The USS Theodore Roosevelt, CVN 71 is known in the media as “Teddy” or “The Big Stick” but her crew calls it “the finest aircraft carrier in the world, and the finest team bar none!”      

UPDATED: Photos added from onboard the vessel.                         Read More....

The USS Theodore Roosevelt, CVN 71 is known in the media as “Teddy” or “The Big Stick” but her crew calls it “the finest aircraft carrier in the world, and the finest team bar none!”

This impressive piece of floating metal had Cape Town and South Africa for that matter, in high emotions the past few days. The arrival time was kept quiet. But when Cape Town woke up on Saturday morning on 04 October 2008, The USS Theodore Roosevelt had dropped anchor and greeted Capetonians from Table Bay.  For the first time in more than forty years an aircraft carrier was on official visit – the last one being the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1967. It is only the second nuclear powered vessel allowed entrance to South Africa, the other being the German cargo ship the Otto Hahn in the mid 1970s.

Upon opening the box, one’s senses are filled with anticipation at the delicately crafted and moulded pieces. All external surfaces are endowed with finely engraved detail. A good level of internal detail is provided, considering this is a 72nd scale kit – the detailed interior includes troop seats and stretchers. The kit accurately replicates the lines of this elegant aircraft. Unfortunately there are one or two aspects of the kit which leaves a lot to desire, the main area of complaint being the propellers which are crude to say the least – a pity as this was one of the distinctive features of the C-160.  Read More....

 Upon opening the box, one’s senses are filled with anticipation at the delicately crafted and moulded pieces. All external surfaces are endowed with finely engraved detail. A good level of internal detail is provided, considering this is a 72nd scale kit – the detailed interior includes troop seats and stretchers. The kit accurately replicates the lines of this elegant aircraft. Unfortunately there are one or two aspects of the kit which leaves a lot to desire, the main area of complaint being the propellers which are crude to say the least – a pity as this was one of the distinctive features of the C-160. There are also irritating ejector marks on the insides of the main undercarriage doors. The fuselage assembly must be approached with some care - the fuselage interior detail is brought together in a tube sub-assembly which is then enclosed by the two fuselage halves. I had a real battle getting this to fit.

Four Artillery Regiment of the SANDF presented their annual open day and fire power capability demonstration on 23 August 2008 near Potchefstroom. Artillery is one of the original components of the combat arms and enjoys an illustrious history with proud traditions. In terms of historic land battles the “Gunners” with their skilful deployment of large calibre weapons have often been the deciding factor for the victors. Some of the world’s most impressive artillery equipment is found in South Africa.    Read More.....