and a penknife would have been of more use, to kill the 'wielder'.

I don't know how tall matey is, standing by the cabinet...But that sword could be anything up to 10 to 12 feet. (Is it ?)

Mike....Go and take measurements.  ;).....I need to know. :)

Cheers - Phil

Standing next to it in the museum and estimating how far it extended above my height I reckon eight-and-a-half to nine feet.

As said, it was ceremonial, carried in procession before the kings of Scotland by their champion IIRC.

"Freud's mystic world of meaning needn't have us mystified
It's really very simple what the psyche tries to hide:
A thing is a phallic symbol if it's longer than it's wide
As the id goes marching on
Glory glory psychotherapy, glory glory sexuality
Glory glory now we can be free as the id goes marching on" - Melanie Safka Psychotherapy  ;)


Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: O Dinas Powys on 16 December 2018, 07:07:27 PM
Quote from: Westmarcher on 16 December 2018, 10:33:37 AM
Still on the gladius (sorry, Phil, can't give you a definitive answer on later sword lengths), another video which includes a demonstration of drawing the gladius (although I think he cheats slightly) together with evidence of wearing the sword on either hip (officers often wore theirs on the left). I didn't watch the whole video (got what I wanted within the first 4 minutes) so I don't know what the conclusion was regarding wearing swords on the back.



That way of doing it looks like a recipe for slicing through the armpit if not done carefully!  X_X

The trouble with the two methods in the videos is that they don't look elegant, efficient, or something that could be done either on parade or in close order with shields locked since they both need space for the elbow and forearm to be clear of the shield and the sword to be drawn with a forward motion.

The method I saw was like pulling a parachute ripcord: it was synchronised by the whole squad, practically instantaneous and could be done behind locked shields  :-\
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 24 December 2018, 04:44:02 PM
Right, then.

Mr Total Computer illiterate asks.

When you initially switch on your PC.....after it's been shut down. (Or more often, out here, after a mains 'flick'.)

What is the very first screen that comes up, called ?

The one where you click on 'anything'......(I just press enter)............. and it sends you to the next screen, that asks you for your password.......Then you go to the desktop.

I've managed to change that first screen's background once...(By accident) Which I was intending to do. (No idea how, though) X_X
I've since changed it by accident, when I was testing piccies on the desktop...and it's gone to the wrong Roger Dean piece of artwork.

So what's that damn first screen called ?

Cheers - A Muppet.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Westmarcher on 24 December 2018, 09:40:09 PM
Desktop?
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 25 December 2018, 07:53:43 AM
No the desk top is the bit you go to after you log in. That you can change the picture for. Far as I know Windows picks the log-on screen piccy
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Orcs on 25 December 2018, 08:03:09 AM
Its the Boot Up screen.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 25 December 2018, 08:12:42 AM
Thanks, Mark !!

Now to search "Change boot up screen !!"

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 28 December 2018, 10:25:22 AM
Apparently......The term I was looking for was "Lock Screen".

Found that...and it worked when I went to change the background......Huzzah !!

I expect 'they' change the definitions every so often just to confuse Muppets, like yours truly. X_X

Cheers - Phil

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 02 April 2019, 04:06:13 PM
New question, Gang.

With the 'Ancient Persians' range, wot I are doing at the moment..........

Did the cavalry of that era use stirrups ?

From what I can glean from t'net......It looks very unlikely.
The Chinese 'invented' stirrups in the first few centuries AD..(apparently)..and their use spread Westwards....So unless I'm going completely ga-ga, that means no cavalry around the time of Xerxes would have used said item.

Correct ? :-\

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 02 April 2019, 04:36:26 PM
Very unlikely to use stirrups as we think of them. They may have tucked their feet into a girth strap or have had toe loop iirc.

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 02 April 2019, 05:21:07 PM
Ancient western saddles (Not saddles from old Westerns) were designed to grip the thighs front and back, holding the ride5 on, but with less security than stirrups, allegedly...
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 02 April 2019, 05:42:45 PM
Bloomin' Chinese claim to have invented everything.

We all know the stirrup was invented in Splot well before the Chinese even thought of it.

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 02 April 2019, 06:27:41 PM
Thanks chaps. :)

Cheers - Phil

(Oooooo....I'm so close to my next star/promotion....As a treat I might show you the chaos that IS my work desk....Something I said that you'd never get the chance to see.....We can have a game of...."Where's Phil's wax 5 gone now ?") X_X
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 02 April 2019, 06:45:38 PM
Quote from: Techno on 02 April 2019, 06:27:41 PM
We can have a game of...."Where's Phil's wax 5 gone now ?") X_X
:-&

That doesn't bear thinking about ... I'm afraid I shall be washing my hare that day.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Fenton on 02 April 2019, 07:22:09 PM
Quote from: Techno on 02 April 2019, 06:27:41 PM
Thanks chaps. :)

Cheers - Phil

..We can have a game of...."Where's Phil's wax 5 gone now ?") X_X

Does Wales have a problem of criminal gangs of Otolaryngologists roaming the countryside?
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 02 April 2019, 08:13:56 PM
I'be had a look at some of my sources, and no stirrups for Persians in the C5 BC.

Later on they talk about armoured saddles that curve over the thighs, but no stirrups.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Orcs on 02 April 2019, 10:49:55 PM
Quote from: fsn on 02 April 2019, 08:13:56 PM
I'be had a look at some of my sources, and no stirrups for Persians in the C5 BC.

Later on they talk about armoured saddles that curve over the thighs, but no stirrups.

I thought all your knowledge od stirrups came from the dungeon of Miss Whiplash! ;)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 03 April 2019, 09:19:33 AM
We've got one old stirrup which is bent out of shape, from when one of the old horses did a 'Heigh-ho Silver' and crashed down on his side. :o

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 18 April 2019, 04:34:17 PM
Right then.

What's the correct name of the 'bow' that was used by soldiers in the 18th and 19th C (I think) to form the hair over the nape of the neck into a little 'pony tail' ?

Hope that makes sense.

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: mmcv on 18 April 2019, 04:37:47 PM
I think the hairstyle you're talking about was called a "queue" but not sure there was an official name for the ribbon or leather cord they used to tie it.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 18 April 2019, 04:54:45 PM
i think the ribbons are called ... ribbons.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 18 April 2019, 05:31:01 PM
Queue seems to be the right term for the hairstyle.  :)

Thanks both !!

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 19 April 2019, 08:13:15 AM
Held in place with tar, and whitend with lime if I recall correctly. tar was supposed to keep the lice and fleas down !
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 19 April 2019, 08:32:02 AM
... and protection on the back of the uniform to keep the jacket clean.

As worn by the Royal Welch Fusiliers.

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 19 April 2019, 10:52:09 AM
Do any other regiments use that as a 'nod' to their past ?

About twenty years ago, I an remember asking a young lad in uniform what that 'bit' represented...and he said about keeping the jacket clean from tar.

Thanks again.

Cheers - Phil


Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 19 April 2019, 11:24:00 AM
No, I think the RWF were the only ones.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 19 April 2019, 12:12:43 PM
From memory they got the order late  - several years - either that or it took a long time to translate form a proper language into welsh. That's why they still wear the ribbons.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 19 April 2019, 12:17:05 PM
Yes. They were in Canada and missed the memo.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 19 April 2019, 02:07:33 PM
Quote from: ianrs54 on 19 April 2019, 12:12:43 PM
From memory they got the order late  - several years - either that or it took a long time to translate form a proper language into welsh. That's why they still wear the ribbons.

Proper language ?

The English couldn't even spell 'Welsh' correctly.....And **** knows what they do to their 'own' language nowadays.  :P ;)

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: jimduncanuk on 19 April 2019, 02:56:36 PM
In some armies eelskin was used to form the queue.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 19 April 2019, 08:37:13 PM
Form an orderly queue...
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: FierceKitty on 20 April 2019, 12:30:34 AM
Quote from: Techno on 19 April 2019, 02:07:33 PM
Proper language ?

The English couldn't even spell 'Welsh' correctly.....And **** knows what they do to their 'own' language nowadays.  :P ;)

Cheers - Phil

Well said, boyo.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ben Waterhouse on 20 April 2019, 08:46:10 AM
Quote from: Techno on 19 April 2019, 02:07:33 PM
Proper language ?

The English couldn't even spell 'Welsh' correctly.....And **** knows what they do to their 'own' language nowadays.  :P ;)

Cheers - Phil

Cymraeg!
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 20 April 2019, 09:03:34 AM
Quote from: Techno on 19 April 2019, 02:07:33 PM
Proper language ?

The English couldn't even spell 'Welsh' correctly.....And **** knows what they do to their 'own' language nowadays.  :P ;)

Cheers - Phil

Not the English, it be all those foreigners what think dey can talk it !!! 
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 21 April 2019, 08:58:15 AM
Should I shoot the fish in the barrel ? 

Cheers - Phil ;)



Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 21 April 2019, 09:07:58 AM
You'd probably miss Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: FierceKitty on 21 April 2019, 09:39:33 AM
Quote from: Techno on 21 April 2019, 08:58:15 AM
Should I shoot the fish in the barrel ?  

Cheers - Phil ;)


Do you always bark back at every brakkie when you take a stroll?

Brak, brakkie - Afrikaans word and diminutive for a mongrel. Used here for irritating alliteration.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Leman on 21 April 2019, 11:40:05 AM
What Ian is missing is the fact that when the English tribes began arriving they referred to the native population as foreigners, which has since developed into the word 'Welsh.' Yet it is the English themselves who are the foreigners, from Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands, who now cannot wait to separate themselves from their own homelands. Ignorance really is bliss.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 02 July 2019, 01:17:41 PM
Chums.

