pdunn: Comments

It is very telling how unkept this airbase is compared to those of other nations.

I think there may be an optical illusion at work here. There is a gray hue thrughout the entire airbase that makes the entire place look like it was recently obliterated. I think it is just a hue, though, and the buildings actually are intact with roofs that have shading that makes them appear to be missing.

To your credit there are a large number of motorcycles around the parking area, and it is odd that more car chasis aren't visible than the ones I listed above. Epsecially in front of the team trucks.

You sound much more knowledgable about it than I am. However, there are a pair of what I think are Formula-1 chasis in a hospitality tent that led me to believe this was an F-1 Race. Here's the map:

http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/16142/

Weather update over the Korean Peninsula (June 20, 2006):
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060620/ts_nm/korea_north_dc_9

Storm clouds have obscured the launch site, making a launch risky for the North Koreans. Not launching could prove equally risky. News reports indicate once fuel has been loaded into the missile it is very difficult to remove; however, the fuel's corrosive effects will...

Dirt roads are dirt roads. Lack of infrastructure is lack of infrastructure. Open the map, take a walk around. Have things changed considerably from the time of the Fas article and the taking of the sat image? You be the judge.

If it were to come to that, yes. However, one thing the US has going for it other than the primative state of North Korea's launch site—is the fact it takes two solid days to fuel their missile, and then the missile must be launched within 48-hours or it will be destroyed by its own corrosive fuel.

Here's an article mentioning the primative state of North Korea's Launch Facilities that are cleary evident in these thumbnails:

http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/dprk/facility/nodong.htm

Here's an article mentioning the primative state of North Korea's Launch Facilities that are cleary evident in these thumbnails:

http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/dprk/facility/nodong.htm

his is the Masudan-ri Missile launch site in North Korea, where reports indicate Sunday, June 18, 2006, the North Korean's have fueled and are preparing to test fire a long range Taepodong nuclear-capable missile, capable of reaching Russia, much of Asia, Alaska and possibly Washington State.

Here is an article from CNN detailing the events:
...

his is the Masudan-ri Missile launch site in North Korea, where reports indicate Sunday, June 18, 2006, the North Korean's have fueled and are preparing to test fire a long range Taepodong nuclear-capable missile, capable of reaching Russia, much of Asia, Alaska and possibly Washington State.

Here is an article from CNN detailing the events:
...

his is the Masudan-ri Missile launch site in North Korea, where reports indicate Sunday, June 18, 2006, the North Korean's have fueled and are preparing to test fire a long range Taepodong nuclear-capable missile, capable of reaching Russia, much of Asia, Alaska and possibly Washington State.

Here is an article from CNN detailing the events:
...

This is the Masudan-ri Missile launch site in North Korea, where reports indicate Sunday, June 18, 2006, the North Korean's have fueled and are preparing to test fire a long range Taepodong nuclear-capable missile, capable of reaching Russia, much of Asia, Alaska and possibly Washington State.

Here is an article from CNN detailing the events:
...

Here is an article that appeared in the Washington Times (02/16/06) detailing efforts by China to conceal much of the recent expansion of its nuclear war fighting capability.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20060216-020211-7960r.htm

Thanks for the homework. It's always nice to know what we're looking at.

Here is a good overhead shot of the canal and surroundings near Zarqawi's last stand:
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events//wl/042506alzarqawi/im:/060610/ids_photos_wl/r2184899124.jpg;_ylt=AtZV29xEvOe_wlZwTrAYO12aK8MA;_ylu=X3oDMTA5bGcyMWMzBHNlYwNzc25hdg--

If you would like to move the screenshots of the gun camera footage of this neighborhood up to this thumbnail I would not object.

My "best guess" was on the same street but a few hundred yards to the south. The New York Times shows the house shown here as the correct house. So I defer to washelt2. Good find.

The image above is also from Hibhib. The location the Iraqi blogger indicates appears to lack the trees the Pentagon's gun camera footage shows.

