Curator Emeritus; Private pilot; PhD on the development of aviation museums in the UK. Also available at @FlyingArchivist.bsky.social
Joined July 2018
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300 Photos and videos
Splendid lunch at @Lussmans #StAlbans for Gill's belated birthday. We are well fed up and agreeably drunk, having been looked after very well by Emily. Now watching cricket in the park from a shady bench, trying not to fall asleep!
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Scarborough Harbour. Not the best of photos, but Regal Lady was one of the #Dunkirk Little Ships. I wonder whether my Uncle Ron (2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards) was one of the 1200 she brought home. More details at nationalhistoricships.org.uk…
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In #Scarbados, helping the daughter move into her first flat. This is the view from her living room.
ALT View over a municipal garden towards the sea, with scattered clouds and blue sky.
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The turtle moves!
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The second Battle of St Albans (17 February 1461) was fought in part on Bernards Heath. Sandridge Road, which runs across the heath, is lined with cherry trees whose red and white blossom represents the Lancastrian and Yorkist forces.
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To London, to celebrate - with many others - my 100 armfuls. We'll be back next year for Gill's 100th. @GiveBloodNHS #GivingType
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25th March is Lady Day, so Happy New Year to those using the Julian Calendar, and Happy Birthday to @SpitfireFilly!🍾 🎂
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I had a significant birthday on Wednesday, and @Fizzlespin has just made this cake, presumably inspired by the @rafredarrows.
ALT Aeroplane-shaped birthday cake, trailing blue and white "smoke".
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31 Dec 2025
Another splendid, if cold, Boxing Day out with the St Albans Mummers Good crowds at each of the five venues (only two of them pubs) who seemed to enjoy the updated script containing at least one new joke... stalbanstimes.co.uk/events/i…
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17 Dec 2025
Splendid afternoon with Saskia - my Research Tutor, now at the University of Munich - including a tour of the buildings and a discussion on the students who protested about the Nazis.
ALT Reproductions of leaflets produced by the White Rose Group, part of a memorial to those members who were executed by the Nazis.
ALT Memorial to Sophie Scholl
ALT Exhibition on the White Rose Group.
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17 Dec 2025
It seems that Overhead Projectors are still much-favoured by the teaching staff. A very enjoyable visit ended with Gill and I joining students and staff to sing English Christmas carols - and annual tradition in the language faculty!
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1 Dec 2025
My paper on government departments and aviation history is now available to download free from the @aerosociety website: aerosociety.com/publications…
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27 Nov 2025
Fascinating tour of @TheLondonLib today with fellow volunteer #Librarians from @TheRAFClub. It's a fascinating, labyrinthine building with a massive collection.
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18 Nov 2025
An enjoyable circular tour from Duxford via Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northants., although this aeroplane lets in a very cold draught!
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10 Nov 2025
My article 'A national aviation museum for the United Kingdom for the United Kingdom: missed opportunity, or lost hope?' has just been published, and is available to read at tandfonline.com/eprint/GQ7VC…
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3 Nov 2025
I'm looking forward to presenting in the first session of the online #AviationCultures event aviationcultures.org/spotlig… on Saturday. I'll be discussing RFC and RAF manuals including the official way to wake up an officer! The session starts at 0900 UCT (that's GMT in old money).
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30 Oct 2025
Enjoyed the #SecretMaps exhibition at @BritishLibrary, and renewed my Reader's Pass. Slightly disappointed that it doesn't say "Dr"...
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30 Oct 2025
Then on to the launch of @MidgeGillies' new book. Great to see her again after 20 years, and to meet @claremulley , albeit briefly. I've only reached page 14, but it's looking good!
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