Teaser Post Postponed, but you get some Wagner Mercenary News....

 I was going to post a story about my travel to the Motor City, but I didn't get home until 20:00 hours so I have to postpone my teaser post, it may not go up until Saturday because I will have time on Friday to post it.

     I got this from my usual 3rd party email from work.

Yevgeny Prigozhin pictured during a video address on June 24, 2023.

Credit: Pool Photo/Wagner Group/Alamy

Ending his so-called “march for justice” against two Russian military leaders 200 mi. short of Moscow, Yevgeny Prigozhin had claimed his actions were bloodless.

Far from it, it has emerged. While his Wagner column of heavily armed mercenaries faced no opposition on the ground, imagery published on social media has confirmed that a Russian Air Force Ilyushin Il-22M airborne command post was among several military aircraft shot down inside Russia by Prigozhin’s Wagner Private Military as they advanced north.

Wagner-operated air defenses brought down the four-engine turboprop on June 24 near the city of Voronezh in southwestern Russia. All on board—many likely to be experienced Russian air force personnel—were killed. Those same forces also bought down several Mil-8/17 transport helicopters, including a specialized electronic warfare version, a Kamov Ka-52 attack helicopter, and a Mil Mi-35 attack helicopter that were attempting to stave off Wagner’s advance.

“We regret that we had to strike at aircraft, but they were bombing us and launching missile strikes,” Prigozhin said in a 11-min. video clip explaining his actions published June 26.

Prigozhin, Wagner’s owner, seemingly triggered the rebellion, aiming his ire at the head of the Russian military, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu over concerns that Wagner was being stripped of its combat capability. Prigozhin publicly blamed the two men for the conflict in Ukraine, which has seen thousands of Wagner personnel killed. In an earlier video published online on June 23, he said the justification for the war in Ukraine was a lie, and just an excuse for “a small group of scumbags” to promote themselves and deceive both the public and Putin.

Hours later, Wagner forces seized the city of Rostov-on-Don and then launched what Prigozhin called their march toward Moscow, during which the aircraft and helicopters were engaged. Later that day, he halted the advance 200 mi. short of the Russian capital, agreeing to an undisclosed deal apparently brokered by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. The June 26 video does not reveal any details about the deal. 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the events of June 25 had been a “direct challenge to [President] Putin’s authority,” and that the episode suggested there were now “real cracks” in Putin’s rule.

Prigozhin himself said his actions had demonstrated shortfalls in Russian military capabilities, saying that Wagner forces had given “a master class on what should have happened on February 24, 2022”—a reference to the difficulties faced by the Russian Army in the first days of the war in Ukraine.

The loss of the Il-22M—a military conversion of the Il-18 airliner—represents a significant blow to the Russian Air Force’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capacity and its valued airborne command post capabilities.

Russia is no stranger to losses of vital platforms, however. In September 2018, an Il-20—an electronic intelligence version of the Il-18—was accidentally shot down by Syrian air defenses as it returned from a patrol flight over the Mediterranean Sea.

 

Credit: Stocktrek Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Imagery published on social media has confirmed that a Russian Air Force Ilyushin Il-22M airborne command post platform was among several military aircraft shot down inside Russia in an apparent attempted coup by the Wagner Private Military Co. 

Wagner-operated air defenses brought down the four-engine turboprop on June 24 near the city of Voronezh in southwestern Russia as the paramilitary group’s forces made an advance toward Moscow in what President Vladimir Putin described as an “internal betrayal” of the Russian people. All 10 crew on the Il-22 were killed. 

Wagner forces also bought down several Mil Mil-8/17 transport helicopters, including: a specialized electronic warfare version; a Kamov Ka-52 attack helicopter; and a Mil Mi-35 attack helicopter being used to to stave off Wagner’s advance.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner’s owner, triggered the rebellion, aiming his ire at the head of the Russian military, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. 

Prigozhin publicly blamed the two men for the conflict in Ukraine which has seen thousands of Wagner personnel killed. In a video published online on June 23, he said justification for the war in Ukraine was a lie, and just an excuse for "a small group of scumbags" to promote themselves and deceive both the public and Putin.

Hours later, Wagner forces seized the city of Rostov-on-Don and then launched what Prigozhin called a “march for justice” toward Moscow, during which the aircraft and helicopters were engaged. Later that day, he halted the advance 200 mi. short of the Russian capital, agreeing to an undisclosed deal apparently brokered by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. The agreement calls for Prigozhin to exile himself in Belarus. Prigozhin’s whereabouts are unknown.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the events of June 25 had been a “direct challenge to [President] Putin’s authority,” and suggested there were “real cracks” in Putin’s rule.

The loss of the Il-22M—a military conversion of the Il-18 airliner—represents a significant loss in the Russian Air Force’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance fleet. It is the second such loss in five years. Back in September 2018, an Il-20—an electronic intelligence version of the Il-18—was shot down accidentally by Syrian air defenses as it returned from a patrol flight over the Mediterranean Sea.

