Rick Ansell
@rickansell.bsky.social
Research Software Engineer at Dstl (MOD)
Former Military Operational Researcher.
Ancient - online since 1996 (the year September never ended)
Interests include History, especially military, TTRPGs, Computing etc.
Minor ally of all sorts of Woke stuff.
Former Military Operational Researcher.
Ancient - online since 1996 (the year September never ended)
Interests include History, especially military, TTRPGs, Computing etc.
Minor ally of all sorts of Woke stuff.
JG Ballard sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/ballar... was born on this day, so here are some of his book covers (artist: Chris Foss, Wojtek Siudmak, Carlos Ochagavia and James Marsh):
November 17, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Everybody feel free to submit your most demonic church decoration for consideration. I feel like there’s good thread potential here
We also have a lovely goat man waterspout on the west door of the chapel, who looks a lot like...Pan.
November 14, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Reposted by Rick Ansell
Close the coal house door lad,
There's bairns inside.
Bairns upon the mountain side,
Bairns who saw the blackness slide,
Bairns who had no time to hide.
Close the coalhouse door lad, there's bairns inside.
There's bairns inside.
Bairns upon the mountain side,
Bairns who saw the blackness slide,
Bairns who had no time to hide.
Close the coalhouse door lad, there's bairns inside.
October 21, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Close the coal house door lad,
There's bairns inside.
Bairns upon the mountain side,
Bairns who saw the blackness slide,
Bairns who had no time to hide.
Close the coalhouse door lad, there's bairns inside.
There's bairns inside.
Bairns upon the mountain side,
Bairns who saw the blackness slide,
Bairns who had no time to hide.
Close the coalhouse door lad, there's bairns inside.
Because people may be needing a Timeline Cleanse. Thanks Jo.
Free Dutch therapy: the view from my garden gate.
September 30, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Because people may be needing a Timeline Cleanse. Thanks Jo.
Reposted by Rick Ansell
Canadian B&B owner offered me an umbrella this morning, which was sweet. I politely declined.
Madame, I am British. I have a number of small umbrellas concealed upon my person at all times.
Madame, I am British. I have a number of small umbrellas concealed upon my person at all times.
September 24, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Canadian B&B owner offered me an umbrella this morning, which was sweet. I politely declined.
Madame, I am British. I have a number of small umbrellas concealed upon my person at all times.
Madame, I am British. I have a number of small umbrellas concealed upon my person at all times.
Autism is known to have existed since the 1700s, with strong evidence that it existed earlier.
Paracetamol was developed around 1890 and has been on sale since the 1950s (US: 1950, UK: 1956).
Also, apart from small scale experiments, large scale vaccination has existed since 1880.
Paracetamol was developed around 1890 and has been on sale since the 1950s (US: 1950, UK: 1956).
Also, apart from small scale experiments, large scale vaccination has existed since 1880.
September 24, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Autism is known to have existed since the 1700s, with strong evidence that it existed earlier.
Paracetamol was developed around 1890 and has been on sale since the 1950s (US: 1950, UK: 1956).
Also, apart from small scale experiments, large scale vaccination has existed since 1880.
Paracetamol was developed around 1890 and has been on sale since the 1950s (US: 1950, UK: 1956).
Also, apart from small scale experiments, large scale vaccination has existed since 1880.
Reposted by Rick Ansell
British aircraft designers only have two settings: “Supermarine Spitfire” and “Fairey Gannet”.
January 20, 2025 at 8:48 PM
British aircraft designers only have two settings: “Supermarine Spitfire” and “Fairey Gannet”.
Reposted by Rick Ansell
He was very good in person with his trans fans too. Growing up going to SF cons, I met many trans people before I even knew what trans meant. I gave my parents very little they needed to accept in their child, so they had lots left over for everyone else. 😉 www.thepinknews.com/2021/08/06/t...
August 19, 2025 at 9:25 PM
He was very good in person with his trans fans too. Growing up going to SF cons, I met many trans people before I even knew what trans meant. I gave my parents very little they needed to accept in their child, so they had lots left over for everyone else. 😉 www.thepinknews.com/2021/08/06/t...
Reposted by Rick Ansell
In before any dickhead tries to say the Philippines Coast Guard weren't complying with ColRegs
Let me introduce you to Rule 2 (b)
Let me introduce you to Rule 2 (b)
August 11, 2025 at 10:42 PM
In before any dickhead tries to say the Philippines Coast Guard weren't complying with ColRegs
Let me introduce you to Rule 2 (b)
Let me introduce you to Rule 2 (b)
August 11, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Attn @cultauthor.bsky.social
Not sure it's 'justice. But it is irony, deliberately created irony, well done to whoever is responsible.
