James Jefferies
@jamesjhistory.bsky.social
Aviation and Cultural Historian: The memory of the RAF in the Second World War. PhD student and Assistant Lecturer, University of Essex and Wolverhampton. Co-Presenter for @nmtdambusters.bsky.social pod.
Apologies for the silence. I was rather knocked out by a virus and I'm still in its after effects but I am on the mend. Normal service will be resumed soon.
Anyway, in the meantime here are some images of the brilliant Avro Anson.
Anyway, in the meantime here are some images of the brilliant Avro Anson.
November 17, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Apologies for the silence. I was rather knocked out by a virus and I'm still in its after effects but I am on the mend. Normal service will be resumed soon.
Anyway, in the meantime here are some images of the brilliant Avro Anson.
Anyway, in the meantime here are some images of the brilliant Avro Anson.
November 9, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Never mind the logbooks 📚
The fantastic @danellin.bsky.social talking at the Aviation Cultures conference this morning talking about logbooks in the IBCC digital archive and approaching difficult heritage. Absolutely fascinating stuff!
The fantastic @danellin.bsky.social talking at the Aviation Cultures conference this morning talking about logbooks in the IBCC digital archive and approaching difficult heritage. Absolutely fascinating stuff!
November 8, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Never mind the logbooks 📚
The fantastic @danellin.bsky.social talking at the Aviation Cultures conference this morning talking about logbooks in the IBCC digital archive and approaching difficult heritage. Absolutely fascinating stuff!
The fantastic @danellin.bsky.social talking at the Aviation Cultures conference this morning talking about logbooks in the IBCC digital archive and approaching difficult heritage. Absolutely fascinating stuff!
Conference ready! 👀
November 8, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Conference ready! 👀
Well the wings are on now
September 26, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Well the wings are on now
Long overdue.
I'm back to working on the 1:48 scale Airfix Bristol Blenheim.
I'm back to working on the 1:48 scale Airfix Bristol Blenheim.
September 25, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Long overdue.
I'm back to working on the 1:48 scale Airfix Bristol Blenheim.
I'm back to working on the 1:48 scale Airfix Bristol Blenheim.
Me: "I could walk to the station from the hotel on the way home but it's a few miles and I have a heavy case with me. I guess it might be better getting transport there. Let's just check it."
*Google's route*
"Oh there's a model shop on the route there..."
Me:
*Google's route*
"Oh there's a model shop on the route there..."
Me:
September 1, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Me: "I could walk to the station from the hotel on the way home but it's a few miles and I have a heavy case with me. I guess it might be better getting transport there. Let's just check it."
*Google's route*
"Oh there's a model shop on the route there..."
Me:
*Google's route*
"Oh there's a model shop on the route there..."
Me:
Day 2 has been fantastic at the IWM History Festival at Duxford. It's been so lovely to meet so many people and get to give a talk twice at it. A massive shout out for the staff and folks behind the scenes here. They work so hard and we wouldn't be able to give our talks without you!
August 31, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Day 2 has been fantastic at the IWM History Festival at Duxford. It's been so lovely to meet so many people and get to give a talk twice at it. A massive shout out for the staff and folks behind the scenes here. They work so hard and we wouldn't be able to give our talks without you!
As I turned up to IWM Duxford today a Hawker Hurricane flew over me and then landed. Then as I walk in I see my two favourite aircraft parked next to each other and took this image. Later, just as I'm about to go on stage, second beforehand, the Blenheim took off.
How cool is this!?
How cool is this!?
August 31, 2025 at 8:42 PM
As I turned up to IWM Duxford today a Hawker Hurricane flew over me and then landed. Then as I walk in I see my two favourite aircraft parked next to each other and took this image. Later, just as I'm about to go on stage, second beforehand, the Blenheim took off.
How cool is this!?
How cool is this!?
What a day at IWM Duxford History Festival! Some highlights below.
And it was so great to do a talk with the brilliant Dr. Sarah Miller today and say hi to lots of folks.
Also this is not a permanent gelled hairstyle in picture 1. It was just a really windy day.
And it was so great to do a talk with the brilliant Dr. Sarah Miller today and say hi to lots of folks.
Also this is not a permanent gelled hairstyle in picture 1. It was just a really windy day.
August 30, 2025 at 9:19 PM
What a day at IWM Duxford History Festival! Some highlights below.
