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.
Reads 'HM Submarine K...' -> <Rolls Eyes>
No need to read further, even if the encounter isn't on a 'ship losses' feed.
No need to read further, even if the encounter isn't on a 'ship losses' feed.
November 18, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Reads 'HM Submarine K...' -> <Rolls Eyes>
No need to read further, even if the encounter isn't on a 'ship losses' feed.
No need to read further, even if the encounter isn't on a 'ship losses' feed.
Mission was a complete success. 6 x Grand Slam, 12 x Tallboy, plus one Tallboy hung up, resulted in two spans destroyed, plus a pier, plus cuts to railway track and blockage of a tunnel entrance. One ARBS failure resulted in 1 x Grand Slam off target. Nearby Red Cross camp unscathed.
November 17, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Mission was a complete success. 6 x Grand Slam, 12 x Tallboy, plus one Tallboy hung up, resulted in two spans destroyed, plus a pier, plus cuts to railway track and blockage of a tunnel entrance. One ARBS failure resulted in 1 x Grand Slam off target. Nearby Red Cross camp unscathed.
BTW, operational drop.
Arnsberg Viaduct, 19 March 1945.
Lancaster PB966 YZ-C, flown by Flight-Lieutenant P. H. Martin.
Drop height 12,700 ft (vs theoretical minimum of 14,000 ft, the aircraft couldn't reach a greater height). The aircraft gained 600ft immediately after releasing the bomb.
Arnsberg Viaduct, 19 March 1945.
Lancaster PB966 YZ-C, flown by Flight-Lieutenant P. H. Martin.
Drop height 12,700 ft (vs theoretical minimum of 14,000 ft, the aircraft couldn't reach a greater height). The aircraft gained 600ft immediately after releasing the bomb.
November 17, 2025 at 5:31 PM
BTW, operational drop.
Arnsberg Viaduct, 19 March 1945.
Lancaster PB966 YZ-C, flown by Flight-Lieutenant P. H. Martin.
Drop height 12,700 ft (vs theoretical minimum of 14,000 ft, the aircraft couldn't reach a greater height). The aircraft gained 600ft immediately after releasing the bomb.
Arnsberg Viaduct, 19 March 1945.
Lancaster PB966 YZ-C, flown by Flight-Lieutenant P. H. Martin.
Drop height 12,700 ft (vs theoretical minimum of 14,000 ft, the aircraft couldn't reach a greater height). The aircraft gained 600ft immediately after releasing the bomb.
Grand Slam was sort of like that.
Flew to the target with a nice smooth upward curve in the wings.
At 'Bomb Gone' the fuselage sprung upwards and the wings were straight again.
Image shows the process beginning.
Flew to the target with a nice smooth upward curve in the wings.
At 'Bomb Gone' the fuselage sprung upwards and the wings were straight again.
Image shows the process beginning.
November 17, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Grand Slam was sort of like that.
Flew to the target with a nice smooth upward curve in the wings.
At 'Bomb Gone' the fuselage sprung upwards and the wings were straight again.
Image shows the process beginning.
Flew to the target with a nice smooth upward curve in the wings.
At 'Bomb Gone' the fuselage sprung upwards and the wings were straight again.
Image shows the process beginning.
Promise, not a Threat.
Best put your affairs in order and organise the funeral.
Best put your affairs in order and organise the funeral.
November 14, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Promise, not a Threat.
Best put your affairs in order and organise the funeral.
Best put your affairs in order and organise the funeral.
to catch and deal with the lit paper (and other items) being shoved through their letterboxes.
The Electric Blue Rolls Royce stopping by various local businesses each week in order to collect the Protection Money.
3/3
The Electric Blue Rolls Royce stopping by various local businesses each week in order to collect the Protection Money.
3/3
November 14, 2025 at 12:26 PM
to catch and deal with the lit paper (and other items) being shoved through their letterboxes.
The Electric Blue Rolls Royce stopping by various local businesses each week in order to collect the Protection Money.
3/3
The Electric Blue Rolls Royce stopping by various local businesses each week in order to collect the Protection Money.