What site should I visit to identify a military aircraft ?

The reason.....

This fair morn, I'd been down to the village to post a package of all the Persians to Leon..On my return, home, I wandered back down the road to check on the 'outside' animals, in the fields, on the 'home' side of the road.

Was made very aware of a particularly low flying aircraft (definitely NOT a jet....it was WAY, WAY too slow...and far too quiet), as it crossed my field of vision from right to left......Blank me !!!!!! that's blanking low, thought I ! :o :o :o :o

As it continued on its flight path....I kept watching it...(wishing I'd got the camera)..And then genuinely flinched as it approached the ridge to my left..(300 yards/metres away uphill) ...I was absolutely convinced it was going to smack into the hill, and I was truly waiting for the 'BANG'......How it avoided it, I just do not know.

The pilot must have avoided the rocks on the ridge by 10 feet (3 metres) at the absolute most............Jeepers ! :o :o :o :o......There are horses up there (not ours) and if matey had had his window open, I reckon he could have patted them as he went past.

The shape of the plane....To my very ignorant eye, made me think of an AWAC....But there was no 'mushroom' on the plane.

The pilot was either a damn fine aviator...(most probable)...or was trying to see if he could make the rest of the crew 'poop' themselves.

Any ideas ?

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Raider4 on 02 July 2019, 01:56:08 PM
Quote from: Techno on 02 July 2019, 01:17:41 PM
Chums.

What site should I visit to identify a military aircraft ?

The reason.....

This fair morn, I'd been down to the village to post a package of all the Persians to Leon..On my return, home, I wandered back down the road to check on the 'outside' animals, in the fields, on the 'home' side of the road.

Was made very aware of a particularly low flying aircraft (definitely NOT a jet....it was WAY, WAY too slow...and far too quiet), as it crossed my field of vision from right to left......Blank me !!!!!! that's blanking low, thought I ! :o :o :o :o

As it continued on its flight path....I kept watching it...(wishing I'd got the camera)..And then genuinely flinched as it approached the ridge to my left..(300 yards/metres away uphill) ...I was absolutely convinced it was going to smack into the hill, and I was truly waiting for the 'BANG'......How it avoided it, I just do not know.

The pilot must have avoided the rocks on the ridge by 10 feet (3 metres) at the absolute most............Jeepers ! :o :o :o :o......There are horses up there (not ours) and if matey had had his window open, I reckon he could have patted them as he went past.

The shape of the plane....To my very ignorant eye, made me think of an AWAC....But there was no 'mushroom' on the plane.

The pilot was either a damn fine aviator...(most probable)...or was trying to see if he could make the rest of the crew 'poop' themselves.

Any ideas ?

Cheers - Phil


You're somewhere in West Wales, IIRC?

If it had RAF markings, could have been a Watchkeeper WK450 drone? They're flying them from Aberporth airport.

Otherwise a few more details? Markings, number of engines?
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 02 July 2019, 03:08:52 PM
Yes, Matey. (Martin ?)

Pembrokeshrie.

Aberporth ?......We're perhaps 15-20 miles from there....(as the Ravens fly)......I didn't even realise there was an airport that close. :o :o :o

It was soooo low....I really couldn't tell the number of engines, because it was genuinely almost 'side on' to me when I saw it.....Could have been two.....or four.
I think more likely to have been two, because of the lack of 'sound' ??....It went over our three 'cobs' in one of the fields, and they didn't turn a hair

I don't remember seeing ANY markings on it ...I was just so stunned that it was 'hill/ridge hopping'....It was just  a gray plane going from right to left. (Techno stood there, open mouthed)

I don't think it was any sort of drone.....Because I'm fairly certain I could see 'windows' at the front.....in the cockpit ?

Just had a look at images of the WK450.......And that's not too dissimilar to the shape.....But there were no hanging wheel struts underneath the 'wossname' that I saw.

Fascinating.

Cheers - Phil



Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 02 July 2019, 03:09:51 PM
Got a piccy ??
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: jimduncanuk on 02 July 2019, 03:38:33 PM
Probably a common or garden Hercules.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Westmarcher on 02 July 2019, 04:01:50 PM
So, no piccy (because you said you wish you had your camera - how about a quick sketch?  :P ) and not a drone because it had windows and two to four engines. The Mach Loop is a good bit north of you, Phil, but the Loop does see a lot of military traffic. Did it look like any of these (see 2.11, 2.57 and 5.50)

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Raider4 on 02 July 2019, 04:14:52 PM
Britten-Norman Defender/Islander (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britten-Norman_Defender)? (although they do also have fixed landing gear, now I look)

Things like the Hercules and C-17 are a) very, very large and b) extremely noisy. I'd have thought it unlikely to be one of them (and remain unidentified).
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: O Dinas Powys on 02 July 2019, 04:43:11 PM
Is the sea range still used off Aberporth?  What do they use to tow the targets? 
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 02 July 2019, 05:12:28 PM
OK...... :)

Davy (Westie)....The bigger one in the clip....Could  be. :-\....Tho' the fuselage I saw looked a fair bit more 'stretched' and 'thin'...and it was so slow and relatively quiet....and so I assumed it had props, because of the fact it didn't scare the 'poop' out of our sheep and the outside horses as it flew over so low.

I've seen F-16s, 17s, 1001s (whatever  ;)) do practice strafing runs at one of the farms 'across' the road......That was fun watching them 'bomb' Val and Eddies's farm as they looped up and down 'the valley'

The Hercules that Martin (?) has linked to is roughly the right shape, apart from the very front, around the cockpit, which looked more streamlined. (Is the Hercules the one in 'Westie's' clip ?)

DAMN !....I wished I'd had the camera, and taken a piccy. X_X

Quote from: O Dinas Powys on 02 July 2019, 04:43:11 PM
Is the sea range still used off Aberporth?  What do they use to tow the targets?

Meirion....I didn't know there was anything there ! ;)

Yours in frustration.....Phil.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 02 July 2019, 06:08:40 PM
Citizen, The Computer has identified what you saw as a weather balloon. The Computer is your friend! ... Do you doubt The Computer? Report for Termination, Citizen.




:) :) :) :)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Westmarcher on 02 July 2019, 10:13:30 PM
 ;D ;D ;D   Like it (especially the 'swamp gas' one)!

Quote from: Techno on 02 July 2019, 05:12:28 PM
The Hercules that Martin (?) has linked to is roughly the right shape, apart from the very front, around the cockpit, which looked more streamlined. (Is the Hercules the one in 'Westie's' clip ?)

Link to the Hercules:-

https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircraft/c-130j-hercules/ (https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircraft/c-130j-hercules/)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 02 July 2019, 11:30:32 PM
Slow and quiet sounds way more like a drone than a Hercules if it was as low as you say. A Herkybird is biiiiig and noisy and normally tooling about at around 28,000ft.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 03 July 2019, 07:04:24 AM
Not that I've ever seen a drone....except on the TV.....My perception is that it was too big for a drone, Mike.

From the Pics that Davy gave a link to......I think it must have been a Hercules, and I just didn't look carefully enough, to take everything in.....I was just so gobsmacked at how low it was.

Thanks Guys !  :)

(I saw a 'weather balloon' once, when waiting in a traffic queue, near Newark. This really bright ball of light streaking across the sky, at high altitude !.....What on earth ?.......Then the sun stopped reflecting off the object........And it turned into a plane !  ;D ;D ;D......Of course it could have bee a 'UFO' switching on stealth technology.  ;))

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: mmcv on 03 July 2019, 07:45:26 AM
Sometimes those really really big planes can look much closer than they actually are given the size and perspective.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Westmarcher on 03 July 2019, 09:17:19 AM
The RAF's got a spiffy 3d image of their new A400 on their website that you can 'fly' by clicking and dragging. The Herc is getting old and will eventually be replaced by this plane. [click on "View 3D mOdel]

https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircraft/atlas-a400m/ (https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircraft/atlas-a400m/)  8)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 03 July 2019, 10:09:27 AM
Quote from: Westmarcher on 03 July 2019, 09:17:19 AM
The RAF's got a spiffy 3d image of their new A400 on their website that you can 'fly' by clicking and dragging. The Herc is getting old and will eventually be replaced by this plane. [click on "View 3D mOdel]
https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircraft/atlas-a400m/ (https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircraft/atlas-a400m/)  8)

Now, that's more like how I remember the cockpit area, Davy......But it seems a tad too 'short', perspective wise.....I 'want to stretch it' nose to tail, so the fuselage appears slimmer.

Quote from: mmcv on 03 July 2019, 07:45:26 AM
Sometimes those really really big planes can look much closer than they actually are given the size and perspective.

This could very well be true, 'M'.......I mean.....If my eyes weren't deceiving me...(which they probably were).....I really can't see how it didn't smack into the ridge, above me.

I really must take the camera out with me more often !

Thanks again, chaps - Phil

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 03 July 2019, 10:11:13 AM
You not got a smart phone ?
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 03 July 2019, 11:10:53 AM
Here ? :o :o :o :o

No....Not remotely worth it to have a decent smart phone, Ian...(and you can extract the urine on this point, and I won't throw another wobbly.)

At Techno Towers we have direct line of sight to a 300 foot mast on the ridge opposite.....about half a mile distant, on the other side of 'the valley'.

As far as a TV signal is concerned......We're (apparently) too close. :o :o :o :o.......Eh ? What ?.......But the TV works fine.

You can't get a decent signal for a mobile phone, unless you drive half way to the local village......When you're 'up high', and pick up a signal from another mast.

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Westmarcher on 03 July 2019, 03:21:27 PM
Quote from: Techno on 03 July 2019, 10:09:27 AM
I really must take the camera out with me more often !

