Mark Barnes
@markbarnesn16.bsky.social
Retired Fleet Street foot soldier (1975-2024). Ink in my veins. Arsenal fan. Indifferent runner. Life on the Essex Riviera, photography, cars, military history, model making, armour, aviation, other nonsense.
This
As someone who has had a Motability car in the past (before failing my 7th driving test), you don't get any type of car - it is a scheme to use your benefits to lease an adapted car, and to get a BMW etc you would need to pay the significant difference
Let's be absolutely clear the restrictions on Motability cars is reflective of a quiet desire to see disabled people pushed out of public life because getting them in public space is sometimes a bit inconvenient and expensive
November 25, 2025 at 9:15 PM
This
Reposted by Mark Barnes
There it is. Our national broadcaster living in fear of the most openly corrupt US president in American history. This is where the British patriots on the right have got us.
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 11:20 AM
There it is. Our national broadcaster living in fear of the most openly corrupt US president in American history. This is where the British patriots on the right have got us.
Taking a break from the 1/24 Bedford OSB to mess about with this Italeri Crusader MkII. It is a pretty straightforward kit. I've got the Panzer Art mantlet to improve accuracy. #histscalemodels
November 24, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Taking a break from the 1/24 Bedford OSB to mess about with this Italeri Crusader MkII. It is a pretty straightforward kit. I've got the Panzer Art mantlet to improve accuracy. #histscalemodels
Today's motors. Mercury Comet, Vauxhall Cavalier coupé, Morris Marina and Fiat 500. The Essex Riviera
November 23, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Today's motors. Mercury Comet, Vauxhall Cavalier coupé, Morris Marina and Fiat 500. The Essex Riviera
Reposted by Mark Barnes
The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver (1940) was the last dive bomber operated by the US Navy. Intended to replace the SBD Dauntless, numerous issues with the aircraft delayed its entry into service until November 1943. Helldivers eventually equipped 30 Navy squadrons during the war.
📷 HpH Models
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📷 HpH Models
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November 22, 2025 at 11:40 AM
The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver (1940) was the last dive bomber operated by the US Navy. Intended to replace the SBD Dauntless, numerous issues with the aircraft delayed its entry into service until November 1943. Helldivers eventually equipped 30 Navy squadrons during the war.
📷 HpH Models
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📷 HpH Models
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Billericay Town 6 Welling United 1. Isthmian League Premier Div. What a great day I had with my son and family chaps in the monsoon rain. Beer, a burger and a Snickers Duo helped things along. Two stunning goals were part of the Billericay win. Proper football from the seventh tier of the pyramid.
November 22, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Billericay Town 6 Welling United 1. Isthmian League Premier Div. What a great day I had with my son and family chaps in the monsoon rain. Beer, a burger and a Snickers Duo helped things along. Two stunning goals were part of the Billericay win. Proper football from the seventh tier of the pyramid.
Reposted by Mark Barnes
The Messerschmitt 163 Komet (1941) was the only rocket-powered interceptor to be used operationally. It was also extremely hazardous to fly and maintain, with multiple fatal accidents. Few Me 163s actually saw combat, achieving between 9 and 16 victories
📷 Nicolas Trudgian / aceshighgallery.com
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📷 Nicolas Trudgian / aceshighgallery.com
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November 17, 2025 at 11:48 AM
The Messerschmitt 163 Komet (1941) was the only rocket-powered interceptor to be used operationally. It was also extremely hazardous to fly and maintain, with multiple fatal accidents. Few Me 163s actually saw combat, achieving between 9 and 16 victories
📷 Nicolas Trudgian / aceshighgallery.com
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📷 Nicolas Trudgian / aceshighgallery.com
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Reposted by Mark Barnes
#OTD in 1941 the new Eighth Army crossed the border into Libya for the first army-scale offensive of the British Army in #WW2.
Two and a half months of fighting were to follow until both sides found themselves on the Gazala line, exhausted.
@cedricmas.bsky.social @jeffrutherford.bsky.social
Two and a half months of fighting were to follow until both sides found themselves on the Gazala line, exhausted.
@cedricmas.bsky.social @jeffrutherford.bsky.social
Order of Battle – 8th Army, 18 November 1941
Background In WO216/15 an overview of 8th Army units is given, probably dating to mid-October 1941 which I reproduce here. Based on my research, and on the report by GOC 8th Army after the battle (…
rommelsriposte.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:48 AM
#OTD in 1941 the new Eighth Army crossed the border into Libya for the first army-scale offensive of the British Army in #WW2.
Two and a half months of fighting were to follow until both sides found themselves on the Gazala line, exhausted.
