July update: The Big one

Yup, 2022 is already half done. Time has that habit of creeping up, hitting the afterburner, and then just blazing past. High time for another production update then. 

Not gonna lie, July has been rough. Not in the 'one-bad-thing-after-the-other' kind of rough. More the 'I wonder at what point I can just sit down and plan Q3/Q4' kind of rough. One project has been chasing the next, and it is high time to consolidate a bit. Hopefully soon. In the meantime, here are some news for Inside the Cockpit (finally!), a big mystery project (watch this space), and upcoming videos that I can already talk about.

• We Have Ways Fest

If you are coming to the We Have Ways Fest near Bicester, UK this weekend, come say hey when you see me. I will be giving a talk on Saturday 1pm about the Luftwaffe so that would also be a great moment to meet up.

• Stukabook

Public release will be in August.

• In early access soon:

Two videos will be completed by Monday. Actually, they are already 'done', I just need to do one correction pass on editing mistakes and then add some animations my buddies over at Realtime History will send me. That means on Tuesday at the latest, you will get early access to:

- Operation Varsity: The Greatest Unnecessary Airborne Operation?
- In Defense of a Deathtrap: C-46 Commando 

The first video will explore the airborne operation of Operation Varsity in March '45, talk about the improvements to this operation compared to Operation Husky, the D-Day landings, and Market Garden. It will also delve into some of the controversies surrounding the need for this operation, and the use of the C-46 Commando. The second video is an extension of the former and a more detailed lock at the Commando. It will be released later this year, except for you supporters of course who will have access immediately. 

Both videos are collaborative with Realtime History who I have worked with before on their 16 Days of Berlin and Rhineland '45 documentary series.

• Inside The Cockpit

It is very likely that in August, I can finally revive my Inside the cockpit series with two very special candidates. The Short Sunderland and the Blackburn Buccaneer. Filming should take place by mid August, so an update will come around that time.

• Big mystery project

A three-part mystery project is currently 33% done. It is a collaborative effort with another institution/company so superstitious me doesn't want to drop names just yet. The cautious German side that shies away from big announcements wins once more. But you will be the first to know once everything is prepared. Watch this space, this is big!

• Upcoming videos

Currently three more videos for the near future are planned. Next to the big mystery project (2-3 videos), this will include a video about:

- a pilots worst enemy: MANPADS,
- the Japanese air offensive in later 1941-early 1942 in Malaya and the Philippines,
- F-15EX or F-16 vs A-10 during Desert Storm (both tentative).

I have also four interviews already done that just need to be edited together. These include two on the South Pacific theatre during World War II, and two about the Russian Air Force in the 21st Century.

• PhD

I hesitate to add these things to the production updates as I assume most of you don't really care, hah - but for those that have been following it (thank you for the supportive messages!), I have a big deadline end of the month. It is still +1y of work but the approaching submission is quite crucial so naturally that ties me in a bit as well.

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Right, that be that! Again, massive thank you to you for supporting the channel and my work. It does mean a lot, especially in busy times like this, to know that my videos and channel is being appreciated and that so many support it so actively!

Let me know if you have any questions.

Best.
Chris