Expedition 41 media briefing with Max Surayev and Reid Wiseman, 18 March 2014.

 

Credit: NASA-B. Stafford

A lot of people talk about climate change. It has implications for our very way of life. But what should be driving all of this care is a concern for the people who are suffering. In many cases, people who deserve it least. These are the people that the Red Cross Red Crescent work with in Bangladesh and around the world.

 

These children might inherit a world worse than the one we were born into. In twenty years, I do not want to have to face them again, and say I did nothing to try to prevent that.

 

To see why I was in Bangladesh click here, or look at the previous or next photo. If you are interested, please view the series.

A student's guide answering exam questions.

 

(an oldie but a goodie)

Levi has had a hard decision to make with all the lovely proposals......So he thanks all the ladies! (he kinda got a little bit of an ego from it too!) But he has one true love - He has been waiting for an answer from his best friend......will today be the day?

A full interview with the Israeli painter Raphael Perez (in Hebrew Rafi Peretz) about the ideas behind the naive painting, resume, personal biography and CV

Question: Raphael Perez Tell us about your work process as a naive painter?

Answer: I choose the most iconic and famous buildings in every city and town that are architecturally interesting and have a special shape and place the iconic buildings on boulevards full of trees, bushes, vegetation, flowers.

 

Question: How do you give depth in your naive paintings?

Answer: To give depth to the painting, I build the painting with layers of vegetation, after those low famous buildings, followed by a tall avenue of trees, and behind them towers and skyscrapers, in the sky I sometimes put innocent signs of balloons, kites.

A recurring motif in some of my paintings is the figure of the painter who is in the center of the boulevard and paints the entire scene unfolding in front of him, also there are two kindergarten teachers who are walking with the kindergarten children with the state flags that I paint, and loving couples hugging and kissing and family paintings of mother, father and child walking in harmony on the boulevard.

 

Question: Raphael Perez What characterizes your naive painting?

Answer: Most naive paintings have the same characteristics

(Definition as it appears in Wikipedia)

• Tells a simple story to absorb from everyday life, usually with humans.

• The representation of the painter's idealization to reality - the mapping of reality.

• Failure to maintain perspective - especially details even in distant details.

• Extensive use of repeating patterns - many details.

• Warm and bright colors.

• Sometimes the emphasis is on outlines.

• Most of the characters are flat, lack volume

• No interest in texture, expression, correct proportions

• No interest in anatomy.

• There is not much use of light and shadow, the colors create a three-dimensional effect.

I find these definitions to be valid for all my naive paintings

 

Question: Raphael Perez Why do you mainly choose the city of Tel Aviv?

Answer: I was born in Jerusalem, the capital city which I love very much and also paint,

I love the special Bauhaus buildings in Tel Aviv, the ornamental buildings that were built a century ago in the 1920s and 1930s, the beautiful boulevards, towers and modern skyscrapers give you the feeling of the hustle and bustle of a large metropolis and there are quite a few low and tall buildings that are architecturally fascinating in their form the special one

Also, the move to Tel Aviv, which is the capital of culture, freedom, and secularism, allowed me to live my life as I chose, to live in a relationship with a man, Jerusalem, which is a traditional city, it is more complicated to live a homosexual life, also, the art world takes place mainly in the city of Tel Aviv, and it is possible that from a professional point of view, this allows I can support myself better in Tel Aviv than in any other city in Israel.

 

Question: raphael perez are the paintings of the city of Tel Aviv different from the paintings of the city of Jerusalem

Answer: Most of the paintings of Jerusalem have an emphasis on the color yellow, gold, the color of the old city walls, the subjects I painted in Jerusalem are mainly a type of idealization of a peaceful life between Jews and Arabs and paintings that deal with the Jewish religious world, a number of paintings depict all shades of the currents of Judaism of today

In contrast, the Tel Aviv paintings are more colorful, with skyscrapers, the sea, balloons and more secular motifs

 

Question: Raphael Perez Tell us about which buildings and their architects you usually choose in your city paintings

Answer: My favorite buildings are those that have a special shape that anyone can recognize and are the symbols of the city and you will give several examples:

In the city of Tel Aviv, my favorite buildings are: the opera building with its unusual geometric shape, the Yisrotel tower with its special head, the Hail Bo Shalom tower that for years was the symbol of the tallest building in Tel Aviv, the Levin house that looks like a Japanese pagoda, the burgundy-colored Nordeau hotel with the special dome at the end of the building, A pair of Alon towers with the special structure of the sea, Bauhaus buildings typical of Tel Aviv with the special balconies and the special staircase, the Yaakov Agam fountain in Dizengoff square appears in a large part of the paintings, many towers that are in the stock exchange complex, the Aviv towers and other tall buildings on Ayalon, in some of the paintings I took plans An outline of future buildings that need to be built in the city and I drew them even before they were built in reality,

 

In the paintings of Jerusalem, I mainly chose the area of the Old City and East Jerusalem, a painting of the walls of the Old City, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the El Akchea Mosque, the Tower of David, most of the famous churches in the city, the right hand of Moses, in most of the paintings the Jew is wearing a blue shirt with a red male cord I was in the youth movement and the Arab with a galabia, and in the paintings of the religious public then, Jews with black suits and white shirts, tallitas, kippahs, special hats, synagogues and more

 

I also created three paintings of the city of Haifa and one painting of Safed

In the Haifa paintings I drew the university, the Technion, the famous Egged Tower, the Sail Tower, well-known hotels, of course the Baha'i Gardens and the Baha'i Temple, Haifa Port and the boats and other famous buildings in the city

 

Question: Have you created series of other cities from around the world?

Answer: I created series of New York City with all the iconic and famous buildings such as: the Guggenheim Museum, the famous skyscrapers - the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, Lincoln Center, the famous synagogue in the city, the Statue of Liberty, the flags of the United States and other famous buildings

Two paintings of London and all its famous sites, Big Ben, famous monuments, the Ferris wheel, Queen Elizabeth and her family, the double bus, the famous public telephone, palaces, famous churches, well-known monuments

I created 4 naive paintings of cities in China, a painting of Shanghai, two paintings of the city of Suzhou and a painting of the World Park in the city of Beijing... I chose the famous skyline of Shanghai with all the famous towers, the famous promenade, temples and old buildings, two Paintings of the city of Suzhou with the famous canals, bridges, special gardens, towers and skyscrapers of the city

Sunrise over a new world.

 

OK - who'd like to take a guess on what this is? Answer to arrive in a few days' time.

 

14 Nov 2011: I've been out a few days, so sorry to keep you all in suspense. The shot shows part of the surface of coffee in a mug, with a bright light above reflected from the circular edge where liquid meets ceramic. What else could you want for a new dawn than a mug of coffee (or maybe tea)?

 

IMG_46925, 30%

B 773

 

The Gilles Arms Hotel, 67 Gilles Street, can be seen in the centre of the photograph. Established 1854 and ceased trading in 1975. The building survives. Fortunately the street's drainage has improved!

 

"UNREGISTERED BARMAID.

Marguerita E. Webber, licencee of the Gilles Arms Hotel, Gilles street, Adelaide, was charged at the Adelaide Police Court, before Mr. E. M. Sabine, P.M., on Monday morning with having allowed an unregistered barmaid to serve liquor on her premises on February 5. Nurse Eva Lynch was charged with having served liquor, being unregistered. Both defendants pleaded guilty. The Police Prosecutor (Detective-Sgt. Allchurch) said that Constable Cain had seen another man served, and had been served himself, by Nurse Lynch. The licencee was ill at the time, and there was no one on the premises to serve liquor. The defendant said she had thought she was only doing the licencee a good turn. The licencee, in answer to the charge, said she had not known that the nurse was serving. The P.M., in finding the defendants respectively £2, with 10/ costs, and £1 10/, with 15/ costs, said he would not endorse, the first defendant's licence regarding the offence."

The Register, Tuesday 11 March 1924, p12

 

Visit the State Library of South Australia to view more photos of South Australia.

Addison, A. (editor). "The Children's Book of Questions & Answers". London: Berkeley Publishers Limited, 1974.

 

Photograph by Keystone Press.

...to the question : " DO you ever feel like just jumping in the pools as you clean those patios outside in your pantyhose and dress and slip and makeup?"

 

A: Yes. But... when the water is steaming because the air is that much colder - it is VERY hard to get back out if you choose that ill advised option.

... To yesterday's Wacky Wednesday.

 

When I went to buy a new bucket last month, they only had them with the mop attachment available.

As I use a floor cloth and stiff bristled broom to wash the floors the extra part isn't used and is usually under the kitchen sink.

Reference photo : flic.kr/p/2p8w2yi

 

Now you know what the wacky photo is.

 

Better viewed large and thank you for your favourites. :)

Answer

iPhone 3 Wallpaper

 

wemadethis.typepad.com/we_made_this/2008/08/iphone-wallpa...

One of the many beautiful Art Deco buildings along Ocean Drive in South Beach.

 

Different perspective: flickr.com/photos/ohadby/84574434/

 

More on my photoblog: ohad.me

いろんなアンパンマンがいるといいね。

Liverpool Street Candid

HDR

Nikon D60 Sigma 70-300mm Lens

Lynsey Addario/The New York Times photograph converted to black and white

Pictures taken in the early hours of 02/10/2010.

Taken after a night at the cinema & Chinese Restaurant.

Louise's treat for my birthday. That includes her outfit :)

 

Questions answered in advance ;)

1 - Yes, She was dressed as you see in this picture. Just the two buttons fastened revealing her lace top & cleavage in both the Cinema & the restaurant.

2 - Yes she did attract ALOT of attention. Especially when we arrived at the chinese restaurant.

***************************************************************************************

ABOUT THE RESTAURANT.....

We was out and about one night when we decided to look for somewhere to have a meal.

We drove through a quiet little village and noticed an old pub that we had been in a few times had been converted to a chinese restaurant. We decided to give it a try.

 

They had plenty of tables downstairs but upstairs they had a smaller room that had 12, 2 seater tables for couples. Six tables down each side of the room. The food was excellent and the staff were very polite. At the time they were offering a deal on valentines meals for the following month. We enjoyed it so much that we booked a table for a valentines meal. (We actually went here for valentines meal every year until it closed)

 

We started going regular over a course of 6-7 years. Always booking a late night table upstairs when it was quieter. We even had the whole room to ourselves on a few occasions until it closed down. In all the years we went there we was never bothered once. Until Louise went dressed like this at the same time as a 6 man bachelor party that is :)

***************************************************************************************

THE RESTRAUNT - 01/10/2010 @ 10.00PM.....

