Wonwings Diary-a blog with a difference.

[Guest]

Ohhhhhh Magpie Susan Stranks with no bra I remember it very well lol

[wonwinglo]

***What are you like Nigel,control yourself man,come to think of it,yes I do remember her.

Ohhhhhh Magpie Susan Stranks with no bra I remember it very well lol

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-Fun days hunting for old aeroplanes.



G-ALBA Rapide,Trans European Aviation,Baginton 14-11-64,a youthful Wonwing on the right holding onto a strut,and my good friend Dave fooling around with a piece of metal.

Back in the days before there were any air museums,aircraft that had time expired airframes just got put out to grass,every November 5th aircraft would meet fiery ends on airfield bonfires throughout the country,a sad end to many a vintage machine,today these gems would realise a lot of money even in the state shown above,this old Dragon Rapide G-ALBA was one of two aircraft ( the other one was G-AFFB ) which just went into dereliction after the company Trans European Aviation went into liquidation,they were just left to rot away.At that time, one or two museums were starting to get formed around the UK by enthusiasts and aircraft such as this were fair pickings,usually a bit of research revealed their owners,who usually were just glad to get rid of them,in other cases the airframes had been building up parking fees and the airport authorities only too pleased to see the end of these eyesores.

Not having anywhere to keep them myself, a few phone calls and a good home could usually be found,the aircraft preservation movement was formed and grew from these relics.Another important factor was that airfields in those days were wide open places not forbidden to explore,people were friendly and we used to chat to the airfield staff and find out what had landed that week ? a far cry from todays fort knox like places that they have become,the terrorist has a lot to answer for and killed off a lot of our freedom,a sad fact of the age that we live in today.

The problem with a lot of aircraft of the fifties and sixties was that they were made from wood and fabric,metal light aircaft ( called spam cans ) that were imported from America only came along much later,the old wooden machines would not stand up very well to being parked outside in the open,as hangarage space was at a premium they were relegated to the open air and soon got vandalised as well.

But some survive to this day,thanks to the vigilance of an handful of enthusiasts prepared to seek them out,and above all find a good home for them.

[Guest]

Barry,

It is little anecdotes and stories that help us to all understand the kind of people we are. I feel I know more about some people on here than I do about some of my friends and relatives. I certainly communicate with them a lot more!!

We piece together all the little bits of the puzzles with such stories and build up the picture of the character we are getting to know.

I will root out some of my old pictures when I get home and se what memories they conjure up. It is very surprising how many facts they can generate when you look at them.

Unfortunately my Father died relatively young at 62 so I never really got to know him when I was old enough to realise what he did for me. He gave me my values including the love of making things and an appreciation for what I have and he put his never very large income into giving me and my brother the best possible opportunities in life.

Anyway keep the stories coming, they only help us all to get to know you better and that can only be a good thing.

I also remember Magpie very well, it was a more gritty version of the more sanitised Blue Peter in much the same was as Tizwas was a much raunchier version of the very similar Swap Shop on a Saturday morning.

You couldn't compare Valerie Singleton with Susan Stranks!!

[Guest]

Barry,

It is little anecdotes and stories that help us to all understand the kind of people we are. I feel I know more about some people on here than I do about some of my friends and relatives. I certainly communicate with them a lot more!!

We piece together all the little bits of the puzzles with such stories and build up the picture of the character we are getting to know.

I will root out some of my old pictures when I get home and se what memories they conjure up. It is very surprising how many facts they can generate when you look at them.

Unfortunately my Father died relatively young at 62 so I never really got to know him when I was old enough to realise what he did for me. He gave me my values including the love of making things and an appreciation for what I have and he put his never very large income into giving me and my brother the best possible opportunities in life.

Anyway keep the stories coming, they only help us all to get to know you better and that can only be a good thing.

I also remember Magpie very well, it was a more gritty version of the more sanitised Blue Peter in much the same was as Tizwas was a much raunchier version of the very similar Swap Shop on a Saturday morning.

