James D Kightly
@jdkightly.bsky.social
Does history - not an historian. Does aviation - not a pilot. Writes, reads, learns, communicates. Aviation Cultures Conferences. Interesting in many things. Freelance. No AI. He/him. Aviation content based at: https://vintageaerowriter.wordpress.com/
Reposted by James D Kightly
#histscalemodels group build concluded.
Have a great holidays season, we will do something similar again in 2026 to make the coummunity come together.
Have a great holidays season, we will do something similar again in 2026 to make the coummunity come together.
Here's the final sitrep for our #HeaviesGB:
We have a fantastic turnout of 17 builds completed, really amazing ideas turned into reality. Congrats to all of you, including those additional 20 aircraft which didn't get airborne the past 3 months.
Thank you all so much, video to come this month.
We have a fantastic turnout of 17 builds completed, really amazing ideas turned into reality. Congrats to all of you, including those additional 20 aircraft which didn't get airborne the past 3 months.
Thank you all so much, video to come this month.
December 1, 2025 at 1:46 PM
#histscalemodels group build concluded.
Have a great holidays season, we will do something similar again in 2026 to make the coummunity come together.
Have a great holidays season, we will do something similar again in 2026 to make the coummunity come together.
Formal photos of the completed model. Thanks to @jaaaagirr.bsky.social for leading the project, and all the other contributions to see - good luck to everyone else racing to the finish line of #HeaviesGB in #histscalemodels !
If there's interest I can share some build photos and saga, say the word!
If there's interest I can share some build photos and saga, say the word!
November 30, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Formal photos of the completed model. Thanks to @jaaaagirr.bsky.social for leading the project, and all the other contributions to see - good luck to everyone else racing to the finish line of #HeaviesGB in #histscalemodels !
If there's interest I can share some build photos and saga, say the word!
If there's interest I can share some build photos and saga, say the word!
Well, with an hour and a half to go (local time) and a BIG push to the end, it's DONE*. The Focke Wulf Fw 200 airliner prototype D-ACON, as on the 24 hour non-stop flight from Flugplatz Berlin-Staaken, Germany, to Floyd Bennett Field, New York, USA, 10-11 August 1938. #HeaviesGB in #histscalemodels
November 30, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Well, with an hour and a half to go (local time) and a BIG push to the end, it's DONE*. The Focke Wulf Fw 200 airliner prototype D-ACON, as on the 24 hour non-stop flight from Flugplatz Berlin-Staaken, Germany, to Floyd Bennett Field, New York, USA, 10-11 August 1938. #HeaviesGB in #histscalemodels
Did you miss me? Current status. It was a silver monster, then a lumpy blue monster (masking tape) now a shiny black lumpy monster, but I'm surprisingly pleased to be here - nearing the end of the build and (fingers crossed) the end of #HeaviesGB in #histscalemodels, thanks, @jaaaagirr.bsky.social!
November 29, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Did you miss me? Current status. It was a silver monster, then a lumpy blue monster (masking tape) now a shiny black lumpy monster, but I'm surprisingly pleased to be here - nearing the end of the build and (fingers crossed) the end of #HeaviesGB in #histscalemodels, thanks, @jaaaagirr.bsky.social!
Tonight’s entertainment brought to you by a ‘working’ ‘nun’ and a p.i.
Punctuation deliberate.
Punctuation deliberate.
November 13, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Tonight’s entertainment brought to you by a ‘working’ ‘nun’ and a p.i.
Punctuation deliberate.
Punctuation deliberate.
Reposted by James D Kightly
Richard Overy and Lord Russell at KCL History department.
November 8, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Richard Overy and Lord Russell at KCL History department.
Reposted by James D Kightly
8 Hrs to Aviation Cultures Spotlight on Logbooks and AvDocs! Join us free, online on Zoom to join our distinguished international speakers, followed by the rare opportunity to ask questions of the experts.
Full details aviationcultures.org/spotlights/l...
Full details aviationcultures.org/spotlights/l...
November 8, 2025 at 1:07 AM
8 Hrs to Aviation Cultures Spotlight on Logbooks and AvDocs! Join us free, online on Zoom to join our distinguished international speakers, followed by the rare opportunity to ask questions of the experts.