Our table was booked for 10.00pm.

When we arrived we ordered our meals and drinks then followed the waitress upstairs to our usual 2 seater table that i had booked.

 

As we entered the room following the waitress we heard somebody say...

FUCK ME, Check out that blonde that's just walked in.

When we looked over it was a group of 6 lads sat at 3 tables that had been pushed together for them. One very drunk lad looked straight over at Louise as she looked over.

Nice tits, Get em out for the lads. "He mumbled while laughing"

All but one of them laughed.

Fuck sake Tom, Shut up!. I'm really sorry hes had a skin full "Said the lad that wasn't laughing"

Don't worry about it. "Louise laughed"

 

The waitress then apologized and asked if we wanted to sit down stairs instead.

No up here's fine. "Louise replied"

Okay. "Replied the waitress"

The waitress sat us in our usual spot which was at the opposite corner of the room to them. She then went over and asked the lads to keep it down and not to disturb the other customers before she left the room.

I heard the lad that told Tom to shut up apologise to the waitress and said they would be leaving soon.

Sounds like they are going soon. "I whispered to Louise"

Louise nodded

 

After the waitress left the lad that told Tom to shut up came over to us and apologised again.

Tom's my brother, He's getting married in 3 days so he's had a skin full. "He said"

I guess this is his stag night then. "I asked"

Yeah his last night out with the boys as a single man. "He laughed"

It's fine don't worry about it. "Louise replied"

Thanks. "He replied"

 

Quick love cover your tits up hes coming for a better look. "One of the other lads laughed"

Louise looked over to see Tom coming over but didn't cover herself up.

Tom i told you to stay over there. "He Said"

CHRIS, I want to talk to them too. "Mumbled a very drunk Tom"

He's really come over to get a better look at your tits love. "Laughed a lad from the other table"

Don't listen to him, I'm not. I come over to say nice tits...

His mates all cracked out laughing.

Oh really. "Louise laughed"

...No, No Fuck, I'm so drunk, I mean't to say, Sorry for telling you to get your tits out. It was uncalled for. "Tom mumbled"

So i see, Your very drunk, Don't worry about it. "Louise laughed"

This is my brother that's getting married in 3 days. "Chris Replied"

That explains it, Congratulations mate. "I replied"

Oh, Congratulations on your big day. "Louise replied"

Thanks, I really am sorry. I hope i didn't offend you. "Mumbled Tom"

Not at all, Your not the first and sure as hell won't be the last to shout things like that to me. Besides if it bothered me i wouldn't come out dressed like this would i Tom. "Laughed Louise"

That's true. "Tom mumbled laughing"

 

The waitress walked through the door with our meals and brought them to our table.

Right, Lets leave them in peace so they can eat. "Said Chris"

Yeah sure. "Said Tom"

They both said goodbye and walked back to their own table.

 

Everything okay? "Asked the waitress"

Yeah they just came over to apologies. "Louise replied"

Yeah alls good thanks. "I replied"

That's good, If you need anything else just let me know. Enjoy your meals "The waitress replied"

Thanks. "We replied"

Then the waitress walked back out of the room.

 

As we were just finishing our meals four of the lads left all saying goodnight as they passed by us. Which just left the two brothers. A few minutes later the waitress came back into the room and started to clear the brothers table. As she walked passed us with their plates in her hands she asked if everything was okay with the meals.

Yes Thanks. "We both replied"

Would you like another drink or desert. "She asked"

Yes please, We will get a desert if its not too late. "Louise replied"

Yeah sure, I will be back in a minute. "Replied the waitress"

The waitress then left with the plates from our table too.

 

Chris came back over to our table on his own..

Sorry to bother you again. "Said Chris"

Its okay. "We both laughed"

I'm going to order a desert for me and another bottle for Tom. We would like to buy you both a drink if that's okay. "Said Chris"

Thanks for the offer mate but i'm driving. "I replied"

You really don't have to. "Louise replied"

Come on let us get you both a drink. "Mumbled Tom from his table"

Honestly mate. I've nearly finished this pint of shandy and that's more than enough gas for me for one night. "I Laughed"

What's your wifes name? "Tom asked"

Louise. "Louise replied"

Come on Louise please let us get you a drink. You can't be driving too. "Tom laughed"

No i'm not driving (She laughed). I really appreciate the offer but i'm okay thanks. "Louise replied"

 

The waitress walked back in the room with her little note book & pen.

What can i get you? "Asked the waitress"

Apple pie & custard for me. "I asked"

I will have the Millionaires cheesecake please. "Said Louise"

What's Millionaires cheesecake? "Asked Chris"

Its basically a caramel & chocolate cheese cake. "The waitress replied"

Its really nice from here too. "Louise Replied"

She gets it for desert every time we come here. "I said"

Okay, If Louise recommends it i will try a piece too please. "Said Chris"

Yeah sure, "Replied the waitress as she wrote it in her little note book"

Do you want to try it too Tom? "Asked Chris"

Don't think that will go down well with the beer. So just another beer for me bro. "Tom Replied"

A bottle of San Miguel too please. "Said Chis"

The waitress wrote in her little notebook again.

It that everything? "Asked the waitress"

Yes thanks. "Both myself & Louise replied"

Yeah, Can you put all the deserts on my tab please? "Chris asked"

Is that okay? "The waitress asked us"

You really don't have to chris. "Said Louise"

I insist. Neither of you want a drink but you want deserts. "Chris Laughed"

Okay, Thanks. "Louise laughed"

Thanks, We appreciate it. "I replied"

Okay. "Said the waitress and then left the room"

 

Chris pulled out a chair at the table next to ours.

Do you mind if i sit here? "Asked Chris"

Not at all. "Louise replied"

Thanks. "Chris replied"

Chris then sat down next to us and Tom came over and sat down too.

 

You don't seem as drunk as your brother. "Said Louise"

No, I'm not a big drinker only had a couple. Lost count how many toms had. "Chris laughed"

Too fucking many. "Tom Mumbled as he laughed"

Nothing wrong with that on a special occasion like yours. "Louise replied"

Nope. "Tom laughed"

You two married? "Tom asked Louise"

6 1/2 years so far. Saying that we have been together for over 20 years. "Louise laughed"

Do less for murder. "I laughed"

Tom, Chris & Louise laughed too.

That's a bloody long time. "Tom Mumbled laughing"

I though my relationship was long at 9 years. "Chris laughed"

You married Chris? "I asked"

8 years now and still going strong. "Chris Laughed"

Nice. "Louise replied"

 

The waitress walked back into the room with the deserts and placed ours on our table.

We will have ours here if thats ok. "Chris asked"

Yeah sure, Have you finished over there? "The waitress asked"

Yeah. "Tom Replied"

The waitress put Chris's desert & Toms beer on the table next to us for them. Then went over to clean and separate the tables before going back out of the room.

 

It is nice this isn't it. "Said Chris"

Yeah. I get it every time i come here. "Louise replied"

I can see why. "Chris replied"

We ate our deserts while Tom sat with his bottle of beer occasionally staring at Louise and turning away when he noticed she had caught him.

We had all now finished our deserts and just sat talking for about 10 minutes.

 

I'm going to the ladies room. "Said Louise"

Okay. "I replied"

Louise swung her legs round from under the table to stand up in the isle.

Omg. "Tom laughed"

Whats up? "asked Chris"

Look at the fucking legs on her. "Tom laughed"

Tom Stop. Your getting married in 3 days. "Chris laughed"

I'm sorry i can't help it. "Tom mumbled"

Louise looked at Tom and laughed then walked out of the room.

 

I'm sorry mate i just can't help myself. "Mumbled Tom to me"

Don't worry about it mate. "I Laughed"

Your a lucky bastard you are. "Tom Mumbled"

He's going to be giving you a crack in a minute. Shut Up. "Chris laughed"

No I'm not. I'm used to comments like that. "I laughed"

I bet you are. "Chris Laughed"

Yep, Men and even some women stare at her when she's dressed up like that. She likes the attention too. You can stare all you want and say what you want. It doesn't bother either of us. Just don't touch or she will be the one giving you a crack. "I laughed"

That's fair enough. "Tom Mumbled"

Yeah it is. "Chris replied"

 

Louise walked back into the room.

I never noticed those legs on you when you came walking in earlier. "Tom laughed"

They are definitely mine. "Louise laughed"

Do you even have a skirt on under that shirt. "Tom Laughed"

Yes look, It's a nice little punk skirt. "Louise laughed"

Louise removed her shirt revealing her black lace top, Bra & Mini skirt.

I laughed

Fucking hell fire. "Chris laughed"

How shorts that skirt? "Tom laughed"

It's a punk skirt it's supposed to be short. "Louise laughed"

Myself, Chris & Tom laughed

 

Tom & Chris were now staring down at Louise's Lace top, Bra & Cleavage.

My eyes are up here. "Louise laughed"

Tom & Chris looked up at Louise laughing.

Can i ask you something Tom? "Laughed Louise"

Yeah sure. "He replied"

Is your future wife the jealous type? "Louise laughed"

I don't think so. "He laughed"

Well you will soon find out if she catches you staring at the tits of other women like you have been mine all night. "Louise laughed"

Myself Louise & Chris started laughing

BUT look at the TITS on you. It's impossible not to stare at your TITS when the women i marry in 3 days is flat chested. "Tom Laughed"

That's true. She is flat chested. "Laughed Chris"

Oh bless ya. "Louise laughed"

See you are a lucky bastard mate. "Tom Laughed"

Yeah luckier than you at least. "I replied"

We all laughed.

 

Oh well time to call it a night. "Said Louise"

Yeah us too. Taxi is due in 10 minutes. "Said Chris"

It's been nice to meet you both & Good luck with the wedding mate. "I replied"

You too & Thanks. "Replied Tom"

I said my goodbyes as i shook hands with both of them and Louise shook hands with Chris after me. Louise then shook hands with Tom and wished him good look for his wedding.