And it was so great to do a talk with the brilliant Dr. Sarah Miller today and say hi to lots of folks.
Also this is not a permanent gelled hairstyle in picture 1. It was just a really windy day.
And it was so great to do a talk with the brilliant Dr. Sarah Miller today and say hi to lots of folks.
Also this is not a permanent gelled hairstyle in picture 1. It was just a really windy day.
Yesterday we recorded a Q and A episode for @nmtdambusters.bsky.social and we had some great questions! We've had so many in fact we are planning to do another Q and A soon.
Out this Saturday for subscribers!
Here are a few clues about topics that we covered last night...
Out this Saturday for subscribers!
Here are a few clues about topics that we covered last night...
August 22, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Yesterday we recorded a Q and A episode for @nmtdambusters.bsky.social and we had some great questions! We've had so many in fact we are planning to do another Q and A soon.
Out this Saturday for subscribers!
Here are a few clues about topics that we covered last night...
Out this Saturday for subscribers!
Here are a few clues about topics that we covered last night...
Mosquito, LR503, "F-for-Freddie" beating up Calgary Airport in Canada on 9th May 1945.
Tragically the next day the Mosquito repeated this flyby but hit an anemometer tower and flag pole at the top of Control Tower and crashed killing both crew
More here: shorturl.at/3VVUO
Tragically the next day the Mosquito repeated this flyby but hit an anemometer tower and flag pole at the top of Control Tower and crashed killing both crew
More here: shorturl.at/3VVUO
August 21, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Mosquito, LR503, "F-for-Freddie" beating up Calgary Airport in Canada on 9th May 1945.
Tragically the next day the Mosquito repeated this flyby but hit an anemometer tower and flag pole at the top of Control Tower and crashed killing both crew
More here: shorturl.at/3VVUO
Tragically the next day the Mosquito repeated this flyby but hit an anemometer tower and flag pole at the top of Control Tower and crashed killing both crew
More here: shorturl.at/3VVUO
Well that was fun! I joined Jake Peach on BBC Radio Essex to talk about RAF Bomber Command, the Dam Busters, and the pod!
August 18, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Well that was fun! I joined Jake Peach on BBC Radio Essex to talk about RAF Bomber Command, the Dam Busters, and the pod!
"Easier to hit than a barn door! It's like shooting rats in a barrel!"
August 14, 2025 at 7:04 PM
"Easier to hit than a barn door! It's like shooting rats in a barrel!"
This is a treat!
Watch this space...
Watch this space...
August 14, 2025 at 4:21 PM
This is a treat!
Watch this space...
Watch this space...
Found her again.
I've been told someone paid £6000 to get a passenger flight tomorrow. I can sadly confirm this isn't me but I wish!
I've been told someone paid £6000 to get a passenger flight tomorrow. I can sadly confirm this isn't me but I wish!
July 30, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Found her again.
I've been told someone paid £6000 to get a passenger flight tomorrow. I can sadly confirm this isn't me but I wish!
I've been told someone paid £6000 to get a passenger flight tomorrow. I can sadly confirm this isn't me but I wish!
Bookshops are dangerous 😬🤣
July 19, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Bookshops are dangerous 😬🤣
Happiness is Blenheim shaped
July 16, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Happiness is Blenheim shaped
Guess where I am
July 16, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Guess where I am
Love teaching here 😊
July 13, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Love teaching here 😊
Be rude not to have a pint in the RAF bar at the Eagle pub. So much history here. Cheers all! 🍻
July 12, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Be rude not to have a pint in the RAF bar at the Eagle pub. So much history here. Cheers all! 🍻
First morning in Cambridge and I've already purchased two books...
July 11, 2025 at 8:38 AM
First morning in Cambridge and I've already purchased two books...
According to AI this is what is generated for "Nevermind the Dam Busters" @nmtdambusters.bsky.social.
Really not sure what number 4 is supposed to be... 🤔🤣
Really not sure what number 4 is supposed to be... 🤔🤣
July 9, 2025 at 2:30 PM
According to AI this is what is generated for "Nevermind the Dam Busters" @nmtdambusters.bsky.social.
Really not sure what number 4 is supposed to be... 🤔🤣
Really not sure what number 4 is supposed to be... 🤔🤣
Zero surprises here for me
July 9, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Zero surprises here for me