James Fennell
@jamesfennell.bsky.social
Stabilisation Practitioner, Honourary Research Fellow, University of Birmingham, MBE, Defence & History, Literature, Tech - work 130 warzones so far. Have dog.
Great cartoon in the Times today.
January 9, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Great cartoon in the Times today.
I see Liz Truss is standing up for free speech - clearly only applies if its in her favour.
January 10, 2025 at 11:53 AM
I see Liz Truss is standing up for free speech - clearly only applies if its in her favour.
What Musk failed to point out is that Kier Starmer, DPP and Nariz Afzal, CPP were singled out for praise in improving the treatment of victims of sexual assault in the IICSA report.
January 10, 2025 at 11:52 AM
What Musk failed to point out is that Kier Starmer, DPP and Nariz Afzal, CPP were singled out for praise in improving the treatment of victims of sexual assault in the IICSA report.
The only thing I can think of that goes with Musk is..
January 10, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The only thing I can think of that goes with Musk is..
Musk is out of control - the sniff of power has gone to his head, expect an implosion soon.
January 10, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Musk is out of control - the sniff of power has gone to his head, expect an implosion soon.
Called out for my spelling, again! https://x.com/Horstman_Group/status/1876599163833733446
January 10, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Called out for my spelling, again! https://x.com/Horstman_Group/status/1876599163833733446
Leonardo's new Proteus drone design for the RN seems to be at least partially based on the AW09, originally designed by a Swiss SME which was bought by Leonardo. Leonardo says the design draws on components from accross their fleet to speed up development. https://t.co/cJ6i8A10Sv
January 10, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Leonardo's new Proteus drone design for the RN seems to be at least partially based on the AW09, originally designed by a Swiss SME which was bought by Leonardo. Leonardo says the design draws on components from accross their fleet to speed up development. https://t.co/cJ6i8A10Sv
Israel AFVs of the '60s🧵 Or how to build an Army on a shoestring... The IDF grew from miltias formed to protect settlers in the '19th century. During WW1 a Jewish Legion and Jewish Mule Corps fought for the British, and in 1944-5 a Jewish Brigade joined 8th Army in Italy.
January 10, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Israel AFVs of the '60s🧵 Or how to build an Army on a shoestring... The IDF grew from miltias formed to protect settlers in the '19th century. During WW1 a Jewish Legion and Jewish Mule Corps fought for the British, and in 1944-5 a Jewish Brigade joined 8th Army in Italy.
MBT-70 - Challenger 🧵 Chieftain entered service in 1967. The production tank weighed 52 tons, due to three factors: 1⃣ the turret was enlarged to provide for the L11 gun
2⃣ turret armour was improved 3⃣ the engine comparment was enlarged for cooling.
2⃣ turret armour was improved 3⃣ the engine comparment was enlarged for cooling.
January 10, 2025 at 11:50 AM
MBT-70 - Challenger 🧵 Chieftain entered service in 1967. The production tank weighed 52 tons, due to three factors: 1⃣ the turret was enlarged to provide for the L11 gun
2⃣ turret armour was improved 3⃣ the engine comparment was enlarged for cooling.
2⃣ turret armour was improved 3⃣ the engine comparment was enlarged for cooling.
Chieftain versus Leopard 🧵 As Centurion entered service work began to to develop its replacement. The British Army's wartime experience set three priorities for their tanks:
1⃣ Firepower, first;
2⃣ Then, Protection, and;
3⃣ Finally, Cross-country Mobility.
1⃣ Firepower, first;
2⃣ Then, Protection, and;
3⃣ Finally, Cross-country Mobility.
January 10, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Chieftain versus Leopard 🧵 As Centurion entered service work began to to develop its replacement. The British Army's wartime experience set three priorities for their tanks:
1⃣ Firepower, first;
2⃣ Then, Protection, and;
3⃣ Finally, Cross-country Mobility.
1⃣ Firepower, first;
2⃣ Then, Protection, and;
3⃣ Finally, Cross-country Mobility.
Centurion variants🧵 100 Mk I tanks were built from '45-47, inc. the 26 prototype and pre-production vehicles. Mk 1 tanks has a mixed cast and welded turret, a 17lb gun and 21" tracks. The turret had a rear escape hatch and a Besa 7.92mm coaxial MG, some had a 20mm cannon.
January 10, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Centurion variants🧵 100 Mk I tanks were built from '45-47, inc. the 26 prototype and pre-production vehicles. Mk 1 tanks has a mixed cast and welded turret, a 17lb gun and 21" tracks. The turret had a rear escape hatch and a Besa 7.92mm coaxial MG, some had a 20mm cannon.
Centurion tank - a 🧵 In 1943, Australian engineer Sir Claude Gibb was moved from munitions to be Director-General of AFV manufacturing at the Ministry of Supply. On the top of his in-tray was a report on the Tiger tank, examples of which the allies had captured in Tunisia.
January 10, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Centurion tank - a 🧵 In 1943, Australian engineer Sir Claude Gibb was moved from munitions to be Director-General of AFV manufacturing at the Ministry of Supply. On the top of his in-tray was a report on the Tiger tank, examples of which the allies had captured in Tunisia.
NATO Basic Military Requirements (NBMR)🧵 One of the drivers of military aircraft innovation in the '60s were several NBMR issued by SACEUR. NATO Supreme Command were concerned that the growing size and complexity of aircraft was increasing vulnerability to a first strike.