 

Louise was just about to put her shirt back on.

Goodbye Louise's tits. I'm going to miss you both so much. "Tom laughed"

We all cracked out laughing.

Louise looked at Tom who was staring at her tits again laughing.

I think your wanting a cuddle aren't you. "Louise laughed"

How did you guess. "Tom Laughed"

Poor sods probably not going to get another chance like this with his future wife being flat chested. "I laughed"

No i won't will i mate. "Tom laughed"

Come on then but keep your hands off my tits. "Louise laughed"

I promise i won't touch em, I don't want a crack. "Tom laughed"

We all laughed

 

Louise put Toms hands around her waist for a cuddle.

Oh this is awesome mate, I can feel your wives tits pressing on my chest. "Tom laughed"

Oi, Laughed Louise"

Make the most of it mate because its not something your going to feel with a cuddle from your future wife is it. "I laughed"

Everybody cracked out laughing.

He won't even remember any of this tomorrow. "Chris laughed"

Probably not "Tom laughed"

Louise had now put her shirt back on and we headed downstairs with them. We went outside. Their taxi had arrived. We said our last goodbyes and went back to our car.

The new Patriarch finds himself digging deeper than he is normally comfortable with. What for?

September 11, 2013.

 

Today was not my day...

 

blog. + instagram.

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.

 

Bob Dylan pondered many questions in that iconic song. And of course, there answers were, well, blowin’ in the wind. And that in turn conjures up images of things blowing in the wind, and what better thing to represent that than a simple reed?

 

We hum (or sing if we are so inclined) that song quite a lot, but often, with a surprisingly cheery lilt. Yet, when it comes down to it, the song isn’t really about cheery things at all, and the questions it asks are not easy ones to ask or answer. Mountains washing to the sea? Cannon balls flying? Doves “sleeping” in the sand?

 

This tune was indeed running through my head as I was composing this shot. I didn’t, and don’t, have any answers, but it seemed to me that this shot represented the song quite well. The wind for me continues to blow: perhaps one day it will carry to me the answers.

All we need to do is drink more water

I have had a few nice encounters in the subway system (surprising enough) and this was my second of the day – the first being Issicha. I had just stopped by the Toronto Public Library branch in the west end to check on my photo exhibit and found that all was in order. On my way back to the subway to head downtown I saw this wonderful splash of color at the intersection. She was with a girlfriend and the three of us crossed the street together on our way to the subway station. I introduced myself and my project and asked her if she would be kind enough to participate. She agreed after hearing a few details and looking at my contact card. Meet Dana.

 

Just inside the doors to the station there was plenty of light and a wall of tiles, some of them plain and a few with colors. I suggested we take the photos against the tiles. Her friend occupied herself on her cell phone while we did the photos and it was clear that Dana enjoyed the experience. When I asked her about the bright red hair she said “I do it myself.” I wondered if she is a hairstylist and she said “No, but I learned from my Auntie and I enjoy doing hair.” I commented that it certainly grabbed my attention. Confirming that I wasn’t making the two of them late for something, Dana said “No, not at all. We were just doing a bit of shopping for the children.”

 

Dana is 26 and came to Canada from Jamaica at age 12. I told her it was a coincidence that I had photographed another Jamaican in a different subway station earlier today and showed her Issicha’s portrait which was still on my camera. I asked about Dana’s advice to her younger self and she said “Be strong no matter what. Better times will come.” Her biggest challenge in life has been when her six year old son was struck by a bullet in a neighborhood shooting. I’m sure my shock registered on my face. I didn’t push for details but did ask about the outcome and she said he recovered well and is doing great. Her face lit up in talking about his good health now. Her message to the project was “What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.” It’s interesting that her answers to the three questions I asked all tie together. Without planning it, I spontaneously asked her if she had a dream. She said “I do. It’s to be a flight attendant.” I commented that I’ve always loved airplanes and anything relating to airplanes. “Do you think this dream will ever come true?” I asked. She said “Oh, I’m definitely going to try – but not until my children are older.”

 

I thanked Dana and her friend for their patience and we exchanged contact information. I told her about my photo exhibit just across the street and she asked me to send the details with her photo and she would look forward to seeing it.

 

This is my 389th submission to The Human Family Group on Flickr.

 

You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.

Have you the answers, be interesting to know.

McKinney, TX

It is 2:51 pm and I begin to wonder if I have missed something.

 

The answer to that was that others were missing one of the best days of the season.

 

Probably due to the inversion lid just above the tree tops in the village.

 

Lesson to others: always check the live webcamera on the top before you decide to stay at home and indoors...

I was visiting with Jeanette, a classmate of mine, on campus when he approached, trailing his rollerboard suitcase, and asked for directions to a city information bureau. He had a British accent and friendly manner. He had just gotten off the bus from Buffalo and had walked a couple of blocks to where we met. He is visiting Toronto from Coventry England. Jeanette was just on her way to meet a friend so I told him I would give him directions. He seemed an interesting fellow so we stood on the street chatting for a few minutes. He was surprised (and pleased) that I knew of Coventry because, as he said, many people draw a blank when he mentions it. It is famous for its cathedral, among other things. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coventry) We shook hands. Meet John from Coventry.

 

John is 84 and is retired from a career in the plastics manufacturing industry. “Do you know of bakelite?” he asked. “Yes, I do.” “Well my career didn’t have anything to do with bakelite” he said with a wry smile, but with other forms of plastic. “Were you a chemical engineer?” I asked, trying to get a handle on his expertise. “Well, you’re glorifying me just a bit” he said. Call it a “production manager.”

 

John has arrived in Toronto to spend the final week of his holiday getting to know this part of Canada. He started out in New York before going to Buffalo prior to his arrival in Toronto. He had the name and address of a hostel to stay at but wanted to get to the visitor’s bureau for maps and other suggestions for his week in the city. I told him there is an office nearby and said I would walk him over but first I wanted to invite him to join my Human Family photography project. “Sure” he said. “I’d be glad to.” I asked him if he’s ever heard of Humans of New York. “Can’t say that I have” he replied. “Good” I continued, because this isn’t quite the same.” We laughed as I got even with him for his use of bakelite as an example of what he had not worked with. John had that friendly, dry wit which we often associate with the British.

 

As we moved out of the direct afternoon sunlight to a rather grungy nearby loading dock which offered diffuse light, John said he had been interested in photography in past years. “Have you ever worked with wet plates?” Wow. I feel that my past experience with developing 35mm black and white film sets me apart from most people I know and here’s a guy who has worked with wet plates! Photos taken, we continued to chat and he was a fascinating man. “What has been your biggest surprise so far on this trip?” I asked. “I had no idea that Buffalo had a load of Frank Lloyd Wright homes so that was a fantastic treat. I had architecture student flatmates when I was in school and some of it rubbed off on me. I really appreciate architecture.” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Lloyd_Wright) I asked if he’d seen Niagara Falls and he said “Oh yes. I couldn’t be that close to the Falls without taking the boat tour and getting myself soaked in the spray!” I asked if he traveled a lot and he said “There were a number of years when I was unable to travel, so now I’m trying to make up for it.” What a guy.

 

When I asked about the greatest challenge he’s faced in life he said “I can’t really give you an answer to that one so I’ll just take a pass.” “How about a message to share through my project?” “Well” he said, “don’t give people advice because given a bit of encouragement they can usually figure things out for themselves using their own resources.” A most interesting message. “What did you like most about your career in the plastics manufacturing industry?” “I’d say the greatest satisfaction was in getting people to do what they really didn’t want to do” he said. “Oh, so you’re a very persuasive guy?” “No, you don’t get it” he said. “You don’t persuade; you encourage them to come up with the idea themselves and volunteer to do it!” I couldn’t help laughing. What an interesting and clever fellow.

 

I asked if he had an email address to send his photo to and he said “I’m afraid not. My cyber footprint is nonexistent but thank you anyway.”

 

I walked John over to the travel bureau, only to discover it had been moved to Union Station about a mile away. “That’s fine” John said. “Just point me in the right direction and I’ll be fine. My suitcase just follows along quietly on its wheels.” I walked him to Yonge Street and pointed him south. It was time for me to head for home and for John to find his map and accommodations for the night. I hope I’ve got half that much spirit of adventure when I reach 84.

 

Thank you John for the friendly chat and for taking part in the Human Family project. Enjoy your stay in Toronto and safe travels back to Coventry.

 

This is my 78th submission to The Human Family on Flickr.

 

You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.

Haii people xD So, I got a lot of questions from my friends, so I thought I would start this one off! Here we go :3 Oh yeah, this photo I took in the mall a few days ago xD

 

Who was your first Bratz doll? My first doll was First Edition Cloe. But, she's gone now, and I'm still looking for one in a good condition.

 

What's up with you and Blondie? xD Well, we talk in school a tad, and we text alot, but I'm afraid to get close to him like I was. Let's just say his girlfriend wants me to jump out of an airplane....without a parachute.

 

Who would bully you? That's a good question. Honestly, I think it's the people that are prissy and bitchy. Why? Because I'm different. I don't like being a stuck up slut. I like being a freak.

 

How many dolls do you have? Well, in total with every type of doll I have....I'd say around 150, maybe more O_O

 

When will results be up? Results will be up before the weekend :) Just school got in the way again ._.

 

How are you doing? I'm doing pretty good, just tired xD

 

Why do you have better taste in music than me? xD! I didn't know I did x3

 

Do you like jerkey? Weell...I'm a vegitarian so...no xD

 

Why am I asking so much? Because you can xD

 

What's your fave movie? Hmmm....I like all the National Treasures, Goonies, all Pokemon movies, and Love and Other Drugs. I can't choose one xD

 

Whos your celeb crush? Avan Jogia <333333333333333333333

 

What kind of socks are you wearing? I don't have any socks on :O

 

Who's your fave MH? Either Frankie or Ghoulia :D

 

Whos your fave bratz doll? In my collection...It's a tie between Jenna and Misty :)

 

Do you like the 10/10/10 Bratz better than the Bratz now? Nope, I hate almost all the new Bratz right now. I don't like the body shape, nor the faceups. I usually buy for clothing. xD

 

How long is your hair? It goes down to the bottom of my back...Idk how long that is exactally >.>

 

What is your religion? I'm Protestant, but I don't go to church...I'm not really a die hard religious girl, but I (for the most part) believe in God, Jesus, etc.

