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lethalchiralium · 1 year

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You Leave Me Wounded And Bleeding | Simon “Ghost” Riley x Wife!Reader

a/n: the long awaited 1940s simon fic!! it’s been done for a while but i just had to tweak a lot so i’m able to write the second part :)

warnings: 1940s-Immediately after the End of WWII. 3RD PERSON - Heartbreak, mourning - let me know if I missed anything!

summary: It’s September 9th, 1945, the trains are running non-stop to bring soldiers home. Wounded, alive, and dead - families wait on the platforms, desperately awaiting the arrival of their family member. Those crowds would include you - Mrs. Simon Riley, awaiting the love of your life who has been deployed as long as the war had been waged.

REMINDER: This is a side-blog, not my main! If you have any questions, feel free to message this blog or reblog! Reblogs are always appreciated - as well as any comments, they keep me motivated to write stuff like this!

Dear Simon,

I am writing to you this in case something happens. Something I cannot think about, something that can very well happen and I don’t wish to dwell upon it. These words are the only way I can express it if I am no longer able to voice them.

There was thunderous applause in the square, surrounding the gray train station. Screaming, crying, cheering - loudness that she’s never heard before in her small town. She was one to steer clear of the loud noises, to sit away from the excitement in a small cafe or bookstore in the town square. Maybe walk around the plaza, take the time to enjoy the sun.

This September day was different - much different. The always fresh air tasted stale, the bright green trees began to grow gray. Her deep blue dress swished against her shins as she struggled through the crowds of cheering women, crying children, and proud and grieving parents. She glanced around the crowd, noticing how most of the people were draped in grays and blacks - mourning colors. She looked away from them, towards a glass encased list of names.

You’ve written me almost every week during this horrible time, about every thought and moment that caused you pain. It hurts me to know that I cannot ease your agony. It pains me that I cannot be by your side, even for a fleeting moment. You have such a kind soul, Simon Riley. I can only imagine how it will all of this affect you after the war.

A kind hand gently grabbed her wrist, the woman in deep blue jumped in her skin before turning to see a familiar face. An elderly woman she had grown to know in the past few years, a woman she often visited as the elderly woman was her neighbor. Her name was Mavis, her husband had died in the first World War and her only two daughters were nurses now. Mavis knew why she had arrived at the plaza today - she was a patient woman, a gentle voice that the woman in blue desperately needed.

“Will I see you when you arrive home tonight?” Mavis inquired, her black shawl draped over her front. She looked frail in the gray dress she wore, her feet buckled in worn gray kitten heels.

The taller woman in deep blue heels shrugged. “It depends, Mavis.” It depends if I will be coming home without him.

“He will come home to you, darling.” The old woman smiled gently, still holding onto her wrist. She gave it a squeeze, the woman in blue gave Mavis a soft smile.

“I’ve been hoping he does.”

Even long after your letters have stopped arriving, no British Army soldiers have appeared upon our doorstep yet - no telegrams have graced my fingers with your name upon them. That must mean something, right? That you are safe, breathing? For the past two and a half years, I’ve waited for your return; not to mention the three years before that. The danger is gone now, Simon, and you’re not here. They’ve been arriving by the train load for the past week, and none of the lists have your name.

Mavis had let go of Mrs. Riley’s hand and let her be, let her gaze at the large white pages with printed names in black ink. She was still too far to read any names, she still pushed though the crowd - getting closer. She watched as women in white walked away sobbing, or women in black excitedly running towards the train platform.

Fear trembled in Mrs. Riley’s blood, the purse that sat in her left hand felt too heavy, the air felt suffocating as the crowd pushed her towards the board. Today was the first day she felt like this, pain in her heart and fear in her lungs. Maybe today was the day she would see his name on the board, written with the same black ink as the rest of the soldiers coming home to Manchester. She was only behind five more people before she would be at the front of the crowd, reading quickly to find his name - maybe the names of his friends too. She’s met Soap and Gaz before, it has been a long time since she’s even seen Price. Maybe the mysterious Alejandro and Rudy will appear, even though their home is across the world - All living and breathing, she hoped.

Another step forwards, closer to the board as an older gentleman and lady both turned away from the board in tears - the young woman beside them with a teenage boy laughed with excitement. They moved away, she grew closer. She could almost read the names on the papers now.

I musn’t worry, I know you will come back to me. You have a habit of keeping promises, my love - as well as secrets.

“Move it along!” The conductor shouted as he came towards the board, shooing away more people as she quickly scanned the names now that she could read them. She started with the Gs, reading quickly.

Gardner, KIA. Garrett, Garrett, Garrett, KIA…

Garrick, Kyle. Sergeant. Gaz.

She felt hope filter into chest, at least one of them made it - she moved to the Ms.

MacDonald, KIA. MacDonald…

MacTavish, John. Sergeant.

Thank God, Soap. She remembered to breathe then, hurriedly going to the Ps as she noticed that the list was much shorter than yesterday. She didn’t dare dwell on it.

Powell, KIA. Powell. Price, Price, KIA…

Price, John. Captain.

Another step forwards, two more people had gone and now she only had the elderly couple ahead of her. They had worn white as a symbol of hope, as have many of the other families awaiting their turn to read the list. She read the Rs, her heart beating out of her chest like a train engine.

I’ve heard stories from wives, whispers among the streets about some soldiers coming home and no longer being themselves. They’re hollow, lifeless - I’ve seen a few myself. It is like the undead have invaded Manchester, they walk about with no emotion in their eye, no care for their family as they walk beside them. I’ve watched them from our bookstore, watching as their small children tug on their father’s hands and he vaguely responds with a lifeless smile, sending them away from himself. Their wives do not give away any note of worry, perfect smiles and small touches to their husbands as if to comfort them in a small way. It’s not hard to recognize the wife’s pain, it’s a pain I hope I will never know.

Radley. KIA. Raines. KIA. Redgrave. Ridley. Ridley. Rigley. KIA. Rivers. KIA. Robbins. KIA.

I’m scared, Simon.

A rougher hand grabbed her arm then, she didn’t look away. She kept rereading the list. Today is the last day for arrivals, she knew that. She has known that for the past week. Where was his name? Where was Lieutenant Simon Riley?

“Mrs. Riley,” A soft voice came from the person pulling her away, she kept staring at the board as it grew smaller. She almost stumbled, tripping over herself before she turned to look at the man who knew her.

Gaz.

“Are you alright?” She asked the man in pea green, he looked bewildered. They were now just outside of the crowd, he rolled his shoulders. “You aren’t harmed?”

“Mrs. Riley, there is no need for you to worry about me.” Gaz placed a hand on the strap of his dufflebag that was across his chest, he had a concerned look on his face. “Have you seen Soap? He had gotten off of the train with me, I’ve been looking for Price-“

Her hand gently pushed Gaz backwards, away from the crowd. The soldier had let her, her hand left his arm as she led him towards a bench. She sat down, smoothing out her dress and crossing her ankles. Her dark shoes were sort of scuffed, she stared at it for a moment before looking back up at her husband’s friend. He looked upon the train station, seeing the crowd began to dissipate slowly.

“Mr. Garrick,” She whispered, hoping he would hear her just like Simon would. But he just kept watching, waiting. “Gaz.”

Gaz turned his head to look at her, his face solemn. “Yes, ma’am?”

“Please, just call me by my name.” She answered, she then patted the bench. “Sit with me.” The wind picked up then, rippling through her straightened and victory rolled hair - the common style that she hated. Her normal hair was beautiful - is what Simon would always say, gently pet it against her head. If she wished hard enough, she could feel his hand touch her cheek. She closed her eyes then, letting the wind breeze her face without the malice of a dull world.

“I haven’t-“

“Is there someone waiting for you, Mr. Garrick?”

