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/
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.
Monday Movie Magic: "...you're wanted for murder on every front page in America. Don't be so modest."
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"I told you. It's a nice face."
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"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."
A bit of progress on #HeaviesGB #histscalemodels Fw 200. ‘Busying up’ the cockpit which, as well as being very empty, bears little resemblance to the real thing. And the seats are nothing like those provided. Meanwhile the mystery boxes and 1:1 screws have come good in V2 of the plan. Details anon.
September 29, 2025 at 12:30 PM
A bit of progress on #HeaviesGB #histscalemodels Fw 200. ‘Busying up’ the cockpit which, as well as being very empty, bears little resemblance to the real thing. And the seats are nothing like those provided. Meanwhile the mystery boxes and 1:1 screws have come good in V2 of the plan. Details anon.
It was a good airshow! So in my #HeaviesGB #histscalemodels Fw 200 build, I decided the failure of my special bit was just a blip.
In the 'conventional modelling' element of the build, I created an inner frame structure and the inner side of the passenger door. This Fw 200's cabin was stripped out.
In the 'conventional modelling' element of the build, I created an inner frame structure and the inner side of the passenger door. This Fw 200's cabin was stripped out.
September 25, 2025 at 4:52 AM
It was a good airshow! So in my #HeaviesGB #histscalemodels Fw 200 build, I decided the failure of my special bit was just a blip.
In the 'conventional modelling' element of the build, I created an inner frame structure and the inner side of the passenger door. This Fw 200's cabin was stripped out.
In the 'conventional modelling' element of the build, I created an inner frame structure and the inner side of the passenger door. This Fw 200's cabin was stripped out.
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.)
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
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
Aeroplane Monthly magazine is out in the UK, with my latest Database (No 21!) on the Vickers Wellesley, a remarkable, under represented aircraft. Here's a lovely cartoon of it which wasn't going to be used, and a (hint) link to the website if you'd like a copy! shop.keypublishing.com/products/aer...
September 16, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Aeroplane Monthly magazine is out in the UK, with my latest Database (No 21!) on the Vickers Wellesley, a remarkable, under represented aircraft. Here's a lovely cartoon of it which wasn't going to be used, and a (hint) link to the website if you'd like a copy! shop.keypublishing.com/products/aer...
Here's a 'real' one at the B-24 Liberator Memorial at Werribee, Vic, Aus in 2011. Theirs is almost as good as yours!
September 2, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Here's a 'real' one at the B-24 Liberator Memorial at Werribee, Vic, Aus in 2011. Theirs is almost as good as yours!
It was day 31 #DrawingAugust & #DrawingAugust2025. I got a few quick figure sketches in. Not from life and all open for improvement, but v happy with them overall.
I’d’ve loved to have got more done in the month, but I’m v pleased to have done as much as I did too. Should do more, here’s hoping.
I’d’ve loved to have got more done in the month, but I’m v pleased to have done as much as I did too. Should do more, here’s hoping.
September 1, 2025 at 1:26 PM
It was day 31 #DrawingAugust & #DrawingAugust2025. I got a few quick figure sketches in. Not from life and all open for improvement, but v happy with them overall.
I’d’ve loved to have got more done in the month, but I’m v pleased to have done as much as I did too. Should do more, here’s hoping.
I’d’ve loved to have got more done in the month, but I’m v pleased to have done as much as I did too. Should do more, here’s hoping.
Looks like the same sprue arrangement as the original 1971 release. Still heavy rivets?
September 1, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Looks like the same sprue arrangement as the original 1971 release. Still heavy rivets?