 

Whos your fave singer? Taylor Swift :D If you ask me what band, I will not be able to tell you. I will combust.

 

What pets do you have? I have a 28 year old slider/box/mud (we really don't know xD) turtle named Mr. T, and a Domestic Shorthaired cat that's 2 years old. Her name is Little Miss Kitters ^O^

 

Do you have any deformaties? I started laughing when I read this question xD I AM NOT AN ANIMAL. I AM A HUMAN BEING. (old movie reference xD) And well...Hmm....the whites of my eyes aren't white. They're a light blue. My doctor said it's because I was supposed to be blue eyed, but it faded and just never really...left. xD And I'm short. xD I can't think of any others!

 

If you had to eat either 16 raw steaks, or 500 Fire Ants, which would you pick? Uhhmm...Again, being a vegitarian I can't eat the steaks...So...I'm stuck with Fire Ants a la EWW. xD

 

What is your wishlist for Bratz dolls? I have many on the list, I'll make a seperate photo for that. But, my number one doll right now is Sweet Dreams Sierra I believe :D

 

How do you cut doll hair? I'm really not that good at it xD I usually brush it out, get it wet, straighten it, then cut to the length I want to. If I screw it all up, I figure out some way to make it work.

 

How do you get rid of bangs on a bratz doll? I just cut them off as close to the roots, then I go back with a nail clipper and rip out the little pieces left. xD

 

Please, ask more questions so I can do another photo! :D

     

Visit this location at Brand New Colony in Second Life

By now it was raining quite hard, so I grabbed a couple of shots from the other side of the road before going in.

 

Hello I said to the churchwarden, we've come to photograph the church.

 

Oh I don't know if that's possible, you might be journalists. What do you want the pictures for?

 

I explained about the website and liking churches and that we had come from Dover to see this church. I gave he my Moo card, and she said it was OK. And then would not shut up, she told us all about the history of the church, the town, businesses. All nice, but I wanted to snap the church.

 

In the end, Jools took over and I set about snapping. And very fine it is too.

 

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A huge church that is accessed most days through the coffee shop next door. Saxon in its origins it was extended many times as befits a market town on the main London-Dover road. Today it consists of nave and chancel with aisles and chapels. Much remodelled in the nineteenth century (by Blomfield) and again late in the 20th it may lack atmosphere, but it certainly does not lack appeal.... or its part in national history. The body of Henry V rested here overnight on its journey back from France in 1422. Behind the painting in a medieval vestry, itself a rarity. There are lots of brasses and a large monument to John Spilman who introduced papermaking here in the seventeenth century. In the south chapel is a huge wall painting of St. George - the largest medieval painting in Kent.

 

www.kentchurches.info/church.asp?p=Dartford+1

 

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DARTFORD

LIES the next parish eastward from Crayford, on the high road from London to Dover, about fifteen miles from the former. It was called in Saxon Derentford, in Latin Derenti Vadum, signifying the forde or passage over the river Derent. (fn. 1) In Domesday it is written Tarentefort.

 

THIS PARISH takes within its bounds almost the whole both of Dartford-heath and the Brent. It contains about 4300 acres of land. The town has about four hundred houses and about two thousand five hundred inhabitants. The upland parts of the parish are but thin and gravelly, the crops of which are greatly increased by the culture of turnips; the vallies are a sertile and rich loam, the northern part of the parish is marsh land, which reaches to the Thames, containing about eight hundred acres, none of which is ever ploughed. The town of Dartford is situated in a valley, between two hills, which rise suddenly and sleep at each end of it. On that at the western extremity are chalk pits, which have been worked underneath to a considerable extent, and have rather a fearful and dangerous appearance to travellers; the opposite hill is a deep sandy loam. Dartford is at present a handsome and wealthy town, still increasing in size and inhabitants, the principal street of which is the great thoroughfare from London to Dover, on which there are built several good inns. From this street southward branches off the high road through Farningham to Sevenoke, in which stands Horseman's-place, now used, with the gardens, by a public gardener; northward from the high street is the Water-lane (so called from the little stream, the Cranford, which rises about a mile and a half southward of the town, at Hawley, which runs through it) and leads to the wharss at the water side, not far distant from which stands the Place-house, formerly the priory, with the buildings belonging to it, now used as a farm house and offices, adjoining to which is a piece of land, inclosed with a wall, formerly belonging to the priory, exceeding rich, which has been for many years been made use of as a public garden ground. The artichokes growing in it are noted for being the largest and best flavoured of any brought to the London markets, and are called, for distinction sake, the Dartford artichoke.

 

There is a good market for corn and provisions here on a Saturday, weekly; and a fair yearly, on the 2d and 3d of August. The old market house and shambles stood very inconveniently in the middle of the high street, but they were removed some years ago, and the present market place and shambles were built more commodiously elsewhere, by public subscription, to the great embellishment of the town, and the satisfaction of all travellers; at the same time the old uneasy pavement through the town was removed, and a new road of gravel made in its room, with a handsome footway of curbed stone on each side; near the east end of it stands the church, almost adjoining to the river Darent, which here crosses the high road under a handsome bridge. In king Edward III.'s reign there appears to have been no bridge here, the passage or ferry over the Darent at this place being valued among the rents of the manor; however, there was one built before the end of king Henry VI.'s reign, but it was one most narrow, steep, and dangerous for travellers, which continued so till not many years since it was altered to its present more commodious state, at the public charge of the county. A little below this bridge, the Darent becomes navigable for barges; and at the distance of about two miles, receiving the Cray into its channel, at a like distance empties itself into the Thames. On this creek there was formerly a considerable fishery, as appears by the records before mentioned; for so late as king James I.'s reign, the royal manor of Dartford received for the fishery six salmons yearly, a kind of fish now unknown here; and the manor of Dartford priory received a yearly rent of fifty pounds for a fishery likewise here at the same time; but no fishery at this time exists, nor has for many years past.

 

The trade and manufacture carried on by the several mills on the Darent contribute much to the flourishing state this town is in at present; for besides the powder-mills, first erected by Sir John Spilman as a paper mill, as before mentioned, situated a quarter of a mile above the town; there is a paper mill at a small distance below it, where there was one so early as 1590, erected by one Geoffry Box of Liege, for the cutting of iron bars into rods, being the first supposed to be erected for this purpose in England, and for the more easy converting of that metal to different uses; lower down, at the east end of the town, are two corn mills, and farther below bridge the ruins of the mill, employed as a cotton manufactory, which was burned down in 1796, and now lies in ruins. It was before made use of as a sawing mill, and before that as a brasel mill, for the slitting of iron bars into rods, nails, &c. being first erected for that purpose by John Browne, soon after the death of king Charles I. Near this is the public wharf, to which hoys and barges come up from the Thames. To this wharf is brought the produce of the woods in this neighbourhood, which are of considerable extent, and the manufactures, which are here shipped for the London market, as are the goods for the subsistence of the town and vicinity of it from the metropolis.

 

In the return of the survey, made of the several maritime places, in this county, by order of queen Elizabeth, in her 8th year, Dartford is said to contain houses inhabited, 182; persons lacking habitation, 6; keys or landing places; 4; ships and boats, 7; three of three tons, one of six, two of ten, one of fifteen; persons for carriage from Dartford to London, and so back again, 14; Sir Thomas Walsingham, steward of the town; Mr. Asteley, keeper of the queen's house; John Beer's; the wardens of Rochester-bridge.

 

In the reign of king Henry III. the archbishop of Cologne was sent hither, with several noblemen, by the emperor Frederick, to demand Isabella, the king's sister, in marriage, which was solemnised by proxy in this town, and she was then delivered to them, to be carried over. In 1331, king Edward III. at his return from France, held a famous tornament in this town. In the 5th year of king Richard II. a great commotion of the common people begun at this place, occasioned by Wat Tyler's having beat out the brains of one of the collectors of the poll tax, on account of his insolent behaviour to his daughter. The people, who were in general discontented, being inflamed by this circumstance, broke out into open rebellion, and he soon found himself at the head of one hundred thousand men. (fn. 2)

 

Thus attended, he marched directly to London, freeing, in the mean time, the prisoners detained in the public goals; among these was a priest, in the neighbourhood of Maidstone, one John Ball, vulgarly called John Straw, who, by his seditious sermons, had raised the people's sury to the utmost heighth, insomuch that, in conformity to his maxims, they resolved to destroy all the nobility and lawyers in the realm, for he had persuaded them that all men, being the sons of Adam, there ought to be no distinction; and, confequently, it was their duty to reduce the world to a perfect equality; in consequence of which he preached to the people on these rhymes:

 

"When Adam delse, and Eve span,

"Who was then a gentleman ?"

 

The king, hearing they were advanced as far as Blackheath, sent to know their demands, to which, returning a most insolent answer, they immediately marched towards London, and took possession of the borough of Southwark; and the gates of London bridge being thrown open to them by the citizens, they entered the city, where they committed every scene of barbarity that could be expected from such a body, guided solely by their sury. They then seized on the Tower, where they sound the archbishop and the lord treasurer, whom they immediately beheaded. Upon this the king, dreading the consequences of so powerful a body, repaired to Smithfield, with some few attendants, and sent a knight to Tyler, to come there and confer with him, which this rebel, with much deliberation, at last complied with. At this conference he behaved with such insolence, that William Walworth, lord mayor of London, who attended the king, without considering the consequences that would attend it, discharged such a blow at the rebel's head with his sword, that he instantly fell dead at his feet. However, contrary to expectation, the multitude were so terrified, that they threw down their arms, and sued for mercy; and were all, in the space of a few minutes, dispersed, without the effusion of any blood, except of their leader. (fn. 3)

 

About a mile south-westward from the town is the large plain, called DARTFORD. HEATH, containing about 500 acres of land. It lies high, and on a fine gravelly soil; on it there are a great many of those pits and holes so frequent in these parts. Some of these reach below the gravel as low as the chalk, others no farther than the sand and gravel; many of them have been stopped up of late years, to prevent the frequent accidents which happen of men and cattle falling into them. The occasion of their being first dug has been already explained, under the adjoining parish of Crayford. This heath has been much noted of late, as being the spot chosen by the corps of Toxopbilites, under the appellation of the Royal Kentish Bowmen, for whose use a house has been fitted up at the western side of the heath, not far from Baldwin's, and is now distinguished by the name of the Lodge, being the scene of their exercise and recreation; at which times, on their gala days, butts, apartments, and company, have made the most splen did and costly appearance. It is as delightful and pleasant a spot as any in these parts.