Terrified, really. What if you do not step off that train tomorrow? What will I do if I must return home in silence, no longer in your grasp? No longer sleep without the knowledge that you’ll be coming home?

Her eyes fluttered open as the gentleman sat on the bench, a couple of feet away. He didn’t even look at her, his eyes staring at the station. “No, ma’am.”

“I see.” She answered. “You are welcome in my home, just until you’re able to get on your feet.” She looked towards the train station again, her hands sat like stone in her lap, her purse against her shoes. “The invitation is extended to Mr. MacTavish, Mr. Parra and Mr. Price as well, should you see them - even Mr. Vargas if he makes his presence known.”

“Are you leaving?” Gaz asked and the woman didn’t offer an answer, only silence as she watched families in black walk with either their loved one in their arms or a folded flag. She didn’t know what he was asking - was she leaving the plaza or was she leaving Manchester?

“I’m not sure.” She commented to the air, recounting the past week and knowing that Gaz could hear her. “It’s been a very long time since I’ve had company in my home.” She patted her dress again when she changed the subject, a nervous habit. “Many of my own friends in Poland and the Netherlands have perished.” She brushed off invisible dust from her lap, smiling sadly. “I’m afraid I no longer have any friends.”

“Mrs. Riley, you’re my friend.” Gaz commented, looking at her as she still stared at the train station. “Ghost has done all of us well, told us many times that you are a person with a kind heart. I’m very glad you decided not to just ignore me earlier.” He sort of chuckled, then continued. “Look, Mrs. Riley, I haven’t seen Ghost since March. I was moved to a different unit, he was upset with me when I left. Not sure if he’d want to see me-“

“Mrs. Riley!” Came a loud Scottish boom, Gaz’s head swiveled towards the train station as she stood, she would have smiled but the information Gaz gave her sent an arrow into her heart. The Scot slid his bag across the pavement to Gaz before wrapping the woman in a tight embrace, rocking her side to side as he chirped, “Oh, lass, how I have missed you so!” He kissed her cheek, his smile as wide as the moon. “You won’t believe what they’ve fed me!”

Well, I suppose I haven’t had that knowledge since February, but it still feels crushing to say. What will I do if you return to me and you are no longer yourself? I know war must change a man but I’m not sure how I will live if I never see your smile again.

“Soap, you’ll squeeze the poor woman to death.” Gaz’s hand grabbed Soap’s shoulder and the Scot let go of her, his hands held onto her shoulders.

“How are you, bonnie? Still workin’ at that measly book store?” Soap looked like he had not slept in weeks, the poor thing.

She shrugged. “Yes.“

“Gaz, lad, how’re you?” Soap then turned away from her, almost strangling Gaz when he hugged him. Soap then began to babble on to him, while she watched the train station again, seeing how it was now becoming less crowded, yet…

There was a man with a boonie hat on, walking towards them with just a small bag. And it felt like someone had grabbed a hold of her ankle and pulled her underwater, she couldn’t scream, cry- Breathe. Just breathe.

She felt something in her heart then, but it wasn’t confirmation. No, she wouldn’t get confirmation until her fingers brushed his dog tag - the only one she would receive from the British Army would be the red one, the hardened rubber imprinted with his identification number, religion, his first initial and Riley.

“Mr. Price.” Her voice was a whisper, the gentleman raised his head to look at her.

What will I do if you do not return? Will I become like the hundreds of widowed wives, crying forever and waiting for their husband’s remains to return home? Will I be able to go to the plaza everyday, knowing that you’ve touched this place before? Will I be able to stay in our home that you’ve put sweat and blood into, just for us? I can’t think anymore of it.

“Mr. Price, please.” She walked towards him, her steps uneasy. She could feel her heart in her throat as it constricted, the air becoming sour as he came closer. The world began to lose her focus, her hands at her side. The man finally stopped, a few feet from her.

He took off his hat and held out his hand.

“Mrs. Riley.”

Her right hand trembled when she held it up, taking his hand and he shook it.

“Please.” Her request made Soap and Gaz go quiet, she placed her left hand upon Price’s. The Captain merely stared at her. “You have to know something about Simon.”

Price merely whispered your name. “You haven’t seen his name on the boards?”

All color drained from Price’s face, and Soap’s hand touched her shoulder. She looked up to Soap, his friendly excitement was now gone. “He isn’t here?”

I don’t think I could ever understand it, that I would ever want to. We’ve talked about it, but it still doesn’t make the ache in my soul any lighter. I cannot think of you anymore, it feels like my heart is playing a melancholy tune on a piano well beyond its years; playing a song I never knew it had memorized. And it’s like my fingers are stuck to the keys, dancing ever so slowly as if the crescendo in the sheet music keeps darting away. The climax of our story hasn’t even crossed the page yet; I keep playing this haunted tune and I don’t want to anymore.

“Y/N, what do you mean he’s not here?”

I want to rip my fingers from the keys and push myself away from the piano. But I only play this tune as I wait for you, only when you’re away from me. What will I do if this will be the only song I can play for the rest of my life?

Her knees went weak then, she almost collapsed if it wasn’t for Soap grabbing her, quickly placing her on the bench before kneeling in front of her. Price did the same, both men held one of her hands.

“No list has had Ghost on it? At all?” Price questioned, tears didn’t even dare reach her eyes. All she could do was stare at the train station, seeing how the train had gone - only a handful of people remained. She could count on both her hands how many people stayed behind, looking like lost souls, wandering.

Soap’s voice wavered when he spoke your name, “Lass, please answer him,” he squeezed her hand, her eyes looked to his before flickering back to Price.

She took a breath in, trying to calm herself but it was a futile attempt. “No, no.” She took another breath, shuddering. She closed her eyes and her head moved down to face her lap. “I…He has to be here, you have to know something.”

“The last time I saw the LT, shite, would’ve been the start of August. We were headin’ back from Hong Kong.” Soap muttered, his hand still firmly squeezing hers. “He was fine. He was with Alejandro, they were heading back, weren’t they?”

Price hummed in agreement. “Maybe he gave his seat up, maybe he escorted Alejandro to London. It’s okay, we’ll figure it out.” The Captain looked to Soap. “Go check the boards again, maybe they’ve put up the MIA list.”

Soap gave her hand another squeeze before he leapt to his feet, speed walking towards the station while Gaz took his place; Gaz’s hand had a softer grip, much more comforting.

“Mrs. Riley, it will be okay.” Gaz’s voice was soft now, Price was looking over his shoulder. “He’ll be here.”

My mother sent for me. This morning, actually. I was sitting in the study, going through the mail. My father is dying back home in America, and I must go. But I feel that I cannot leave here without knowing. I cannot leave our home without knowing if I get to kiss you or kiss the stone that will lay above your head.

“We should take her home,” Gaz commented to Price, she couldn’t even feel her hands then, her husband’s friends holding her hands tightly. “She needs to go home, Price.”

“Wait.” Price murmured, still watching Soap. She didn’t dare look now, her gaze moved away and to the right. The trees danced with the gentle breeze, leaves twisting and turning on their branches. The lights of the cafe had now burned out, the post office dim too - it seemed everyone had decided to abandon their work today. It made sense.

All she wanted to do now was sit in the bookstore, reading one of those romance books that Simon finds silly in the little reading nook she loved. He’d tell her that reading about romance is not the way to find someone, that all of the romance she’d need would come from him. What a way to woo a woman, she had said. He had smiled.

I’ve wondered what it would be like for you if I leave for America this very moment. You place your key into the lock, twisting it and opening up the front door. The house would be dark, no warmth from the fireplace, nothing to signal that I would be home. Maybe you would think I abandoned you, maybe you would think I had perished. But, I know you. There will be no need to worry, Simon.

