Skyhook Connoisseur
@seaharrier.bsky.social
I post about V/STOL aircraft and paint virtual planes.
Pinned
Per the bio, Harriers and niche alt history aviation is to be found here:
Reposted by Skyhook Connoisseur
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November 20, 2025 at 9:44 PM
subscriptions >>> shop.viz.co.uk/viz350bs
Reposted by Skyhook Connoisseur
Salem Towne, a pilot from Poulsbo in Washington State, finally released photos he took of the Mt. St. Helens eruption in 1980. He heard of the explosion while flying in Olympia, and went to check it out. He flew his Cessna 150 into an opening between volcanic ash bands to snap the photos.
May 18, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Salem Towne, a pilot from Poulsbo in Washington State, finally released photos he took of the Mt. St. Helens eruption in 1980. He heard of the explosion while flying in Olympia, and went to check it out. He flew his Cessna 150 into an opening between volcanic ash bands to snap the photos.
Reposted by Skyhook Connoisseur
A few KH-9 spy satellite images of the World Trade Center from over the years.
February 5, 1974
July 13, 1978
June 27, 1979
July 6, 1982
February 5, 1974
July 13, 1978
June 27, 1979
July 6, 1982
September 11, 2025 at 11:26 AM
A few KH-9 spy satellite images of the World Trade Center from over the years.
February 5, 1974
July 13, 1978
June 27, 1979
July 6, 1982
February 5, 1974
July 13, 1978
June 27, 1979
July 6, 1982
Reposted by Skyhook Connoisseur
80 years ago this morning—at 5:29 AM (Mountain War Time)—about 35 miles southeast of Socorro, New Mexico, the nuclear age began with a big bang. Contrary to widespread assumptions, the area surrounding the remote Trinity test site was not uninhabited, and the fallout did not drift away harmlessly.
July 16, 2025 at 12:52 PM
80 years ago this morning—at 5:29 AM (Mountain War Time)—about 35 miles southeast of Socorro, New Mexico, the nuclear age began with a big bang. Contrary to widespread assumptions, the area surrounding the remote Trinity test site was not uninhabited, and the fallout did not drift away harmlessly.
History is like poetry, it rhymes:
June 27, 2025 at 2:24 AM
History is like poetry, it rhymes:
Despite it (apparently) potentially being a "joint expeditionary" fleet whatever that means, I'm very tempted to do a USAF E-2 livery...
Just for fun...
/Really/ tempted to copy the E-3s radome paint scheme 1:1 too.
Just for fun...
/Really/ tempted to copy the E-3s radome paint scheme 1:1 too.
June 13, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Despite it (apparently) potentially being a "joint expeditionary" fleet whatever that means, I'm very tempted to do a USAF E-2 livery...
Just for fun...
/Really/ tempted to copy the E-3s radome paint scheme 1:1 too.
Just for fun...
/Really/ tempted to copy the E-3s radome paint scheme 1:1 too.
Like all defence reviews, the new SDRs space domain is once again completely devoid of anything meaningful.
Completely unsurprising but oh well.
Completely unsurprising but oh well.
June 2, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Like all defence reviews, the new SDRs space domain is once again completely devoid of anything meaningful.
Completely unsurprising but oh well.
Completely unsurprising but oh well.
Of course the current US admin couldn't make one singular good decision for once, that would be too easy.
Can't even be outlandishly hopeful about a Bridenstine return, as I seriously doubt he'd be allowed to come back given his views during his term in Trump1.
Can't even be outlandishly hopeful about a Bridenstine return, as I seriously doubt he'd be allowed to come back given his views during his term in Trump1.
Politico: x.com/burgessev/st...
WH confirms Isaacman's out, says replacement coming soon
@ShelbyTalcott
"It’s essential that the next leader of NASA is in complete alignment with President Trump’s America First agenda and a replacement will be announced directly by President Trump soon," Spox says
WH confirms Isaacman's out, says replacement coming soon
@ShelbyTalcott
"It’s essential that the next leader of NASA is in complete alignment with President Trump’s America First agenda and a replacement will be announced directly by President Trump soon," Spox says
May 31, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Of course the current US admin couldn't make one singular good decision for once, that would be too easy.
Can't even be outlandishly hopeful about a Bridenstine return, as I seriously doubt he'd be allowed to come back given his views during his term in Trump1.
Can't even be outlandishly hopeful about a Bridenstine return, as I seriously doubt he'd be allowed to come back given his views during his term in Trump1.
I do wonder if the RAF have fixed the backwards fin flash on our E-7 yet.
May 28, 2025 at 6:18 PM
I do wonder if the RAF have fixed the backwards fin flash on our E-7 yet.
Unbelievable how badly Luxembourg were robbed tonight.
La Poupée Monte Le Son & Laura are the victors in my minds reality at least! 🇱🇺 🇱🇺 🇱🇺 🇱🇺 🇱🇺
La Poupée Monte Le Son & Laura are the victors in my minds reality at least! 🇱🇺 🇱🇺 🇱🇺 🇱🇺 🇱🇺
May 18, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Unbelievable how badly Luxembourg were robbed tonight.