You couldn't compare Valerie Singleton with Susan Stranks!!

[Guest]

Valerie was dirty....but Susan was pure filth!

[Guest]

Valerie was dirty....but Susan was pure filth!

[Guest]

too young, thank god! as i seem to remember when the idea for this diary/life story was being sugested i seam to remember a few people saying you should right it as a book and if you did, they would buy it.

anyone remember that?

would you ever thing about collecting all these posts you have done and the many many more to come and turn it into a book/autoniography type thing?

I suppose it would help if you knew people in the publishing business, but even if you didnt im sure there must be someone on here that could help out in that area.

i know i would deffinatly buy a coppy!

[wonwinglo]

In answer to Richard,Terry and RJW,I will say this,these little anecdotes mean so much to me that now is the right time to share them with you all,perhaps to many they may seem trivial but when you think about it they were part of our social upbringing,and above all history,just imagine if they were from Victorian times ? such snippets are to be encouraged from anyone here who feels like putting fingers to keyboard,I keep stumbling across on-line blogs that are just fascinating insights into what makes people tick,we are what we are,but what makes us that little bit special,and yes to be proud of it,is that we make things with our very own hands of great beauty and purpose,modelling encompasses many doctrines such as engineering,history,art and ingenuity.

Richard,I can only give you every encouragement and inspiration to write your own little pieces,I look forward to them,thank you.

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-Meccano,Engineering in Miniature,the boys toy that made engineers.

Meccano has been a big part of my life,as a young boy every Christmas in the toy shops would appear beautifully built cranes,windmills and traction engines all made up from thousands of nuts,bolts and small metal parts,as I pressed my tiny nose up against the shop window I would dream of owning the red and green Number 10 set in the window,this set in its elegant wooden case was the premier piece of Meccano,it featured a wallet which contained twelve supermodel manuals,these had a combine harvester,swing bridge,locomotive,traction engine,steam turbine and a delightful old sports car,step by step instructions were included to build up these dream models,each one taking several months to build properly,I have built the combine harvester three times now and every one suffered the same problem,unless absolute care was taken with the gearbox and steering mechanism they would jam and seize,but that is no fault of the system,it teaches that care must be taken to get the best results,when I build it again then it will be right ! it has been said that some of the build leaflets have deliberate mistakes to make the young engineer use his brains,whether this is true or not I do not know ? but it certainly was a system that enthralled millions ever since Frank Hornby its inventor designed the first 'Mechanics Made Easy' a crude set of metal strips with punched out holes,a set of brass railway wheels and some rods and those tiny nuts and bolts we know so well today.

Meccano now has a world wide following of young old boys ! the skill shown by the thousands of enthusiasts has to be seen to be believed,many have relived their boyhood dreams,and gone that one step further by making it to a number 10 set or beyond,now that they can afford to buy the many parts that teased them as a child those complicated models are now within their reach,whilst some older sets have reached stockbroker proportions in terms of prices,thankfully there are now plenty of replica parts made throughout the world,India and Argentina providing the best examples all available through the internet,these people have even gone one step further by producing the parts that good old Meccano should have done,extra gears with different ratios,longer girders and strips,these have all been considered,yes Meccano still lives on thanks to the enthusiasts of today,lets take a few models at random and enjoy engineering in miniature that does not need a lathe in your workshop.



Beautiful traction engine by Alan Covell was based on a card cut out constructional model ( seen on the table left ),second from the right is my father,an avid Meccano enthusiast,young and old rub shoulders to enjoy real working models.



Early locomotive modelled in Meccano,note the Action men taking a rest ! the use of metal strips was an early idea before metal cladding plates came into the system.



Large Meccano locomotive by Ralph Clark from Bath,the engine man.Ralph turned up meeting after meeting with many different types of locomotive.



Magnificent model of the record breaking Mallard done in the evocative red and green,enthusiasts agree that this was the best ever period in Meccano history.



