Frank Van Haste
@vanhaste.com
PP-ASEL IR Busily retired. Ashburn, VA. I'm a docent at a large aerospace museum located in DC.
Here ya' go, with the lights on:
January 30, 2026 at 2:20 AM
Here ya' go, with the lights on:
Ahoy @radiofreetom.bsky.social, my esteemed county librarian has come through again, having acquired the 2nd ed. of your "Death of Expertise"; now I can revisit the topic and I look forward to your evolved thoughts. Am likely to check back in a few days.
January 30, 2026 at 12:14 AM
Ahoy @radiofreetom.bsky.social, my esteemed county librarian has come through again, having acquired the 2nd ed. of your "Death of Expertise"; now I can revisit the topic and I look forward to your evolved thoughts. Am likely to check back in a few days.
Col. Rankin's book about his experience is a classic! "The Man Who Rode the Thunder"
January 27, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Col. Rankin's book about his experience is a classic! "The Man Who Rode the Thunder"
Despite being a huge fan of William Bushnell Stout, I have to submit for consideration the Stout 3-AT
January 23, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Despite being a huge fan of William Bushnell Stout, I have to submit for consideration the Stout 3-AT
Not real happy with this pic; wanted to get over there while she was illuminated but it didn't work out. Anyway you can see the new display case and the McCall mural behind.
January 22, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Not real happy with this pic; wanted to get over there while she was illuminated but it didn't work out. Anyway you can see the new display case and the McCall mural behind.
Ahoy, @patrickmccray.bsky.social, look what my excellent county librarian has gotten at my request. It looks a delight; cracking it open on the train this AM, will report back in a couple of days.
January 22, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Ahoy, @patrickmccray.bsky.social, look what my excellent county librarian has gotten at my request. It looks a delight; cracking it open on the train this AM, will report back in a couple of days.
At the Air and Space Museum's bldg on the Mall in DC in the new WW1 in the Air gallery, we have a very nice DH-4 displayed (see below, pic by me). It's the first one produced by Dayton-Wright. Orv flew in it as a passenger.
January 9, 2026 at 11:05 PM
At the Air and Space Museum's bldg on the Mall in DC in the new WW1 in the Air gallery, we have a very nice DH-4 displayed (see below, pic by me). It's the first one produced by Dayton-Wright. Orv flew in it as a passenger.
Ahoy, whomever among you commended "His Majesty's Airship" by S.C. Gwynne (Sam?) to my attention a while ago. I've now read it, found it excellent, and cannot find the referral to express my gratitude. So, to whomever, thanks! The book is Very Well Done. Mr. Gwynne (who I don't find on here... 1/2
January 9, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Ahoy, whomever among you commended "His Majesty's Airship" by S.C. Gwynne (Sam?) to my attention a while ago. I've now read it, found it excellent, and cannot find the referral to express my gratitude. So, to whomever, thanks! The book is Very Well Done. Mr. Gwynne (who I don't find on here... 1/2
Ahoy, @rickbell.bsky.social, I just finished your "The American Revolution and the Fate of the World"; it's outstanding! Like you walk with us along the brightly lit path of Revolutionary history but pause to shine your light down dim side-roads and explain to us what lies down there. 1/2
January 6, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Ahoy, @rickbell.bsky.social, I just finished your "The American Revolution and the Fate of the World"; it's outstanding! Like you walk with us along the brightly lit path of Revolutionary history but pause to shine your light down dim side-roads and explain to us what lies down there. 1/2
I believe that "army uniform" Roscoe wears is his self-designed military-style regalia (currently displayed in the Nation of Speed gallery at the Air and Space Museum on the Mall in DC; pic by me, Gilmore peeking in at lower left)
January 2, 2026 at 3:08 PM
I believe that "army uniform" Roscoe wears is his self-designed military-style regalia (currently displayed in the Nation of Speed gallery at the Air and Space Museum on the Mall in DC; pic by me, Gilmore peeking in at lower left)
My wife's cousin flew Liberators in the Pacific in WW2. He wouldn't talk about it. (Below, back row left, Lt. G. Thomas Riti, somewhere in the Pacific, sometime during the War)
December 29, 2025 at 8:03 PM
My wife's cousin flew Liberators in the Pacific in WW2. He wouldn't talk about it. (Below, back row left, Lt. G. Thomas Riti, somewhere in the Pacific, sometime during the War)
Also, you can read @vermontgmg.bsky.social 's brilliant history of the Manhattan Project, "The Devil Reached Toward the Sky", for a clear look at how much the effort depended on scientists and technicians who came from abroad
December 29, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Also, you can read @vermontgmg.bsky.social 's brilliant history of the Manhattan Project, "The Devil Reached Toward the Sky", for a clear look at how much the effort depended on scientists and technicians who came from abroad
I very recently learned that the highway toll-payment transponder gizmo (which in the Northeastern US, at least, goes by the name "EZPass") has got a %&#@! BATTERY in it (I shoulda known, right?) that typically lasts 10 years or so. Of course said battery is non-replaceable. 1/3
December 28, 2025 at 7:21 PM
I very recently learned that the highway toll-payment transponder gizmo (which in the Northeastern US, at least, goes by the name "EZPass") has got a %&#@! BATTERY in it (I shoulda known, right?) that typically lasts 10 years or so. Of course said battery is non-replaceable. 1/3
Grumman's LM-2, the 2nd lunar module to come off the production line, displayed in the Milestones of Flight gallery at NASMs building on the Mall in DC. Has been "dressed" to look as LM-5 (aka "Eagle") looked on 20 July 1969 when it landed on the Moon's Sea of Tranquillity. (Photo by me)
December 26, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Grumman's LM-2, the 2nd lunar module to come off the production line, displayed in the Milestones of Flight gallery at NASMs building on the Mall in DC. Has been "dressed" to look as LM-5 (aka "Eagle") looked on 20 July 1969 when it landed on the Moon's Sea of Tranquillity. (Photo by me)
BT, DT. (Merry & Happy to all!)
