Martin Kirk
markofcalth.bsky.social
Martin Kirk
@markofcalth.bsky.social
Wargamer, amateur historian, metal-head, LARPer, nerd. He/him
Reposted by Martin Kirk
Part 3 of my ongoing series about the incredible WW2 flight of the California Clipper is now up and free to read.

Imagine having to fly your aircraft on regular gasoline, which it has never used before.

Now imagine having to work out how to do that while you're flying over the vast Indian Ocean...
In 1941, Pan Am's California Clipper had to do something no commercial flight had done before: circumnavigate the world.

In Part 3 of our series looking at her journey, the crew must work out, mid-air, how to fly her on regular gasoline. Something her Wright Cyclone engines were never designed for.
Into the unknown: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 3
Unable to source military-grade aviation fuel, our crew are forced to cross the Indian Ocean using regular gasoline. Something no Boeing 314 has ever flown on before.
theupfront.media
November 14, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
Nyri is an author and historian doing extraordinary work in unenviable circumstances—not least of which is simply being herself in the current U.S. environment.

She’s raising money for her top-surgery down payment, and could use our help:
Thanks to you I got a consult; now I'm clear for top surgery! In order to get a surgery date, I need to make a $1000 down payment by 12/14.

Now at $415 of $1000. Every dollar is appreciated, via the links below!

Thanks for helping me reclaim my mountains ⛰️⛰️

buff.ly/ohspoWf
buff.ly/ZsU6eFu
November 14, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:

One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
In September your generosity helped me get a consult; now I'm cleared for top surgery! You can help me raise the $1000 down payment by Dec 14th, via links below!

And hey, wow! Now at $415 of $1000.

Thank you for helping me reclaim my mountains ⛰️⛰️

buff.ly/nPdjHzP
buff.ly/ZsU6eFu
November 10, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
Need that copy of Soldiers and Silver?

Now is a great time to buy: use the code UTXGIFTS to get 40% off the print version or 50% off the Ebook when you buy direct from the Press.

More soldiers for less silver....can't beat that!

utpress.utexas.edu/9781477330777/
Soldiers and Silver
By the middle of the second century BCE, after nearly one hundred years of warfare, Rome had exerted its control over the entire Mediterranean world, forcing...
utpress.utexas.edu
November 6, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
This needs more attention: Zohran SPLIT the straights with Cuomo. ALL of his margin was from LGBTQ+ voters. Every Dem who ever said “we should abandon the transes” needs this shoved down their fucking throat with a ramrod.
November 5, 2025 at 5:39 AM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
Hate doing this, because everyone is skint, but Oz is the only important thing in my life and I'm too broke to cover his additional surgery. If you'd like to help, please use OZVET20 at checkout on fenrisgames.com/shop for a nice discount or ko-fi.com/fenrisgames if you don't need toys.
Thankyou 💔
November 3, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
New awareness campaign
November 3, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
This postcard I wrote to a young reader, Sasha Stephenson, was returned to me, as she no longer lives at the address she gave me. Please help me to get it to her if you can!
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
Just sharing this cartoon made by Niels again.
Shieldwalls are awesome.
Regularly check in with loved ones to make sure they're perhaps in need of a shieldwall.

www.facebook.com/CouldBeWorse...
November 1, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
OK. Who wants another Captain Dan history thread? (Reprised and rescued from the bad place....) I present you with Chemical Warfare and Chemical Weapons in the Second World War.
October 31, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Is that not what you'd call them? I've certainly always thought of my parents' cousins as being aunts or uncles. Sure, it's not 100% technically correct, but what else would you say?
In a bit of a tense moment, one of the La Mega co-hosts presses Mamdani on why he "lied" about his "aunt" having been scared to ride the subway after 9/11 while wearing a hijab.

Mamdani says it was "not a lie" because he refers to his father's cousin as his "aunt."
October 28, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
Repost with grunts! These grizzled Free French should fit the bill.
October 28, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Gotta repost a Poilu!
Repost with grunts! And I think some WW1 French poilus fit the bill.
#wargaming #miniatures #nerdlings #spreadthelard
October 28, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
I think about this a lot.
October 25, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
Spare some love today for Collingwood. The other Admiral at Trafalgar.

Proud northerner. Hater of flogging. Legit brilliant commander and Nelson's trusted right hand. First into battle on Royal Sovereign. Took charge after Nelson was sniped and saved the British Fleet.

Here's HIS Trafalgar... /1 🧵
October 21, 2023 at 9:52 AM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
British.
October 16, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
Check it out! We at @goonhammer.com Historicals review Midgard, a rank-and-flank system you can use for Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, Anicents, Knights, Fantasy, or whatever else you can think of!

www.goonhammer.com/goonhammer-h...

@toofatlardies.bsky.social #spreadthelard
August 7, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
10. You all should definitely read Edge of Midnight @eomproject.bsky.social by @badsocialism.bsky.social as it is imho so far a really good work actually trying to go into fleshing out the entire period of the Federation-Klingon Cold War and actually making it feel lived in.
July 28, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
Hey, you. You've had various people scoff at the things that bring you joy and it's made you feel really small at times. But you're still going, cause that's the most important bit. And if you're struggling with it at the moment, don't let those joyless judgers stop you doing the nice thing.
July 23, 2025 at 3:22 PM
I once (almost literally) ran into Pete Postlethwaite at my school sports day. We both said sorry, went our separate ways, and about 30 seconds later I realised why I thought he looked familiar!
bsky.app Bluesky @bsky.app · Jul 17
what's the most random interaction you've ever had with a celebrity?
July 19, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
Stressed out by your battle scene? HOW TO WRITE A FANTASY BATTLE is out in the world - and since a few reviewers who pride themselves on the depth of their military knowledge have complained that the book is too short and basic, you know it'll be absolutely perfect for YOU 😇

books2read.com/u/bO7Q5J
July 11, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
July 15, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Reposted by Martin Kirk
Yes! Finally! What an incredible advert for a five day test-match. Such evenly matched teams, fighting for every run and wicket. Brilliant England result. Real life sporting drama, with no script, is unbeatable. #ENGvIND
July 14, 2025 at 3:54 PM