In the past, KTM had triumphed with the scooter

KTM is very famous with super motorcycles as the Super Duke R, apparently about 60 years ago, they ever spawn the scooter products such as Piaggio and Innocenti.

The Austrian motorcycle manufacturer called their first scooters with Mirabell which refers to the most loved tourist destinations in Salzburg, Mirabell Palace.

1957 KTM Mirabell scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1Ymm6YI)

Ten years after World War II ended, Austria experienced the heyday of the economy and in that time KTM (Kronreif & Trunkenpolz, Mattighofen) decided to launched the motorcycle products such as R 100, Tourist, Grand Tourist and latter was Mirabell scooter. That's the first moment the KTM Mirabell began to be known by the world.

1957 KTM Mecky moped. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1Ymm6YI)

The famous KTM Mirabell characteristics in the era was dynamic, elegant and unsightly, even if the reference in the present, it seems unique and outdated. In that time the KTM scooters marketed with the label 'automobile scooters' or 'cars on two wheels'.

1961 KTM Ponny moped. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1YjsWU8)

The engine similar to that used on the KTM Tourist 125cc and accelerated in 3-speed. Total power generated up to 6 hp. Because the design had a bit of holes as the air cooling funnel, then it was equipped with a fan that is mounted on Dynastarter.

1962 KTM Ponny II moped. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1mp8e4c)

Besides Mirabell, in 1957 also KTM launched the Mecky moped and in 1961 with the Ponny version. KTM Ponny is a variant that is in demand because it managed to carve the sales record to 14,000 units in Germany. After Ponny production touched up to the figure of 40,000 units, the new version of Ponny II came and survived even without change for 26 years.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ]

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A toy car powered by eleCrickety

While many automotive manufacturers are trying to develop the car that can run itself, and Mattel, a toy maker company has revealed a very different approach, a car driven by crickets.

Mattel has released a $35 new toy race car for children ages six and up, and it’s piloted by crickets. The toy is a vehicle and a cricket habitat all in one, and uses sensors inside to turn based on the cricket’s motion. (Picture from: http://dailym.ai/1Nchem0)

Mattel has released a new toy racing cars for children aged six years and over, the car was driven by insects. This toy is a vehicle and also habitat for crickets, and use turn sensors that based on the moveament of crickets. But the toy cars sale not include the crickets.

The habitat can hold up to five crickets, and features four different driving modes. Crickets will have to be purchased separately, and Mattel recommends medium to large crickets for best vehicle operation, around an inch in length. The cricket-powered car is not just a toy, but a learning experience for the owners. (Picture from: http://dailym.ai/1Nchem0)

This bug Racer battery-operated vehicles in the form of winged insect, and "powered by eleCrickety", according to its website. This toy car can store up to five crickets, and has four different driving modes.

The crickets must be purchased separately, and Mattel recommends medium to large size (about 1 inch) crickets to run this vehicle properly. To win race, the crickets have 10 seconds to drive the Bug Racer at the farthest distance in a straight line.

As reported by Daily Mail on Wednesday, December 9, 2015, the crickets powered car is not just a toy, but a learning experience for the owner. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DAILY MAIL]

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'Bomb bag' designed to resist the bomb explosion on the plane

A controlled explosion in the aircraft baggage successfully retained by a layer of anti-bomb developed by an International researchers team. The technology that shows how the plane luggage could probably withstand the force of an explosion if the device is hidden in a suitcase exploded.

The Fly-Bag is made from multiple layers of fabrics and composites that have high strength and impact, and heat resistance. The fabric layer contained Aramid, heat resistance and strong synthetic fibers are used in the aerospace industry, also for bullet-proof vests.

The bag is made from millimetre-thick Kevlar and is flexible, allowing it to capture the pressure generated from an explosion. (Picture from: http://bbc.in/1OQps2O)

Flexibility of the layers that increase resilience to tame an explosion and blast fragments, said Dr. Andrew Tyas from the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, who led the research at the University of Sheffield, UK.

He added, the Fly-Bag acts as a flexible membrane rather than a rigid container that can rupture due to collision. Test explosions in the laboratory proved that the Fly-Bag prototype can hold a controlled explosion in the trunk of a Boeing 747 and Airbus 321, which is used for the latest testing.

An equivalent bomb had a devastating impact on the airframe without the containing device. (Picture from: http://bbc.in/1OQps2O)

In those testing, first the researchers create a controlled explosion in the baggage without Fly-Bag coated. The explosion causing a gaping hole in the fuselage, which can be fatal if the plane was traveling at high altitudes.