I did a little homework of the North Island Naval Air Station, and it turns out that it was home to the first ever squadron of F4-U Corsairs. Judging by this fact alone, I'm convinced it is a Corsair.

Here's the background: http://www.fighterfactory.net/airworthy-aircraft/navy-fg-1d-corsair.php

I cast my vote with voldude123. Here is a Corsair from another map and it appears to have the similar proportions as the one pictured here:
http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/19598/

Thanks for the info. You could be right, however, I would wager it's the real McCoy, simply becuase it is parked on the tarmac of a Naval Airstation that has other vintage aircraft like a pair of F9-F8 Cougar parked nearby.

I would imagine other than for airshows, the Navy would not allow home-builts to be birthed at the airstation. But I am only speculating.

That is odd. I wonder if the original site could have been taken before the area had been dug out. Evidently, the thick walls of the old pens wreaked havoc on Airbus' efforts to extend the runway, causing extensive delays.

Interesting theories. It never occurred to me that we could be seeing something below the surface. I guess the clincher will be if we can find a boat actually over the top of one of the structures.

This one's perplexing. However, after running the image by someone who worked on the A-7 for Vaught back in the 70's, after agreeing it looked A-7-ish, took out a magnifying glass, and--like you indicated in an earlier posting--its long nose, sleek lines, and dual air intakes become evident.
Leading us to believe, it is, as you correctly guessed, a Gnat. Good eye!

Thanks for the research. Although, there is a listing of a Gnat being restored in the area, to me this particular aircraft doesn't appear as sleak as a Gnat:
http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/gnat/

But appears to have the blunt nose and features of an A-7:
...

Thanks Albino Flea.

The discussion's conclusion was that rater than a "close call" this shot captured two sailplanes sharing the same thermal— a fairly common occurance.

Thanks. Sounds like you know your stuff. I'll defer to your call. It's a Bristol Bolingbroke.

The resolution available on these F-18 is MUCH better than the thumbnail shows.

This is the super-secret underground complex that led the international community to conclude the Iranians are up to less-than-peaceful intentions with their nuclear program. The area beneath this opening is large enough (and is believed) to house 55,000 or more nuclear centrifuges.

The mountain itself houses a large subteranian complex that conects the reactor (on the oposite side of the mountain) to this area, allowing any military activity to be conducted underground and...

Like Batman answering to a bat-shaped becon in the clouds, label a bunch of propane tanks missiles, and you can be sure Analogman will appear out of thin air to set things right again in the world. Thank you, Analogman.

By the number of spectators visible on both sides of the road and up and down the street, I think chances are it was indeed an IED. However, a flaming car of any sort also tends to draw crowds. If you look two to three car lengths ahead of the flaming car, I think you can see damage to the road, although the evidence is not conclusive.

You're right, it could be a car fire. However, in a city where they have dozens of IED in a day, chances are high that the aftermath of one of them would be vissible by a passing satellite. Many IEDs, if not most, have hit civilians.

This is the Al Sad airfield in Western Iraq, Iraq's second largest. It was taken by Austrailian Special Forces during a hottly contested battle pitting the SF troops against specially modified SUVs armed with heavy weaponry. After the base was captured, the Austrailians discovered dozens of flyable Iraq aircraft hidden in dry riverbeds, under groves of date palms and other creative concealment. Many of the aircraft can still be seen around the perimeter of the airbase.

With the higher resolution now available through Google Earth, I'm convinced this is a DC-3. Oddly, a camouflaged DC-3.

The P-40 Warhawk, Me 109, F4U Corsair, P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt pictured here are part of the 84th Aero Squadron Restaurant's display adjacent to the museum. The food there is excellent, by the way.

Look out ahead of the plane and you'll see that distinctive motion blur. Also, I thought the object to the south east near the taxiway was Plane #1's shadow, but judging by the motion blur ahead of it, I'm convinced it's a second F-16.

It's a motion blur the satellite picks up with
virtually every fast moving object. Sometimes it's
easier to spot aircraft by the smudge than the plane
itself, especially when it's got a paint scheme like
this one.

Worshipers have dispersed since Google's previous update.