All ready to start the #HeaviesGB in #histscalemodels. My nomination is the 1991 Revell Focke Wulf Fw 200 civil version. Bit of a story behind the idea, we may get to soon. In the meantime, here’s the start shot. Note aftermarket decals. Planning! (Some plastic has been fettled and glued since…)
September 1, 2025 at 8:51 AM
All ready to start the #HeaviesGB in #histscalemodels. My nomination is the 1991 Revell Focke Wulf Fw 200 civil version. Bit of a story behind the idea, we may get to soon. In the meantime, here’s the start shot. Note aftermarket decals. Planning! (Some plastic has been fettled and glued since…)
Day 19 & 20 of #DrawingAugust & #DrawingAugust2025. A photo of a couple of dudes chatting taken on 2 Aug in N Melbourne, drawn yesterday.
I was v pleased w the guy in the puffa jacket, decided to have another go today. Didn’t like the solid line which had worked, so tried the scratch lines again.
I was v pleased w the guy in the puffa jacket, decided to have another go today. Didn’t like the solid line which had worked, so tried the scratch lines again.
August 20, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Day 19 & 20 of #DrawingAugust & #DrawingAugust2025. A photo of a couple of dudes chatting taken on 2 Aug in N Melbourne, drawn yesterday.
I was v pleased w the guy in the puffa jacket, decided to have another go today. Didn’t like the solid line which had worked, so tried the scratch lines again.
I was v pleased w the guy in the puffa jacket, decided to have another go today. Didn’t like the solid line which had worked, so tried the scratch lines again.
Yes, a bad one and a remarkable one.
The Ford Fivver: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Fl...
The Ford Trimotor. The Ford Trimotor was one of THE greats.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Tr...
Fiat and Bristol were two other companies that were both aircraft and car producers, Bristols being pretty niche.
The Ford Fivver: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Fl...
The Ford Trimotor. The Ford Trimotor was one of THE greats.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Tr...
Fiat and Bristol were two other companies that were both aircraft and car producers, Bristols being pretty niche.
August 18, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Yes, a bad one and a remarkable one.
The Ford Fivver: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Fl...
The Ford Trimotor. The Ford Trimotor was one of THE greats.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Tr...
Fiat and Bristol were two other companies that were both aircraft and car producers, Bristols being pretty niche.
The Ford Fivver: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Fl...
The Ford Trimotor. The Ford Trimotor was one of THE greats.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Tr...
Fiat and Bristol were two other companies that were both aircraft and car producers, Bristols being pretty niche.
Aviation History Trivia.
What's a connection between these two?
The answer is related to a ratio.
Feel free to answer cryptically, so others can play.
Will reply tomorrow.
What's a connection between these two?
The answer is related to a ratio.
Feel free to answer cryptically, so others can play.
Will reply tomorrow.
August 17, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Aviation History Trivia.
What's a connection between these two?
The answer is related to a ratio.
Feel free to answer cryptically, so others can play.
Will reply tomorrow.
What's a connection between these two?
The answer is related to a ratio.
Feel free to answer cryptically, so others can play.
Will reply tomorrow.
Day 17 of #DrawingAugust & #DrawingAugust2025. Started with a de Chirico colonnade that morphed into a bridge. An exercise in perspective, a bit messed up.
August 17, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Day 17 of #DrawingAugust & #DrawingAugust2025. Started with a de Chirico colonnade that morphed into a bridge. An exercise in perspective, a bit messed up.
Day 16 of #DrawingAugust & #DrawingAugust2025. A quick sketch of some classic still life pots - no ‘colouring in’.
Hard to start, as always but worth doing!
Hard to start, as always but worth doing!
August 16, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Day 16 of #DrawingAugust & #DrawingAugust2025. A quick sketch of some classic still life pots - no ‘colouring in’.
Hard to start, as always but worth doing!
Hard to start, as always but worth doing!
Going to stop today’s #DrawingAugust & #DrawingAugust2025 here. I’ll take a photo in better light tomorrow. Like many more, I release myself by saying ‘I can return’ rather than forcing a finish and marking a mucker of it. It’s not perfect, but it’s literally a thing that didn’t exist an hour ago!
