ikeleib's New Writeups

Merlin (thing)

2002-12-09T21:28:02Z

The Merlin is also an aircraft engine made by Rolls Royce. The Merlin was manufactured (in a few varieties) starting in 1934. The Merlin gained a reputation for being an exceptionally reliable and powerful engine. It powered several very successful aircraft in WWII.

Aircraft powered by the Merlin

Specifications common to all Merlins

27.02 liters displacement
5.4 inch bore
6 inch stroke
6:1 compression ratio

Most Merlins were made in the middle to later part of WWII. These Merlins (the 60 series) generated between 1390 and 2000 horsepower, depending on fuel and gearing.

XLR-99 (thing)

2002-12-09T04:17:40Z

The XLR-99 was the rocket engine that powered the X-15 planes to their record breaking speed and altitude. The XLR-99 was designed and manufactured by Reaction Motors Division of Thiokol Chemical Corporation.

The X-15 aircraft were ready before the XLR-99 engine and for a while the X-15's were powered by two XLR-11 engines. When the first one was delivered, ground tests on the airframe were begun. Because of the nature of the tests, a pilot was to be in the cockpit and in control of the engine during the tests. It was on it's first test, that the entire airplane exploded with pilot Scott Crossfield in it. Due to the exceptional design of the X-15, Scott Crossfield was able to walk away from the accident, although the cockpit was now located several yards from where it was originally. The cause of the failure was found to be unrelated to the XLR-99. When the second XLR-99 was delivered, it performed as expected.

There are several things that make the XLR-99 engine…

Yasser Arafat (person)

2002-12-05T21:13:26Z

Quotes from Yasser Arafat

Addressing his people at a public event, July 2001

Kill a settler every day.... Shoot at settlers everywhere.... Woe to you if you let them reach their homes safely or travel safely on the roads.... I want you to kill as many settlers as possible.... Do not pay attention to what I say to the media, the television or public appearances. Pay attention only to the written instructions that you receive from me.

I am ready to kill for the sake of my cause; wouldn't I lie for it?

From December 18, 2001. Two days after his historic announcement (in arabic) that called for an end to suicide bombings and for a Palestinian state living side by side in peace with Isreal.

We with the help of God will meet next time in Jerusalem, because we are fighting in order to bring the victory to our prophets, every baby, every child, every man, every woman, and every older person, and all the

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Toe Loop (thing)

2002-12-01T03:37:26Z

I disagree with Queequeg's assertion that the Toe Loop is easy to master. First a slightly more detailed description is in order.

The skater performs a right forward inside three turn, and toes in with their left leg. After the skater toes in, their right foot is continuing along it's inside edge. Just as it crosses the left leg, the skater takes off. This is known as "the draw." You can picture this as the right foot approaching the in-air jumping position, of being crossed over the left foot and tucked in. The skater takes off from both feet. One revolution (in a single) is made, and the skater lands.

The rub is, that this jump is easy, if you don't do the draw. In this situation, you vault off of the left foot. You have performed a toe-waltz. The way to tell if it's the real-deal or if it's a toe-waltz is in the feeling (or slow motion video). You have to ask yourself: Do I feel the power of the jump come from from both feet (as with a flip) or do I feel it on just one foot?

Nuclear football (thing)

2002-12-01T02:30:14Z

A briefcase that travels with the President of the United States when he is away from the office. The President doesn't carry the briefcase, but instead a military aide is always near the President with the magic briefcase handcuffed to him. If I remember correctly, it is always a marine.

The briefcase contains a secure satellite communications system and authentication codes. The codes ensure that the person on the other end of the line knows that they are talking to the President. Once everybody is sure who is talking to whom and makes a little small talk, the President tells them to blow shit up in his own special secret way.

The aide has on a few occasions been separated from the President for a few moments. This most famously happened when President Clinton left a NATO summit without his aide.

The name Nuclear Football comes from the original code-name of the project, which was "Drop Kick." There have been several versions, although…

brown sauce (thing)

2002-11-29T22:38:43Z

Brown Sauce is also called Sauce Espagnole and is one of the five mother sauces. Originally, Brown Sauce called for Bayonne Ham, veal, and partitridge. The currently accepted version comes from veal stock. There are several sauces that derive from Brown Sauce or demi-glace such as Polvrade, Medere, Chasseur, Bordelaise, Charcutier, and Robert.

You will need:

brown veal stock 5 pts
mirepoix 8 oz
tomato paste 2 oz
pale roux 6 oz

Procedure:

Brown the onions from the mirepoix in the hot oil; add the remainder of the mirepoix and continue to brown
Add the tomato paste; saute until lightly caramalized
Add the brown stock; bring to a simmer
Whip the roux into the stock.
Simmer for appoximately 1 hour; skim surface as necessary
Strain through a cheesecloth.

Source: The New Professional Chef (5th Edition)