OK I'm rested now, I didn't go to university, no qualifications...all i have is my life experience...I'm 64. straight into work at 15, paid a fiver a week plus what I could make on my paper round..maybe as much as 30 bob.That paid for my racing bike, Aerokits Sea commander kit, a secondhand ED 246 Racer and a Climax Digital 2 channel set, that included 2 servos but no batteries, TX was powerd by an Ever Ready PP9, that radio didnt make it into the Sea Commander unfortunatly, I smashed the boat into the bank at Feetwood free running it before we could figure radio gear out, digital proportional was fairly new then, complicated for a 15 year old, well, it seemed so then.
They were happy days even if I didnt have a lot of cash to waste on model boats plastic kits and Nuttals Mintoes. got the chance to get involved in a big trophy race.. 2 boats racing against each other...flatties and boats like the Aerokits swordsman and Precedent huntsman's, I let a Topaz?...dont know what that model was...racing boat away from the jetty, black & white photo somewhere, lots of the big names were there, as usual at Fleetwood it was rough out on the water, some of the flatties didnt make it!
Spent a few years under an MG fixing the engine, suspension, electrics, brakes and repairing the rusty bodywork! went on to do the same to 2 more, all that cash gone ! ..Then it was on to R/C flying, 20 + years.made lots of good mates, spent all my wages on modelling, again.
worked for Securicor and later Unichem..scuttlycor and unichaos, no joke those jobs, driving all year round in all weathers, lousy work in winter cold wet and long hours, did the night trunk for a couple of years, broke down a few times, no fun there, Lancs Couty Council for a while, driving many different vehicles at the main workshop. semi skilled work, really enjoyed that.
Latest is I'm retired.. and tired! Got a old retro racing bike with a turbo trainer, cant get my leg over yet, a Deans warship...a really well built model, more than a few plastic kits to build and more on the way...I'm going back to the 1960's... in my mind anyway, to many old computers (and a new one) and sundry other PC odds and ends, looks like a computer shop in the spare room! been playing with PC's for over 20 years now, windows 3.1 anybody???
Spent too much money lately!, I'll be in real trouble when the wife finds out, I dont care..I nearly 'popped my clogs' in July and again in August...Pneumonia...the local A&E had me down for 'allow a natural death' I've seen the form, huh? not likely I've not finished yet, think they were surprised when I came back!...I'm going to do what I want from now on...you cant take your money with you.
Oh and I've bought myself a Jaguar XJ6, I did have a Jag X-Type but sold that, I wanted a real Jag. Not spent a lot, no need to, not many want a 3 litre petrol, fuel and Insurance might be a bit heavy but I can afford that now:) no need to go to university chaps...cost me £3300. 70k, all Jaguar service stamps in the book, should see me out!
With the greatest of respect chaps..Fleetwood nautical College and Cosford are not Preston lancashire student areas! I was born in there, Mount Streeet Hospital...I knew every street...I wouln't go now if you paid me...it's a 'City' you know...talk about Ideas above their station...must be on the planet Pluto.................
I'll post a few photo's here and more later..you take me as you find, I really dont give a damn anymore...happy modelling guys and gals, enjoy it while you can, whatever your interests, I do aircraft- boats/ships- cars, R/C and static- miltary-railways-and anything else that grabs my attention.
Any spelling mistakes/grammar errers are not my fault! ha ha.!!!
Sincerely
JB. (John)