iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 8h

I'd been hoping to get this shot for some time. It's a bit of everyday Westcliff I'm glad to have recorded at last. @yoursouthend.bsky.social

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Life on Mars. Wadi Rum, Jordan 22.09.26.

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Jabal al-Mazmar, known as the Seven Pillars of Wisdom in reference to TEL's famous book. I still have the copy I bought in Stoke Newington in 1978.

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

This thing is on my radar. It's not a cheap kit, but it has all the attributes I like in an armoured vehicle - big, ugly and French. Anyone from #histscalemodels world built one of these?

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

@adamwatkinson1.bsky.social A very nice 1/35th scale Burrell by Zac Vincent Sex over on FB..

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

The Meng Char 2C is done. Happy days. It is a really nice kit and I'm co ntent it has turned out fine. #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

The Meng Char 2C is progressing nicely. The tracks look a lot better with paint on them. The engine section is looking good. Next job will be to add panel details and other odds and sods before starting on the turrets. #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

A lull in other duties allowed time for getting Olive Drab on the Meng Char 2C. I used Humbrol and Tamiya rattle cans. They are different shades! The tracks already need remedial work, but it will get sorted. I may get more done by the weekend. #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

#OTD1940 My uncle Second Officer Edward Barnes GM and fellow survivors came ashore at Northton on the Isle of Harris after a 1200 mile voyage in two open boats following the sinking of the Severn Leigh on 23.08.40. He was also a D-Day veteran. He died in 1957, aged 44. RIP Teddy.

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Blood, swearing, but no tears getting the Char 2C from Meng the Merciless to the build phase finish line. Needless to say it was the tracks that toyed with my sanity. They go together beautifully, but one side wasn't having it. That's modelling! Paint to be added sooner or later. #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

The Meng Char 2C is on the kitchen island. The kit is precise and well designed. It goes together beautifully. There is a slight bit of flex on one side which will need a little filler. No complaints. #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

A nice piece by Frank Wootton to get the thread started.

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Back in 2018 I acted as assistant to Rory Lewis when he snapped 3 Para at Colchester. I took pix of him at work for the RPS Journal and I've just seen some on the tinterweb. I've never shared my pix. It was a good job but on boiling hot day. I went on a date afterwards. I must have looked a mess.

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Calling time on the Tamiya 1/35 Hotchkiss H39 of 7 Chasseurs. A gorgeous kit that went together beautifully. Tamiya are so good at this stuff. I hope they do more interesting armour/mv like this, there is enough plastic Wehraboo porn on the market. #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

I've given in and bought the Meng 1/35th scale Char 2C. Hotchkiss H39 for scale. #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Calling the Mirage Hobby Vickers-Armstrong 6 Ton Mk F (Type B) done. Don't you love a snappy tank name! The mix of steel and rubber tyre wheels looks about right. The decals are ok. The "11" seem too small. Who cares? I'm retired, so a £14 kit and a few hours of toil is fine by me. #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

The base colour is on the Mirage Hobby Vickers 6 Ton Mk F. This is Humbrol olive drab rattlecan. I bought it a while ago for a nightmare kit that went in the bin. #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Another year goes by; in fact it is 111 to the day since he was killed, but my great uncle Les is never forgotten. I've kept his memory since the day, in 2004, when I found his "death plaque" in my aunt's bureau drawer. Private Leslie Barnes, 20, 2nd Bn London Regiment. KIA at Hooge 23.08.1915. RIP.

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

The Mirage Hobby Bulgarian Vickers 6 Ton is having a rest after cutting and shutting to get the poly tracks to fit. They were a cm too big. Parts box PE and odds improve the look. At £14, I wasn't expecting much from this kit. But I really like it. Revell T-26 for comparison. #histscalemodels

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Reposted by Mark Barnes

Jamie McTrusty @jamiemctrusty.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The Royal Navy’s Dido-Class light cruisers, often described as AA cruisers, were originally designed to have a dual role against aircraft and surface targets. 11 were built, plus 5 of a modified ‘Bellona’ sub-class. They saw extensive service, particularly in the Mediterranean. 🧵1/16 #NavalHistory

Artwork from a Trumpeter model kit of HMS Naiad, firing her three forward twin-gun turrets at unseen aircraft, with a carrier in the background.

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The Mirage Hobby Vickers Armstrong 6 Ton Type F has wheels. Some of them conspired to be utter bastards, but they were dragged kicking and screaming to the tank. Much filling has been required, but the basic kit is getting there. No blood letting happened today, which is a relief! #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

This challenging fecker is the Mirage Hobby Vickers-Armstrong 6 ton Mk F (allegedly). You have to cut chunks of the body off to build this version. The scalpel blade going between my nail and my finger sums up my feelings. But I managed to get the thing right. Filling imminent. #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Pix from Sunday's Lodge Coaches show at High Easter nr Chelmsford. The 1968 Ford Cortina estate (my first car); the 1989 Citroen BX estate must be quite rare in the UK nowadays. 1966 Vauxhall Victor 101 FC Deluxe estate followed by a 1968 Morris 1000 van.

