You might be able to pick one up on the cheap. The Russian’s are just taking them apart:

Oh, I wouldn’t put it past the US or the Russians. (Although, I thought I read the Merkel intel hadn’t been tied to the USS Jimmy Carter, but rather local taps.) My point was more that if there was something they couldn’t buy, most of the spying they can do underwater could probably be done while tied up at the docks…

I thought we were on good enough terms with Finland that if they had some cool ELINT or tech we wanted we just go “Hey, is that for sale?” Might be cheaper than running the sub up there and bothering with the whole clandestine thing. They’ve also been pretty good about us just coming into port and tying up at the…

“But...but...I had all the right stickers!”

Different story, but if you want to read about how aircraft design disasters go over budget, check out “The $5 Billion Misunderstanding” by James Perry Stevenson. It is the story of the A-12 program, and how the whole thing went to crap. There are some development parallels too: Navy/Marines/USAF were interested, big…

How did Gianni Caproni not see that this giant monstrosity would crash on its first flight?

I finally bit the bullet and purchased one when I had to do the transmission fluid change, and found out you couldn’t just check the level when the fluid was cold, you had to heat the fluid up within a 5-degree band, and then close the drain plug when it reached a certain temp. (Thanks, VAG, for making a transmission…

Don’t just do “big arms.” Chase him down.

Doing the timing belt/water pump service on the Audi A3 in a couple of weeks. It isn’t new (5 years old) but as it gets older, it might be nice to be able to, say, jump into the ECU and kick up the engine idle rate.

“a. Proponents have failed to prove that vehicle owners are owners of copies of Electronic Control Unit (“ECU”) firmware within the meaning of 17 U.S.C. § 117.”

Someone want to fill me in on the licensing agreement argument? I don’t recall signing anything related to software when I purchased my car. I clicked “agree”…

Just turn up the volume. And kill Hitler!

The F35 isn't a bad aircraft, but it isn't designed to do the A10's job. Its awesome that the F35 is suited for a war against some superpower, but we are not (and probably won't be) fighting a true superpower, high tech war any time soon. We are fighting a bunch of guys in the desert driving around in 1970's tanks…

That's gonna take a shit-ton of 1/4 oz. Testors 1163TT Grey to patch up. I hope they sell that at Costco.

You can get VIN numbers off of vehicle sale listings. Or just walk through a long-term airport parking lot until you see the right car, and copy down the VIN through the window.

I thought I was going to miss a transfer at CDG once. I had only 30 minutes to change planes because of a delay in arrivals. And aware that it can be impossible to navigate, I ran like a crazy person between the gates and luckily found my way. On arrival at the gate I was told that they had already made an…

If anyone from Mercedes is reading this thread, you should make this your commercial because it will cause me to buy your car.

Also, you should send Dr. Watson a 3-pack of Smart cars for their trouble. (I assume they come shrink-wrapped in 3-packs for sale at Costco and other big box stores.)

They have those in New Mexico, too:

There’s where you and I differ. I understand your position, and maybe I’m just jaded, but I am tired of pretending government entities, particularly California governmental entities, don’t have a history of bait-and-switch taxation schemes. This isn’t some etherial threat. It has happened and continues to happen. I…

Judging by your reduction to sarcasm, I’m left to conclude that you do not have a better solution to ensure improved infrastructure by tying gas taxes to transit programs. Please demand accountability from your elected officials or refrain from voting until you actually care.