WW II Beer Flights

In the lighter moments of World War II, the Spitfire was used in an unorthodox role: bringing beer kegs to the men in Normandy .
During the war, the Heneger and Constable brewery donated free beer to the troops. After D-Day, supplying the invasion troops in Normandy with vital supplies was already a challenge. Obviously, there was no room in the logistics chain for such luxuries as beer or other types of refreshments. Some men, often called "sourcers", were able to get wine or other niceties "from the land" or rather from the locals. RAF Spitfire pilots came up with an even better idea. The Spitfire Mk IX was an evolved version of the Spitfire, with pylons under the wings for bombs or tanks. It was discovered that the bomb pylons could also be modified to carry beer kegs. According to pictures that can be found, various sizes of kegs were used. Whether the kegs could be jettisoned in case of emergency is unknown. If the Spitfire flew high enough, the cold air at altitude would even refresh the beer, making it ready for consumption upon arrival. A variation of this was a long range fuel tank modified to carry beer instead of fuel.
The modification even received the official designation Mod. XXX. Propaganda services were quick to pick up on this, which probably explains the "official" designation.

Mod. XXX tank being filled.
As a result, Spitfires equipped with Mod XXX or keg-carrying pylons were often sent back to Great-Britain for "maintenance" or "liaison" duties. They would then return to Normandy with full beer kegs fitted under the wings. Typically, the British Revenue of Ministry and Excise stepped in, notifying the brewery that they were in violation of the law by exporting beer without paying the relevant taxes. It seems that Mod. XXX was terminated then, but various squadrons found different ways to refurbish their stocks. Most often, this was done with the unofficial approval of higher echelons. In his book "Dancing in the Skies", Tony Jonsson, the only Icelander pilot in the RAF, recalled beer runs while he was flying with 65 Squadron. Every week a pilot was sent back to the UK to fill some cleaned-up drop tanks with beer and return to the squadron. Jonsson hated the beer runs as every man on the squadron would be watching you upon arrival. Anyone who made a rough landing and dropped the tanks would be the most hated man on the squadron for an entire week.

The Spitfire had very little ground clearance with the larger beer kegs. In his book "Typhoon Pilot", Desmond Scott also recalls Typhoon drop tanks filled with beer but regretted that it acquired a metallic taste. Less imaginative techniques involved stashing bottles wherever space could be found on the aircraft, which included the ammunition boxes, luggage compartment or even in parts of the wing, with varying results. Champagne bottles in particular did not react well to the vibrations they were submitted to during such bootlegging trips.

King Tiger Video

Stumbled across some more video of the only working King Tiger (or Tiger II) taken at the French museum 'Musée des Blindésat' at Saumur. Never been there myself, but it's definitely a place I'd like to visit.
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Raymond Aubrac: How I tricked the Gestapo

The capture of French Resistance hero Jean Moulin is one of the country's darkest chapters of the war. The last surviving Resistance leader, Raymond Aubrac, recalls that night and the audacious escape that followed. Link -

Broadband Speed Test

Nothing to do with gaming or the main subject of this blog, but I thought I'd share this link with you to a good Broadband Speed Test site that I use to monitor what speeds I'm getting.

HMS Victory 'set to be recovered' from seabed

The remains of a 300-year-old warship are to be raised from the sea bed, according to reports. The wreck of HMS Victory, a predecessor of Nelson's famous flagship, was found near the Channel Islands in 2008. Link to BBC web site.

MVT Area Meeting + Truck Problem

The MVT Area meeting I wrote about on the 12th Jan went ahead, and was quite a success I feel with 26 (including myself) turning up. Ratified a constitution and talked about forthcoming events (shows and the like) along with ideas for a 'Spring Run' out in our vehicles. Talking of which the group owns a real mix, with a varied range of Jeeps, CCKWs, Motorbikes, Landrovers, FV432s, and some ex Warsaw Pact Russian stuff. On a personal note when I last took the truck out it didn't warm up at all, so, suspecting a problem with the Thermostat, I bought a replacement one this last week along with a new top hose.
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Attempting to fit it this weekend, I discovered why the truck has been running cold in this cold weather.... there was no Thermostat fitted !!! :(
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The question gentlemen, is why....? Currently seeking advise from those in the know on the HMV Forum, as the new thermostat doesn't seem to fit very well, and I don't want to bolt the Thermostat Bell Housing down until I've sussed things out.

Inside story of the UK's secret mission to beat Gaddafi

British efforts to help topple Colonel Gaddafi were not limited to air strikes. On the ground - and on the quiet - special forces soldiers were blending in with rebel fighters. This is the previously untold account of the crucial part they played.  Link

Take Your Daughter to Work Day

This is brilliant !