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I went to a car show and saw a Mustang. This is the P51 "Jersey Jerk" putting on the style at the Lodge Coaches Motor Show at High Easter near Chelmsford.

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

The Tamiya Hotchkiss H39 is a chillaxing build. It is interesting to compare it with Tamiya's equally pleasant Renault R35. They share turrets plus similar details. I hadn't realised the H39 is somewhat bigger even without the trench tail. #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Some pix from a lovely day at the De Havilland Aircraft Museum with the Essex and Lea Valley groups of the TR Register.

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Reposted by Mark Barnes

News UK Archives @newsukarchives.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Since it's the British Firework Championships in Plymouth this week, we've dug out a photo of factory worker, Joan Charsley, putting finishing touches to a batch of Catherine wheels, ready for Bonfire Night. Taken on 26 Oct 1948 by D.G Johnson for @thetimes.com. #fireworks #factorywork #bonfirenight

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

All the kit parts and Eduard PE I can actually hold and see are on the tank. I have a resin PC Model Trend anti-HEAT round "gate" to add later along the process. The S-Tank is all in base green. Painting cammo and details next. #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

The day is heating up on the Essex Riviera. 34c by lunchtime. Its a good day to use rattlecans. A last look at the blingy elements of the S-Tank as the primer and base green goes on. #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Look at this for a quality courtesy car. I took this in Sangatte a good while ago and wonder if the R5 is still earning it's keep.

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

The amount of detail on the Trumpeter/Eduard PE Stridsvagn 103C S-Tank is bonkers. The commander's cupola is mad on its own. Ngl, I effed up a few bits of PE so had to stay with the kit. The upper body still isn't finished 😳😬. #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Serious business building the vision ports for the Trumpeter Stridsvagn 103C S-Tank. The first two use parts of the kit. Seven more are folded PE. They all use "glass" cut from plastic sheet. Progress has been good. The gun and exhaust are ready to fit. #histscalemodels

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Reposted by Mark Barnes

Hush-Kit aviation news, history & satire @hushkit.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

The following article is FREE to read, so be a darling and share it: Aircraft That Failed to Be the Mosquito, No. 3: Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle! Story here: hushkit.substack.com/p/aircraft-t...

hushkit.substack.com

Aircraft That Failed to Be the Mosquito, No. 3: Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle

Al-be-back! Steely Span

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Hush-Kit aviation news, history & satire @hushkit.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Spent years building up a big following on Twitter, essential for publicising my aviation blog, which I live from. Desperate to leave it & publicise on nicer platforms, but I have too few follows. If you want to help me escape, do give this a share. Much obliged. My blog here: hushkit.substack.com

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

While the kit is largely straightforward, adding Eduard PE to the Trumpeter S-Tank Stridsvagn 103C is testing my abilities and sanity. Teeny weeny parts are not gonna make it. Fight the battles you can win. Loads to do yet, but so far not so bad. #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Off I go with the Trumpeter 1/35 scale Stridsvagn 103C...the S-Tank. Shonky wheel fit due to poly caps (why?????) is the standout thus far. ##histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Such sad news...Kevin Keegan RIP. One of the greats.

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

While I'm sorting out display/storage space here is a look at the Tamiya Sheridan I built a while back. It was my first 1/35 scale kit when I ended my 50 year break from the hobby. Tamiya metal barrel and chainlink upgrade plus home made bustle based on David Doyle's book. #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Eva Peron, Che Guevara, Pope Francis - your boys took a hell of a beating

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

The one all draw I saw at Roots Hall yesterday was better than this....

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

I'm sure many modellers have storage/display space issues. But when you're stupid enough to collect die cast cars, as well, its all on you. These beauties are being retired to the loft. Tamiya T34/76, Panzer I & R35; ICM FCM36. #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Game #1 of the 26/27 season. Southend United 1 West Ham United 1 at Roots Hall. A 10k+ crowd saw a typical pre-season friendly with plenty of personnel changes and a few decent moments. The Hammers have work to do. Southend's new players look bright. Fun times.

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Cyclops the AFV Club Churchill Mk III is done. Lots learned. Pretty satisfying, as it goes. #histscalemodels

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

I've got the decals on the AFV Club Churchill Mk III and am busy adding the details before weathering. The decals are decent, going on nicely with little swearing. Happy days. #histscalemodels

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Reposted by Mark Barnes

Jamie McTrusty @jamiemctrusty.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

23-25 Sept 1940: Operation MENACE, which aimed to capture the Vichy French port of Dakar in West Africa. Free French leader Charles de Gaulle optimistically believed that this could be accomplished without bloodshed, at which point 2,700 men under his command would take control. 🧵1/13 #NavalHistory

Aerial view of the port at Dakar, showing many ships, at anchor, jetties, shore installations and a long breakwater enclosing the harbour.

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

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Mark Barnes @markbarnesn16.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

I've got some primer on the AFV Club Churchill III. Its satisfying to see the thing looking tidy. Primer covers up the wonky elements of the build which aren't too terrible, but I know where they are. I'll chuck some green paint on it over the weekend #histscalemodels

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