“Soap,” Price called, her eyes didn’t move from the bookstore, its lights still on and bright. It was almost like she could see Simon sitting on the window seat across from her, reading A Farewell To Arms by Ernest Hemingway while she read Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell - stealing glances from each other often. They were young then, he was 21 while she was 18, almost 19.

It was their first date. Sitting in the bookstore, stealing glances and being near each other. He had asked her what she was doing here in Manchester, noticing her American accent. She said, “I’m visiting my friends, I’m staying with an aunt.”

Simon sat up, closing his book before looking at her. “And you’re sat here, in a bookstore?”

“You have a much different and bigger selection than home,” She answered, a smile danced on her lips. “But I still love reading my favorite book.” She closed her own book, swinging her legs over the side of the bench, letting her shoes touch the ground. “Say, do you know any good romance books?”

That was the first time she had heard him truly laugh.

I’ve waited so long for you. So long for our life to grow, to spend more than a fleeting moment behind a bookshelf like we did when we were young. I’ve sat in every room of our home, praying and wishing for your safe return. I’ve hoped and wished so hard that I feel that the universe no longer hears me. Oh Simon, I’ve waited centuries in the collective almost six years you have been gone from my side. I’m not sure if I can wait any longer.

She didn’t even hear Soap’s answer. She didn’t even care that Price had pulled her to her feet, asking Soap where she lived. She mindlessly walked beside the soldiers, her ears began to ring.

The sky was gray, whistles of rain fell from it and kissed their heads. She would have normally been walking faster to avoid the rain, her hair taking almost an hour to put up but it felt like her soul had fell free from her chest. It was thrown away on the side of the street, discarded until she decides to find it again.

She was sure she wouldn’t.

The breeze felt bitter now, it was no longer her friend that ebbed by through her hair. It was a dangerous being, whispering in her ear taunts of loneliness, even though her friends walked beside her. Her arms were around both Gaz and Price’s, her hands gently rested on their forearms as they continued through the Manchester streets.

The ring felt heavy now. It felt like someone was pulling on her hand, trying to tear her ring off of her skin; like something was trying to burn it off. She couldn’t do it, couldn’t take it off. It was the only part she had connected to him.

When they finally arrived at her home, she blinked. She refocused her eyes, staring at the black door that seemed to mock her now. Soap fished the key from her purse, opening it - the soldiers pulled her into the house, her dark shoes scraped against the floor, scuffing them. They walked into the living room, gently settling her onto her couch. Their arms left her then, all of the soldiers kneeled before her.

And all she could do was blink, feeling tears burn her cheeks. And none of the men there dared to touch her now, Price’s eyes stayed on hers as Gaz and Soap looked at each other.

“Did you hear him?” Price’s voice was much softer than it was before, kinder - patient. “Did you hear John?”

She shook her head, letting the razor sharp tears slice down her face.

Price held out his hands, to which both of hers settled in. He clutched them gently, as if she was made of porcelain.

“Simon Riley is missing in action.”

I will love you forever. Even if you have left this precious Earth, even if your feet still tread upon it. But I can’t wait for a ghost when I have been waiting for my husband almost our entire marriage. My father is stable enough, they believe. He has two months to live. And because I love you, Simon, I will wait exactly one month after the last train arrives in Manchester with a list of soldiers.

Her tears fell against her dress, louder than anything else in the room. Her hands shook in front of her, she clenched them before she looked up at her husband’s friends.

And if you arrive when I have gone, I am sorry. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to come back to our home empty handed, even if you are there - because you always leave. You always leave and I have always needed you, Simon. Always. You have hurt me in unimaginable ways, my love, even if you always find your way back home to me. So, just this once - I will be the one leaving. I can’t come back. I won’t come back. I won’t come back to a house that is no longer ours. I will not come back to a house that is just mine.

“Please don’t let me be alone.”

I love you, Simon Riley. Don’t ever forget it.

Forever yours,

Y/N.

—

𝔯𝔢𝔟𝔩𝔬𝔤𝔰 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔠𝔬𝔪𝔪𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔰 𝔞𝔯𝔢 𝔤𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔱𝔩𝔶 𝔞𝔭𝔭𝔯𝔢𝔠𝔦𝔞𝔱𝔢𝔡! 𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔞𝔠𝔱𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔨𝔢𝔢𝔭𝔰 𝔪𝔢 𝔪𝔬𝔱𝔦𝔳𝔞𝔱𝔢𝔡 𝔱𝔬 𝔴𝔯𝔦𝔱𝔢 𝔟𝔢𝔱𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔱𝔬 𝔴𝔯𝔦𝔱𝔢 𝔪𝔬𝔯𝔢!

———

#simon ghost riley #simon ghost riley x you #simon ghost riley call of duty #simon ghost riley x reader #simon riley call of duty #simon riley x reader #simon riley x f!reader #simon ghost riley x afab!reader #simon ghost riley x f!reader #simon riley x afab!reader #lieutenant simon riley #john price #john soap mactavish #kyle gaz garrick #kyle garrick

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hogans-heroes · 14 days

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2nd Lt. Janina Lewandowska — Polish World War II pilot and the only woman officer killed in the Katyn Massacre.

Janina Antonina Lewandowska was born on 22 April 1908 in Kharkiv. She was a Polish World War II pilot killed by the Soviets in the Katyn Massacre. Her father, Józef Dowbor-Muśnicki, was a Polish General. Janina Lewandowska was one of over 20,000 Polish prisoners of war murdered by Soviet troops in the Katyn Forest in an effort to eliminate Poland’s elites.

Early in life, Janina developed three major passions: flying, parachuting and singing. She was said to have been excellent at all three.

As a teenager, she joined the Poznań Flying Club and earned her glider and parachutist certificates. She learned to fly light aircraft by 1937. By age 20, she was the first woman in Europe to parachute from a height of over five kilometers. Shortly before the war began, she married instructor-pilot Mieczyslaw Lewandowski.

In August 1939, Lewandowska was drafted for service with the 3rd Military Aviation Regiment stationed near Poznań, Poland. On 22 September, her unit was taken prisoner by the Soviets. She was one of only two officers in the group; both were taken to the POW Camp for Polish Officers in Kozielsk, Russia.

2nd Lieutenant Lewandowska, née Dowbor-Muśnicka was most likely shot on 22 April 1940, on her 32nd birthday. She was the only servicewoman murdered in Katyn.

In April 1943,Janina Lewandowska's remains were uncovered by the Germans who discovered the mass graves of the Polish soldiers in the Katyn forest.

(Link)

#she deserves to be remembered #ww2 #women pilots

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hpoelzig · 10 months

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A Time for Godzilla Aficionados to Rejoice!

GOJIRA was premiered on November 3 in 1954, and that film’s release created one of the longest franchises in film history, which is now thriving vigorously. Directly inspired by Ray Harryhausen’s THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS (1953) and perhaps even the Fleischer Superman cartoon THE ARCTIC GIANT from 1942 (which also seems a bit of a plot source for the Harryhausen film), there have been periods wherein Toho Studios have gone on hiatus, and many years would pass before new Godzilla content would arise. Now a feast of daikaiju goodness makes it a particularly fine time for we Goji fans. The American LEGENDARY company has a successful MonsterVerse (including films, live action and animated series) with a sequel to their energetic GODZILLA v. KONG film due out in March of 2024, and a live action series about to be released on Apple’s streaming platform featuring the mysterious MONARCH agency—said to be enhanced for their upcoming augmented reality headsets. Toho last released a live action Godzilla film in 2016, SHIN GOJIRA, which artfully reimagined their great god-beast and lampooned Japan’s frustrating bureaucracy. Since then, two Toho animated series have been released which also reboot and rethink Godzilla: GODZILLA: PLANET OF THE MONSTERS and GODZILLA SINGULAR POINT. And Netflix has two seasons of PACIFIC RIM: THE BLACK as well as GAMERA: REBIRTH, coming in September—a glut of giant monsters is upon us!

