Peter Elliott

@1940Andy A ripping yarn of the first order!

When asked: “What is your favourite Battle of Britain book?” I always want to say: “This one” Utterly brilliant. Get one, if you can!

@Newbattleatwar @clark_aviation And one of those, although he tended to plummet rather then descend gracefully!

@clark_aviation In the 70s I kept my wee brother entertained with the Action Man parachutist launched from the 2nd floor bathroom window

Sixty years ago, this kept me entertained for the summer holidays. In the UK, the powered model rockets available in the USA were banned, so this was launched aloft with a rubber catapult! Simple pleasures for a simpler age.

@Bishop_Beesley @clark_aviation Definitely had one of those.

@clark_aviation You've just reminded me of this the Dan Dare, radio station. I was a bit young for Dan Dare but my uncle was only 8 years older than me and I inherited his. He kept his toys immaculately. Just seen it on ebay, £260!

@clark_aviation I have a vague recollection of having one of those. Certainly remember the TV series.

@DrHelenFry This is the book of a TV series I watched when I was 6. It was given to me by "Abby" (Miss Abbott) an elderly lady who lived with us and used to read me Rupert stories...

What first sparked your interest in WW2 history?

@clark_aviation Blackburn B2?

Banking on defence? Midland Bank staff who've joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve, get ready for their first training flights at the London Air Park during March 1937. The training aircraft and the are worth a closer look too. 🧐

@1940Andy We were down that way on Sunday, and I had a passing thought regarding that custom.

A little bit of bonkers Britishness 🇬🇧 going down the Thames past the house today. Anyone for some ‘upping’? 🦢 PS, even at this early hour I suspect some alcohol may have been involved! 😬

@1940Andy Much as I love cherries, and have a stoning device, I was merely returning a compliment you gave a couple of years ago regarding my asparagus.

@Flyingarchivist If you lived nearby, you’d be welcome! Most will be given away, and some frozen - although de stoning is a pain. 😩

Not a bad crop this year 🍒 There were other trays, too. Plus those I ate, of course. 😊

@Artemisapphire And management charges for flats - my son found several he could afford to buy, but the monthly charges worked out as almost equal to his mortgage.

I had a beautiful coach house when I was renting, 15 years ago, for 600 a month. Same area now nearly 2k a month. No one can afford that.

How the hell do people afford rent? Looking up rentals for a friend and a tacky above shop bedsit is three times my mortgage for a house. Deposits for mortgages are unaffordable, rent is unaffordable and people are blaming bloody avocados for young people living at home?

@clark_aviation Wilco!

@Flyingarchivist Sorry Peter, I'm stuck at home with a recurring back problem. I bought the ticket ages ago, but have to miss it. If you meet up with guys talking about WB188, give them my regards.

First visit to #Cosford since I retired. Hoping to catch up with @clark_aviation

@clark_aviation @RAFMUSEUM How frustrating - for both of us! I was hoping to finally meet you. Hope you're soon recovered.

Today, I'd hoped to be at @RAFMUSEUM Cosford to meet up with some old chums and enjoy a day of 'all things' Hawker Hunter. Unfortunately, my old 'war wound' prolapsed disc has flared up badly in the past few months, making a 3+ hour drive each way impossible. Bugger! 😡

@implausibleblog I will henceforth pronounce that man's name as Nigel Faux Rage.

Sky News confirm that they did not speak to Nigel Farage's daughter Reform UK's Robert Jenrick has a meltdown Sky's Adam Boulton then calls out his faux rage

@clark_aviation Unlike more than a few captains of that period, he has no medal ribbons - but that doesn't mean he didn't serve.

As we enter the summer getaway season, check out this BEA advent from the 1960s, complete with an airline captain who looked the part and had flown Mosquitos in the RAF during WW2! globalaviationresource.com/v2/2026/06/02/…

@clark_aviation Disbanded because priority was given to men...

Awarded as part of a (then revolutionary) RAFVR scheme, which was soon lost with disbanding of the organisation.

@JamesAHogg2 Or the one where he sees a yachtsman in distress: "It's one of them sailing dinjies. That's what they call 'em - sailing dinjies".

In celebration of the new heatwave, here's a Public Information Film from the 1970's that you might just recognise. It's one of four films featuring two characters enjoying the good weather: Joe, complete with a handkerchief on his head, and his bespectacled wife, Pertunia, who has a tongue like Gene Simmons from Kiss!  Joe was voiced by Peter Hawkins (Bill & Ben, etc) and Wendy Craig voiced the first three films as Pertunia, followed by Bridget Forsyth. The films were made by the same people who brought us Willo the Wisp!  Bit of Public Information Film trivia for you. Did you know that Charley the cat from the Charley Says series, was voiced by Kenny Everett! Toodlepip.

@clark_aviation The CO of my school CCF contingent was a rather disorganised English teacher. He wore medals for the annual inspection, but we didn't pay much attention. After he died, we learned that he had been in the Far East listening to Japanese radio traffic...

When I joined the RAF in 1975, it was not uncommon to see WW2 veterans still serving. This is W/Cdr Dale DFC...an air gunner! He was the last Station Commander of RAF Leconfield when it was handed over to the Army in 1977.

@SeaSpitfires More likely that it's a registered trademark, rather than copyright. Subtle difference.

Is it true you've claimed that poppy is copyrighted? And please actually answer, it's a straight yes or no.

@LydiaJane13 Off to #Scarbados tomorrow, to get brief respite from the heat and see the daughter.

A very pleasant 23⁰ on the north east coast today, with a good breeze too.