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1batfastard

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Viewing 15 posts - 361 through 375 (of 4,006 total)
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  • in reply to: General Discussion #220053
    1batfastard
    Participant

    Hi All,

     One chapter into The Little Book Of The Spitfire by David Curnock

    Little Book of the Spitfire is a 128-page hardback book fully illustrated with photographs written by David Curnock. In the history of the aeroplane there is one aircraft that is fully deserving of the accolade “legendary” – the Supermarine Spitfire. Against overwhelming odds in the Battle of Britain, and taking part in major actions in every operational theatre in World War 2, the Spitfire became a symbol of victory. Built in greater numbers than any other aircraft of the time, examples of this icon of British aviation achievement are still flying today, paying tribute to her designer and makers, and in honour of those who flew and maintained her in those dark days. (Courtesy Amazon)

    https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51mWyiMIi9L.jpg

    Geoff.

    in reply to: General Discussion #220054
    1batfastard
    Participant

    Hi All,
        Three chapters into A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson, Enjoying the book as it is quite amusing in part you just imagine yourself doing the journey….

    From the author of Notes from a Small Island and The Lost Continent comes this humorous report on his walk along the Appalachian Trail. The Trail is the longest continuous footpath in the world, and it snakes through some of the wildest and most spectacular landscapes in America. 

    EDIT:  Quite an interesting book with bits of history here and there and some rather funny moments especially the joke in Chapter 20.

    Courtesy:- https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/bill…CABEgI67PD_BwE

    https://productimages.worldofbooks.com/0385408161.jpg

    Geoff.

    in reply to: General Discussion #220055
    1batfastard
    Participant

    Hi All,
    Six chapters into The Girl From Venice by Martin Cruz Smith, enjoying the book so far….

    The Girl from Venice is a 2016 historical fiction novel by American author Martin Cruz Smith. The novel details the encounter and subsequent relationship between Innocenzo Vianello, a fisherman from Pellestrina, and Giulia Silber, daughter of a wealthy Jewish family from Venice, and is set in early 1945. (Courtesy wikipedia)

    https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapevine/filedata/fetch?id=2545787&d=1652627056

    Geoff.

    in reply to: General Discussion #220056
    1batfastard
    Participant

    Hi All,
          One chapter into Richard Wilson Biography – One Foot On The Stage. I watched the iconic One Foot In The Grave all through the complete series run very entertaining and very funny, but I have also watched him other programmes through the years and I particularly used to love him in Only when I Laugh especially the interaction he had with James Bolam/Peter Bowles/Christopher Straull/Dereck Branche who played the other main characters, another very funny series.

    https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapevine/filedata/fetch?id=2545564&d=1652281357

    Geoff.

    in reply to: General Discussion #220057
    1batfastard
    Participant

     

    Hi All,
    Just about to get into The Day Sasquatch Became Real For Me by Steve Isdahl. If you believe in cryptid beings that are still yet to be officially declared Living / Sentient / Not extinct etc.etc. no matter how you want to put them you should enjoy this book.     Steve has a couple of youtube channels but this one ( https://www.youtube.com/c/proguide66 ) is the one I watch, he even has his own web page.

    WARNING:- If you are anti hunting then avoid his other channels unless you can put that part to the back of your mind and watch the magnificent scenery and wildlife that is filmed by Steve.

    I came across it a couple of years ago and have watched with fascination hearing about other peoples experiences of Sabeh /Sasquatch / Bigfoot / Yeti / Yowie / Ap-eman / Hairy Man etc. etc. etc. Mainly from Canada and the US but also from all around the globe and yes even in the UK of people who have encountered these beings and other strange happenings.

    While well outside the wheel houses of many peoples comfort zone the Victims / Experiencers / Everyday folk who tell they’re story are often not believed to the point of being ridiculed and even ostracized by Work colleagues / Family and friends, Many keep they’re own experience to themselves never to utter a word, as apposed to the many tend to think them alongside Fairies / Pixies / Ghost’s / UFO’s etc. etc.

    Imagine this scenario:- You see whatever / Day or Night, your on your own, you know what you see or are experiencing is real but there are no other witnesses. Even if your with a friend you both see whatever or your friend does not see whatever who do you tell ? Do you mention anything ? who do you report it to ?

    You have no proof of what was for you was a 100% real experience again who do you tell ? As before many keep those experiences bottled up for years for the fear of what I have already mentioned and Steve’s channel is a safety valve for these people who can finally get rid of all the Angst / Guilt / Anger / Despair / Depression whatever you want to call this pent up emotion that just has no outlet for them to share they’re experiences.

    Since Steve started sharing these stories IMPO he has really shone the spot light on this topic and I may add upset a few people along the way, obviously you will get the odd bad one that is all bull but Steve tries and succeeds for majority to wheedle these out. As it is many just sound to the non believer as twaddle so your already off to a late start in many peoples eye about these beings and other cryptids YOU HAVE TO HAVE A VERY OPEN MIND!

