Maps are cool. These maps are Double Plus Extra Cool.

[Zebra]

But seriously, couldn’t I practice low level bombing runs using this?

Let us imagine that I’m the King of Belgium. I don’t have any spy satellites. But with this, I can have my air force train to attack GB. I can work out where to drop my Paratroopers and what key positions (hilltops, bridges, roads etc) they must take and hold. And all the terrain information would be most helpful.

If I was the King of Denmark, you would all so be my bitches.

I think I’ve played either too much or too little Diplomacy.

[Tansu]

I have Memory Map http://www.memory-map.co.uk/ which is similar.

I wish that aerial photography were available for Scotland. It was supposed to be finished a year or so ago, but no such luck.

[Colophon]

@Zebra

But seriously, couldn’t I practice low level bombing runs using this?

Ah yes, but Her Majesty’s Government are clever than that - they leave some bits off the maps… Fortunately, people like this guy have realised that the aerial photography shows up all the bits that the maps don’t want you to know about (Interesting page linked above)

[Edward_The_Head]

@Colophon

Hmm, maybe I had it wrong, but I thought that the actual map information was free, even if you have to pay for the printed map (which is fair enough). Here in the UK, though, the Ordnace Survey (who make the maps) jump exceedingly hard and fast on any perceived copyright violation. Even people who post hand-drawn sketch maps on their websites get asked (firmly) to take them down if the OS believes that they were based on their maps.

You’re right, all information the US gov produces, maps, charts, quads, you pay for the printing basically. You could if you really wanted to, and people do, buy a map, put a company name on them and print them again and charge more for them.

I used to work for NOAA making the nautical charts and would see this from time to time. The funny thing is that they would use older charts and then include a disclaimer saying the charts might not be 100% accurate. I now work for the FAA and people do the same thing.

[Balle_M]

@Shirley Ujest

Flu shot shortage on account of some limey plot? M16 been a little busy, huh?

Well, we shall fight fire with fire…:::loading trebuchet::::Sending over TACO BELL and Pauly Shore!

OK…I have no problem with carpet bombing hospitals and orphanages, poisoning drinking water, or using weapons-grade anthrax on unsuspecting civilian areas but using Pauley Shore is just wrong.

[Balle_M]

And spelled incorrectly…

[carnivorousplant]

@Edward The Head

…older charts … disclaimer saying the charts might not be 100% accurate. … FAA … do the same thing.

Wait a minute.
Are you saying that if RADAR beacons and GPS fail, the guy driving the airplane I’m on is looking out the window with a map that says it may not be accurate?

[Ravenman]

I have a map somewhere around my desk here of Kabul, Afghanistan, printed by NIMA – those spooks who work for the military and know a lot about maps.

The cool thing about it is that it is printed so that if you put on your red-and-green 3-D glasses, suddenly Kabul jumps out at you. It’s very neat. Apparently Special Forces find them quite useful.

[carnivorousplant]

@Ravenman

Apparently Special Forces find them quite useful.

What, they look for a teeny little Osama with magnifying glasses and tweezers?

[Edward_The_Head]

@carnivorousplant

Wait a minute.
Are you saying that if RADAR beacons and GPS fail, the guy driving the airplane I’m on is looking out the window with a map that says it may not be accurate?

Basically yes. Though I don’t know for sure what the flight charts say as I’ve never seen one. I have seen the nautical charts and it was pretty funny to see stuff that I had worked on except for it was 10 years old and done by hand. So you should be ok on a plane, just don’t get on a boat!