Full details aviationcultures.org/spotlights/l...
Full details aviationcultures.org/spotlights/l...
Good long form read.
Mike Jay's "What Were Drugs?" never stops being relevant:
November 8, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Good long form read.
I'll be there - after all, I co-organised it. But it you're interested in aviation history, how it's created, researched and examined, the maybe you should be too.
After all we've made it free, online, and accessible, because we think it should be. See you there!
After all we've made it free, online, and accessible, because we think it should be. See you there!
Reminder! Only 2 days to the free online Logbooks & AvDocs.
Did Guy Gibson 'fudge' his logbook? And one of our experts' 'smoking gun' document: "...reminding audiences that you can’t always trust the people you think you should be able to trust."
Join us! -JDK
aviationcultures.org/spotlights/l...
Did Guy Gibson 'fudge' his logbook? And one of our experts' 'smoking gun' document: "...reminding audiences that you can’t always trust the people you think you should be able to trust."
Join us! -JDK
aviationcultures.org/spotlights/l...
November 6, 2025 at 4:45 AM
I'll be there - after all, I co-organised it. But it you're interested in aviation history, how it's created, researched and examined, the maybe you should be too.
After all we've made it free, online, and accessible, because we think it should be. See you there!
After all we've made it free, online, and accessible, because we think it should be. See you there!
Cleared that up.
Archivists. Be nice, they know where the bodies are buried.
Archivists. Be nice, they know where the bodies are buried.
Hoping this helps our colleagues across the industry
November 6, 2025 at 4:43 AM
Cleared that up.
Archivists. Be nice, they know where the bodies are buried.
Archivists. Be nice, they know where the bodies are buried.
Not just you, the internet's worse.
NB: You aren't powerless, you can adapt and overcome. Your actions are important. As elsewhere, making thoughtful smart choices is work, but make a crucial difference.
(Bonus dog on the internet New Yorker cartoon too...)
theconversation.com/the-internet...
NB: You aren't powerless, you can adapt and overcome. Your actions are important. As elsewhere, making thoughtful smart choices is work, but make a crucial difference.
(Bonus dog on the internet New Yorker cartoon too...)
theconversation.com/the-internet...
The internet is worse than it used to be. How did we get here, and can we go back?
In the early days the internet was a free, egalitarian space for anyone to surf. Now, commercial interests rule – but users do still have some control.
theconversation.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Not just you, the internet's worse.
NB: You aren't powerless, you can adapt and overcome. Your actions are important. As elsewhere, making thoughtful smart choices is work, but make a crucial difference.
(Bonus dog on the internet New Yorker cartoon too...)
theconversation.com/the-internet...
NB: You aren't powerless, you can adapt and overcome. Your actions are important. As elsewhere, making thoughtful smart choices is work, but make a crucial difference.
(Bonus dog on the internet New Yorker cartoon too...)
theconversation.com/the-internet...
Very proud of what @avculturesconf.bsky.social team have achieved. It's 2 sessions this weekend, but packed in there are world class experts ready to share their expertise AND answer YOUR questions, free.
I can't quite believe what we've got! Full details on the website, shares & visits v welcome!
I can't quite believe what we've got! Full details on the website, shares & visits v welcome!
Engaged in aviation history research? We've got a VERY useful, FREE, online Spotlight this weekend. In-depth WWII British Commonwealth insight in Sess 1, many wider insights inc legal docs & getting your P-51 papers in Tech Order: Sess 2. Join us! -JDK.
Details: aviationcultures.org/spotlights/l...
Details: aviationcultures.org/spotlights/l...
November 3, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Very proud of what @avculturesconf.bsky.social team have achieved. It's 2 sessions this weekend, but packed in there are world class experts ready to share their expertise AND answer YOUR questions, free.
I can't quite believe what we've got! Full details on the website, shares & visits v welcome!
I can't quite believe what we've got! Full details on the website, shares & visits v welcome!
Reposted by James D Kightly
* And extra points if you can tell us about something YOU put in a logbook. (Or better still, left out!)
