Butetown (Cardiff) ARP post members, from left, Edward Bovell (from Barbados), the Reverend Edward Avery (Chief Warden), of the Methodist Colonial Mission (former missionary in Sierra Leone) and Miope Niagi (from Aden).  Apparently, this ARP post had members of more than twenty nationalities, and was visited by the King in recognition of their efficiency and effectiveness, no doubt; although I suspect the unusual mix of nationalities may have had something to do with it as well.  By the way - for anybody who has not come across one - the object being held up by the Rev. Avery is a stirrup pump, a hand-operated water pump the use of which tended to develop big muscles ... Best regards, JR.

Air Raid Wardens on the alert !

Recruiting poster for Air Raid Wardens, Great Britain.  These Wardens had the duty of ensuring compliance with basic air raid protection precautions (such as observance of the blackout) and low-level leadership and co-ordination of rescue and response activities in the event of an air raid.  The Air Raid Wardens originally reported to the Air Raid Precautions (ARP) organisation, established in 1924 in recognition of the aerial threat to Britain in any future war signalled by the Zeppelin raids on south-eastern areas in WW1.  The responsibilities of the ARP were absorbed by a new Civil Defence organisation in 1941, although the term, "ARP" continued to be used.  The reference to "Civil Defence" on this poster therefore suggests a 1941/'42 date (after that, the threat posed by air raids over Britain greatly diminished).  Best regards, JR.

Mr 'Odges - your country calls !

Attendees at the First International Meeting of Aeronautical Journalists arranged by Italian aeronautical press (controlled by Ministry of Aeronautics) in partnership with Regia Aeronautica and the Italian aeronautical industries at Guidonia, base of experimental and test center of Italian Air Force, on May 1939. The meeting was a chance for display and advertise some of most modern Italian aircrafts although ,any of this were only prototypes. In the photo some of this planes on show at Guidonia. From the left the Caproni-Fabrizi F.5 fighter, the Fiat G.50 fighter, the twin engine assault aircraft Breda Ba.88 and the twin engine dive bomber Savoia-Marchetti SM.85. The large camouflaged aircraft on the end of row is the four engine bomber Piaggio P.50-II. But, except for the G.50, none of this aircraft was produced on large quantities or exceeded the phase of prototype. In background some aircrafts really in service with Italian Air Force like the Fiat CR.42 fighter biplane and the Macchi MC.200 fighter. The white three engine in background is a liner aircraft Savoia-Marchetti S.73. Note also, in foreground, a person, certainly a German, whit the dress of Nazi party. The International Meeting of Aeronautical Journalists was the first, but also the last. Few months after the Meeting of Guidonia, at September 1939, outbreak the Second World War. Victor Sierra