Pdunn: Comments

While we're on the subject of Photoshop, a while back when posting a GM of a Chinese sub(http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/20420/), I attached an article from the Washington Times that had the nearly the exact satelite imagery: http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20060216-020211-7960r.htm
The only difference was...

Sounds good to me. Good job, Alfjon!

I'll have to wait until other moderators weigh in; however, I don't think this camo pattern qualifies as a mural.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0709259/L/

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0989362/L/

Lol!!

Great maps today, Don!
I've resisted the temptation of posting cultural/historical sites like this, because I could never do them justice the way you do.
If I had found this, it would probably have a title like "cool old bridge." It'd be a little like the amateur archaeologist who plunders a find of all its artifacts before the people who know what it is they are looking at come in. Thanks for all the hard work!

Nice Map! Although, the conservationist in me would rather have seen trees there. ;0)

I don't think all thefire engines would still be on the scene unless they were still fighting the fire. I vote for the perfect score! Great Job mic1us!

Although not shot at this airport, here is a photo that contrasts the Yak-50 and the Yak-52, both visible in this thumbnail:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0875011/L/

Here's an image of this Yak-52 in flight:
http://www.southcountypilots.org/

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0997401/L/

Click on the BEV and she turns into an oil barge. ;0)

Adding credence to the possibility that we are seeing an emergency unfold is this shot of two boats racing to the scene as the helicopter is in its low hover (Both boats can be seen reaching the seen in TA's alternate "North View"):
...

This is how I think the event unfolded:
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=44.080747~9.774127&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=12157283&encType=1
(Texas Android's map shows the two guys in a skiff next to dive boat(possibly rescuing a swimmer in distress(?))

...

One more "alternate" west view with yet another glimpse (two people standing in one skiff and a person on the shore):

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=44.079919~9.774399&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=12157293&encType=1

In the west view, it appears some smoke is visible in an otherwise cloudless day:

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=44.079804~9.773296&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=12157292&encType=1

I should say in an "alternate" south view. Click out a couple times and then come back in and you'll see what I mean.

It looks to me like this could be the response to some sort of diving emergency. In the south view, a number of skiffs and what looks like a dive boat have all converged on the same spot where the helicopter is hovering in this view. Just a theory.

Wow! A treasure trove of great posts this day! You've had a good one.

Here are some cameos of the checkerboard one:
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1383578523068893145DshEor

These particular T-34s are used by the Strike Fighter Weapons School at Oceana.

Here's one of the beasts:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1209745/M/

I think you've got T-34 Turbo Mentors painted in anything but traditional paint schemes (The nose bumps visible on the shadows looks Turbo Mentorish.) Let me know if you agree:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/t-34-pics.htm

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0897611/L/

It very well could be. The stenciled aircraft silhouette near the wreckage could also point to this being part of the airport's fire training range.

The photo dda posted looks like it could've been taken on the same day as the Live Local fly-over (minus the rain).

Looks like a Grumman Albatross.

I'm impressed! You guys are going to have tell me how you tracked down the name on this one! Especially "Old Crow," probably the most famous Mustang still flying.

Berli110, for this category, we are looking for a building that is clearly visible in one map service, but in another map service the same building has either not yet been built or has been removed. Unfortunately, Live Local doesn't yet have the resolution to show whether the building has been removed or not; however, since it is such a famous landmark, I have a hunch it is still there. ;0)
Good hunting!

The funny thing about this experiment is that while the viewership is clearly inflated——it's nearly twice the viewership of my other maps with inflated views!! Guess it says something about my maps. ;0)

Sorry, Don. This category requires a Supertanker, which refers to ultra-large oil ferrying ships. This appears to be a container ship. Good hunting!

Judging by its perimeter fencing, looks like the main effort of their concealment is the facility S.E. of the runway off Habraken road in the middle of the forest. The only drawback to this kind of pixelating is that you simply have to step back from your monitor a little bit and it is as if it wasn't censored at all.

Simbel is one of the earliest observatories, built by Ramsis the II around 1279 B.C. on the banks of the Nile. It was recently relocated by UNESCO to protect it from rising flood water. Here's a link with more info:
http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2005/locations/abusimbel.htm

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0045134/L/

My guess is that it is a hot air balloon drifting over the water.