December 25, 2025 at 3:29 PM
BT, DT. (Merry & Happy to all!)
Leaving for Holiday travel tomorrow morning, so posting Best Wishes to All now.
December 21, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Leaving for Holiday travel tomorrow morning, so posting Best Wishes to All now.
At the museum in DC yesterday, I was pleased to see they've taken the protective PE sheeting off of our SBD that will be guarding the main entry to the new 'WW2 in the Air' gallery (to open next summer). (pic by me)
December 19, 2025 at 2:53 PM
At the museum in DC yesterday, I was pleased to see they've taken the protective PE sheeting off of our SBD that will be guarding the main entry to the new 'WW2 in the Air' gallery (to open next summer). (pic by me)
I started a new volunteer gig yesterday. Pic below shows home of Gen. & Mrs. George C. Marshall from WW2 thru the General's death in 1959. Located in Leesburg, VA, the house is open Mar-Dec Fri-Sun for docent-lex tours that cover the history of the 19th Cent. house & Marshall's notable career. 1/2
December 14, 2025 at 2:40 PM
I started a new volunteer gig yesterday. Pic below shows home of Gen. & Mrs. George C. Marshall from WW2 thru the General's death in 1959. Located in Leesburg, VA, the house is open Mar-Dec Fri-Sun for docent-lex tours that cover the history of the 19th Cent. house & Marshall's notable career. 1/2
Good spot to recommend "Across the Airless Wilds" by Earl Swift. An absolutely 1st rate history of the design, development and deployment of the Lunar Roving Vehicle used on Apollo 15, 16 & 17. HIGHLY recommended.
December 14, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Good spot to recommend "Across the Airless Wilds" by Earl Swift. An absolutely 1st rate history of the design, development and deployment of the Lunar Roving Vehicle used on Apollo 15, 16 & 17. HIGHLY recommended.
I believe that is a Radioplane QQ-2 or on of its close relatives. Here is another view, in the company of young Miss Norma Jean Daugherty.
December 11, 2025 at 7:34 PM
I believe that is a Radioplane QQ-2 or on of its close relatives. Here is another view, in the company of young Miss Norma Jean Daugherty.
Ahoy, @gretchenmcc.bsky.social, after your recent cameo in xkcd #2381 nothing would do but that I go find & read "Because Internet". My excellent county librarian had my back on this & I finished it last evening. Terrific work; remains relevant and insightful. Everybody go read Gretchen's work!
December 2, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Ahoy, @gretchenmcc.bsky.social, after your recent cameo in xkcd #2381 nothing would do but that I go find & read "Because Internet". My excellent county librarian had my back on this & I finished it last evening. Terrific work; remains relevant and insightful. Everybody go read Gretchen's work!
Voila! The Voisin 8 (photo by me):
November 27, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Voila! The Voisin 8 (photo by me):
Jerrie's Cessna 180, Spirit of Columbus, is displayed in the "We All Fly" gallery at NASM's building on the Mall in DC. (Pics below by me.) Come visit and see it!
November 22, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Jerrie's Cessna 180, Spirit of Columbus, is displayed in the "We All Fly" gallery at NASM's building on the Mall in DC. (Pics below by me.) Come visit and see it!
One finisher, "Chicago" (they were all named for cities) is at present on display in the Pioneers of Flight gallery at the NASM building on the mall in DC. The wreckage of the crashed "Seattle" is displayed at the Alaska Aviation Museum in Anchorage.
November 17, 2025 at 8:32 PM
One finisher, "Chicago" (they were all named for cities) is at present on display in the Pioneers of Flight gallery at the NASM building on the mall in DC. The wreckage of the crashed "Seattle" is displayed at the Alaska Aviation Museum in Anchorage.
NASM has one of these (pic) at the Udvar-Hazy Center in VA. (The wheels were an "after-market" mod and apparently upset the CG and made controllability difficult.)
November 14, 2025 at 7:20 PM
NASM has one of these (pic) at the Udvar-Hazy Center in VA. (The wheels were an "after-market" mod and apparently upset the CG and made controllability difficult.)