In the second test a bomb placed in a suitcase and put in the trunk coated with Fly-Bag. The camera footage shows the bag slow movement when the explosion showed the bag expands and contracts but not torn. The integration of fuselage structure intact.

Luggage within the protective bag has been damaged by a bomb but the aircraft is intact. (Picture from: http://bbc.in/1OQps2O)

Renowned British security consultant, Matthew Finn said the Fly-Bag can be a lifesaver when someone managed to smuggle an explosive device into the plane.

"The risk that we always face in aviation security is whether someone can put something in the air. So a lot of our time and attention focused on the risk mitigating of people put something on the plane," he said.

"What's the Fly-Bag did actually accept that it could be someone managed to put something in the plane. And therefore, the next question becomes how we can mitigate the blast effects of the explosive device in altitude in the plane," he added.

The need for a mitigation of explosive devices in the aircraft increased on October 31, 2015, when a bomb destroyed the Russian passenger plane over Egypt and killed 224 people on board. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, and issued a photo of Schweppes soft drink cans which used to make homemade bombs that destroyed the Russian aircraft.

Explosion experts say that the explosive device seen in the photo was made possible destroyed of the aircraft, depending on where was it located and the explosive density in the beverage can. The most vulnerable location include the fuel pipe, cockpit or any area which is close to the fuselage skin.

The attack was parallel with the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 by Libyans over the town of Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988.

The investigation showed explosives in a palm-sized cassette recorder in a bag in the trunk has caused rips a hole about 50 centimeters in the fuselage and decompression causing the plane broke up in the air.

As a director of security consulting Augmentiq that offers tools to increase security at airports, seaports and international borders, Finn said the Fly-Bag can be considered as a way to mitigate such an explosion on the plane.

"I think it has got the capacity to change how we see the luggage. We spend a lot of time thinking about the reconciliation of passengers and their bags; since 1988, since the Lockerbie disaster, it becomes a big focus in the aviation industry," he said.

"What the Fly-Bag did was a look at those situations where there may be a device in the plane, and how to overcome them. I think this is an exciting development and I would like to see more," he said.

As qouted by Reuters, Fly-Bag is developed by a European consortium which includes Blastech, companies from the University of Sheffield, as well as their counterparts from Greece, Spain, Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | REUTERS]

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Looking back at the Victory Vision 800 Concept

Victory Vision 800, a visionary motorcycle and built by Victory Motorcycles, a division of Polaris ATV's in 2005. This concept motorcycle used a flat parallel twin, running through a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) connected to an exposed shaft drive incorporated into the single-sided swing arm.

Victory Vision 800 Concept bikes shown at the 2005 Long Beach Interational Motorcycle Show. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1YmaBka)

The Vision is the brainchild of designer Tiger Bracy, who was set free in terms of stylistic restrictions from upper management. Long and low with expansive bodywork, it's the bulbous nose that dominates this wild concept's appearance.

The Victory Vision 800 derives its power from the fuel-injected 760cc engine shared with parent company Polaris' Sportsman 800 ATV. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1OvNoH4)

The bikes concept was shown at the 2005 Long Beach (California) International Motorcycle Show. "We constantly study global design trends, as well as today’s motorcycle consumers to better understand, and deliver on, their expectations of the future," says Greg Brew, Director of Polaris Industrial Design in that time.

The Victory Vision 800 is eye-catching above all else. It's a melange of sportbike, cruiser and scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1T2L91A)

The extreme, front end bias, bulky nose houses storage for two helmets, or anything else, while providing wind protection for the rider. This is in sharp contrast to the short and stubby tail section. 

Long and low with expansive bodywork, it's the bulbous nose that dominates this Victory Vision 800 wild concept's appearance. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2290xj9)

Victory's traditional cruiser style riding position appears on the Vision 800 with the use of long running boards and the lack of any foot controls. Presumably the lack of a clutch, or gears, allows the rear brake to be relocated to the handlebars.

Of course, this concept motorcycle still seem a bit rough and needs some changes, to be used legally in the streets, And it seems the company has no intention of producing the Vision 800, but the design is important nonetheless. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORCYCLE USA]

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America's most weird motorcycle

A glimpse of this motorcycle is very similar with a long snout reptile. This motorcycle is equipped with a tank up to the stern as finished entities, while supporting the long front wheels like a reptile snout. If viewed more closely and carefully, this motorcycle also paired leaf springs are mounted upside down and car-style steering system.