 

Less than half a mile eastward from the town, the high road to Rochester crossing it, lies another heath, called DARTFORD-BRENT, vulgarly the BRIMPT. This place is famous for the encampment of the army of Richard Plantagenet, duke of York, in 1452, whilst he waited to obtain a parley with king Henry VI. who then lay encamped on Blackheath. In the year 1648 General Fairfax's army rendevouzed here.

 

The ROMAN-ROAD shews itself very conspicuously on the south side of the high road between Dartford and the Brent, and when it comes to the latter, it shapes its course more to the south south-east, leaving the high road at a greater distance, on the lefthand, and entering among the inclosures and woods, in its way to a hamlet called Stonewood, it goes on to Wingfield-bank, and thence to Shinglewell, towards Rochester.

 

At a small distance southward from the Romanroad on the Brent, close to the road to Greenstedgreen, are three small barrows, which seem to have been plundered of their contents.

 

¶The gravel-pit at the entrance of the Brent from Dartford was, whilst the affizes were held in this town, which was frequently, at the latter end of queen Elizabeth's reign, the place for the public execution of criminals; and in 1772, in digging for gravel here, eight human skeletons were sound, lying contiguous to each other; most probably the remains of some of those unhappy convicts. This spot was likewise made use of in the reign of queen Mary, for the execution of those who suffered for religion.

 

Our HERBALISTS have taken notice of several scarce plants and herbs sound here:

 

The camæpytis, herb ivy, or ground pine, not only here, but in the adjoining parishes.

 

Ruta muraria five salvia vitæ, stone rue, or rue maidenbair, on the wall of the church-yard.

 

Aphaca, small yellow fetch, in the corn-fields about this place.

 

Buckthorne, in the bedges of this place.

 

The juniper tree grows in plenty on the downs southward of Dartford-brent.

 

Mentastrum, horse mint; valde ramosum flore violaceo rubro.

 

Orchis five tragorchis max. the greatest goat stones, between Crayford and Dartford.

 

Orchis hermaphroditica, the butterfly satirion; testiculus vulpinus spegodes, the humble bee orchis; orchis melittias, the bee orchis; orchis myodes, the fly satirion; are found on the downs, southward of Dartford brent.

 

The lizard orchis, has been found in the lane between Dartford and Darent.

 

Several forts of the orchis ornithophora are found in the meadows adjoining the river Darent, southward of this town.

 

Trisolium stellatum glabrum, smooth starry headed tresoil, in Dartford salt marshes. (fn. 4)

 

Charities.

THOMAS AUDITOR, alias BARNARD, gave by will, in 1536, an annuity of 3s. to buy peas, to be distributed among the poor, in the first week in Lent, payable out of four acres of land, called Docklincrost, which bequest has not been paid for many years.

 

WILLIAM VAUGHAN gave by deed, in 1596, a rent, to be distributed quarterly to the most poor inhabitants of Dartford, out of a house and garden, vested in trustees, and of the annual produce of 13l. 4s.

 

JEROME WARRAM gave by will, in 1570, for the use of the poor, a house and garden, in the occupation of Mrs. Bugden, of the annual produce of 5s.

 

MRS. CATHARINE BAMME gave by deed, in 1572, among other charitable bequests, 20s. to the poor of this parish, to be paid out of an messuage and lands in Gillingham, vested in Edward Taylor, of the annual produce of that sum.

 

JOHN BYER gave by will, in 1572, for the habitation of the poor of this parish, nine alms houses, in Lowfield, adjoining southward to Horseman's-place, and endowed them with a barn and several pieces of land, in the occupation of Mrs. Glover and Mr. Fleet; the former at 17l. the latter at 5l. annual rent, and for the habitation of four poor aged people, and 20d. to be paid quarterly to each of them; now inhabited by paupers; annual produce 1l. 6s. 8d.

 

JOHN BARTON gave by will, in 1613, the interest of 130l. yearly, to be bestowed on bread, and distributed to the poor by the vicar and churchwardens. N. B. With this money, in 1623, the parish purchased by deed, of Francis Goldsmith and others, thirteen acres of land in Crayford parish, and a house in Dartford, the former vested in William Flint and others, at 12l. per annum rent; the latter in William Nettlefold, at 11l. 10s. per annum; on condition that 20s. should be yearly distributed to the poor on Shrove Sunday, as his gift, out of the rents of the lands purchased of him by Barton's money. He agreed to abate 15l. out of the purchase money; annual produce 1l.

 

WILLIAM REYNOLDS and WILLIAM HARRISON gave by will, in 1623, the interest of 50l. and 10l. to be laid out in bread, and distributed among the poor every Sunday in the year,

 

N. B. With these two gifts were purchased a house and piece of land belonging to it, which house has been taken down, and four new houses have been built on the ground, with monies borrowed upon them, which money the rents have discharged. The houses are let to several tenants, at the yearly rent of 5l. each; 2s. worth of bread have been yearly distributed every Sunday, out of the rent of these houses, as was stipulated when they were purchased; the annual produce 20l. per annum.

 

ROBERT ROGERS gave by deed, in 1629, rent to be distributed among the poor on Easter Monday, payable out of a house and yard, vested in Mrs. Catharine Tasker; annual produce 4l.

 

JONATHAN BRETT gave by deed, in 1629, for the relief of the poor inhabitants of this parish, four acres of land, vested in Mr. George Hardres, of the annual produce of 9l.

 

THOMAS COOPER in 1629, gave an annuity, to be distributed to the poor in bread, payable out of woodland in Bexley parish, in the occupation of James Craster, of the annual produce of 1l.

 

ANTHONY POULTER gave by will, in 1629, an annuity of 20s. to be distributed by the minister and churchwardens on Easter day, payable out of a house in Dartford, occupied by Mrs. Pettit, of the annual produce of 1l.

 

JOHN TWISLETON, esq. gave by deed, in 1660, certain rent, to be applied, one-third of it to the alms houses, and the other twothirds to be given to the poor, issuing out of three acres of land, in the occupation of Edward Rawlins, of the annual produce of 5l. 6s. 3d.

 

JOHN ROUND, in 1682, gave an annuity, to be distributed among the poor on Christmas day, payable out of the Bell inn, in Dartford, in the occupation of John Elliot, of the annual produce of 1l.

 

THE REV. CHARLES CHAMBERS gave by will, in 1745, the sum of 50l. vested in the 3 per cents. the interest to be distributed by the minister on Christmas day, among twenty-four poor persons, twenty of whom to be widows, annual produce 1l. 10s.

 

JOHN RANDALL gave by will, in 1771, 200l. now vested in the 3 per cent. the interest to be distributed among poor housekeepers and widows, at 5s. each; annual produce 7l. 8s. 6d. and he gave 100l. since, vested in like manner, the interest to be laid out in bread, and distributed to the poor on Sundays; annual produce 3l. 14s. 3d.

 

A PERSON UNKNOWN gave three houses for poor parishioners, to dwell in, now inhabited by paupers.

 

A PIECE OF LAND, on part of which the present workhouse was erected in 1728, by voluntary subscriptions; the other part, used as a garden to it, was given by a person unknown.

 

This land was let in 1720, for the use of the poor at 1l. per ann.

 

CHRISTOPHER HEATH gave lands to the next of kin of Ellen Sherrington, on condition that they should pay yearly out of them, to the use of the poor, 1l. 6s. 8d. and to the churchwardens and their successors, to the reparation of the church, 1l. 13s. 4d.

 

JOHN BEALE, of Swanscombe, devised 40s. per annum, towards the maintenance of a schoolmaster in Dartford, to be paid out of a messuage, called Hamanslay's, in Halsted, formerly occupied by William Watson.

 

THIS PARISH is within the ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION of the deanry of Dartford, and diocese of Rochester. The church, which is dedicated to the Holy Trinity, stands near the east end of the town, and is a large handsome building, consisting of three isles' and two chancels. In 1793, the whole church was repaired and beautified by the parishioners, at the expence of twelve hundred pounds. The pavement within the altar rails, with the painting and gilding over it, was done at the charge of Charles Manning, gent. in 1702. The tower is at the west end of it, in which there is a clock and a good ring of bells; one of which, of the smaller size, used till of late to be constantly rung, as of old custom, at four o'clock every morning, and again at the time of curfew at night.

 

The church yard formerly surrounded it, but some few years ago that part of it, which was on the southerin side, was given to the public to make the road more commodious for passengers. There is another burying-ground belonging to this church at some little distance from it, adjoining the high London road at the top of the hill, eastward of the town, of which further mention will be made. It is situated on so high an eminence, that it overlooks even the top of the tower of the church.