Yes. Please do. And if you get lucky, you might just catch the right bird (and if you do, please be sure to post some pictures) .... :D ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cg_xa8CEpA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cg_xa8CEpA)

[hint: 3.17]

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: lowlylowlycook on 03 July 2019, 03:50:09 PM
Is it possible to use WiFi to make calls on a cellphone in the UK?
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 03 July 2019, 04:24:37 PM
In some(most) places. Most of Wales and lagre bits of Scotlad have large granite lumps in them which are death to phone signals of any type.

IanS
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: jimduncanuk on 03 July 2019, 05:30:48 PM
Quote from: ianrs54 on 03 July 2019, 04:24:37 PM
In some(most) places. Most of Wales and lagre bits of Scotlad have large granite lumps in them which are death to phone signals of any type.

IanS

Yeah, isn't great when you go up north you get so much peace and quiet.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 03 July 2019, 05:39:11 PM
I don't think it's that, so much, Ian.....It's just that there are huge areas out here where there are so few folk around....That the 'providers' don't bother...Because they won't get the revenue.

Quote from: lowlylowlycook on 03 July 2019, 03:50:09 PM
Is it possible to use WiFi to make calls on a cellphone in the UK?

Probably...But not near Techno Towers. ;D ;D ;D ;D

Quote from: Westmarcher on 03 July 2019, 03:21:27 PM
Yes. Please do. And if you get lucky, you might just catch the right bird (and if you do, please be sure to post some pictures) .... :D ;)

Don't get anything like that on the ridge behind us, Davy.  ;)

Cheers - Phil

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 28 October 2019, 11:27:17 AM
Today's question, Gang.

Can you plug in two monitor screens to a PC ?

I want to put a second one right in front of my desk, if that's feasible.....Would save having to keep getting up and looking at reference material.....Then going back to the desk.

Cheers- Phil

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Last Hussar on 28 October 2019, 11:53:29 AM
Yes.

Do you want it to display the same as the first? If so a simple splitter will work. Otherwise you might need additional hardware.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 28 October 2019, 12:57:21 PM
The same, LH.....Thanks. :)

So, I need another screen and a 'splitter'.....(Cue Life of Brian quotes.)

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fred. on 28 October 2019, 04:31:37 PM
While this will work from a technical point of view, I suspect you might find it just as annoying to have to get up to go over to the PC to use the mouse and keyboard to change things.

I'd either move the whole PC over. Or look to get a tablet - there are some very cheap ones out there that might not cost you more than a second monitor will. Have a look at the Kindle Fire range - they would certainly be good enough for browsing reference materials.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 28 October 2019, 04:52:52 PM
It should be fine, Forbes.

I usually only refer to one piccy at a time...so I wouldn't need to keep getting up and changing things.

Thanks  :-bd - Phil :)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Orcs on 28 October 2019, 04:55:33 PM
If you also bought a wireless keyboard and mouse you could use them at your desk
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 29 October 2019, 07:20:58 AM
Hmmmm.....I've already got a wireless mouse.

Thanks, Mark.  :)

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: O Dinas Powys on 29 October 2019, 12:05:21 PM
Quote from: Techno on 28 October 2019, 12:57:21 PM
The same, LH.....Thanks. :)

So, I need another screen and a 'splitter'.....(Cue Life of Brian quotes.)

Cheers - Phil

Check the back of your PC first though, some come with two monitor ports so you might be lucky ;)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 29 October 2019, 08:03:59 PM
Thanks, Meirion. :)

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 14 November 2019, 07:16:14 AM
Answer me this, Chums.

I often watch old WWII series on the Yesterday channel.....and there's one thing that my eyes simply refuse to believe.

The size of the bore on 'big guns'.

One of the progs recently was showing old footage of 88mm guns/Anti aircraft guns in action.....Then we went to a museum where they showed a restored (?) example of said gun.
My eyes simply could not accept that 'the hole in the end' was 88mm in diameter.

It looked  60mm at the absolute most.

Is it just a trick of perspective ?..... seeing said gun on a TV screen, where you don't really get the idea of the overall size of the gun....Or do 'they' alter the end of the barrel so there would be no way of ever using the gun, in anger, again ?

This has been bugging me for some time...So feedback would be appreciated.

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: FierceKitty on 14 November 2019, 08:20:13 AM
AT squeeze gun?
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: steve_holmes_11 on 14 November 2019, 08:55:20 AM
Quote from: Techno on 14 November 2019, 07:16:14 AM
Answer me this, Chums.

I often watch old WWII series on the Yesterday channel.....and there's one thing that my eyes simply refuse to believe.

The size of the bore on 'big guns'.

One of the progs recently was showing old footage of 88mm guns/Anti aircraft guns in action.....Then we went to a museum where they showed a restored (?) example of said gun.
My eyes simply could not accept that 'the hole in the end' was 88mm in diameter.

It looked  60mm at the absolute most.

Is it just a trick of perspective ?..... seeing said gun on a TV screen, where you don't really get the idea of the overall size of the gun....Or do 'they' alter the end of the barrel so there would be no way of ever using the gun, in anger, again ?

This has been bugging me for some time...So feedback would be appreciated.

Cheers - Phil

It's an optical illusion caused by the bore being a smaller dark disk centred on a larger paler disk.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Westmarcher on 14 November 2019, 09:15:03 AM
I've noticed that, too, on a 30mm Rarden gun on a Scimitar light tank

.... and a Luger ..... mind you, that may have been a water pistol ....  :-\
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 14 November 2019, 11:36:35 AM
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 14 November 2019, 08:55:20 AM
It's an optical illusion caused by the bore being a smaller dark disk centred on a larger paler disk.

Many thanks, Steve.....That makes a lot of sense.  :-bd

Quote from: Westmarcher on 14 November 2019, 09:15:03 AM
I've noticed that, too, on a 30mm Rarden gun on a Scimitar light tank
.... and a Luger ..... mind you, that may have been a water pistol ....  :-\

Strange you should say that, Davy  ;).....I have definite problems in 'seeing' certain handguns firing 9mm diameter 'slugs'....The barrel doesn't look anywhere 'fat' enough, to cope with that.
Mind you....My Luger was a 'cap' gun from 50+years ago..so it was probably a good 80% copy of the 'real thing'.
The only real guns I've ever had contact with have been a .303 (?)  and the .22 air-rifle that I still use to exterminate vermin.

Oh....And a 12 bore shotgun that nearly broke my collarbone, with the recoil. ('Cos I wasn't holding it properly)
And of course the decommissioned Bren....Good grief, that was a heavy sod. (For one of my build, anyway. ;))

Cheers - Phil :)

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 14 November 2019, 12:15:47 PM
THe bren - it be only nineteen of your obsolescent pounds Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 14 November 2019, 03:20:07 PM
Well....That's more than I weigh, Ian. :D

No wonder I was struggling.

(I'm not happy.....I've just thrown 15  or so quid down the pan, on a DVD that I was genuinely SO, SO looking forward to getting, and watching.......What an absolute pile of poo. X_X.

I loved the book (Good Omens).....But the adaptation......Good grief !  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 12 December 2019, 05:13:57 PM
OK. >:( >:( >:(

This has absolutely nothing to do with gaming, or wee soldiers....

But I've been absolutely blanking fuming since this morning.

I was driving in the Techno-mobile towards Cardigan this morning.....Pitch dark.....Rain slamming into the windscreen....Cars' headlights coming towards me.
I am aware of two very 'odd lights' on my side of the road. (Never noticed streetlights there before  :-\....But the lights were 'up high'....But it looked very 'odd'.)

Slow RIGHT down....What on Earth ??

It was a some sort of Manitou (?).......No rear lights or reflectors.....No pretty yellow 'flasher' on the top of the cab.....

Please tell me that you're not allowed to drive ANY motor vehicle in the dark without the appropriate lights at the rear of a vehicle.

Cheers - Phil










Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 12 December 2019, 05:30:28 PM
So disappointed to find you hadn't stumbled upon one of these roaming the Welsh Hills

Pretty sure they NEVER have reflectors, tail lights or yellow flashers ... the odd eerie blue glow perhaps ...

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fred. on 12 December 2019, 07:47:20 PM
I too thought a Manitou was some kind of supernatural creature.

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Last Hussar on 12 December 2019, 07:47:29 PM
I loved the adaptation.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 13 December 2019, 07:29:45 AM
I wouldn't have minded driving into the back of a supernatural creature.....Rather than a 5 ton bit of agricultural machinery.
I expect the supernatural creature would weigh a lot less. ;)

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: O Dinas Powys on 13 December 2019, 08:02:54 AM
Quote from: Techno on 13 December 2019, 07:29:45 AM
I wouldn't have minded driving into the back of a supernatural creature.....Rather than a 5 ton bit of agricultural machinery.
I expect the supernatural creature would weigh a lot less. ;)

Cheers - Phil

Yeah, but a bit more tricky to explain on the insurance form  ;)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 13 December 2019, 08:36:58 AM
 ;D ;D ;D

OK......There's one thing that's really puzzling me, at the moment.

I often use the BBC's red button on the TV at lunchtime.....So I can mute the sound, and then go through the news headlines quickly.

There's an item that has been on the list......exactly the same story every single day...and it must have been there for well over a week now.
It's about some singer called Camila Cabello.....I mean why ?

Can understand it might have been of interest on day one, if they were short of news, and maybe a second day.....But why's it still there now ?

Very odd.

Cheers - Phil  :)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 13 December 2019, 09:24:16 AM
From memory and a long time ago - all vehicles on the road have to have reflectors, that's all normal size vehicles need, but goods vehicles, agricultural vehicles and PSV's need to be lighted, one red on the offside rear white forward. Skips must have a yellow beacon, or two, on the offside. You can check further in what ever the current Road TRaffic Act Con and Use rehs say. (interesting read - NOT).