 

Teaser Post for Thursday

 

      I came home late from work and I had to make dinner so I was unable to put the post up, but this past weekend My son and I visited the Motor City and saw  "Aaron" who was an excellent host.  I plan on going back again....After Labor day and I will 'splain why, LOL when I post tomorrow.

The T62, The Testament to Soviet Engineering Prowess.

 

 I shamelessly clipped this from "Military.blog", The material would have augmented my "Red Storm Rising Post" I did back in 2017 and I enjoyed doing that one immensely because it is my favorite Tom Clancy book.

 

                                            Modified T-62 with reactive armor.

In the annals of military history, the T-62 stands out as a remarkable symbol of Soviet engineering. Introduced in 1961, this main battle tank was the successor to the T-55 and the final tank design under the aegis of Joseph Stalin. The T-62 was a global presence, exported widely and participating in several wars, including the Yom Kippur War, the Soviet-Afghan War, and the Gulf War. Its last combat use by the Soviet Union was during the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968.

The T-62 was a significant upgrade from the T-55, boasting the first Soviet tank to be equipped with a smoke grenade launcher. Its higher hull and improved armour made it resilient against anti-tank missiles. However, the absence of a Turret Basket posed a challenge in reloading the main gun.

The T-62: A Symbol of Soviet Military Might

The T-62 was a testament to Soviet engineering prowess and played a crucial role in the Soviet Union’s military strength. It was an integral part of the Soviet strategy of using tanks in mass formations to overpower adversaries. The T-62 was designed to be more potent and sophisticated than the T-55, the mainstay of the Soviet tank fleet. It featured a 115mm gun, improved armor, and tracks, and a new diesel engine that was more fuel-efficient than the T-55’s petrol engine.

View of Soviet main battle tank T-62, Kislovodsk, Russia

The T-62: Keeping Pace with Technological Advancements

When the T-62 was launched in the 1960s, it was a state-of-the-art tank that helped the Soviet Union stay abreast with the latest in tank technology. The T-62 was significantly different from the previous generation of Soviet tanks, most notably in its use of a 115mm smoothbore gun. This gun, designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov, was capable of firing both conventional shells and anti-tank guided missiles, making the T-62 a versatile and formidable tank.

The T-62: Reliable and Rugged

The T-62 was one of the most reliable tanks produced by the Soviet Union. It was rugged and easy to maintain, making it a favorite of Soviet tank crews. The T-62 was used extensively in the Soviet military campaigns in Afghanistan and Chechnya. It proved to be a capable and reliable tank in both mountain and urban warfare.

The T-62: A Formidable Force on the Battlefield

The T-62 was armed with a powerful 100mm gun that could destroy most enemy tanks. The 100mm gun was the most powerful tank gun in the world at the time and could penetrate the armor of any tank. The T-62 was also equipped with a 12.7mm machine gun which was effective against lightly armored vehicles and infantry. The T-62 was one of the most feared tanks in the world and played a major role in the defeat of the Western forces in the Gulf War.

The T-62: A Mainstay of the Soviet Tank Fleet

The T-62 was a mainstay of the Soviet tank fleet for over two decades and saw action in a number of wars, including the Soviet-Afghan War. Even today, the T-62 remains in service in several countries and continues to be a formidable force on the battlefield.

The T-62 was a defining tank for the Soviet Union and a symbol of their military might during the Cold War. It was a reliable and effective tank that saw action in numerous conflicts, including the Soviet-Afghan War. The T-62 was a Soviet triumph, and a key part of their tank fleet for over two decades.

 

Monday Music "Don't Change a Thing" by INXS

 I am still running my favorite songs for a few more weeks, then it will be the songs I despise...

I was driving home listening to my Sirius XM on the "80's" channel and this song came on and I liked the song and decided to make this one my "Monday Music".   I remember this song and video playing a lot on the new Music channel MTV, back when they played music video's and was actually pretty cool to watch. 

I would come home from school sit in front of the TV and watch music video's.  The older people didn't get it...they didn't understand the appeal.  My liberal Social Studies teacher considered it "subversive".  Funny coming from her...Even back then, liberals were not tolerant.  Oh well.   I would have fun with her debating her on various thing....especially on the Sandinista and the Soviets.....I was a bit right wing in high school...remember this was Reagan's America and we were proud to be Americans.

    Of course in my yearbook, they had a section of "What will certain people be doing in 10 years..". well I was voted most likely to be in central America killing communist.....Funny how things turned out.    Here is my favorite Pic of Ronald Reagan

    Back then it was a good time to be an American.



