Ben Skipper
@benskipper
Active User, communicator and consumer of cake.
Five of my 'Craft titles published by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social have made it to the Annual IPMS National Convention at Fort Wayne, Indiana with @casematepublishers.bsky.social this year. I am doing the dance. #avgeek #militaryhistory #biginamerica #historywriter
Thanks to the MoD, Help for Heroes and the Veterans Mobility Fund I'm now like a gazelle... but with wheels! #disabilityawarenessmonth #disaility #activeuser
The First Battle of El Alamein began on 1 and continued until the 27th July 1942. The battle eventually halted the furthest (and final) advance made by the Axis forces into Egypt, when it was stopped close to the train station of El Alamein, itself a little over 50 miles from Alexandria.
A great start to the week; a US based reader, Barry C, has kindly sent me these photos of my B-17 and B-29 books alongside aircraft featured in both titles. I'm doing the dance!
Found this. Thanks for the heads up Stef. Be interesting to see what Zimi does with their new acquisitions.
Sorry... What? Maybe Das Werks will pick up the baton? It'll be interesting to see what the future holds.
An excellent evening with the South Nottinghamshire Hussars to celebrate the Battle of Knightsbridge, where I was welcomed into the regimental family and given permission to wear the regimental colours as an Honourary Hussar. To the last round!
This graphic is taken from a fellow veteran, Jon Pritchard. Please share to help dismiss the fallacies of being disabled in the UK by a great many folk from all sides.
To the last round! Today, 6 June 1942, the South Notts Hussars (107th Regt RHA) fought overwhelming German and Italian armoured assaults against the Knightsbridge Box, during the Battle of Gazala. The action would effectively wipe out the regiment and the survivors would form the 150th Regt RHA.
A week's pause before the final proof read of my next title for Pen and Sword Books. North Yorkshire certainly has some cracking Active User friendly trails.
Anyone want a Matador artillery tractor? I know where there's one going begging... Pic for illustration only, before you get too excited.
I've finally been able to upload a photo from last Fridays (15052026) Dedication Ceremony of On Freedoms Wings in Lincolnshire. This remarkable memorial to Avro Lancaster VN-N will be seen by an astonishing 35,000 motorists daily. What a way to welcome folk to Bomber County!
When your work is a reference on Wikipedia you know you're doing something right. I think... #historywriter #troopingthecolour #sourcematerial #writerslife
Or are they summoning their inner Gunner/resistance fighter? Is this the sort of awakening the world needs right now?
I have discovered the lair of the Monster Danish Pastry (Dunes Cafe, Norfolk, UK,). Rest assured I took the hit for the team and was victorious!
My latest Substack post, Pudding Gravy and Time Outs, is now available to read. open.substack.com/pub/benskipp...
A little over six months ago my life changed dramatically. I hadn't heard of FND, along with a couple of other things, and neither had anyone who I knew. Hopefully this graphic will help explain what it is to the lay person.
Today's word salad cones from the MoD. Please note the last paragraph. The struggle is too real at times.
I know very little about Iran so I won't be commenting on it. There. Sorted. Here's a pic of some cheese scones I made instead. I know a lot about cheese scones.
I will get this paying off. Remember, thin coats build better layers! #scalemodelling
I researched and wrote all these titles between January 2020 and early 2025. No ai, no ghost writing just caffeine, cake and spite. No wonder I'm knackered. #writerslife #avgeek #historywriter
Fellow Active Users please rethink your anti - Deform think. They've given us a bench. They are the party of the disabled. I give up.
Please reassure me the individual who posted this nonsense didn't serve. Have none of these people heard of lawful orders?
Kindness and love are qualities that make us human. The ability to make good coffee and cake also help.