IanS
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 13 December 2019, 01:05:53 PM
Thanks Ian. :)

I'll have a gander later on.....If what you say is true, I may need to find a couple of matchsticks to prop my eyes open. ;)

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 13 December 2019, 02:42:36 PM
Quote from: Techno on 13 December 2019, 08:36:58 AM
;D ;D ;D

OK......There's one thing that's really puzzling me, at the moment.

I often use the BBC's red button on the TV at lunchtime.....So I can mute the sound, and then go through the news headlines quickly.

There's an item that has been on the list......exactly the same story every single day...and it must have been there for well over a week now.
It's about some singer called Camila Cabello.....I mean why ?

Can understand it might have been of interest on day one, if they were short of news, and maybe a second day.....But why's it still there now ?

Very odd.

Cheers - Phil  :)

I'm guessing restrictions on what you can report in the run up to the election, coupled with her appearing alongside Kate and Wills at Kensington Palace for Auntie Beeb's very own Teen Heroes Awards, taking part in several charity events (e.g. $10K donation to a US immigrant's GoFundMe), having the best selling digital single of 2018 and having co-performed "Senorita" with boyfriend(?) Shawn Mendez  ... which is now going to be my earworm all day long - DOH!
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Raider4 on 13 December 2019, 02:54:29 PM
Quote from: Techno on 13 December 2019, 08:36:58 AM

There's an item that has been on the list......exactly the same story every single day...and it must have been there for well over a week now.
It's about some singer called Camila Cabello.....I mean why ?


'Cos staid old Auntie Beeb is really hip & groovy and down with the kids, maaan?
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 03 May 2020, 09:21:30 AM
Silly question, Gang.....

Anyone know why May Day Bank holiday is a week tomorrow (11th May) and not tomorrow (4th May).....Or are my calendars lying to me ?  :-\
Just seems a bit odd.

Cheers - Phil

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 03 May 2020, 09:36:46 AM
To spread them out a bit maybe, in the spring we have 1 Customary and 3 bank holidays  (customary hols are Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day except in Scotland) and if had been on the 4th we would have had 3 in 3 weeks.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: mmcv on 03 May 2020, 09:41:05 AM
It's actually on Friday 8th to coincide with 75th anniversary of VE day.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 03 May 2020, 10:33:58 AM
Quote from: mmcv on 03 May 2020, 09:41:05 AM
It's actually on Friday 8th to coincide with 75th anniversary of VE day.

OOOOH !!!! :o

Good info', that man  :-bd.....Just to check.....Is Friday 8th actually swapping with the May B/H, or is an extra ?

Thanks - Phil :)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: mmcv on 03 May 2020, 10:57:30 AM
Yeah it's a swap rather than an extra. There were meant to be a load of celebrations and events over the VE Day weekend so was to give more time for that, but obviously they've been put in hold now.

Caused a bit of chaos though for all the calendar and diary printers who had printed before the change was announced!
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 03 May 2020, 11:08:13 AM
Thanks, 'M' !  :-bd

(One of our calendars has got the wrong date anyway !) X_X

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 03 May 2020, 12:14:00 PM
That one didna occure
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Orcs on 03 May 2020, 01:23:52 PM
I am not happy they moved it done me out of six hours bank holiday overtime on tonight's shift    >:( >:(
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 03 May 2020, 03:12:10 PM
Quote from: Orcs on 03 May 2020, 01:23:52 PM
I am not happy they moved it done me out of six hours bank holiday overtime on tonight's shift    >:( >:(

You still get overtime, Mark ?.....I thought 'they'd' re-jigged things so overtime was a thing of the past.

Cheers - Phil.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: hammurabi70 on 03 May 2020, 03:25:53 PM
Quote from: ianrs54 on 03 May 2020, 09:36:46 AM
To spread them out a bit maybe, in the spring we have 1 Customary and 3 bank holidays  (customary hols are Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day except in Scotland) and if had been on the 4th we would have had 3 in 3 weeks.

You are overlooking Easter Monday.  They have decoupled Spring Bank Holiday from the original Whitsun.  It would make sense for them to rethink the whole annual schedule but that might be seen as a step too far.  What would one otherwise want to celebrate?

The move of the May Day Holiday is the same as 1995 for the 50th Anniversary.  A shock to the system to remember we are another 25 years on and those of us who are aging post retirement can feel the mortality!
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: jimduncanuk on 03 May 2020, 03:55:31 PM
I am of an age now where Bank Holidays and Statutory Holidays are a vague memory of the distant past.

Should I still acknowledge Miners Gala Day or just treat it as yet another day.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 03 May 2020, 04:10:08 PM
Quote from: jimduncanuk on 03 May 2020, 03:55:31 PM
Should I still acknowledge Miners Gala Day or just treat it as yet another day.

Would depend on the entertainment, mind you you'd probably be the only one there..
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Orcs on 03 May 2020, 07:50:37 PM
Quote from: Techno on 03 May 2020, 03:12:10 PM
You still get overtime, Mark ?.....I thought 'they'd' re-jigged things so overtime was a thing of the past.

Cheers - Phil.

Not as much as we used to, COVID 19 has helped I have had about 100 hours extra since lockdown started .   Its no longer Built in to shifts, but had it been a bank holiday tomorrow I would have started overtime at midnight and got 6.25 hours at 2.5 x rate.  So a significant amount.  :(. 

As Friday is already a day rest day for me I will get an extra days leave credited, but with nowhere to go likely this year.......
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Heedless Horseman on 05 June 2020, 05:29:51 AM
Where I worked, in the  early days, there was as much overtime as you wanted!  (My max was 99hrs in a month!). Later, you had t fight for it!  >:(
ENJOY IT WHEN YOU CAN GET IT!
Now, I am looking after Ma, and there are NO days off and no O/T. I'm not getting 'snippy'...BUT, Do, Please, 'Enjoy The Day'! I wieh I was back at work!!!   :( ;D
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 05 June 2020, 07:40:33 AM
Hugs
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 05 June 2020, 07:42:58 AM
+1.

You are claiming carers (?) allowance.......aren't you ?....That's if it's applicable.

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Orcs on 05 June 2020, 11:26:20 AM
Quote from: Heedless Horseman on 05 June 2020, 05:29:51 AM
Where I worked, in the  early days, there was as much overtime as you wanted!  (My max was 99hrs in a month!). Later, you had t fight for it!  >:(
ENJOY IT WHEN YOU CAN GET IT!
Now, I am looking after Ma, and there are NO days off and no O/T. I'm not getting 'snippy'...BUT, Do, Please, 'Enjoy The Day'! I wieh I was back at work!!!   :( ;D

We had situations like that a while back - Regularly doing 70-80 hours a month overtime.  Now you are lucky to get a single shift.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: paulr on 05 June 2020, 09:36:48 PM
 >:<
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Orcs on 05 June 2020, 10:53:39 PM
Quote from: Orcs on 05 June 2020, 11:26:20 AM
We had situations like that a while back - Regularly doing 70-80 hours a month overtime.  Now you are lucky to get a single shift.

This does of course increase painting and gaming time.  :-bd :-bd :-bd
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Heedless Horseman on 06 June 2020, 01:54:07 AM
Thanks, Guys!  :)
Yes, I am now getting Carers Allowance as Ma is now in receipt of Attendance Allowance (at Higher Rate)...thanks to a nice lass Social Worker.
Also, Incontinence Pads on prescription...All. Too. Necessary!  :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 06 June 2020, 06:25:44 AM
Despite their reps I generally find DWP and HMRC very helpful  ;)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 06 June 2020, 08:05:37 AM
Quote from: Heedless Horseman on 06 June 2020, 01:54:07 AM
Thanks, Guys!  :)
Yes, I am now getting Carers Allowance as Ma is now in receipt of Attendance Allowance (at Higher Rate)...thanks to a nice lass Social Worker.
Also, Incontinence Pads on prescription...All. Too. Necessary!  :'( :'( :'(

Hugs, again !...I think quite a few of us have been through similar 'trials'....It can be somewhat wearing.
We're just glad that now Von's Mum is in the 'home'...she seems to be coping very well.
Apparently our local Health Board have just decided to 'Covid test' everybody there....Not heard the results yet. We just imagine that no-one there will test positive, or show that they've had the dreaded 'bug'.....as there have been no reports of any illnesses there.
Good for the care home.....They locked down a couple of weeks (?) before they were 'told to'.


Quote from: ianrs54 on 06 June 2020, 06:25:44 AM
Despite their reps I generally find DWP and HMRC very helpful  ;)

They ARE helpful......Once you can get through....that's the worst part. X_X
Von's sorting out her upcoming State Pension at the mo'.
We think everything has been filled in and sent off.....So that, hopefully, will be it. Fingers crossed.

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Steve J on 06 June 2020, 08:06:29 AM
Like any organisation, it all depends who you get to talk too based upon my experience. I now get Carer's Allowance for looking after our son with Special Needs and whilst not much, it pays the food bill each week.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 06 June 2020, 08:37:26 AM
I found applying for a pension very simple. Dont forget to check for pension credits.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 06 June 2020, 10:50:54 AM
Quote from: Steve J on 06 June 2020, 08:06:29 AM
Like any organisation, it all depends who you get to talk too based upon my experience. I now get Carer's Allowance for looking after our son with Special Needs and whilst not much, it pays the food bill each week.

