Jamie McTrusty
LightNews LightNews
banner
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
Jamie McTrusty
@jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
2.6K followers 51 following 4.5K posts
Posts on (mostly) Second World War aviation and naval history. See ALT text for picture credits and additional information!
Posts Replies Media Videos
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Colour photograph of an Ar 196 on a grassy area outside a long, single-storey building. Its floats rest on brick plinths and it looks in generally poor condition. The aircraft has been rather crudely painted with green upper surfaces and blue undersides, and carries wartime Bulgarian insignia - a black ‘X’ in a white square.
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Original colour photograph of an Ar 196 moored alongside a jetty along which fuel lines have been laid. The aircraft is camouflaged, with a red propeller spinner and float tips. Across the bay in the background, in the shadow of a scrubby hillside, is a large warship - the Royal Navy cruiser HMS York, abandoned in 1941 after being disabled. The sky above is ominously cloudy.
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Viewed from below, a camouflaged Ar 196 with light undersides banks away from the camera. In the background, threatening clouds are building in an otherwise clear sky, above a rugged, hilly landscape.
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Two Ar 196s drawn partially out of the water, their floats on a gently sloping wooden mooring jetty which appears to still be under construction. The nearest aircraft has a canvas cover over its cockpit and a man sitting on the right wing root. Behind them are three camouflaged Heinkel 59 biplane floatplanes and beyond that, across the harbour, are industrial buildings with tall chimneys.
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Arado 196 hanging from a crane above the deck of a warship in harbour, with the roofs of buildings in the background showing a light dusting of snow. The aircraft’s engine is covered with a tarpaulin and the wings are folded backwards, against the fuselage. Two sailors are sitting on the front of the right float, facing backwards
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Camouflaged Ar 196 on the catapult of a warship moored in harbour on a sunny day, its position being fettled by a large number of sailors, with officers supervising.
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Uncamouflaged twin-float Ar 196 taxiing across the water. It carries prominent civil regulations on wings and fuselage, with a swastika on the tail. The front and rear cockpits are both occupied. Uncamouflaged Ar 196, also carrying civilian registration and tail swastika, stationary and unmanned on a flat calm stretch of water. It has a large centrally mounted float with two smaller underwing outriggers.
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Colour illustration from a 1:72 Revell kit of the Arado 196. It depicts a compact twin-float, radial engined floatplane flying at low altitude over a submerging British submarine in choppy waters. A line of bullet strikes stitches the water near the boat. The aircraft is camouflaged two-tone green above and light blue below, with yellow wingtips and lower engine cowling.
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 AM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Twin funnelled, grey-painted light cruiser armed with single gun mounts in a sheltered anchorage, flying a large white ensign at the stern. She’s flying a continuous line of signal flags and pennants and an awning covers her aft deck.
November 13, 2025 at 7:38 AM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Left profile view of an unarmed Warwick in flight, lit by sunshine in clear skies above a layer of overcast. It carries the white/camouflage paint scheme of Coastal Command. There’s no mid upper turret. Below beam windows in the rear fuselage is the mounting for the retracted Leigh Light.
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Warwick on a grass airfield in murky weather. Its bulky Centaurus radial engines mount 4-bladed propellers. The nose is glazed, mounting a single machine gun, and there’s a radome underneath. The aircraft has white fuselage sides/undersurfaces and is camouflaged above.
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Rather picturesque scene showing a camouflaged Warwick on an airfield dispersal, surrounded by a sea of wildflowers. Its crew are standing chatting underneath the nose.
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Warwick fitted with ASV radar antennae on a steel planking airfield dispersal. Eight groundcrew, dressed in light-coloured tropical kit, are pushing a lifeboat mounted on a wheeled trolley into position under the bomb bay doors. In the background, standing around an Avro Anson, five other men take a professional interest!
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Camouflaged Warwick with ‘D-Day’ black/white identification stripes on the wings and fuselage. The aircraft carries an airborne lifeboat fitted flush under the bomb bay doors. It also has ASV radar antennae under the wings and nose. The mid-upper gunner has rotated his turret to face the camera aircraft.
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Front 3/4 view of a Warwick on a concrete airfield dispersal. The nose has been faired over, but retains an observation window below. Beneath the fuselage, from below the cockpit to just behind the wing, is a long bulge with access doors along the side.
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Warwick in flight at medium altitude, a patchwork of fields visible below through a gap in a cloud layer. The aircraft is camouflaged, but the front and rear turret positions are faired over and there are additional windows along the fuselage sides. Prominent civilian registration codes (G-AGFK) adorn the wings and fuselage.
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Right side profile of a Warwick with two radial Twin Wasp engines and flame-suppressing exhausts on a grass airfield. The aircraft has tail, front and mid-upper turrets, none fitted with guns. It has black undersurfaces and fuselage sides, with camouflaged upper surfaces.
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
First prototype Vickers Warwick at Brooklands, fitted with Rolls-Royce Vulture engines. These were replaced with Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp radial engines when the type entered production. The photograph is a right-side profile shot of a large twin inline-engined aircraft with a tall single tailfin on a grass airfield, closely resembling a scaled-up Wellington. Its long fuselage is fabric covered, with its geodetic metal frame evident through observation windows. There are twin-gun nose and tail turrets. Painted in dark colours, the aircraft carries RAF roundels and has a prominent serial number underwing.
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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!
Lego set of Star Trek: Next Generation-era starship Enterprise, with minifig versions of key crew members.
November 8, 2025 at 6:41 PM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
HMS Hartford on fire and sinking at the conclusion of Operation RESERVIST. This photograph shows a small warship, with her stern destroyed by an explosion, burning fiercely and listing to starboard.
November 8, 2025 at 7:45 AM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Wreck of HMS Walney in Oran harbour. Next to a harbour wall and breakwater, a small ship lies on her side, almost entirely submerged.
November 8, 2025 at 7:45 AM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
Frederick Thornton Peters. Born in Canada, he had joined the Royal Navy in 1905 after attending schools in England. He was awarded a DSO and DSC for his service in the First World War, plus a Bar to the DSC in 1940. The image shows a middle-aged man in full Royal Navy uniform, grinning as he somewhat incongruously relaxes in a deckchair, apparently in a garden. 📷
November 8, 2025 at 7:45 AM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
HMS Walney (shown) and her sister ship HMS Hartland were in fact converted US Coastguard vessels, supplied to Britain under Lend-Lease. The photograph is a profile image of a small, single funnelled warship mounting several unshielded, elderly-looking guns. Bearing the number ‘Y04’ on her hull, she’s moving slowly ahead in calm coastal waters.
November 8, 2025 at 7:45 AM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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.
B-17 4-engined bomber, painted predominantly black, on an airfield taxiway. It has a bulbous radome under the nose.
November 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
jamiemctrusty.bsky.social
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
On a jungle airstrip under a bright sun, a Hurricane fitted with underwing fuel tanks and carrying late war two-tone blue roundels, used to avoid confusion with Japanese aircraft. The Hurricane is being checked over by several groundcrew and an access panel under the cockpit is open. The nose of another aircraft, covered by a tarpaulin, is in the foreground.
November 6, 2025 at 3:40 PM