#unveil in berlin

[usafphantom2]

MAAM P-61 Nose Art – Introducing “Moonbeam Dream”

Moreno Aguiari

After 79 years, the P-61 now has it’s own unique identity. Photo by Nick Chismar

Aircorps Art Dec 2019

By Nick Chismar

Just over a month ago, in June 2024, the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum (MAAM) unveiled a brand-new paint job on their Northrop P-61B Black Widow, USAAF #42-39445. The massive fighter sat proudly, fully covered in gloss black paint, as visitors from around the country stopped to take photos during the museum’s 33rd Annual World War II Weekend. Just recently, during the museum’s members’ day picnic on July 20th, there was another unveiling to do. After 79 years, their P-61 has its own identity and nose art; Moonbeam Deam.

MAAM P 61 Nose Art – Introducing Moonbeam Dream82539 copy scaled

Work was well underway just two weeks before the member’s day event. Tucked inside the main hangar, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania artist Jennifer “Hot Rod Jen” Thomas was steadying her hand against the side of the P-61. Jen’s interest in warbirds began with family ties as both her uncle and grandfather had flown Stearmans and worked alongside her father on the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation’s C-54 Spirit of Freedom. While Jen is well known for her automotive pinstriping, the P-61 is not her first piece of aviation nose art.

MAAM P 61 Nose Art – Introducing Moonbeam Dream80147 copy scaled

Recently, Jen painted the nose art on the Wings of War’s Cessna T-50 Bobcat, known as Bamboo Betty, which made its this year’s WWII Weekend. Not long after completing the gT-50’s nose art, a photographer suggested she contact MAAM President Russ Strine. It wouldn’t be until this year’s WWII Weekend that she could pass a card along, but it wasn’t long after that she was in contact with Russ, and things kicked off from there.

As Jen would tell me, there are some times when clients may not know exactly what they want, but not in this case. Having nose art on the P-61 has long been something Russ wanted to do. Since the aircraft had crashed only four days into its career, the crew never had the opportunity to properly name their aircraft. So, Russ set out to find something that he felt fit the project. Selecting from a book of Vargas pin-up girls, Russ looked for one that wasn’t too risqué or similar to that on their B-25 Briefing Time. The moon and stars were selected to symbolize how the P-61 fought in the night sky. He then chose the name Moonbeam Baby and added a full-size cutout to the aircraft which many visitors may recall seeing over past years. This name, however, was only intended to be a placeholder for inspiration.

The name Moonbeam Baby never really sat well with Russ, and after some time he decided to change the name to Moonbeam Dream. As he would tell me, “I was never really comfortable with the name ‘baby’, and I thought about it. I thought that the P-61 was a dream of ours, not only in acquiring it but restoring it to flying condition.” With the nose art already selected by Russ, Jen went to work.

MAAM P 61 Nose Art – Introducing Moonbeam Dream82547 copy scaled

With the full-size cut-out at home, Jen began by making tracings of the artwork and letters. Patterns and an electro pounce were made of the letters while the surface was thoroughly cleaned to begin painting. The image of the girl was first hung and then transferred using Saral paper for the outline and to be blocked in white to make it easier for skin tones to be painted. Using urethane and sign painting enamel paints Jen began the process of painting the nose art. Jen would use the Axalta urethane paint for the lettering and to block in the white and yellow on the pinup as well as for the moon. As a more aggressive paint, it bites into the black paint of the fuselage offering a sturdy base. For the rest, Jen would use 1-Shot lettering enamel to complete the nose art on the aircraft. Working from roughly 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and with an immense amount of skill and a steady hand, the nose art would slowly go on over the course of three days.

When member’s day came around and the first visitors rounded the tail of the museum’s replica D3A “Val” there was a sense of awe as they spotted the nose art. Comments could be heard about the level of detail and simply how impressive it was. As visitors continued and made their way to the other side of the P-61 they immediately took note of the emblem of the 550th Night Fighter Squadron, painted completely by freehand on the aircraft. Painted to the emblem’s left however were three names. Beneath the cockpit could be seen the name “Annie” in honor of Russ’ late mother, painted in bright red. Below that and in a more subtle blue was the image of the iconic “Kilroy” with the words “Pappy was here. Brenda too.” A tribute to Russ’ late father Eugene and Brenda Saylor, both of whom had spent countless hours to make their shared dream, a reality.

After 79 years, the P-61 now has its own unique identity. For Jen, this would be a special moment. After moving to Allentown years ago, friends soon told her about World War II Weekend. Jen said, “2006 was the first year I came here and I was hooked ever since. …coming here for years and the amount of work that is going into this aircraft is amazing. I’ve seen it when it was just barely anything and I loved the story, and I’m just blown away to be a part of it…it feels like a dream.” As Russ would tell me, “We needed to give the airplane our own identity, and this nose art, I think, accomplishes that.” With the names of the pilot Logan Southfield and radio operator Ben Goldstein who had been onboard during the fateful crash, the nose art is the final piece of the aircraft’s identity.