It all helps, Steve. :)

We now know that we could have been 'putting in a claim' for Von's Mum for two years before we did (genuinely). Talk about flushing 'crisp oncers' down the toilet. =) X_X
Hey - Ho ! ;)

Quote from: ianrs54 on 06 June 2020, 08:37:26 AM
I found applying for a pension very simple. Dont forget to check for pension credits.

We probably could claim 'those', Ian.....But, at the mo' it seems a lot simpler to kick anything like that into the long grass.....and just get Von's State Pension sorted first.
What we don't want, is the taxman coming back to us in a couple of years with...."Ooops, we've overpaid you....You owe us..."

Cheers - Phil


Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 06 June 2020, 06:14:44 PM
HMRC have come back to me twice about my state pension - in both cases to say,"Oops! We owe you a few quid."
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 06 June 2020, 06:17:21 PM
Well...That's good, Mike.  :-bd

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 06 June 2020, 06:31:15 PM
I wondered why the Mounties were getting involved.

Many years ago I became a CPP which allows me to run a transport company. The week was full of acronyms and equations and a three day Indian wedding in the room next door. Jaunty music and delicious smells and glimpses of colourful saris, but I digress.

On the final day we had an exam. When we went in the exam room, written on the board was "RTFQ". This had several of us searching through the training materials for an explanation. "Road Transport" was obvious ... "final questions" we hoped. When the tutor came in, he helpfully explained it was "Read The Flipping Question".

Despite that I can still confuse the Tax office and the Canadian Police.   
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Heedless Horseman on 07 June 2020, 04:44:11 AM
Quote from: Techno on 06 June 2020, 08:05:37 AM
They ARE helpful......Once you can get through....that's the worst part. X_X

Yep. The PEOPLE are not the 'jobs-worths' as often viewed...but ain't technology great? Have sat in a phone 'queue' for 50 mins until connected...then the HMRC  bloke/lady answered my questions perfectly in less than 1 minute!  :)

And, then, with other Gov't depts....when you get through, the nice girl says they will send a form...which never turns up...not her fault, 'bless', but...  >:(

All The Best to Anyone with probs!  ;)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 28 June 2020, 08:21:28 AM
Does anyone know if there's a name for 'shape dyslexia'. (Only way I can describe it.)

I often really struggle with trying to make sense of a 'two dimensional image' and get my brain to envision the piccy in three dimensions.
Extremely irritating at times.

Probably something to do with having had such appalling eyesight from since I was very young.

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 28 June 2020, 08:36:26 AM
Try to google it, whoops sorry I forgot you can't do that  ;) :-* :d =)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 28 June 2020, 09:18:17 AM
It may be a form of dyslexia.

When I left university, I took a class in Psychology. A girl there had severe dylexia. She explained to me that it was a difficulty putting things in order. "If you put three things on a table, I couldn't tell you which is the closest". 

She was in a wheelchair and a single mum.

One of the most positive and happy people I knew.

I gave her coaching of the statistics element of the course.

Happy days.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 28 June 2020, 09:21:02 AM
or ... if it is an eye problem it may be  stereo blindness?
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: O Dinas Powys on 28 June 2020, 09:49:49 AM
Quote from: Techno on 28 June 2020, 08:21:28 AM
Does anyone know if there's a name for 'shape dyslexia'. (Only way I can describe it.)

I often really struggle with trying to make sense of a 'two dimensional image' and get my brain to envision the piccy in three dimensions.
Extremely irritating at times.

Probably something to do with having had such appalling eyesight from since I was very young.

Cheers - Phil

Or you may just be normal, given the number of people who complain about Ikea instructions and the like?

How's your sense of direction?  ;)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fred. on 28 June 2020, 10:38:05 AM
My eldest daughter always struggled with Lego instructions - and I think this was to do with 2d instructions for a 3D shape.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 28 June 2020, 12:30:38 PM
Quote from: fsn on 28 June 2020, 09:21:02 AM
or ... if it is an eye problem it may be  stereo blindness?

I dunno, Nobby.... :-\ (I'll look that up.  :))

I would say that I'm probably way better than average at sussing out distances....up to 700-800 metres/yards
I really could probably beat most of you, if it was a case of "How far is that away ?".... and get the distance within 10-20 yards., at that range.

(That's as much to do with playing golf*, as anything else.)

Cheers - Phil

(* which I can't do anymore....Frigged disks, and the 'narnia'  :'( :'( :'( ;))
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Last Hussar on 28 June 2020, 04:04:13 PM
Dyspraxia?
Quotea brain-based motor disorder. It affects fine and gross motor skills, motor planning, and coordination.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fred. on 28 June 2020, 05:44:09 PM
Dyspraxia would seem unlikely for someone who sculpts tiny figures for a living.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Heedless Horseman on 29 June 2020, 04:16:47 AM
There are so many difficulties that many have to overcome or just live with. :(

Now, this is pure speculation with no factual basis or research...but...I wonder if, in some children, there may be a sudden moment in 'experience' when the brain just 'Locks' onto something..." Ah...THAT is how it SHOULD be!" And they may be stuck with that.. with learning/adjusting/re-training becoming a 'problem' that they do not want...and therefore, difficult? It certainly happens with animals such as Dogs and Horses...and, to an extent, with 'Adults'!  ;)

It is just a thought, but many child's picture books have 'Flat' illustrations. They are easier for a young mind to recognise...but, are also cheaper to illustrate...and more 'appropriate' to small children. Is it possible that simple, Flat images could become 'normal' at some point in development? With adjustment to 3D a difficulty?

This could be absolute crap! ;D However, back in the 60's ... (from what I REMEMBER!), a lot of books for small children had well illustrated pictures. Think:  Beatrix Potter, Enid Blyton and old Ladybird books, etc.! The 70's seemed to change to a 'simple' illustration style in many instances.  As an older small child, I was praised for MY drawings showing 'perspective'...which I attributed, (AT THE TIME!), to MY reading some of the 'better drawn' 'War' comics eg. 'The Victor!' LOL! (Sadly, I never progressed, lol.).

With the advent of modern  'computer' games, things could have changed again...with 'perspective and 3 dimensional movement'... though,  I rather hate to thing what V.R could do to a mind.  :o

I hope that this does not offend anyone, and, as I say, there is no 'fact' to it...but, just wondering?
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 29 June 2020, 07:17:07 AM
You may well have something there.

I'll give you a 'silly' example of how I might struggle.

Leon's decided that he wants me to make a new range which have alligator heads. (He hasn't...I'm just making this up.)

In my mind, I can picture the alligator, but if I try and make the model there and then, I'd go completely waffy......So I'd need to find a few pics on the net, that I can keep referring to.
Top view/ side view/ 3/4 view etc, etc.....

Even with these pics in front of me, I'll still struggle to comprehend how I need to proportion the head in 3D......And I know I shouldn't.
It might look spot on from the side...straight away....but I'll be lucky not to have to mess around a few times from this point on.

Can get very frustrating, at times.

Give me a decent model of said alligator as a reference...and I'll barely have any trouble at all in 'copying' it to what ever scale is needed.....Go figure !  ;)

Cheers - Phil :)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: FierceKitty on 29 June 2020, 07:35:20 AM
So get a real one, you silly man. America's full of them.

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 29 June 2020, 08:00:10 AM
No dont - Wales has enough dangerous animals with all the big cats wonderinmg around.

When are the alligators commimg out Phil, same time as the ducks ?   :P
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: O Dinas Powys on 29 June 2020, 08:11:17 AM
Quote from: Techno on 29 June 2020, 07:17:07 AM
You may well have something there.

I'll give you a 'silly' example of how I might struggle.

Leon's decided that he wants me to make a new range which have alligator heads. (He hasn't...I'm just making this up.)

In my mind, I can picture the alligator, but if I try and make the model there and then, I'd go completely waffy......So I'd need to find a few pics on the net, that I can keep referring to.
Top view/ side view/ 3/4 view etc, etc.....

Even with these pics in front of me, I'll still struggle to comprehend how I need to proportion the head in 3D......And I know I shouldn't.
It might look spot on from the side...straight away....but I'll be lucky not to have to mess around a few times from this point on.

Can get very frustrating, at times.

Give me a decent model of said alligator as a reference...and I'll barely have any trouble at all in 'copying' it to what ever scale is needed.....Go figure !  ;)

Cheers - Phil :)


Again, I think this may be normal: think of the need for anatomical models and actual cadavers for doctors and dentists: the best anatomical drawings in the world can't give you a feel for the full three dimensionality of a body and how it all fits together.

I'm sure, as someone who's very familiar with horses and dogs, you'd find them straightforward to sculpt because you know how they feel in 3D.  Alligators, less so  ;)

You must remember, as a photographer, how sometimes you get a perfectly decent picture of someone and yet can't recognise who it is just "because"!
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 29 June 2020, 08:20:24 AM
As a young man I took a course in Geometric and Engineering Drawing. Part of the course was converting a 3/4 view of a vehicle into side and front elevations.

I think this helped my "eye". Pity it's not the "eye" I use for painting.  :(
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 29 June 2020, 08:57:35 AM
When teaching 3d shapes and theory of nets to kids, I always get them to pick up the imaginary shape, turn it, unfold it etc...

There is a theory there are 3 types of learners, visual (needs to see), auditory (needs to hear) and kinaesthetic (needs to hold).

Most people are a combination of two factors. Most boys are visual kinaesthetic, which is why talking at them in a lesson with no other input is bad news.
Most girls are auditory visual learners, see it and listen to it

I was tested and came out as auditory kinaesthetic. Needs to listen to music and take it apart at the same time (nightmare fiddler in class, but always got the answer) probably explains why I prefer to paint with the radio on, which Mrs D cant stand, she's visual kinaesthetic, while Mrs D works on her sewing with the tv on, I can't cope with visual distractions)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Steve J on 29 June 2020, 10:44:07 AM
Having worked in the design industry, there are some people that can easily translate a 2D image into a 3D model (such as myself), with others that couldn't do it their life depended on it; graphics designer being a case in point. Our son who is autistic is a visual learner pure and simple. Any other ways of learning simply do not work for him.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Heedless Horseman on 30 June 2020, 02:53:39 AM
Quote from: Techno on 29 June 2020, 07:17:07 AM

I'll give you a 'silly' example of how I might struggle.