@cedricmas.bsky.social @jeffrutherford.bsky.social
Two and a half months of fighting were to follow until both sides found themselves on the Gazala line, exhausted.
@cedricmas.bsky.social @jeffrutherford.bsky.social
Reposted by Mark Barnes
The Brewster F2A Buffalo (1937) was the U.S. Navy’s first monoplane fighter, but lacked performance. In combat with Japanese aircraft with the US Marines, RAF/RAAF and Dutch air force, its record was generally poor. Finnish aircraft performed better against the Soviets.
📷 Airfix/Roy Cross
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📷 Airfix/Roy Cross
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November 16, 2025 at 11:36 AM
The Brewster F2A Buffalo (1937) was the U.S. Navy’s first monoplane fighter, but lacked performance. In combat with Japanese aircraft with the US Marines, RAF/RAAF and Dutch air force, its record was generally poor. Finnish aircraft performed better against the Soviets.
📷 Airfix/Roy Cross
🧵1/10
📷 Airfix/Roy Cross
🧵1/10
Dave Taylor's sculpture of a Tommy pictured with some added colour. Southend-on-Sea war memorial.
November 15, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Dave Taylor's sculpture of a Tommy pictured with some added colour. Southend-on-Sea war memorial.
I've looked at this a couple of times and the notions it is creepy and effing nuts don't go away. My 3 Yr old grandson already knows I'm an easy touch for cake and biscuits and I'll get on the carpet to play with his Hot Wheels cars. Memories like these are what I want him to keep.
your dead AI mother loves you so much ❤️
November 15, 2025 at 8:49 AM
I've looked at this a couple of times and the notions it is creepy and effing nuts don't go away. My 3 Yr old grandson already knows I'm an easy touch for cake and biscuits and I'll get on the carpet to play with his Hot Wheels cars. Memories like these are what I want him to keep.
Ford gives you more. A nice bit of colour on the Essex Riviera. Pleased to get a snap of this beauty on the move along the seafront, albeit only one frame. I got a thumbs up from the owner. Happy days.
November 13, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Ford gives you more. A nice bit of colour on the Essex Riviera. Pleased to get a snap of this beauty on the move along the seafront, albeit only one frame. I got a thumbs up from the owner. Happy days.
Ongoing fun and games with the Embar Bedford breakdown lorry. Snap 1 is a dry fit thingy to see how it will look. I've got some decals from the Hannants cave of wonders in the mail. The wheels and hubs needed fettling but its all good. The results, so far, are really pleasing. #histscalemodels
November 13, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Ongoing fun and games with the Embar Bedford breakdown lorry. Snap 1 is a dry fit thingy to see how it will look. I've got some decals from the Hannants cave of wonders in the mail. The wheels and hubs needed fettling but its all good. The results, so far, are really pleasing. #histscalemodels
Reposted by Mark Barnes
The Arado 196 (1937) was a maritime patrol floatplane developed for the Kriegsmarine. Serving both on board larger warships and from coastal bases, the aircraft was well armed, popular with crews and gave good service on all fronts for much of the war. Only around 500 were built.
📷 Revell
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📷 Revell
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November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
The Arado 196 (1937) was a maritime patrol floatplane developed for the Kriegsmarine. Serving both on board larger warships and from coastal bases, the aircraft was well armed, popular with crews and gave good service on all fronts for much of the war. Only around 500 were built.
📷 Revell
🧵1/8
📷 Revell
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This is amazing. The scenes of men gathering artillery shells starting at 6.21 is mind blowing.
On the cusp of WWII, in 1938, my grandfather Charles W. Bridgen shot a colour film of his journey to revisit the Northern Front. It documents a Europe on the brink of war, still scattered with the fragments of the last. The full film is on Youtube here: youtube.com/watch?v=esA9...
And in the Sky the Larks: 1930s Colour Footage of the Western Front & Northern France. WWI.
YouTube video by Flash of Splendour
youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:19 PM
This is amazing. The scenes of men gathering artillery shells starting at 6.21 is mind blowing.
Fun times pushing the Emhar 1/24 scale Bedford OSB breakdown lorry to the finish line. The main components all have paint and things are looking ok. Lots of details to complete, but so far, so good. #histscalemodels
November 12, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Fun times pushing the Emhar 1/24 scale Bedford OSB breakdown lorry to the finish line. The main components all have paint and things are looking ok. Lots of details to complete, but so far, so good. #histscalemodels
What an absolute cnut.