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Church Ladies With Typewriters

These sentences (with all the BLOOPERS) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:
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 The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals..
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 The sermon this morning: Jesus Walks on the Water.
 The sermon tonight: Searching for Jesus.
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 Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
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 Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you .
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 Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help .
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 Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation. 
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 For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs . 
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 Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get. 
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Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church.
So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
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 A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.. 
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At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?'
Come early and listen to our choir practice.
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Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
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Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled.
Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
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 The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
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 Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
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 The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
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This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church.
Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
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 Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM .
All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done.
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The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
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 Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM . Please use the back door. 
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The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM.
The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
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 Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
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The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday:"I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours." ___________________________________

Ship Launches - Good & Bad

Some of these are great fun ! Especially the first one ! (if you like getting wet that is)

Falklands veteran meets Argentine 'enemy' 30 years on

Thirty years after the Falklands War, a British veteran prepares to travel across the world to meet the Argentine pilot who he shot out of the sky. Link to the BBC.

Tiger Tank - Replica

The replica Tiger I tank made made by a (Hungarian ?) company called ​​Rondo-S is quite an astonishing piece of work. This is no conversion of an existing vehicle such as the T34 used in the film Saving Private Ryan, but a bottom-up build of a vehicle to look externally just like the real thing. Awesome ! The company have their own U-Tube channel which is well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/user/rondos63#g/u - -

F16 Low & Fast

We like low fast passes, and this is a good one :) - -

Inaugural Meeting Of The Huntingdon & District Area of the Military Vehicle Trust (MVT)

Regular follows of my ramblings will know I purchased my WW2 CCKW 352 in the end of July last year. At the time I joined the Military Vehicle Trust (MVT), which is as the name suggests, is a club for military vehicle owners/enthusiasts. The Trust has a network of area groups dotted all over the country, however where I live seems to be somewhat of a black spot without a group within easy travelling distance. Anyway, I've stuck my head up above the parapet and started a local group. Our inaugural meeting is 19:30 tonight at the Montague Club in Huntingdon. I sent out 57 letters to people within a 40 mile radius just before X-Mas, and thus far about 20 have responded to say they will be along tonight. It will be interesting to see how many actually turn up...

RAF veteran who flew secret mission told it’s too dangerous to sit in Spitfire

A 91-year-old former RAF pilot who flew Spitfires in the Second World War was told he could not sit in one of the fighters at a museum because it was too dangerous. Link -

Battlemech Drawing

Back in the early 1990s I used to play a huge amount of Battletech, and one of my gaming circle at that time was a talented artist. As a favour he did this drawing for me of my favourite 3025 era Mech from House Steiner, the Banshee 3S standing triumphant over an Atlas of one my friends, from House Kurita.
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For rent: One WWII U-boat bunker

Two government authorities are in conflict over a huge World War II submarine bunker near the northern German city-state of Bremen, which is to be rented out for commercial use. Link -

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Prometheus - Official Trailer [TRUE HD]

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German Tank Factory Vids

It never ceases to amaze me what just pops up on U-Tube. The first vid shows PIII and StugIII production, the second shows stills of Tiger Tank assembly. There are some simply massive jigs and fixtures in use. - - -

Happy New Year

I'd like to wish readers of my blog all the best for the coming year.

The 'Best Of' Gun Incidents 2011

The 'Best Of' Gun Accidents | Military.com - -

CCKW Truck Update

Realise I haven't provided a truck update for a bit. I resolved the oil pipe problem by:
a) Selling on the new one that didn't fit.
b) Taking the old one to Pirtek in Peterborough, who re-used the old end fittings and made me up a new one.
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Since then I've also fitted some new cab canvas (top and back of cab), and two new doors. The old canvas doors were so knackered you could not see out of the (what is meant to be) clear plastic windows. Took the truck out to pick youngster up from school, and with the doors fitted, Mrs Vulture and I found it quite cozy:)
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A Merlin helicopter's journey to Afghanistan

It is two years since the UK sent the first Merlin helicopters nearly 4,000 miles (6,400km) to Afghanistan. It is too far to fly the RAF helicopter. So, how do they get there? Link -

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Firefly

Over this X-Mas break Mrs Vulture and I have been re-watching the Firefly series. -

- There is such a lot to like about the series especially for Sci-Fi fans. The spaceship (Serenity) they had for instance, was just a brilliant design. My only gripe is that it was cut short (in its prime). Highly highly recommended viewing. -

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How Germany's feared Scharnhorst ship was sunk in WWII

On 26 December 1943 one of the great sea battles of World War II took place. Link -

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Happy Christmas

Just a quick posting to wish all the readers of my blog a happy and stress-free (as possible) Christmas.

