The Night Mail

[Dave Hunt]

5 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

Fine upstanding citizens?

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/two-british-traitors-fighting-vladimir-32448485

Spelt f i l t h

 

Dave

[iL Dottore]

2 minutes ago, jamie92208 said:

Many of the words that some people, e in the US want to ban are in the Bible, alo g with stories about all sorts of shenanigans and extreme violence. 

 

Jamie

Ah yes, the “Good Book” (featuring Biblical amounts of begetting and smiting [pun intended]).

 

Now. I have neglected my Biblical Studies quite considerably, but from what I recall from discussions at Sunday School (I was a precocious child) , the Old Testament features the following “moral” activities:

• Genocide
• Mass murder
• Summary execution.
• Trial without jury.
• Infanticide.
• Animal abuse
• Rape
• Cannibalism 
• Adultery
• Homophobia
• Slavery

and quite a few other definitely-illegal-by-today’s-standards acts besdes…

[Happy Hippo]

2 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

A question for HH - when does a pellet become a bullet?

That’s not the lead in to a joke by the way, it’s a serious question.

 

Dave

It's a moot point, because a bullet is generally considered to be  just a kinetic energy metallic projectile.

 

However, a round of ammunition consists of a number of separate components, projectile(bullet) cartridge case, propellant and priming cap.

When the round is loaded into the breech of the gun and the trigger is pulled the firing pin hits and detonates the priming cap which ignites the propellant; This rapid expansion of a low explosion forces the bullet down  the barrel of the gun, the now empty cartridge case and expended primer are ejected from the breech.  The bullet then hits (we hope) the target.

 

It is in effect a self contained system.

 

A pellet is also a kinetic energy projectile, but when it is loaded into the breech and the trigger is pulled, it relies on the gun providing an external source of energy, in this case a controlled jet of high pressure air.  But unlike the centrefire or rimfire round of ammunition, the pellet remains complete from the moment it is loaded into the gun until it hits the target.

 

So although a pellet becomes a projectile, it cannot become a bullet as it has not changed it's form or size.

 

Other examples of this type of projectile are blow pipe darts, arrow from a longbow and bolts from a crossbow.

 

However, unlike airguns which are limited to certain power settings, if they are not to be registered as a firearm, longbows and crossbows currently require no legislation to restrict their power.  I could shoot at someone with one of my air rifles at 50 metres and hurt somebody, but I doubt whether it would cause any serious or lasting injury (unless it took an eye out), yet if I were to use a longbow or crossbow at 50 metres, I could easily kill someone.

 

Ironically, an airgun is not a firearm, but for the purposes of the Firearms act, it becomes a firearm in the eyes of the legislation that it laid down.

 

 

Edited March 27 by Happy Hippo

[Winslow Boy]

3 hours ago, Tony_S said:

They don’t save the photo, just the biometric information, like the ratio between certain facial features (allegedly). 

So just out of curiosity what are the biometric features of a Hippo.

[Tony_S]

6 minutes ago, Winslow Boy said:

So just out of curiosity what are the biometric features of a Hippo.

Probably eye to eye and eye to nostril distance ratios. Though holding the phone or tablet for a selfie could be problematic. 

Edited March 27 by Tony_S

[Winslow Boy]

58 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:

It's a moot point, because a bullet is generally considered to be  just a kinetic energy metallic projectile.

 

However, a round of ammunition consists of a number of separate components, projectile(bullet) cartridge case, propellant and priming cap.

When the round is loaded into the breech of the gun and the trigger is pulled the firing pin hits and detonates the priming cap which ignites the propellant; This rapid expansion of a low explosion forces the bullet down  the barrel of the gun, the now empty cartridge case and expended primer are ejected from the breech.  The bullet then hits (we hope) the target.

 

It is in effect a self contained system.

 

A pellet is also a kinetic energy projectile, but when it is loaded into the breech and the trigger is pulled, it relies on the gun providing an external source of energy, in this case a controlled jet of high pressure air.  But unlike the centrefire or rimfire round of ammunition, the pellet remains complete from the moment it is loaded into the gun until it hits the target.

