[Rolebama]

I fully understand about advertising being a no-no, in which case I accept this post could be deleted. Although sometimes we come across something we feel worthy of recommendation, so here goes:
My dughter introduced me to Auto Glym Fast Glass. I have tried every kind of product, as well as household glass cleaners and vinegar and newspaper. Yes, they all work, but need differing amounts of elbow grease. She gave my screen a quick spray and a quick rubover with a microfibre, and in literally seconds, I had a real clear clean screen. I have since bought a bottle, and it cleans all sorts of things. Not cheap, but it works, so I also rate it as good value for money as you only need a little.

[Marc]

Hey @Rolebama
Well I'm happy with it 😀 The only thing I'd say is that it would be good if the recommendations don't also come with links, as that might attract spammers.
I'm happy to hear what others think of course! But I don't see any harm, and it could come in very useful!

[Drivingforfun]

I don't see there being a problem with recommendations as it's just your experience, you aren't telling people to buy it.. I will have to give the stuff a try, seen it lots of times but kept wondering if it was marketing hype.

[Marc]

Here's a recommendation from me.... socks! Winter ones, to be precise.
None of that plasticky/polyestery stuff, but good old British wool. 3 for 2 at Finisterre clothing. They're called 'Bosun' socks and easy to order online if no shop near you. And it's made in Britain, too.

[Rolebama]

I have received a book as an early Father's Day prezzie. It's called 'Old Git Wit'. I read some of the quotes out loud to my wife and a friend. Collectively, it is a hilarious compilation.
I would put a few of the choice ones up, but the whole book is covered by copyright. I recommend it to anyone who is feeling their age.

On the subject of age, I have found a brilliant radio station. It's called 'Boom'. Available on DAB+, Alexa and from their website; https://www.boomradiouk.com/player/
They play 60s, 70s, 80s stuff, along with a few new bits. The DJs are of the same era.

[TC1474]

I have recently become an avid reader of the books written by John Nichol who was part of the first crew shot down in the Gulf first time round and you may recall that he was one of those tortured.

He has written a whole series of books, the most recent being Eject! Eject! which is the story of the development of the ejector seat.

His first book was Tornado Down which he co wrote with his cremate Jon Peters and tells the story of being shot down and their treatment at the hands of the Iraqi's.

He has also written books on the Spitfire and the Lancaster, as well as about the history of the Military medics and I still have quite a few more to read with his latest book out in September which I have pre-ordered (and I have never pre-ordered any book in my life)

My final recommendation is Vulcan 607 by Rowland White. This book tells the story of the Vulcan's last operational sortie and the difficulties and logistics of bombing Stanley runway during the Falklands conflict.

The Vulcan was about to be decommissioned but was delayed for the Black Buck mission an d even simple things like converting the Vulcan from a nuclear to a conventional bomb carrier or re-fitting the re-fuelling probes (which had been removed some years earlier) was a nightmare (strangely an engineer remembered seeing some probes stored in a shed ) not to mention the difficulties faced getting the Victors up to scratch as it needed 14 refuelling missions to get down to the Falklands from Ascension Island)

Some of you may have already read these books.

In all cases they are well written, well researched, written with passion for the subject and they are powerful but the emphasise the human stories not just a matter of fact ramble through the history pages type ramble you get with some.

If you like a good read and you have an interest in military history and/or stories, then I cannot recommend these books high enough. I find them addictive, and I have not said that about many books since I was a kid.

[Drivingforfun]

Thanks @TC1474 for that

I’m quite into that sort of thing myself, especially the aircraft side, despite having zero military history myself or even in my family except the obligatory national service of grandparents. That said a relative was involved with development of certain things - he had to sign the official secrets act but he does tell us he was a rocket scientist, and not space rockets!

[Rolebama]

I've read Vulcan 607, and it is, in my opinion, one of the best narratives of a war-time event ever written. Definitely rates in my top three.

[TC1474]

Originally Posted by Rolebama

I've read Vulcan 607, and it is, in my opinion, one of the best narratives of a war-time event ever written. Definitely rates in my top three.

If you enjoyed that, then you will definitely enjoy the books written by John Nichol

[Rolebama]

TC1474: Thanks for that, I have ordered a couple.

[TC1474]

Originally Posted by Rolebama

TC1474: Thanks for that, I have ordered a couple.

Will love to hear what you think once you have read them 👍

[Rolebama]

TC1474: Just finished Lancaster. The man can certainly string the stories together. Will be starting Spitfire later. Thanks for that.

