Off to South Birmingham yesterday to collect the Norman T300 marine engine that I bought on e-bay. Easy run up the M5 in just about an hour.
Andy is a really nice man - as are so many I've met in this hobby - and tea drunk, off to the workshop to visit the Ward 2A, another less production lathe & other similar machines. Andy is much into model engines and his foot long model of a Gardner "0" is very fine indeed.
The Norman was as described, had compression and no nasty noises when rotated, so although it didn't fire, I paid up without a qualm. Then a nicely made silencer (with a coiled wire folding handle!) appeared, and a genuine Mk1 T300 manual and spares list.
We talked of other things and other engines he has for sale (an unusual air-cooled Wolseley connected to an interesting water pump, a Bamford (the one with the top that is the dead spit of a Lister D) and others.
Then I noticed a curved top WD canvas bag on a shelf. Seeing me glance at it, he said "You don't want a WW2 generator, I suppose?"
Well, would I?
- and of course it was an 80W EEC charging set, still with its original cover. Dated 1945, I don't think it has seen very much use (the maker's badge is sharp edged and the varnish unchipped) at all and I'll be getting to it later today. Not expensive, either .........
The Norman looks OK, but has so far resisted my blandishments.
Whizzing along the M5, there's hazards flashing ahead, the M50 junction is just HERE - quick change of line and some fierce braking in the service lane and rest. Punch in 1740 on the mobile, Traffic Watch says accident on the M5 avoid - so I did, going home via M50 and Gloucester. It wasn't on the news, anyone know what happened?
Regards,
Kim Siddorn