Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
@navalairhistory.com
Writer naval/aviation history. Words. Art. Photography. Silken Windhounds. He/him. Free Palestine. Cannot receive DMs
Pinned
Mustang: The Untold Story
Mustang: The Untold Story The North American Mustang is one of the most well-studied aircraft. However, much of what is commonly understood about it, particularly its early, Allison-powered variants, ...
shop.keypublishing.com
For those who are interested, my book on the P-51 Mustang is now for sale for a frankly silly £3.99 in the rather nice hardback edition. Get 'em while they last shop.keypublishing.com/products/mus...
Wondering how I can turn my field to the currently fashionable grift?
THE SPITFIRE WAS REALLY A BIPLANE
THE SPITFIRE WAS REALLY A BIPLANE
January 28, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Wondering how I can turn my field to the currently fashionable grift?
THE SPITFIRE WAS REALLY A BIPLANE
THE SPITFIRE WAS REALLY A BIPLANE
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
don't need a free course to tell me LLMs are plagiarised slop and create *more* not less work to correct the flaws they make because they're glorified text-predictors.
how about the government put money into paid apprenticeships for older adults (not just young folk and new graduates).
how about the government put money into paid apprenticeships for older adults (not just young folk and new graduates).
BREAKING: Free AI training will be offered to every adult in the UK, with short courses to teach people how to use simple AI tools effectively in the workplace.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall tells #BBCBreakfast about the scheme
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall tells #BBCBreakfast about the scheme
January 28, 2026 at 1:39 PM
don't need a free course to tell me LLMs are plagiarised slop and create *more* not less work to correct the flaws they make because they're glorified text-predictors.
how about the government put money into paid apprenticeships for older adults (not just young folk and new graduates).
how about the government put money into paid apprenticeships for older adults (not just young folk and new graduates).
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
Anyway, good news! Open-ended lectureship in early medieval history at KCL.
www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/136727-...
www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/136727-...
Lecturer in Early Medieval History | King's College London
www.kcl.ac.uk
January 28, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Anyway, good news! Open-ended lectureship in early medieval history at KCL.
www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/136727-...
www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/136727-...
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
Quisling wasn't actually a member of the Agrarian Party though, not even when he served in their government.
In fact he was already a known far right entity by then, who the centrists were all too happy to work with because of his extremist attacks against the left.
In fact he was already a known far right entity by then, who the centrists were all too happy to work with because of his extremist attacks against the left.
January 28, 2026 at 10:50 AM
Quisling wasn't actually a member of the Agrarian Party though, not even when he served in their government.
In fact he was already a known far right entity by then, who the centrists were all too happy to work with because of his extremist attacks against the left.
In fact he was already a known far right entity by then, who the centrists were all too happy to work with because of his extremist attacks against the left.
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
Before forming his own far right party and abolishing Norwegian democracy in collaboration with the Nazis, Vidkun Quisling spent the early thirties as a cabinet minister in the Agrarian Party's administration.
They're called the Centre Party today.
They're called the Centre Party today.
In 1945 Vidkun Quisling was executed by firing squad, after which Norway entered an era of popular welfarist social democracy referred to since as the "Golden Age", powered by a majority the Norwegian labour party held for 16 years.
January 28, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Before forming his own far right party and abolishing Norwegian democracy in collaboration with the Nazis, Vidkun Quisling spent the early thirties as a cabinet minister in the Agrarian Party's administration.
They're called the Centre Party today.
They're called the Centre Party today.
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
Let’s take the government at their word and twenty minute taster sessions on Microsoft Copilot is the biggest government investment in adult education in seventy years, what does that tell us about this country?
The government’s suggestion that rolling out 20 minute courses on writing “AI“ prompts, sponsored by Google, Microsoft and Amazon, is somehow comparable to the founding of the Open University (the Wilson government‘s, & Jennie Lee’s, proudest achievement), is an insult to our human intelligence.
January 28, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Let’s take the government at their word and twenty minute taster sessions on Microsoft Copilot is the biggest government investment in adult education in seventy years, what does that tell us about this country?
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
A Brent Goose painted onto a John Watson Malboro World Championship Team beer mat from the 1970s. Beermat painting. Watercolour.
darrenhaymanart.com
darrenhaymanart.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:00 AM
A Brent Goose painted onto a John Watson Malboro World Championship Team beer mat from the 1970s. Beermat painting. Watercolour.
darrenhaymanart.com
darrenhaymanart.com
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
Makes you wonder just how dangerously invested the UK is into ai stock and companies if they’re pulling a move this desperate lmao
BREAKING: Free AI training will be offered to every adult in the UK, with short courses to teach people how to use simple AI tools effectively in the workplace.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall tells #BBCBreakfast about the scheme
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall tells #BBCBreakfast about the scheme
January 28, 2026 at 8:40 AM
Makes you wonder just how dangerously invested the UK is into ai stock and companies if they’re pulling a move this desperate lmao
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
These people are corrupt. This is every bit as motivated by money as everything Boris Johnson ever did and don't let some briefcase tell you otherwise.
