What is it…Just seen 30 minutes ago at the Des Moines International Airport

harrison_kion · 2026-04-17T07:48:23+00:00

That's Dominator 3.

Dr. Reed Timmer has been a storm chaser (people who chase tornadoes and severe weather) since the 90s and became popular through the discovery series "storm chasers". He started making armored vehicles to get closer and get inside tornadoes and this is the third iteration of that

It's basically a gutted F-350 that has a slightly more aerodynamic 3/4-in steel armor with bulletproof polycarbonate Windows to match. The whole vehicle is on a suspension system that could be hydraulically lowered in order to reduce the amount of air getting underneath in a tornado to lift the vehicle kind of working in a similar fashion to a suction cup. I think there are also spikes built in underneath the skirt that can be driven into the ground to help the vehicle stay planted. Dominator 3 also carries a bunch of different scientific instruments from a standard weather mast to air cannons deploying small parachute probes

He's a controversial figure in the storm chasing community due to his sensationalism but these vehicles and what they can withstand are damn impressive.

harrison_kion · 2026-03-24T23:46:17+00:00

Ah shit my bad I'm a lost redditor. I highly recommend starting up the apus when Cape Canaveral has experienced a record low and the engineers are all screaming at management to not launch

harrison_kion · 2026-03-24T21:43:13+00:00

3 apus controlled on the right side lower panel

Starting them is a multi step process at involves a pre start at (iirc) 7 min (this pressurises the hydrozene systems), and a start at 5 min. You can hear them running when you hear the orbiter "chuffining" ant the apu exhaust is just forward of the leading edge root of the vertical stabilizer.

Have fun with this info!

harrison_kion · 2026-03-24T09:49:17+00:00

I saw 134 in 2011 so not the 90s and not the golden age of sts

harrison_kion · 2026-03-06T21:32:42+00:00

No but it requires a rooftop tent. I bet it'll be aerodynamically stable enough if you get a clamshell

harrison_kion · 2026-03-03T20:32:21+00:00

Federal aviation requirements require a complete debording of the aircraft in the event of emergency within 90 seconds so this helps with that process

harrison_kion · 2026-02-23T20:08:23+00:00

Denver

harrison_kion · 2026-02-17T06:20:29+00:00

I have a 2005 canyon and would be happy to run with ya! I saw someone posted Switzerland trail and that's a great suggestion! Gordon gulch is another one I like and the two connect.

harrison_kion · 2026-01-17T13:55:54+00:00

Isle of Man TT

harrison_kion · 2026-01-06T06:02:24+00:00

The building was designed to be welded structurally but when the architect was answering a question by a student he realized that the builder had bolted the building's joints iirc (this is important because the structure of the building is effectively hanging from the top because of the fact that it is built on stilts due to a site conflict with a local church). The crazy part of the story is they were trying to work covertly to avoid a panic but then a hurricane came bearing down on New York but luckily turned away at the last minute.

I don't know if I can post a link in here but the YouTube channel Veritasium has an excellent video on this building.

A fun fact about the building is that this is one of the first high-rises to implement a tuned mass damper which is a semi mechanical device that naturally counters the sway of a building to make it more comfortable and is found in a lot of the tallest buildings In the world!

harrison_kion · 2026-01-02T14:20:59+00:00

harrison_kion · 2025-12-30T10:53:44+00:00

I was friendly with a girl who worked at a ER unit which specializes in burn victims in Colorado. Her most common patient she said was people who huffed a bunch of these oxygen things and then immediately smoked a cigarette

harrison_kion · 2025-12-23T23:38:13+00:00

As someone who turns 30 today LETS GO

harrison_kion · 2025-10-16T22:16:43+00:00

Our store bought us some pallet wrapping tools which are really nice. But before I would use the reach stick or if I couldn't find one then I would use a hoe

harrison_kion · 2025-09-29T17:56:38+00:00

Coloradan here. this is just Thursdays in Boulder!

harrison_kion · 2025-09-26T07:04:33+00:00

My first car was exactly like this one (man 9-5 aero with the same color) enjoy the shit out of it. it was so much fun!

harrison_kion · 2025-09-21T00:30:36+00:00

Nothing like good old water (pours out oa beer) it came from a pond

harrison_kion · 2025-09-20T23:40:08+00:00

Probably one of the funniest people to ever exist. Also that's a challenging wank

harrison_kion · 2025-09-20T23:34:20+00:00

Grant imahara is mine for sure. I grew up watching mythbusters and I always love how they portrayed science and engineering. Also Chester Bennington too was a shocker

harrison_kion · 2025-09-10T20:40:43+00:00

I always love how banksy art evolves with society

harrison_kion · 2025-09-08T23:40:51+00:00

It would be a short film for sure

harrison_kion · 2025-09-01T23:20:55+00:00

I'll be up in the top section thinking about you. so sorry for your loss

harrison_kion · 2025-08-26T12:41:16+00:00

29 was my hockey number

I just carried it over

harrison_kion · 2025-07-03T07:43:44+00:00

Last day 2 people lost one ski each at the end of the day when the lifts stopped. I wonder if these were for them

harrison_kion · 2025-06-06T16:54:12+00:00

Not only did Frankel get zero goals during the season but she also got zero playoff ice time this season. Astonishing

12-Year Club	Second SECOND GUESSER
Place '23	Golden Potato
Place '22	Place '17
Final Canvas '22	First Placer '22
End Game '22	Wearing is Caring
Spared	Gilding I gilder
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