Former military and commercial pilot - now author of books on military aviation history - also: @michaelnbooks.bsky.social
Joined March 2021
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MichaelNapier retweeted
The MiG-23 & R-13M
A short 🧵
In testing of early production MiG-23s, it was found that, when launched from the fuselage stations, the R-13M's exhaust gases would cause the engine to suffer compressor stalls, accompanied by rising exhaust gas temperatures.
ALT Soviet MiG-23M armed with R-13Ms.
MichaelNapier retweeted
Who thought writing an article every two weeks was a good idea - follow us at callsign-collective.ghost.io… -@Budge135 this week I'll be looking at paint 🎨 and how the Lightning evolved ..... it's going to be interesting 🤔
MichaelNapier retweeted
In part one of Nick Heard's story he shares his journey through flying training, his early instructional tour and his experiences of being part of a Tornado squadron in RAF Germany. Some great stories throughout.
📽 youtu.be/2eUQ2pSo_Wk
#royalairforce #tornado #fighterpilot
MichaelNapier retweeted
In one of the bizarre deals of the century the RSAF - Saudi air force handed back 22 lightnings to British Aerospace as part of the Tornado ADV purchase - the aircraft were immaculate ( I've owned 2 🤭) but sadly no buyers were found. -only 1 has survived in what I call airworthy
MichaelNapier retweeted
The treaties we signed and @UKParliament agreed have always been clear - we didn't give the ICJ jurisdiction over the Chagos Islands.
We should be defending the Chagossian people and the laws we signed, not bowing to expansionist courts reaching beyond their remit.
Whose side is the Foreign Secretary on?
MichaelNapier retweeted
Javelins on Gan 1964. 64 Squadron from RAF Tengah. XH876 was written off approaching Tengah in 1966. XH874 was written off at Kuching, Sarawak in 1964 after a starter explosion and fire.
Credit to Bruce Archibald.
MichaelNapier retweeted
In today's Russian papers, surprise at the the defeat of Moscow ally Aleksander Vučić in Serbia. One paper: “Russia can expect nothing good from this.” Another: “The results benefit the EU.” But several point out: “The Serbs are dependant on Russian gas.” #ReadingRussia
MichaelNapier retweeted
There are tanks rusting away in undergrowth, then there are tanks rusting away in the undergrowth at Dien Bien Phu.
MichaelNapier retweeted
During the Falklands war I was based in Germany and a long way from the South Atlantic - @thewarzonewire @Aviation_Intel has posted a really good article on the conflict and the thorny issue of taking out the Super Etendards ~ a very capable subsonic fighter
MichaelNapier retweeted
Former 707, VC-10 and Concorde pilot John Hutchinson gives us a tour of the mighty VC-10 based at IWM Duxford!
📺 youtu.be/XhWssluxS-4?is=8Zxj…
MichaelNapier retweeted
Here’s a list of shops that don’t offer stamps or discount anymore.
The NAAFI……….
MichaelNapier retweeted
Wow, this is what Yemen looked like in the 1960s under British rule. That was over half a century ago, but it looked decades more advanced than Yemen does today.
It’s almost unbelievable compared to what the country has become. And it’s a testament to how quickly a country can collapse once Islam reigns supreme.
MichaelNapier retweeted
Private Percy Tolliday of the 11th Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment, has been laid to rest on the Somme alongside two unknown comrades, more than a century after their deaths in the First World War.
The men were recovered by our colleagues from our specialist Recovery Unit.
Dr Daniel Seaton, CWGC Commemorations Case Officer said: “The three casualties now laid to rest were recovered by our specialist Recovery Unit, not far away from where today’s ceremony has taken place. I am delighted that, following research conducted by ourselves and the JCCC, Private Tolliday has been identified, and remain hopeful that it may also be possible to identify the two Unknown Soldiers in the future. All three are now remembered with honour in the Commission’s Warlencourt British Cemetery”
Image: Crown Copyright
MichaelNapier retweeted
#otd 1955: After ten years of Allied & Soviet occupation, Austria declares permanent neutrality.
No NATO. No Warsaw Pact. No foreign military bases.
A rare Cold War compromise allows Austria to remain independent and undivided while Europe is split between East and West.
MichaelNapier retweeted
The late, great former RAF Phantom, Tornado and BBMF Lancaster pilot, Rick Groombridge gives us a tour of Avro Lancaster 'Just Jane'.
📺 youtu.be/mQIxKHGw30A?is=SFw-…
MichaelNapier retweeted
And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember’d;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.
#StCrispin #StCrispinian