Special thanks to the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum and Jennifer Thomas for allowing me to photograph the process of painting the nose art. Thank you to Russ Strine and Jennifer for taking the time to talk about their process in this latest part of the restoration.

MAAM P 61 Nose Art – Introducing Moonbeam Dream82554 copy scaled It has been a few years since we last reported on restoration progress with the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum‘s Northrop P-61B Black Widow #42-39445. As most of you will remember, a team from the museum recovered the aircraft from the side of Mount Cyclops in Hollandia, New Guinea during the late 1980s. They have made great strides in their effort to rebuild the WWII night fighter to airworthy condition, and we thought you would like to hear (and see) some of the work that has been going on with the Widow of late. Below are our two latest report.

Author ProfileRelated Posts

Moreno-Aguiari

Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.

@Warbirdnews via X

[dcdreamblog]

Hey, we are living in scary times, sometimes it feels like the end of humanity will happen in our lifetime. I at least could use some hope. Do you have any stories of the Squadron or the Society continuing to fight the good fight despite the world feeling hopeless? It might help us to remember we aren’t the first generation to live in “interesting times.”

I can tell you THE story of the Society and the Squadron fighting a hopeless battle against long odds. Because it was THE fight both teams were created to fight. It's easy for us to for us to see in the modern day that the Nazi war machine was a house of rotten cards ready for one swift kick where the sun don't shine. In 1940, though, they seemed truly unstoppable.

France had fallen, Britain was under assault from the air and the American public was soundly sticking its head in the sand. American president Roosevelt, although he wished to intervene was hamstrung by an isolationist congress and public opinion.

Thankfully his hand was forced when British intelligence discovered that Adolf Hitler himself had come into possession of a powerful artifact called the Spear of Destiny.

(TW below the cut, Nazi imagery)

(Hitler "unveiling" the Spear of Destiny at an NSDAP rally, July 1940)

Using the Spear as an arcane focus, Hitler's inner circle was able to summon a flight of Valkyries that they intended to use to tip the balance of power in the Battle of Britain. A British agent (only ever identified as Smythe) brought this information to President Roosevelt who entrusted the mission to two of the newly prominent "mystery men" The Flash and Green Lantern.

Infiltrating Berlin the duo was captured and only saved from public execution by the intervention of Dr Fate who, sensing the threat the Spear posed, gathered fellow Mystery Men Hawkman, Hourman, The Spectre, Sandman and The Atom.

After exfiltrating the duo the heroes returned to the US after trashing the Nazis' Murder Machine super weapon. It was then they decided that the time had passed for them to all be individually fighting gangsters in the shadows and once again, the world turned.

(The most iconic photo of the original JSA, published coast to coast December 1940)

They saw the world balanced on the edge and decided that the only solution was to come together. To support one another. To use their strengths when combined to make sure evil could never count itself safe so long as those with the heart and soul to do anything about it were on the job. Like any superhero, that's our lesson too. Evil prospers when we let it, when we allow hate and bigotry to convince us that it's as big and unstoppable as it wants to seem.

But hatred is very small. And it is very outnumbered. And we win when we join hands, plant our feet in the sand and fight for what we KNOW to be right. The future will thank us for every step we take forward.

[dms-a-jem]

Depeche Mode - Interview with Alan and Martin

International Musician and Recording World - Nov. 1984

Leaving their beginnings as wide-eyed Popsters behind them, Depeche Mode have become masters of the art of noise and the science of the studio. Adrian Deevoy had a rewarding chat with the Basildon-to-Berlin boys, Les Drennan took some great pictures.

Somewhere, off one of the corporate corridors in the labyrinthine complex we affectionately term Broadcasting House, a woman sits alone. Her job is to create emotion, tension and atmosphere. Her key to this process is a PPG system. Although this is heartbreakingly unromantic it is the ultimate argument for machines in the Machine vs Human debate. It’s also quite a nice little story.

Depeche Mode like this story.

“All the sounds for Life Of Earth,” declares Alan Wilder.

“All those little animals,” beams Martin Gore.

After four years Depeche Mode are pretty bogged off with being told that they make inhuman music. They quite rightly believe this accusation to be untrue. They might accept that their first two albums weren’t cataclysmic – catchy, melody blip-bops if you like your lager warm but nothing to telex home about – but they remain adamant that last year’s LP, Construction Time Again, this years singles People Are People and Master And Servant, and their latest album Some Great Reward are anything less than stirring. For in the last 18 months Depeche Mode have discovered, embraced and subsequently immersed themselves in sound. With the aid of producer Daniel Miller’s matchmaking Synclavier a strange love affair has developed between the band and sampled noise.