Evidently, the fire has been extinguished since Google's last Map update.

There's another at about 5:00 to the south east, however, it is too blurry to post (Four inches away at highest magnification)

With the higher resolution available since this image was posted, I'm led to wonder if this is not the actual fighter plane rather than a shadow of a mystery plane.

How on Google Earth did you ever find such small thumbnails? Very cool.

Here's a photo of a FOXBAT in a scrap heap from FLICKR, although, I'm not positive it's the above MiG in a scrap heap:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/timmeh_2/90111591/in/photostream/

You want to see big maps? Try this one on for size:
http://www.flashearth.com/

This is just south of the Syrian border.

I'm sorry, I'm still not convinced. The objects appear to have square edges and are very un-wakelike. Check out the boat three boats away to the north and you will find similar objects, but only on the starboard side of the ship. Very uncharacteristic of a wake.

Directly south there are three similar, though unpaved, mounds in miniture that Global Security.Org has pegged as Anti-Aircraft Guns.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/images/dg-tharthar4.jpg

In the article accompanying the satelite imagery, Global Security.Org stated that at one point Weapons Inspectors requested the anti-air defenses of the complex be...

Here is a photostream from Flickr showing Saddam's Parade Grounds and the immediate vicinity from a ground-eye view:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobaltblu9696/56846576/in/photostream/

Here's a photo stream of one of these very predators in flight:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodaddy/67214328/in/set-1438517/

Here's a close-up of these very planes from the ground:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodaddy/67214535/in/set-1438517/

Here are some other links of life on the ground at Balad Airbase:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodaddy/67212462/in/set-1438517/

It's obvious by the teeter-totters and squirrels.

Here is a photostream of life on the ground in and around "Camp Fallujha:"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seanhorgan/56875661/in/photostream/

It's very common in that area to encounter multiple well openings following the path of an underground aquafer. I think that is what you are seeing here.

Here is an even better photo-stream of the Migs being unearthed:
http://www.defendamerica.mil/photoessays/aug2003/p080603b1.html

Here's a links to an incredible photos of a MiG-25 Foxbat being dug out of a large sand dune near Al Taqadum Airfield:
http://www.newsmax.com/images/headlines/mig25c.jpg

http://www.newsmax.com/images/headlines/mig25d.jpg

Here is the link to the accompanying article:

...

Interesting. I've run into numerous ramp-shaped mounds throughout Iraq and wondered what they were. Now I know. Thanks for the detailed posts. We all appreciate it.

Believe me, I looked. But all I could find was a plane on a pole. And I imagine it had been sitting motionless for quite some time.

I give the aerobatics and your find a "10" for degree of dificulty.

Closer inspection reveals shaded areas on airstrip are not aircraft but stains and discoloration.

Other than the fact it stood out for its opulance, the selection of Saddam's actual neighborhood was purely coincidental.

Here are some photos of what this area looks like on the ground:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/snakeblocker/59355716/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/snakeblocker/59355715/in/photostream/

...

Ploys like this are what happens when you're up beyond 1:00 a.m. looking for something interesting. Your eyes get blurry and next thing you know, you're inventing movie theaters in Barbados.

As long as its followed by a question mark.

I read the rules to the contest wrong. I thought finding the most obsucre category (theatre, movie-5), in the most obscure location (Barbados-1), earned the most points.

;0)

Using Google Earth, 13 planes are visible.

The short version: "...traits that include orderliness, rigidity, obstinacy, obsession with rules, meticulousness, and ungenerousness."

http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19970718

"The expression anal retentive derives from psychoanalytic theory. Sigmund Freud theorized that after birth, a person progresses through a series of stages that, in a healthy individual, would reach an adult state of low anxiety, mental stability, the ability to interact with others, the ability to have a sexual relationship, etc. Freud's stages of normal psychosexual development were the oral stage, in which the mouth is the object of gratification; the anal stage, when the anus is the object...

In Google Earth, many of these planes have distinct shadows, leading me to believe that these may actually be 3-dimensional, rather than painted on the ground as I first believed.