    I look at it like the species that have been declared extinct yet have been found still alive by those willing to do the dirty work and look into the crevasses where others will not venture people such as Forrest Galante.    

    You could look at it another way The world is covered by Ocean (71% approximately) yet we humans have only explored 20% of this, according to Google 80% has not been explored and still holds it’s secrets or you believe in whatever God religiously has anyone ever met him/her ?

    Anyway as always the choice is your own as to whether you believe in whatever, I believe in these beings just like UFO’s and other taboo subject matter for many.  Many say you can’t prove existence of these beings but can you prove they do not exist ? if so where is your evidence ?

    https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/513xgXBEx1L.jpg

    Geoff.

    1batfastard
    Participant

    Hi All,

      Well this is a piece of good news, at least we can hope of seeing a possible UK owned Harrier flying in the UK fingers crossed.    I can think of another couple that are/were used for training at RNAS Culdrose for Carrier Deck Handlers,  Anyway they will surely be in the position that the brace at St Athen are in when training does not require them any longer surely ?

      Looking through my Very Rose tinted glasses and openly admitting I do not like the F-35 for various reasons.  IMPO the Harrier should have been kept flying by the RAF & RN just like the US Marines/Spanish and Italian AF forces have done until a suitable replacement was designed on the Harrier platform and not invested in the one size fits all theory,  I imagine that mission creep is what the problems boil down to somewhat in reality ?

    The multitude of problems old and new that persist to dog the F-35 show without a shadow of doubt IMPO the RAF & RN got rid of the Harrier and Tornado come to think of it rather to hastily with this all singing and dancing aircraft.

    At the end of the day time will bear whether my scepticism of the F-35 is justified..

    Geoff.

    in reply to: General Discussion #220058
    1batfastard
    Participant

    Hi All,
        One chapter into Nimitz Class by Patrick Robinson, Just up my street and starts off with a nice piece of action. I also have Kilo Class but if this is the standard of writing then I’ll be buying more of Mr Robinsons work.

    https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapevine/filedata/fetch?id=2544286&d=1650053627

    The US Nimitz Class carrier is a state-of-the-art war machine. Suddenly she disappears from the radar screens, and vanishes with all her crew. The hunt is on for the killers, and the entire force of the West’s defence swings into action. Courtesy of:- https://www.wob.com/en-gb .

    Geoff.

    in reply to: Failings is this why ? #761640
    1batfastard
    Participant

    Hi All,

     dhfan  As for the TFC and a possible move why not ?  I can see that they would benefit greatly from not having to prostrate themselves to the IWM big wigs, after all wasn’t it down to them that Duxford has lost it star attraction and largest Air Display ?

    If the impossible was achievable and they could move why not I know it would be a very, very large financial undertaking but that expenditure they could easily recoup over the years surely ?   Who knows they may be entitled to various grants or a limp sum from the lottery fund if their guidelines could be stretched ?

    Oracal – Your cute as well thank you!  🙂  All of what I wrote obviously takes into account the airfield not being sold for development but with an aviation minded group.  Possibly along with others who would I don’t know try and keep it as an active/part active airfield with scope to develop business’s elsewhere on the site ?

    I know it’s all pie in the sky and will never happen but it’s a thought of using it for what it was built for rather than dumping housing all over the site.

    As for the dismantling the Vulcan well I am sure the team there are very capable and couldn’t a special permit to fly be granted as a one off ?

    Geoff.

    in reply to: General Discussion #220095
    1batfastard
    Participant

    Hi all,
      Two chapters into Last Reminder by Stuart Pawson. Have never been into crime novels but this isquite amusing in a way as I just see a cross between Gene Hunt ( Spiders From Mars) & an ex policeman we know seems to fit quite aptly. So far I am enjoying it which after all is the intended purpose…

    Detective Inspector Charlie Priest’s day hasn’t started well. Late for the first time in twenty years, thanks to a hangover, he’s got a grisly workload to face. Hartley Goodrich has been found dead in his armchair, right beside the flowerpot that caused the gaping gash to his head. (Courtesy of Google Books).

    https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapevine/filedata/fetch?id=2543965&d=1649440678

    Geoff.

    in reply to: Failings is this why ? #761650
    1batfastard
    Participant

    Hi All,

      I get that with some members of staff they have to pay, but just take the funding of the new build hanger that raised well short of what they wanted.   Is this a sign of waning interest or with other not so corporate projects/high profile projects benefiting ?  or just that there are so many projects now asking that people are more picky to which cause they donate any of they’re spare cash,  or just a sign of the current belt tightening climate we are now in ?

    I mean I refer to the hangar again I suggested a while back a used hangar dismantled then rebuilt is is really cost ineffective rather than have a to have a new build ?   I realise the Manpower/Time/Transport and Infrastructure all come into play but so does paying for a fresh design, never mind the £4.2 Mil required to secure a mortgage etc. etc. etc. before the footings have been dug. 

