iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#OTD 29/9/1952 #RememberRCN -Cdr Landymore, RCN as SO Task Unit 95.22 orders 4 USN destroyers to bombard a North Korean gun emplaced in a cave on a cliff, without success. He then moves HMCS IROQUOIS close inshore & with a single broadside, destroys the deeply embedded gun.

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Dr Rob @robheighton.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Regardless of any mixed feelings and trepidation evoked by much of what we've seen of Greta Gerwig's The Magician Nephew, this promo image in particular is just exquisite

A promotional image for Greta Gerwig's adaptation of The Magician's Nephew, showing Diggory and a horse. A wing design on the van behind the horse is positioned as though the horse has wings

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

@dreadships.bsky.social The French Submarine Mariotte apparently built on the principal that you can never have too much conning tower . en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_... The caption in the first photo says Mariotte sinks gloriously. Which is a odd word to choose .

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Big Brother for Cats - googled Endemol contact details

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RN ship losses @rnshiplosses.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Mead became angry and shook the boy. In the scuffle the bottle fell and broke, the boy's lamp followed it, and within seconds a fire, fed by the rum casks in the hold, was blazing out of control. The crew rapidly took to the boats; Mead died in the fire, but Bianco survived. #RoyalNavy #NavalHistory

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RN ship losses @rnshiplosses.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

21 Sept 1742 (O.S.) // A dispute over a bottle of rum aboard HMS Tilbury (60 guns) off Hispaniola led to the ship being destroyed by fire. A Marine, Robert Meads, went into the hold and asked the purser's boy, Francisco Bianco, for a drink of rum from a bottle Bianco was carrying. The boy refused.

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Dr Gul Sen @guel-sen.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

September memories from two years ago. A workshop on maritime history in a truly special setting: the Fenerbahce Gemisi/Ferry Ship Museum, beautifully renovated. And, this cute cat was also quite fascinated by our papers on maritime topics.😅 1/2 #MaritimeHistory #Ship #Vessel #Museum #Cats

A workshop on maritime history in a truly special setting: the Fenerbahce Gemisi/Ferry Ship that has been a museum ship at the open air complex of Rahmi M. Koc Museum in Hasköy in Istanbul since 2009. The Fenerbahce Ferry was built 1952 by a Denny Brothers, a Scottish shipbuilding company in Dumbarton and served as a passenger ferry at the Bosporus until 2008.

And, this cute cat was also quite fascinated by our papers on maritime topics

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Matthew Willis (Naval Air History) @navalairhistory.com · 14/09/2026

Why should anyone read my book on the Fairey Fulmar? Isn’t it a niche aircraft of a niche service? Arguably yes, but for me the important thing is the story that can be told through the aircraft. 1 It’s the story of the Fleet Air Arm 1940-43…

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

This is the Pre Dreadnought Battleship HMS Dreadnought almost the Pre Dreadnought HMS Fury but her name was changed.

HMS Dreadnought was an ironclad turret ship built for the Royal Navy during the 1870s. Construction was halted less than a year after it began and she was redesigned to improve her stability and buoyancy. Upon completion in 1879, the ship was placed in reserve until she was commissioned in 1884 for service with the Mediterranean Fleet. Upon her return 10 years later, she became a coast guard ship in Ireland for two years. The ship then became a depot ship in 1897 before she was reclassified as a second-class battleship in 1900. Dreadnought participated in the annual fleet manoeuvres for the next two years before she became a training ship in 1902. The ship was taken out of service three years later and sold for scrap in 1908.

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Do newspapers deliberately make mistakes now to power engagement and clicks This is the link photo and next to it is the first paragraph of the article. I know they leave out locations to get you to click . But this seems deeply cynical .

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The Crusader Project @crusaderproject.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Just another shoutout to @navalairhistory.com - our publisher (without our knowledge) used AI to generate an ad for Breaking Rommel and placed it in Storia Militare. When we found out we asked Matt to produce something similar but utilising his artist's skills. We are all very happy with the result.

Publicity poster for Breaking Rommel by Matthew Willis.