These are to the north east (not south) of the plane flying through the area.

Here's this plane's wingman:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=North+Korea&ll=39.878728,125.500549&spn=0.000001,0.000001&t=k&hl=en

I was thinking they were being dropped from the tower to the west. However, if that were the case, I don't think they would be as scattered as they are, or able to travel as far as they have.

Your theory of target baloons is interesting. If you follow the path of the plane backwards there are a number of balloons in the flightpath that appear in various stages of deflating.

There's a very high tower just west of the orbs. Could this be a jump tower and what we are seeing are airborne troops parachuting from the tower. It could explain why some of the orbs are a different altitudes than others, as well as the different sizes (the ones on the ground would have folded in on themselves). However, it wouldn't explain their apparent speed.

You are right! There are clearly shadows to each of the orbs. I had assumed they were just an exposure errors. Great catch! Any guesses as to what they might be?

Cool observation. I'll check it out.

I had submitted a similar map awhile back labled "North Korean Aircraft on Hilltop Far From Airstrip." I imagine it was probably in flight also.

Without absolute certainty, this appears very similar to numerous more obvious pipeline spills in southern Iraq. There appears to be a pipeline running from southeast to northwest a little left of center in this image. It would appear the oil is flowing downhill toward the inlet to the east, with a small amount back tracking above the pipeline to the west.

You're right about the difference Google Earth resolution makes over that of Google Local's resolution. There's no mistaking that that is an F-14, while in Google Local, it's questionable whether its even a plane at all.

Thanks for the help.

Well, they say you learn more by failing. So I've learned quite a bit it would seem in my erronious guesses. Thanks for the great information once again.

There is a 3rd MiG 23 barely visible on the southernmost thoroughfare, bringing the total visible aircraft to ten.

Great. Thanks again for the info.

That "garden area" is interesting. It has been landscaped to look like the surrounding countryside, complete with grass-covered hangars and manicured shrubbery. If not for the dozen or so fighters parked between the hedgerows and the enormous airstrip adjacent to it, you'd think it were a city park.

Is that a missile battery parked in middle of the garden area near the seven other MiG-25s and pair of MiG-23s?

When you say the TU-22 is "unused" is it because it is in the bushes, or are there other tailtale signs that it is dormant?

Thanks for the schooling. It is appreciated.

To appreciate the true size of this opening into the mountainside, notice the semi-truck rounding the bend near the opening's entrance.

There is some incredible footabe of these very fighters in the new on video IMAX movie: FIGHTER PILOT: Operation Red Flag. Highly recommended.

Cool find.

Once again, great information. We appreciate your insight.

It does look fortress-like

I would agree that the berms in the lowland are for protection, but what are the objects protruding high above the ridge line? They have to be nearly fifty-feet tall.

I give that one a "10." Super catch!

The image is of a neighborhood in Sadam Hussein;s home town, Tikrit. Take a gander at the homes in this and other Tikrit neighborhoods, and it becomes clear these people enjoyed Sadam's favor more than anywhere else in Iraq.

Is it my imagination, or does the netting have the Korean flag printed on them?

Once again, thanks for the great information.

Nice find. I've poured over this airbase more than any other image and am always amazed at how much I missed. You could spend a week detailing all the cool stuff that's in and around this base.

The top of the yellow traingle is pointing at the aircraft's left wing. The nose of the airplane is oriented toward the southwest, its tail, northeast. The canopy is visible as a dark spot.

The green plane marked with a yellow triangle in the thumbnail is definitely an aircraft, distinguishable by its canopy, wings and stabilizers. The two other images seem less credible. However, when I ran them through a few Photoshop filters, they distincly showed all the features you'd expect to find on a plane, just not with great clarity.

There are AAA guns on the otherside of the revetments in the circular areas

Believe it or not, but there are actually three aircraft visible in this image. In addition to the one highlighted with a yellow triangle, there is another slightly off a nose to tail position behind it, and another at about 2'oclock, right beneath the dirt road.

Site shown is number 11 on Kjfitz's list.