 

Among other monuments and inscriptions in this church, are the following: In the great chancel, on the north side of the altar is a monument for Sir John Spilman, inclosed with iron railing; on it are his essigies in armour and that of his lady, kneeling at a desk, each with a book open, and over their heads, on a tablet of black marble, with an inscription in German text for both of them; he died in 1607; on the top of the monument his arms, Or, a serpent wreathed in pale azure, crested, gules, on a mount in base, vert, two slaunches, gules, each charged with three lions passant, or; beneath, on the tomb, are two coats, Spilman, as above, impaling argent, a man cloathed sable, with a long cap on, holding in his hand an olive branch proper, and standing on a mount, inverted, gules. On the south side of the chancel, an altar tomb, inclosed with rails, and inscription, for Clement Petit, esq. of Joyes, in this parish, whose paternal seat was at Dentelion, in Thanet, obt. 1717. Before the rails of the altar, on a grave stone, are the figures of a man and woman, in brass, under a canopy, with labels from their mouths; round the verge of the stone is an inscription in brass, in part torn away, for Richard Martyn, of Dartford, who died in 14 . . . . she died in 1402. Near it is another stone, which had the figure of a man, with a label from his mouth, and an inscription round the verge, all in brass, now lost; but an inscription in brass still remains, on a plate, for John Hornley, S. T. B. who died in 1477. On another adjoining, are the figures in brass of a woman and six children, that of the man is lost; beneath on a plate, is an inscription for capt. Arthur Bostocke, gent. who married Francis, second daughter of Francis Rogers, esq. he died in 1612. On a grave stone, before the step of the chancel, is the figure in brass, of a woman, and inscription, for Agnes, daughter of John Appleton, wife of Wm. Hesilt, one of the barons of the exchequer of Henry VI. afterwards of Robert, brother of Sir Tho. Molyngton, baron of Wemme; she died in 1454. On the south side of the chancel, a monument for Wm. Burgess, late citizen and salter of London, obt. 1640; arms, a sess sret between three rooks. On the same side, before the altar rails, a memorial for Nicholas Tooke, gent. of Dartford, obt. 1672, æt. 90; arms, Tooke, argent, on a chevton, sable, three plates of the field between three greyhounds heads erased, sable collared, or; but this is cut here very erroneous. On the north side, a memorial for Mr. Mark Fielder, 1753, æt. 91; on the south side, a memorial for Mr. Wm. Tasker, of this parish, ob. 1732; and for Wm. Tasker, jun. their second son, ob. 1733. In the south chancel, a mural monument for John Twisleton, esq. of Horseman's-place, son and heir of John Twisleton, esq. of Drax, in Yorkshire, who was uncle and heir of Sir Geo. Twisleton, bart. of Barley, in that county, the antient paternal seat of the family. A memorial for John Twisleton, esq. late of Horseman's-place, ob. 1721. At the east end an altar tomb, inclosed with wooden rails, and on the south of it an inscription for John Beer, of Dartford, who had Nicholas, Anne, and Dorothy; for Nicholas, who had Clement and Edward, and for Clement Beer, who had John and Clement, who both died, s. p. Edward Beer, their uncle, was their heir, and lived unmarried fifty-nine years, and died in 1627. On the north side, an inscription, shewing, that Christopher Twisleton, esq. of Barley, in Yorkshire, married Anne Beer, by whom he had George Twisleton, who had John Twisleton, and Edward Beer, dying, s. p. gave all his lands in Kent to John Twisleton above mentioned, who erected this monument in 1628. On the west side are two shields, one quarterly, 1st and 4th, quarterly, a canton ermine; 2d and 3d, on a fess, three garbs; the other the same arms, impaling a chevron. A grave stone, having a brass plate for John Beer, esq. of Dartford, and Alice and Joan, his wives, and also for Henry Beer, his son and heir, who married Anne Beer, widow of Rich. Howlett, gent. deceased, and had by her a son, Wm. Beer, deceased, which John Beer died in 1572, and Henry in 1574; above, are two coats in brass, both, a bear rampant, on a canton, five escallop shells. On a grave stone, the figures of a man and his two wives, with children and their shields of arms in brass, all of which are lost, excepting the second wife and four children, and a plate with the inscription, for Wm. Rothele, of Dartford, who died in 1464, and Beatrix and Joane, his wives, and their children. Another on the north side, on which were the figures of a man and woman, in brass, now lost, but part of the inscription remains, for Katryn Burlton, who died 1496, and Rich. Burlton, jantilman, her husband, who died 15 . . . the rest torn off. A mont for Margaret, relict of John Pitt, esq. predent of the S. Sea company at Vera Crux, ob. 1731, æt. 49, arms, Pitt impaling a chevron, ingrailed, betw. three eagles heads erased. In the middle isle, are several memorials of Manning; a grave stone in the south cross isle, having the figures in brass of a man between his two wives, and underneath those of fifteen children, with inscription in black letter, for Wm. Death, gent. principal of Staple's inn, who had two wives, Elizabeth and Anne, by the former he had ten sons and six daughters, ob. 1590, Elizabeth, 1582; above a shield of arms, being death, a grissin passant between three crescents, quartering four other coats. (fn. 46) In the north isle are memorials for the Round's, Woodin, Poulter, Dalling, and Chambers, all of this parish. There are many more memorials and tombs of respectable inhabitants of this populous town and parish, as well in the church as the two church yards, but they are by far too numerous for insertion in this place.

 

In the 7th year of king Edward III. Thomas de Woldham, bishop of Rochester, caused a new window to be made in the chancel of the church.

 

William the Conqueror confirmed the gift which Hamo his steward had made of the church of Tarentford, in the king's manor, to the church of St. Andrew of Rochester; (fn. 47) which king Henry I. confirmed, with the churches appendant to it, and the tithes of this parish in corn, pannage, cattle, money, and in all other things, in like manner as St. Austin held the church of Middleton, with the tithes of that parish, in the time of his father, (fn. 48) and also the tithes of his mills in Darenteford.

 

Gundulph, bishop of Rochester, who was elected to that see in the reign of the Conqueror, having recovered the manors and possessions of his church, which had been dissipated and made away with, separated his own maintenance from that of the monks, in which division he allotted this church, among others, to the support of the almonry, belonging to the convent. (fn. 49) The monks did not continue long in the possession of it, for bishop Gilbert de Glanvill, who came to the see in 1185, on pretence that his predecessor had impoverished the see by his too large donations to the priory, divested them of all right to this church, which he restored to the see of Rochester; however, he reserved and confirmed to the monks their antient pension from it. (fn. 50)

 

Laurence, bishop of Rochester, in 1253, reserving the tithes of sheaves, and of every kind of hay, demised this church, and all the small tithes, oblations, and obventions, and the tithes of sheaves arising in gardens and curtileges not being ploughed, to the convent of Rochester, at the rent of thirty-eight marcs per annum, on condition that they supplied the cure, and they were to deduct their pension of ten marcs, paid by the rector, out of it. (fn. 51) He afterwards obtained pope Innocent IV.'s leave to appropriate this church, during his life, to the use of his table, which he complained was so slenderly provided for; that he and his family had not at times common necessaries for food; the clear receipts for the bishop's table being but five hundred marcs, which were not more than sufficient for half the expence of it, and the receipts from his manors not exceeding sixty marcs per annum. (fn. 52) This was confirmed to the bishop and his successors by pope Alexander IV. and again by Clement IV. Bishop Laurence, on the appropriation, endowed the vicarage of this church, with the small tithes of it, excepting hay, with two acres of arable, and one of meadow; and also with the tithes of sheaves growing from land dug up with the foot, as well for the support of the vicar, as the discharge of the ordinary burthens of his vicarage, and the payment of the above pension to the monks, the profits of the vicarage being then sound by a jury to be worth forty marcs sterling per annum, communibis sannis; which endowment being lost, bishop Thomas de Woldham, in 1299, confirmed it; and as the vicar had no house belonging to his vicarage, he granted him one standing on the soil belonging to the church, as a vicarage house for himself and his successors; and further, the tithe of twenty-one acres of meadow, called King's-marsh, in Dartford, heretofore taken by the bishop and his predecessors, and he decreed, that the vicar and his successors should keep and maintain the books, vestments, and other ornaments of the church, in a proper state and order, and should sustain and acknowledge all other ordinary burthens of it.

 

Archbishop Robert Winchelsea further endowed this vicarage with the tithe of hay, to the value of forty shillings, in satisfaction of which the whole tithe of hay, arising from the great salt march in Dartford, (excepting to the bishop of Rochester for the time being, the yearly sum of four shillings, due from the Knights Hospitallers to the bishop, as rector of this church) was decreed to the vicar, by the desinitive sentence of Walter, archbishop of Canterbury, in the year 1315, as an augmentation of his endowment.

 

Thomas de Woldham, bishop of Rochester, in the above year, granted in mortmain, to Robert Levee, vicar of Dartford, and his successors, a messuage, with its appurtenances, in Overe-street, in Dartford, which the bishop had purchased of Robert de Levee, of Frindsbury. (fn. 53) At the dissolution of the priory of Rochester, in the 32d year of king Henry VIII. the above pension of ten marcs, or 6l. 13s. 4d. was, by the king, in his 33d year, granted, among other pre emises, to his new erected dean and chapter of Rochester, who continue possessed of it at this time. The parsonage and advowson of the vicarage still remain part of the possessions of the bishop of Rochester. (fn. 54)

 

In the antient valuation of the bishop's revenues, this church was valued at 40l. and the bishop's mill and rent here, at 100s. In the 15th year of king Edward I.'s reign, the church was valued at forty-five marcs, and the vicarage at 100s. In the 33d of king Edward III. the church was valued at the like sum. (fn. 55)

 

By virtue of a commission of enquiry, in 1650, it was returned, that Dartford was a vicarage, with a house and glebe, all worth, with the privy tithes, seventy pounds per annum, master Charnock then incumbent. (fn. 56) It is a discharged living in the king's books, of the clear yearly certified value of 45l. 5s. 10½d. the yearly tenths of which are 1l. 17s. 1½d. (fn. 57)

 

This vicarage was, in 1736, augmented by the governors of queen Anne's bounty; at which time the Rev. Mr. Charles Chambers, vicar of Dartford, contributed one hundred pounds for that purpose. (fn. 58)

 

Bishop Laurence de St. Martin seems to have purchased, in the reign of king Henry III. several of the rents which now constitute the greatest part, if not the whole of the MANOR OF DARTFORD RECTORY, from Robert and Richard de Ripa, John Badecock, William de Wilmington, and others. (fn. 59)

 

This manor extends over both sides of the Highstreet, in Dartford, from the scite of the old marketplace to the church, and southward, in Lowfield, as far as the house of correction; all which is called the Bishop's liberty. At the leet of this manor, a constable and a borsholder are annually chosen for the liberty. There are several tenants which hold of it in socage, at small quit-rents.

 

In the 21st year of king Edward I. on a Quo warranto, the jury found that the bishop was feild, in right of his church, of view of frank pledge, and assize of bread and ale of his tenants in Dartford and Stone; and that the bishops, his predecessors, had been possessed of the same beyond memory.

 

There were TWO CHANTRIES, founded for divine services, in this parish; that of St. Edmund the Martyr, and of St. Mary, otherwise called Stampit. The former stood in the upper burial ground of this parish, which was a cimetary to it, and under this building was a charnel house. This chapel was suppressed at the same time with all other such endowments, and presently sell to ruin; but the cimetary was granted to the parish, as a place of burial for the parishioners, and continues so at this time. The advowson of this chantry was granted to the prioress and convent of Dartford priory, in the 46th year of king Edward III. at their first endowment.