BREAKING: Free AI training will be offered to every adult in the UK, with short courses to teach people how to use simple AI tools effectively in the workplace.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall tells #BBCBreakfast about the scheme
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall tells #BBCBreakfast about the scheme
January 28, 2026 at 8:36 AM
These people are corrupt. This is every bit as motivated by money as everything Boris Johnson ever did and don't let some briefcase tell you otherwise.
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
Also: not all things are equal.
If I had a long list of things me a person had in common - we like the same music, we like the same bands, we like the same clothes etc - but on the disagree list is that they are avid members of a kitten murdering club then sorry, that’s a non negotiable: binned
If I had a long list of things me a person had in common - we like the same music, we like the same bands, we like the same clothes etc - but on the disagree list is that they are avid members of a kitten murdering club then sorry, that’s a non negotiable: binned
January 28, 2026 at 8:21 AM
Also: not all things are equal.
If I had a long list of things me a person had in common - we like the same music, we like the same bands, we like the same clothes etc - but on the disagree list is that they are avid members of a kitten murdering club then sorry, that’s a non negotiable: binned
If I had a long list of things me a person had in common - we like the same music, we like the same bands, we like the same clothes etc - but on the disagree list is that they are avid members of a kitten murdering club then sorry, that’s a non negotiable: binned
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
Dear Americans - there are many historical parallels to what ICE is doing right now.The My Lai Massacre of 1968, during which US troops killed 504 unarmed Vietnamese civilians and raped a number of women and young girls, is *not* one of them. Americans were not victims at My Lai - not then, not now.
January 28, 2026 at 7:26 AM
Dear Americans - there are many historical parallels to what ICE is doing right now.The My Lai Massacre of 1968, during which US troops killed 504 unarmed Vietnamese civilians and raped a number of women and young girls, is *not* one of them. Americans were not victims at My Lai - not then, not now.
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
Matt Goodwin makes a living out of railing against university educated elites & his whole schtick is "he was the first person in his family to go to university", which is a bit weird given that his Dad, now being heavily invoked for his Manchester connection, appears to have a string of degrees.
January 27, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Matt Goodwin makes a living out of railing against university educated elites & his whole schtick is "he was the first person in his family to go to university", which is a bit weird given that his Dad, now being heavily invoked for his Manchester connection, appears to have a string of degrees.
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
Tears of joy! SCOTLAND HAS JUST PASSED SWIFT BRICKS INTO LAW unanimously!
4 years of asking England & Scotland sorts it in a month led by ACE MARK RUSKELL MSP ♥️The RELIEF is unreal! Tell England to follow 🏴by emailing [email protected] now!WOOP!
4 years of asking England & Scotland sorts it in a month led by ACE MARK RUSKELL MSP ♥️The RELIEF is unreal! Tell England to follow 🏴by emailing [email protected] now!WOOP!
January 27, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Tears of joy! SCOTLAND HAS JUST PASSED SWIFT BRICKS INTO LAW unanimously!
4 years of asking England & Scotland sorts it in a month led by ACE MARK RUSKELL MSP ♥️The RELIEF is unreal! Tell England to follow 🏴by emailing [email protected] now!WOOP!
4 years of asking England & Scotland sorts it in a month led by ACE MARK RUSKELL MSP ♥️The RELIEF is unreal! Tell England to follow 🏴by emailing [email protected] now!WOOP!
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
Are you a UK researcher who wants to carry out a small-scale fieldwork project at our Antarctic research stations or on board our polar research ship?
📅 Deadline for applications is 4pm, 31 March 2026
Find out more on our website: https://ow.ly/aE5Q50Y3P5O
📸 Chris Walton & Nina Kinney
📅 Deadline for applications is 4pm, 31 March 2026
Find out more on our website: https://ow.ly/aE5Q50Y3P5O
📸 Chris Walton & Nina Kinney
January 27, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Are you a UK researcher who wants to carry out a small-scale fieldwork project at our Antarctic research stations or on board our polar research ship?
📅 Deadline for applications is 4pm, 31 March 2026
Find out more on our website: https://ow.ly/aE5Q50Y3P5O
📸 Chris Walton & Nina Kinney
📅 Deadline for applications is 4pm, 31 March 2026
Find out more on our website: https://ow.ly/aE5Q50Y3P5O
📸 Chris Walton & Nina Kinney
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
Just a reminder that there is zero evidence of sex self-ID being abused in New Zealand after two and half years of it.
Nor any evidence of any attacks by trans women on cis women in women’s spaces in NZ, ever.
Stop trying to create solutions for problems that don’t exist.
Nor any evidence of any attacks by trans women on cis women in women’s spaces in NZ, ever.
Stop trying to create solutions for problems that don’t exist.
January 27, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Just a reminder that there is zero evidence of sex self-ID being abused in New Zealand after two and half years of it.