3/3
An East Asian student walking in front of me hit in the face, like many others, by an air-rifle shot from a racist living in the flats opposite. A Uni society solely to provide people to sleep by the front doors of local non-white families -
2/3
2/3
November 14, 2025 at 12:26 PM
An East Asian student walking in front of me hit in the face, like many others, by an air-rifle shot from a racist living in the flats opposite. A Uni society solely to provide people to sleep by the front doors of local non-white families -
2/3
2/3
I remember turning out, aged 12, to help desperately fight the fire on the common that was threatening our homes. With shovels.
The Fire Brigade put it out, but we had to hold it back long enough for them to get here.
I remember 1983 at college.
1/3
The Fire Brigade put it out, but we had to hold it back long enough for them to get here.
I remember 1983 at college.
1/3
November 14, 2025 at 12:26 PM
I remember turning out, aged 12, to help desperately fight the fire on the common that was threatening our homes. With shovels.
The Fire Brigade put it out, but we had to hold it back long enough for them to get here.
I remember 1983 at college.
1/3
The Fire Brigade put it out, but we had to hold it back long enough for them to get here.
I remember 1983 at college.
1/3
When Sir Terence David John Pratchett OBE shuffled off this mortal coil.
November 10, 2025 at 4:36 PM
When Sir Terence David John Pratchett OBE shuffled off this mortal coil.
You have only yourself to blame for the fact they have fitted you with a Ball and Chain.
Pick it up and lean into the look.
PS: GWS, you Biblical Pirate you.
Pick it up and lean into the look.
PS: GWS, you Biblical Pirate you.
November 8, 2025 at 8:01 PM
You have only yourself to blame for the fact they have fitted you with a Ball and Chain.
Pick it up and lean into the look.
PS: GWS, you Biblical Pirate you.
Pick it up and lean into the look.
PS: GWS, you Biblical Pirate you.
You seem to be assuming that you are NOT still young and naive.
BTW - no selfies on my phone. I'm old (and cynical, and decrepit).
BTW - no selfies on my phone. I'm old (and cynical, and decrepit).
November 8, 2025 at 7:57 PM
You seem to be assuming that you are NOT still young and naive.
BTW - no selfies on my phone. I'm old (and cynical, and decrepit).
BTW - no selfies on my phone. I'm old (and cynical, and decrepit).
Having more than once worked in Armoured Vehicles with the British Army...
It's been et by the Turret Monster.
It's been et by the Turret Monster.
November 7, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Having more than once worked in Armoured Vehicles with the British Army...
It's been et by the Turret Monster.
It's been et by the Turret Monster.
Blatant Plug: They are BAAAACK, on You Tube, Patreon funded (I am a funder), slight format and personnel changes. An outcome of discussions during the Late Unpleasantness of 2020.
They have been involved in long digs at Sutton Hoo for a start.
They have been involved in long digs at Sutton Hoo for a start.
November 6, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Blatant Plug: They are BAAAACK, on You Tube, Patreon funded (I am a funder), slight format and personnel changes. An outcome of discussions during the Late Unpleasantness of 2020.
They have been involved in long digs at Sutton Hoo for a start.
They have been involved in long digs at Sutton Hoo for a start.
Thing is, might potentially be one of ones direct ancestors.
November 6, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Thing is, might potentially be one of ones direct ancestors.
I have come across the term 'Murder Hobo' for Adventurers.
I am reminded of one War Hero who became Archbishop of Canterbury. And a barnstorming pilot and wing-walker who just married and disappeared into small town life.
I am reminded of one War Hero who became Archbishop of Canterbury. And a barnstorming pilot and wing-walker who just married and disappeared into small town life.
November 4, 2025 at 4:39 PM
I have come across the term 'Murder Hobo' for Adventurers.
I am reminded of one War Hero who became Archbishop of Canterbury. And a barnstorming pilot and wing-walker who just married and disappeared into small town life.
I am reminded of one War Hero who became Archbishop of Canterbury. And a barnstorming pilot and wing-walker who just married and disappeared into small town life.