Alan Wilder and Martin Gore, the songwriters, seemed most smitten to a meeting between themselves, and a micro-Walkman was promptly arranged in a horrendously loud video wine bar where they both bawled unashamedly of their love for sound.

“I’ll take you through all the sounds on People Are People,” says Martin, eyes glazed, sparing the machine no blushes. “The bass drum at the beginning was just an acoustic bass drum sampled into a Synclavier then we added a piece of metal to that – just a sampled anvil type sound – to give it a slight click and make it sound a bit different. That’s the beauty of the Synclavier, you can edit sounds together to make what we call combination sounds. The main synth sound is the actual ‘synth’ sound on the Synclavier, that’s the one that plays the bass riff. But the bass sound is a combination sound too with part of it being an acoustic guitar plucked with a coin, which sounds very interesting when the two sounds are sequenced together.”

“There’s very little playing going on in People,” adds Alan, “virtually everything is sampled into the Synclavier. With the guitar sounds we altered them slightly once they were in the Synclavier because you sample in one note and then you can alter the length and dynamic of every note in the sequence for the guitar part so it will give expression, but it will still be completely in time. You can justify all the rhythms, you see, so that you can have articulation but it’s all in time.”

Getting back to the People Are People breakdown Martin unveils a short sampling anecdote: Love on a plane.

“I took a stereo Walkman when I was going on a plane from England to somewhere,” he begins. “I originally brought it along to take the takeoff but while the air hostess was doing her safety speech at the start of the flight I decided I’d tape that as well. But as she was telling everyone to ‘Check the instruction cards under your seat,’ the door flew open and all this air rushed in which made a real loud noise and everyone laughed. Anyway I looped the end of what she was saying and the laughter so it goes, ‘…tion cards ha ha ha ha …tion cards ha ha ha ha,’ which sounds funny but I used it in conjunction with a choir sound and it added a really nice texture to the bridge on People.”

“There’s a Synclavier harp sound in the verses,” contributes Alan, “and an ARP sequencer playing very fast in the chorus and there’s some Emulator sounds that we used for adding a few frills here and there.”

The three throaty clunks at the end of each chorus is in fact Martin’s throat.

“That was a combination sound,” says Alan. “First of all we sampled Martin going, ‘Unk Unk Unk,’ with his throat then we added a bell sound and a timpani to give it depth.”

“I felt a bit of a berk doing that,” admits Martin. But love’s a bit like that.

The vocal line, “It’s a lot… like life,” at the beginning of Master and Servant was yet more fodder for the Synclavier. As Alan explains.

“Firstly we got a lot of people singing the high, ‘It’s a lot,’ and then a low, ‘Like life.’ You don’t have to play one slower or faster than the other to get the octave either because you make a patch on the Synclavier keyboard for each part and then you play the parts in their natural pitches and both at the same speed which is very handy.”

The lead vocals on People Are People and Master and Servant (or M&S as us Depechies call it) on the 7” mixes at least, were pretty well the only sounds that weren’t sampled.

“The vocals,” explains Alan, “were recorded in a big room. That is the vocals were sent down through a PA into a big, live room so we could not only get a great big sound but so we could put effects on the vocal while it was being recorded and afterwards on the disk.

“Although we sample all the snare sounds,” he adds as an afterthought on live rooms, “we always record the initial sound in an ambient space. We like to vary the snare sounds a lot so we record all different acoustic snares in various rooms and we close mike them or mike them from a distance depending on the width of the sound that we require. Simmons pads? No, I don’t like them. After you’ve done all that fiddling around to get away from that factory preset sound you might as well have got a really good sound on the Synclavier. Simmons pads just remind me too much of that Howard Jones factory preset and Drumulator syndrome. Really boring ‘synth’ sounds. They’re just not interesting, they sort of scream ‘DX7!’ and ‘JP8!’ at you.”

The latest Depeche album boasts a myriad of sounds, less overtly metallic than the socialist sentiments that they reflected on Construction Time Again but just as fascinating. Love is all about contrasts.

“We don’t think that we overdid the metal-beating idea on Construction Time,” says Martin, “but we wanted to make this one less obviously metal sounds. We wanted a little more subtlety…”

So instead of belting skips they belted concrete.

“Yeah, on one of the tracks on the album, Blasphemous Rumours,” elaborates Alan, “we sampled some concrete being hit for what turned out to be the snare sound. All that entailed was us hitting a big lump of concrete with a sampling hammer…”

“…I’m sure they’re not actually called sampling hammers,” interjects Martin giggling.

“Anyway,” continues Alan, “the engineer / producer we use, Gareth Jones, has got this brilliant little recorder called a Stellavox which we use with two stereo mikes and it’s as good as any standard 30ips reel-to-real but this is very small and therefore very portable. So we just took the Stellavox out into the middle of this big, ambient space and miked up the ground and hit it with a big metal hammer. The sound was… like concrete being hit. I can’t really put it any other way.”