You can DM us in confidence, this account isn’t monitored by any retro aviation authorities (probably). -JDK
You can DM us in confidence, this account isn’t monitored by any retro aviation authorities (probably). -JDK
a man in a military uniform is sitting in a classroom with other men and says `` it 's classified . ''
Alt: I’ma just gonna leave the auto descriptor there: “a man in a military uniform is sitting in a classroom with other men and says `` it 's classified . ''
media.tenor.com
October 7, 2025 at 11:13 AM
* And extra points if you can tell us about something YOU put in a logbook. (Or better still, left out!)
You can DM us in confidence, this account isn’t monitored by any retro aviation authorities (probably). -JDK
You can DM us in confidence, this account isn’t monitored by any retro aviation authorities (probably). -JDK
Reposted by James D Kightly
Logbook oddities? We’re interested. What’s the strangest, funniest or most unexpected thing that you’ve found* in an aviation logbook?
We’ll be talking ‘Logbooks & Avdocs’ in our next Spotlight event, free, online, in just over a month. Can you tease us with an odd fact first? -JDK
We’ll be talking ‘Logbooks & Avdocs’ in our next Spotlight event, free, online, in just over a month. Can you tease us with an odd fact first? -JDK
October 7, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Logbook oddities? We’re interested. What’s the strangest, funniest or most unexpected thing that you’ve found* in an aviation logbook?
We’ll be talking ‘Logbooks & Avdocs’ in our next Spotlight event, free, online, in just over a month. Can you tease us with an odd fact first? -JDK
We’ll be talking ‘Logbooks & Avdocs’ in our next Spotlight event, free, online, in just over a month. Can you tease us with an odd fact first? -JDK
Monday Movie Magic: "...you're wanted for murder on every front page in America. Don't be so modest."
-
"I told you. It's a nice face."
-
"I told you. It's a nice face."
October 1, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Monday Movie Magic: "...you're wanted for murder on every front page in America. Don't be so modest."
-
"I told you. It's a nice face."
-
"I told you. It's a nice face."
Reposted by James D Kightly
The three 1/72 Sea Furies are done! A big “Thank You!” to @jdkightly.bsky.social for his generous assistance with decals, without which these would be back in the stash waiting. I still shudder that Airfix released this kit given its limitations, even compared to Hornby Era designs. #histscalemodels
September 27, 2025 at 1:59 AM
The three 1/72 Sea Furies are done! A big “Thank You!” to @jdkightly.bsky.social for his generous assistance with decals, without which these would be back in the stash waiting. I still shudder that Airfix released this kit given its limitations, even compared to Hornby Era designs. #histscalemodels
Reposted by James D Kightly
The Met Opera’s season ad shows people being transfixed by gorgeous singing in different places in New York. This commenter is very angry: what if the wrong sort of people show up? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
September 25, 2025 at 6:52 AM
The Met Opera’s season ad shows people being transfixed by gorgeous singing in different places in New York. This commenter is very angry: what if the wrong sort of people show up? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Reposted by James D Kightly
Going to be worth your time! @danellin.bsky.social shares great research.
I'm giving a talk "Penguins and Chop Girls: Remembering RAF Bomber Command ground personnel 1939-45" Monday 6th October 2025 at 6.15pm, @uolhumanities.bsky.social Brayford campus (room TBC). #WW2 #History @nmtdambusters.bsky.social cityoflincolnbranchha.wordpress.com/.../branch.../
September 25, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Going to be worth your time! @danellin.bsky.social shares great research.
The Royal Australian Air Force base, RAAF Point Cook, in Victoria, has a rare (possibly unique) pre-WWII aircraft gun butt building.
The modern image was taken on a base tour while the great period shot shows one of the RAAF's Hawker Demon fighters using it.
Any other pre-WWII aircraft gun butts?
The modern image was taken on a base tour while the great period shot shows one of the RAAF's Hawker Demon fighters using it.
Any other pre-WWII aircraft gun butts?
September 25, 2025 at 4:33 AM
The Royal Australian Air Force base, RAAF Point Cook, in Victoria, has a rare (possibly unique) pre-WWII aircraft gun butt building.
The modern image was taken on a base tour while the great period shot shows one of the RAAF's Hawker Demon fighters using it.
Any other pre-WWII aircraft gun butts?