 

So although a pellet becomes a projectile, it cannot become a bullet as it has not changed it's form or size.

 

Other examples of this type of projectile are blow pipe darts, arrow from a longbow and bolts from a crossbow.

 

However, unlike airguns which are limited to certain power settings, if they are not to be registered as a firearm, longbows and crossbows currently require no legislation to restrict their power.  I could shoot at someone with one of my air rifles at 50 metres and hurt somebody, but I doubt whether it would cause any serious or lasting injury (unless it took an eye out), yet if I were to use a longbow or crossbow at 50 metres, I could easily kill someone.

 

Ironically, an airgun is not a firearm, but for the purposes of the Firearms act, it becomes a firearm in the eyes of the legislation that it laid down.

 

 

So what's a musket then. As the propellent is separate to the projectile. Is the projectile classed as a bullet or a pellet. Asking for a friend.

[Winslow Boy]

6 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

Probably eye to eye and eye to nostril ratios. 

Flared or un-flared.

[Happy Hippo]

3 minutes ago, Winslow Boy said:

So what's a musket then. As the propellent is separate to the projectile. Is the projectile classed as a bullet or a pellet. Asking for a friend.

It's a ball.

 

It goes into the musket as a ball, and comes out of the musket as a ball.

[Winslow Boy]

1 minute ago, Happy Hippo said:

It's a ball.

 

It goes into the musket as a ball, and comes out of the musket as a ball.

Look if you don't know the answer just say that. We won't hold it against you- well not for long anyway. There's no need to be ashamed about it so no tail twirling please.

[Tony_S]

48 minutes ago, Winslow Boy said:

Flared or un-flared.

Probably one of them. I must have had a cross between gormless and disinterested when I submitted the one for my bank account. I have to try to recreate it when authorising new payments. 

[TheQ]

I was expecting to question what's that coming out of a shotgun cartridge?

 

[AndyID]

7 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

 

🤣

 

7 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

Apparently it is my job to plant out the potatoes this morning.

 

Duke of York for the first earlies, and Kestrel for the second.  The Kestrel variety are an old favourite, and always do well.  The DoY we've not planted before, so it will be interesting to see how they fair.

 

 

Presumably you marched them up to the top of the garden?

 

 

 

Edited March 27 by AndyID

[AndyID]

6 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

I went to Utah once but it was closed.

 

Dave

 

Things might have changed since you were last there. You can actually get a drink in a bar without joining a club now 😂

[jamie92208]

In 1978 the bar on the train had to close when we entered Utah from Wyoming so the bar tender filled a large bucket with a mix of ice and beer cans and we all contributed. The sale thus took place in Wyoming. 

 

Jamie

Edited March 27 by jamie92208

[New Haven Neil]

5 hours ago, TheQ said:

DH visiting Utah... Red Flag?

 

Yup.....

 

[Winslow Boy]

1 hour ago, TheQ said:

I was expecting to question what's that coming out of a shotgun cartridge?

 

Apparently balls but I'm no expert.

Edited March 27 by Winslow Boy

[pH]

In the 1970s, a liberalisation of various Scottish drinking laws started. Closing time at night had been 10 o’clock, but if food was available, a pub could now stay open until 11 o’clock.
 

One pub in the Cowcaddens (not the most salubrious part of the city) started offering sandwiches. At about 9.45, a cake stand of sandwiches would be put out on the bar, and the cover taken off. It was covered up again and put away as the pub closed up at 11. Next evening, the same procedure was followed with the same cake stand - and the same sandwiches, none having been bought on the first night.

 

Exactly the same process would happen until the sandwiches got just too dry and curled-up and mouldy to be taken seriously, at which new ones would be supplied and a new cycle started.

Edited March 27 by pH

[Happy Hippo]

1 hour ago, AndyID said:

 

 

Presumably you marched them up to the top of the garden?

 

 

 

The Duke of York was driven up the garden inside a 17 year old Escort (It's a Ford joke)

Edited March 27 by Happy Hippo

[SM42]

2 hours ago, TheQ said:

I was expecting to question what's that coming out of a shotgun cartridge?

