Ben Dunnell Aviation
@bdaviation.bsky.social
Airshow commentator and editor of Aeroplane magazine. Personal views only.
Now the only example of the type under cover in a UK museum, of course, which tells a very sad story.
The latest Aircraft of the Week has just been uploaded to the museum website: it’s the Vickers #Varsity #WF369
Photo credit: G McGeachie
www.newarkairmuseum.org/on-the-radar...
Photo credit: G McGeachie
www.newarkairmuseum.org/on-the-radar...
November 14, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Now the only example of the type under cover in a UK museum, of course, which tells a very sad story.
Reposted by Ben Dunnell Aviation
Black American soldiers literally dug these WWII graves. Traumatic. To acknowledge that fact at a cemetery they helped construct is something the Heritage Foundation cannot accept. As Veterans Day approaches, never forget that this country both compels and disrespects Black military service. Always.
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Black American soldiers literally dug these WWII graves. Traumatic. To acknowledge that fact at a cemetery they helped construct is something the Heritage Foundation cannot accept. As Veterans Day approaches, never forget that this country both compels and disrespects Black military service. Always.
Reposted by Ben Dunnell Aviation
Aged like roadkill in RFK’s trunk.
November 9, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Aged like roadkill in RFK’s trunk.
I should imagine the BAe 146 isn’t deemed to count because it has American engines, which strikes me as, to put it mildly, semantics.
October 10, 2025 at 6:01 PM
I should imagine the BAe 146 isn’t deemed to count because it has American engines, which strikes me as, to put it mildly, semantics.
Reposted by Ben Dunnell Aviation
Aeroplane Monthly magazine is out in the UK, with my latest Database (No 21!) on the Vickers Wellesley, a remarkable, under represented aircraft. Here's a lovely cartoon of it which wasn't going to be used, and a (hint) link to the website if you'd like a copy! shop.keypublishing.com/products/aer...
September 16, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Aeroplane Monthly magazine is out in the UK, with my latest Database (No 21!) on the Vickers Wellesley, a remarkable, under represented aircraft. Here's a lovely cartoon of it which wasn't going to be used, and a (hint) link to the website if you'd like a copy! shop.keypublishing.com/products/aer...
Reposted by Ben Dunnell Aviation
We could have won the Vietnam War had we not been so woke.
Trump: "We could've won every war, but we really chose to be very politically correct, or wokey."
September 5, 2025 at 8:25 PM
We could have won the Vietnam War had we not been so woke.
Reposted by Ben Dunnell Aviation
Good to know that Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower are now to be considered "woke".
Trump: "We decided to go woke and we changed the name to Department of Defense. So we're going to Department of War ... I think it's a much more appropriate name especially in light of where the world is right now."
September 5, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Good to know that Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower are now to be considered "woke".
I can only second this. I have used it for an article for work and for private purposes, and to restrict this important facility would be a terrible limitation on all sorts of research.
Calling historians and researchers. The BBC Written Archives Centre has changed its access rules without consultation. This means an end to proper independent research into the BBC's rich history. 178 have already signed the open letter. Please join the campaign:
tinyurl.com/bbcwaccampaign
tinyurl.com/bbcwaccampaign
Open letter BBC Written Archives - August 2025
Join the campaign to protect the future of independent research at the BBC Written Archives Centre The following text is an open letter expressing the concern of historians and researchers about chan...
tinyurl.com
August 19, 2025 at 11:37 AM
I can only second this. I have used it for an article for work and for private purposes, and to restrict this important facility would be a terrible limitation on all sorts of research.
Reposted by Ben Dunnell Aviation
As part of our 'Eyes in the Skies' theme we're pleased the U-2 will perform in the flying display on Saturday and Sunday!
Plus, multiple USAF aircraft on static display, including B-1 and C-5.
For the full update, visit www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/...
Plus, multiple USAF aircraft on static display, including B-1 and C-5.
For the full update, visit www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/...
July 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM
As part of our 'Eyes in the Skies' theme we're pleased the U-2 will perform in the flying display on Saturday and Sunday!
Plus, multiple USAF aircraft on static display, including B-1 and C-5.
For the full update, visit www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/...
Plus, multiple USAF aircraft on static display, including B-1 and C-5.