January 10, 2025 at 11:49 AM
NATO Basic Military Requirements (NBMR)🧵 One of the drivers of military aircraft innovation in the '60s were several NBMR issued by SACEUR. NATO Supreme Command were concerned that the growing size and complexity of aircraft was increasing vulnerability to a first strike.
The Rolls Royce Spey: a 🧵 Alan Griffith conceived the turbofan at RAE in the 1930s. The idea was to combine the axial-flow turbojet design he was then working on with a ducted fan, to provide greater fuel efficiency, and thus range, for large jet aircraft at cruising speeds.
January 10, 2025 at 11:49 AM
The Rolls Royce Spey: a 🧵 Alan Griffith conceived the turbofan at RAE in the 1930s. The idea was to combine the axial-flow turbojet design he was then working on with a ducted fan, to provide greater fuel efficiency, and thus range, for large jet aircraft at cruising speeds.
Saw this in London long ago, outrageous, funny, magical, melancholy. For all you Wolf Hall fans, another Mark Rylance, playing a character straight out my rural Westcountry childhood. But under the skin of it, a story of leaving it all behind, as I had done.
January 10, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Saw this in London long ago, outrageous, funny, magical, melancholy. For all you Wolf Hall fans, another Mark Rylance, playing a character straight out my rural Westcountry childhood. But under the skin of it, a story of leaving it all behind, as I had done.
What about green nations? https://x.com/AKoperatorSPQR/status/1873542954675319035
January 10, 2025 at 11:48 AM
What about green nations? https://x.com/AKoperatorSPQR/status/1873542954675319035
Project Asgard has ordered the Modini Dart, by the look of it. https://x.com/UKDefJournal/status/1873279580233937171
January 10, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Project Asgard has ordered the Modini Dart, by the look of it. https://x.com/UKDefJournal/status/1873279580233937171
A follow on 🧵on UK tactical bombers - the rocky road from Tornado to GCAP In the late '80s, RAF and FAA fast-jet recapitalisation plan was:
1⃣ 267 Typhoon to replace Tornado F3 and Jaguar;
2⃣ 138 JCA to replace Harrier and SHAR;
3⃣ UK-France programme to replace Tornado GR4.
1⃣ 267 Typhoon to replace Tornado F3 and Jaguar;
2⃣ 138 JCA to replace Harrier and SHAR;
3⃣ UK-France programme to replace Tornado GR4.
January 10, 2025 at 11:47 AM
A follow on 🧵on UK tactical bombers - the rocky road from Tornado to GCAP In the late '80s, RAF and FAA fast-jet recapitalisation plan was:
1⃣ 267 Typhoon to replace Tornado F3 and Jaguar;
2⃣ 138 JCA to replace Harrier and SHAR;
3⃣ UK-France programme to replace Tornado GR4.
1⃣ 267 Typhoon to replace Tornado F3 and Jaguar;
2⃣ 138 JCA to replace Harrier and SHAR;
3⃣ UK-France programme to replace Tornado GR4.
My thoughts on the Strategic Defence Review🧵 Objectives: 1⃣ Deter & resist Russia and its growing alliances
2⃣ Forstall undermining of NATO resolve/unity
3⃣ China over the longer-term, deterrent & dialogue
2⃣ Forstall undermining of NATO resolve/unity
3⃣ China over the longer-term, deterrent & dialogue
January 10, 2025 at 11:46 AM
My thoughts on the Strategic Defence Review🧵 Objectives: 1⃣ Deter & resist Russia and its growing alliances
2⃣ Forstall undermining of NATO resolve/unity
3⃣ China over the longer-term, deterrent & dialogue
2⃣ Forstall undermining of NATO resolve/unity
3⃣ China over the longer-term, deterrent & dialogue
To finish off the '60s fleet, a quick look at naval and FAA bases at the time🧵🎄🎅 Considerable consolidation took place at the end of the '50s, with smaller bases and dockyards closed down. By the '60s only larger facilities were retained.
January 10, 2025 at 11:46 AM
To finish off the '60s fleet, a quick look at naval and FAA bases at the time🧵🎄🎅 Considerable consolidation took place at the end of the '50s, with smaller bases and dockyards closed down. By the '60s only larger facilities were retained.
Fleet Air Arm post-war colours 🧵🎅🎄 At the end of the war Naval Aircraft were appearing in two schemes. British-built aircraft had a dark sea green and sea grey camo called 'sewage and slime' by the aircrews, with 'sky' undersides. All three were shades of green.
January 10, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Fleet Air Arm post-war colours 🧵🎅🎄 At the end of the war Naval Aircraft were appearing in two schemes. British-built aircraft had a dark sea green and sea grey camo called 'sewage and slime' by the aircrews, with 'sky' undersides. All three were shades of green.
Merry Christmas everyone 🎄🎅🎅🎄
January 10, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Merry Christmas everyone 🎄🎅🎅🎄
The 1960s Royal Navy organisation🧵 For a brief period the Royal Navy had a balanced pot-war fleet in the mid-1960s, able to meet NATO and overseas committments and forward looking planning. A brief look at that organisation and why there had not been balance since that time.
January 10, 2025 at 11:45 AM
The 1960s Royal Navy organisation🧵 For a brief period the Royal Navy had a balanced pot-war fleet in the mid-1960s, able to meet NATO and overseas committments and forward looking planning. A brief look at that organisation and why there had not been balance since that time.