INXS (pronounced "in excess", in-ex-ESS) was an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. They began playing covers in Western Australian pubs and clubs, occasionally playing some of their original music. Mainstays were main composer and keyboardist Andrew Farriss, drummer Jon Farriss, guitarists Tim Farriss and Kirk Pengilly, bassist Garry Gary Beers and main lyricist and vocalist Michael Hutchence. For twenty years, INXS was fronted by Hutchence, whose "sultry good looks" and magnetic stage presence made him the focal point of the band. Initially known for their new wave/pop style, the band later developed a harder pub rock style that included funk and dance elements.

"Don't Change" is a song by Australian rock band INXS.It was released as a single from the album Shabooh Shoobah, in October 1982. It has been described as the band's first international single.

"Don't Change" peaked at number 18 on the Australian Singles Charts and reached number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 17 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart,

The music video, directed by Scott Hicks, was originally planned to be filmed on an airport runway, in South Australia, but was cancelled due to a bad weather and filming took place in a nearby airport hangar. Hutchence knew Hicks, who had previously directed Australian film Freedom, for which Hutchence had performed on two songs including on the film's soundtrack, "Speed Kills" and "Forest Theme", which were written by Don Walker (Cold Chisel). "Speed Kills" was Hutchence's first solo single and was released by WEA in early 1982.
In February 2014, after the Channel 7 screening of INXS: Never Tear Us Apart mini-series, "Don't Change" charted again in Australia via download sales. It peaked at #92 on the ARIA Singles Chart.
The song has been covered by Brandon Flowers, The Audreys, The Bravery, Everclear, Face to Face, Goo Goo Dolls, Grinspoon, Zero (a post-punk band from Uruguay, covered the song with the title No cambies), A Fire Inside and Lazlo Bane. "Don't Change" plays during the credits of the movie Adventureland and is featured in its soundtrack.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed the song during their High Hopes Tour on 19 February 2014 show in Sydney, Australia, and played it for the first time in the United States in Albany, New York, on 13 May 2014.
The Baltimore Ravens play "Don't Change" at their home games when a call in their favor is being reviewed by the referees.

 

Went on a trip over the weekend....

 I took some time off from work and my son and I went here...

    We flew up there Friday afternoon after work and came home today, the flight was an adventure, We am home...Finally and I will post on Tuesday about our adventures...I am really tired and Monday is "Monday Music" ya know.....

Military Surplus Weapons for Beginners.

 

 I have or had several of the weapons mentioned in this article that I shamelessly "clipped" from American Rifleman before that dastardly Kayak Accident.*sniff*Sniff*.  There is something to holding a piece of history in your hand and wondering if the weapon could talk, what kind of story it could say and tell you.  Some weapons have "Cartouche" or "Proofmarks" to tell a story.  I thought the article was pretty good.

Owning and shooting a real piece of world history in the form of a military-surplus firearm is one of the most exciting facets of gun ownership. It can also be the source of quite a bit of frustration. With these “antiques,” frustrating circumstances can arise for even the most seasoned collectors and shooters. That said, those who are brand new to military surplus firearms are at a greater risk of facing the consequences of an imprudent purchase. Some military surplus firearms lend themselves very well to introducing a shooter or collector to the hobby. Other guns may leave new collectors feeling remorseful over their purchase. The taste and goals of the collector will have a great effect on their purchasing decisions and, subsequently, their initial experience with the hobby.

Those looking for a piece of history they can enjoy both owning and firing at the range will find that there are some excellent options on the market, as well as some they should likely avoid. Keep in mind that all of the firearms below are excellent collectible pieces and may even be great shooters. Just because a certain firearm may not be the best choice for a new collector and shooter does not mean they are not worth owning for those more familiar with it. Also, ammunition availability will have varying degrees of effect on different collectors. The ownership experience may differ greatly based on if a collector can find ammunition or already has the means and skill to reload the often-obsolete cartridge.

Three Great Military Surplus Arms New Collectors Should Know About

The Mosin-Nagant M91/30
The Mosin-Nagant has been a popular gateway into military surplus firearms collecting for many years. The Mosin is a sturdy workhorse. It is a bolt-action rifle of Russian origin. The rifle has gone through several well-known iterations and variants, which played their roles with Russian troops in both world wars. It was used in countless other conflicts around the world and, unbelievably, is still being fielded by a handful of warfighters and militants to this day. This is all to say that the Mosin-Nagant has a fascinating history.

While not nearly as cheap as they were back when folks could buy them by the crate for less than the cost of a new cellphone, Mosin-Nagants have managed to stay well below the price of contemporary offerings. Online prices for all military surplus rifles are generally above average, but Mosins can be found for between $300 and $500. There are certainly cheaper military surplus firearms, like the Carcano M91, but for collectors who want to shoot, ammo availability must be a consideration. Like many others, Carcano ammo has, unfortunately, mostly dried up for the time being. The 7.62x54 mm R round chambered by the Mosin-Nagant has certainly risen in price, but it’s nowhere near to the extent of something like Carcano ammo. It also remains available to buy off the shelves of many local gun stores and large outdoor retailers.