Leon's decided that he wants me to make a new range which have alligator heads. (He hasn't...I'm just making this up.)

In my mind, I can picture the alligator, but if I try and make the model there and then, I'd go completely waffy......So I'd need to find a few pics on the net, that I can keep referring to.
Top view/ side view/ 3/4 view etc, etc.....

Even with these pics in front of me, I'll still struggle to comprehend how I need to proportion the head in 3D......And I know I shouldn't.
It might look spot on from the side...straight away....but I'll be lucky not to have to mess around a few times from this point on.

Can get very frustrating, at times.

Give me a decent model of said alligator as a reference...and I'll barely have any trouble at all in 'copying' it to what ever scale is needed.....Go figure !  ;)

Cheers - Phil :)

Sounds pretty normal to me.  :)
I once tried to carve some pre-Dreadnought ship hulls from balsa. Plan outline fine but once I tried to do the side elevations...scrap, scrap, scrap. Getting both views to 'marry' just didn't work out.
Vaguely remember some early 1/76 AFV scratch builds from mags..."now we have the hull, just carve and sand down the turret from balsa wood sawn to rough shape..."!  ;D ;D ;D

With figures  :o :o :o I can imagine that getting the 'right' look from one aspect would be fine...turn it...and , maybe also fine, but it will snap!!! And, trying to work to a constant scale in 10mm...'scale creep' is there for a reason! LOL. You know we appreciate your work, so don't get cut up about it!  ;)
Rather think that 'classical statue sculptors' may have worked from a 'sketch' but had live models brought in to 'play' with  :d :d !
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Steve J on 30 June 2020, 07:39:14 AM
Sculpting is a skill in itself and whilst I can make models with my eyes shut as it were, I can't sculpt to save my life!
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 30 June 2020, 08:08:05 AM
Quote from: Heedless Horseman on 30 June 2020, 02:53:39 AM
Rather think that 'classical statue sculptors' may have worked from a 'sketch' but had live models brought in to 'play' with  :d :d !

I think that has to be true  !

I sometimes thing that they 'cheated' by making some sort of plaster cast of real people....Without suffocating them ! ;)

Having said that, there's one bit of classical sculpture that I've always wanted to 'have a go at' as a miniature. The Laocoon by Agesander.
Only problem there, is that I'd have to have an almost infinite amount of time to get anywhere remotely near it.
Maybe if I'd started about 40 years ago........ ;D ;D

Cheers - Phil

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 30 June 2020, 09:16:55 AM
Marble sculpture works in the flat.
Each side of the block would have a flat drawing sketched out on it, then the sculptor would carve it down until the sides met.
Bronze wax sculptures, where you build up, that's the hard game that you continue the tradition of... thats witchcraft
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Orcs on 30 June 2020, 10:01:55 AM
No Idea how you create such amazing figures, especially if you have a hard time envisioning 3d   

I have just sculpted ( i use the word sculpted in the loosest possible way) an octopus for our Venetian Frostgrave campaign and while it has 8 tentacles and a blob for a head its more representative than looking like an octopus.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 30 June 2020, 01:11:13 PM
I just tried screeding the kitchen wall, I hate 1:1 scale!
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Last Hussar on 30 June 2020, 10:09:24 PM
Quote from: Orcs on 30 June 2020, 10:01:55 AM
its more representative than looking like ...

Pretty much how you interpret rules, I believe.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Orcs on 30 June 2020, 10:54:15 PM
Quote from: Last Hussar on 30 June 2020, 10:09:24 PM
Pretty much how you interpret rules, I believe.

of course 12 dice , 18 dice whats the difference ??
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 01 July 2020, 07:43:23 AM
Quote from: mad lemmey on 30 June 2020, 01:11:13 PM
I just tried screeding the kitchen wall, I hate 1:1 scale!

Why haven't you posted the piccy you sent me, Will ?

Quote from: Orcs on 30 June 2020, 10:01:55 AM
No Idea how you create such amazing figures, especially if you have a hard time envisioning 3d   

That's very kind, Mark,  :-[ but I really DO think most folk could do it. I've just had an awful lot of practice.
There are some shapes that I've 'done' SO often, that I DON'T have to think about what I'm doing.....I know the rough shape to slap onto the model, and work from there.
Once the rough shape is on the model..I'm fine.
I've 'cheated' in the way I've made some models...Not dissimilar to the way Will was describing how marble was worked. ;)

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 01 July 2020, 07:46:41 AM
Because it's a wall...  (:| =O
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 01 July 2020, 08:04:00 AM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 15 September 2020, 03:11:51 PM
Is there anyone here who understands digital radio signals ?

Had something most odd happen for a while this afto'.....Which had me going "Eh ?"...."this doesn't make sense."  8-} 8-} 8-}

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: O Dinas Powys on 15 September 2020, 06:45:35 PM
Quote from: Techno on 15 September 2020, 03:11:51 PM
Is there anyone here who understands digital radio signals ?

Had something most odd happen for a while this afto'.....Which had me going "Eh ?"...."this doesn't make sense."  8-} 8-} 8-}

Cheers - Phil

Tell us what it was and we can wildly speculate until an expert comes along  ;)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 15 September 2020, 06:56:04 PM
Quote from: O Dinas Powys on 15 September 2020, 06:45:35 PM
Tell us what it was and we can wildly speculate until an expert comes along  ;)

Sounds like the wiffle lever in the coherence chamber is set to allow too much orgone into the dilithium mix.

Who need information to wildy speculate? ;)

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 15 September 2020, 06:56:39 PM
Quote from: Ithoriel on 15 September 2020, 06:56:04 PM
Sounds like the wiffle lever in the coherence chamber is set to allow too much orgone into the dilithium mix.

Who needs information to wildy speculate? ;)


Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Raider4 on 15 September 2020, 07:44:10 PM
Have you tried reversing the polarity?
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: GrumpyOldMan on 16 September 2020, 12:16:54 AM
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 16 September 2020, 07:57:45 AM
Thank you, Vic.   ;D ;D ;D......(I did do that first, I hasten to add. ;))

Quote from: O Dinas Powys on 15 September 2020, 06:45:35 PM
Tell us what it was and we can wildly speculate until an expert comes along  ;)

In a nutshell.......What as puzzling me was that with 3 of the DAB radios we've got, the signal. completely disappeared.
(This happens for a minute or two, every so often, but pretty rarely....But this,  was for a couple of hours.)

A fourth DAB we've got was fine during this time.....Eh ? :o

Before anyone asks  ;)......I don't have all 4 radios on at once....I was just going round testing everything.....(and they ALL work fine now.)

Cheers - Puzzled of Wales. :-\

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: O Dinas Powys on 16 September 2020, 09:04:54 AM
Quote from: Techno on 16 September 2020, 07:57:45 AM
Thank you, Vic.   ;D ;D ;D......(I did do that first, I hasten to add. ;))

In a nutshell.......What as puzzling me was that with 3 of the DAB radios we've got, the signal. completely disappeared.
(This happens for a minute or two, every so often, but pretty rarely....But this,  was for a couple of hours.)

A fourth DAB we've got was fine during this time.....Eh ? :o

Before anyone asks  ;)......I don't have all 4 radios on at once....I was just going round testing everything.....(and they ALL work fine now.)

Cheers - Puzzled of Wales. :-

Ah, that one's easy to answer - it's just them checking up on you  :-$

;)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: mmcv on 16 September 2020, 09:47:27 AM
Did you check the skies? Any shadowy saucer like objects in the vicinity? If not then it's likely either ghosties or gremlins.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 16 September 2020, 10:40:55 AM
Phil would think that about any passing Boing or Airbus
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno on 16 September 2020, 03:44:07 PM
Quote from: mmcv on 16 September 2020, 09:47:27 AM
Did you check the skies? Any shadowy saucer like objects in the vicinity? If not then it's likely either ghosties or gremlins.

You could have something there.

I think the little stereo on the desk is haunted......It's certainly got a mind of its own....Gets stuck on a particular station...Simply will not change....THEN changes without me doing anything........Overnight. :o :o :o :-SS :-SS :-SS

I'll call Mulder and Scully. ;)

Cheers - Phil. :D
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: FierceKitty on 16 September 2020, 04:07:23 PM
I'm sad that the buzz of her being the next Bond seems groundless. It might have been real fun.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: GrumpyOldMan on 02 October 2020, 12:32:32 AM
Quote from: GrumpyOldMan on 16 September 2020, 12:16:54 AM


I didn't mean for you to take this so literally......

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno II on 02 October 2020, 06:55:43 AM
 ;D ;D ;D

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 02 October 2020, 07:35:54 AM
Who let you back in ?  :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno II on 09 November 2020, 08:03:56 AM
What does 'posting' a grenade mean ?

Simply hurling it away, or something like dropping it into a heavily padded receptacle which absorbs the blast ?

There's an article on the BBC news site this morning that's 'inspired' this query.

Cheers - Phil :-\
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 09 November 2020, 08:11:42 AM
It is analogus to posting a letter, grenades are posted into pill boxes or thgrough windows. Hate the things - one of our female cadets dropped one in a throwing bay, fortuneatly she and the DS got out.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno II on 09 November 2020, 02:52:29 PM
Thanks, Ian.  :)

I must admit that my other thought as far as a 'postal' reference was concerned, was that it might have been a 'return to sender'  if you chucked it straight back.

