Shipbucket

HLK small arms

It is time for something more peaceful, an IBR. Project started from almost one month ago, evaluated several IB. Finally I use IB Endurance (1991) and designed my own hull, loosely based to HCMR ship of Real Hellas. Underwater she is similar with Endurance, hull needs fitting/modification. Ice breaking capabilities perhaps a bit better, due to larger weight. The new ship commisioned in 2006. In my "shipyard" I also have a reasearch deep-submergence vehicle.

I thought starting my polar program from Spitsbergen first (Hellenic Center for Polar Research was established in 1969, from Hellenic Academy of Science and the Hellenic Center of Maritime Research-in my AU this research institute dates from 1872), where a research base was built from 1978-1980, named Juan de Fuca Station (Σταθμός Ιωάννης Φωκάς) . An IB based on cancelled Terra Nova built by Neorion Shiphard (under this name is an assosiation of several naval architecture offices) in island of Syros. Nobody believe that the ship would work properly, but finally it did. The only experience for ice strengthened ships were from the Royal Yacht and a training program they attained in Norway. The IB Pytheas received RHN pennant number, even though complement is from Hellenic Merchant Navy plus researchers/scientists. First trip to Spitsbergen completed in 1975. Gradually, Juan de Fuca Station transformed to a green research station, occupied all year round from 1987 (36 researchers/personnel summer, 10-12 winter after rebuilt and extension). There indigenous developed equipment and vehicles tested for the first time in extreme cold temperatures during Arctic winter.

Aircraft of HCPR

DHC-7-151 (1)-Ordered new in 1980 together with OA order
SA-330J (1)-Iced (modified, rebuilt ex-Hellenic Petroleum frame)
AB-212A2 (2)-Iced
HC-270P (3)-Iced-One stationed in Spitsbergen



Specification (A 437)

Name : Pytheas
Type : Icebraker
Built : Neorion, 1972-1973
Commissioned : 7 December 1973
Length : 84.7 m (278 ft)
Beam : 19.5 m ( 64 ft)
Draught : ?
Displacement : 7000tn deep
Ice Class : ?
Propulsion : 4 X GENME/Pielstick 8VPL37, 15000 hp (11,190 kW)
Speed : ?




Link for Juan de Fuca: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_de_Fuca

Among guest scientists/researchers who participated to Polar Program are from :

- Hellenic Center for Maritime Research
- Hellenic Museum of Natural History
- Hellenic Meteorological Service
- Demokritos
- Ministry of Evriroment
-Arktouros (a voluntary research center for bears and other carnivores of Hellenic wildlife) and Kallisto (another voluntary center of wildlife research, which celebrated its 120th year in September)
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Nice effort.

What about that blue color?

well it's blue.

The ship is interesting.

The prototype AC-100 airframe after its display tour to air shows and demostration model used as test platform for some years. Refuelling probe for military spec AC-122 and the development of Early Warning Radar MARAC M271A were tested on this airframe first. When first series of tests ended, the prototype SX-HAI rested for one year and reactivated again as a test platform for Hellenic Space Agency. After grounding of last R-55 bombers, HSA use SX-HAI for testing lifting bodies and recently a hypersonic glide vehicle. Scaled models of Erevos missiles and HSLV were also tested in the air under an R-55 wing. Today work is done in computer with spacial software and in aerodynamic tunnel, which can simulate up to high supersonic speeds.

All these test bodies were small and radio-controlled, delivering data with telemetry systems, starting from late 1970's-first were simple wooden towed bodies and filmed during gliding down. First indigenous telemetry sustems from Delta Electronics appeared in 1988, today models are small enough for racing cars. Zero gravity flights are also into the flight program of SX-HAI, which are about 75% of total flying hours. This program has given to several Hellenes (and not only) the experience of reduced gravity under ticket. Also zero gravity experience has been given to childrens from schools under the Space Informative Programs for Schools.

There are rumors of an special variant of AC-100 combi, capable of using ice runaways, the AC-142 for Hellenic Center of Rolar Research (HCPR). This will be based on the military-spec AC-122 and will feature the 2.2m X 3.45m side cargo door of combi AC-132/152. This is the cargo door of cargo MD80, since AC-100 has similar fuselage dimensions I think it fits as well.