Nor any evidence of any attacks by trans women on cis women in women’s spaces in NZ, ever.
Stop trying to create solutions for problems that don’t exist.
Nor any evidence of any attacks by trans women on cis women in women’s spaces in NZ, ever.
Stop trying to create solutions for problems that don’t exist.
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
announcement 1.1
January 27, 2026 at 6:46 PM
announcement 1.1
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
Breaking per NBC News — CBP has shot and critically wounded another person, this time in Arizona. Very few details available at this time.
One person in critical condition after being shot in incident involving Border Patrol in Arizona
The individual is in custody and receiving care, according to law enforcement.
www.nbcnews.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Breaking per NBC News — CBP has shot and critically wounded another person, this time in Arizona. Very few details available at this time.
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
January 27, 2026 at 6:03 PM
There's going to come a point on this when I just have to stop rather than finish
Plenty to do on the background still but I'm going to end up going in circles with the face
Plenty to do on the background still but I'm going to end up going in circles with the face
January 27, 2026 at 4:56 PM
There's going to come a point on this when I just have to stop rather than finish
Plenty to do on the background still but I'm going to end up going in circles with the face
Plenty to do on the background still but I'm going to end up going in circles with the face
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
Here’s how stupid it is….
If a trans woman, with a GRC, were to get married, at the ceremony she would be legally female in the eyes of the law.
At the reception afterwards, if she needed to use the toilet, and according to the EHRC ‘guidance’, she would have to use the men’s.
If a trans woman, with a GRC, were to get married, at the ceremony she would be legally female in the eyes of the law.
At the reception afterwards, if she needed to use the toilet, and according to the EHRC ‘guidance’, she would have to use the men’s.
January 27, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Here’s how stupid it is….
If a trans woman, with a GRC, were to get married, at the ceremony she would be legally female in the eyes of the law.
At the reception afterwards, if she needed to use the toilet, and according to the EHRC ‘guidance’, she would have to use the men’s.
If a trans woman, with a GRC, were to get married, at the ceremony she would be legally female in the eyes of the law.
At the reception afterwards, if she needed to use the toilet, and according to the EHRC ‘guidance’, she would have to use the men’s.
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
“I mean, I’m proud to serve the White Hand,” said Ugluk the Uruk Hai, “The pay’s good and we get double rations of hafling tenderloin on Fridays, but nobody said anything about doing contract work for Sauron.”
Palantir employees are pressing company leadership over its work for ICE in internal company Slacks obtained by @wired.com
"In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this."
Scoop from @makenakelly.bsky.social
"In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this."
Scoop from @makenakelly.bsky.social
Palantir Defends Work With ICE to Staff Following Killing of Alex Pretti
“In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this,” one worker wrote on Slack.
www.wired.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:49 AM
“I mean, I’m proud to serve the White Hand,” said Ugluk the Uruk Hai, “The pay’s good and we get double rations of hafling tenderloin on Fridays, but nobody said anything about doing contract work for Sauron.”
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
Colchester has just been named one of Britain’s most beautiful Roman towns and cities.
From the Temple of Claudius beneath Colchester Castle to the Roman circus and Balkerne Gate, the town’s Roman story is still written into its streets, walls and underground spaces.
From the Temple of Claudius beneath Colchester Castle to the Roman circus and Balkerne Gate, the town’s Roman story is still written into its streets, walls and underground spaces.
January 27, 2026 at 12:03 PM
Colchester has just been named one of Britain’s most beautiful Roman towns and cities.
From the Temple of Claudius beneath Colchester Castle to the Roman circus and Balkerne Gate, the town’s Roman story is still written into its streets, walls and underground spaces.
From the Temple of Claudius beneath Colchester Castle to the Roman circus and Balkerne Gate, the town’s Roman story is still written into its streets, walls and underground spaces.
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
The world would be a considerably better place if more people spent time reading books, and my world would be a considerably better place if those books were mine 😉
January 27, 2026 at 11:50 AM
The world would be a considerably better place if more people spent time reading books, and my world would be a considerably better place if those books were mine 😉
Reposted by Matthew Willis (Naval Air History)
Sajid Javid personally orchestrated the virtually halt of timely asylum processing in the late 2010s, that directly led to the "asylum hotel crisis", and he did it for no reason except to cause a crisis.
This interview made me dislike him even more, because he used the second chance that he was given at life to make his political career a monument to cruelty. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘It could be a shoe or a stick’: Sajid Javid on being beaten by his father, petty crime – and turning his life around
As a young teenager, Javid and his brother were caught stealing from slot machines, arrested and held in a cell. His future hung in the balance. How did he get from there to the top of UK politics?
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Sajid Javid personally orchestrated the virtually halt of timely asylum processing in the late 2010s, that directly led to the "asylum hotel crisis", and he did it for no reason except to cause a crisis.
Paul Mescal in a romantic drama with a ghost, called Paranormal People, is this anything?
January 27, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Paul Mescal in a romantic drama with a ghost, called Paranormal People, is this anything?