Not sure it's 'justice. But it is irony, deliberately created irony, well done to whoever is responsible.
From the Poetic Justice Files: Josef Mengele's skeleton is used for forensic research and education in Brazil. His own family refused multiple requests by the government of Brazil to repatriate his remains to Germany.
Nazi doctor Josef Mengele's bones used in Brazil forensic medicine courses
Students in São Paulo are examining remains of man known for medical experiments on Jews at Auschwitz to uncover mysteries of his life on the run
www.theguardian.com
August 10, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Attn @cultauthor.bsky.social
Not sure it's 'justice. But it is irony, deliberately created irony, well done to whoever is responsible.
Not sure it's 'justice. But it is irony, deliberately created irony, well done to whoever is responsible.
Reposted by Rick Ansell
The heavily armoured cable has indeed been gnawed through. The teeth marks seem preternaturally large and there are uncanny slashes or clawing around the area. Last night there was chanting to be heard in the distance. I did not sleep well.
August 5, 2025 at 7:07 AM
The heavily armoured cable has indeed been gnawed through. The teeth marks seem preternaturally large and there are uncanny slashes or clawing around the area. Last night there was chanting to be heard in the distance. I did not sleep well.
Reposted by Rick Ansell
I have never known anything broken that is fixed by hate.
August 4, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I have never known anything broken that is fixed by hate.
OPSEC. It's a thing. An important thing.
July 31, 2025 at 7:12 PM
OPSEC. It's a thing. An important thing.
Reposted by Rick Ansell
Adolph Gysbert Malan (1910 – 1963), AKA Sailor Malan, was a South African fighter pilot and flying ace in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Battle of Britain and post-war leader of a liberal anti-authoritarian organisation that opposed the introduction of the apartheid system.
July 28, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Adolph Gysbert Malan (1910 – 1963), AKA Sailor Malan, was a South African fighter pilot and flying ace in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Battle of Britain and post-war leader of a liberal anti-authoritarian organisation that opposed the introduction of the apartheid system.
Reposted by Rick Ansell
Once about 10 of my friends and I walked into a supermarket in England.
We were all wearing historically accurate medieval clothing.
Nobody even looked at us.
But the girl behind the cash register said to one of us: "Oh sir, you smell of battle".
It was glorious.
We were all wearing historically accurate medieval clothing.
Nobody even looked at us.
But the girl behind the cash register said to one of us: "Oh sir, you smell of battle".
It was glorious.
July 28, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Once about 10 of my friends and I walked into a supermarket in England.
We were all wearing historically accurate medieval clothing.
Nobody even looked at us.
But the girl behind the cash register said to one of us: "Oh sir, you smell of battle".
It was glorious.
We were all wearing historically accurate medieval clothing.
Nobody even looked at us.
But the girl behind the cash register said to one of us: "Oh sir, you smell of battle".
It was glorious.
Reposted by Rick Ansell
There's been lots of rumours that legendary Russian engineering basketcase and occasional aircraft carrier Kuznetsov will be decommissioned.
More evidence for those rumours comes from seeing its vital supplies of massive atmospheric pollution reassigned to corvette Soobrazitelny...
More evidence for those rumours comes from seeing its vital supplies of massive atmospheric pollution reassigned to corvette Soobrazitelny...
July 28, 2025 at 11:36 AM
There's been lots of rumours that legendary Russian engineering basketcase and occasional aircraft carrier Kuznetsov will be decommissioned.
More evidence for those rumours comes from seeing its vital supplies of massive atmospheric pollution reassigned to corvette Soobrazitelny...
More evidence for those rumours comes from seeing its vital supplies of massive atmospheric pollution reassigned to corvette Soobrazitelny...
Attn @k8lister.bsky.social
Starts off slow, but here is David Willey, former Curator of The Tank Museum, on an object and sex and war. Thought you might be interested etc.
youtu.be/divFSpGnfUY?...
Starts off slow, but here is David Willey, former Curator of The Tank Museum, on an object and sex and war. Thought you might be interested etc.
youtu.be/divFSpGnfUY?...
History in a Saucy Case
YouTube video by David Willey
youtu.be
July 11, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Attn @k8lister.bsky.social
Starts off slow, but here is David Willey, former Curator of The Tank Museum, on an object and sex and war. Thought you might be interested etc.
youtu.be/divFSpGnfUY?...
Starts off slow, but here is David Willey, former Curator of The Tank Museum, on an object and sex and war. Thought you might be interested etc.
youtu.be/divFSpGnfUY?...
Sometimes we need a boost in this world.
From a 2015 BBC article, a comment by a survivor of 7/7:
"And on that day on the train, I didn't see one selfish person. It was at once the awful side of humanity, but also the magical side."