When shooting, the recoil on the Mosin-Nagant is stout, and the muzzle report is hearty. Recoil is not so bad that it should keep a collector from enjoying the experience, but if that does happen to be the case, many companies produce rubber padding for the Mosin that can be slipped around the butt of the gun to reduce felt recoil. The Mosin is as easy to clean as it is to operate. The simplicity of the rifle is part of its charm. Between being easy to find, easy to shoot and easy to keep clean, the Mosin is a great introductory choice into military surplus.

The Swedish Mauser M1896
The Swedish Mauser Model of 1896 is a step up from the price of the Mosin. With this increase in price comes an increase in the quality of firearm being purchased. The Swedish Mausers are known for their excellent fit and finish. Even those like the one pictured, which has taken many dings and dents, maintain an undeniable aesthetic quality. The Swedish M1896, also known as the M96, is said to be one of the most accurate military surplus rifles ever imported. This makes it an obvious choice for new collectors who want a top-notch shooting experience with their first military surplus rifle. The Swedish Mausers have an intriguing history of their own, which I recommend new collectors look into, regardless of their choice of first purchase.

The M96 chambers the 6.5x55 mm (Swedish) cartridge. Excellent ballistic performance and minimal recoil are both hallmarks of this round, and it happens to be a somewhat popular hunting cartridge here in the United States. This means that several manufacturers are producing ammunition for the M96, which a collector should be able to find at many local gun stores and large retailers. The performance of a well-preserved M96 with quality ammunition is great, even by today’s standards. The high build quality of the M96 paired with its ballistic performance make it an ideal choice for new collectors who want to squeeze the best possible accuracy results out of their surplus firearm at the range.

The Nagant M1898 Revolver
When searching for a military surplus pistol with which to begin a collection, the Nagant M1898 is a solid choice. Much like the Mosin, it has a storied past in service to Russia through two world wars. It has been used in a variety of other conflicts over the years. The Nagant pistol is mechanically unique, but does share many traits with other revolvers of the late 1800s. It is also relatively easy to fieldstrip for cleaning.

The M1898 is chambered in the 7.62x38 mm R (Nagant) cartridge. This peculiar cartridge features a rebated bullet with a case mouth that extends beyond the projectile’s tip. Working in conjunction with a forward-moving cylinder that forms a gas seal with the barrel’s forcing cone when firing, the extended case means that there is little in the way of gas or particles to bother the shooter. This gas seal was designed to increase velocity but also notably allows the revolver to be suppressed effectively. The ammunition is not necessarily “readily available” at the local level, but it can easily be found online at about 50 cents a round, as of this writing. This price reflects factory-loaded, non-corrosive ammo. Buying surplus packages of corrosive ammunition will mean lower prices yet. A collector just has to be sure that they know how corrosive ammo affects their firearm and to clean it accordingly. The gun itself produces very little recoil and is quite a pleasant plinker, aside from its heavy trigger. Nagant revolvers are rising in price but can still be purchased for around $500 online, with some local stores selling them for less. The M1898 is a great way to start up a collection, especially if the collector wants to focus on handguns.

Three Military Surplus Arms To Avoid, Or Save For Later

The Mauser C96
The Mauser C96 is a pistol with an incredible history. It was used in myriad conflicts around the world, including both world wars. Known affectionately as “The Broomhandle” due to the layout of its grip, it has been featured popular media. It was famously modified to create an iconic blaster in the Star Wars franchise. The C96 can be a really great firearm to own and shoot, but that isn’t always the case. While a new collector might be attracted to such an iconic firearm, the C96 may not be the right way to get into military surplus firearms if the collector actually wants to shoot.

While the C96 was a well-made pistol that held a good reputation when it was introduced, the years have not been kind to many examples on the market. With the value of C96s rising steadily, buying one without being able to fire it is a risky maneuver. An all-matching C96 in good shape can fetch thousands of dollars. There are so many little things that can go wrong in the many moving parts of the C96, and not many good quality replacement parts are available. Even with the parts, troubleshooting the C96 can be a long and arduous process, even for a more seasoned collector.

This is an issue with many surplus firearms, both popular and obscure. Assessing the rarity of important components is a crucial step of a surplus firearm purchase. Understanding the hurdles you might face, should the gun need repairs, will likely save you money and heartache in the long run. Every year that passes, parts for the majority of military surplus firearms become harder to find. Breakages and repairs are constant, so the demand will always be there. The C96 pictured has had hours of work and troubleshooting done and still has not returned to functioning condition. If a collector plans to bring their military surplus selection to the range, a gun like the C96 should not be a first purchase, unless the buyer is positive it functions. Even then, they should proceed with caution.