 

 

Err, shot. 

 

The clue is in the name. 

 

My take this is as follows. 

 

A bullet is the projectile that leaves a generally rifled barrel as the business end of a self contained projectile / propellant unit. 

 

A pellet is a projectile sent forth from the barrel by a propellant provided by the gun and is shaped to seal itself in the barrel to prevent  leakage of the propellant past the projectile

 

A ball is a ball shaped object ( obviously)  that is about the right size for the barrel but needs wadding behind it to stop the propellant overtaking it in the barrel. 

 

Shot is made up of several projectiles ( a few to a few hundred)  and is fired either from a self contained cartridge with propellant , wadding and shot built in  ( and is breach loaded, ) or by the use of separate propellant and wadding ( the latter usually loaded via the muzzle) 

 

Andy

Edited March 27 by SM42

[TheQ]

But you or the pheasant are hit by shotgun pellets...

[SM42]

7 minutes ago, TheQ said:

But you or the pheasant are hit by shotgun pellets...

 

No,  shot. 

 

Its only a pellet when you have to spit them out at the dinner table, normally singly. 

 

This is when a single projectile sealed in the barrel ( mouth) and ejected by a separate propellant provided by the gun ( you) comes into play

 

Andy

Edited March 27 by SM42

[Compound2632]

7 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

It’s interesting that many so-called swear words, including the f word, are in the Oxford and Chambers dictionaries. I wonder if the self appointed guardians of decency would campaign to have them removed?

 

You would be amazed at some of the correspondence lexicographers receive. Just the other day Lexi was having to reply to someone who complained about Apple's use of the word "disable" in the sense of a software feature being made inoperative, as being offensive to disabled people. As if a lexicographer could have any control over a third party's use of language! Of course the standard answer is that English dictionaries (unlike technical lexicons) are descriptive, not prescriptive. They merely report how the language is used - if you don't like the way the language is used then it's up to you, not the lexicographical profession, to exert societal pressure for change. 

 

From an Oxford Learners' Dictionary:

 

Quote

disable verb

/dɪsˈeɪbl/

/dɪsˈeɪbl/

1. disable somebody to injure or affect somebody permanently so that, for example, they cannot walk or cannot use a part of their body

He was disabled in a car accident.

a disabling condition

The gunfire could kill or disable the pilot.

2. disable something to make something unable to work so that it cannot be used

The burglars gained entry to the building after disabling the alarm.

 

Edited March 27 by Compound2632
added dictionary example

[AndyID]

34 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:

The Duke of York was driven up the garden inside a 17 year old Escort (It's a Ford joke)

 

I'm glad you explained that. Otherwise it might have been misconstrued.

[SM42]

I have had a good day out today, the temperature got up to 20c and trains were seen. 

 

Plesew was interesting with dual gauge track at Plesew Miasto

 

 

The train on the left is narrow gauge, standard gauge SM42s in the distance with a dual gauge shed behind. 

 

There were a lot of gas tanks dotted about

 

 

Quite literally parked by the side of the road. 

 

The dual gauge line ran all the way to Pleszew Wask Station which is about 50 yards from Pleszew Station on the main line but is in Kowalew. 

 

Services were being run by this SKPL 810 unit. 

 

 

The buffers at this point are just about clear of the level crossing  the narrow gauge platform is to the left. 

 

Narrow gauge motive power seems to be predominantly Lyd 1s.

 

 

 

Andy

Edited March 27 by SM42

[jamie92208]

22 minutes ago, Compound2632 said:

 

You would be amazed at some of the correspondence lexicographers receive. Just the other day Lexi was having to reply to someone who complained about Apple's use of the word "disable" in the sense of a software feature being made inoperative, as being offensive to disabled people. As if a lexicographer could have any control over a third party's use of language! Of course the standard answer is that English dictionaries (unlike technical lexicons) are descriptive, not prescriptive. They merely report how the language is used - if you don't like the way the language is used then it's up to you, not the lexicographical profession, to exert societal pressure for change. 

 

From an Oxford Learners' Dictionary:

 

 

Has anybody told them about cripple sidings. 

 

Jamie