Some variants of HC-120 helicopter.

Navy and Army are already posted in page 51, here are two more, Amblulance and Forest Service. First amblulance helicopter of Hellenic Ambulance Service was the piston powered HC-200 in 1958, which transfer patients like the Bell 47 did in Korea War. After some trials with dummy load order did not proceed, due to lack of trust to single Λ8 engine and several restrictions. After some years, in 1964, order was placed for and ambulance variant of HC-120 frame, much bigger and twin-engined, so more trustworthy for possible engine failure, particulary when flying over the sea. The HC-140A served for more than three decades and replaced with Eurocopter EC-135. Forest Service ordered the -160 variant with more powerful engines and among their duties is fast responce to wildfires, carrying a 1000lt bucket under fuselage. HFS use also the single engined HC-270 for observation/patrolling duties. Note that Corpo Forestale in Italy use the Nardi 500 (NH-500) for that role. Three more variants will follow, Police, Gendarme and Fire Brigade. Latter was also used for SAR missions.

Due to age and use, most have retired and replaced by EC-135 for commonality between services. Last users of HC-160 are Forest Service and Hellenic Voluntary Rescue Team, both capable for SAR missions if necessary. Many ex-Army/Navy/Police airframes have been auctioned off to civilians after a rebuilt in SHAF.

Final VC.10 in service in HLK (still old design,newer is coming)

-False Olympic Airlines colors are used from the four combi airframes, which are also used for humanitarian missions around the world. Rwanda, Chile, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaisia and Indonesia are the most notable missions. In war zone, RHAF VC.10 supplied Hellenic Armed Forces in Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

-All are equipped with self protection systems as other RHAF aircaft.

-All 10 airframes belong to 112th Transport Wing/372th Air Refueling Squadron. Usually stationed in 110th Wing in Larissa and in Athens/Thessaloniki International Airports due to size. Also Larnaka Military Airport in Cyprus is a common station. OA still holds maintenance (in cooperation with RAF), while some pilots certified to VC.10 were transferred to RHAF service, among them a female-she is one of two most experienced VC.10 pilots of RHAF, with 24 years experience (among them regular passenger flights, Royal Transport, humanitarian missions, War Zone and two Antartic flights).

-From 1998 all airframes gradually were equipped with refuelling probe (same system with AC-122), but usually probe is not fitted (like Tu-22M2 after SALT aggreement). In war zone probe never used, to distinguished further from RAF VC.10's. Although refueling system operator was in place, RHAF VC.10's usually did not refuel NATO fighters. The probe is neccesary for flying to Korea non-stop, as trials showed.

Nice additions.

Hellenic Railways Sea Lines

This company established in 1932, for connecting Pelloponesse and Crete with large rail ferries, with ownership of Railways and complement of Hellenic Merhant Navy. First of three sisterships entered service in May 1932, covering the 70 miles route in 5 hours. Two ships survived the WW2 and returned to the line in 1950, until scapped in early 1970's. Their replacement based on rail ferries of Sea Link, which designed for the English Channel. Two ordered in 1970 and built by 2 shipyards in Perama, entering service in 1972 and 1973. Their introduction reduced the time of the route below 4 hours and in 1980's, when the metric lines were modernised, trains could compete with the direct sea route Pireus-Kydonia, offering about 8 hours time travel total. In 1986 a third ship entered the line, based on French plans of rail ferries. For the latter see the real M/V Express Santorini.

Hellenic Railways plans for the future are for three new ships, 140m long and capable of 24-25kn, for cutting the time to under 3 hours. Until then, the second generation of HRSL rail ferries still working hard with passenger and freight trains. In Hellenic Kingdom there is no age limit for ferries, but Coast Guard and Hellenic Shipping Register Authorities are very strict on annual checks.

Rail ferries worked also for many years in bay of Patra, connecting Patra with Kalydon, a small route of about 8 miles. This line opened in 1890, again connecting two metric lines. In 1932 all five ships were painted in the characteristic orange color, whith ownership changed to HRSL. This line closed in 2002 and replaced by a large cable bridge, which has a double metric line in center, below four highway lanes.



For the design, I based loosely on the real conversion of MV Vortigern to Milos Express.