Gabriele D'Annunzio's biplane, Cristoforo Colombo Airport, Genoa, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Across the Carnic Alps, the self-styled warrior-poet Gabriele d'Annunzio, flew with eleven Ansaldo biplanes of the 87a Squadriglia, in a dramatic long-distance bombing raid on Vienna, August 9, 1918. They arrived over the ancient capital of the Hapsburgs and rained down a lethal storm of ... leaflets ... encouraging the Viennese to go on strike.

The S.V.A. 5 was a fairly standard-looking biplane, its most recognizable features being the "W" shaped wing struts and the boxy, tapered fuselage that flattened out and practically merged with the tail fin. Powered by a 220-hp SPA 6A engine, it was fast enough and capable enough to take on multiple roles: bombing, reconnaissance, and fighting. It was of conventional fabric-covered wood construction.

Early Italian biplanes, such as the Savola-Pomillo, were unsuccessful. In 1916, designers Umberto Savola, Rodolfo Verduzio, and Celestino Rosatelli started from scratch, and laid out a new aircraft. Societa Ansaldo of Genoa and Turin, "Ansaldo," got the contract to build the planes and started in the prototype in December, 1916. After modifications to the radiator and the tail, the Ansaldo's workers at the Borzoli Mare factory, under director Brezzi, finished the first machine in March, 1917.

The original McFly kicks worn by Michael J Fox in the Back to the Future 2. Fans have been clamouring for a pair of these since the 80's.

It seems that finally Nike are rolling into production with kicks inspired by the originals, while over at the Official McFLY 2015 Project, public support is growing for the original design to be mass produced. Visit; http://www.mcfly2015.com/ for more information.

A Marc Newson Orgone chair for Pod, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Marc Newson Felt Chair

Armchair with reinforced fibreglass body. Leg in natural polished aluminium. It can be lacquered in various colours for outdoor. For indoor the armchair is available in Feltro, Panno, Hallingdal, Pro, Tonica, Glove, Tonus, leather or leather extra.

Dimensions:
67x106xh.86 cm

A Marc Newson Orgone Stretch Lounge & Orgone Chairs, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

A Marc Newson Orgone Stretch Lounge & Alu felt Chairs at the Design Museum

“The form is one that I was striving for when I made the ‘Lockheed Lounge’ but, in those days, I didn’t have the knowledge or the resources to make it.”
- Marc Newson

Designed in 1993, the Orgone Stretch Lounge, made of aluminium and enamel, is the second artist’s proof from an edition of six plus two artist’s proofs produced by Pod. Orgone is expected to fetch up to a million dollars at auction at Sotheby’s in London this month.

Orgone Stretch Lounge, 400,000 - 600,000 GBP, by Marc Newson for Pod.
Auction at Sotheby’s, London, UK, Saturday, October 18th

HMS Belfast, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

HMS Belfast served throughout the Second World War, playing a leading part in the destruction of the battle cruiser Scharnhorst, and also the Normandy Landings. In service with the Royal Navy until 1965, she was saved for the nation in 1971 as a unique reminder of Britain’s naval heritage.

Hay's Galleria - London, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

Built in the 1850's, Hay's Wharf took deliveries from ships from all over the world and the area became known as the 'Larder of London'. The great Hay's Wharf complex has been restored to its former glory and those who visit the Galleria today stand on the same spot where the tea clippers from India and China edged their way into the dock 150 years ago.

The Navigators by David Kemp, Hay's Galleria, London originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

The sculpture in the centre of the Hay's Galleria is David Kemp's The navigators, 1987

The Navigators are high but not dry in a pond in a galleria that was once a wharf in the pool of London. This large sculpture represents the ships, the monsters and the men that drove them, and is animated by a bizarre collection of moving parts, pumps and water features.

Bronze, welded steel, found objects motors, pumps, kinetic and water features
20,000cm x 15,000cm x 14,000cm
£250,000