The modern image was taken on a base tour while the great period shot shows one of the RAAF's Hawker Demon fighters using it.
Any other pre-WWII aircraft gun butts?
I rather like this one. No filters, no tweaks, no processing, straight from the camera. Tocumwal airshow practice, take off, 100 Squadron RAAF CAC Mustang current serial A100-170. (Formerly VH-SVU, A68-170, painted as A68-750.)
September 23, 2025 at 7:20 AM
I rather like this one. No filters, no tweaks, no processing, straight from the camera. Tocumwal airshow practice, take off, 100 Squadron RAAF CAC Mustang current serial A100-170. (Formerly VH-SVU, A68-170, painted as A68-750.)
Reposted by James D Kightly
Big News! The Toronto Society of Architects is now doing architecture boat tours! I got to ride along for the first one this weekend. Details at torontosocietyofarchitects.ca/events/
September 22, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Big News! The Toronto Society of Architects is now doing architecture boat tours! I got to ride along for the first one this weekend. Details at torontosocietyofarchitects.ca/events/
There’s a lot of work between displays, most of it not nearly as noticeable as this engine run by Mustang VH-BOB.
You can fly in this Mustang, see mustangjoyflights.com.au or come to the Tocumwal Airshow tomorrow and watch the display with two other Mustangs and more: www.tocumwalairshow.com.au
You can fly in this Mustang, see mustangjoyflights.com.au or come to the Tocumwal Airshow tomorrow and watch the display with two other Mustangs and more: www.tocumwalairshow.com.au
September 20, 2025 at 1:25 AM
There’s a lot of work between displays, most of it not nearly as noticeable as this engine run by Mustang VH-BOB.
You can fly in this Mustang, see mustangjoyflights.com.au or come to the Tocumwal Airshow tomorrow and watch the display with two other Mustangs and more: www.tocumwalairshow.com.au
You can fly in this Mustang, see mustangjoyflights.com.au or come to the Tocumwal Airshow tomorrow and watch the display with two other Mustangs and more: www.tocumwalairshow.com.au
Reposted by James D Kightly
if you want to understand tailoring, you only need to watch mid-century movies, when actors were dressed by tailors, not brands. in the 1944 film cover girl, gene kelly's suit drapes beautifully, moving with him, not against him. collar stays on his neck, even as he dances.
September 19, 2025 at 4:35 AM
if you want to understand tailoring, you only need to watch mid-century movies, when actors were dressed by tailors, not brands. in the 1944 film cover girl, gene kelly's suit drapes beautifully, moving with him, not against him. collar stays on his neck, even as he dances.
I see others are going well with #HeaviesGB in #histscalemodels.
Hmmm. Here not so much. How DID I end up with this weird clamped ‘thing’ in the middle of a plastic kit?! Definitely in the ‘trough’ stage with this project.
Off to the www.tocumwalairshow.com.au and it’ll ALL look better next week.
Hmmm. Here not so much. How DID I end up with this weird clamped ‘thing’ in the middle of a plastic kit?! Definitely in the ‘trough’ stage with this project.
Off to the www.tocumwalairshow.com.au and it’ll ALL look better next week.
September 18, 2025 at 8:32 AM
I see others are going well with #HeaviesGB in #histscalemodels.
Hmmm. Here not so much. How DID I end up with this weird clamped ‘thing’ in the middle of a plastic kit?! Definitely in the ‘trough’ stage with this project.
Off to the www.tocumwalairshow.com.au and it’ll ALL look better next week.
Hmmm. Here not so much. How DID I end up with this weird clamped ‘thing’ in the middle of a plastic kit?! Definitely in the ‘trough’ stage with this project.
Off to the www.tocumwalairshow.com.au and it’ll ALL look better next week.
Something for the weekend. Clearing out the camera bag for this weekend’s Tocumwal Airshow (NSW Aus), it looks like the current high viz is from the last one! See you there? If not follow along online. www.tocumwalairshow.com.au
September 17, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Something for the weekend. Clearing out the camera bag for this weekend’s Tocumwal Airshow (NSW Aus), it looks like the current high viz is from the last one! See you there? If not follow along online. www.tocumwalairshow.com.au