VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 26/09/2026I've been looking at the Fialka M-125's movement mechanism. A complex interlocked set of fingers are pulled apart. Each finger tracks the pins on the rotor 2 up from itself which allows a tooth to engage (or not) to turn a step. Even & odd rotors turn in opposing directions! 020
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Yes, you're correct Craig! I've started looking into the Fialka M-125. Another complex machine, but am taking a look at how much work it would be to create a sim 010
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 31/08/2026After a well earned rest, I'm starting to (probably foolishly) feel the urge to begin modelling another cipher machine. Any guesses which machine this rotor might be from? @tnmoc.bsky.social @cryptomuseum.bsky.social 210
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 16/08/2026I discovered that the tape punch functions from the ICT1301 manual are very different from the ones used in the demo code. It appears that Flossie was physically amended by it's owners (Galdor) at some point using spare 1301 logic boards to read and punch in ASCII rather than the generic format. 000
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 16/08/2026One mode is to print ICT1301 on paper tape, that now works fully in the sim! ict1301.virtualcolossus.co.ukict1301.virtualcolossus.co.ukVirtual Flossie (ICT 1301)Virtual Flossie - A simulation of the ICT1301 computer named Flossie 100
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 16/08/2026Recently, I've been chatting with the previous owner of Flossie (the ICT 1301 2nd gen transistor computer that's in storage at The National Museum of Computing). We've been working to get a demo program running that was used on the real machine. 100
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 02/06/2026Update for Virtual SG-41: the numeric-only SG-41z now available at sg41.virtualcolossus.co.uk Used for sending weather reports where the details were encoded as a set of numbers. It's very similar to the SG-41 but with a few interesting omissions which I'll be documenting soon. 000
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 17/05/2026Work is progressing on the numeric only SG-41Z model of Virtual Schlüsselgerät 41 used for sending weather information. The print wheels were tricky but are done. Another difference is the SG-41Z only has 5 of the sensing arms (6 on SG-41) and 15 bars on the cage (25 on SG-41) so that needs work. 010
Reposted by VirtualColossusCraig Heath @heathcr.bsky.social · 04/05/2026On 4 May 1944, Bletchley Park codebreakers saw the German Abwehr testing a cipher machine they had not seen before. This turned out to be the SG-41, and today is a great day to try out the interactive 3D simulation of that machine: sg41.virtualcolossus.co.uk. Thanks @virtualcolossus.bsky.social !sg41.virtualcolossus.co.ukVirtual Schlüsselgerät 41Virtual Schlüsselgerät 41 (SG-41) - A simulation of the cipher machine which was built to replace Enigma 011
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 21/04/2026I'm working on an update to Virtual SG-41. I want to also simulate the SG-41Z which was a numeric only version of the full one used for sending encoded weather reports. It uses a lot of the same mechanics, it'll be interesting to find out the differences. sg41.virtualcolossus.co.uk 000
Reposted by VirtualColossusThe National Museum of Computing @tnmoc.bsky.social · 12/04/2026Ditch the dull boardroom for a venue that inspires innovation. TNMoC, explore the world’s largest collection of functional historic computers. Perfect for corporate away days and team building with a historic twist. 🎟️ Book: ow.ly/NzNV50YGjPJ #TNMOC #BletchleyPark #CorporateEvents #TechHistory 14913
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 09/04/2026The Nazis’ Most Notoriously Complex Cryptographic Machine Is Now Available Online gizmodo.com/the-nazis-mo...gizmodo.comThe Nazis' Most Notoriously Complex Cryptographic Machine Is Now Available OnlineExplore the byzantine inner workings of... the Hitler Mill. 010
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 08/04/2026Virtual SG-41 project brings Nazi cipher machine to life in the browser www.theregister.com/2026/04/08/v...theregister.comSG-41 cipher machine recreated online with 3D model: Martin Gillow's 3D recreation lets users explore would-be Enigma successor's mechanics and enciphering logic online 011
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 28/03/202610 Years of Virtual Colossus: 2026 And we're up to date and therefore, today is the release of my latest project: Virtual Schlüsselgerät 41 After a year of work try it out for yourself using just your web browser. Hope you like my new website design too! sg41.virtualcolossus.co.uk 011
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 28/03/2026Released today: Virtual Schlüsselgerät 41 This cipher machine, based on Hagelin C-38 but WAY more complex was set to replace Enigma. Over a year of work & research & it's ready for you to try for yourself. sg41.virtualcolossus.co.uk @tnmoc.bsky.social @cryptomuseum.bsky.social 000
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 27/03/2026If that's around the same time, I suspect that might be a different machine .. either the Manchester Baby or the Manchester/Ferranti Mark 1! Turing moved to Manchester from the Pilot ACE program to work on the Ferranti Mark 1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manches... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manches... 010
