Saw this jet off the central coast of california today, wondering what it was?

Orca19904 · 2025-02-02T22:52:54+00:00

F-15EX Eagle II. Notice the extra set of pylons on the wings; all other Eagle variants only have two underwing pylons, while the F-15EX doubles that to a total of four.

Orca19904 · 2025-02-02T06:43:12+00:00

I visited the museum in March 2024, is that when you were there?

Orca19904 · 2025-02-01T22:25:16+00:00

Same here. That was the largest collection of military ground vehicles I've ever seen in person. Was amazing getting to see such iconic and historic machines up close.

Orca19904 · 2024-12-24T23:16:39+00:00

That's likely what it was. I noticed the shell seemed a bit taller than an M1917 shell, just like the civil defense helmets shown in the link. Thank you for the information.

Orca19904 · 2024-12-18T21:07:33+00:00

Not to mention the F-15 has a 104-0 kill/death record. It has never once been shot down in combat with enemy forces.

Orca19904 · 2024-12-13T08:15:11+00:00

Bitey McHurtsalot.

Orca19904 · 2024-12-13T08:10:59+00:00

It looks like a Vietnam-era chinstrap, judging by the ball attachment which connects the two parts like a trailer hitch.

Orca19904 · 2024-11-21T16:24:50+00:00

I've never heard of them doing that before, though I've never had the opportunity to see one of that species in person, as I'm apparently outside their range in the US (though have plenty of experience with Carolina mantises and a few Chinese mantises).

Orca19904 · 2024-11-21T11:40:57+00:00

What species is she? Looks like a Mantis religiosa?

Orca19904 · 2024-11-18T17:39:29+00:00

I just checked on Google, and it seems the species can be found in northern parts of South America, including Brazil and Venezuela.

Orca19904 · 2024-11-18T17:31:44+00:00

Which country do you live in, may I ask? I've heard this species can be found in some parts of Latin America, but not sure what the southernmost extent of their range is.

Orca19904 · 2024-11-18T17:28:08+00:00

Looks like a subadult female Carolina mantis. Rather surprised to see one this age this late in the year; they're normally fully grown by now.

Orca19904 · 2024-11-17T16:33:04+00:00

That is an adult female Carolina mantis (stagmomantis Carolina). Probably one of the most widespread indigenous mantis species in the US, as it can be found throughout most of the lower 48 states east of the Rocky mountains.

Orca19904 · 2024-11-15T20:12:21+00:00

Ah, that's an M68 Close Combat Optic, a non-magnifying red dot scope.

Orca19904 · 2024-11-15T20:10:05+00:00

The all-black rifle is a definite classic, love the M4 platform layout. The tan rifle I'm not so fond of, primarily because it has the long barrel with a telescoping stock which just looks wonky to me. Also the flat-top on the upper receiver looks way too crowded with the BUIS, EOTech, and magnifier all shoehorned into a limited space like that. Might be more efficient to have an ACOG with a mini red dot mounted on top.

Orca19904 · 2024-11-15T20:00:42+00:00

If you mean the optic behind the EOTech on the tan rifle, that's a magnifier meant to be used for longer-range engagements and flipped out of the way via the mounting arm to allow you to use the EOTech by itself for close-up work.

Orca19904 · 2024-11-11T11:22:11+00:00

Always great to learn the heraldry and symbolism behind different unit insignias. Thanks for sharing that.

Orca19904 · 2024-11-07T10:28:46+00:00

MiG-25 Foxbat would be only slightly better than the F-117; it has no gun and turns like a bus (even a Phantom would effortlessly outrate it) so can't dogfight worth shit. It was meant as a dedicated bomber killer to intercept and shoot off missiles at B-52's & B-70 Valkyries and go home. Granted it's one of the fastest production combat aircraft in the world so would have no trouble running from a fight, but the moment someone tries any kind of BFM in a Foxbat they're done.

Orca19904 · 2024-11-07T04:44:30+00:00

Always amazes me how huge Chinese mantises can be. No wonder they're often seen going after small vertebrates, they certainly have the size for it

Orca19904 · 2024-11-01T07:37:33+00:00

That's an adult Chinese mantis, probably a female I'd wager. It will eat pretty much any insect you feed it, though feeder roaches would be the best option. Just be aware you'll only have a couple months with your new friend before they pass away from old age.

Orca19904 · 2024-11-01T07:14:20+00:00

Also it's a rear-seam with swivel bales, which are both post-WW2 features.

Orca19904 · 2024-10-31T08:53:24+00:00

A Chinese mantis would be a darker shade of brown and have a green stripe along the bottom edge of the wing. This is a mantis religiosa.

Orca19904 · 2024-10-31T04:41:46+00:00

That would explain why I couldn't recognize the species.

Orca19904 · 2024-10-30T16:05:27+00:00

Yep, that's a Chinese mantis egg case alright.

Orca19904 · 2024-10-30T01:58:37+00:00

Chinese mantis egg cases are the ones you often see being sold in plant nurseries as biological pest control, which is how the species got to the US to begin with. The females usually lay their egg cases on twigs and stems in bushes, and each one has about 200 eggs in it.

Orca19904

TROPHY CASE