At last, Toho has begun serious publicity for their new live action film GODZILLA: MINUS ONE, set to be released in Japan on November 3rd, and then, in US theaters on December 1st—a first time in the history of this franchise that a US release has so quickly followed the Japanese premiere. They dropped a poster and a teaser trailer less than a week ago, and over this past weekend an exhibition of materials concerning this film’s director, Takashi Yamazaki, opened. He writes, directs, and oversees and designs the special effects. It included a statue of his new Godzilla as well as a very sketchy storyboard amongst other bits of memorabilia from his other films.

Yamazaki has depicted Godzilla twice before in what amount to cameos. In his Always: Sunset on Third Street 2, Godzilla appears in a fantasy sequence, while in 2021 he directed Godzilla the Ride: Giant Monsters Ultimate Battle which features Godzilla, King Ghidorah, and Rodan. He has continuously evolved his depiction of Godzilla as a CGI creation, and the version in the about to be released film is quite closely based on his previous version—though with enlarged dorsal plates and added details. Yamazaki blends aspects of other Godzilla designs into his own, particularly from the Toho Heisei series, but also there are some aspects of Legendary’s version as well.

Yamazaki had been rumored to be working on a Godzilla film, and Toho confirmed in late 2022 that it was happening, with a mysterious logo shaped like a G—that looked like it contained the shape of a new Godzilla—as well as the opening date, but they did not offer a title, poster, and teaser until about 5 days ago. Not long after the original confirmation and mysterious logo, a plot rumor emerged that suggested the film was set in the 1940s, after Japan had been nuked by the USA. Casting calls that astute fans discovered before this announcement confirmed that they were looking for actors who could be period correct. The rumor went on to suggest that the basic premise was that two Godzillas were to be used, one who was horribly burned by the nuclear strikes, and vengeful towards humans, while the other was unburned and thus more peaceful. The angry Godzilla was said to look much like the design from The Ride, while the other would have smoother skin, smaller dorsals and was described as somewhat “whale-like.” Also mentioned was that there would be a re-imagined version of Dr. Serizawa and his Oxygen Destroyer, both playing a major role in what was clearly emerging as a reboot entry into the series.

Back to the storyboard—Yamazaki must have selected it for inclusion in this public exhibition, and, if one enlarges it, one can see what looks like a sequence depicting both the angry Godzilla (Toho now calls him NegaGoji) as well as the peaceful one (I call it KujiraGoji) and the scene displays an ocean encounter with these two daikaiju as well as a small boat with three people (one wearing glasses). The plot rumor had mentioned a climactic scene wherein Dr. Serizawa, his sister, and a friend, use a small boat to take his Oxygen Destroyer to use on these two creatures who had been spotted together. So, the storyboard seems to be solid evidence confirming that detail of the plot rumor. Now, the rumor was early on and could have been derived from an early treatment or rough script produced by Yamazaki, so the actual film may have changed significantly since the rumor and the drawing of the storyboard. Yamazaki’s selecting this for exhibition seems like he might be having fun, hiding some significant aspect of the film in plain sight. His drawing is very loose and layered.

Below you can see the enlarged story board image—which is frankly almost Rorschach-esque. In my image I have outlined in magenta how Yamazaki has depicted NegaGoji (his exaggerated dorsal plates are clear), and I've outline in green KujiraGoji. It looks to me that Yamazaki has drawn an image wherein N-Goji might be following K-Goji underwater. He's overlayed this with eyes, which I suspect are notes to himself as to what eye expressions he's considering for the Gojis. I've outlined in orange the shot of the small boat by what I think is the submerged K-Goji, who one can see is drawn very differently from N-Goji, particularly with the lesser dorsals and the rather short arms and legs. The Goji by the boat is like the one above outlined in green. Of course you can easily see the images toward the bottom left that show three people in the boat, which is how the plot leak described the scene.

Whether or not the rumors, or what appears to be a pertinent story board, are actually indicators of the film to come, I’m certainly looking forward to Toho’s latest attempt to interpret Godzilla. Yamazaki has stated “In order to depict this, the staff and I have worked together to create a setting where Godzilla looks as if ‘fear’ itself is walking toward us, and despair is piled on top of despair.” That piques my interest! I quite enjoy the design and look forward to adding some new idols to my collection once the figures are released—and a number of them have been announced along with release dates. There is also supposedly an online Godzilla store in the works, to make it easier to sell Japanese merchandise to fans in the US. And plans are afoot for several viewings of the film in my local cinema accompanied by my fellow Gojira devotees.

There have been some test-screening revelations about GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE, and I’ll be back to discuss those in another blog entry.

It is indeed a good day to Hail Godzilla!

—Peter H. Gilmore

#Godzilla #Godzilla Minus One #Takashi Yamazaki #toho studios #legendary monsterverse #shin gojira #daikaiju

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metamorphosis-000 · 6 months

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1938 BMW 328 Roadster

The pre-war era of automotive manufacturing saw the likes of Alfa Romeo, Bentley, Bugatti, and Mercedes-Benz typify the age with powerful-yet-complex performance machines. By contrast, the BMW 328 emerged in 1936 as a meticulously engineered, lightweight, well-balanced, and surprisingly user-friendly racer in a time when such qualities rarely transferred to cars intended for the motorsport track. Entering production in April 1936, the 328 was extensively campaigned by BMW’s Works team at contemporary racing events. The very first car, chassis number 85001, was driven by Ernst Henne to 1st overall at the Eifelrennen Nürburgring, while in April 1937, the first customer cars were delivered. A combination of factory and privateer cars were entered into subsequent races, with both scoring notable victories in the late 1930s at the Grand Prix des Frontières, Bucharest Grand Prix, and Eläintarhanajo in Finland. In 1938, the 328 was victorious at some 125 events, including 1-2-3 finishes at the Mille Miglia, International Avusrunnen, Grand Prix des Frontières, and two victories at the Nürburgring. These successes were followed by a three-car team entry at Le Mans in 1939 (finishing 5th, 7th, and 9th), and outright dominance at the shortened 1940 Mille Miglia, where team cars finished 1st and 3rd while privateers finished 5th and 6th. By this time, the 328 could be tuned to reach 60 mph from a standstill in 8.8 seconds, and it was capable of a top speed of over 110 mph. British BMW importer and privateer, H.J. Aldington, was once clocked hitting 117 mph at Brooklands, a staggering speed for the era. By September 1939, 464 examples of the 328 had been produced, and the model remained dominant in club racing though the 1950s.

/Found the text on the internetz.

#BMW 328 Roadster #BMW #Car

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roxas--munchkin · 8 months

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Sorry I haven't done much OP posting in a bit. Short story: School is tiring and i keep forgetting. Here's some Portal Fanart I've done on September 3rd 2023.

First image is Chell, just me trying to get a handle on the feel of the beloved Portal Heroine. Second Image is Caroline, the leading lady in charge. I had fun drawing her in various stages of her life. Since the Aperture Fixtures company was founded in the 1940's, I'd imagine she's in her mid or late 20's, and around the 1960's, she's in her forties. Likewise, running with that presumption, Caroline would be a teen in the 1920's, and I wanted to see a frumpy Caroline in the greatest looks of the era when she'd personally be studying or something. Also made a 1980's Caroline whose still keeping up with the trends. Third Image is GLaDOS. I sorta just scrolled through Butterick Pattern pictures until i found images that i liked. Likewise the coat is a combo of these images (below this post) that i felt would be a solid fit for the 1980's- early 2000's. 4th and 5th images are various Wheatley's. I've never really drawn him, so he was a bit of a creative road bump. I also wanted a slightly different creative take instead of just the "blond English Dude in Prep" image. So, remembering how Wheatley tends to blunder around, i just stuck him in a semi-cowboy based outfit with probably nice slacks and suspenders to complete the look. Also had an issue trying to get the hair look right, and he reminded me of an OC i've drawn lol. 6th image is super simple. Its a compilation of the previous images while cleaning up the lineart and making it more defined. I'll work more on cleaning it up and then actually coloring it lol.