For the full update, visit www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/...
Reposted by Ben Dunnell Aviation
Just back from a cracking day at Shuttleworth. Right at the end of the show, as the wind dropped and the sun was setting, those gathered were fortunate to see the airshow debut of the replica De Havilland DH.71 Tiger Moth. What a sight!
June 28, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Just back from a cracking day at Shuttleworth. Right at the end of the show, as the wind dropped and the sun was setting, those gathered were fortunate to see the airshow debut of the replica De Havilland DH.71 Tiger Moth. What a sight!
Reposted by Ben Dunnell Aviation
AIRSHOW NEWS: Bournemouth moves to cut Air Festival
A report produced by BCP Council has recommended the Council “stops any further work on an Air Festival for 2026 onwards.”
buff.ly/FDJkgMT
#airshows #avgeek #airdisplays #bmthairfest @bmthairfest
A report produced by BCP Council has recommended the Council “stops any further work on an Air Festival for 2026 onwards.”
buff.ly/FDJkgMT
#airshows #avgeek #airdisplays #bmthairfest @bmthairfest
AIRSHOW NEWS: Bournemouth moves to cut Air Festival
A report produced by BCP Council has recommended the Council "stops any further work on an Air Festival for 2026 onwards."
buff.ly
June 10, 2025 at 9:09 AM
AIRSHOW NEWS: Bournemouth moves to cut Air Festival
A report produced by BCP Council has recommended the Council “stops any further work on an Air Festival for 2026 onwards.”
buff.ly/FDJkgMT
#airshows #avgeek #airdisplays #bmthairfest @bmthairfest
A report produced by BCP Council has recommended the Council “stops any further work on an Air Festival for 2026 onwards.”
buff.ly/FDJkgMT
#airshows #avgeek #airdisplays #bmthairfest @bmthairfest
This is a superb piece.
"At some point, you suspect that if you asked one of these writers about the Geneva Conventions, they’d assume it was a Jason Bourne film." How Military Hardware Journalism Lost the Plot (and its Humanity)...but Ukraine Is A Different Story hushkit.substack.com/p/trigger-ha...
Trigger-Happy Typing
How Military Hardware Journalism Lost the Plot (and its Humanity)...but Ukraine Is A Different Story
hushkit.substack.com
June 7, 2025 at 6:36 PM
This is a superb piece.
Reposted by Ben Dunnell Aviation
Another flying display confirmed for RIAT25 with the French Atlantique!
Also, several additions to the static line including Royal Canadian Air Force Aurora and Hercules, Italian ATR 42 and Royal Air Force Envoy.
See the full update at: www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/...
Also, several additions to the static line including Royal Canadian Air Force Aurora and Hercules, Italian ATR 42 and Royal Air Force Envoy.
See the full update at: www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/...
June 5, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Another flying display confirmed for RIAT25 with the French Atlantique!
Also, several additions to the static line including Royal Canadian Air Force Aurora and Hercules, Italian ATR 42 and Royal Air Force Envoy.
See the full update at: www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/...
Also, several additions to the static line including Royal Canadian Air Force Aurora and Hercules, Italian ATR 42 and Royal Air Force Envoy.
See the full update at: www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/...
Reposted by Ben Dunnell Aviation
The #Harvard has been moved out of the #NAMworkshop and reassembled ready for the bank holiday weekend! Photo credit S Blyth
May 22, 2025 at 3:13 PM
The #Harvard has been moved out of the #NAMworkshop and reassembled ready for the bank holiday weekend! Photo credit S Blyth
Reposted by Ben Dunnell Aviation
BADA is very sad to learn of the death of Desmond Penrose, the former de Havilland test pilot, who has passed away aged 95.
www.bada-uk.com/2025/05/desm...
www.bada-uk.com/2025/05/desm...
Desmond Penrose - British Air Display Association
BADA is very sad to learn of the death of Desmond Penrose, the former de Havilland test pilot, who has passed away aged 95.
www.bada-uk.com
May 16, 2025 at 1:34 PM
BADA is very sad to learn of the death of Desmond Penrose, the former de Havilland test pilot, who has passed away aged 95.
www.bada-uk.com/2025/05/desm...
www.bada-uk.com/2025/05/desm...