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 27/03/202610 Years of Virtual Colossus: 2025 Did you know that Turing designed a valve computer using mercury delay lines as memory after the war? The pilot machine ran 75 years ago and was recreated as Virtual Pilot ACE this year. And we're up to date .. excited for release of Virtual SG-41 tomorrow! 131
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 26/03/202610 Years of Virtual Colossus: 2024 The next sim I worked on was the M-209, an American version of the Hagelin C-38. A new resource, the CT scans of the machines at @DeutschesMuseum, meant I could very accurately model each part giving amazing detail! m209.virtualcolossus.co.uk 010
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 25/03/202610 Years of Virtual Colossus: 2023 We have already completed Colossus and Lorenz SZ-42 but we only had Enigma working. It was time to learn about the Turing-Welchman Bombe and to begin building it into a fully working simulation. Find it at bombe.virtualcolossus.co.uk 011
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 24/03/202610 Years of Virtual Colossus: 2022 The next machine to get 3D treatment was one I really enjoyed learning about, the Lorenz SZ-42. I completed a 2D version in 2017, but wondered if I could do this technological marvel justice. It ended up as one of my favourite sims I've ever done. 020
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 23/03/202610 Years of Virtual Colossus: 2021 Now, with new 3D skills, it was time to attempt a machine that I'd always felt already had many great sims. And so, I created my most visited sim yet: Virtual Enigma both model I and M4, complete with radio & Morse key. enigma.virtualcolossus.co.uk 010
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 22/03/2026Two new sims were completed this yr and little did I realise that Virtual Typex would be the last in 2D. I started playing with a library called three.js and ended up recreating Virtual Colossus in full 3D! This was how it continue to today ... 010
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 21/03/202610 Years of Virtual Colossus: 2019 In this year, I created a sim of E.R.N.I.E to celebrate the new 5th version. A hardware random number generator built in 1956 to find winners for the UK Premium Bonds. Designed by Harry Fensom who worked at the GPO Research Station, Dollis Hill 010
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 20/03/202610 Years of Virtual Colossus: 2018 In 2018, I started looking at a BP cipher breaking machine from the American Signal Security Agency. This was Dragon, a relay machine built to drag a crib through a partially decrypted message from Colossus. A fascinating machine to learn about! 000
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 19/03/2026That's interesting to hear of the American threads on the screws, but haven't read Donald Davies paper (I do not have a subscription!) 100
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 19/03/2026The SZ42 at Bletchley Park was restored to working condition and taken to Heinz Nixdorf Computer Museum in Paderborn, Germany for the Cipher Event 2007. I managed to get DVD of some footage from Paderborn during build of my sim some of which I've put on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBXW...youtube.comLorenz SZ42 : Rare footage of cipher attachment runningYouTube video by Virtual Colossus 410
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 19/03/202610 Years of Virtual Colossus: 2017 Having completed my Colossus sim, I became interested in how the machine that it was built to crack worked: the Lorenz SZ-42. There wasn't a working machine I knew of to see working and no videos online, so I began researching to build my own. 131
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 18/03/2026Can you believe that the Virtual Colossus project is now 10 years old! Today, I'm starting the countdown to the release of my latest simulation the incredible Schlüsselgerät 41. Each day, I'll show what I was working on from 2016 until we catch up to today! 021
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 21/02/2026Nearing the go-live date for Virtual Schlüsselgerät 41 .. or at least until I find there's yet another part that I didn't quite understand on this complex 1940s cipher machine. Here's the result & now back to final testing. Check out my new transparent case mode too! 010
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 07/02/2026Are you fed up with your old, slow labour-intensive Enigma machine? There is a better way .. and it's coming very soon to a browser near you! "jetzt muß die Enigma sterben" .. Now the Enigma must die. Schlüsselgerät 41 : sg41.virtualcolossus.co.uk @tnmoc.bsky.social @cryptomuseum.bsky.social 010
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 03/02/2026Hopefully we match up now, if not, let me know and I'll take another look. You're probably one of a very small number of people to ever check as far down the options to find the sz42c! 010
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 03/02/2026Keep watching my socials and on the site as very soon, my latest work, the awesome (and insanely complex) German Schlüsselgerät 41 cipher machine, will be finally completed after over a year of work. 110
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 03/02/2026Good work @shayden1337.bsky.social for spotting a bug in my Lorenz SZ42c code! If you're not keeping up with your WW2 German cipher tech (tut), the SZ42c was to replace the SZ42a/b & wasn't ever completed. The info for how it ran comes from sparse TICOM reports. lorenz.virtualcolossus.co.uk 110