GLaDOS' jacket designs. I stole the sleeves off the spotted jacket, the shoulder pads and jacket lapels from the white satin jacket to make an amalgamation XD

#munchkin's thoughts #no swears #portal #munchkin's art #portal 2

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neutralgray · 4 days

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A Synthesized History: An Amateur Comparison of the Perspectives between the "Patriot's," the "People's," & The "True" History of the United States - Part 14

Full Essay Guide link: XX

(Patriot - Chapter 17 | People - Chapter 16 | True - Chapter 25-26)

World War II and Shifting World Powers

As explored in the last section of this essay series, the 1930's were a difficult time for the United States and much of the western world. While the United States coasted through the decade using reactionary short-term economic measures led by president Roosevelt, some European countries responded to the global economic crisis in considerably different ways.

In Germany, a string of antisemitic policies were enacted by their newly appointed chancellor, Adolf Hitler. Much of this antisemitic attitude placed blame of the economic suffering at that time on the shoulders of the Jewish people. The United States was aware of this concerning development but wished to remain neutral on European affairs. Thus, the United States government made no declaration on the xenophobic affairs of Germany. In fact, American companies with trade and/or production ties in Germany continued business as usual. The same applied to fascist Italy, run by Prime Minister Benito Mussolini. When Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935, the United States remained "neutral" but American companies still actively sold Italy the necessary oil to fuel their war efforts. Essentially, the United States policy of nonintervention benefited the growing fascist regimes.

As tensions increased across Europe over the 1930's, many speculated the potential for another major conflict. Some citizens of the United States participated in peace marches while others participated in strikes on college campuses. Many other citizens were wary of another potential intervention into European affairs, believing the first world war was a costly and pointless endeavor. Roosevelt declared the "Neutrality Acts" in response to this speculative conflict. The Neutrality Acts would allow the United States to refrain from direct intervention but would impose an arms embargo on any belligerents, should a war occur.

The situation in Europe would only grow worse. In 1938, Hitler's German forces invade Austria. Over 3000 Jewish denizens were applying for immigration visas a day to flee the invasion, but due to the United States' recent immigration restrictions, the United States could only apply up to 850 of these immigrants a month.

Despite invading and annexing both Austria and Czechoslovakia, it was not until the invasion of Poland in September, 1939, that Britain and France would declare war on Germany. At this point, Roosevelt began to repeal aspects of the Neutrality Acts. His interactions with other world leaders showed sympathy for their cause and soon enough he and Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, would form a political friendship.

With the European conflict growing in magnitude, FDR decided that the potential for national emergency coupled with the ongoing difficulties of the domestic economic depression required further executive leadership. He ran for a 3rd term, something no president before had done. At this point the public was aware of a shifting tide that suggested an eventual intervention in the European conflict was inevitable.

In November, 1940, President Roosevelt won his 3rd term and almost immediately launched aid to Great Britain via executive order. Fifty WWI bombers were declared "obsolete" and sent across the Atlantic to Britain. The United States then began a "lend-lease" policy, which allowed supply aid to be granted under a "borrowed" contract. Critics would often poke at this policy, asking how one could "return used bullets." Regardless, it allowed the United States to intervene and indebted multiple countries to the United States.

After several years of of watching the situation across the ocean, the public acclimated to the idea that American intervention was almost certain. Publications across the country promoted a sympathetic European brother, needing the help of the United States as they fought fascism. At that point there was very little coordinated opposition to the war outside the Socialist Workers' Party. Even the American Communist Party, which had opposed the war in 1939, changed their stance as the conflict continued to look more bleak. Of course, any potential organized opposition was fiercely challenged. The FBI and HUAC monitored for potentially "disruptive" groups. There was also the Smith Act of 1940, which took aspects of the Espionage Act and applied it to peacetime, giving the United States more control to silence dissent.

President Roosevelt and the American government continued to aid the war without being "in" the war. Troops were stationed on both Iceland and Greenland to prevent Nazi's from having easy access to either. The defense perimeter was also extended, and the Navy had orders to track German submarines and report their position to British contacts. Eventually the order was changed to just shooting them on sight. The Germans returned the hostilities and engaged in several attacks on U.S. boats and ships, such as the sinking of freighter SS Robin Moor. These attacks made for effective propaganda tools and led to a more outraged and war-hungry public.

Roosevelt and Churchill's political alliance continued. They devised a document known as the Atlantic Charter which detailed a post-war world after an assumed Allied victory. It was celebrated for declaring the rights of nations to self-determination, restoration of self-government, and more open trading. These and more were outlined by the two optimistic world leaders, one of whom was not even in the war yet.

The United States had initially continued trade with Japan despite their invasive and aggressive war with China, providing them with up to 80% of their oil. The United States eventually imposed sanctions on gasoline, iron, oil, and other commodities. This was potentially in hopes of staunching the Japanese and their aggressive strategy, but instead it merely made them desperate. Japan wanted to force the United States to renegotiate over these sanctions but likely did not intend or want a total war with the United States. Their strategies were desperate and short-sighted, however. On December 7th, 1941, "a date which will live in infamy," the Japanese attacked the Pearl Harbor naval base near Honolulu, Hawaii. Four days later Germany and Italy declared war on the United States.

If the United States had hoped to only engage with Japan, then the declarations of war from the other Axis powers made this impossible. Even with three enemies to fight, though, the United States had large advantages. One, it had the advantage of distance. Being so far removed from most of the fighting, the U.S. could afford to be strategic in how it entered the fight. Two, the U.S. also had nearly double the income of Germany, Italy, and Japan, despite the economic suffering of the Great Depression.

The United States had been preparing for this possibility. Rapidly the country amassed the largest army in its history-- smaller than Germany's and less than half of Russia's, but still the biggest army the United States had ever raised. Never before had a greater proportion of the population participated in a war. Eighteen million served in the armed forces, with 10 million serving overseas, and 25 million citizens giving to the war effort through war bonds. Civilians also helped the war effort by increasing farm production, growing backyard "victory gardens" to help with potential food supply shortages, and by organizing scrap and paper drives.

Multiple organizations were established that helped the U.S. shift completely towards the war effort. The War Production Board and later the Office of War Mobilization helped shift large industries to the war effort by focusing on production of war equipment such as tanks and carriers. The Office of War Information was a propaganda agency that helped continue and enforce public support of the war. The Office of Strategic Services, a pre-runner to the CIA, gathered enemy intelligence.

The Allied Powers comprised of many nations, but the three largest were the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union. This was an alliance largely made out of necessity. The United States wanted to expand their economic growth across the Pacific and retaliate for previous attacks. The United Kingdom wanted to maintain the European power structure and its hierarchy. Russia desperately needed aid, as they were taking on the brunt of the German army and were almost constantly engaged with infantry fighting.

Even during the beginnings of this 3-way alliance, signs of the later Cold War were there. The US and UK worked with the Soviet Union but did not trust Stalin and his communist regime. Stalin, likewise, likely held resentment and mistrust due to his ally's continued delay/deferral of establishing a second war front. Russians were being slaughtered by the millions but instead of truly helping their ally, the US and UK deemed fighting and maintaining their influence in Northern Africa was more immediately important. Russia was put in a difficult position, with Stalin reaching out to negotiate with Hitler in December of 1942 and in the summer of 1943, indicating Stalin was not certain of victory against the belligerent Nazis. The 2nd front in the European war finally happened in May of 1944.

