Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/12/17

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Subject: [Leica] IMG: Compressor Unit 1986
From: jhnichols at lighttube.net (Jim Nichols)
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:44:16 -0600
References: <DEED6DCE88C8472E854C539827D78ADA@jimnichols><E2AD64670E104D669735987A31772CAB@jimnichols> <1DC5FDE9-7785-402A-A7E6-B0E29A46E4A3@mac.com>

George,

Thanks for the kind thoughts, now in words. I appreciate them.

Jim Nichols
Tullahoma, TN USA
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "George Lottermoser" <imagist3 at mac.com>
To: "Leica Users Group" <lug at leica-users.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 17, 2009 8:45 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] IMG: Compressor Unit 1986


> 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
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
> 
>



In reply to: Message from jhnichols at lighttube.net (Jim Nichols) ([Leica] IMG: Compressor Unit 1986)
Message from jhnichols at lighttube.net (Jim Nichols) ([Leica] IMG: Compressor Unit 1986)
Message from imagist3 at mac.com (George Lottermoser) ([Leica] IMG: Compressor Unit 1986)