This unique and weird custom motorcycle was built by Christian Dotson called 'Swingshot'. For front legs, the suspension handle is made with an angle of 30 degrees. This is the key why the suspension of the motorcycle as agile and alert and responsive to absorb shocks, especially for long reptile stylized motorcycle.

A unique and weird motorcycle design called 'Swingshot' built by Christian Dotson. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1P6utp4)

To built the motorcycle takes up to 14 months because it wanted to retain the impression of vintage, but also exploratory in this work. Explorative points it would have clearly seen how the steering system of the motorcycle.

The engine section of 'Swingshot' custom built motorcycle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1P6utp4)

On the other hand, this reptile motorcycle engine is the result of Accurate Engineering custom-made with a basic model of Harley-Davidson's Panhead engine. Engine power is transmitted to the wheels through a 5-speed kick transmission system.

To reinforce the impression of vintage necessarily make almost all the pieces of the body of this bike, including exhaust and suction, horn, tank, fender, handlebars, steering gear, fuel lines, footing, seats, suspension, and electrical systems. Actually, there's more. Which makes this bike unique is because the custom motorcycle rely on the brakes on the rear wheels. It is very dangerous indeed because due to the power interruption be not optimal.

Rear side view of 'Swingshot' custom built motorcycle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1QLMYRf)

Even so, the custom built motorcycle with a 21-inch front wheels and 19 inches rear (width but shorter) is already "crowned" of various awards, such as in the Grand National Roadster Show as the "2007 America's Most Beautiful Motorcycle" and also took 10th place at the 2007 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DOTSON DESIGN | BIKERNET | THE KNEESLIDER]

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Indonesia aggressively develops the propeller aircrafts

PT. Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI)/Indonesian Aerospace (IAe) in collaboration with Lembaga Penerbangan dan Antariksa Nasional (LAPAN)/Indonesian National Aeronautics and Space Institute plans to develop advanced aircraft post N-219 aircraft. Before the N-219 first flight in May 2016, PTDI and LAPAN in early 2016 will begin to develop passenger aircraft with a capacity of between 50 to 90 passengers ie N-245 and N-270.

The first N-219 prototype aircraft built in PT. Dirgantara Indonesia, Bandung. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1PalV0h)

In early stage, PTDI and LAPAN entering the class of propeller aircraft with 50-60 passengers in 2016. This aircraft is N-245, which is a development of the CN-235  military version. PTDI and LAPAN start developing N-245, although the N-219 not fly because the aircraft development process from conceptual design and feasibility study, up to aircraft certification and production phases takes a long time.

"The process of aircraft development is not as easy as imagined, designed and then directly made it, which means the N-245 program began, while N-219 runs and was nearing completion. We (for N-219) conducted a market study together to create a conceptual design beforehand," says Head of Aircraft Programme of LAPAN, Agus Aribowo, to detikFinance on Tuesday, November 3, 2015.

The first N-219 prototype aircraft shown completely in public on Thursday, December 12, 2015 in PT. Dirgantara Indonesia, Bandung. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ZfnajG)

After doing a conceptual design and is known about the potential market, PTDI and LAPAN perform on the stage of a wind tunnel test phase 1. Furthermore, the PTDI and LAPAN verify the design and  followed the preliminary design, where the aircraft is already visible its aerodynamic shape.

The process then continues to the 2nd and 3rd wind tunnel tests, and then into the detailed design phase. Here, all components of aircraft drawn in detail. The next process is to builds the prototype.

Illustration of N-245 aircraft. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ObcrPc)

"After that roll out and finally the flight test in the context of certification," he explained. PTDI and LAPAN targeting could have the N-245 aircraft certification from the national aviation regulator at the end of 2019.

The plan of Indonesian transport aircraft development program. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1PamFCM)

Agus explained, the development of N-245 is relatively less complex than the development of N219, because the N-245 is the development and refinement of CN-235 which has been developed by PTDI together with Airbus Military. With slight modifications, N-245 can have a capacity of 50 to 60 passengers.

"The market needs with basic capabilities of CN-235, and we will change the military version became the civilian version by replacing the engine that more efficient and more economical. Then avionics system on the cockpit replaced with new variants of the glass cockpit," he said.

For the N-270 variant, PTDI and LAPAN plan to develop this aircraft in the period 2019-2024. The N-270 is designed capable of carrying passengers between 70 to 90 people. "N-270 only lengthen the N-245 becomes 70-90 passengers. And made its development costs more economical," he explained. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | PTDI | LAPAN | DETIKFINANCE]

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