The Arisaka Rifles
Japanese firearms are some of the most interesting used in the Second World War. Portrayals in popular media like HBO’s “The Pacific,” have increased the appreciation many prospective collectors have for these firearms, especially the Arisaka rifles. The Arisaka rifles have appreciated greatly in value in recent years, with the Type 99 variant currently selling online for between $450 and $1,000 based on condition and variant. However, price is not currently the barrier to entry for the Arisaka rifles. Ammunition, both for the 6.5 mm and 7.7 mm variants of Arisaka, has become extremely scarce. Reloading components exist for the rounds, but many new collectors will not have the means to reload ammunition, much less the obsolete cartridges required to fire many military surplus firearms. Prices fluctuate, but 20 round boxes of factory manufactured 7.7 Japanese routinely sell for $3 a shot or more, when they can even be found. Very few, if any manufacturers produce cartridges for the Arisaka rifles at this time, so shooting them has become increasingly difficult for those who don’t have the means to reload.

This is not only an issue with Arisakas, but with a host of other military surplus firearms. Certain rounds that were once available on the shelves of gun stores now rarely make an appearance, even in the online market. Buying the needed tools and components to reload opens up a lot of doors for military surplus shooters. For those who can’t load their own ammunition, it’s imperative to research and consider the current availability of ammo for a surplus firearm before taking it home. While an Arisaka rifle makes an excellent addition to a collection and is a joy to shoot at the range, the difficulty in acquiring ammo for many new collectors is a sign that they should steer clear unless they can produce the ammo themselves.

The Lee-Enfield Rifles
Lee-Enfield-pattern rifles are excellent military surplus firearms to add to a collection. They have a storied history of service with our allies in the United Kingdom. Many who are familiar with the Enfield rifles may be surprised to find them on this side of the lists. This surprise is not undue, as the No. 4 Mk I is a favorite among many military surplus collectors, and for good reason. It shoots very well, it cycles quickly and the .303 British round in which it’s chambered is still relatively available for purchase, at least online.

For new collectors however, the current market of Enfield rifles can be very difficult to navigate. First and foremost, Enfields were used in a wide array of applications over the course of their service lives. Information about its service can be deduced through the examination of its markings, as with most any surplus arm. The various markings and symbols represent things like the country the rifle served, inspection information, when it was issued and whether or not it remained under military ownership after that service. That’s just to name a few. Without knowing what the symbols mean, a collector could find themselves overpaying for something that isn’t quite what they wanted. For the multitude of markings that appear on Enfields, there are also things a potential buyer has to look out for, that may not be quite so obvious.

Some Enfield rifles, like several other military surplus arms, were built or rebuilt for the purpose of training soldiers. These are referred to as drill purpose rifles. Drill purpose rifles were not built to the appropriate specifications to handle live fire with full-power ammunition. The weakened construction of drill purpose Enfield rifles means that attempting to fire a live round out of them could be an injurious or even fatal venture. In the vast majority of cases, research will supply a collector with the tools to identify drill purpose rifles. Problems arise when it comes to drill purpose rifles that can’t be easily identified upon inspection. Some Enfield rifles that have been pieced together from parts can possibly contain components of dubious quality or questionable origin. This however, is a pitfall of many different military surplus platforms, not just the Enfields. Headspace can also present a possible issue in all military surplus firearms, including the Enfield rifles. Having a headspace gauge and understanding how it works could help you to pick the right rifle when making a purchase. Some Enfield rifles, like the one pictured can be fitted with “numbered bolts.” There are a number of helpful resources on the internet to learn about how they work, but in essence they can possibly be used to adjust the headspace of an Enfield rifle.

The Enfield is truly a great firearm and having one in a collection is a very rewarding experience. It’s not that the rifle itself is bad to own or shoot, new collectors should give the platform some thought and research before purchasing. Both research ahead of the purchase and inspection from a competent gunsmith afterwards are great ways to avoid buyer’s remorse, or worse down the road. The Enfield rifles, like all military surplus firearms, should be examined by a qualified gunsmith before use. It only takes one instance of an unsafe firearm being fired to cause serious injury or death. While this is the worst-case scenario, it should always be given ample consideration.

Diving Into The World Of Military Surplus Firearms Collecting
At the end of the day, every shooter and collector is different and each enjoys and engages in the hobby and sport in different ways. A shooter’s or collector’s specific circumstances and taste in firearms will greatly affect what makes a “good” or “bad” first purchase. With a few ideas of some qualities and conditions to look for when selecting a first military surplus firearm, prospective collectors are better equipped to make good decisions that, hopefully, will allow them to enjoy collecting and shooting these mechanical pieces of history for years to come.

 

 

Monday Music "Armageddon It" By Def Leppard

 I am still rolling with my songs that I can play over and over again, if I am on the Motorcycle, or in my truck.  I will run with this for a few more weeks, Next Week Will be "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC

    Well I decided to go with "Armageddon it" by Def Leppard, this song was huge especially in Germany where I was stationed.  Robinson Barracks had a problem keeping the CD in stock for a while.  I consider it up there with the Joshua Tree by U-2 in popularity and influence.  I still jam on the songs when they come on the radio, or on my MP3 player, and when it comes on my Sirius/XM Radio.