“Professional Walkmans are good for sampling too,” claims Martin. “Gareth has always got his out. On trains… at home. They’re good because they get a very impure sound that can often be really interesting. But if we want a very pure sound then we’ll take the thing, say a bit of scaffolding, into the studio and mike it up in the proper conditions and get a clean sound.”

If an equipment list had been included in the mentions on Some Great Reward, apart from pavements, buildings, bottles and old people being stapled together it would have incorporated a long list of toy instruments which Martin divulged as he became more intoxicated; by love of course.

“One morning me and Andy (Fletcher) went down to Hamleys, the toy shop in London, and bought as many toy instruments as we could find. Pianos, saxophones, xylophones and we took them all back to the studio and sampled them. One we used a lot was a Marina (?), a toy one, very strange, but after we’d sampled it, it was great. It sounded pretty terrible as a toy but when we took it down a couple of octaves it sounded really good.”

“People tend to think that if you’re using toy instruments then they have to sound whacky,” complains Alan, “but we put some to very good use because as soon as you sample them they take on a whole new quality and when you transpose them it puts them in a completely new context. Like the noises Martin was making with his throat, we only took those down a tone and it was unrecognisable as someone going, ‘Unk’, with their throat.”

But sampling, like love, isn’t all happiness and although Depeche have learnt to take the rough with the smooth, they found out the hard way. Alan breaks off in the middle of another ‘good combination sound’ story to tell how they were stitched up by a sussed, sampling percussionist.

“We were doing this combination with Martin doing his Indian voice combined with a bassoon type sound.”

“It was pretty ethnic,” says Martin launching into his Indian voice.

Alan ignores him. He has something on his mind that he’s not sure if he should tell us.

“I’m not sure I should tell you this,” he tells us, “but we got this percussionist in for the afternoon to sample his drums and the different techniques of playing them. We didn’t try to hide the fact that we were sampling him. We said, ‘We hope you don’t feel r*ped,’ and he agreed to be sampled literally just hitting one drum, once at a time. Anyway we sampled all his drums once, maybe twice. Now, the Musicians Union haven’t really caught up with sampling and this bloke had obviously contacted them when he got home because he gave us this bill for about 50 different sessions, plus sampling time plus a consultation fee. It was enormous and the stupid thing was that most of the sounds weren’t even as good as that (bangs two pint glasses together) and we only used about two for maybe two seconds each on a couple of songs.”

Another problem came when the band had to divide their recording time between Music Works in England and the 56-track, Solid State luxury of Hansa Mischraum in Berlin.

“There were all these builders in next door at Music Works,” moans Martin, “and we’d have the track running with us hitting skips and concrete and they’d be next door tearing a wall down and we couldn’t tell which was which. It was very confusing at times.”

Like love and marriage, sampling and timing tend to go together like the proverbial horse and jockey.

“Although it makes the whole process even longer, when you get into one you can’t really help but get into the other,” says Alan. “You can’t help, after you’ve been involved with sequencing for a while, noticing three millisecond or five millisecond discrepancies. So you end up time-shifting every sequence until it’s perfect. Then we got into consciously putting things slightly out of time. Like, for example, the choir sound on People again we used a combination sound of different choir sounds on different synths and then put them slightly out of time with each other. Like we took one sound from the Synclavier, one from the PPG and one was on the Emulator. Are you familiar with the Friendchip? It’s a time code reading clock that can monitor every single click output from all your drum machines and all your synths so when everything is going via the Friendchip you can adjust the feel by pulling something, say five or six milliseconds in one direction.

“The thing is so many things can’t play in perfect time anyway,” reveals Alan, “the Linn isn’t in time when it’s meant to be playing ‘drum machine’ perfect time without human error programmed in. It can go out by 20 milliseconds. We set an oscilloscope on several things to see how well they kept time. The one that came out best was the TR808 which only as a two millisecond shift. That’s better than the Synclavier. Rotten sounds though. But we actually ended up triggering stuff from the 808 just because it’s so tight within itself.”

“We always thought the 808 had a good feel,” chips in Martin before adding a bitchy, “even though Alan has a grade eight piano his playing is still incredibly out of time compared to the Synclavier sequencer… and even that’s out!”

All this and the Emulator II?

“Yeah,” admits Martin realising that his love has almost turned him into a technocrat, “the sampling time is about 17 seconds now, I think, and you can get more sampling across the keyboard, it gives better quality than the Fairlight and it only costs about seven grand which is a lot but it will be a big help to us live.”

And there’s a pianillow ballad, Somebody, to be sung love. Martin promises some. Kinda wonderful.

“We’re going to go for a completely human feel on that one. Just a piano played by Alan and Dave singing and Andy playing tapes on the Fostex X15. It’ll be very different.”

So the love for sound can take you backwards but what of the future?