August 13, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Going to stop today’s #DrawingAugust & #DrawingAugust2025 here. I’ll take a photo in better light tomorrow. Like many more, I release myself by saying ‘I can return’ rather than forcing a finish and marking a mucker of it. It’s not perfect, but it’s literally a thing that didn’t exist an hour ago!
Progressing today’s #DrawingAugust & #DrawingAugust2025. Effort. It’s getting a bit more solid, a bit more believably real.
The pushing the golden rule of thirds stuff about hasn’t quite clicked, but it’s still OK.
But then, in a way I also like the previous version. What do you think?
The pushing the golden rule of thirds stuff about hasn’t quite clicked, but it’s still OK.
But then, in a way I also like the previous version. What do you think?
August 13, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Progressing today’s #DrawingAugust & #DrawingAugust2025. Effort. It’s getting a bit more solid, a bit more believably real.
The pushing the golden rule of thirds stuff about hasn’t quite clicked, but it’s still OK.
But then, in a way I also like the previous version. What do you think?
The pushing the golden rule of thirds stuff about hasn’t quite clicked, but it’s still OK.
But then, in a way I also like the previous version. What do you think?
Day 13 of #DrawingAugust & #DrawingAugust2025. I’ve missed a few, but having dragged myself back to the drawing tablet, it’s worth coming back.
Progress photos of an imaginary lighthouse. They’re magical places, endlessly fascinating in reality & fiction. A bit more, but avoid overdoing it. I hope.
Progress photos of an imaginary lighthouse. They’re magical places, endlessly fascinating in reality & fiction. A bit more, but avoid overdoing it. I hope.
August 13, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Day 13 of #DrawingAugust & #DrawingAugust2025. I’ve missed a few, but having dragged myself back to the drawing tablet, it’s worth coming back.
Progress photos of an imaginary lighthouse. They’re magical places, endlessly fascinating in reality & fiction. A bit more, but avoid overdoing it. I hope.
Progress photos of an imaginary lighthouse. They’re magical places, endlessly fascinating in reality & fiction. A bit more, but avoid overdoing it. I hope.
Day seven of #DrawingAugust & #DrawingAugust2025. Volunteering at the RAAF Museum, did a sketch of the preserved Lockheed P3 Orion. Started with the Möbius loop of the prop.
Highlight was the kid who went past and came back to watch someone drawing. I suspect something they’d never seen before.
Highlight was the kid who went past and came back to watch someone drawing. I suspect something they’d never seen before.
August 7, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Day seven of #DrawingAugust & #DrawingAugust2025. Volunteering at the RAAF Museum, did a sketch of the preserved Lockheed P3 Orion. Started with the Möbius loop of the prop.
Highlight was the kid who went past and came back to watch someone drawing. I suspect something they’d never seen before.
Highlight was the kid who went past and came back to watch someone drawing. I suspect something they’d never seen before.
Editing and writing aviation history. Describing a crash, and NOT saying what happened to the crew, you've failed the job and your humanity. So. Many. Times.
(Today an account where they explain the results of air combat inc. the aircraft crashing, and the names of the crew, but not their fates.)
(Today an account where they explain the results of air combat inc. the aircraft crashing, and the names of the crew, but not their fates.)
August 6, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Editing and writing aviation history. Describing a crash, and NOT saying what happened to the crew, you've failed the job and your humanity. So. Many. Times.
(Today an account where they explain the results of air combat inc. the aircraft crashing, and the names of the crew, but not their fates.)
(Today an account where they explain the results of air combat inc. the aircraft crashing, and the names of the crew, but not their fates.)
Not finding anything but did see this in another search.
How many WERE there?
www.warrelics.eu/forum/docs-p...
How many WERE there?
www.warrelics.eu/forum/docs-p...
August 6, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Not finding anything but did see this in another search.
How many WERE there?
www.warrelics.eu/forum/docs-p...
How many WERE there?
www.warrelics.eu/forum/docs-p...