President Trump criticises France and others for celebrating remembrance day, saying, "We're the one that won the wars"
Surreal, and so very disrespectful to every person who fought in the wars for the freedoms we all enjoy today
Surreal, and so very disrespectful to every person who fought in the wars for the freedoms we all enjoy today
November 12, 2025 at 11:18 AM
What an absolute cnut.
Reposted by Mark Barnes
Sgt Harry Joseph Battley of Special Branch was killed when his aircraft had to ditch off Lampedusa on 1 February 1945 whilst on his way to the Yalta Conference with members of Churchill's staff. #SWW #WWII #remembrance #remembranceday #poppy
November 11, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Sgt Harry Joseph Battley of Special Branch was killed when his aircraft had to ditch off Lampedusa on 1 February 1945 whilst on his way to the Yalta Conference with members of Churchill's staff. #SWW #WWII #remembrance #remembranceday #poppy
Reposted by Mark Barnes
Always amazed at the amount of research that can be done entirely online these days. A thread: 🧵
I was looking at a piece of digitised archive film (IWM AYY / www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...) which includes these shots showing a ship transporting British soldiers to France in 1939:
I was looking at a piece of digitised archive film (IWM AYY / www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...) which includes these shots showing a ship transporting British soldiers to France in 1939:
November 11, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Always amazed at the amount of research that can be done entirely online these days. A thread: 🧵
I was looking at a piece of digitised archive film (IWM AYY / www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...) which includes these shots showing a ship transporting British soldiers to France in 1939:
I was looking at a piece of digitised archive film (IWM AYY / www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...) which includes these shots showing a ship transporting British soldiers to France in 1939:
A friendly reminder to follow this stunning thread of pix by Sammy...
Gendarmes interrogate a downed Luftwaffe airman in the 2nd Army sector, November 1939. The German aviator does not look particularly eager to be photographed.
#WWII #WW2 #history #France #Germany #Aviation #PhoneyWar #Gendermerie
#WWII #WW2 #history #France #Germany #Aviation #PhoneyWar #Gendermerie
November 10, 2025 at 9:20 PM
A friendly reminder to follow this stunning thread of pix by Sammy...
Reposted by Mark Barnes
meanwhile in Canada
This is the Canadian Premier League soccer finals and we have a bicycle kick goal in the middle of a blizzard … and that’s the most Canadian thing I’ve ever seen 😂
November 10, 2025 at 6:14 PM
meanwhile in Canada
Reposted by Mark Barnes
The Vickers Warwick, which first flew in Aug 1939, was intended to be a twin-engined ‘heavy’ bomber. However, following performance issues and protracted development the type wasn’t required by Bomber Command. Instead, Warwicks served with Transport and Coastal Commands.
📷 Destination’s Journey
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📷 Destination’s Journey
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November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
The Vickers Warwick, which first flew in Aug 1939, was intended to be a twin-engined ‘heavy’ bomber. However, following performance issues and protracted development the type wasn’t required by Bomber Command. Instead, Warwicks served with Transport and Coastal Commands.
📷 Destination’s Journey
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📷 Destination’s Journey
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Reposted by Mark Barnes
contactlight.de
#Remembering astronaut Ron Evans on his birthday (10. November 1933). He was the CMP on Apollo 17 and supported Apollo-Soyuz as well as Shuttle program development until his retirement in 1977.
forallmankind.de
#Remembering astronaut Ron Evans on his birthday (10. November 1933). He was the CMP on Apollo 17 and supported Apollo-Soyuz as well as Shuttle program development until his retirement in 1977.
forallmankind.de
November 10, 2025 at 4:14 PM
contactlight.de
#Remembering astronaut Ron Evans on his birthday (10. November 1933). He was the CMP on Apollo 17 and supported Apollo-Soyuz as well as Shuttle program development until his retirement in 1977.
forallmankind.de
#Remembering astronaut Ron Evans on his birthday (10. November 1933). He was the CMP on Apollo 17 and supported Apollo-Soyuz as well as Shuttle program development until his retirement in 1977.
forallmankind.de
Having a tidy up. Found this 1979 U2 EP "Three" in its original plain review issue cover I kept from my Melody Maker days. I was way down the queue for the singles box but I found a few gems in my time. Stuff I liked was kept. Mates would divvy out others. Stuff we hated went on our rifle range.
November 10, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Having a tidy up. Found this 1979 U2 EP "Three" in its original plain review issue cover I kept from my Melody Maker days. I was way down the queue for the singles box but I found a few gems in my time. Stuff I liked was kept. Mates would divvy out others. Stuff we hated went on our rifle range.
Ford Mustang Mach 1. The Essex Riviera.
November 9, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Ford Mustang Mach 1. The Essex Riviera.