Another view of the Mallard engine showing the attention to detail.



Another nice traction engine model built entirely from Meccano,note the use of circular girders for the wheels and the chain drive for the steerng as per the real thing.



Vintage car in Meccano with non standard DIY wheels,even ashtray tyres have been pressed into service on Meccano models.

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-More superb models made in Meccano.

Yet more superb models made in Meccano,given the number of parts and the determination nothing is impossible,here are a few pictures taken over the years at various Meccano meetings and events across the country,I was once a member of the Society of Advanced Meccano Constructors which used to be run by the late Bert Love from Hall Green,Birmingham,I understand that the society which fosters the construction of Meccano models is still in existance,I would like to dedicate these pictures to Bert who would always find the time to discuss and explain his many advanced models,memories of his 'other house' across the lawn at Hall Green where at Christmas time his lit up models would adorn a wonderful window display at 'Meccano house' which shuld have been re-named 'Meccano Alladins cave' ! parts and sets from the 1930's to the red and gren period and beyond would adorn the walls,just prior to a show or meeting Bert would spend many happy hours perfecting the models in readiness working late into the night,originally employed on Submarines during WW2 he eventually set up his retirement home on the Isle of Bute,where he would look across the bay where he was once employed on deep sea operations,his Meccano travelled with him from Birmingham where he was involved in the teaching profession.



Meccano battleship at Skegness 20-06-87 in red and green Meccano,Skegness became the home to an annual meeting of Meccano enthusiasts.(Richard says this is either the Bismark or Tirpitz )



Meccano model at Stoneleigh Town & Country 26-08-85 in pristine blue & gold.



Mike Brammer's spectacular 1=24 th scale freelance dockyard crane stood 8 feet tall at maximum jib height,the model had to be placed on the floor to let everyone see the detail inside.

Movements on the crane are as follows-heavy hoist,light hoist,luffing,slewing and travel,all cordage was woven on Mike's fantastic Meccano braiding machine which he designed himself.

The light-duty hoist was rigged as Toplis level luffing gear which achieved a high degree of level of operation through most of the jib luffing angle.

One 12 volt motor drove every movement of the crane with no difficulty,a real masterpiece of a model.



Very attractive Traction engine at Skegness 20-06-87.The model exhibits a vey solid feel about it and crammed with Meccano parts,note the Meccano roulette wheel in the foreground,a very clever piece of modelling.



Picturesque model of 'Nellie' a freelance fantasy 2-4-2 tank locomotive based on the creations of the famous Emmett cartoonist,two motions one driving the coupled wheels and the other for a rocking motion are mounted just clear of the track.

Model built by John Bridger.



Another view of the charming Little Nellie locomotive.



Simple but delightful Meccano locomotive utilises twelve and a half inch strips in its construction.

[Guest]

wow barry!!! that is aboslutly brilliant, meccano was not quite the same when i was a young'en but it was still great, i had a whole box full of bits from models i had made, taken apart and chucken this big box. i would just use it like lego and make what ever i wanted.

that battleship is sooo impressive!!! any other pictures of it???

[Guest]

The battleship is the Bismarck or Tirpitz, can't see the differrences from the angle.

All stunning models Barry. Thanks for the pictures.

[wonwinglo]

***Sorry RJW,taken on precious film before the days of our dear digital camera masterpieces,do you know I used to go around the shops buying up outdated film to cut down the costs,what with processing etc it was so expensive,that is the only view that I have and she has now been dismantled such a great shame.

Yes Meccano is a great system for experimental modellers.

wow barry!!! that is aboslutly brilliant, meccano was not quite the same when i was a young'en but it was still great, i had a whole box full of bits from models i had made, taken apart and chucken this big box. i would just use it like lego and make what ever i wanted.that battleship is sooo impressive!!! any other pictures of it???

[wonwinglo]

Richard thanks for the identification,Tirpitz or Bismark.