The U.S. and U.K. engaged in "strategic" bombings of civilian cities in both Germany and Japan. This was to cause national suffering and weaken the morale and will of the enemy nations. In the European theater, this weakened the German offense against the Soviets, as many of their aircrafts were pulled away from the front to defend the homeland and counter-attack the bombing parties.

June 6th, 1944, is one of the most striking dates in the history of the war-- "D Day." It was the convergence of many military forces from allied countries storming the beaches of Normandy, France, which would ultimately lead to the liberation of France. At this point in the war, Italy's forces had all but collapsed and Germany was now surrounded by enemies. The Soviet Union began to reclaim territory and occupied much of the Germans' invaded lands, including Poland. Germany tried to push an offensive to reclaim territory and fracture the Allies during the Battle of the Bulge. Germans tore a 45 mile wide gap in Allied forces, but when the freezing weather conditions cleared, the Germans were surrounded by overwhelming forces. Soviets occupied Berlin, Mussolini had been killed by Italians forces that opposed the war, and Hitler had killed himself. On May 7th, 1945, Germany declared unconditional surrender. Less than a year after D Day, on May 8th, 1945, ("VE Day") the European theater was won.

The United States was not done, of course. The war in the Pacific was still going strong. Troops adopted an "island hopping" strategy to attempt to gain ground on the Japanese combatants, but progress was slow. Initially, the Japanese dominated the Pacific conflict. This would not last. Key strategic victories on Midway Island and the Guadalcanal airfield, coupled with the cracking of the Japanese naval code helped considerably shift the war's favor to the United States.

The United States had the long-term advantage of a thriving wartime economy whereas the Japanese situation grew increasingly more desperate. Despite the ability to out-produce Japan and the shifting tide of the conflict, the Japanese remained a difficult enemy to fight. This was in part because of the jungle terrain often being fought in, but also because of significant cultural differences that affected the Japanese soldier's views of war and surrender. Honor was a highly regarded cultural value, comparable to the way the U.S. people viewed "freedom," and to surrender or fail to fight was a great mark of shame. Thus, many Japanese combatants refused to stop fighting, potentially believing their lives were worth losing for their country's cause.

The Japanese/American conflict sparked vitriolic racist motivations culturally. When the war in Europe was sold to the American people, it was presented a fight against the rise of fascism. The pacific war was presented as a fight directly against the Japanese. Propaganda depicted the Japanese with grossly stereotyped and exaggerated features. This was also demonstrated the other way around-- American POWs in the European conflict had 90%+ survival rates, versus the 1/3rd of them that died under Japanese capture. This hatred fueled anger and the anger fueled fighting. Racial tensions became so pronounced after the Pearl Harbor attack that the American government was fearful of its own Japanese citizens. Executive Order 9906, signed on February 19th, 1942, ordered the constraint of Japanese-American citizens and immigrants into concentration camps across multiple states. These camps would be active for more than 3 years.

By 1945, the Japanese were confined to their lands, held little supply stability, and had virtually no navy left. Japanese leaders began to probe the possibility of peace through Russian contacts, but Japanese militarists continued fighting. The U.S. would take accept nothing less than "unconditional surrender," which put Japan in a difficult and desperate position. It was unclear how long the Japanese could last but even if their fighting spirit lasted to the last man, it was clear they had no advantage left to them.

The Soviet Union was not far along from entering the Pacific conflict due to an agreement with the United States: Russia would enter the pacific conflict 90 days after victory in Europe was declared. If the United States could force a surrender before Russian forces offered support, it would prevent the Soviets a chance to sink their own self-interests in the potential outcome of the fighting. To force this surrender, the United States unveiled the fruits of a years long weapons project.

Dubbed the "Manhattan Project," this weapons project aimed at building powerful bombs using nuclear energy. The United States was not the only country working on achieving the "atomic bomb," but they were the first to succeed. The project had been in development since 1941 and on August 6th, 1945, the United States used it on the city of Hiroshima. Over 140,000 people were killed by a single bomb. Three days later they dropped a second bomb on Nagasaki, killing over 70,000 people. The death toll would grow even worse as the fallout settled and poisoned many survivors of the initial blasts. With these two bombs, the United States shifted the world's view on what carnage was even possible in war. Emperor Hirohito declared the surrender of the Japanese empire shortly after, on August 15th, and the surrender was formally signed on September 2nd, 1945, ending the global conflict.

President Truman (successor to Roosevelt who died of a brain hemorrhage a month before VE Day) never once showed any regret for using the bombs. In fact, Truman's comments on the bombs indicated that he had always intended on using any and all of the weapons at his disposal to win the war. Some historians argue that bleak projections on the potential casualties if a mainland invasion was attempted over the atom bombs, demonstrated that far more would have died. The United States lost many of its troops to the Pacific front and many feared worse loss. Despite this claim, the United States Strategic Bombing Survey would later conclude that the bombing was unlikely a "necessary" strategy.

World War II fundamentally changed the power structure of the western world, shifting much of the power to the isolationist United States. This shift made sense when considering the variables. The United States already had a considerable ability to generate economic production, and the shift to a wartime economy pushed production even further. Countries were granted aid by the United States but usually owed that capital in return. Europe's primary powers were ravaged and needed time to heal after once again losing millions to a global war. The Soviet Union was also set to become a major superpower but was at a disadvantage compared to the U.S. due to their massive war casualties and a comparative lack of initial economic power.

The United States, under Truman's leadership, moved away from its isolationist tendencies and began to more actively intervene in the world. These interventions were framed as being against the "rule of force," justifying these interventions as a necessary good. This new intervention strategy was quickly seen during the Korean War, in which the United States intervened by supporting South Korea while China and the Soviet Union supported North Korea. Proxy wars like this would become more common going forward.

Anti-communist tendencies began to really take hold in daily American life. These anti-communists sentiments were not uncommon before, but with the threat of fascism gone and the United States now poised as a world leader, communism was the next "bogeyman" for a patriotic and fearful population. This fear and hatred towards communism also created a web of community and national identity. This fear served an even greater purpose, though.

With the threat of a potential new enemy, the United States ensured that it could maintain its wartime economy whether it was fighting or not. The military would also continue to grow, enforcing the United States' powerful empire. In 1950 the United States had a total yearly budget of $40 billion dollars with $12 billion dedicated to the military. By 1955 the military budget alone was $40 billion from a total budget of $62 billion.

Other events that followed the war included the alliance of the United States and Saudi Arabia due to oil, the founding of the United Nations with the United States as one of its head leaders, and the issuance of executive order 9835, which enforced searching for "disloyal" persons.

The United States was now, for better or worse, leader of the "free world" after all other powers had fallen behind.

Final Thoughts:

This essay marks a turning point in the history of the United States that I believe will continue to be noticeable in future entries. This is where the United States truly takes its place as an "Empire of Liberty" in the greater world.

I believe that this section is also important in understanding the myth of American exceptionalism. With the United States intervening in the war but skirting by the worst consequences of the war, the United States became, in a way, "superior." It is not surprising then, that the population at large saw itself as a perfect country. The wartime economy also saved the country from the Great Depression and allowed for an economic bliss in the 1950's that no decade after has had in quite the same way.

I will be interested to see how this new position in the world affects the United States going forward and how those influences likely echo in our modern world.

#A Synthesized History #A True History #A People's History #A Patriot's History #Larry Schweikart #Michael Allen #Howard Zinn #Daniel A Sjursen #American History #History

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usafphantom2 · 8 months

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#onthisday in 1940 the first bombing raid on Berlin, Germany of the Second World War by Bomber Command took place. Aircraft including Wellingtons, Hampdens and Whitleys took part.

