Jamie McTrusty
banner
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
Jamie McTrusty
@jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
Posts on (mostly) Second World War aviation and naval history. See ALT text for picture credits and additional information!
Bulgaria brought 12 overhauled Arado 196s from Germany in 1943 and some continued in service until 1955, supporting the country’s fishing fleet. This preserved aircraft is on display at the Bulgarian Museum of Aviation at Plovdiv-Krumovo.
📷 aeropedia.com.au
🧵8/8
#NavalHistory
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Arado 196 of Seeaufklärungsgruppe 125 at Souda Bay in Crete, 1943, armed with two 50Kg bombs. The type also mounted 2x20mm cannon and two machine guns firing forward, plus one or two machine guns in the rear cockpit, making it a potent threat.
📷 Destination’s Journey
🧵7/8
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Arado 196 of Küstenfliegergruppe 706, stationed at Aalborg-See in Denmark, 1940. Two aircraft flying from this base attacked the crippled submarine HMS Seal on 5th May that year. When she surrendered, one Arado landed alongside and took her captain prisoner.
📷 Bundesarchiv Bild 101II-MN-1517-09
🧵6/8
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Arado 196s in Norway, 1940, with Heinkel 59s moored behind. Coastal patrol work from such bases formed the primary role for the Ar 196 throughout the war. Encounters with Allied aircraft, particularly those of RAF Coastal Command, were not uncommon.
📷 Bundesarchiv Bild 101II-MN-1533-07
🧵5/8
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Arado 196 being hoisted onto an unidentified ship, winter 1942. The aircraft’s folding wings enabled it to be stored in an onboard hangar, though some German warships, such as the Deutschland-class heavy cruisers, didn’t have this facility.
📷 Bundesarchiv Bild 101II-MW-6081-11
🧵4/8
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Arado 196 being secured to the catapult of the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper in Gdynia, Poland, 1941. The type served aboard all major Kriegsmarine warships including Scharnhorst, Prinz Eugen and Tirpitz. They also equipped some merchant raiders including Pinguin and Komet.
📷 AWM 042676
🧵3/8
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Arado 196 V1 (left) and V3 (right) prototypes at Travenmünde during trials. The two different float configurations both had advantages and there was little difference in their effect on the performance of the aircraft. A contract for the twin-float version was awarded.
📷 Destination’s Journey
🧵2/8
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
The Arado 196 (1937) was a maritime patrol floatplane developed for the Kriegsmarine. Serving both on board larger warships and from coastal bases, the aircraft was well armed, popular with crews and gave good service on all fronts for much of the war. Only around 500 were built.
📷 Revell
🧵1/8
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Another D-Class was HMS Dunedin, sunk by U-124 on 24th November in the central Atlantic. Her wireless office was destroyed in the attack. Up to 250 of 500 crew abandoned ship, but only 72 were still alive when found by the cargo ship Nishmaha on 27 November and 5 more died on board.
📷 IWM HU 71709
November 13, 2025 at 7:38 AM
The GR Mk.V carried ASV radar and had a retractable Leigh Light under the rear fuselage to illuminate U-Boats at night. Many of these aircraft went straight into storage, but some were used operationally from late 1944. This aircraft was also under test at Boscombe Down.
📷 IWM HU 81251
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
The Warwick was originally intended to use Bristol Centaurus engines, but these only became available later in the war. They powered the GR Mk.II and Mk.V maritime patrol variants. This aircraft is pictured at Boscombe Down during testing in July 1944.
📷 IWM ATP 11818B
🧵8/9
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Warwick ASR Mk.I of 293 Squadron at Foggia, Italy, in spring 1945. When not carrying a lifeboat, Warwicks were instead equipped with two sets of Lindholme Gear, comprising a dinghy and containers housing spare clothing and survival supplies.
📷 IWM CNA 4201
🧵7/9
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Groundcrew wheeling a Mark II Lifeboat into position under a Warwick of 269 Squadron at Lagen airfield in the Azores. Designed by yachtsman Uffa Fox, the boats descended under parachutes and were equipped with both a sail and engines, as well as supplies.
📷 IWM CNA 125
🧵6/9
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
The most important role fulfilled by Warwicks was Air Sea Rescue. ASR Mk. Is and Mk.IVs equipped 14 squadrons, most being able to carry airborne lifeboats. This aircraft is from 282 Squadron, based at St. Eval in Cornwall, and mounts a short Mark IA Lifeboat.
📷 IWM MH 5337
🧵5/9
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Warwick C.III of 525 Squadron at RAF Lyneham, 1943. The prominent underfuselage pannier could carry over 6,000lb of cargo, while the cabin could seat up to 24 passengers, or 10 in a ‘VIP’ configuration.
📷 IWM CH 18213
🧵4/9
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Warwick C.1 transport, 1943. This aircraft was one of 14 B.I airframes converted for use by BOAC on a mail service to British forces in North Africa and the Mediterranean from February 1943. In early 1944 the transports reverted to the RAF.
📷 IWM E(MOS) 1315
🧵3/9
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
The first production Warwick B.I at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at Boscombe Down, Wiltshire, for flight testing in May 1942. Though it’s carrying RAF night bomber camouflage, it was already clear that the Warwick wouldn’t serve in this role.
📷 IWM ATP 10884C
🧵2/9
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
The Vickers Warwick, which first flew in Aug 1939, was intended to be a twin-engined ‘heavy’ bomber. However, following performance issues and protracted development the type wasn’t required by Bomber Command. Instead, Warwicks served with Transport and Coastal Commands.
📷 Destination’s Journey
🧵1/9
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Me: OK, so I’ve sold off my Lego collection, not going to buy any more sets, they’re just too expensive now.

Lego Group: Hey, how about we release a TNG Enterprise set with minifigs of the crew?

Me: Damn you, Lego Group. damn you to HELL!
November 8, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Reduced to a blazing wreck, Hartland was abandoned and later exploded. 34 of her crew and many of the troops aboard were killed. Soon after the operation was over, Vichy forces sabotaged the port facilities, scuttled ships and sank floating docks in the harbour entrance.
📷 IWM A 14013
🧵8/11
November 8, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Still under heavy fire, he managed to steer the sinking ship alongside the harbour mole, leaving the bridge and personally ensuring mooring lines were secured. He then oversaw the evacuation of the remaining troops and Walney’s surviving crew, before passing out from his wounds.
📷 IWM A 13694
🧵6/11
November 8, 2025 at 7:45 AM
The two ships were to carry Royal Marine Commandos and US soldiers into the harbour and capture it. Peters was, in fact, a planner for British Naval Intelligence and Combined Ops and had been a key figure in developing RESERVIST, an incredibly risky undertaking.
📷 navalandmilitarymuseum.org
🧵2/11
November 8, 2025 at 7:45 AM
8th November 1942: Victoria Cross action of Frederick Peters, on board the sloop HMS Walney. In Operation RESERVIST, Walney and her sister ship HMS Hartland were to secure the Vichy French port of Oran as part of Operation TORCH, the Allied invasion of North Africa.
📷 IWM A 5322
🧵1/11
November 8, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Interesting - the B-17 would have been part of 100 Group, which used a variety of other aircraft including Halifaxes, B-24s and Mosquitoes. The electronic war waged between Bomber Command and the German defences is a really interesting area.
November 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Hurricane IIBs of 1 Squadron (The Tigers), Indian Air Force, at Imphal Main airfield in India, 1944. The unit flew over 1,000 sorties during the Japanese offensive in the area. The India/Burma theatre was the last area where Hurricanes were used (very effectively) in combat.
📷 IWM CF 110
🧵10/10
November 6, 2025 at 3:40 PM