User Articles

Quick crossword #220

Challenge yourself with a puzzling new crossword that will tease your brain and test your general knowledge.

Frank.

Military

The Salvage of Pearl Harbor: Up She Rises

In Part Two of this documentary, take a closer look at the salvage efforts on the three battleships that were outright sunk in the attack on Pearl Harbor that would eventually be returned to service. As 1942 began work was now continuing a pace on getting the ships back afloat and into dock. The first good news in this regard was West Virginia. She’d settled upright and so divers estimated that if the various holes could be patched and pumping done in a sensible order from the top down she should just rise back up to the surface on an even keel, which in turn meant that a lot of the initial work on removing her main battery could now be stopped.

Frank.

Military

20 Feb 2025

Helicopter Rescue Under Fire

RAF Helicopter Pilot Flight Lieutenant Michelle Goodman and the rest of her Merlin crew were used to flying into dangerous places. They were part of an Incident Response Team (IRT) which picked up seriously injured soldiers and took them to hospital for treatment. But one night in Basra proved to be like no other when the crew flew to the rescue of a young soldier with very serious injuries sustained in a mortar attack. Lieutenant Goodman, the first woman ever to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, flew into the city at night and under fire from rocket-propelled grenades and mortars. She and other members of the Merlin Crew speak about the decisions they made and the risks they took to save a life.

Frank.

20 Feb 2025

Puzzles

Quick crossword #219

Challenge yourself with a puzzling new crossword that will tease your brain and test your general knowledge.

Frank.

Military

The Salvage of Pearl Harbor: The Smoke Clears

As the smoke billowed from the still-burning pyres of oil and shipping on the morning of the December 8, 1941 the US Navy faced a significant challenge: six battleships including the old training ship Utah had either been sunk or were sinking and the remaining three had all been damaged to various degrees. In addition the Japanese assault had hit three cruisers, four destroyers, four auxiliary vessels and a floating dock, sinking some and damaging others. This posed a two-fold challenge: firstly, there were now a lot of wrecks and damaged ships occupying valuable space in the pacific fleet’s main anchorage, and secondly, the strength of the US Navy had just been drastically reduced. It needed ships, and thanks to the shallow nature of Pearl Harbor it might be possible to bring some of the sunken ones back into service.

Frank.

Nature

13 Feb 2025

The Skills of Smart Birds

Two birds species have attracted the attention of scientists all over the world: the keas in New Zealand and the New Caledonian crows. Way beyond known bird behaviour, these prodigies of the animal kingdom show very special skills. The keas in New Zealand are the only parrots that live in snowy mountain areas. They like testing their brains, solving puzzles and challenging tourists: they unscrew bottle-tops, dismantle windscreen wiper blades and tear open rucksacks.

Frank.

13 Feb 2025

Puzzles

07 Feb 2025

Quick crossword #218

Challenge yourself with a puzzling new crossword that will tease your brain and test your general knowledge.

Frank.

07 Feb 2025

Norway

06 Feb 2025

Why Norway is Becoming the World’s Richest Country

Discover the surprising geography and history that made Norway one of the world’s wealthiest nations long before oil was discovered. Delve into Norway’s vast fjords, its maritime culture, and innovative hydropower development that fuelled industrialisation. Learn how Norway’s decentralised wealth and cooperative industries shaped its modern prosperity. This documentary uncovers the untold story of a nation that thrived against the odds, turning geographic challenges into economic triumphs.

Frank.

06 Feb 2025

Puzzles

Quick crossword #217

Challenge yourself with a puzzling new crossword that will tease your brain and test your general knowledge.

Frank.

History

The Lost Soldier

Follow the little-known but incredible story of one young World War I soldier and a legacy that has endured for more than 100 years.

Frank.

Africa

30 Jan 2025

How Africa’s Geography Traps it in Endless Poverty

One of the most significant factors contributing to Africa’s poverty is its geography. The continent’s immense size leads to significant distances that complicate trade and communication.

Frank.

30 Jan 2025

Maritime

Thomas Cochrane: Craziest Sea Captain in History

Thomas Cochrane is one of history’s most underrated naval heroes. He’s widely known as the craziest and single most daring British commander ever.

Frank.

Puzzles

Quick crossword #216

Challenge yourself with a puzzling new crossword that will tease your brain and test your general knowledge.

Frank.

Aviation

The WWII Bomber Chopped Up and Packed with Massive Guns

Having proven ineffective against Japanese shipping in their medium bomber role, the B-25 Mitchell was given an extreme makeover in the field by maverick veteran aviator Major Paul “Pappy” Gunn. True to his name, Gunn transformed the once-vulnerable bombers into flying arsenals, a whole new player in aerial warfare – the gunship.

Frank.

Puzzles

Quick crossword #215

Challenge yourself with a puzzling new crossword that will tease your brain and test your general knowledge.

Frank.

Manufacturing

Note by Note: The Making of a Steinway Piano

Follow the creation of a Steinway concert grand L1037. This documentary explores the relationship between musician and instrument, chronicles the manufacturing process and investigates what makes each Steinway unique.

Frank.

Engineering

16 Jan 2025

Golden Gate Bridge: The Structure that Defined an Era

The Golden Gate Bridge is a symbol of innovation and determination, a masterpiece that transformed the connection between San Francisco and Marin County. Spanning the Golden Gate Strait, this engineering marvel stands as a testament to human ingenuity, built against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Frank.

16 Jan 2025

Puzzles

Quick crossword #214

Challenge yourself with a puzzling new crossword that will tease your brain and test your general knowledge.

Frank.

Aviation

Could This Be The Next Air Force One?

Hermeus is pushing the boundaries of aerospace technology with its hypersonic aircraft concept, which could redefine presidential travel. Capable of flying at Mach 5, the Hermeus jet could cut the travel time from Washington DC to London to just 90 minutes. But could it truly become the next Air Force One?

Frank.