Vickers Wellington | Classic Warbirds

During September 1932 the Air Ministry issued Specification B.9/32 which required an aircraft with a range of 720 miles and a bomb load of 1,000lb. Vickers design, initially known as the 271 would compete with Handley Page's H.P. 52 design, which would also be ordered into production as the Hampden. Vickers entry would be built using the geodetic construction method, which had first been used on the Vickers Wellesley, power would be supplied by a pair of Rolls-Royce Goshawk engines. This enabled a range of 2,800 miles and a bomb load of 4,500lb. More than four times the amount called for in the specification.

The prototype Wellington was ready by May 1936 and featured the fin and rudder of a Supermarine Stranraer and instead of Rolls-Royce engines, a pair of 915-hp Bristol Pegasus engines were installed. The 15th June 1936 would see Captain Joseph Summers at the controls as the new aircraft prototype made its maiden flight. Later that month, with the nose and tail cupolas of the aircraft covered, the Wellington appeared at the RAF Display, Hendon on the 27th June 1936. This was followed two months later on the 15th August by an order for one hundred and eighty Wellington Mk Is by the Air Ministry. These aircraft would be produced under a different Specification B.29/36, which required a more angular fuselage, the tail unit to be revised and hydraulic powered turrets in the nose, ventral and tail positions.

Testing of the new aircraft was initially done by Vickers before being flown to Martlesham Heath so the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment could conduct official trials. However as these trials concluded the prototype crashed on the 19th April 1937. The cause was found to be elevator overbalance in a high-speed dive. Despite this set back, development of the Wellington continued and before the year was out, on the 23rd December 1937, the first production Mk I flew. Although originally fitted with the Bristol Pegasus X engine, April 1938 would see the 1,050-hp Pegasus XVIII engine become the engine of choice for Wellington Mk I aircraft produced.

Deliveries of the Royal Air Force's new bomber began on the 10th October 1938, with No. 99 Squadron, RAF Mildenhall the first to receive the new type, with a crew of up to six people, a top speed of 245 mph and able to carry 4,500lb bombs over 1,200 miles, and by the time war broke out the following September a total of ten squadrons were equipped with the Wellington, two of which were reserve squadrons. With larger main wheels and the landing gear strengthened the Mk IA appeared. This new version also had its Vickers turrets replaced with Nash and Thompson ones. The Mk IC followed and this had its ventral turret removed in favour of either a Vickers 'K' or Browning machine-gun firing from the beam position on either side. The Wellington's bomb bay was also strengthen to allow the use of a 4,000lb bomb. Just under one hundred and fifty Mk ICs would be used as torpedo bombers.

With a pair of 1,145-hp Rolls-Royce Merlin X engines the Wellington Mk II appeared with a Mk I adapted to serve as the prototype. Making its maiden flight at Brooklands on the 3rd March 1939, this new version started to enter RAF service in October 1940.

Two Wellington Mk III prototypes were produced, the first was a converted Mk I fitted with Bristol Hercules HEISM engines, which made its maiden flight on the 19th May 1939, and the second was a Mk IC designed to take the 1,425-hp Hercules III engine, which flew in January 1941. In the end neither of these two engines were used when the Mk III went into production, with the 1-590-hp Hercules XI used. A new rear FN.20A turret was introduced to the aircraft which had four 0.303-in machine-guns, which was twice the existing armament.

The Mk IV followed and this was powered by a pair of 1,050-hp Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp R-1830-S3C4-G engines, which had been ordered by France but not delivered and were consequently available for use.

As a result of Vickers being asked to investigate whether a Wellington could be fitted with a pressurised cabin for use as a high altitude bomber/Pathfinder, the Mk V & VI would be developed, at the same time, for this role. The Mk V would be powered by turbocharged Bristol Hercules VII engines and had a service ceiling of 36,800 ft, whilst the Mk VI was powered by 1,600-hp Merlin 60 engines and its service ceiling was 1,700 ft higher at 38,500 ft. Both aircraft featured a FN.20A turret positioned in the tail that could be remotely controlled. It was to be the Mk VI that was the preferred of the two, but only sixty four would be built, four of which served in the pathfinder role. However by this time the de Havilland Mosquito was in service and was used in the role instead.

The next intended Wellington was the Mk VII which was to be powered by a pair of Merlin XX engines, but this only reached the prototype stage. In the end the sole example was used by Rolls-Royce to develop their Merlin 60 engine.

Although Coastal Command had been using the type it wasn't until the production of the Mk GR.VIII that a variant of the Wellington was produced specifically for use within Coastal Command. Based on the Wellington Mk IC the aircraft was fitted with Air-to-Surface Vessel Mk II radar and some versions would have a Leigh Light installed in the ventral turret with the light operator positioned in the nose meaning this armament was removed.

The Wellington Mk X was the last bomber version built and also the most produced, with 3,803 rolling off the production line, with its roots in the Mk III the Mk X would be powered by a pair of either 1,675-hp Bristol Hercules VI or Hercules XVI engines. As well as serving with Bomber Command some would serve with Operational Training Units, and post-war a number would become T.10 crew trainers after conversion work undertaken by Boulton Paul. The Mk X would also provide the basis for the Wellington Mk GR.XI which would have the same engines as the Mk X and would serve with Coastal Command. These would have ASV Mk II radar installed at first before ASV Mk III radar replaced it and this would also equip the 1,735-hp Hercules XVII powered Mk GR.XII, which also featured a Leigh Light.

The Wellington would immediately see action the day after the Second World War (1939 – 1945) broke out, when on the 4th September 1939, alongside the Bristol Blenheim, they carried out the first raids on German territory by Bomber Command when they attacked German shipping at Brunsbuttel. The Wellington would operate during daylight as it was considered that by flying in tight formations its fire power would make them able to fend off attack successfully. However early raids showed that the defensive armament of six 0.303-in machine-guns, two in each turret located in the nose, ventral and tail positions were inadequate. As a result a gun was fitted in the beam position and the Wellington would now operate mainly at night.

The Wellington would play a big part in Bomber Command's early wartime operations. Major operations for the type saw it take part in the first raid on Berlin, Germany on the 25th August 1940 and drop the first 4,000lb 'Blockbuster' bomb on a raid over Emden, Germany on the 1st April 1941. At the height of its time with Bomber Command the Wellington made up 601 of the 1,047 aircraft for Operation Millennium when Cologne, Germany was attacked on the 30th May 1942. By the end of 1942 the Wellington's time as a frontline bomber was coming to an end as by now the four-engined heavy bombers that would form the backbone of Bomber Command from now on, the Avro Lancaster, Handley Page Halifax and Short Stirling, were now in service. The final time the Wellington would be used in major numbers by Bomber Command was on the 8th October 1943. There was still No. 300 Squadron using the type as 1944 got underway but they were only allowed to lay mines and attack minor targets. No. 192 Squadron would also keep using the aircraft for intelligence gathering into 1945.

The type would also serve with Coastal Command, which lead to perhaps one of the more unusual aircraft of the war. Appearing in 1940 with a metal ring under the fuselage, with the idea to detonate magnetic mines by use of a coil which created a field current.

As well as serving in Europe the Wellington would serve in the Middle East and Far East and would also be converted for transport and training duties. By the time the final Wellington, a Mk X, was delivered on the 25th October 1945, 11,461 had been produced and the type would serve until 1953 training pilots and navigators.

Technical Details

Click on the aircraft image to view a larger version.