While there are dozens of easily identifiable animals within yards of this image, these "hippos" are not among them. Sorry, we can't award points for this one. Good hunting!

I had the same initial conclusion, but then realized there is an "H" underneath the helicopter, similar to the one on the right, so I approved it.

Sorry, dude. Can't award points for this one. Good hunting!

After getting to see an F-15 and F-22 flying side-by-side, I think Anonymous may have gotten it right, I think this is an F-22 in flight. I've attached a few photos so you can judge for yourself.

Two great tastes that taste great together.

As always, dda, thanks for the link!

22 views in twenty minutes is pretty high above norms. Although, yesterday evening I had 200 hits in ten minutes—definitely beyond the norm until recently.

Unfortunately, without more conclusive evidence this is inflatable, we can't award points for this one. Good luck with the hunt!

This appears to be a permanent fixture. Do you have prior-knowledge that it is inflatable?

The link you provided describes the problem as "leaning to port." In the map and all its associated views, the port wing is barely off the ground.

This particular Boeing B-29A (G-BHDK / 44-61748 (cn 11225)) was rescued from the China Lake target range, where it survived three separate air-to-ground missile sorties with no damage. After recovering it from the desert and being made airworthy for a short flight to Tuscon, it underwent more comprehensive restoration. Upon completion, it was acquired by the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, England, where it was fully restored and is now on display as "It's Hawg Wild."

...

6482 Bock Rd, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

Interesting map. The moderators will have to confer on this one. Because while you captured crews erecting grandstands for the Monaco GP, I'm not sure the viewing stands will qualify as a building. Moderators?

For this category, the submission has to be in Google Maps so we can measure the ships size. Also, this appears to be a cargo ship rather than a super tanker, which refers to an extra-large oil tanker. Good hunting!

Amazing! Ironically, the most identifiable piece remaining is the wing, which stores all the fuel.

From what I can tell, this is an agricultural area rather than something intentionally altered.

A casino, none the less. Good post! And good luck with your hunting!

Ah, Fouga Magisters on poles! Very cool. Thanks for the link, dda!

Thats hilarious! Not just a 747, but its shadow about three inches directly to the west!!

I think rather than oil, it is sediment being kicked up from the bottom of the harbor as the tugs maneuver the ship for its departure.

How things have changed in two years. The star-studded artwork is gone, and only an ugly building, nothing like the one in the thumbnail, remains.

The only other airworthy Lancaster resides in Canada.

http://www.bbmf.co.uk/bomber.html

Saddly, if it is indeed this one:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0459787/M/
it was the last airworthy example of its type. Unfortunately, it was destroyed during a crash July 10 ,2003 en route to an air show in Montana, killing both pilots.

Here's one of their MiG-29s

http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/24119/

Nellis is home to the 57th Adversary Tactics Group, whose main purpose is to simulate the aircraft and tactics of potential adversaries throughout the world. The 64th and 65th Aggressor Squadrons within the group fly F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons. The IMAX film, "Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag" provides an excellent look into just how closely the 57th mimics foreign threats, including their paint schemes.

I love this site! Not many mysteries go unsolved. Thanks kaiken!

My bad. From the side perspective, it's clear there are four stacked atop each other, rather than two with slots for a pair of engines.

Very cool find. The odd thing about them is they appear to have openings for a pair of engines stacked atop each other.

Thanks for the inside info! I'll update the map title with the new information.

Our judges have decided to award the points for this clearly censored area. However, at least one of them thinks that it is a case of someone photo-shopping in a bunch of military-related buildings to conceal one of the world's last untouched forests. ;0)

After long deliberations, our panel of accredited judges has come back with a narrow decision that we just can not award points for this "accident."

Looks like a desperate cry for scavenger points to me ;O). However if you look very closely into the rear window of that Cirrus Mini-van with the whitewall tires, it is quite clear the baby in the car seat next to the little blonde girl in ponytails has had an accident and is in need of changing ;0).

This has to rate up there with one of the better finds! Very cool.

Wow, talk about small world! I grew up in a house two blocks away adjacent to Canyon Creek Park. As a toddler I wondered out on the golf course and got hopelessly lost.

Thanks for posting it none the less. I've always kept my eye open for puffs of smoke while trotting over neighborhoods, but have never seen anything close. As far as I know this is the first of its type on VGT.