"Armageddon It" is a song by English hard rock band Def Leppard from their 1987 album Hysteria. It was released as a single in 1988 and went to No. 3 in the U.S. (their fourth U.S. Top Ten hit).
The actual line of "Armageddon It" is meant to be a word play on the line "I'm A Gettin' It," thought up by the band during the recording sessions for the Hysteria album. The vocal style of the song is described as "T.Rex meets Eddie Cochran with backing vocals", according to singer Joe Elliott in the liner notes for Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980-1995).
The video for the song was the second to feature Def Leppard in a live arena setting. On 12-13 February 1988, the band recorded two shows at the McNichols Arena in Denver, Colorado for a future live film release. However, a month later, "Armageddon It" was set to be released as the sixth single off the popular Hysteria album and a promo video clip was urgently needed.
From the band's end, there was hesitation to film another concept video. Although they were happy with the results for "Hysteria" (the single) and "Animal," they were very unsatisfied with the way "Pour Some Sugar on Me" had turned out for its concept.
Therefore, an idea was pitched to quickly create a video edited from the Denver footage. It was another hit in the UK, reaching the Top 20. Months later, it was released in the United States and was even more successful, reaching the Top 3.

 However, "Pour Some Sugar on Me" was the first song used there for the "live" concept (in fact, many of the scenes are the same in the two), but instead of filming a different video, slight changes were made using footage filmed in October at the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia.

There are two mixes of the song that appeared in the single: "The Atomic Mix," which is the album version, and "The Nuclear Mix," which is an extended version.

 

Canada Seizes AN124

 I have been sooper busy with work, I will be squeezing in posting where I can.

 If I was Russians, especially Putin, i would have a case of the ass at this because the AN124 is a national asset.  This escalated things between Russia and Canada but Trudeau being a hard lefty and the Ukraine being the cause celebrite of the modern left besides LGBTEIEIO issues is probably basking in the praise I suppose.  

I shamelessly snagged this off a 3rd party email from work.

The ban on over-sized cargo specialist Volga-Dnepr could delay production of some Boeing 767 freighters.

Credit: Joe Pries

The Canadian government has seized a large Russian cargo aircraft and agreed to provide a $500 million package of military support to Ukraine, which includes contributing to maintaining their future Lockheed Martin F-16s, training their fighter pilots and donating 288 AIM-7 missiles. 

The seizure and aid package was announced on June 10 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a surprise visit to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal. 

The Canadian government is seizing a Volga-Dnepr Antonov An-124 airlifter that has been seen parked at Toronto Pearson International Airport since Feb. 27, 2022. The charter freighter had arrived in Toronto a few days before to deliver COVID-19 tests, but the shipment coincided with the Russian military’s invasion of Ukraine. 

In June 2022, Canadian government officials amended a law that allows the seizure of sanctioned Russian assets, including the An-124. If a forfeiture process is completed, Trudeau’s government will work with Ukrainian officials to decide how to use the asset as compensation for the Russian invasion. 

“We send out this message - Canada will stand by the people of Ukraine with whatever it takes, for as long as it takes,” Trudeau said in Kyiv.

The military aid package also confirms a Canadian military role in a broad international effort to equip the Ukrainian air force with used F-16s. 

“Canada will contribute to multinational efforts to train pilots, and maintain and support Ukraine’s F-16s, leveraging Canadian expertise in these areas,” Trudeau’s office said in a statement. 

Canada does not operate F-16s itself, but manages a NATO training site at the Cold Lake air base in Alberta. The site often hosts F-16s operated by other NATO air forces who come to the base to participate in training and exercises. 

The package also includes the donation to Ukraine of 288 Raytheon AIM-7 Sparrow missiles. These semi-active radar homing, air-to-air missiles “will be repurposed in the United States for use in air defense systems, which will support Ukraine in its efforts to defend its skies,” the government said. 

The U.S. government has previously announced that a different version of the AIM-7 has been integrated on Ukraine’s Buk systems, which are mobile launchers for surface-to-air missiles. 

Trudeau announced that he has extended until 2026 Operation Unifier, an effort that has trained 36,000 Ukrainian troops since 2015

 

Monday Music "Streets Of Fire" By Various Artists

 This was supposed to drop Monday Morning, but was hung up in my scheduler thingie in Limbo...and I didn't realize it until now, so I immediately "dropped" it.   My Bad.

    I am still running a theme of songs that I can play over and over again, I will run this theme for a few more weeks, then i will switch it to songs that I can't stand.  Ying and Yang Ya know.

