Lines and curves. I can see taking this in several different directions (ink? Paint?) so stopping here and having a think - for today’s #DrawingAugust / #DrawingAugust2026.
James D Kightly
@jdkightly.bsky.social
Does history - not an historian. Does aviation - not a pilot. Writes, reads, learns, communicates. Aviation Cultures Conferences. Interested in many things. Freelance. No AI. He/him. Aviation content based at: https://vintageaerowriter.wordpress.com/
Stockport Gloom: From Rostron Brow To St. Mark’s, pencil drawing by Dave Hartley.
This week’s #podcast looks at archaeology/grave robbery on ship wrecks, my interpretation as to the right/wrong of it including HMS Invincible, Titanic, Mary Rose and Prince of Wales. open.spotify.com/episode/1pWg... #history #navalhistory #archaeology
Wreck pillaging
Maritime History with Chris Sams (live and unplugged) · Episode
open.spotify.com
Drawing something on the table and ‘bringing it to life’. A sketchy sketch, a fun idea. Maybe return to it with more time / detail, but I’m happy with it as it is… Yes, it’s a real subject, someone may guess the aircraft type, and if they’re clever, the kit, too. #drawingaugust #drawingaugust2026
Day 3 of #DrawingAugust. My partner picked local buildings buildings, and we sketched from the car - it was sharp and cold out there! Our local post office, a standard building type, but heavily modified of the years.
Here’s a quick smash to get loosened up and into the habit. Started with trying to get the curves of the oval’s fence, then sketched in the details. Started a bit rough (not convinced by the perspective curves) not great, but happy to have had the bash and get going with Day 2 of #DrawingAugust !
Oh, I love dumpy little transporters like this feller. BBC News - 1950s Bristol Freighter Type 170 to be restored - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
1950s Bristol Freighter Type 170 to be restored
The Bristol Freighter Type 170 is believed to be the last remaining aircraft of its kind in Europe.
bbc.co.uk
As it’s the 1st, it’s the start of #DrawingAugust. Not managed a sketch today, but here’s a previously unshared one from under a month ago, and done on the other side of the Pacific.
I was just scrolling down the drawings lots of us did for last year's #DrawingAugust. What a bunch of lovely drawings. Do join us this August. A drawing a day, or whenever you can, and post it on here with the #. I am going small this year...
I work at a public library. People who want to use AI seem to have no trouble doing so. People who don't want to use AI have a harder time. I crowdsourced and then finalized this document "How to disable or avoid intrusive AI" and then gave it a short URL: notoai.org Please pass along if it's useful
Tweet so good I printed it out and put it on my wall. I referred to it in a conference talk today @hypervisible.blacksky.app
The arrogant assumption that Americans can operate outside the law seems normal to them (as imperialists do) and amusing when they spot that others may not agree. They’re. Not. Special. Make good law. Follow it. Don’t try to operate beyond the law. That’s bad.
Quinta Jurecic@qjurecic.bsky.social · 3w agoNo, this seems fine www.wsj.com/opinion/why-...
No rest for the wick... #histscalemodels groupbuilders evidently. Our slave driving @jaaaagirr.bsky.social already lining up the next one! If only I didn't have TUTTO IL MONDO of Italian models already in the build plan from the stash, I might've escaped! Peccato. (Joking aside, these are fun.)
Slightly Caddish@jaaaagirr.bsky.social · 4w agoAttention #histscalemodels community, with the current french themed GB going into its final days, it's time to prepare for the next one! Given the recent success of a broder theme, we came up with #ItaliaGB - All details are found in the deck card. Looking forward to all your stylish subjects! 🍕
On this day 5th July 1948 the NHS was born. (The Nurse, 1963 Artist: John Berry)
Commemorating Canada Day in the Strong and Free North! Always great to share a bit of special Canadian aviation, here with Philthy Vabre at the The KF Centre for Excellence, and (a long time ago) the Air Canada operated Lockheed 10 Electra while visiting the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.
So grateful to be in a world with one Mel Brooks. None is too few. Two would be too much. One Mel is just right.
Mel Brooks@officialmelbrooks.bsky.social · last mo.Thank you so much for all of your happy birthday wishes. Honestly, I don’t really feel 100. I feel pretty good. I feel like I’m only 98!
Fascinating great set! And why constant scale adds another kind of insight.
Andrew Robinson (no, not Garak)@andrewr.bsky.social · 2mo agoAll three #BastilleBuild models together. All 1/72 scale. (L-R) Dassault Mirage IIIE, Nieuport 17, Les Mureaux 117. The Les Mureaux is a big brute!
AI. Don't. An interesting and crucial analysis from the UN's Uni. There are two fundamental issues with the current state of AI, becoming very evident, despite noise from AI boosters. Cost, as outlined here. The other is 'outsourcing your thinking'. unu.edu/inweh/collec...
Environmental Cost of Artificial Intelligence: Carbon, Water, and Land Footprints
AI’s rapid growth drives huge energy, water, and land use, raising environmental and equity challenges across its global infrastructure.
unu.edu
Clearly a special moment we need to see more of. Horseback archer 1, helicopter splode. If you’re not already following @chopperfireball.bsky.social, do.