From a 2015 BBC article, a comment by a survivor of 7/7:
"And on that day on the train, I didn't see one selfish person. It was at once the awful side of humanity, but also the magical side."
July 9, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Sometimes we need a boost in this world.
From a 2015 BBC article, a comment by a survivor of 7/7:
"And on that day on the train, I didn't see one selfish person. It was at once the awful side of humanity, but also the magical side."
From a 2015 BBC article, a comment by a survivor of 7/7:
"And on that day on the train, I didn't see one selfish person. It was at once the awful side of humanity, but also the magical side."
Noting that a huge proportion of posts about the Battle of Waterloo today are using images of the Lion Mound to signify it.
The mound wasn't there at the time of the battle and the earth moved to make it altered the terrain sufficiently that you cannot longer get a good appreciation of the ground.
The mound wasn't there at the time of the battle and the earth moved to make it altered the terrain sufficiently that you cannot longer get a good appreciation of the ground.
June 18, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Noting that a huge proportion of posts about the Battle of Waterloo today are using images of the Lion Mound to signify it.
The mound wasn't there at the time of the battle and the earth moved to make it altered the terrain sufficiently that you cannot longer get a good appreciation of the ground.
The mound wasn't there at the time of the battle and the earth moved to make it altered the terrain sufficiently that you cannot longer get a good appreciation of the ground.
Reposted by Rick Ansell
Mrs. S. has learnt the Italian for such things as: 'Help! There's a ghost in my room! This means she is now shouting out Italian Hookland-meets-Scooby-Doo phrases. Typical Friday night.
June 6, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Mrs. S. has learnt the Italian for such things as: 'Help! There's a ghost in my room! This means she is now shouting out Italian Hookland-meets-Scooby-Doo phrases. Typical Friday night.
Reposted by Rick Ansell
I live in a house with a bricked up vault in the cellar. Do we unbrick the vault? No, we do not, because it is *at best* 4msq of dirt and earthworms and at worst the beginning of every horror movie ever made in the universe
June 4, 2025 at 6:22 PM
I live in a house with a bricked up vault in the cellar. Do we unbrick the vault? No, we do not, because it is *at best* 4msq of dirt and earthworms and at worst the beginning of every horror movie ever made in the universe
Attn @orkneylibrary.bsky.social
Jo is an International Treasure and a bastion of the fight against distorted history.
Blatent plug: Do you have her book in your stock? "Fake History: 101 Things that Never Happened - 2023, Jo Teeuwisse"?
Or is this all Old (as oposed to Fake) History to you?
Jo is an International Treasure and a bastion of the fight against distorted history.
Blatent plug: Do you have her book in your stock? "Fake History: 101 Things that Never Happened - 2023, Jo Teeuwisse"?
Or is this all Old (as oposed to Fake) History to you?
The Orcadians AGAIN?!
Yep, they were (and are) quite fascinating people.
This is the Orkney Hood, found in a peat bog in 1867, it's about 1800 years old.
Possibly recycled, made for an adult, adapted for a child.
Shows complex double tablet weaving.
Yep, they were (and are) quite fascinating people.
This is the Orkney Hood, found in a peat bog in 1867, it's about 1800 years old.
Possibly recycled, made for an adult, adapted for a child.
Shows complex double tablet weaving.
May 24, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Attn @orkneylibrary.bsky.social
Jo is an International Treasure and a bastion of the fight against distorted history.
Blatent plug: Do you have her book in your stock? "Fake History: 101 Things that Never Happened - 2023, Jo Teeuwisse"?
Or is this all Old (as oposed to Fake) History to you?
Jo is an International Treasure and a bastion of the fight against distorted history.
Blatent plug: Do you have her book in your stock? "Fake History: 101 Things that Never Happened - 2023, Jo Teeuwisse"?
Or is this all Old (as oposed to Fake) History to you?
Attn @fakehistoryhunter.net
Thought you might like this/these.
Repair of a 1942 Radiodgram so it works again and addtion of Bluetooth link to replace the AM radio stations that are no longer there. (Two videos)
Thought you might like this/these.
Repair of a 1942 Radiodgram so it works again and addtion of Bluetooth link to replace the AM radio stations that are no longer there. (Two videos)
April 27, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Attn @fakehistoryhunter.net
Thought you might like this/these.
Repair of a 1942 Radiodgram so it works again and addtion of Bluetooth link to replace the AM radio stations that are no longer there. (Two videos)
Thought you might like this/these.
Repair of a 1942 Radiodgram so it works again and addtion of Bluetooth link to replace the AM radio stations that are no longer there. (Two videos)