 

 I decided to go with a 4fer today.  I decided to roll with the "Streets of Fire" soundtrack.  I had bought the movie as a VHS and the soundtrack on CD.  I would up dubbing "What it means to be young" and I can dream about you" on a cassette tape that I would play in the Mustang while I was stationed in Germany.  To me the movie got a short shrift by the critics, the movie was pretty good and the soundtrack was awesome, and "Diane Lane" was really hot, I was a G.I. and the movie had a lot of action, shootemups, and other things, This was the 80's and the soundtracks could make or break a movie.  I do wonder what kind of lever actions they used in the movie.  They don't look like regular Winchester 1894 series rifles. to me....Found out...Marlin 336 Lever action in Stainless....Now I really want one...

I did a bit of research, it will have to be the 1894 version for the .38/357 magnum version I want, because it shares calibers with my wheelguns.

Streets of Fire is a 1984 film directed by Walter Hill and co-written by Hill and Larry Gross. It is described in its opening credits and posters as "A Rock & Roll Fable".The film is a mix of musical, action, neo-noir, drama, and comedy, with elements of retro-1950s and 1980s. It stars Michael Paré as a soldier of fortune who returns home to rescue his ex-girlfriend (Diane Lane) who has been kidnapped by the leader of a biker gang (Willem Dafoe). Some of the film was shot on the backlot of Universal Studios in California, on two large sets covered in a tarp 1,240 feet long by 220 feet wide, so that night scenes could be filmed during the day.

Jimmy Iovine produced five of the songs for the film and the soundtrack album. For Ellen Aim's singing voice, he combined the voices of Laurie Sargent and Holly Sherwood, billing them as "Fire Incorporated." The Attackers were the real-life (Face to Face) bandmates of Sargent, who provided the lead vocals on Ellen Aim's songs "Nowhere Fast", "Never Be You" and "Sorcerer", and supporting vocals on "Tonight Is What It Means to Be Young.^" The version of "Sorcerer," written and composed by Stevie Nicks, that was featured on the actual soundtrack album was performed by Marilyn Martin. The version of "Never Be You" that was featured on the soundtrack album was performed by Maria McKee.

Two songs written by Jim Steinman were part of the soundtrack: "Tonight Is What It Means to Be Young" and "Nowhere Fast", both performed by "Fire Incorporated", with Holly Sherwood providing lead vocals on the former and Laurie Sargent on the latter.

The title of the former was used as the tagline on some promotional materials for the film. Dan Hartman's selection "I Can Dream About You" is the most successful song from the movie, and became a Billboard top 10 hit in 1984 (also from his studio album of the same name). In the movie, the song is performed on stage at the end of the film by "The Sorels," a fictional doo-wop style group consisting of actors Stoney Jackson, Grand L. Bush, Mykelti Williamson, and Robert Townsend. However, the song was actually sung for the film by Winston Ford, whose vocals were lip-synched by Jackson in the movie. While there are thus two versions of the song, only Hartman's version was released commercially.
Steinman later recalled thinking the script was "terrible", but he thought the film was going to be a big hit, in part because of the enthusiasm of Joel Silver:

[He said] this movie is about visuals. It's about excitement, it's about thrills. Don't worry about the script... I remember mentioning it to six or seven people that the script was trashy and I always got the same answer... The script doesn't matter. This movie is about visuals... Then we go to the first edit, the first cut of the movie in the screening room and it's [Jimmy] Iovine and me and Joel Silver... And about 20 minutes into the movie Jimmy turns to me and he goes... this movie is really shitty isn't it? It's really bad. I said, yeah, it's a really bad script. Why didn't anyone notice that the script was bad? It stinks. I can't even watch it... Joel's on the other side going, what am I gonna do next? There's gotta be a next project, and they're sitting there and there's so many lessons I learned during that movie. It went $14 million over budget, I think and I kept saying to Joel, how are they allowing this? 'Cause they kept screaming at us, it's over the budget. I said, how, and they, you've gotta understand, they built all, Walter Hill didn't want to go to Chicago. The story took place in Chicago, so they built Chicago in LA.

Steinman has said the filmmakers were convinced they would have the rights to the Bruce Springsteen song Streets of Fire, and filmed an ending using it. However, when they realized they would not get it in time, they asked Steinman for a song, which he wrote in two days. The song was "Tonight what it means to be young"

 Two music videos accompanied the song. One does not feature Hartman and consists of scenes from Streets of Fire, intercut with footage of the Sorels miming the song as part of a live performance. The lead singer was played by Stoney Jackson, with Grand L. Bush, Mykelti Williamson, and Robert Townsend as backing singers. In the second video, filmed at the Hard Rock in London, Hartman appears as a bartender trying to charm a young woman (played by Joyce Hyser), singing to her as the Sorels' performance plays on a TV set hanging above the bar. In a 2010 interview with Hyser for the blog Old School: Back to the 80s, she was asked how she came to feature in the video. She replied, "I knew Dan's manager and he asked me if I would do it. We shot at the Hard Rock in London. I honestly remember very little about it, but Dan was very nice and I absolutely love that song. I did another music video for ZZ Top's song "Pin Cushion" which I really like. It was directed by Julian Temple."
While recording a mimed TV performance of the song, Hartman explained why one music video featured actors: "The producers and directors of Streets of Fire wanted the best of everything, so they hired the best singers, the best dancers and best actors to play the parts in the film. So the singers in "I Can Dream About You" who are the Sorels are actually actors, and I wrote and sang this song."