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 03/02/2026You win a big gold star! 🌟 Well done for paying attention & knowing your SZ42c facts - you are, of course, absolutely right! I've mis-typed in one of the wheel 6's limitation values. That should now be resolved (clear your cache & reload). 010
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 03/02/2026Glad you enjoy my simulations, it's really good to hear from someone who's using them. Wow, ok, let me take a look ... I'll get back to you 010
Reposted by VirtualColossuspeteronion.bsky.social @peteronion.bsky.social · 01/01/2026Make one of your New Year's Resolutions to visit The National Museum of Computing in 2026 :-) 063
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 21/12/2025Previously unknown instructions & settings sheets for the SG-41 have been discovered in Czech archives! Thanks to Eugen Antal, Carola Dahlke & Robert Jahn who published them in Cryptologia. I've been working to bring these into Virtual SG-41 @tnmoc.bsky.social @cryptomuseum.bsky.social 0123
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 18/12/2025Sad news today, another veteran has been taken from us. Ruth Bourne, WWII Bletchley Park Bombe operator has died aged 98. She started working at BP aged just 18. Thank you for your service Ruth, we will remember you. news.sky.com/story/wwii-b...news.sky.comWWII Bletchley Park Enigma codebreaker Ruth Bourne dies aged 98Ms Bourne's contribution to the monumental task of breaking the Nazis' Enigma cypher was "truly historic", a veterans' charity has said. 020
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 13/12/2025The long slog to getting everything ready to release Virtual Schlüsselgerät 41 is well underway. Lots now completed on setup, tutorials and a few more bugs ticked off. No definite release date just yet as I keep adding to my to-do list, but it's very soon! 001
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 22/11/2025I've completed the last model for Virtual SG-41! It's ALL there & working, a 1940s technical marvel lives again! It's taken nearly a year; 378 models drawn by hand on CT scans from Deutsches Museum then animated with @threejs.org The end is in sight! @tnmoc.bsky.social @cryptomuseum.bsky.social 000
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 15/11/2025This week, I've started working on the paper tape reels which are held in the base of the SG-41. Two tapes can be fitted; one for the cipher text and one for the plain text to be printed. @tnmoc.bsky.social @threejs.org 000
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 09/11/2025Postbox in Newton Longville. We will remember them. #Rememberance #LestWeForget 000
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 09/11/2025We are getting so close now! This week sees the completion of the final part of the actual SG-41 mechanism; the ink cartridge & upper paper feed rollers. So is that it ... all done? Not quite, there's one important part missing. @tnmoc.bsky.social @cryptomuseum.bsky.social @threejs.org 000
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 01/11/2025New Rememberance Day postbox topper has been installed outside Bletchley Park / @tnmoc.bsky.social if you're visiting either. You can even press the drum to hear the noise!! I love this, remembering all the WRNS who served running the Bombe machines. Superb work Clare Reeves & Amanda Vines 031
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 01/11/2025The end is in sight for Virtual SG41! I've started into the paper feed block which I've been saving until last. This is the final big section to do and includes the mounting for the upper rollers, the ink cartridge, release button, paper tape reels and of course the paper itself. 021
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 30/10/2025JePu Machines have released a video in English & German on cracking an Enigma message using my Virtual Bombe and Enigma! It goes into huge amount of detail from encrypted message to solution. Nice work! Enigma Codebreaking with the Turing-Welchman Bombe! youtu.be/eHzsAoKXmZM?...youtu.beEnigma Codebreaking with the Turing-Welchman Bombe - do it yourself!YouTube video by Jens Puhle 010
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 25/10/2025Virtual Schlüsselgerät 41 (SG-41). Another week and yet another mess of levers in the CT scans that do something .. but what? One of those cases where I'm just going to have to model & animate them in @blender.org & @threejs.org to find out. @tnmoc.bsky.social @cryptomuseum.bsky.social 031
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 25/10/2025hackaday.com/2025/10/24/t...hackaday.comTommy Flowers: How An Engineer Won The WarBack in 2016, we took you to a collection of slightly dilapidated prefabricated huts in the English Home Counties, and showed you a computer. The place was the National Museum of Computing, next to… 000
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 22/10/2025@microsiervos.bsky.social have posted a brief review of my Virtual Enigma. So glad they found it interesting. They did say "using the mouse and pressing buttons and switches isn't very intuitive". Any thoughts on how to make it easier or clearer what you need to do? 010
VirtualColossus @virtualcolossus.bsky.social · 22/10/2025Gracias por compartir mi Enigma Virtual. ¡Me alegra que te haya parecido interesante! Durante el último año, he estado trabajando en una simulación del aún más complejo SG-41, que iba a reemplazar al Enigma en Alemania. Habría sido una máquina difícil de descifrar, incluso para Bletchley Park. 010