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

The ASW trawlers were operated by a WRNS officer, 1st Officer Audrey Parker. I think she was the only Wren officer to be given an operational job. She sat at the next table to mine in the office, and we worked together in perfect harmony. She really knew about ships. From Escort by D Rayner

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Slightly out of focus @normandy661944.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Closing Up: A Bombing Formation of British Biplanes (DH9a s) Closing Up to Beat Off an Enemy Formation of Fokker Triplanes, by G H Davis, 1919. © The rights holder (Art.IWM ART 3071)

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Ceryl @politicdormouse.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Sarla Thukral, possibly 1st Indian woman to fly an aircraft. In 1936 earned pilot's license age 21 & flew Gypsy Moth solo with over 1000 hours in air. Tried to train for commercial pilot license but #WWII prevented it. Later artist & businesswoman. b. #OTD 8 Aug 1914 bit.ly/2N4NEJv

Sarla Thukral in sari and flying helmet stood in front of an aircraft.

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

So a group of Zebras are called a Dazzle so which came first . Is the camouflage named after the Zebras or the group of Zebras named after the camouflage. @dreadships.bsky.social

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Jim @jimstewart.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Jaws - Canada version

A moose swimming in a body of water spies a person in the background.

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RG Poulussen @rgpoulussen.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

What the men are waiting for, mail. (#OTD in 1941, North Africa. #WW2 #HISTORY)

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RG Poulussen @rgpoulussen.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

#OTD in 1942, Malta. A Matilda tank being used to tow a Beaufort torpedo bomber which made a belly-landing at Luqa airfield after being damaged during an attack on the Italian Fleet. #WW2 #HISTORY

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Jes Steele ✌️ @piratito.com · 15/07/2026

just in case x

National Domestic Abuse Helpline
0808 2000 247
You can call REFUGE, for free and in confidence, 24-hours a day.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE

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Hey Jude @judew.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

@katebevan.com I wonder if you want to push out to your cat people? One of the charities is Celia Hammond - a worthy cause

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Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

#OnThisDay 60 years ago BR abandoned its 'colour bar' - preventing black workers from occupying customer-facing roles at London railway stations - thanks to the campaigning of Asquith Xavier. Asquith pictured here in the role he fought for; Guard at Euston buff.ly/Riixw15

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RG Poulussen @rgpoulussen.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

#OTD in 1944, Tonsil, Royal Navy's anti-flying bomb rocket battery, became operational. #WW2 #HISTORY

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RG Poulussen @rgpoulussen.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

#OTD in 1944, Arromanches-les-Bains, France. French children playing, whilst the reinforcing of the Normandy beachhead is continuing. #WW2 #HISTORY

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Listened to Blood Donor yesterday by Tony Hancock and it made me wonder how much blood people give in Countries that don't use pint as a unit of measurement?

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Matthew Willis (Naval Air History) @navalairhistory.com · 26/06/2026

bsky.app/profile/nava...

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

This week I learned we had an HMS Urtica which is basically posh for HMS Stinging Nettle - mayhap we were running low on the good names

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Empire Stevedore was an approximately 750 GRT cargo ship which was built as Kriegtransporter KT 3. Taken over at Hamburg in October 1949 by the Royal Engineers. To Marchwood, Hampshire in 1950 for use as a stevedore training ship, replacing Empire Flamian.

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Invisible cars for Spies - let's think this through . You have not factored in other road users To Q from Finance We have been unable to get ongoing insurance cover for your Aston Martin "Vanish " In road trials other road users hit 14 times while in motion and 47 times while parked

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ContempraInn 🌹 @contemprainn.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Happy hopping Tuesday 😺

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

WAAF flight mechanics and Royal Air Force (RAF) mechanics work together on a Bristol Beaufighter Mark VI plane at the Operational Training Unit, Cranfield, Bedfordshire. © IWM. CH13693.

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Nina Baker @ninabake2.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

An extraordinary woman, and one of a number in that era who set up garages aimed at women, although hers was one of the few which not only was staffed entirely by women but also lasted quite a long time. Featured in my book, Sisters Behind the Wheel. Details in ALT. #History #histbookchat

If you are in the UK the cheapest way to buy this is direct from me via Ebay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/157849347326

Buyers from outside the UK, it is available from: https://a.co/d/0guSp7iS

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Paul Reed @sommecourt.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

In the 1980s my Dad, a #WW2 veteran, compiled a Normandy Roll of Honour by analysing the CWGC registers manually: it took him years! Using his work these are some of the highest losses among British & Canadian units that day. These figures are for the dead only. #DDay82

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Dreadnought Holiday @dreadships.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Just imagine it. Your quiet watch on the French coast has already been interrupted by what looks like the entire Allied fleet popping up on the horizon, and then this little bugger hoves into view...

