Daniel J. Leahy
@danieljleahy.bsky.social
Aviation archaeologist and historical researcher investigating the air power landscape in Australia during the Second World War. Developer of @AirPowerArchaeo.bsky.social. BInfoTech, BA(Hons). Trekkie. He/him.
Post a movie where you are from
November 24, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Post a movie where you are from
A digital copy of the most recent issue of 'Sabretache' arrived in my email this afternoon. It includes a paper I submitted in July regarding the loss and wreck of RAAF P-43 Lancer A56-7...
November 21, 2025 at 3:43 AM
A digital copy of the most recent issue of 'Sabretache' arrived in my email this afternoon. It includes a paper I submitted in July regarding the loss and wreck of RAAF P-43 Lancer A56-7...
Didn't get much of a chance to work on the B-24D today as we had workmen on site. But I did manage to spray mor aluminium paint and seal up one wing. #HeaviesGB
November 12, 2025 at 4:49 AM
Didn't get much of a chance to work on the B-24D today as we had workmen on site. But I did manage to spray mor aluminium paint and seal up one wing. #HeaviesGB
Some more work on the B-24D today with some aluminium paint being laid down before the wind picked up and the bomb load being put together. #HeaviesGB
November 11, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Some more work on the B-24D today with some aluminium paint being laid down before the wind picked up and the bomb load being put together. #HeaviesGB
I'm planning the build to look like "Hell's Belle" in this photo over Kairiru Island in New Guinea. This means I won't be using the included 90th BG tail markings and replacing the star-and-bar with the earlier star from the "Lady Be Good" livery.
Photo via @pacificwrecks.bsky.social.
#HeaviesGB
Photo via @pacificwrecks.bsky.social.
#HeaviesGB
November 7, 2025 at 2:43 AM
I'm planning the build to look like "Hell's Belle" in this photo over Kairiru Island in New Guinea. This means I won't be using the included 90th BG tail markings and replacing the star-and-bar with the earlier star from the "Lady Be Good" livery.
Photo via @pacificwrecks.bsky.social.
#HeaviesGB
Photo via @pacificwrecks.bsky.social.
#HeaviesGB
It's been a long week helping take care of one sick kid while also being woken up before sunrise by another.
But today I finally started putting parts of the Liberator together. I'm holding off dealing with the fuselage just yet as I wait for a hi-res photo of "Hell's Belle".
#HeaviesGB
But today I finally started putting parts of the Liberator together. I'm holding off dealing with the fuselage just yet as I wait for a hi-res photo of "Hell's Belle".
#HeaviesGB
November 7, 2025 at 2:32 AM
It's been a long week helping take care of one sick kid while also being woken up before sunrise by another.
But today I finally started putting parts of the Liberator together. I'm holding off dealing with the fuselage just yet as I wait for a hi-res photo of "Hell's Belle".
#HeaviesGB
But today I finally started putting parts of the Liberator together. I'm holding off dealing with the fuselage just yet as I wait for a hi-res photo of "Hell's Belle".
#HeaviesGB
A recent arrival from Canada - an envelope that was supposedly flown aboard the final, fatal, flight of KLM's DC-2 "Uiver" in December 1934.
Pinging @philthyavnurd.bsky.social, @jdkightly.bsky.social, and @tashheap.bsky.social.
Pinging @philthyavnurd.bsky.social, @jdkightly.bsky.social, and @tashheap.bsky.social.
November 4, 2025 at 10:25 PM
A recent arrival from Canada - an envelope that was supposedly flown aboard the final, fatal, flight of KLM's DC-2 "Uiver" in December 1934.
Pinging @philthyavnurd.bsky.social, @jdkightly.bsky.social, and @tashheap.bsky.social.
Pinging @philthyavnurd.bsky.social, @jdkightly.bsky.social, and @tashheap.bsky.social.
Some late night flying the skies of War Thunder with my partner...
November 4, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Some late night flying the skies of War Thunder with my partner...
Heinkel He 111Z. Here's one towing an Me 321 glider (via Wikipedia)...
November 1, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Heinkel He 111Z. Here's one towing an Me 321 glider (via Wikipedia)...
Just putting it out there again...
October 30, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Just putting it out there again...
Officially putting my hat into the ring for #HeaviesGB with Airfix's B-24D Liberator...
October 29, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Officially putting my hat into the ring for #HeaviesGB with Airfix's B-24D Liberator...
A few additions to the stash this week, including the B-24D I hope to complete for #HeaviesGB. I thought I already had one in the stash, but it appears I did not.
October 29, 2025 at 5:20 AM
A few additions to the stash this week, including the B-24D I hope to complete for #HeaviesGB. I thought I already had one in the stash, but it appears I did not.
Picked up some snacks for Halloween.
If you don't get the reference then watch 'The Burbs' ... "Sardine?"
If you don't get the reference then watch 'The Burbs' ... "Sardine?"
October 28, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Picked up some snacks for Halloween.
If you don't get the reference then watch 'The Burbs' ... "Sardine?"
If you don't get the reference then watch 'The Burbs' ... "Sardine?"
Thinking I'll start the Airfix B-24D as it comes with decals for 41-24290 'Hell's Belle' of the 90th BG based in Queensland. The aircraft later became A72-8 with the RAAF and was written off in a forced landing near Tocumwal, New South Wales, in January 1945.