[TC1474]

@Rolebama. I have just been given Lancaster for my Birthday, so I am really looking forward to it. I hope you enjoy Spitfire as much as I did, and for a real lump in the throat book, "Medic" is one of the most powerful books I have ever read.

I agree with your sentiment 110% though, he can certainly tell a story can't he?

[TC1474]

[Rolebama]

TC1474: We went to Duxford last week and they had a number of John Nichol's books in the gift shop. Cost me a fortune to get out.

[TC1474]

Originally Posted by Rolebama

TC1474: We went to Duxford last week and they had a number of John Nichol's books in the gift shop. Cost me a fortune to get out.

Sorry about that 😉

I hope you enjoy them as much as I have done so far 👍

[Drivingforfun]

I recommend these books https://reglocal.com/my-books/

I was bought them a Christmas or two ago and have found them informative, and more importantly enjoyable

I have watched Reg's videos for a while, probably as long as I've been driving, and found him a bit of a rarity in that he's very affable and fun-loving AND a seriously good but safe driver

I've found most enthusiasts seem to be one or the other - i.e. fun loving with no regard for safety or the law; or great drivers but incredibly dry and anal about everything ... RL on the other hand is not averse to driving for fun and even knows how to do some silly stuff like drifting; but still takes safety incredibly seriously; the former of which I find surprising and the latter not so, seeing as his first ever call out as a young traffic cop was to an RTA involving the death of his sister

About the products though, they are just a good entertaining read, actually seriously witty in places, but they teach some invaluable stuff that you'll be able to put into practise... and he does it in a non-lecturing way, he plays down his knowledge and the fact he's devoted his life to driving and the advice is almost like a mate just giving friendly tips

[Rolebama]

I think I will be making room for them on the bookshelf.

[Rolebama]

I have just finished reading the four first books in the Murder Squad series by Alex Grecian. Set in Victorian London just after the Jack the Ripper time. Plenty of twists and good page-turners.

[olduser]

I have read much on WW1 and WW2 and some of the more recent wars, mostly with flying involved but inevitably I started reading about army and navy to complete the picture.

What comes over to me, apart from the shear waste of human life, how could men do this, not just once but day after day?

[TC1474]

Originally Posted by olduser

I have read much on WW1 and WW2 and some of the more recent wars, mostly with flying involved but inevitably I started reading about army and navy to complete the picture.

What comes over to me, apart from the shear waste of human life, how could men do this, not just once but day after day?

I can understand your comment.

I am currently reading "Tail End Charlie" (another John Nichol book)which is about the bomber crews of both the RAF and the US Army Air Force flying ops at the end of the war and the toll it took on them given how many crews were lost, but in particular how they coped with shattered nerves, PTSD, Fatigue, the full 9 yards knowing that their chances of returning from an op were slim to non.

If a British airman complained of shell shock or battle fatigue and requested not to fly, they were court martialled for LMF (Lacking Moral Fibre) and would be stripped of their rank in front of the base personnel reduced to a rank lower than garbage truck and shuffled off to some obsolete dead end job in disgrace.

The Americans on the other hand understood about shell shock and if a crewman asked to be taken off flying duties, there was no shame, no disgrace, it was simply accepted and that crewman was looked after.

The point I am making is in response to your comment about how could they do it day after day? Quite simply for British bomber lads they had no option unless they wanted to be accused of LMF and so many learnt how to disguise their fear through bravado or simply suffering in silence.

It must have been frightening for them, especially when 40 + aircraft could be and often were shot down in one single operation as the fighter escort could not follow them deep into German airspace because of a lack of range.

Very worthwhile read if anyone is interested, but it really does answer that question, namely "How"?

[olduser]

I suppose PTSD had not been identified in those days or not recognised.

Dulling the senses with booze, certainly for the RAF, I don't suppose the armies and navies had that option.

Another factor I suppose is hope, and it isn't going to happen to me.
The latter probably explains many of the downright stupid things that happen on our roads.

Presumably, the hope mangled bodies would not happen on this shift got you, as a traffic cop started on the next shift, and I suppose the hope you may stop someone before it happened.

[Rolebama]

FWIW: I once went out with a group of West German and our Border Guards. This was in 1969/1970. It was explained that each of the Soviet towers was manned by three men. Two single and one married. The idea being that if one of the singles defected, the married man would be penalized, and if the married man defected, his family would be penalized.
All the while we were walking along the border, we were always overlooked by at least two of these towers. When I produced my camera, all the men who could see us ducked down below their parapets, and when they reemerged, were wearing their gas masks, and from then on, all tower occupants were wearing theirs. It was also a punishable offence to have their photograph taken from the 'wrong' side of the border.