Author Archives: Lee J. Russell

Accessible Popular Science books about Cosmology and Physics…

In 2002 I graduated from the Open University with an excellent (2:1 Honours) Open Science degree, at a time when their fees were much lower. This enabled me to boot-strap my education as an adult, after a pretty lacklustre grammar school experience. Working from the basement level up, using the OU’s distance-learning materials, I essentiallyContinue reading “Accessible Popular Science books about Cosmology and Physics…”

I’m finally retiring from corporate life and becoming a ‘real person’…

My working life in the corporate world is finally coming to an end – woo hoo! I officially retire on 31st December but will be on garden leave soon – magic! I’m really looking forward to my “real life” to come as a proper person, not an employee… including reconnecting with friends, writers and allContinue reading “I’m finally retiring from corporate life and becoming a ‘real person’…”

Former Royal Observer Corps (ROC) Observation Post (bunker) at RAF Manston…

Decades ago I saw two men climbing out of a hole in the ground just outside the perimeter of the former RAF Manston. I had always wondered what they were doing there, and last February I took a walk along the now abandoned road in that area to investigate. I found a derelict ROC ObservationContinue reading “Former Royal Observer Corps (ROC) Observation Post (bunker) at RAF Manston…”

A mathematical model of the launch of Apollo 11 to Earth-parking-orbit…

I’ve always been interested in the technology of spaceflight, and particularly the 1960s solutions to the problem using the Saturn-V launcher. I think it is the complexity of the machine, combined with its extraordinary thrust and the drama of being the first to take humans to the Moon that is so captivating. I was notContinue reading “A mathematical model of the launch of Apollo 11 to Earth-parking-orbit…”

A Visit to East Midlands AeroPark – 19/5/24…

At the start of a short holiday break, I enjoyed a visit to the “East Midlands AeroPark” at Castle Donington, located right next to East Midlands Airport. They have a small but good collection of (often later-mark) Cold War era jets, mostly in reasonably good condition despite being kept outdoors. I had not previously seenContinue reading “A Visit to East Midlands AeroPark – 19/5/24…”

“The Queen’s Joust” – Leeds Castle, Maidstone – 27/5/24…

I became interested in the technology behind medieval armour during Covid-19 lockdown (who didn’t pick up a new hobby?) and the opportunity to see reproduction armour in use during a joust was too good to miss. Over the May ’24 bank holiday weekend, Leeds Castle at Maidstone hosted 3 days of jousting, and I managedContinue reading ““The Queen’s Joust” – Leeds Castle, Maidstone – 27/5/24…”

“Extinction Event” by Bryant Benson – short story on 365 tomorrows

I’m an irregular reader of the short fiction on 365 tomorrows. Time is precious and life is short, so a story needs a really compelling theme to draw me in. It feels odd over the Christmas holidays to say that I ‘enjoyed’ this tale by Benson. In 8 paragraphs it steps us through the lastContinue reading ““Extinction Event” by Bryant Benson – short story on 365 tomorrows”

A visit to IWM Duxford…

Completing my tour of the “big ticket” UK aircraft museums, I visited the Imperial War Museum’s (IWM) display at Duxford this weekend. The site presents both flying aircraft and static exhibits (mostly in hangars). It has a strong sense of being focussed on WW2 aircraft, although there are some Cold War military and passenger jetsContinue reading “A visit to IWM Duxford…”

I’ve Just Published 3 New Paperbacks…

Life in my day job is very demanding, but over the past week I have just found the physical & emotional energy needed to publish 3 paperbacks with Cold War / New Cold War themes: “Cold War – How The Cold War Nuclear Arms Race Affected The World” collects together a series of non-fiction articlesContinue reading “I’ve Just Published 3 New Paperbacks…”