Moonship Cutaway | beautiful technical illustration of the Command Module. The three astronauts traveled to the moon and back in the claustrophobic confines of this vessel. Though in zero-g it became very slightly more voluminous. They also had the Lunar Module which was docked to the nose of the LM for more elbow room. The CM is the only piece of hardware that made it back to earth.
LEM | Lunar (Excursion) Module. Three days after embarking on the Trans Lunar Injection the Apollo spacecraft entered orbit around the Moon. Separating from the Command Service Module the LM descended to the surface with the Commander and Pilot standing at these controls in their full spacesuits. The descent and landing is well documented as one of the coolest pieces of flying by anyone anywhere. Like landing a telephone box, using the computing power of a Casio scientific calculator, onto a grey dust surface under a black sky…. with diminishing fuel and alarms going off.
Command Module | Fifty Years ago this month three intrepid explorers headed off into a lunar rendezvous with destiny. Backed by countless engineers, scientists, mathematicians, computers (women who crunches the complex equations for orbital mechanics), skilled laborers, wives, budget analysts, lingerie manufacturers (the space suits required impeccable needlework); they headed beyond the surly bonds of earth atop the mighty Saturn V rocket. The cramped confines of the Command Module ‘Columbia’ took them the quarter million miles to our closest neighbor in the skies.
Fifty Years | that’s the time between these two Triumph models – half a century. Both prime examples of what is possible with technical ken of the respective day. Be it the simple but strong Bonneville 650 to the technical hefty Tiger 800. Both can give you a grin as wide as a slice of watermelon! The Bonneville belongs to riding buddy Dean.
Chopper Ink | long legged forks with fiery exhaust fan and overhead ape hangers. This gnarly bearded biker dude is ripping through the graveyard of American twins.
Fi Fox | onetime Bond girl, Spectre assassin, and Italian actress Luciana Paluzzi looking surly on a golden faired BSA Lightning. Rocket launchers? Yes please!
Evel Knievel | Stuntman showman injury-prone daredevil. On a December 31st Evel roared over Caesars Palace fountain and into the hearts of middle America.
he has the record for recovering from the most broken bones.
Antique on Four Wheels | A select offering from yesterday’s car show under the June sky. Beautiful and well cared for there was something for everyone be it German Italian or British. A red XKE was sublime; the early model orange Porsche 911 pure deutsche ingenieurwissenschaften; mint green VW Beetle German efficiency; MK 2 Jags in detail; and a sturdy canvas roofed SWB Landy. So much more was enjoyed.
Motoblot | The annual pilgrimage to Chicago’s main open air motorcycle gathering was had today. Weather cooperated after stormy forecasts. Plenty to look at amongst the offering. The KZ900 in sparkly brown and oranges was a notable example; as was a display of the Danish in-line 4 workpony’s Nimbus.
Sepia | evocative photograph of decked out leather boy on his cafe’d Triumph. Low summer sun stretches hedgerow shadows across the road. Scarf across the mouth to keep the flies out.
SoCal Villa | Summer is upon us here in the Midwest, though the cooler days with a foggy fret off the Lake would make you think otherwise. Here’s Steve McQueen maintaining a cool look, as always, in the courtyard of his Beverly Hills home on a Triumph Matisse runabout’. His ’57 Jaguar XKSS which he called The Green Rat is parked in the background. He makes that faded denim shirt and jeans ensemble with Turkish slippers look stylish.
Pillion Who? | We’re not sure who this is as passenger with Mr Steve McQueen… but if he’s racing around the Hollywood Hills like the two-wheeled fanatic he was then this gent had better hold on! Answers on a postcard to BBC TV Wood Lane London W12 8QT
Window Shopping | A few lads gaze longingly at a BSA Rocket Goldstar in some early 60’s motorcycle dealership showroom.
Stay Cool | Effortlessly is how Steve McQueen maintains his aplomb attitude. White shirt, black tie and Persol shades. The Viceroy cigarette barely hanging to his lower lip is pure effect.
There’s a fella down the chip shop… | This image was doing the rounds a couple of weeks ago. Late night talk show host and former Saturday Night Live member Jimmy Fallon dressed as Elvis riding a Triumph Bonneville with a bear sitting at pillion. Vegas is undoubtably the destination.
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