“I don’t know,” confesses Martin, “the Synclavier can already go further than your imagination and they’re thinking of getting new software for that. Then there’s re-synthesis which might happen in a couple of years where you can take a sampled sound and change just tiny parts of it. It’s really impossible to say. Maybe we’ll just get the guitars out and make a Rock ’n’ Roll album. Who knows?”

…and somewhere, within the folds of Auntie Beeb’s ageing skin, a woman sits alone wrestling with a similar emotional predicament. Is she really in love with her PPG system is has it been David Attenborough all along?

Adrian Deevoy, November 1984 (some of the text is hard to read so transcribed to the best of my ability. Apologies for any typos)

[usagirotten]

First Look at Neo Berlin 2087: Trailer Unveiled at Gamescom 2024

In an exciting reveal at Gamescom 2024, Elysium Game Studio has released the first official trailer for their upcoming action RPG, Neo Berlin 2087. This highly anticipated game promises to immerse players in a dark, futuristic vision of Berlin, blending third and first-person perspectives in a gripping detective thriller.  The trailer showcases stunning visuals and a deeply engaging storyline, set in a dystopian cyberpunk reality. Players will navigate a city divided by technological advancements, where the wealthy dominate and the poor struggle to survive. The game’s protagonist is tasked with unraveling a far-reaching conspiracy, making choices that will impact justice, friendship, love, guilt, sacrifice, and betrayal.

Key Highlights from the Trailer: - Cinematic Experience: The trailer highlights the game’s cinematic quality, with photorealistic graphics and detailed environments that bring the futuristic Berlin to life. - Gameplay Mechanics: Players can expect a mix of action, stealth, and role-playing elements, offering a versatile and immersive gameplay experience. - Character Development: The narrative promises deep character development, with complex relationships and moral dilemmas that will keep players engaged. Neo Berlin 2087 is set to release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, though the exact date remains unconfirmed. As anticipation builds, fans are eagerly awaiting more details and gameplay footage. Stay tuned for more updates on Neo Berlin 2087 as we get closer to its release. For now, check out the trailer and get ready to dive into the cyberpunk world of Berlin in 2087. Are you excited about Neo Berlin 2087? What are you looking forward to the most in this game? Let me know in the comments below!

Read the full article

[redsnowdrop]

Porsche Panamera

The presentation of the first generation (code name 970), which took place in April 2009 in China, revealed only part of the model range (3 versions), later expanded to 9 (including a diesel and a hybrid). Furthermore, there is a version with a 15cm longer wheelbase, called Executive.

In April 2013, a restyling was presented which, in addition to modifications to the headlights and bumpers, introduced some new engine features.

The 400 HP 4.8 V8 was replaced by the more powerful and high-performance 420 HP 3.0 V6 biturbo for the S version.

Car body

edit

The Panamera is a 4-door coupé approximately 5 meters long, with top speeds ranging between 259 km/h for the Diesel version and 310 km/h for the Turbo S version. The four seats consist of single seats; the external style deliberately recalls that of the Porsche 911, especially at the front, so as to make the Panamera immediately recognizable as a Porsche.

Production takes place in the Leipzig plant, the same one where the Porsche Cayenne is assembled, demonstrating the presence of many points in common between the two models (starting from the engines and the integral transmission on the 4S and Turbo models).

The markets for which the model is intended are, in addition to Europe and the USA, above all the emerging markets (Russia, China, Middle East): for this reason the presentation took place at the Chinese show in Shanghai.

In April 2013, the restyled version of the Panamera was announced, which then made its debut at the Shanghai Auto Show. The plug-in hybrid version, called Panamera S E-Hybrid, was introduced on the US market in November 2013.

The second generation Panamera was unveiled on 28 June 2016 at an event held in Berlin. The code name is Type 971; the car, built on the VW Group's new Porsche MSB (Modular Standard Drive) platform, is 35 millimeters longer and 5 mm wider than the first generation, with 30 millimeters more wheelbase. The interior features a redesigned dashboard, with center console instrumentation made up of touch-sensitive surfaces replacing the previous generation with physical buttons. The tachometer, the only analogue instrument, is mounted centrally on the instrument panel and recalls that of the 1955 Porsche 356 A. The new car is equipped with two seven-inch displays instead of the classic pointer dials in the dashboard, with another screen 12.3-inch touchscreen that also acts as a satellite navigator with Apple CarPlay integration present in the center console. The new instrumentation is called Advanced Cockpit. Under the bonnet is a new range of engines, with only the Panamera 4S, 4S Diesel and Turbo versions available at launch.

In March 2017 Porsche presented the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, a plug-in hybrid car. The Turbo S E-Hybrid features the 4.0-liter V8 engine from the Panamera Turbo, but it comes paired with an electric motor. The total system output is 680 hp, making it the second most powerful production Porsche ever built, after the 918 Spyder.

