Why we tinker with engines?

Nick,

I trained as a machine tool fitter for five years and then did another five years on the job and was offered a position as a foreman on the maintenance dept, I very quickly decided that I didn't like sitting at a desk and as soon as the opportunity arose I left to become a service engineer and wouldn't go backwards again, 22yrs servicing, there is great satisfaction knowing that you have fixed a machine and left the customer happy and I suppose that's why I like my hobbies even down to making my wife a toilet roll holder from stainless and copper tube rather than pay a lot of money for a cheap plastic moulding.

Ah, job satisfaction- I think I remember that! I've been desk bound for

15 years or so now and even when I was at EMI the balance between bench work and report writing or filling in the interminable MOD forms was not altogether favourable. Mind you, I couldn't take the kind of mileage or time away from home you do, the growing fear (and dreams) that I would end my days in a motorway pile-up was one of the reasons I left.

So now I have a ten minute walk to work and I sit in front of a 'pooter churning out routine bearing quotes mostly to Westland and its various subbies. Occasionally an enquiry comes in from someone like IWM Duxford which needs a bit of research and there is a certain satisfaction in perhaps identifying a currently available 'nearinuf' to something which has been out of production since 1945.

NHH

Well, that's not too much more than the 100 mile mile a day round trip once EMI radar moved from Hayes to Crawley - and I minimised my costs by buying a Citroen AX diesel from which I could regularly extract 75mpg, but after three years I had had enough. Chacun a son gout I suppose.

NHH

Scotland and back in four trips :-)) not including filling in in between.

Martin P

Did they go into the old MEL premises, or somewhere else?

Peter

Yep, reverse takeover - (Thorn) EMI acquired MEL but we were the ones who had to relocate. All part of the Thompson group now I think.

NHH

Comes and goes for me. Virtually nothing in December but January - Canterbury, Burton on Trent, Tamworth, Oxford, Wokingham, in quick succession. York next month & then the season starts all over again. Most MOT's show more than 23k a year - not bad for a retired old soul creaking close to 70!

- And a bike on the road by March Deo Volante!

Regards,

Kim Siddorn