                                                                    
                                                       The Dan Hartman Version of the song
 

 

Some things goings at Casa De Garabaldi

 I have been busy working the overtime so posting isn't as plentiful as before, Like I said before, I like blogging, but I really like sleep.

Well first off a few things that have been going on here, 

 

We went down to Florida and stopped at the newest Buccee's in Auburn Alabama to load up with munchies and I got my brisket  like I always do when we stop at the mecca of Gas Stations, but this one was on the way  to visit my brother and his family and while we were in the panhandle we 

visited a restaurant called McGuires in Destin.  They had $1 bills everywhere! ceilings, columns, bannisters, people figure about $2 million dollars in paper, lol.

  We of course added our $1 and signed it. The pub had other stuff in there and of course their bathrooms had signs also....

And to prove that they are equal opportunity....

According to the staffers, there has been more than one *oopsie* entry but everyone has a good laugh about it.     They ain't cheep, neither the wife and I drink, and we ordered medium entry food and appetizer, but it was close to a "C" note with tip but the food was really good.  i wouldn't make a habit to eat there except as a special occasion because I am cheep by nature.

     Sunset at the beach.   I prefer the gulf waters over the Atlantic, I have never splashed in the pacific so i can't judge that one.

 

My Focus has 85 thousand miles on her and I have noticed hesitation and bogging down when I have had to "Whoomp Down" on the accelerator to  avoid getting creamed in traffic and I had used "Seafoam" to make sure that the injectors are clean, it helped a bit, but then I knew most likely it was time for a Spark Plug Change, with a certain amount of trepidation "After dealing with my truck" that was very difficult and the last 2 in the way back in the truck had never been changed.  So I "youtubed it and it looked easy so I ordered the Spark Plugs from the local Auto Parts store,

I then started removing the bolts that hold the coil plugs in place and then I put the bolts in one place..

by the cowl away from anything.....Didn't want to chase bolts inside the engine block....ask me how I know about chasing hardware inside engines, lol.  The Focus is a 4 cylinder, hence the 4 bolts.

Pulled the boot straight out...popped out with no issues.  I then shot a bit of "Kroil" into the cylinder and waited for a couple of minutes then dropped a specialty sparkplug socket to remove it, here was the moment of truth...will it come out or will it break?...

I of course matched up the model of sparkplug and they were the same, sure the autoparts can say"Sure this will work, but it is up to "YOU" to verify it. Don't take them at blind trust.   

I put some "Never Seize" on it to make sure if I have to remove them, it will not become an issue, having a spark plug snap inside a block causes all kinds of $$xpensive$$ issues and I didn't want that.

  I removed and did the same for all 4 spark plugs,   I than snugged the bolts.

     Way easier than it was on my F150, almost anticlimatic, LOL.    The Focus ran a lot better, I guess it is symmetry...Putting a "Battery in the Focus" was a pain in the ass compared to the F150 whereas the sparkplugs were simple.  

Back in 2021 I reattached the door "On the Mailbox" and put some Corrosion Inhibiting compound on the screws, but the rust was still there, and I didn't remove all of it like I should have...and well less than 2 years later, the door rusted off...so I had to do more extensive repairs...This time I treated it like I would have done a sheet metal repair at work.  

   I cut off the corroded lip, and got some metal from work, bent it and trimmed it and pop riveted

it to the mailbox, I would have used dome rivets but I don't have a compressor at home to run a rivet gun so there, LOL.  I then encapsulated the rivets and metal completely with sealer after making sure it was clean.  I then got a hinge from Ace hardware, and then backdrilled it,

 

 

I had cut a 3rd of the door to remove the corroded metal to make sure that I got the rust, I then got some more metal and pop riveted it to the door, I then encapsulated the rivets, and also sealed inbetween the metal and the edges to keep the water out using more sealer.  

 

I then painted it, inside and out.....I used 5 coats of paint. 

                                        I repeated the process....

                                         Again ...... And again....

                               Outside  of Mailbox....

                                           Inside of Mailbox.

       Remember a while back when I "Got 2 flats on one side of my Focus" inside my subdivision and I had to deal with that?  I sent a polite "Nastygram" to my county commissioner about it....well 

They are finally fixing it!   Yay!   I have been scowling at that thing for almost a year, LOL

On the way home last week, I had picked up a "Hitchhiker" on the way home from work, 

                     I will add a few more pics...

                                  Some more...

                 The little guy hung on for 45 miles at 85 miles an hour in ATL traffic ....I was impressed.. I didn't try to knock him off or hasten his demise, it was totally up the the grip of his feet, LOL

                                     Picture of him in my sub division.