A Khan of the Plank.

Im currently at home on sick leave and have worked three quarters through a re-read of Moby Dick. Yesterday morning was all thunderclouds and lightning so I felt inspired to get the watercolours out and with ol' Ahab in my mind put brush to paper. The words are Melvilles with revisions from the Papa.

Swabby Style.

Ive often mentioned in my blog before that servicemen were not always general issue. We assume that military standards carried the day when in reality the opposite was perhaps closer to the truth. In the 'field' much was tolerated.
I like this pic for just those reasons, it says everything about the individual and little about the service, from his private purchase denim dungarees with the single rear pocket and re-inforced seat and the wide leather belt to the swabbies hats in the background which look suspiciously like the 1930's tennis hats available from the Quaker Marine Supply Company. There's a deck worthy reference here for all of us to remember, adding our own individual touch is far more significant than the slavish devotion to a particular fashion.



My apologises in advance for credits on the photo, some of these images are saved for months or years prior to a moment of inspiration, this one though could be Rivet head or Riveted, either way thank you guys.

Papa's Torpedo Craft.

There's something about PT-boats that I love. I think its the sleekness of their lines and the way their hulls rise up high on their wide flat sterns as they speed towards a run. There's the spray streaming against your face and the sea air lashing at your temple and the roar of those big twin screws thrusting you forward to battle. Its aquatic and equine in the same breath, a water-borne cavalry charge. Recently I came across a few historical sites, one of these, PT-King, had some great photos which Ive re-posted. For the best in Hollywood's portrayal of these plywood war machines, view John Ford's 'They were Expendable' or see Cliff Robertson in PT-109 or on a lighter note the boxed set starring those good hearted swabbies of McHales Navy makes you realise that 'ol Wally Binghampton is a comic genius.

A mornings photos.

Out early looking for photo ops at the beach.

Papa's beach kit

The Papa is always working on adding to his beach kit and when occasion arises he busies local tailors with requests to make what is needed. Here then is summer's new additions. HBT helmet bag with PBY patch, HBT naval hat and a matching one in Japanese chambray.