In this new model the torque of the overall system rises to 850 Nm, reaching the torque level of the Diesel version. Performance also increases, 0-100 is covered in 3.4 and 0-200 in 8.2 seconds.

The new Panamera aesthetically no longer features the rounded tailgate that had divided automotive critics of the previous series, but now the tail with a more tapered and squared style recalls that of the 991 through the headlights and the longitudinal rear LED strip. This improvement in design helped clarify the model's identity as a touring-oriented sports car.

In March 2017 at the Geneva Motor Show, a shooting brake version of the Panamera II series built on the same base, called Panamera Sport Turismo, was presented.

The restyling of the second generation Panamera was presented on August 26, 2020.

[silicacid]

Germany just took a drastic step toward criminalizing Palestine activism

A new report by ministers and senators seeks to lay the legal basis for outlawing Palestinian groups, and even banning maps of historic Palestine.

Germany's rail company, Deutsche Bahn, wants to build a suburban train line that would run under Berlin's memorial to the Sinti and Roma murdered in the Holocaust. Activists are up in arms about the plan.

The memorial, just 50 meters (164 feet) from the German parliament building, was unveiled in 2012, and seen as Germany finally taking responsibility for the groups’ plight. It consists of a dark, circular pool of water upon which sits a triangular stone, which represents the badges Sinti and Roma were forced to wear in Nazi concentration camps to identify them as such.

The proximity to the government quarter poses the problem. The new rail line is set to run right through it, which may lead to the monument being dismantled.

[leibal]

The Berlin based furniture design studio Objekte Unserer Tage, has recently unveiled their latest creation, the SANDER Sofa. Designed by David Wendt, the Head of Design, the SANDER Sofa combines innovative design with a touch of postmodernism, resulting in a visually distinctive and expressive piece of furniture.

[tasteoftaboo]

Elli: A Black and White 90s aesthetic Introducing a daring photoshoot featuring Elli, an incredibly beautiful model from Berlin, known for her striking tattoos. Shot in a minimalist white studio, Elli exudes 90s flair in an oversized black suit, complemented by a daring underboob corset and bold platform boots.

With a cigar in hand, she radiates a fierce attitude and rebellious energy. As the session unfolds, Elli playfully loosens her corset, unveiling her stunningly tattooed and pierced upper body. The juxtaposition of her tailored suit against her exposed skin creates a mesmerizing visual story.

Keen observers will catch a glimpse of a G-string peeking out from her suit trousers, adding an enticing touch to the imagery. This collection beautifully marries 90s style, contemporary body art, and the timeless allure of black-and-white photography. For members, the full glorious set: https://www.patreon.com/posts/elli-black-and-113494710?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

[slutforpetyr]

Beta Cinema, Constantin Film, Zeitsprung Pictures and UFA Fiction have unveiled the first look photo of The Physician II, the sequel to the hit historical epic.

The original film, released in 2013, sold to over 60 territories and became an international box-office hit. In Germany alone, the film earned $42 million at the box office, with 3.6 million admissions.

The Physician director Philipp Stölzl once again brings together a stellar ensemble of international stars and rising talents: Tom Payne (Horizon: An American Saga, The Walking Dead, Prodigal Son) reprises his role as the passionate physician Rob Cole and shares the screen with Emily Cox (The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die), Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones, Maze Runner), Áine Rose Daly (Boiling Point, Hanna), Owen Teale (Robin Hood, Game of Thrones), and Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones, Hunger).

The shoot took place from August to October 2024 in Hungary, Cologne and Berlin. Constantin Film is releasing the film in German cinemas on Dec. 25, 2025, and Beta Cinema is handling international sales, presenting first materials at the upcoming American Film Market.

[nomad-skateboarding]

Watch "Ye Olde Destruction" Full Movie - By Thomas Campbell

For the last 7 years Artist- Film maker Thomas Campbell has been making a self funded skateboarding movie, mainly shot on a 16mm film -- called - Ye Olde Destruction (YOD).... with a solid grip of land sled aficionados building and skating DIY spots, some street action, pools, and other stuff.

The movie is really about capturing sessions and the movement of the life and happenings in these situations.

Part of the theme and vehicle that propels the film is the driving of two old cars (one 70's Cadillac and one black Ford Station wagon) two squads travel around in these cars skating, building spots, creating different skating scenarios, sometimes skating the cars and basically wilding out in said vehicles.

In some ways the movie falls into the classic genera of the car movies movie motif (Bullitt, Mad Maxx or Brown Bunny). The Film is presented in brutal but some how dream scape - ish editing style.

The entire score of YOD is an originally crafted musical piece by the L.A. Based duo No Age, which turns the guts and hold them there for the duration. Sergej Vutuc the world renowned Berlin based artist zine maker adding his jacked frenetic script to the mix, as a subtle nod to deep zine realms.