Very sad to hear of the death at 95 of Desmond Penrose, former de Havilland experimental test pilot, long-time Shuttleworth pilot, Mew Gull and Arrow Active owner, and so much else besides - but, above all, a charming gentleman.
May 13, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Very sad to hear of the death at 95 of Desmond Penrose, former de Havilland experimental test pilot, long-time Shuttleworth pilot, Mew Gull and Arrow Active owner, and so much else besides - but, above all, a charming gentleman.
Reposted by Ben Dunnell Aviation
There are no words strong enough to sum up how insulting this is. I knew this man was an utter turd of a human being (being very polite here!) but I am genuinely fuming here! 😡
May 2, 2025 at 1:37 PM
There are no words strong enough to sum up how insulting this is. I knew this man was an utter turd of a human being (being very polite here!) but I am genuinely fuming here! 😡
Reposted by Ben Dunnell Aviation
Polish Tiger Demo Team confirmed for RIAT25 flying display with their F-16! Plus Irish Air Corps PC-12 & AW139, French Fouga Magister and Douglas R4D-6S all joining the static display.
See all the aircraft confirmed to date at www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/...
See all the aircraft confirmed to date at www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/...
May 1, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Polish Tiger Demo Team confirmed for RIAT25 flying display with their F-16! Plus Irish Air Corps PC-12 & AW139, French Fouga Magister and Douglas R4D-6S all joining the static display.
See all the aircraft confirmed to date at www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/...
See all the aircraft confirmed to date at www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/...
Might start writing in the unmistakeable AI slop style and see if anyone notices, because it does seem to be all too widely tolerated. “[X aircraft] soared through the skies in an unforgettable aerial performance, thrilling young and old alike, in a vivid showcase of its legendary capabilities…”
April 25, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Might start writing in the unmistakeable AI slop style and see if anyone notices, because it does seem to be all too widely tolerated. “[X aircraft] soared through the skies in an unforgettable aerial performance, thrilling young and old alike, in a vivid showcase of its legendary capabilities…”
Reposted by Ben Dunnell Aviation
April 24, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Reposted by Ben Dunnell Aviation
Spanish Navy Harrier returns to RIAT to perform in the flying display! In addition, Slovak Spartan and civilian Chipmunks and Kragujs join the static display.
For the full update, visit www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/...
For the full update, visit www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/...
April 10, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Spanish Navy Harrier returns to RIAT to perform in the flying display! In addition, Slovak Spartan and civilian Chipmunks and Kragujs join the static display.
For the full update, visit www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/...
For the full update, visit www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/...
Reposted by Ben Dunnell Aviation
A sad 1st is now underway at the museum with the dismantling for disposal of the #Canberra PR7 #WH791 – the previously specified parts recovery is well underway; multiple write-ups going back to 2023, of how this decision has been reached can be found in here www.newarkairmuseum.org/latest-news
April 2, 2025 at 3:40 PM
A sad 1st is now underway at the museum with the dismantling for disposal of the #Canberra PR7 #WH791 – the previously specified parts recovery is well underway; multiple write-ups going back to 2023, of how this decision has been reached can be found in here www.newarkairmuseum.org/latest-news
Reposted by Ben Dunnell Aviation
Regardless of one's view of the UK CAA, I'm very proud to live in a nation where this sort of thing is normal, and wouldn't result in people being sacked or erased from official media content.
Heads-up! Pioneering @Aerobility UK conference, Destination Equal Skies 2025, on opportunities for disabled people in the aerospace/aviation industry returns later this month 29 April, London #DES25 uk.givergy.com/DES25/?contr...
April 1, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Regardless of one's view of the UK CAA, I'm very proud to live in a nation where this sort of thing is normal, and wouldn't result in people being sacked or erased from official media content.
Reposted by Ben Dunnell Aviation
News just in - a couple of more weeks to catch Supermaine Swift #WK277 before it heads over the Welsh border!
#EveryNAMvisitCounts
#EveryNAMvisitCounts
April 1, 2025 at 2:06 PM
News just in - a couple of more weeks to catch Supermaine Swift #WK277 before it heads over the Welsh border!
#EveryNAMvisitCounts
#EveryNAMvisitCounts