5 Most Mysterious Ghost Ships in History

A ghost ship is a vessel that has mysteriously expelled its passengers and crew, refusing to indicate their whereabouts. Though theories such as piracy and mutiny are often used to calm those wary of paranormal explanations, it is hard not to conjure the supernatural or extraterrestrial when contemplating these maritime mysteries - Link -

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Battle of the Bulge star Cobra King goes under restoration

This is an interesting article about one of the famous Shermans of the Battle of the Bugle. Link -

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15mm Sci-Fi Drop Pods

You know what is like, you see object and you think, 'wow' that would look great with X figures. Well that is what happened recently here at the Vulture's Roost. Mrs Vulture star that she is, went out and bought two packs of silver Drop Pods today for my 15mm sci-fi figures from a shop (Dunelm Mill) that (it seems to me) is miss-selling them as salt and pepper pots...
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Figures are by Irregular Miniatures.
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Ex Soviet Carrier Minsk

There are some interesting pictures on this thread on the Historic Military Vehicle Forum, especially of the ex Soviet Carrier Minsk.
http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?19928-Travels
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Tiger Tank 131

Check out this vid of Tiger 131 being started for the first using the starting handle.
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BLOODHOUND / Intel Atom animation

This is quite a cool animation.
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Tank Accidents

Some of these would take some recovering !
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Battle Of The Bulge - Rare Photos

Came across this quite interesting photo gallery of the Battle Of The Bulge.
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Low wall Space Hulk exhibit

Came across this thread showing a home made 'low wall' Space Hulk set. Totally awesome looking it has to be said. Link
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All I Want For Christmas - HMS OCEAN

Brilliant !
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Oil Pipe Problem

The problem with the oil pipe that meant I had to be recovered last Saturday (Link) continues....
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I ordered a new from Rex Ward who has a huge range of parts in stock, problem is, its a different length from the old one, and won't fit :( (deep sigh).
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The issue is with the truck. When it has had a rebuild at some stage the pipework appears to have been modified. I shall have to get a local company to make me one up.
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Stug III Found

Its amazing what there still is out there to be found, and also the great condition it can be in as well. Link
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Hind Helicopter

My 9 year old son has been playing quite a bit of Battlefield 2 Special Forces these last few days, and felt inspired tonight to draw his favourite helicopter the Mi25 Hind.
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Rome, Sweet Rome: Could a Single Marine Unit Destroy the Roman Empire ?

It was a hypothetical question that became a long online discussion and now a movie in development: Could a small group of heavily armed modern-day Marines take down the Roman Empire at its height? We talked about the debate with James Erwin, the man who scored a movie writing contract based on his online response, and ran the ideas by Roman history expert Adrian Goldsworthy. Read More
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This Was Not In The Plan For The Day !

Its fair to say that Saturday wasn't without its stress...

1. New doors I've picked up for the CCKW truck won't fit without me using a crowbar on the body :(

2. A dripping oil leak on the truck, became a flood from a high pressure oil pipe, and I needed to be recovered home :(
(Although on the upside I did save on petrol I suppose)
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3. A container with some oil blew over in the wind and splattered on the neighbours path :(

4. A replacement radio I bought off E-Bay for my Peugeot 107, doesn't work... Hey, my day was complete !!
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The 'Superbowl' of Machine Gun Shoots

Only in America could you own your own 3" anti-tank gun ! Cool ! I want one :)
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HUMOUR - Air Traffic Control

Actual exchanges between pilots and control towers


Tower: "Delta 351, you have traffic at 10 o'clock, 6 miles!"

Delta 351: "Give us another hint! We have digital watches!"
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Tower: "TWA 2341, for noise abatement turn right 45 Degrees."

TWA 2341: "Center, we are at 35,000 feet.. How much noise can we make up here?"

Tower: "Sir, have you ever heard the noise a 747 makes when it hits a 727?"

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From an unknown aircraft waiting in a very long takeoff queue: "I'm f...ing bored!"

Ground Traffic Control: "Last aircraft transmitting, identify yourself immediately!"

Unknown aircraft: "I said I was f...ing bored, not f...ing stupid!"

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O'Hare Approach Control to a 747: "United 329 heavy, your traffic is a Fokker, one o'clock, three miles, Eastbound."

United 329: "Approach, I've always wanted to say this...I've got the little Fokker in sight."

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A student became lost during a solo cross-country flight. While attempting to locate the aircraft on radar, ATC asked, "What was your last known position?"

Student: "When I was number one for takeoff."

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A DC-10 had come in a little hot and thus had an exceedingly long roll out after touching down.

San Jose Tower Noted: "American 751, make a hard right turn at the end of the runway, if you are able.. If you are not able, take the Guadalupe exit off Highway 101, make a right at the lights and return to the airport."