The really odd thing about this is that the pentagon-shaped building is clearly visible as a Howard Johnson's Hotel in BEV. There's been forum chatter over similar "intentionally altered" maps from NY that came to the conclusion that immediately following 9/11, the censors were a little heavy handed when it came to NY airports, and have since eased off a bit for the rest of the country.

Under the current format, we can't substitute submissions. However, since there are no additional points awarded for "composition," your first hang glider/parachute wins the same points this one would have. ;O)

Welcome to VGT!
Since it's your first map and I posted the original Dupe, I'll eliminate mine. Besides, your description is much more compelling than mine. ;0)

Does look like the driver's gotten into a bit of a predicament (if the cars are at highway speed). But I'll have to wait until more mods have weighed in before awarding the points.

If you think this category's tough, just wait until the next scavenger hunt. The challenges are even greater, but so are the rewards!

I had a hunch it was no accident you posted this particular map. ;0)

Perhaps the horse farm is being constructed rather than torn down; however, by the outlines of the pastures and roads in the "demolished" views, it looks like a perfectly good ranch was leveled.

Thanks for the great maps, scalpod! Unfortunately, posting Birds Eye View maps are a little more complicated than simply posting the "View Permalink" coordinates. A little "surgery" to the link is also involved.

Here is a Tutorial kjfitz devised that explains the whole process:


Here is a quick tutorial for getting the correct URLs for BEV. It looks complicated but is very quick and simple. Don't let the number of steps scare you away from trying it...

Thanks, kjfitz. I first was drawn to the horse-drawn carriage, but then discovered what it was there for after switching to a different view. Another one of those happy accidents.

If you are ever in Seattle, the Roosevelt's "Cloud Room" offers a great view of the city from up top. Also, not a bad cocktail in the place.

Be sure to enter maps like this into the scavenger hunt category. Moving trains are worth 1 point.

Take it from an addict, once it bites you can't shake it.

Nice first map! Welcome to VGT!

Also see maps:
http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/31720/
http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/15333/

Good catch on the ghost ship! The shipwreck next to it is actually a pier that serves as a bumper for the Washington State Ferries that dock at this landing.

Very cool effect. Nice catch!

While the thumbnail is of a post-Katrina French Quarter, the map it links to, like all the maps showing the hurricane devastation, has since been updated--or pre-dated-- to New Orleans during happier times.

Thanks Don, I've updated the link.

This is the "Piccadilly Lilly," B-17 44-83684 currently undergoing restoration at Chino's Planes of Fame Museum with with intention of returning her to flying status.
http://www.planesoffame.org/restorations.php?aircraft=b17flyingfortress

This map has changed quite a bit since its posting in 2005. The bomb craters have been filled in and a base has sprung up in their place. The bomb craters in the nearby maps "Baghdad Bomb Craters" I & II have also been filled in.

What a sad ending to a fine ship. Saddest of all is the fact the locomotives went down with it.

Here's the insignia in Baghdad:
http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/15333/

Thanks for your Darfur posts, Don. With any luck, posts like yours will help the world finally take notice of such a time-sensitive tragedy. Here is a link to the Holocaust museum's effort to marry Google Earth satellite imagery with images of the atrocities on the ground:
http://www.ushmm.org/conscience/alert/darfur/contents/01-overview/

Darn, теперь мой секрет вне!

Ah, so that's where I left it! And left the keys in the helicopter on the bow, too! I'm getting so absent minded. ;0)

The big tent looks similar to one you'd find at a revival meeting.

The long-winged aircraft in this map is a Grob G-520 Strato (Egret), originally intended as a cheap alternative to the U-2. Of the six built, one flies for Australia, while four remain in service in the US, utilized by agencies like the CIA and DEA as a platform for ELINT and high-altitude radio relay, as well as atmospheric sciences.
http://www.spyflight.co.uk/grob%20new.htm
...

This looks to be the B-25J "Executive Sweet" captured in this photo:
http://www.air-and-space.com/20020811%20Camarillo/5%2024%20B-25J%20N30801%20Executive%20Sweet%20P-51D%20N471R%20Huntress%20III%20left%20side%20in%20flight%20l.jpg

I think it is an SU-9
http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/24327/

Ah, here it is. It's now on display at the Kenosha Military Museum in Racine:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0925819/M/