Ben Skipper

Me: Whats the dress code? Them: Business casual. Me: Say no more.

What the feck @dustinducane.bsky.social @tanktales.bsky.social this is beyond the Pale!

Boosh!

Today in 1942 the third battle of El Alamein began. Montgomery had the stubbornness to push back against Churchills incessant pressure and only struck the Axis forces when he was ready. When he did he showed that the Allies were every bit as technically capable in battle as their adversaries.

Wear your puppy with pride you monsters!!! @tanktales.bsky.social this will not stand!

I would like to confirm I have indeed sold more books than Sue Ellen Braverman.

What's so amazing about these old Irish Halloween turnip carvings is how accurately they also represent what it feels like to live in the 21st century

Now the decals are on the ball is definitely rolling on this build. The decals are from the Historical Model Railway Club LNER set. To say they're almost 30 years old they're not too shabby. Now sealed with another gloss coat, the weathering can begin at some point this week.

@tanktales.bsky.social how did you miss this sombre and respectful article? How?

Definitely a System 7 kind of day.

The PM Model Beechcraft continues apace. Not rich in detail, but a great way to return to modelling after a break. I found a rubber stylists brush is fab for add masking fluid. I also found my airbrushing skills with gloss paint are a little rusty. Varnishing and weathering will hide any horrors.

Gareth here doing the work of the Righteous. And I was going to read a passage from a book. I've given that idea up, butnt the book, bought some plastic bunting and called the neighbour a Commie for not remembering. And it's not even 11 yet. Get in!

Disappointed by the actions of others? Then let them know. Say you're "disappointed". Never say you're "angry". People can deal with "angry", but "disappointed" is a whole level of something else. It's softer, yet some how more cutting, plus it always yields a positive outcome.

Oh no the Russian data centres are down! And folks, does it show.

Least surprising news of the day. Now let the investigations begin.

I have published 8 books, a 4-series of personal funny stories, a 2-series dark comedy thriller, a tongue in cheek comedy romp and a tough survival story. Why not take a look 👀 www.amazon.co.uk/stores/autho...

Fucking (yeah I said it) animals. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Three years ago I did a thing and it's still going strong! My next title, my last with Pen & Sword, is aviation based, a fitting end for my time with them. But worry not the writing will continue. Lessi go loopy. #avgeek #aviationhistory

Recycling level: Useful! Masking level: Genius! Rather than waste tons of making stuff to cover wings a couple of flattened toilet roll holders seem to have done the job nicely. I have clearly excelled today. Time for a lie down. #aviationmodelling #avgeek #beechcraftM18 #creativesolutions

So, after a considerable pause I'm back with the airbrush and hitting up this PM Model Beechcraft Model 18, one of my favourite aeroplanes. She's going to be finished as a "what if" in civil aviation service.

There are some visitors you have to welcome. In this case a Field Mouse on the patio.

Facebook has taken day off from Pro-Russian "won't fight for Labour" content (news to me too), to happy clappy Christian nationalism. It's almost as if New Model Army called it nearly 50 years ago.

#QuestionsQuaturday #histscalemodels What is the biggest mess/cock-up you have made in your modelling career? A big mess I made was testing out my new airbrush without any decent ventilation, just a door open. The kitchen was covered in pink dust for ages. Inspired by a post by @tachyoneddies.com

Back to writing and it looks like I've not lost my knack for editing. P

RCAF B24 Liberator at H6, Gander airport WWII. A fire in 1944, started after a freak accident, destroyed this hangar along with 4 Liberators. The hanger was never replaced. Gander's first major fire incident. This story ganderairporthistoricalsociety.org/_html_war/di...

So what all this nonsense about Greenland and stuff? He's not content with having his ass handed to him by the Iranians, he's now potentially (deliberately) fracturing NATO. Gd, he's tiresome.

Always though Ed Sheeran was a...

Someones out adventuring. Not jealous at all.

Happy Battle of Britain Day to all who celebrate. Per Ardua Ad Astra! *Harden Lines, Kosovo, 15 Sept 2001.

Historians: This Vietnam War collection deserves your attention! New photographs. New footage. Another firsthand perspective on the Vietnam War.

Apparently there's a Hamas cell operating in the Falklands. Yep. You heard me right. To think folk thought M*ss*d were once considered the premier intelligence service.

Last Reform conference? It looks that way, at least at the NEC.

Now that's inspirational beauty.

Old Farage eh? Cheeky champion of the working man. Leader of Common Sense politics and now caught red handed breaking the law. I hope NCA lift the frog faced chod tomorrow at the NEC*. *A chap can dream can't he?

Still paying Mess Fees after all these years. On the plus side I get to go interesting places filled with characters and chancers. What a life eh?

Russian Circles new album, Nine, is a Tour de Force. This is something else, especially Empath. Feck yeah!

Oh FFS, not Tim.

Another review, another acknowledgement of the painfully obvious. The ONE is led by exceptionally capable military people, but is often let down by politicians, much to the frustration of Gen Staff, whosr quest to provide a modern defence force is stymmied by seemingly endless political apathy.

Oh ffs, not Dolly.

#archive location question. Does anyone know where in Kew the Joint Planning Staff (JPS) papers are being held? I have through NAM JPS64, which became CRUSADER but am looking for 63 and an index of all JPS papers. TIA! @tepowell.bsky.social @alanallport.bsky.social @rjhammond215.bsky.social

When you get kidnapped by a mate and end up in Cambridgeshire...

If you are using P**terest and, like me, are getting fed up with the proliferation of adverts simply add an expletive at the end of your search term. It's remarkable how many ads are on that platform and how effective this method is.

We're at that stage of our lives where our friends kids are getting married now.

Seriously. I was just relaxing after a day of doing nothing.

Sensible fire prevention; a thread

Five of my 'Craft titles published by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social have made it to the Annual IPMS National Convention at Fort Wayne, Indiana with @casematepublishers.bsky.social this year. I am doing the dance.  #avgeek #militaryhistory #biginamerica #historywriter

As a result I got Andreas to pull some local strings and I'm now St Ben, patron saint of small dogs and coffee shops. Well worth it.

Another shoutout to Ben @benskipper.bsky.social for the excellent work he's done on another commission for Breaking Rommel. Great map work and vector graphics for planes - good rates, very tolerant and knows what he is doing. Thank you!

Thanks to the MoD, Help for Heroes and the Veterans Mobility Fund I'm now like a gazelle... but with wheels! #disabilityawarenessmonth #disaility #activeuser