Campbell enlisted an A list team of lens men to help him capture the motion picture scenarios and shreddings - French Fred, Jon Miner, Mike Manzoori, Connor Wyse among others. The film embodies and unveils the inter web of a community...

[thelensofyashunews]

NEMZZZ FOLLOWS SMASH DEBUT MIXTAPE DO NOT DISTURB WITH BRAND NEW SINGLE ‘ATM’

The prolific Manchester rapper Nemzzz today drops his new single ‘ATM’. In a fast follow up to his recent debut mixtape DO NOT DISTURB which landed in March and reached #17 in the UK album charts.

Blending cinematic, sweeping orchestral instrumentation spliced with an icy industrial production from Zel, ‘ATM’ is brimming with Nemzzz’s sharp wordplay and playful adlibs as he reflects on his recent successes. 

Nemzzz is fresh from his sell-out second headline tour, hitting stages in Dublin, Glasgow, London (with a surprise drop in from K-Trap) and a homecoming show featuring Central Cee at Manchester Academy - Nemzzz’s biggest show to date in the city. Nemzzz will be returning to Wireless Festival this summer and has a sold-out EU tour set for this October including dates in Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels and more.

Nemzzz’s debut mixtape DO NOT DISTURB landed in March to acclaim from NME (4*/Cover), Hypebeast UK, Wonderland, NOTION, DMY, Acclaim and support from Spotify (Global Hip-Hop Cover, Rap UK Cover), Soundcloud (Album of the Week), Apple Music, YouTube Music and more. 

The 11-track tape marked Nemzzz’s most expansive drop to date, an exploration of how the young artist is shaped by his upbringing and his fame. Nemzzz surprised fans the week after release, unveiling the Deluxe version featuring collaborations with rap heavyweights from both sides of the Atlantic, including Lil Yachty on the ethereal ‘IT’S US’, Headie One with the bouncy ‘I KNOW YOU CARE’ and  K-Trap on the siren-like ‘MAYFAIR’. The tape has already racked up over 120M+ streams since launch.

Marrying bars laced with Nemzzz’s wicked sense of humour, earworm hooks and a raw soulful-drill production - DO NOT DISTURB cemented Nemzzz’s status as the new titan of UK Rap. On singles including ‘ETA’ (a collaboration with German rap star Luciano), leadback mental health commentary ‘PTSD’ and the shimmering, jazz inflected ‘L’S’, Nemzzz drew acclaim from Central Cee, The Observer, Fader, CRACK, NME spins across BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra and more. The tape was rounded out by ‘MONEY AND VIBES’, which saw Nemzzz bring UK flavour to a flip of Justin Timberlake’s ‘Rock Your Body’. The single topped the A list at 1Xtra on release last year and continues to rack up over +1M streams a week. 

Nemzzz is one of the most exciting breakout rap talents of recent years. An old head on young shoulders, Nemzzz is relatable in a different way than a lot of his rap peers; driven less by punchlines about Birkin bags and more by the challenge of helping his young fans navigate their way through growing pains. The rapper is shaped by his tough upbringing in Gorton, using his music to reflect on his experiences including heartbreak, fake friends, financial literacy, finding your own path, and managing mental health amid social media addiction.

2023 was a massive year for the young star with a consistent slate of releases including his debut EP Nemzzz Type Beat (which was pulled together in just 17 days in a flex of his innate talents) alongside a string of singles including ‘Therapy’ (Spotify Rap UK Cover) and ‘8AM IN MANNY’ which landed to props from some of the biggest rappers in the world - Drake and Lil Yachty. Last year saw Nemzzz deliver his first sold-out headline tour alongside performances at festivals including Glastonbury, Ibiza Rocks and more. 

Since bursting onto the scene at the tender age of 14, Nemzzz has relentlessly chipped away at his craft – building steady buzz amongst the industry, media and fans alike. With over 180M combined streams in 2023, 9 Million TikTok views, tips including BBC Radio 1xtra's Hot For 2023, Amazon Music x Hunger Magazine Ones To Watch, No Signal Class of ’23, Best Newcomer Nominee MOBO Awards 2022, plaudits from Pitchfork, The Face, DAZED, The Guardian, HYPEBEAST, CLASH, Complex UK and NME - Nemzzz is making serious moves.

[diabolus1exmachina]

Adler T10 Autobahn 2.5 Liter Cabriolet

In 1937, the new Adler 2.5 was unveiled at the Berlin Motor Show. The design caused a sensation, as it was meant to reflect streamlined motion inspired by the aerodynamics of a teardrop shape. The robust 2.5-liter 6-cylinder engine coupled to a 4-speed transmission gave the vehicle good performance. This Adler model was given the nickname "Autobahn-Adler" at the time, which was meant to express its suitability for relaxed driving on the growing German Autobahn network.