La Poupée Monte Le Son & Laura are the victors in my minds reality at least! 🇱🇺 🇱🇺 🇱🇺 🇱🇺 🇱🇺
La Poupée Monte Le Son & Laura are the victors in my minds reality at least! 🇱🇺 🇱🇺 🇱🇺 🇱🇺 🇱🇺
Reposted by Skyhook Connoisseur
This scene isn't out of a sci-fi movie, it's the preparation of the "Coléoptère" for a test flight.
This strange machine was a circular-wing VTOL prototype produced in France in the late '50s.
It made a few flights, but was destroyed during a transition test between vertical and horizontal flight.
This strange machine was a circular-wing VTOL prototype produced in France in the late '50s.
It made a few flights, but was destroyed during a transition test between vertical and horizontal flight.
May 12, 2025 at 11:58 AM
This scene isn't out of a sci-fi movie, it's the preparation of the "Coléoptère" for a test flight.
This strange machine was a circular-wing VTOL prototype produced in France in the late '50s.
It made a few flights, but was destroyed during a transition test between vertical and horizontal flight.
This strange machine was a circular-wing VTOL prototype produced in France in the late '50s.
It made a few flights, but was destroyed during a transition test between vertical and horizontal flight.
Always love seeing a Turbotip design. They really are the best.
Happy Friday, Bluesky avgeeks 🛫 The aviation Skyline is full of amazing photos today, thanks everyone for sharing your fantastic work!
Ryan XV-5 on display at the Army Aviation Museum in Fort Novosel, AL (then Fort Rucker), April 2019 #xv5 #army #airplanes #aviation #avgeek
Ryan XV-5 on display at the Army Aviation Museum in Fort Novosel, AL (then Fort Rucker), April 2019 #xv5 #army #airplanes #aviation #avgeek
May 10, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Always love seeing a Turbotip design. They really are the best.
Reposted by Skyhook Connoisseur
wow developing film involves so many toxic developers it's like video games
April 17, 2025 at 6:28 PM
wow developing film involves so many toxic developers it's like video games
Comparing the SHar to the GR.7/GR.9, this gives a pretty decent illustration of the increased danger that comes from naval operations[1], I /assume/ the 80-84 4.41 is from the Falklands War though.
Alternatively, the take away from this is that the RAF should not have been trusted with the Jaguar.
Alternatively, the take away from this is that the RAF should not have been trusted with the Jaguar.
April 19, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Comparing the SHar to the GR.7/GR.9, this gives a pretty decent illustration of the increased danger that comes from naval operations[1], I /assume/ the 80-84 4.41 is from the Falklands War though.
Alternatively, the take away from this is that the RAF should not have been trusted with the Jaguar.
Alternatively, the take away from this is that the RAF should not have been trusted with the Jaguar.
Here's a short Panavia Tornado edit:
Been a good year since I've made one of these, pretty happy with it all things considered.
(In far higher quality here: youtu.be/u74xUe0A3g0 )
#avgeek #raf #panavia
Been a good year since I've made one of these, pretty happy with it all things considered.
(In far higher quality here: youtu.be/u74xUe0A3g0 )
#avgeek #raf #panavia
March 17, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Here's a short Panavia Tornado edit:
Been a good year since I've made one of these, pretty happy with it all things considered.
(In far higher quality here: youtu.be/u74xUe0A3g0 )
#avgeek #raf #panavia
Been a good year since I've made one of these, pretty happy with it all things considered.
(In far higher quality here: youtu.be/u74xUe0A3g0 )
#avgeek #raf #panavia
The "Thank god I'm British" sticker forward of the blow in doors really completes NASA 719.
March 13, 2025 at 9:21 PM
The "Thank god I'm British" sticker forward of the blow in doors really completes NASA 719.
Had the idea the other day, what if the RAF introduced the TriStar in the 70s...
Anyway, full livery to come as a result.
#flightsim
Anyway, full livery to come as a result.
#flightsim
March 4, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Had the idea the other day, what if the RAF introduced the TriStar in the 70s...
Anyway, full livery to come as a result.
#flightsim
Anyway, full livery to come as a result.
#flightsim
Further to the AVPLAN post, Here's some photos of AV-8B+'s carrying AIM-9X that I spotted on DVIDS.
The oldest photo where one appears is April 6th 2024 as best as I can tell, so they've had the capability for some time now.
The oldest photo where one appears is April 6th 2024 as best as I can tell, so they've had the capability for some time now.
February 12, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Further to the AVPLAN post, Here's some photos of AV-8B+'s carrying AIM-9X that I spotted on DVIDS.
The oldest photo where one appears is April 6th 2024 as best as I can tell, so they've had the capability for some time now.
The oldest photo where one appears is April 6th 2024 as best as I can tell, so they've had the capability for some time now.
A-4K XT597 seen in a promotional pic for the 1981 Greenham Common Air Tattoo which held the A4 Skyhawk 25th Anniversay Meet, and saw aircraft from all operators displayed together.