Top Speed Range Service Ceiling Armament

Wellington Mk I 245 mph 1,200 miles 21,600 ft eight 0.303-in machine-guns

4,500lb bombs

Wellington Mk II 254 mph 1,540 miles 23,500 ft six 0.303-in machine-guns

4,500lb bombs

Wellington Mk II side profile image

Wellington B Mk III 235 mph 1,540 miles 19,000 ft eight 0.303-in machine-guns

4,500lb bombs

Wellington B Mk IV 255 mph 1,500 miles 18,000 ft eight 0.303-in machine-guns

4,500lb bombs

Wellington B Mk VI 300 mph 1,510 miles 38,600 ft four 0.303-in machine-guns

4,500lb bombs

Wellington B Mk X 255 mph 1,885 miles 22,000 ft eight 0.303-in machine-guns

4,500lb bombs

Wellington GR Mk VIII 235 mph 2,500 miles 18,000 ft six 0.303-in machine-guns

and either two depth charges or

torpedos

Wellington GR Mk XI 255 mph 2,020 miles 19,000 ft eight 0.303-in machine-guns

4,500lb bombs

Wellington GR Mk XII 256 mph 1,810 miles 18,500 ft eight 0.303-in machine-guns

5,100lb bombs

Wellington GR Mk XIII 250 mph 1,760 miles 16,000 ft eight 0.303-in machine-guns

5,000lb bombs

Wellington GR Mk XIV 250 mph 1,760 miles 16,000 ft eight 0.303-in machine-guns

5,000lb bombs

Wellington C Mk XX Transport version able to carry eighteen people.

Wellington C Mk XVI Transport version able to carry eighteen people.

Wellington T Mk XVII Trainer version.

Wellington T Mk XVIII Trainer version.

Wellington T Mk XIX Trainer version.

Wellington T Mk X Trainer version.

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zaphffayrkunialofphinsfable · 4 months

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my fictional band JFKFC

genres: rock, pop, beat, psychedelia, soul, r&b, gospel, jazz, folk, blues, country, traditional pop, experimental, psychedelia, Indian classical, funk, classical, electronic, hard rock, blues rock, folk rock, heavy metal

years together: 1958-1986

year they blew up: 1967

influences: Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Aretha Franklin, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin, Carl Perkins, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Gene Vincent, Lonnie Donegan, Phil Spector, Ravi Shankar, Roy Orbison, The Isley Brothers, The Everly Brothers, Arthur Alexander, Eddie Cochran, Smokey Robinson, Larry Williams, The Shirelles, The Supremes, Little Willie John, The Marvelettes, The Shadows, Bill Haley, Buck Owens, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, Bo Diddley, The Band, King Curtis, Carole King, Slim Whitman, Billie Holiday, Clara Ward, Dinah Washington, Mahalia Jackson, Ruth Brown, Sam Cooke, Sarah Vaughan, Big Maybelle, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Willie Mae Ford Smith, Wynona Carr, Bessie Smith, Dorothy Love Coates, Ella Fitzgerald, Esther Phillips, James Cleveland, Johnny Ace, LaVern Baker, Ma Rainey, Nat King Cole, Nina Simone, Arizona Dranes, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Dave Van Ronk, Hank Williams, Rev. Gary Davis, Woody Guthrie, Allen Ginsberg, Bill Monroe, Blind Willie McTell, Cisco Houston, Hary Smith, Jimmie Rodgers, Leadbelly, Johnny Cash, Little Richard, Mississippi John Hurt, Odessa, Pete Seeger, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Bascom Lamar Lunsford, Clarence Ashley, Dock Boggs, Jesse Fuller, Robert Johnson, John Jacob Niles, Lefty Frizzell, The Carter Family, Victoria Spivey, Alan Lomax, Doc Pomus, Doc Watson, Mississippi Sheiks, The Weavers, Roscoe Holcomb, George Gershwin, Percy Mayfield, Blind Boy Fuller, Josephine Baker, Frank Hutchison, Ewan MacColl, Billy Lee Riley, B.B. King, John Coltrane, The Yardbirds, Little Richard, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Cream, T-Bone Walker, The Impressions, Buddy Guy, Elmore James, Freddie King, Hubert Sumlin, Little Walter, Jimmy Reed, Lonnie Mack, Albert Collins, Bobby Womack, Curtis Mayfield, Earl Hooker, Esquerita, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Ike Turner, Charley Patton, James Brown, Johnny Jenkins, Randy Hansen, Charlie Christian, Moby Grape, Fairport Convention, Otis Rush, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Willie Dixon, Anne Briggs, Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, The Creation, The Rolling Stones, Blind Willie Johnson, Davy Graham, Fleetwood Mac, James Cotton, Johnny Burnette, Memphis Minnie, Small Faces, Jake Holmes, Spirit, Tim Rose, Vanilla Fudge

JHENE FRANCIS

born: James Francis Parker June 3rd, 1940 Toronto, Canada

died: 22nd September, 2001 (aged 61) Detroit, Michigan, US

cause of death: gunshot wounds

resting place: cremated; ashes scattered in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

occupation: singer, songwriter, pianist, civil rights activist, record producer, artist, writer, musician

years active: 1957-2001

(btw im not gonna fill in the spouses section on any of these I haven't figured that out yet)

children: 12

(btw im not gonna fill in the parents section on any of these I haven't figured that out yet)

relatives: Mary Parker (sister), Linda Parker (sister), Sarah Sheehan (half-sister), Filzah Ellington (aunt)

genres: soul, r&b, gospel, jazz, pop, folk, blues, rock, country, traditional pop, experimental

instruments: vocals, piano, guitar, keyboards, harmonica

strengths: supportive, reliable, observant, enthusiastic, hardworking, good practical skills, charming, sensitive to others, kind, encouraging, imaginative, passionate, curious, perceptive, excellent communicator, easygoing, good-natured, positive

weaknesses: overly humble, takes things personally, represses his feelings, reluctant to change, too altruistic, difficulty with structure, unpredictable, easily stressed, difficulty with technical-problem solving, fluctuating self-esteem, people pleaser, unfocused, disorganised, overly accommodating, overly optimistic, restless

JOHN HARLY

birth name: William John Harley

also known as: John Mason Harly

born: 12th July, 1942 Toronto, Canada

died: 18th September, 1986 Toronto, Canada (aged 44)

genres: rock, psychedelia, blues, r&b, pop, indian classical

occupation: musician, songwriter, singer, record producer, film producer

instruments: guitar, vocals, sitar

years active: 1960-1986

children: 1

strengths: charming, sensitive to others, kind, encouraging, imaginative, passionate, insightful, principled, altruistic, creative

weaknesses: difficulty with structure, unpredictable, easily stressed, difficulty with technical problem solving, fluctuating self esteem, sensitive to criticism, reluctant to open up, perfectionist, avoids the ordinary, prone to burnout

JOHN JORGIE

birth name: John Mark Jorgie

born: 9th April, 1938 Detroit, Michigan, US

died: 2nd August, 2004 Los Angeles, California, US (aged 66)

genres: r&b, soul, pop, funk, jazz, rock, classical, electronic

occupation: session musician, singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, film producer, businessman

instruments: bass, double bass, vocals, guitar, keyboards

years active: 1956-2004

children: 5

relatives: Steve Jorgie

strengths: charming, sensitive to others, kind, encouraging, imaginative, passionate, strong practical skills, strong sense of duty, very loyal, sensitive, warm, good at connecting with others

weaknesses: difficulty with structure, unpredictable, easily stressed, difficulty with technical problem solving, fluctuating self esteem, worried about his social status, inflexible, vulnerable to criticism, often too needy, too selfless

GEORGE FAREN

birth name: James William Peyton

born: 19th June, 1944 Stoke-On-Trent, England

died: 25th September, 2002 Birmingham, England (aged 58)

genres: rock, pop

occupation: musician, singer, songwriter, actor

instruments: drums, percussion, vocals

years active: 1959-2002

children: 3

strengths: bold, rational, practical, original, perceptive, direct, sociable, positive, enthusiastic, hands on, observant, excellent people skills

weaknesses: insensitive, impatient, impulsive, unstructured, may miss the bigger picture, defiant, sensitive, conflict averse, easily bored, poor long term planner, unfocused

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