Exploding Helicopter@chopperfireball.bsky.social · 2mo agoA rare example of a helicopter being blown up with a bow and arrow. From SKELETON MAN (2004)
It’s great to collaborate with other amazing aviation people, and sometimes the titles some of us get might sound a bit grand, but in fact really reflect the dedication of amazing organisations and members. Thanks to them all for sharing and collaborating!
Aviation Cultures Conference@avculturesconf.bsky.social · 2mo agoNot every day you get 3 Aviation Presidents in one place! 2 with the same acronym! Gary, President of Canadian Aviation Historical Society(CAHS) in green; Phil, centre, President of Civil Aviation Historical Society, Essendon, Vic, Australia (CAHS!) and James, @avculturesconf.bsky.social President!
#OnThisDay 17 June 1945: French and Soviet personnel of the Normandie-Niemen Squadron with their Yak-3 fighters are greeted by Gen. de Lattre de Tassigny at Stuttgart, Germany, during their return flight to France. #WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #AviationHistory #France #USSR #Aviation
Did you hear the one when two Aussies and a Canadian walk into a Centre for Excellence? It's going to be amazing at @avculturesconf.bsky.social and you can still join us and watch the engine run of the Mosquito! (Weather and tech allowing, of course...) aviationcultures.org/aviation-cul...
Aviation Cultures Conference@avculturesconf.bsky.social · 2mo agoWe’re here! @avculturesconf.bsky.social MkVIII team are, for the first time, in the SAME place, ready for the combined CAHS AvCultures event. And what better place to be than with the Mozzie at the KF Centre for Excellence? Which will be engine running tomorrow! aviationcultures.org/aviation-cul...
Personal circs have been v disruptive (as expected) for the two #BastilleBuild #HistScaleModels from me, but 'ta da'! Here's show shots of the finished Bréguet 693 and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's Bloch MB 174. More in a while, on the built and story, when I next get a chance. In the meantime, enjoy!
Get a load of that Phil at the end of this video. But we couldn’t have done it without him - and our great team. Join us, in Kelowna or online!
Aviation Cultures Conference@avculturesconf.bsky.social · 2mo agoA WHAT event? Apart from an @avculturesconf.bsky.social and CAHS event at the KF Centre for Excellence, what kind of event does Phil like? Stay to the end of the video to find out. Boy, he cracks me up sometimes! - James vimeo.com/1198957732?f...
We're luck to have such a diversely skilled, willing and generously helpful set of active supporters, or @avculturesconf.bsky.social couldn't do what we do. Here's a shout out to just a few of our key current supporters!
Aviation Cultures Conference@avculturesconf.bsky.social · 2mo agoThe @avculturesconf.bsky.social Mk VIII team is small but mighty! As well as those attending in person, we'd like to shout thanks to Geoff, online support from Western Australia, the man for CAC Boomerangs; here with Phil. in tactical camo (Hawai'in shirt) and James, with the Moorabbin Beau. 1/3
Lovely bit of social history, here. View from the Royal Festival Hall, 1950. This beautiful image was produced by SR Badmin for a set of contemporary postcards celebrating the Festival of Britain. And best of all … (1/2)
A bit of significant visual progress today on the two #BastilleBuild #HistScaleModels from me. Bases! Wires! It's all a lot out of order, but it'll all make sense / come together by the end. I'm sure. Certain. Next, a spray of the undersides. (Masking not shown.)
Our reel talking about the Sabre type, reflecting the RAAF's CAC (Avon) Sabre vs the Canadair example, illustrated with the Sabre at Moorabbin Air Museum and the former flying example A94-983. vimeo.com/1194693094?f...
CAC Sabre, Moorabbin & Flying
A Reel talking about the Sabre type, reflecting the RAAF's CAC (Avon) sabre vs the Canadair example, illustrated with the Sabre at Moorabbin Air Museum and the former flying example A94-983.
vimeo.com
Going through this programme reminds me, again, of how much great content and terrific presenters are liked up with this Aviation Cultures event in association with KF Centre for Excellence and the CAHS. We'd be delighted if you join us in mid June. See you there!
Aviation Cultures Conference@avculturesconf.bsky.social · 2mo agoNow counting down... Time to check out the intriguing papers, amazing presenters, and get your tickets to join us in person (or online!) at the fantastic Aviation Cultures Mk VIII Conference, 17-20 June! Here's the FULL programme, with all timings and events: aviationcultures.org/wp-content/u...
Our friends at the KF Centre for Excellence are celebrating the first flight of the DHC Chipmunk a couple of days ago, so here’s a quick antipodian mention, including a VERY early example, still flying in Australia. 1/2 vimeo.com/1186608842?f...
AvCultures at the Antiquers Corowa
An introduction to Aviation Cultures Conference Mk.VIII filmed by Aviation Cultures President James Kightly at the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's annual fly-in at Corowa, NSW, Australia.
vimeo.com