David Lister
@historylisty.bsky.social
Just another historian and writer.
Also a Researcher, Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) and historical consultant for several large international games companies (Both computer and table top games).
Also a Researcher, Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) and historical consultant for several large international games companies (Both computer and table top games).
Reichsarbeitsdienst (Aka: RAD or Reich Labour Service) On sentry duty. The RAD did everything the Wehrmacht did with rifles, but with shovels. So you'd often see them parading with the shovel.
November 30, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Reichsarbeitsdienst (Aka: RAD or Reich Labour Service) On sentry duty. The RAD did everything the Wehrmacht did with rifles, but with shovels. So you'd often see them parading with the shovel.
UK right now... Or how it feels.
November 23, 2025 at 6:24 PM
UK right now... Or how it feels.
A couple of weeks ago we had a Wildcat taking a bath, well here's a FAA one in its more natural habitat.
November 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM
A couple of weeks ago we had a Wildcat taking a bath, well here's a FAA one in its more natural habitat.
A probable Hellcat, in RN service, having a bit of a swim.
October 26, 2025 at 5:29 PM
A probable Hellcat, in RN service, having a bit of a swim.
Somewhere in Italy, I think, late war. At first glance I thought they were working on ordnance, but it looks more like drop containers for paras?
October 19, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Somewhere in Italy, I think, late war. At first glance I thought they were working on ordnance, but it looks more like drop containers for paras?
Post war vehicle dump, with a couple of M-36B in it.
October 12, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Post war vehicle dump, with a couple of M-36B in it.
So a question for all the air spotters out there... what's this one? It's obviously got British Markings, and my brain is yelling 'Blenheim' but the nose is all wrong.
October 5, 2025 at 4:53 PM
So a question for all the air spotters out there... what's this one? It's obviously got British Markings, and my brain is yelling 'Blenheim' but the nose is all wrong.
Part two of my new stuff. The other photo's are of an existing part of my collection, a 15/20lb Blacker bombard practice round is included for scale. The warhead next to it, is the 10lb hollow charge round that was developed for the Bombard when they thought they were going to use them for D-Day.
September 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Part two of my new stuff. The other photo's are of an existing part of my collection, a 15/20lb Blacker bombard practice round is included for scale. The warhead next to it, is the 10lb hollow charge round that was developed for the Bombard when they thought they were going to use them for D-Day.
Some new items in my collection. Thanks to Dave B for these!
The first one, that looks like a cheap plastic toy is a No.74 Sticky grenade, with the second most rare items, an intact sphere (Clamshells, oh Clamshells, where art thou?!). It does have some repo parts internally. But it looks awesome.
The first one, that looks like a cheap plastic toy is a No.74 Sticky grenade, with the second most rare items, an intact sphere (Clamshells, oh Clamshells, where art thou?!). It does have some repo parts internally. But it looks awesome.
September 21, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Some new items in my collection. Thanks to Dave B for these!
The first one, that looks like a cheap plastic toy is a No.74 Sticky grenade, with the second most rare items, an intact sphere (Clamshells, oh Clamshells, where art thou?!). It does have some repo parts internally. But it looks awesome.
The first one, that looks like a cheap plastic toy is a No.74 Sticky grenade, with the second most rare items, an intact sphere (Clamshells, oh Clamshells, where art thou?!). It does have some repo parts internally. But it looks awesome.
British Costal forces on patrol during the Second World War.
September 15, 2025 at 7:13 AM
British Costal forces on patrol during the Second World War.
Japanese Field gun from 1932, probably in Shanghai.
September 7, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Japanese Field gun from 1932, probably in Shanghai.
Today I found out that a Flock, or swarm of Flamingo's is called a 'Flamboyance', as in a 'Flamboyance of Flamingos'. I just thought that information might come in handy for you over the coming months.
August 31, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Today I found out that a Flock, or swarm of Flamingo's is called a 'Flamboyance', as in a 'Flamboyance of Flamingos'. I just thought that information might come in handy for you over the coming months.
Best looking, and possibly the best, aircraft of the war.
August 24, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Best looking, and possibly the best, aircraft of the war.
