Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/12/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Jim, Do not assume that you're "the only one who cares for it." I look at every image post. When I saw this one from you I thought: fascinating machinery solid asymmetrical composition and neat story. Just didn't feel those thoughts merited typing; as I assume from what you wrote that you too find the machinery fascinating and lived your neat story; and probably also knew it was a well balanced composition. ;~) Regards, George Lottermoser george at imagist.com http://www.imagist.com http://www.imagist.com/blog http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist On Dec 17, 2009, at 7:47 PM, Jim Nichols wrote: > I am getting the feeling that Sonny had last week, when no one > commented on his parade shot. So far, 36 viewers and not a word, > good or bad. So, it's probably an APS image, shot with a Kodak > Advantix I was using when my work kept me too busy for serious > photography. And, it is probably an image that no one else on the > LUG could appreciate. However, as a vital part of my life > experience, this busy patch of real estate means a lot. > > This is one of six compressor units in a plant designed in the > 1950s for a specific purpose. As such, it did its job. However, > like PhotoShop of today, new challenges kept coming. During the > 1960s and 1970s, there was a demand for rocket motor testing at > altitudes never envisioned when the plants and test cells were > designed. When we were asked if we could help, we added a few > valves and exhaust stacks and created a test cell exhauster plant > which could be connected to ducting leading to the engine test > facility. We learned how to handle the moisture created when > cooling white-hot engine exhaust flow, not without a few setbacks. > We even learned how to handle exhaust flows rich with hydrogen, > using timed additions of nitrogen to separate the air from the > hydrogen. And NASA, as well as the USAF, got their rocket tests > done, providing the data that they badly needed. > > So, I will leave the photo in my gallery, even if I am the only one > who cares for it. It brings back memories of challenges faced and > conquered! > > Jim Nichols > Tullahoma, TN USA > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Nichols" > <jhnichols at lighttube.net> > To: "LUG at Leica-Users.org" <lug at leica-users.org> > Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 12:40 PM > Subject: [Leica] IMG: Compressor Unit 1986 > > >> My ears still ring from years of exposure, even with hearing >> protection, to the sounds of wind tunnel compressor plants that I >> managed during my working career. This is one of the smaller >> compressors, photographed during a rare photo op at an "open >> house" day in 1986. Like aircraft turbine engines, these >> compressors had to undergo periodic inspections. Since the ducting >> was above the compressors, all of it had to be disassembled and >> removed in order to remove the top half of the compressor case to >> inspect the compressor blades, seals, and bearings. >> >> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Compressor+Unit >> +1986.jpg.html >> >> Comments and critiques welcomed. >> >> Jim Nichols >> Tullahoma, TN USA >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information