A Landing Craft (Rocket) being loaded into a Landing Ship (Dock) in Newcastle, after the D-Day landings. The bombardment vessel is seen from above, with nearly a thousand very angry fireworks covering the deck and pointing straight at the camera. Catwalks for loading the tubes run across the banks of rockets.

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Thanks to @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social we have this pic and blog entry to remind us of importance of Logistics in Operation Neptune

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Why is musical theatre so often judged on if its songs are earworm's . Are People going to see Wagner's Der fliegende Holländer and humming arias as they walk to the car or going to a concert of Garage music and are disappointed that the tunes aren't stuck in their head for days .

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RG Poulussen @rgpoulussen.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

#OTD in 1944, Gosport. Countdown to D-Day. Motor Torpedo Boats were to protect the flanks of the invasion fleet. #WW2 #HISTORY

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RG Poulussen @rgpoulussen.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

#OTD in 1944. Countdown to D-Day. DUKWs practicing launching from and embarking onto Landing Ship Tanks. #WW2 #HISTORY

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

HMAS Perth The funnel flaps were fitted while in the West Indies . The idea was that they would break up the outline of the two funnels and so confuse enemy rangefinders. . The flaps were worn until the time of her loss @dreadships.bsky.social

The first pattern was applied at Alexandria on the 27th December 1940. A competition was held for the design and it was won by AB Ross Birbeck and was often called the "Harbour Bridge" pattern.The colors used were Royal Navy Dark Grey 507A and Light Grey 507C. The deck was painted a dark blue but was painted slightly offset at the bow and the stern to confuse aircraft as to her true course. The tops of the turrets were painted Dark Blue.
( Information courtesy of the late Mr.Ray Parkin who was in charge of painting the design on the forward part of the ship )

Intermediate patterns.
Late in 1941 PERTH was used to trial a number of Camouflage Patterns. The trials were carried out off Sydney under the supervision of Professor Dakin who designed her last camouflage. A final report was sent to the R.A.N. on 25.11.1941 explaining the merits of the different patterns worn by PERTH so it appears that the trials took place just prior to this date.

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

@normagraham.bsky.social Can you recommend any book on Juno beach particularly that covers the Naval aspects . Just discovered one of ships I'm researching was there as a Navigational Leader.

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

womenwhomeantbusiness.com/2021/12/28/e... The amazing story of a lady who built Batchelors Foods and cared for her workers and even tackled the thankless task of improving British Rail Catering @garius.bsky.social

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Digital Brain @yourdigitalbrain.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

The Malaysian Dead Leaf Mantis uses a brilliant disguise to blend in with leaves and a shocking display to scare off predators. Nature's art of deception is truly captivating.

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

June 24th sailed with Group D with supply convoy for Operation Husky. Lotus and Poppy leave Gibraltar to unload gold then rejoin convoy - hand over to fast escort. Such a tantalising cryptic reference. What gold ? Why gold to Gibraltar .

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

www.german-navy.de/kriegsmarine... The Germans in WW2 didn't really carry on any historical naming schemes from German Naval History With one notable exception which are Bremse and Brummer which in English are Horsefly and Bluebottle. Which are names straight out of the RN naming playbook .

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

USN cookbook of Ice-cream flavour from WW2 Pineapple Grape anyone ? #navalhistory

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

How many Flowers flock In an RN Dock I'll tell you now of some that I know And those that I miss you'll surely pardon Bluebell, Heartsease and Begonia Meadowsweet and Petunia Gentian, Lupine and Campion Compass Rose, the old Foxglove, Snowdrop, Carnation In a RN Dock

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Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

During WW2 there were ships called USS Mastic and HMS Duff which I assume is some kind of plant and a Surname rather than bathroom sealant and a fictional beer

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