I was at a presentation about tank design earlier in the week. It mentioned the silly habit of the UK doing sub-turrets in the 1930s. Modern tanks are getting lots of sub turrets on them. Remote weapon stations, Commander's Cupola, and even loaders cupola. What are these if not sub-turrets?
August 17, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I was at a presentation about tank design earlier in the week. It mentioned the silly habit of the UK doing sub-turrets in the 1930s. Modern tanks are getting lots of sub turrets on them. Remote weapon stations, Commander's Cupola, and even loaders cupola. What are these if not sub-turrets?
Japanese Cruiser Iwate sunk at Kure in July 1945. Several near misses caused significant leaking and she settled on the bottom. It's likely these pictures are taken after the war.
August 10, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Japanese Cruiser Iwate sunk at Kure in July 1945. Several near misses caused significant leaking and she settled on the bottom. It's likely these pictures are taken after the war.
A series of pictures of how Lend Lease was transported. It gives you an idea of the sheer overmatch the Allies had over the Axis. There's more on my Facebook page, because for some reason Bluesky won't let me share more than four images.
August 3, 2025 at 5:38 PM
A series of pictures of how Lend Lease was transported. It gives you an idea of the sheer overmatch the Allies had over the Axis. There's more on my Facebook page, because for some reason Bluesky won't let me share more than four images.
A few weeks ago I was at a 1940s weekend. In amongst all the SS stormtroopers was this gentleman dressed up as a 1940s era Milkman. He even had the correct pocket book and was taking orders and (jokingly) asking people if they'd paid for their order.
July 27, 2025 at 4:48 PM
A few weeks ago I was at a 1940s weekend. In amongst all the SS stormtroopers was this gentleman dressed up as a 1940s era Milkman. He even had the correct pocket book and was taking orders and (jokingly) asking people if they'd paid for their order.
Chinese Trenches in Chapai, in the mid-late 1930s
July 20, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Chinese Trenches in Chapai, in the mid-late 1930s
Nearly forgot to post again. Reason: third heatwave of the year and my brain is melting. I really hate the heat. It could be far worse, I mean people fought in the desert, and I have no idea how!
July 13, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Nearly forgot to post again. Reason: third heatwave of the year and my brain is melting. I really hate the heat. It could be far worse, I mean people fought in the desert, and I have no idea how!
The US Navy used blimps for U-boat hunting in the Second World War. Here, we see one overflying a British Warship.
June 29, 2025 at 5:31 PM
The US Navy used blimps for U-boat hunting in the Second World War. Here, we see one overflying a British Warship.
Supermarine Aircraft's only good looking war time aircraft, the Walrus, settling gracefully onto the deck of a carrier.
June 22, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Supermarine Aircraft's only good looking war time aircraft, the Walrus, settling gracefully onto the deck of a carrier.
A couple of pictures from the US in Aug 1943 of training establishments. What I find interesting is they're using P.17 rifles for training, not the standard M1 Garand. When you think about it, it makes perfect sense for your first round of training.
June 15, 2025 at 2:33 PM
A couple of pictures from the US in Aug 1943 of training establishments. What I find interesting is they're using P.17 rifles for training, not the standard M1 Garand. When you think about it, it makes perfect sense for your first round of training.
Here's what the Navigator would see when using a H2S Radar. The second picture is what happens when the radar picks up the Forth Bridge. all the metal work causes the radar waves to bounce around like crazy, and the system for converting the radar returns to an image gets overwhelmed.
June 8, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Here's what the Navigator would see when using a H2S Radar. The second picture is what happens when the radar picks up the Forth Bridge. all the metal work causes the radar waves to bounce around like crazy, and the system for converting the radar returns to an image gets overwhelmed.
New accusation. Cartridge for a Blacker Bombard (clip of .303 is for scale). Construction is rather interesting as there's three distinct ageing patterns on the brass. It's claimed that the base is a shotgun cart, machined down to fit. I'll admit, it does look a bit shotgun like.
June 1, 2025 at 5:45 PM
New accusation. Cartridge for a Blacker Bombard (clip of .303 is for scale). Construction is rather interesting as there's three distinct ageing patterns on the brass. It's claimed that the base is a shotgun cart, machined down to fit. I'll admit, it does look a bit shotgun like.
A Type 89 that has come a cropper.
May 25, 2025 at 5:50 PM
A Type 89 that has come a cropper.