    So on that basis I would think a used one is definitely cheaper especially now that Scampton is under threat,  surely the RAF would help in some way as an exercise or are the military budgets that tight they can’t now ?

    One thought I just had was why not relocate the Vulcan to Scampton solve a few problems in my eyes if the Runway could be kept active or at least part active for taxi runs ? 

    I know I know very out the box/ Dreaming/Fantasy but hey! whatever:-  1. A true living memorial while at the same time saving an historic airfield from redevelopment  2. A Hanger for XH558 and I am sure the RAF would wave any fee.  3. Flying Legends Airshow Home and maybe attract a few more residents etc. etc.  A whole lot better than redevelopment IMPO.

    Yes I look at everything Black and White/Through Rose tinted glasses/Back in the good old days etc. etc.   But I still think it a better outcome than what is occurring now with VTTS, Flying legends and others that are having problems possibly,  not only the Hanger problem but did they not want at one stage to put their record breaking WK163 Canberra back in the air at one stage ? 

    To my eyes Scampton would be perfect getting a home for both in one swoop then they can do all the fancy stuff with fund raising etc. etc. when the home is secured IMPO.

    Geoff.

    in reply to: Thieving gits!!!!! #761663
    1batfastard
    Participant

    Hi All,

    Pogno I’ll pas your suggestion on as I am not involved with the volunteers at all.  I just find it most maddening when I see news of scumbags thieving off good cause especially when they rely on donations for the most part,  never mind the scum who order these bits and pieces for whatever reason.

    Geoff.

    in reply to: Thieving gits!!!!! #761703
    1batfastard
    Participant

    Hi All,

     Thomas Haynes:- I apologise for the initial statement as admittedly  I do not read the Historic News section,  instead opting to come to the forum where news such as this is usually mentioned.  In this context I have altered my original statement.

    I also must say a big Thank you! to Tara Leggett for her initial article along with pictures to the Historic News section.

    Geoff.

    in reply to: General Discussion #220097
    1batfastard
    Participant

    Hi All,
    A chapter into War In 2080 by David Lanford, so far so good just a bit of history as background but already you can see where the book is heading written in 1979 before the Falklands War and both Desert campaigns it will be interesting to see if any of his predictions have panned out.

    Courtesy of :- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2520082.War_In_2080 War in 2080 looks at the trends of current military technology and scientific progress and extrapolates these into the future, working on the assumption that human civilization will expand too swiftly to be destroyed by the military. Introductory chapters deal with the present and the near future, considering war and weaponry confined to the Earth and its vicinity. Later discussion centres on interplanetary and even interstellar war, examining such ‘science-fiction’ concepts as planet-busters, death rays and ecological war, but bearing constantly in mind that, for such warfare to be possible, new strategies must be invented and many logistical problems solved. Attention is also given to the possibilities of encountering hostile
    intelligences, possibly of a higher technological order, elsewhere in the Universe.

    EDIT:- Some interesting thoughts and possible futures for us on this planet with capabilities exceeded of some ideas already here and being used.
     

    War2080 (2).jpg

    ​Geoff.

    in reply to: General Discussion #220103
    1batfastard
    Participant

    Hi All,

     Finished the other book about two weeks ago then got the lurgy.  I have just started this fictionalised account based on and around true events that took place at Roswell,New Mexico.

    (Courtesy of :- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1100400.Majestic )

    It is time for the truth to be told….

    On July 2, 1947 something crashed in the desert outside of Roswell, New Mexico. An explosion of light and sound made the sheep wail, the chickens squawk, and the children scream. And then the ranchers heard a noise they thought could only have come from the devil himself.

    For forty years, Majestic Agency director Wilfred Stone helped the CIA pretend the landing never happened. Then his conscience got the better of him.

    This is the real story, told to reporter Nicholas A. Duke by the guilt-racked shell of the man who once worked tirelessly to cover it all up. It is a truth so terrifying that Whitley Strieber had to call it fiction.

    https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1274680688l/2679771.jpg

    Alien craft or Secret project ? You decide!

    Geoff.

    in reply to: General Discussion #220107
    1batfastard
    Participant

    Hi All,   

    About to start Vengeance In Venice by Philip Gwynne Jones.  

    Synopsis:- An invitation to an exclusive event during the Venetian Biennale gives Honorary Consul Nathan Sutherland the perfect chance to drink prosecco in the sunshine and meet some of the greats of the art world.

    And then a world-famous critic is decapitated by one of the installations in the British Pavilion. A terrible accident, it seems, until a postcard is discovered in the victim’s pocket: an image of Judith beheading Holofernes.

    But this is not just a one-off. Before long, three more postcards have been sent out with deadly results. As the bodies pile up, Nathan finds himself getting closer and closer to the truth, but when he himself receives an image of Death bearing a scythe, it becomes a race against time to save his own life . . (Courtesy of Google Books).

    https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81UZqCplKnL.jpg

    Geoff.

Viewing 15 posts - 361 through 375 (of 4,006 total)