 

John Bykenore endowed this chapel with five marcs, payable out of lands and tenements in Dartford, for the support of the chaplain of it. This chapel was under the jurisdiction of the archdeacon of the diocese.

 

¶The latter chantry of the Blessed Virgin St. Mary was subject to the official of the diocese. (fn. 60) It was founded by Thomas de Dertford, alias Art Stampett, vicar of this parish, in 1338, for one chaplain, to celebrate divine offices daily in the parish church of Dartford, in honour of the Blessed Virgin, and for the health of his soul, &c. and he appointed Ralph de Felthorpe the first chaplain of it, and endowed it with several lands and tenements, to the amount of one hundred and twenty acres, (fn. 61) in Dartford, the chaplain paying twelve pence yearly to the vicar of Dartford and his successors; and he gave the patronage of it, and the nomination of a chaplain to it in future, to the bishop of Rochester and his successors; which was confirmed by the bishop and the prior and chapter of Rochester the same year. (fn. 62) In the year 1553, Robert Bacon, incumbent of this chantry, had a pension of six pounds per annum.

 

www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-kent/vol2/pp286-328

Some background:

The Rolls-Royce Griffon engine was designed in answer to Royal Navy specifications for an engine capable of generating good power at low altitudes. Concepts for adapting the Spitfire to take the new engine had begun as far back as October 1939; Joseph Smith felt that "The good big 'un will eventually beat the good little 'un." and Ernest Hives of Rolls-Royce thought that the Griffon would be "a second power string for the Spitfire". The first of the Griffon-engined Spitfires flew on 27 November 1941. Although the Griffon-powered Spitfires were never produced in the large numbers of the Merlin-engined variants they were an important part of the Spitfire family, and in their later versions kept the Spitfire at the forefront of piston-engined fighter development. The first Griffon-powered Spitfires suffered from poor high- altitude performance due to having only a single stage supercharged engine. By 1943, Rolls-Royce engineers had developed a new Griffon engine, the 61 series, with a two-stage supercharger. In the end it was a slightly modified engine, the 65 series, which was used in the Mk. XIV, the first Spitfire mark with a Griffon engine to enter service. The resulting aircraft provided a substantial performance increase over the Mk IX. Although initially based on the Mk VIII airframe, common improvements made in aircraft produced later included the cut-back fuselage and tear-drop canopies, and the E-Type wing with improved armament.

 

The Mk. XIV differed from its direct predecessor, the Mk XII, in that the longer, two-stage supercharged Griffon 65, producing 2,050 hp (1,528 kW), was mounted 10 inches (25.4 cm) further forward. The top section of the engine bulkhead was angled forward, creating a distinctive change of angle to the upper cowling's rear edge. A new five-bladed Rotol propeller of 10 ft 5 in (3.18 m) in diameter was used. The "fishtail" design of ejector exhaust stub gave way to ones of circular section. The increased cooling requirements of the Griffon engine meant that all radiators were much bigger, and the underwing housings were deeper than previous versions. The cowling fasteners were new, flush fitting "Amal" type and there were more of them. The oil tank (which had been moved from the lower cowling location of the Merlin engine variants to forward of the fuselage fuel tanks) was increased in capacity from 6 to 10 gal.

To help balance the new engine, the radio equipment was moved further back in the rear fuselage and the access hatch was moved from the left fuselage side to the right. Better VHF radio equipment allowed for the aerial mast to be removed and replaced by a "whip" aerial further aft on the fuselage spine. Because the longer nose and the increased slipstream of the big five-bladed propeller a new tail unit with a taller, broader fin and a rudder of increased area was adopted.

 

When the new fighter entered service with 610 Squadron in December 1943 it was a leap forward in the evolution of the Spitfire. The Mk. XIV could climb to 20,000 ft (6,100 m) in just over five minutes and its top speed, which was achieved at 25,400 ft (7,700 m), was 446 mph (718 km/h). In operational service many pilots initially found that the new fighter could be difficult to handle, particularly if they were used to earlier Spitfire marks. But in spite of the difficulties, pilots appreciated the performance increases.

 

F Mk. XIVs had a total of 109.5 gal of fuel consisting of 84 gal in two main tanks and a 12.5 imp gal fuel tank in each leading-edge wing tank; other 30, 45, 50 or 90 gal drop tanks could be carried. The fighter's maximum range was just a little over 460 miles (740 km) on internal fuel, since the new Griffon engine consumed much more fuel per hour than the original Merlin engine of earlier variants. By late 1944, Spitfire XIVs were fitted with an extra 33 gal in a rear fuselage fuel tank, extending the fighter's range to about 850 miles (1,370 km) on internal fuel and a 90 gal drop tank. Mk. XIVs with "tear-drop" canopies had 64 gal. As a result, F and FR Mk. XIVs had a range that was increased to over 610 miles (980 km), or 960 miles (1,540 km) with a 90 gal drop tank. The armament initially consisted of two 20 mm Hispano cannon and four light 0.303” machine guns (in a standard “C” wing configuration), but later builds had the latter replaced with a pair of heavier 0.5” machine guns that had better range and weight of fire (“E” wing configuration).

 

The first test of the aircraft was in intercepting V1 flying bombs and the Mk. XIV was the most successful of all Spitfire marks in this role. When 150 octane fuel was introduced in mid-1944 the "boost" of the Griffon engine was able to be increased to +25 lbs (80.7"), allowing the top speed to be increased by about 30 mph (26 kn; 48 km/h) to 400 mph (350 kn; 640 km/h) at 2,000 ft (610 m).

The Mk. XIV was used by the 2nd Tactical Air Force as their main high-altitude air superiority fighter in northern Europe with six squadrons operational by December 1944.

 

One problem which did arise in service was localized skin wrinkling on the wings and fuselage at load attachment points; although Supermarine advised that the Mk. XIVs had not been seriously weakened, nor were they on the point of failure, the RAF issued instructions in early 1945 that all F and FR Mk. XIVs were to be refitted with clipped wings. Spitfire XIVs began to arrive in the South-East Asian Theatre in June 1945, too late to operate against the Japanese. In total, 957 Mk. XIVs were built, over 430 of which were FR Mk. XIVs.

 

After the war, secondhand Mk. XIVs still in good shape were exported to a number of foreign air forces; 132 went to the Royal Belgian Air Force, 70 went to the Royal Indian Air Force and 30 of the reconnaissance version went to the Royal Thai Air Force. The Royal Iraqi Air Force (RIrAF) was another operator, even though only a small one.

In late 1946, five years after the Anglo-Iraqi War had left the RIrAF shattered, the Iraqis reached an agreement with the British under which they would return their surviving Avro Ansons in exchange for the authorization to order more modern and potent fighter aircraft from the UK, namely Supermarine Spitfires and Hawker Furies. The next year, three de Havilland Doves and three Bristol Freighters were ordered, too, and they arrived in early 1947 with a batch of ten refurbished ex-RAF Spitfire F Mk. XIVcs, some of them WWII survivors. All these machines received the original wing tips to better cope with the expected higher ambient temperatures in the Middle Eastern theatre of operations, reinforced aluminum skinning along the wing roots, and they were retrofitted with hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage to carry unguided missiles, bombs and drop tanks, what gave them an additional ground attack capability. The radio equipment was modernized, too, including a DF loop antenna as navigational aid. Despite these standardizations, though, the Spitfires were delivered with a mix of the different canopies.

 

The RIrAF was still recovering and re-structuring its assets when it joined in the war against the newly created state of Israel in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The RIrAF only played a small role in the first war against Israel, though. A few Spitfire F Mk. XIVs as well as Avro Anson training bombers operated from Transjordan airfields from where they flew several attacks against the Israelis. After a series of indiscriminate attacks on Arab capitals, flown by three Boeing B-17s that had been pressed into service by the Israeli Air Force, the governments of Transjordan and Syria demanded that the Iraqis take more offensive action and replace their Ansons with Hawker Furies. However, only six Furies were sent to Damascus to join the Spitfires in the region, and they never encountered any Israeli aircraft during their deployment.

Despite some effective attacks on ground targets by the Spitfires, limited amount of cannon ammunition, RPGs and suitable bombs heavily limited the Iraqi operations. The fighters were mostly used for armed reconnaissance, and three Spitfires were upgraded to FR Mk. XIV standard for this purpose. In 1949 a second batch of eight more Spitfire F Mk. XIVs was delivered from Britain, and in 1951 the RIrAF purchased 20 more Fury F.Mk.1s, for a total of 50 F.Mk.1s single-seaters and 2 two-seaters. They soon replaced the Spitfires in frontline units, even though the machines were still kept in service.

 

In the early Fifties, thanks to increased income from oil and agricultural exports, the RIrAF was thoroughly re-equipped. In 1951, 15 each of de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunks, Percival Provosts and North American T-6s were bought to replace obsolete de Havilland Tiger Moth trainers. With these new aircraft the RIrAF Flying School was expanded into the Air Force College. The training curriculum was improved, and the number of students graduating each year was increased. This allowed to form a solid basis for the RIrAF's long-term growth. Also in 1951, the RIrAF bought its first helicopters: three Westland Dragonflies. The RIrAF's first jet fighter was the de Havilland Vampire: 12 FB.Mk.52 fighters and 10 T.Mk.55 trainers were delivered from 1953 to 1955, and they fully replaced the Spitfires. The Vampires were quickly supplemented by 20 de Havilland Venoms, delivered between 1954 and 1956.

Following the formation of the Baghdad Pact, the United States donated at least six Stinson L-5 Sentinels and seven Cessna O-1 Bird Dogs to the RIrAF. The RAF also vacated Shaibah Air Base, and the RIrAF took over it as Wahda Air Base. In 1957, six Hawker Hunter F.Mk.6s were delivered. The next year, the United States agreed to provide 36 F-86F Sabres free of charge.