The rescue was instrumental in showing the advantages of the, up to then, much suspected motorised lifeboat. It spelt the end of the old rowing lifeboats.
October 30, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The rescue was instrumental in showing the advantages of the, up to then, much suspected motorised lifeboat. It spelt the end of the old rowing lifeboats.
The story of the various attempts to rescue people from the Rohilla is epic. Four lifeboats were involved, on top of which attempts were made with rocket lines and people entered the water in human chains to retrieve those few who survived attempting to swim for it.
October 30, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The story of the various attempts to rescue people from the Rohilla is epic. Four lifeboats were involved, on top of which attempts were made with rocket lines and people entered the water in human chains to retrieve those few who survived attempting to swim for it.
In a group I belong to there is a regular reminder:
Foodz.
Liquidz.
Medz.
Hugz (as in Human Contact)
... to which I would add 'Sleepz'.
... autistics and similar, including those who just get focussed on their work, tend to forget one or all.
Foodz.
Liquidz.
Medz.
Hugz (as in Human Contact)
... to which I would add 'Sleepz'.
... autistics and similar, including those who just get focussed on their work, tend to forget one or all.
October 27, 2025 at 7:31 PM
In a group I belong to there is a regular reminder:
Foodz.
Liquidz.
Medz.
Hugz (as in Human Contact)
... to which I would add 'Sleepz'.
... autistics and similar, including those who just get focussed on their work, tend to forget one or all.
Foodz.
Liquidz.
Medz.
Hugz (as in Human Contact)
... to which I would add 'Sleepz'.
... autistics and similar, including those who just get focussed on their work, tend to forget one or all.
Plus also runs on Linux, with an identical user experience, if that is useful to you.
October 21, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Plus also runs on Linux, with an identical user experience, if that is useful to you.
If you are looking for an email client (rather than a service, which others seem to think you are)
I use the Windows version of Claws-Mail. Open Source. Will read but not compose HTML Email. Nice and streamlined. No AI in sight or likley to be in the foreseeable.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claws_M...
I use the Windows version of Claws-Mail. Open Source. Will read but not compose HTML Email. Nice and streamlined. No AI in sight or likley to be in the foreseeable.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claws_M...
October 21, 2025 at 11:26 PM
If you are looking for an email client (rather than a service, which others seem to think you are)
I use the Windows version of Claws-Mail. Open Source. Will read but not compose HTML Email. Nice and streamlined. No AI in sight or likley to be in the foreseeable.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claws_M...
I use the Windows version of Claws-Mail. Open Source. Will read but not compose HTML Email. Nice and streamlined. No AI in sight or likley to be in the foreseeable.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claws_M...
Oh dear. Error (but not on the primary subject) in the second sentence - 34 years (the actual length of service of the Mary Rose (1511)) is not a 'short tenure'.
Will read on, but no doubt @maryrosemuseum.bsky.social will have something to say. 😊
Will read on, but no doubt @maryrosemuseum.bsky.social will have something to say. 😊
October 21, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Oh dear. Error (but not on the primary subject) in the second sentence - 34 years (the actual length of service of the Mary Rose (1511)) is not a 'short tenure'.
Will read on, but no doubt @maryrosemuseum.bsky.social will have something to say. 😊
Will read on, but no doubt @maryrosemuseum.bsky.social will have something to say. 😊
Rear-Admiral William Carnegie, 7th Earl of Northesk starts waving from the back row...
There were THREE British Admirals at Trafalgar.
Although it is said of Northesk that he would have been Court-Martialed for his conduct after any other battle. Whether he would have been convicted...
There were THREE British Admirals at Trafalgar.
Although it is said of Northesk that he would have been Court-Martialed for his conduct after any other battle. Whether he would have been convicted...
October 21, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Rear-Admiral William Carnegie, 7th Earl of Northesk starts waving from the back row...
There were THREE British Admirals at Trafalgar.
Although it is said of Northesk that he would have been Court-Martialed for his conduct after any other battle. Whether he would have been convicted...
There were THREE British Admirals at Trafalgar.
Although it is said of Northesk that he would have been Court-Martialed for his conduct after any other battle. Whether he would have been convicted...