Don't think I'd fancy doing THAT.....in the slightest !.....(Gives me the shivers, just imagining it.) X_X

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 09 November 2020, 04:15:43 PM
Mills  bombs had 3 or 7 sec fuzes, DO NOT pick it and throw back hit the deck with your boots pointing at it. A good solid DMS should get most of the splinters.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: John Cook on 10 November 2020, 12:56:47 AM
Quote from: Techno II on 09 November 2020, 08:03:56 AM
What does 'posting' a grenade mean ?

Simply hurling it away, or something like dropping it into a heavily padded receptacle which absorbs the blast ?

There's an article on the BBC news site this morning that's 'inspired' this query.

Cheers - Phil :-

"A heavily padded receptacle" like this?   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F4xjJFmUYI
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno II on 10 November 2020, 08:09:35 AM
That obviously wasn't padded enough inside !! :o :o :o :o

"You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off."

Sodding heck ! :o :o :o

I've seen short clips of the bomb disposal squad blowing up old mortar shells that have been 'dug up' in fields.
They appear to surround the mortar with a number of 'smallish' sandbags and then detonate their own charge.

Compared to the safe in the clip that John has linked to.... those bangs look fairly innocuous.
Maybe the explosive charge in the mortars has deteriorated or 'leaked out' ??

Cheers - Phil

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 10 November 2020, 09:20:18 AM
No where near as impressive if you are using themn in the open. The safe being almost full acted as tamping, and magnified the effect.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno II on 12 March 2021, 08:17:37 AM
And another...... :D

I'm doing a Goryunov machine gun, and I want to know if the 'trail' (?) was easily detachable.....The way I'm making the model, I'd prefer to leave it off completely......It'll (sort of) get in the way.

If that's a no-no, I'll have to fiddle about a bit...but not too severely......Just have to angle the wheels, so they're not at 90 degrees to the barrel.
Which looks like what was done in a few of the piccies I've looked at......I presume the firing arc of the gun wouldn't be too badly affected ?

Hope that question makes sense !

Cheers - Phil :)

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 12 March 2021, 08:42:48 AM
JUst about interpreted the foriegn language. If it's a wheeled carriage then I'm afraid the answer is no. The wheels are there to circumvent the need to disassemble the weapon, and in theroy it's faster to get into action. Sorry Phil.  :(
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno II on 12 March 2021, 09:12:40 AM
Thanks, Ian. :-bd

Pants !  ;)...I had a feeling that would be the case.....I'll just have to mess around a bit, to make the gun & gunner 'castable' as a single piece..then make the 'loader' as a separate part.

(The loader would have had to be a separate piece, anyway.)

Cheers - Phil :)



Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 12 March 2021, 09:49:09 AM



Worse that than Phil. Looks like a split-ish  trail.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 12 March 2021, 09:55:47 AM
Yes most Soviet SFMG and HMG have split trails. Occasionally they have to be manpacked (the US impression that Soviet infantry are supermen is correct here) and it also makes it easier to stow in vehicles. I suspect that the handle on the barrel is to facilitate barrel change rather than for carrying the gun. Looks too bigger load for one man with one arm.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: steve_holmes_11 on 12 March 2021, 10:19:17 AM
A carry-handle would be near the centre of mass.
The pivot point is a pretty good guess if you don't have an example to hand.

Any handle on the barrel almost certainly for barrel change.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno II on 12 March 2021, 01:46:38 PM
Quote from: fsn on 12 March 2021, 09:49:09 AM
Worse that than Phil. Looks like a split-ish  trail.

That's a sod.  =).....But thanks for pointing that out, Nobby !  :-bd

I would have made it as a single........But, if I make it as a split, to start with, it'll be easier to turn it into a single trail later......
There are bits of this model that are going to be a swine to make.....'Cos I won't be able to get the dental tool(s) where I want to.

Mind you....I'm not going to have to paint it ! ;)

Thanks, again, Guys.

Cheers - Phil :)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: John Cook on 12 March 2021, 02:30:13 PM
SCW 68 Maxim M10 is on what is essentially the same wheeled carriage.  The gunner, more or less, obscures the trail.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno II on 13 March 2021, 07:36:35 AM
I'm 'copying' a b/w photo of some Egyptians using it, John. ;)

They appear to be 'up in some hills', and have got the gun raised on 'some rocks', so the guy firing it is either kneeling in a very upright pose....or he just possibly could be standing.
(But I don't think he is....The gunner and loader's legs are hidden from view, which is why I can't tell for certain.)

I'm doing the gun in an equivalent raised position, so Matey can't kneel over/astride the trail...It'll have to go to one side.

I found another (colour) piccy of two chaps who look VERY old, using a similar gun......and they too have it raised in front of them.....almost as though they're in some sort of foxhole.(?)
Again, can't see where the trail is. :(.....It has to be to one side. (I think)

Thanks !

Cheers - Phil. :)




Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: John Cook on 13 March 2021, 08:08:47 AM
Have a look at this article, you might find it useful.  https://soldat.pro/en/2018/06/30/ctankovyi-pylemet-gorunova-sg-43-patron-kalibr-762-mm/

For what it is worth, it seems that some SG 43 had a single trail wheeled mount.   
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 13 March 2021, 08:55:10 AM


Looks like the gunner sometimes sits on the trail and braces his feet on the wheels. Don't know if that's helpful Phil.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno II on 13 March 2021, 12:47:13 PM
No, no, no, no.......I'm doing it as I've planned now.  :P

No-one is sitting on their 'behind', like that.

I can't wait to get back to 'fantasy Amazons'...I get a real headache doing 'historical' stuff....There's too many ways of 'doing it right'.

But I do thank you all, for your input. ;)

Cheers - Phil. :)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Orcs on 13 March 2021, 03:17:10 PM
Quote from: Techno II on 13 March 2021, 12:47:13 PM
[
I can't wait to get back to 'fantasy Amazons'...


So you want to do Duckmen then?  :)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: fsn on 13 March 2021, 03:21:40 PM
Quote from: Techno II on 13 March 2021, 12:47:13 PM
I can't wait to get back to 'fantasy Amazons'...

Yeah, I've had that dream ...
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Orcs on 13 March 2021, 07:15:38 PM
Quote from: fsn on 13 March 2021, 03:21:40 PM
Yeah, I've had that dream ...

;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno II on 14 March 2021, 07:47:57 AM
Stop it  !  ;D ;D ;D

Cheers - Phil. :)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 14 March 2021, 08:38:44 AM
NO !!!!!!
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno II on 14 March 2021, 10:53:33 AM
Oh......Go on. ;)

Cheers - Phil. :)

Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Raider4 on 14 March 2021, 11:02:53 AM
Quote from: fsn on 13 March 2021, 08:55:10 AM
Looks like the gunner sometimes sits on the trail and braces his feet on the wheels. Don't know if that's helpful Phil.

Huh, bet they don't do it like that when someone is firing back at them.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno II on 03 August 2021, 09:29:57 AM
Ermmmm.... :-\

What on Earth does it mean when a 'cannon' barrel has a length of 31.4 cal.

How long does that equate to in either feet & inches, or centimeters ?

Asking for a friend. :^o :^o

Cheers - Phil. :)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Westmarcher on 03 August 2021, 09:59:44 AM
cal = calibre.

So, if the calibre is 3 inches, then the barrel length in your example is 94.2 inches. If it's 105mm, it's 31.4 x 105mm.   :-B

p.s. The length of the barrel is usually measured from muzzle to breech. I'm not sure what the measurement parameters are for muzzle loading cannon (i.e., is it the length of the external tube or simply measured from the muzzle to the internal end of the tube?).
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 03 August 2021, 11:36:22 AM
I'd presume its measured on the internal length. I suspect there was no internetional standard though. You do often see guns described described as 75mm L30 or 40 (Lee and Sherman), 75mm L43/48 (Pnz IV F-J), etc. More lenght = more velocity but above L60 the barrel tends to whip, which degrades accuracy. So the Geman 75mmL70 and 88mmL71 are less accurate than they should be. Modern guns tend to be around L60 for high velocity weapons, howitesrs and other artillery peices are much less.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Orcs on 03 August 2021, 12:16:47 PM
We have now sent Techno to sleep
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 03 August 2021, 12:25:13 PM
I do wonder if Phil is sometimes left feeling he knew more before our answers! :)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 03 August 2021, 12:58:51 PM
Quote from: Ithoriel on 03 August 2021, 12:25:13 PM
I do wonder if Phil is sometimes left feeling he knew more before our answers! :)

Well he DID ask.... ;)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Ithoriel on 03 August 2021, 01:10:25 PM
Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 03 August 2021, 12:58:51 PM
Well he DID ask.... ;)

Child: Mummy where do I come from?

Mother: < long detailed explantion of human biology and reproduction>

Child: No Mummy, Hassan in my class comes from Syria. Where do I come from?
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno II on 04 August 2021, 07:40:04 AM
Quote from: Westmarcher on 03 August 2021, 09:59:44 AM
cal = calibre.
So, if the calibre is 3 inches, then the barrel length in your example is 94.2 inches. If it's 105mm, it's 31.4 x 105mm.   :-B

Thanks Davy.....Though it did take a while to stop the headache. X_X.

In the 'thing' I'm remaking.....The shell would have been 3 inches.....so I'd assumed that that would have been classed as the calibre.....That's what threw me.