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A Pan Am 727 flight, waiting for start clearance in Munich , overheard the following:

Lufthansa (in German): "Ground, what is our start clearance time?"

Ground (in English): "If you want an answer you must speak in English."

Lufthansa (in English): "I am a German, flying a German airplane, in Germany . Why must I speak English?"

Unknown voice from another plane (in a beautiful British accent): "Because you lost the bloody war!"

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Tower: "Eastern 702, cleared for takeoff, contact Departure on frequency 124.7"

Eastern 702: "Tower, Eastern 702 switching to Departure. By the way,after we lifted off we saw some kind of dead animal on the far end of the runway."

Tower: "Continental 635, cleared for takeoff behind Eastern 702, contact Departure on frequency 124.7. Did you copy that report from Eastern 702?"

Continental 635: "Continental 635, cleared for takeoff, roger; and yes, we copied Eastern. We've already notified our caterers."

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One day the pilot of a Cherokee 180 was told by the tower to hold short of the active runway while a DC-8 landed. The DC-8 landed, rolled out, turned around, and taxied back past the Cherokee. Some quick-witted comedian in the DC-8 crew got on the radio and said, "What a cute little plane. Did you make it all by yourself?"

The Cherokee pilot, not about to let the insult go by, came back with a real zinger: "I made it out of DC-8 parts. Another landing like yours and I'll have enough parts for another one."

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The German air controllers at Frankfurt Airport are renowned as a short-tempered lot. They not only expect one to know one's gate parking location, but how to get there without any assistance from them. So it was with some amusement that we (a Pan Am 747) listened to the following exchange between Frankfurt ground control and a British Airways 747, call sign Speedbird 206.

Speedbird 206: " Frankfurt , Speedbird 206! Clear of active runway."

Ground: "Speedbird 206. Taxi to gate Alpha One-Seven."

The BA 747 pulled onto the main taxiway and slowed to a stop.

Ground: "Speedbird, do you not know where you are going?"

Speedbird 206: "Stand by, Ground, I'm looking up our gate location now."

Ground (with quite arrogant impatience): "Speedbird 206, have you not been to Frankfurt before?"

Speedbird 206 (coolly): "Yes, twice in 1944, but it was dark -- and I didn't land."

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While taxiing at London 's Airport, the crew of a US Air flight departing for Ft. Lauderdale made a wrong turn and came nose to nose with a United 727..

An irate female ground controller lashed out at the US Air crew, screaming: "US Air 2771, where the hell are you going? I told you to turn right onto Charlie taxiway! You turned right on Delta! Stop right there. I know it's difficult for you to tell the difference between C and D, but get it right!"

Continuing her rage to the embarrassed crew, she was now shouting hysterically: "God! Now you've screwed everything up! It'll take forever to sort this out! You stay right there and don't move till I tell you to! You can expect progressive taxi instructions in about half an hour, and I want you to go exactly where I tell you, when I tell you, and how I tell you! You got that, US Air 2771?"

"Yes, ma'am," the humbled crew responded.

Naturally, the ground control communications frequency fell terribly silent after the verbal bashing of US Air 2771. Nobody wanted to chance engaging the irate ground controller in her current state of mind. Tension in every cockpit out around Gatwick was definitely running high. Just then an unknown pilot broke the silence and keyed his microphone, asking: "Wasn't I married to you once?"
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Richard Johnson: Sketches from our front lines - Afghanistan

This guy is a brilliant sketch artist. Link
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Russian Bunker

This link is worth checking out. This old Russian bunker is simply massive ! Would love to visit it. Link
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Honestly, I've got my membership card here somewhere ...

This was too good a picture, not to post :) Click on it to see all of it.
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List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll

This is a list of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll. It covers the lowest estimate of death as well as the highest estimate, the name of the event, the location, and the start and end of each event. Some events overlap categories. Link

Comment: This casualty listing is quite interesting. Must confess I new knew the Chinese wars had resulted in such a loss of life.
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End Of An Era For Derelict 'A1 Lightning' Fighter Jet

Apparently the old Lightning on the A1 is no more :( I wondered what had happened to it... Link
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Here's a (rather poor quality) picture I took of it in 1988.
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Germany's Corpse Hunter Helping the Lost Dead of WWII Rest in Peace

During battles at the end of World War II, tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians never got a decent burial. For almost 30 years, one man has been finding these bodies and helping them rest in peace. Link
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War Memorial

The family and I attended a short service at the Warboys village war memorial yesterday. Looking at the long list of those who gave their lives during WW1 I reflected that in a small village the deaths of so many will have touched almost everyone.
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