#HeaviesGB @pacificwrecks.bsky.social
#HeaviesGB @pacificwrecks.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Thinking I'll start the Airfix B-24D as it comes with decals for 41-24290 'Hell's Belle' of the 90th BG based in Queensland. The aircraft later became A72-8 with the RAAF and was written off in a forced landing near Tocumwal, New South Wales, in January 1945.
#HeaviesGB @pacificwrecks.bsky.social
#HeaviesGB @pacificwrecks.bsky.social
Recently ordered a physical (DVD) copy of the de Havilland Tiger Moth expansion for Microsoft Flight Simulator X by @justflight.com. Mainly because of the two RAAF liveries.
But I only just noticed that credit for the front photograph is given to old mate, @philthyavnurd.bsky.social!
But I only just noticed that credit for the front photograph is given to old mate, @philthyavnurd.bsky.social!
October 8, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Recently ordered a physical (DVD) copy of the de Havilland Tiger Moth expansion for Microsoft Flight Simulator X by @justflight.com. Mainly because of the two RAAF liveries.
But I only just noticed that credit for the front photograph is given to old mate, @philthyavnurd.bsky.social!
But I only just noticed that credit for the front photograph is given to old mate, @philthyavnurd.bsky.social!
Just realised that 28 Nov. marks 25 years since my visit to the wreck of Beaufort A9-228 in NE Vic (pictured). It was the first of many wrecks I've now visited.
At that time Darby's 'Pacific Aircraft Wrecks' was just over 20 years old and @pacificwrecks.bsky.social was just over 5 years old.
At that time Darby's 'Pacific Aircraft Wrecks' was just over 20 years old and @pacificwrecks.bsky.social was just over 5 years old.
October 7, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Just realised that 28 Nov. marks 25 years since my visit to the wreck of Beaufort A9-228 in NE Vic (pictured). It was the first of many wrecks I've now visited.
At that time Darby's 'Pacific Aircraft Wrecks' was just over 20 years old and @pacificwrecks.bsky.social was just over 5 years old.
At that time Darby's 'Pacific Aircraft Wrecks' was just over 20 years old and @pacificwrecks.bsky.social was just over 5 years old.
The second details the loss of a Japanese Zero over Darwin in March 1943 and the salvage of wreckage that was later utilised as a scoreboard by No. 54 Squadron, RAF. See Vol. LXIII, No. 2, pp. 4-14.
www.mhsa.org.au/wp-content/u...
A third paper was recently submitted but is yet to be published.
www.mhsa.org.au/wp-content/u...
A third paper was recently submitted but is yet to be published.
October 6, 2025 at 7:39 PM
The second details the loss of a Japanese Zero over Darwin in March 1943 and the salvage of wreckage that was later utilised as a scoreboard by No. 54 Squadron, RAF. See Vol. LXIII, No. 2, pp. 4-14.
www.mhsa.org.au/wp-content/u...
A third paper was recently submitted but is yet to be published.
www.mhsa.org.au/wp-content/u...
A third paper was recently submitted but is yet to be published.
I've been made aware that my two papers published in the Military Historical Society's Journal, 'Sabretache', are now available online.
The first covers the loss and wreck of RAAF Boston A28-20 near Gona in November 1942. See Vol. LXII, No. 2, pp. 32-40
www.mhsa.org.au/wp-content/u...
The first covers the loss and wreck of RAAF Boston A28-20 near Gona in November 1942. See Vol. LXII, No. 2, pp. 32-40
www.mhsa.org.au/wp-content/u...
October 6, 2025 at 7:39 PM
I've been made aware that my two papers published in the Military Historical Society's Journal, 'Sabretache', are now available online.
The first covers the loss and wreck of RAAF Boston A28-20 near Gona in November 1942. See Vol. LXII, No. 2, pp. 32-40
www.mhsa.org.au/wp-content/u...
The first covers the loss and wreck of RAAF Boston A28-20 near Gona in November 1942. See Vol. LXII, No. 2, pp. 32-40
www.mhsa.org.au/wp-content/u...
One I seem to use regularly these days...
October 3, 2025 at 7:44 AM
One I seem to use regularly these days...
My phone is fairly useless trying to photograph the night sky, but here's an attempt at capturing this morning's lunar eclipse. I wish I had charged my SLR camera ahead of time.
#LunarEclipse #Eclipse #Astrophotography
#LunarEclipse #Eclipse #Astrophotography
September 8, 2025 at 5:27 AM
My phone is fairly useless trying to photograph the night sky, but here's an attempt at capturing this morning's lunar eclipse. I wish I had charged my SLR camera ahead of time.
#LunarEclipse #Eclipse #Astrophotography
#LunarEclipse #Eclipse #Astrophotography
Today marks 19 years since I arrived in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, for the second time.
August 11, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Today marks 19 years since I arrived in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, for the second time.
The latest issue of Australian Railway History landed in my mailbox this morning...
August 4, 2025 at 8:10 AM
The latest issue of Australian Railway History landed in my mailbox this morning...
Just had to cook some potato and leek soup earlier in the evening. Soups and stews are my go to when stressed during winter time.
July 31, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Just had to cook some potato and leek soup earlier in the evening. Soups and stews are my go to when stressed during winter time.
Just another day in Canberra with the power going out (sounds like a tree got blown on to power lines). I had been working on completing my first railway history paper. Oh well.
July 29, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Just another day in Canberra with the power going out (sounds like a tree got blown on to power lines). I had been working on completing my first railway history paper. Oh well.