(A Browning 50 cal machine gun is called 50 cal, because the bullet is 0.50 inches...isn't it ?..so how does that work, if the barrel is 45 inches in length ?....doesn't that make it a 22.5 calibre ?
No...don't tell me, I'll get another headache....I was virtually mainlining painkillers, yesterday. X_X)

I managed to find an old, perfectly side on, photo of the shooty thing, with a number of troops standing directly behind it....I thought I was going to have to guess their height, and work it from there.

Cheers - Phil ;)



Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: OldenBUA on 04 August 2021, 08:00:50 AM
Calibre is the size of a gun barrel, so the cross section, as explained before. So .50 cal is indeed a half inch bullet size. For barrel length, if calibre is used it means simple multiplication, so cal should be read as calibres. A 40mm gun of 60 calibres (often written as L60), would be 40 x 60 = 2400mm = 2.4 m in length.

So same abbreviation (cal), but can mean two different things.

Note, a .50 cal HMG with 45" barrel length would ofcourse be L90.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 04 August 2021, 08:01:52 AM
Quote from: Techno II on 04 August 2021, 07:40:04 AM

No...don't tell me, I'll get another headache....I was virtually mainlining painkillers, yesterday. X_X)


Gota give you a headachce - no it would be 0.5"L22.5
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Raider4 on 04 August 2021, 08:46:11 AM
The British 15" naval gun barrel is 52 feet long, but is still only 42 calibres.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Westmarcher on 04 August 2021, 09:29:37 AM
Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 04 August 2021, 08:01:52 AM
Gota give you a headachce - no it would be 0.5"L22.5

No, Ian. L90. There are 90 half-inches in a 45 inch length.

[and to confuse everyone further, the Challenger 2 MBT is currently fitted with the L30A1 rifled tank gun but the "L30" has nothing to do with the length which is in fact, 55 calibres long (L55)!]
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 04 August 2021, 09:51:11 AM
I only teach maths occasionally. The L30 is the model of the 120, we use L like the Yanks use M, ish
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: steve_holmes_11 on 04 August 2021, 10:29:41 AM
Now we know what (nn)L(nn) means, can somebody explain why it is used.

We usually adopt classifications that convey something important, or failing that a technical issue.
So who 15"L40 as opposed to 15"L50'.

Is there some "golden ratio" between gun calibre and length (Clearly would vary with role and construction).



Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Westmarcher on 04 August 2021, 10:52:22 AM
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 04 August 2021, 10:29:41 AM
Now we know what (nn)L(nn) means, can somebody explain why it is used.

We usually adopt classifications that convey something important, or failing that a technical issue.
So who 15"L40 as opposed to 15"L50'.

Is there some "golden ratio" between gun calibre and length (Clearly would vary with role and construction).

I assume it is simply to inform how long the barrel is. As Ian stated, we Brits use 'L" as part of our weapon model designation and has nothing to do with barrel length. As Ian also stated, longer barrel usually confers increased velocity and so longer range. No doubt there is some "golden ratio" for every type of gun which would depend on the role you want to use it for (e.g., short barrels for howitzers or combat in confined spaces, long barrels for long range shooting and/or greater armour penetration)

Here's a link to the Rheinmetall 120mm tank gun which was originally produced as an L44 and later upgraded by lengthening it to L55 which may help provide further info (or not).   :-[

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheinmetall_Rh-120 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheinmetall_Rh-120)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 04 August 2021, 11:14:25 AM
The golden ratio seems to be L55-60 which most modern high velocity guns use. For artillery it can make sense to use shorter lengths to allow for lower minimum ranges to fire close in, but the trend seems to be for longer guns there. As for too long, in WWII our longest A/T gun was the 17pdr at L60, and like I said before the German 75/L70 and 88mm/L71 seem to lose accuracy due to barrel whip as they weren't sufficently rigid to take the firing stresses.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno II on 04 August 2021, 05:34:11 PM
I've totally switched off, now. (:|

Cheers - Phil. ;)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Raider4 on 04 August 2021, 06:04:39 PM
Quote from: Techno II on 04 August 2021, 05:34:11 PM
I've totally switched off, now. (:|

You can hardly complain when the friendly, helpful bunch that inhabit this place all rush to answer your question.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Orcs on 04 August 2021, 10:07:41 PM
Quote from: Raider4 on 04 August 2021, 06:04:39 PM
You can hardly complain when the friendly, helpful bunch that inhabit this place all rush to answer your question.

I Know. I don't know whys he asks !.  He knows he will get 25 different answers:-
2 will actually be on the subject, but not answer the question
5 will be almost about the same subject but will raise other issues
The other 18 will cover subjects varying from the length of a Mittani skirt, the composition of the bronze in a 16th Century Ottoman cannon. and If Nik Harwood has replied "The hottest Redhead Totty on the planet".
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Scorpio_Rocks on 05 August 2021, 07:58:47 AM
Quote from: Westmarcher on 03 August 2021, 09:59:44 AM
p.s. The length of the barrel is usually measured from muzzle to breech. I'm not sure what the measurement parameters are for muzzle loading cannon (i.e., is it the length of the external tube or simply measured from the muzzle to the internal end of the tube?).

The "length" of the gun (the measurement given in calibres) is actually the length of the bore - so internally muzzle to inside of breach, doesnt include all breach, muzzle brake, etc.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: John Cook on 05 August 2021, 12:25:51 PM
Quote from: Techno II on 04 August 2021, 05:34:11 PM
I've totally switched off, now. (:|
Cheers - Phil. ;)

I do empathise, really I do ;)  I'll try to keep it simple :D

I don't know when it became the convention to measure the length of artillery gun barrels in numbers of calibres, but it seems to have started in the late 19th Century with breach loading naval artillery.  The lexicon of artillery can be quite mysterious but these are the terms you need in the context of barrel length. 

Bore = the internal space inside a barrel
Calibre = the diameter of the bore
Barrel = the tube from breach face to muzzle

For example, take the German 50mm anti-tank gun described as 5cm L/60.

Calibre: 5cm
Barrel length: 60 calibres
Therefore barrel length in cm = 5 x 60 = 300cm

Measuring barrel length like this, is not, in my experience applied to small or light arms. 

Ammunition is a different subject altogether.
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno II on 05 August 2021, 04:08:09 PM
John. :)

Bless you for trying to explain (genuinely)...I thank you !

My head is going to genuinely explode, if I even attempt to follow this. X_X

Cheers - Phil.


Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno II on 10 September 2021, 05:15:44 PM
This one's a lot easier.  :D

Where does the description 'broom handle' come from on a "broom handled Mauser."

Is it just the hand grip ? Which I grant could be considered to be roughly the shape of the very end of a broom handle... or is it something to do with the wooden  'stoclk'.
That doesn't look anything like a broom handle....it looks more like a mutant sawn-off cricket bat.

Are ALL Mausers 'broom handle' types ?

Cheers slightly puzzled of Wales. :-\
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: steve_holmes_11 on 10 September 2021, 05:24:31 PM
Quote from: Techno II on 10 September 2021, 05:15:44 PM
This one's a lot easier.  :D

Where does the description 'broom handle' come from on a "broom handled Mauser."

Is it just the hand grip ? Which I grant could be considered to be roughly the shape of the very end of a broom handle... or is it something to do with the wooden  'stoclk'.
That doesn't look anything like a broom handle....it looks more like a mutant sawn-off cricket bat.

Are ALL Mausers 'broom handle' types ?

Cheers slightly puzzled of Wales. :-

(It's the handle/grip).

Paragraph 2 line 2  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauser_C96 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauser_C96)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 11 September 2021, 07:03:07 AM
That it is, the grip is supposed to resemble a brush handle
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno II on 11 September 2021, 08:24:44 AM
Thanks, Both. :-bd

Effectively, does that mean all Mauser pistols would be classed as 'broom handled', or are there any more variations ?

(My Man from U.N.C.L.E cap gun was a Mauser.....though I didn't know that, at the time ! ;))

Cheers - Phil. :)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 11 September 2021, 09:08:21 AM
It's one specific weapon, the C96, remained in use until 1961? (so Wiki says !)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Techno II on 11 September 2021, 11:45:38 AM
Thanks, Ian. :-bd

Cheers - Phil. :)
Title: Re: Tell Techno.
Post by: Heedless Horseman on 12 September 2021, 05:49:16 AM
Quote from: Techno II on 11 September 2021, 08:24:44 AM
Thanks, Both. :-bd
Effectively, does that mean all Mauser pistols would be classed as 'broom handled', or are there any more variations ?
(My Man from U.N.C.L.E cap gun was a Mauser.....though I didn't know that, at the time ! ;))
Cheers - Phil. :)

Ha, Ha. Phil... I also had  a Daisy  U.N.C.L.E Mauser, (From memory... the heroes used cut down Walther P38s... but VERY LONG time since I saw the films!). When it broke, was replaced by 'Young Winston' version in strange bronze paint! Wasn't all that keen on the Mauser... also had a toy P38 and TWO Lugers... (one 'gold plated 'Man With The Golden Gun'? gift from older  cousins).  The 'ordinary' Luger was cap  'weapon of choice'... way better than 'Cowboy Guns'!
(There is 'something' about a Luger... it just 'fits' your hand... had a replica later on!).
.
Broom Handle Mausers... Google it... HUGE numbers and several variations... but all had the Broom Handle grip.
I cannot figure why it lasted so long. When 'new' it had power , mag capacity and 'accuracy', but 'big' awkward and bad to maintain. Other pistols much 'better'.. in some ways.
Use in Movies? Was it ''High Plains Drifter' Western? Ok for period. 'Young Winston' certainly had one. But  have also seen 60s 'spy' films and later TV series where 'bad guys' would tote one... rather silly... but props dept... 'Baddiie's' gun!
Star Wars base for 'blaster'... along with Stirlings and MG42s!