Two A4s from that show would meet again a year later, in different circumstances
(AltHistory) #flightsim #art #avgeek
Two A4s from that show would meet again a year later, in different circumstances
(AltHistory) #flightsim #art #avgeek
February 6, 2025 at 6:09 PM
A-4K XT597 seen in a promotional pic for the 1981 Greenham Common Air Tattoo which held the A4 Skyhawk 25th Anniversay Meet, and saw aircraft from all operators displayed together.
Two A4s from that show would meet again a year later, in different circumstances
(AltHistory) #flightsim #art #avgeek
Two A4s from that show would meet again a year later, in different circumstances
(AltHistory) #flightsim #art #avgeek
Disappointing to learn from the USMCs 2025 AVPLAN that
"The AV-8B has realized its final weapons, sensors, and survivability upgrades"
Which seemingly indicates it won't get a HMCS after all. Despite the funding seemingly being there for it, at least they got AIM-9X, APKWS, JSOW & Link16 in time.
"The AV-8B has realized its final weapons, sensors, and survivability upgrades"
Which seemingly indicates it won't get a HMCS after all. Despite the funding seemingly being there for it, at least they got AIM-9X, APKWS, JSOW & Link16 in time.
February 4, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Disappointing to learn from the USMCs 2025 AVPLAN that
"The AV-8B has realized its final weapons, sensors, and survivability upgrades"
Which seemingly indicates it won't get a HMCS after all. Despite the funding seemingly being there for it, at least they got AIM-9X, APKWS, JSOW & Link16 in time.
"The AV-8B has realized its final weapons, sensors, and survivability upgrades"
Which seemingly indicates it won't get a HMCS after all. Despite the funding seemingly being there for it, at least they got AIM-9X, APKWS, JSOW & Link16 in time.
Livery works better here than on the F-16 imo.
February 1, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Livery works better here than on the F-16 imo.
Vulcan XH535 flying with B-52H 60-0006 over Edwards AFB in July 1961 for Skybolt trials.
I often see the first of these two photos posted online but with the colours horribly off! So here it is corrected.
Still unsure as to what type of chase aircraft we're viewing from.
I often see the first of these two photos posted online but with the colours horribly off! So here it is corrected.
Still unsure as to what type of chase aircraft we're viewing from.
![A Vulcan Bomber from the Royal Air Force flying in close formation with a B-52 Bomber of the United States Air Force overhead the town of Edwards California in July 1961.
In the bottom left the wingtip fuel tank of the chase aircraft the photo was taken from can be seen, unsure of the specific aircraft type.
[342-C-KE-14932, Colour corrected]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dhmbgvpjflahubbgmzlbkjwa/bafkreifmfi5ohre2d7ysnngyzt3bi6aitvxhl6nzzmrggadzlfokfktc3u@jpeg)
![A Vulcan Bomber from the Royal Air Force flying over Rosamond Dry Lake in July 1961.
Rogers Dry Lake and part of the Edwards Air Force Base complex located there can be seen in the very top right of the photo, including a few of the runways marked into the lake bed. Between it and the Vulcan is the town of Edwards California.
In the bottom mid-right the wingtip fuel tank of the chase aircraft the photo was taken from can be seen, unsure of the specific aircraft type.
[342-C-KE-15397, Colour corrected]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dhmbgvpjflahubbgmzlbkjwa/bafkreiga7ehr6vlyzme6ehck5ks3fbn3xkmpyxvqyjgdkwv5vd47hssyni@jpeg)
January 24, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Vulcan XH535 flying with B-52H 60-0006 over Edwards AFB in July 1961 for Skybolt trials.
I often see the first of these two photos posted online but with the colours horribly off! So here it is corrected.
Still unsure as to what type of chase aircraft we're viewing from.
I often see the first of these two photos posted online but with the colours horribly off! So here it is corrected.
Still unsure as to what type of chase aircraft we're viewing from.
The stuff of nightmares here honestly.
January 23, 2025 at 5:48 PM
The stuff of nightmares here honestly.
Reposted by Skyhook Connoisseur
Something special from the archives, a film of the test firing of a Bloodhound surface-to-air missile from 1958, showing the multi-stage launch and impact with a target drone.
#Coldwar
#Coldwar
December 12, 2024 at 8:09 PM
Something special from the archives, a film of the test firing of a Bloodhound surface-to-air missile from 1958, showing the multi-stage launch and impact with a target drone.
#Coldwar
#Coldwar
Reposted by Skyhook Connoisseur
Thank you to all our new followers & here are some VTOL airframes, including our #UniqueInUKatNAM Meteor FR.9 (Mod) test-bed #VZ608 & our famous Sea Harrier #ZA176
#EveryNAMvisitCounts
#EveryNAMvisitCounts
December 5, 2024 at 10:21 AM
Thank you to all our new followers & here are some VTOL airframes, including our #UniqueInUKatNAM Meteor FR.9 (Mod) test-bed #VZ608 & our famous Sea Harrier #ZA176
#EveryNAMvisitCounts
#EveryNAMvisitCounts