Chris Littlechild

St Albans

I'm a freelance gaming/entertainment writer, editor and writer trainer. My life revolves around my family, friends, work, video games and movies.

Articles

What Helicopter Is Nicknamed 'The Jolly Green Giant' And Is It Still Being Used Today?

1 week ago | slashgear.com | Chris Littlechild

It's common for the general public to refer to anything large and green as a "Jolly Green Giant," and military helicopters are no exception. Sikorsky's HH-3E, another chopper that proves the introduction of the helicopter changed the U.S. Army, was known as the Jolly Green Giant.
Can Military Planes Land At Civilian Airports?

1 week ago | slashgear.com | Chris Littlechild

There are lots of things you're likely to see at airports. Old faithful Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s, for instance, and far more alcoholic drinks being consumed than really seems proper at 5:30 am. One thing you're generally not expecting to see at an airport, on the other hand, is a military airplane. Generally, they'd be as out of context here as an Airbus A350 on the back of an aircraft carrier.
You Can't Bring Anything You Want On A Private Jet And Here's Why

2 weeks ago | slashgear.com | Chris Littlechild

Those traveling by private jet still have to engage in security checks before boarding, it just takes way less time. That doesn't mean that those flying privately are absolutely free to bring along anything they wish. From musicians to sports stars and their distinguished guests, there are some things that even the wealthiest and most powerful of us are typically forbidden from bringing on a private jet.
This Is The 'Top Problem' With Modern Cars, According To J.D. Power

2 weeks ago | slashgear.com | Chris Littlechild

Some veteran drivers will tell you that getting behind the wheel just isn't as enjoyable as it used to be. Gas is costlier, there are more vehicles on the road, and stringent regulations mean that the great, hulking powerhouses that previous generations were so fond of have become something of a rare commodity. As the old saying goes, they just don't make them like they used to.
What Does M Stand For On A BMW?

3 weeks ago | slashgear.com | Chris Littlechild

There's a reason why these three letters make for such a familiar acronym. BMW has made some wonderfully iconic cars, and as with most long-running manufacturers, the German giant has varied its output in an attempt to appeal to as wide a demographic as possible. Those looking for a particularly high-performance model, for instance, would often add an additional letter to the equation, picking themselves a BMW M.
How Do Planes Steer On The Ground?

3 weeks ago | slashgear.com | Chris Littlechild

Typically, unless they've been hit by a particularly egregious delay at the last moment, travelers spend the majority of their aircraft experience in the air, not on the ground. Nonetheless, taxiing across runways is an essential part of operating airplanes with pilots getting themselves into position for a flight. Larger commercial planes often have help from aircraft tugs, which can pull an impressive amount of weight for their relatively small size.
Do Ships Still Use Lighthouses Today?

3 weeks ago | slashgear.com | Chris Littlechild

Back in the day, ships had to navigate using all manner of methods before GPS was invented. Now, it tends to be far easier for them to keep on course and to avoid potential hazards. Many may think that this means lighthouses are out of a job, but this isn't the case. These lonely sentinels of the shore may not be as critical as they used to be, nor perhaps as numerous, but they continue to serve the role that they've served for centuries.
This State Has The Fastest Drivers In All Of America

3 weeks ago | slashgear.com | Chris Littlechild

If you're a fan of all things math and statistics, you'll surely agree that the United States is an absolute treasure trove of information. There are fifty states ripe for being ranked by all sorts of parameters, and some particularly interesting ones for drivers. We have the answer to the most expensive states to own a car, for instance, as well as the state Consumer Affairs deemed the one with the most road rage.
What Is A Pocket Battleship And How Did Germany Use Them To Circumvent Naval Treaties?

3 weeks ago | slashgear.com | Chris Littlechild

"Pocket battleship" was the nickname given by the British to a very unique German weapon of war: the Panzerschiffe, or armored ship. Created as part of the nation's efforts to bolster its military in a critical period, and going on to serve in World War II, just three of them were made. This is unsurprising given the military regulations that the nation had been forced to adopt after the Central Powers' loss in the First World War.
The Reason Why The World-Renowned Lusitania Sank So Fast During World War 1 - SlashGear

3 weeks ago | slashgear.com | Chris Littlechild

The Lusitania and the RMS Titanic are two of the most majestic vessels the British have ever produced. Both tragically sank, causing enormous loss of life. What's particularly notable about the two awful events, though, is how long the vessels took to sink after becoming stricken. For Titanic, it was a harrowing 160 minutes after the collision that the ship finally slipped away, which is a stark contrast with Lusitania, which sank in a mere 18 minutes.