May 12, 2024

Radio Control Sherman Firefly 1c - Canadian Grenadier Guards, Normandy 1944 (Build & operation video)

My latest project:
A radio-control Sherman Firefly 1c of the Canadian Grenadier Guards in 1/16 scale
- as it might have appeared during Operation Totalize - Normandy 1944.
Showcasing the steps I took to convert a Heng Long US Sherman into a Canadian Sherman Firefly 1c with the long-barreled 17pounder gun & a kitbashed approximation of the British-design All-Round-Vision hatch.
Also showcases the function & operation of the tank.

May 9, 2024

Canadian Grenadier Guards Sherman Firefly Mk 1c - Operation Totalize, Normandy 1944 - Work in progress photos

My latest project:

A radio-control Sherman Firefly 1c of the Canadian Grenadier Guards
- as it might have appeared during Operation Totalize: one of the preliminary battles which would lead to the encirclement & defeat at Falaise, France of German Army Group West by the combined forces of Canada, the USA & Great Britain in WW2.



Here is a link to a historic photo showing an actual Canadian Grenadier Guards Sherman 1c
(Peter Williams collection - Tapatalk.com ) :


Another link to another Canadian Grenadier Guards tank showing the countershaded barrel & spare track links [used as additional spaced-armor protection against the German anti-tank rocket weapons] which I attempted to recreate on my model.
(Library and Archives Canada photo PA-130911):


Though it's not a "rivet-counter special" by any means, I think my model captures the overall look of a Sherman 1c.

It's not finished yet but I'm planning to do a build video on youtube showcasing the steps I took to convert this model , which started life as an American Sherman M4A3 with a short-barreled 105mm howitzer:



Into this, a Canadian Sherman Firefly 1c variant with the long-barreled 17pounder anti-tank gun and a kitbashed approximation of the British-design All-Round-Vision hatch:



As a teaser, here are a few shots taken during the build, hope you enjoy!

April 8, 2024

My Eclipse Pics - Niagara Region, Ontario

Just a couple pics with my smartphone...

Crescent: 3:14pm:


Lighting conditions in our neighborhood 3:14pm:


Lighting conditions in our neighborhood 3:18pm:

March 19, 2024

A Trip on Amtrak's California Zephyr (San Francisco to Chicago) - My full-length documentary video! (HD)

Well, it's finally here! For those who have seen my preview video & for those checking in for the first time...Here is my full-length documentary on the "California Zephyr" - Amtrak's Transcontinental passenger train, which runs from San Francisco to Chicago & showcasing the breathtaking scenery to be found en route.

This video is second in a 2-part series documenting our scenic land cruise across the U.S. by rail in December of 2023.

-In Part 1 we traveled from Chicago to San Francisco aboard the westbound "California Zephyr" - and made a stopover in Reno to visit Las Vegas.

-Here in Part 2 we will journey from San Francisco to Chicago on the eastbound "California Zephyr" - and witness the stunning scenery to be found en route.

For more videos, trip reports, & pics, see my website at: https://northamericabyrail.info

March 13, 2024

ICE agents to start wearing body cameras in Northern US cities to deter pesky Canadians...

...trying to sneak in to the US so they can go bankrupt from American-style "healthcare"



Reference:

ICE agents will start wearing body cameras in five U.S. cities:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/ice-agents-will-start-wearing-body-cameras-five-us-cities-rcna143235

Canada's universal health-care system: achieving its potential:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7138369/

February 20, 2024

A Trip on Amtrak's California Zephyr (Chicago to San Francisco, plus Las Vegas) - My full-length documentary video! (HD)

Well, it's finally here! For those who have seen my preview video & for those checking in for the first time...Here is my full-length documentary on the "California Zephyr" - Amtrak's Transcontinental passenger train, which runs from Chicago to San Francisco & showcasing the breathtaking scenery to be found en route.

This video is first in a 2-part series documenting our scenic land cruise across the U.S. by rail in December of 2023.

-Here in Part 1 we journey from Chicago to San Francisco aboard the westbound "California Zephyr" - including a stopover in Reno to visit Las Vegas and a stay in San Francisco to do some sightseeing.

-In Part 2 we will travel from San Francisco back to Chicago on the eastbound "California Zephyr"

For more videos, trip reports, & pics, see my website at: https://northamericabyrail.info

December 29, 2023

NEW VIDEO SERIES! Chicago to San Francisco on Amtrak's California Zephyr - Round Trip, Dec 2023

An upcoming 2-part Youtube series documenting our journey across the U.S. by rail in December of 2023.

Hop aboard for a short preview of my upcoming documentary on the "California Zephyr" - Amtrak's Transcontinental passenger train - which runs from Chicago to Emeryville in the San Francisco Bay Area.

This preview of our round trip (with stopovers in Reno, Las Vegas & San Francisco) was recorded during our scenic land cruise across the U.S. in Dec of 2023. Watch my YouTube channel for the full-length video coming soon - or see it on my website at
https://northamericabyrail.info/

December 8, 2023

A North American Train Odyssey (Part 4 of 4) Seattle to Chicago on Amtrak's "Empire Builder"

This video is fourth in a 4-part series documenting our journey across Canada & the US by rail in the spring of 2023

-In Part 1 we took VIA Rail's "Canadian" from Toronto to Vancouver

-In Part 2 we explored Vancouver Island by rental car, ferry & tour train

-In Part 3 we journeyed south from Vancouver aboard Amtrak's "Cascades" to Seattle

-And here in Part 4 we travel east from Seattle aboard Amtrak's "Empire Builder" to Chicago & "Lakeshore Limited" to Buffalo

For more videos, trip reports, & pics, see my website at: https://northamericabyrail.info/

For those who missed parts 1, 2 & 3 of my video series, they can be found on my website at:
https://northamericabyrail.info/feature-video-a-north-american-train-odyssey-canada-the-u-s-by-rail-april-2023/

As well as here:

November 15, 2023

A North American Train Odyssey (Part 3 of 4) Vancouver to Seattle on Amtrak's "Cascades"

This video is third in a 4-part series documenting our journey across Canada & the US by rail in the spring of 2023

-In Part 1 we took VIA Rail's "Canadian" from Toronto to Vancouver

-In Part 2 we explore Vancouver Island by rental car, ferry & tour train

-Here in Part 3 we journey south from Vancouver aboard Amtrak's "Cascades" to Seattle

-And in Part 4 we travel east from Seattle aboard Amtrak's "Empire Builder" to Chicago & "Lakeshore Limited" to Buffalo

For more videos, trip reports, & pics, see my website at: https://northamericabyrail.info/

For those who missed parts 1 & 2 of my video series, they can be found here:

November 2, 2023

I think I have American politics figured out

As a Canadian watching American news, I think I've finally got it figured out.

George Santos (R): not expelled from Congress - because allegations against him "not yet proven in a formal court of law".

Al Franken (D): forced to resign due overwhelming pressure from the Senate because of a USO comedy skit.

Is that it?

Do I have it right?