The Stearman biplane is a trainer -- it has duplicate controls so that a flight instructor can take a trainee up and teach basic flight. Oddly enough, until today it hadn't occurred to me to add that feature to my Second Life replica of this plane.

Today I released version 1.1 of my Stearman in both the US Army and civilian variants. It includes a new button on the HUD panel that switches control between the back and front seats. Also, I upgraded the follow-cam. Previously, the passenger had a fixed-camera rear view of the plane; it is now a dynamic follow-cam.

I have sent out free updates to many people who have purchased version 1.0. If you own version 1.0 and would like version 1.1, please IM me for you free copy. If I were really clever, I would have an automated update script to send these out. Eventually I'll get to that.

News for Second Life aviators: Following up on numerous requests, I have painted the Stearman PT-17 with a civilian paint scheme. The new plane is on display next to the US Army Stearman.

A giant squid has washed up on a beach in Tasmania. " It would not taste very nice at all," scientist says. I ask you... if you can't make truck-wheel-size calamari, what use is it?

(Link)

Being the sci-fi geek I am, I recently watched the entire Star Wars series on DVD. Again. And it struck me that George Lucas has a penchant for severed limbs. Seriously, in almost every movie, at least one character loses a hand or limb.

I don't think that I'm being OCD about this, because most other movies I watch don't have quite so many body parts hitting the ground. To make sure I wasn't imagining things, I compiled this handy list:

Star Wars I: Phantom Menace
Well, nobody lost limbs in this one. That I could see.

Star Wars II: Revenge of the Sith

• Obi-Wan cuts off bar patron's hand.
• Count Dooku cuts off Annikin's arm.

Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith
This one is a veritable limb-fest.

• Annikin cuts off both of Count Dooku's hands.
• A battle droid loses both arms aboard the ship.
• Annikin cuts off Mace Windu's hand.
• Obi-Wan cuts off Annikin's real arm. Then both legs.

Star Wars IV: A New Hope

• Tuskan raider rips off C3-P0's arm.
• Obi-Wan cuts off bar patron's arm (this is becoming a habit with him).

Star Wars V: Empire Strikes Back

• Luke cuts off the snow creature's arm.
• C3-P0 loses all limbs off-screen.
• Darth Vader cuts off Luke's hand.

Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi

• Luke cuts off Vader's hand.

So there's my handy (heh!) list of lopped limbs. I put this question to George Lucas: What is your fascination with dismemberment? I should watch Lucas' other movies. Did anyone lose limbs in the Indiana Jones movies? Or maybe American Graffiti?

Terra Combat System 2.5 is now finished. Vehicle makers, get your copy on the top floor of Abbotts Aerodrome or from SL Exchange (link).

TCS is the combat system that works like laser tag for vehicle-to-vehicle combat. Instead of shooting bullets, it uses sensors to track hits, so bystanders don't get hurt. It works in any script-enabled area, and even works in no-build areas. If you build planes, tanks, or any other vehicle, you can use this kit to add TCS capability.

As always, the TCS developer's kit is free.