[normally0]

Palm Trees of Intrigue: Architecture, Espionage, and Symbolism in Berlin and Vienna

The presence of palm trees, replicated outside the BND-Zentrale in Berlin and originating from Hollein's designs in Vienna, serves as a potent symbol that blurs the lines between art, architecture, and espionage. While the Berlin Senate confirmed them as art installations, suspicions lingered about their potential as covert listening devices, heightening the intrigue surrounding their presence in both cities.

Against the backdrop of Berlin's fraught history with secret-service agencies like the Gestapo and the Stasi, the unveiling of the BND-Zentrale as the world's largest intelligence headquarters is a stark reminder of the city's enduring legacy of surveillance and distrust. The colossal structure, often viewed as a "fort" that stands out in Berlin's urban landscape, challenges conventional architectural norms and raises questions about its integration into the city's fabric.

Kleihues' defense of the BND-Zentrale as a captivating fortress reflects a tension between architectural aesthetics and the functional demands of security infrastructure. Hollein's use of surreal elements, such as turning columns into palm trees, adds to the intrigue surrounding the building's design and purpose.

The palm trees' presence in both Berlin and Vienna creates a sense of continuity and connection between the two cities, while their replication outside an intelligence headquarters fuels speculation about their symbolic and practical significance. Whether as architectural adornments or potential surveillance tools, the palm trees embody the enigmatic intersections between art, architecture, and intelligence.

In this dialogue between the notion of the architect as spy; Hollein, Kleihues, and the palm trees serve as potent symbols of secrecy and surveillance, inviting speculation about the hidden forces that shape our built environment. Against the backdrop of Berlin's pseudo-Cold War atmosphere, where what cannot be spoken is often conveyed through architectural symbolism, the palm trees become focal points of intrigue and speculation, embodying the complexities of power, secrecy, and design in the modern age.

[davidson-eric]

RESTORED PATRIOT!!!

👇👇👇👇👇👇

The Deep State’s Web of Control Breaking: Imminent Black Swan Event Sparks Transition to XLM and XRP, Unveils Deep State False Flags and Revolutionary Med Beds in QFS Era - American Media Group (amg-news.com) The Deep State extends its control through various agencies, organizations, and influential figures, including:

Rothschild Family: Based in London, Berlin, and Israel, they are key players in the Deep State’s power structure.

Rockefeller Family: With roots in the USA and Israel, they exert significant influence.

Morgan Family: Centered in England, they are instrumental in the cabal’s operations.

Warburg Family: Based in Germany, they play a pivotal role in the financial machinations.

Lazard Family: Operating from Paris, France, they contribute to the cabal’s global dominance.

Moses Israel Seif Family: With a presence in Italy and Israel, they are part of the Cabal’s Network.

Kuhn Loeb Family: Spanning Germany and the USA, they hold a prominent place.

Lehman Brothers Family: Rooted in the USA, they contribute to the cabal’s power.

Goldman Sachs Family: Based in the USA, they are deeply embedded in the cabal’s operations.

Black Nobles: European monarchs with Rothschild blood are part of the cabal’s extended influence.

Vatican: With connections to the Jewish community, the Vatican plays a role in the Deep State’s agenda.

Various Secret Societies: Including Freemasonry, Satanism, Bilderberg Club, and Illuminati, these organizations are instrumental in advancing the cabal’s objectives.

I urge you all to backup your funds into the new Quantum Account and be safe for life. Reach out to us via email (check bio for email) or a DM away.

#EyesOpenAmerica

[twopoppies]

so embarrassed to say that harry wax figure in the sun is here in australia. we are in winter so the sun is not really that hot.

that wax figure is horrific!

the my policeman one clearly got all the love 😏

Oh, that makes sense. I actually just saw a TikTok with the “unveiling” and it was kind of embarrassing with the rainbow dancers. 😅😅😅

I think the Berlin one in the pink Coachella fit might be the best. But honestly they’re all a bit weird. And I’m never going to stop being annoyed by the pearls and the fact that they changed the banana dick to just a banana.

[kicksaddictny]

adidas and Civilist Unveil the New ZX-6001

adidas has teamed up with Berlin-based streetwear brand Civilist to launch the highly anticipated ZX-6001. This latest collaboration blends the distinctive style of Civilist with adidas's renowned ZX series, resulting in a unique and stylish sneaker.

The ZX-6001 features a sleek design with a mix of premium materials, including suede and mesh, offering both durability and comfort. The color palette is a nod to Civilist’s edgy aesthetic, combining muted tones with bold accents for a standout look.

Incorporating adidas's advanced technology, the ZX-6001 ensures superior performance with its responsive cushioning and support, making it ideal for both everyday wear and athletic activities. The sneaker also boasts unique detailing, such as co-branded logos and custom lace tips, highlighting the collaboration's special nature.

Available in select stores and online, the adidas x Civilist ZX-6001 is set to be a must-have for sneaker enthusiasts and streetwear aficionados alike.