 

However, following the 14 July Revolution of 1958, which resulted in the end of monarchy in Iraq, the influence of the Iraqi Communist Party grew significantly. The first commander of the Iraqi Air Force (the "Royal" prefix was dropped after the revolution), Jalal Jaffar al-Awqati, was an outspoken communist, and encouraged prime minister Abd al-Karim Qasim to improve relations between Iraq and the USSR. The Soviets reacted quickly, and in the autumn of 1958 a series of arms contracts was passed between Iraq and the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia. These stipulated the delivery of MiG-15UTI trainers, MiG-17F fighters, Ilyushin Il-28 bombers, and Antonov An-2 and An-12 transports. The first aircraft arrived in Iraq in January 1959; during the late Sixties and the early Seventies additional MiG-17s may have been purchased and then forwarded to either Syria or Egypt.

 

General characteristics

Crew: 1

Length: 32 ft 8 in (9.96 m)

Wingspan: 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m) with full span elliptical tips

Height: 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)

Wing area: 242.1 sq ft (22.49 m²)

Airfoil: NACA 2213 (root), NACA 2209.4 (tip)

Empty weight: 6,578 lb (2,984 kg)

Gross weight: 7,923 lb (3,594 kg)

Max. takeoff weight: 8,400[53] lb (3,810 kg)

 

Powerplant:

1× Rolls-Royce Griffon 65 supercharged V12, 2,050 hp (1,530 kW) at 8,000 ft (2,438 m),

driving a 5-bladed Jablo-Rotol propeller

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 441 mph (710 km/h, 383 kn) in FS supercharger gear at 29,500 ft.

391 mph in MS supercharger gear at 5,500 ft.

Combat range: 460 mi (740 km, 400 nmi)

Ferry range: 1,090 mi (1,760 km, 950 nmi)

Service ceiling: 43,500 ft (13,300 m)

Rate of climb: 5,040 ft/min (25.6 m/s) in MS supercharger gear at 2,100 ft.

3,550 ft/min in FS supercharger gear at 22,100 ft.

Time to altitude: 7 mins to 22,000 ft (at max weight)

Wing loading: 32.72 lb/sq ft (159.8 kg/m²)

Power/mass: 0.24

 

Armament:

2× 20 mm (0.787-in) Hispano Mk II cannon, 120 rpg

4× 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns, 350 rpg,

Underwing hard points for 8× 60 lb (27 kg) rockets, 2 x 250 lb (113 kg) bombs or slipper tanks,

1× ventral hardpoint for a 500 lb (227 kg) bomb or a drop tank

  

The kit and its assembly:

This was a rather spontaneous interim build. The Academy Spitfire was left over from a D-Day combo that contained a Hawker Typhoon, too, and I lacked an idea for the Spitfire for a long time) since I am not a big fan of the aircraft, at least what-if-inspiration-wise). However, when pondering about a potential operator from the very early pos-war period I remembered the Royal Iraqi Air Force and its later Hawker Hunters which retained their NATO-style camouflage (RAF green/grey) despite being primarily operated in a desert environment. This, on a Spitfire…?

 

From this idea the Academy Spitfire was built almost OOB. Because the kit offers them as an option and for the cool look, I gave the Spitfire four RPGs under each outer wing. The ventral drop tank was taken from a Special Hobby late Spitfire kit. The only other additions are the antenna mast and the non-standard DF loop antenna behind the cockpit, created from thin wire and mounted on a small, streamlined socket.

  

Painting and markings:

The upper surfaces were painted in standard RAF WWII colors, Dark Green and Ocean Grey, using a mix of Humbrol 163 and 30 for a slightly more bluish WWII-style green and a mix of 106 and 145 for a lightened grey tone, respectively. As an individual contrast and paint scheme variation the undersides and the spinner were painted in RAF Azure Blue (Humbrol 157, lightened up with 47), more appropriate than the standard WWII Medium Sea Grey from the European theatre of operations. The cockpit interior became RAF cockpit green (Humbro,78) while the inside surfaces of the landing gear were painted in Medium Sea Grey (Humbrol 165), reflecting the original undersides’ tone in former RAF service.

 

Other markings were minimal. The Iraqi triangles were taken from a Balkan Models Su-25 sheet, because their green was rather pale, for more contrast to the surrounding camouflage. RIrAF fin flash was taken from a PM Model Hawker Fury two-seater (a.k.a. “Bagdad Fury”). The tactical code came from an Airfix Hawker Hunter (from an optional Kuwaiti machine). This looked O.K. but somewhat bleak, so I added more markings. I could not find any evidence for special ID markings on Iraqi aircraft during the Arab-Israel war, but to add an eye-catcher I gave the aircraft white ID bands on the wings and on the fuselage – inspired by markings carried by Egyptian aircraft (e. g. Spitfires) during the conflict, but somewhat simplified, without black trim. They were created from generic white decal sheet material.

 

After some soot stains around the gun ports and the exhausts, the model was sealed with matt acrylic varnish.

  

A relatively simple project and just a fictional livery - but the Iraqi Spitfire looks pretty cool, especially the ID stripes add a special touch. The European RAF scheme looks a bit off on an aircraft that would be delivered to the Middel East, but the Iraqi Air Force operated British types like the Hunter in this guise, and later Su-22 fighter bombers carried a similarly murky camouflage in very dark green and earth brown.

Photo captured near the unincorporated place of Pepperwood alongside Avenue of the Giants. Humboldt County. Mid July 2013.

icee steez

Nikon N80, Nikkor 28-80mm lens, Ilford Delta 3200 film.

 

Thank you for all your kind comments, awards, and invites, much appreciated!

www.shostphotography.com

 

If you're looking for the answers at the bottom of the bottle you might find one, but it's always the wrong one...

Some of you may have noticed that, unfortunately, owing to the fact that a certain person who sells truck photos on eBay commercially has been lifting my images from this album and selling them I have had to remove 2300 photos that didn't have a watermark. I have now run around 1700 through Lightroom and added a watermark with the intention of bulk uploading them again. Rather than watermark the existing (hidden) files in Flickr one at a time it will be easier to do it this way. I definitely won’t be adding individual tags with the make and model of each vehicle I will just add generic transport tags. Each photo is named after the vehicle and reg in any case. For anyone new to these images there is a chapter and verse explanation below. It is staggering how many times I get asked questions that a quick scan would answer or just as likely I can’t possibly answer – I didn’t take them, but, just to clarify-I do own the copyright- and I do pursue copyright theft.

 

This is a collection of scanned prints from a collection of photographs taken by the late Jim Taylor A number of years ago I was offered a large number of photographs taken by Jim Taylor, a transport photographer based in Huddersfield. The collection, 30,000 prints, 20,000 negatives – and copyright! – had been offered to me and one of the national transport magazines previously by a friend of Jim's, on behalf of Jim's wife. I initially turned them down, already having over 30,000 of my own prints filed away and taking space up. Several months later the prints were still for sale – at what was, apparently, the going rate. It was a lot of money and I deliberated for quite a while before deciding to buy them. I did however buy them directly from Jim’s wife and she delivered them personally – just to quash the occasional rumour from people who can’t mind their own business. Although some prints were sold elsewhere, particularly the popular big fleet stuff, I should have the negatives, unfortunately they came to me in a random mix, 1200 to a box, without any sort of indexing and as such it would be impossible to match negatives to prints, or, to even find a print of any particular vehicle. I have only ever looked at a handful myself unless I am scanning them. The prints are generally in excellent condition and I initially stored them in a bedroom without ever looking at any of them. In 2006 I built an extension and they had to be well protected from dust and moved a few times. Ultimately my former 6x7 box room office has become their (and my own work’s) permanent home.

I hope to avoid posting images that Jim had not taken his self, however should I inadvertently infringe another photographers copyright, please inform me by email and I will resolve the issue immediately. There are copyright issues with some of the photographs that were sold to me. A Flickr member from Scotland drew my attention to some of his own work amongst the first uploads of Jim’s work. I had a quick look through some of the 30 boxes of prints and decided that for the time being the safest thing for me to do was withdraw the majority of the earlier uploaded scans and deal with the problem – which I did. whilst the vast majority of the prints are Jims, there is a problem defining copyright of some of them, this is something that the seller did not make clear at the time. I am reasonably confident that I have since been successful in identifying Jims own work. His early work consists of many thousands of lustre 6x4 prints which are difficult to scan well, later work is almost entirely 7x5 glossy, much easier to scan. Not all of the prints are pin sharp but I can generally print successfully to A4 from a scan.

 

You may notice photographs being duplicated in this Album, unfortunately there are multiple copies of many prints (for swapping) and as I have to have a system of archiving and backing up I can only guess - using memory - if I have scanned a print before. The bigger fleets have so many similar vehicles and registration numbers that it is impossible to get it right all of the time. It is easier to scan and process a print than check my files - on three different PC’s - for duplicates. There has not been, nor will there ever be, any intention to knowingly breach anyone else's copyright. I have presented the Jim Taylor collection as exactly that-The Jim Taylor Collection- his work not mine, my own work is quite obviously mine.

Unfortunately, many truck spotters have swapped and traded their work without copyright marking it as theirs. These people never anticipated the ease with which images would be shared online in the future. I would guess that having swapped and traded photos for many years that it is almost impossible to control their future use. Anyone wanting to control the future use of their work would have been well advised to copyright mark their work (as many did) and would be well advised not to post them on photo sharing sites without a watermark as the whole point of these sites is to share the image, it is very easy for those that wish, to lift any image, despite security settings, indeed, Flickr itself, warns you that this is the case. It was this abuse and theft of my material that led me to watermark all of my later uploads. I may yet withdraw non-watermarked photos, I haven’t decided yet. (I did in the end)

To anyone reading the above it will be quite obvious that I can’t provide information regarding specific photos or potential future uploads – I didn’t take them! There are many vehicles that were well known to me as Jim only lived down the road from me (although I didn’t know him), however scanning, titling, tagging and uploading is laborious and time consuming enough, I do however provide a fair amount of information with my own transport (and other) photos. I am aware that there are requests from other Flickr users that are unanswered, I stumble across them months or years after they were posted, this isn’t deliberate. Some weekends one or two “enthusiasts” can add many hundreds of photos as favourites, this pushes requests that are in the comments section ten or twenty pages out of sight and I miss them. I also have notifications switched off, I receive around 50 emails a day through work and I don’t want even more from Flickr. Other requests, like many other things, I just plain forget – no excuses! Uploads of Jim’s photos will be infrequent as it is a boring pastime and I would much rather work on my own output.