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soon we had a reasonable air pressure in the reservoir. The second group was then told to start their engine, which soon was up to speed, starting if anything quicker than the first. I instructed both engines be shut down and we repeated the exercise three more times before I instructed the successful students to return to the classroom.

Upon our return I suggested there had been no trouble with the Air Starter. They agreed but pointed out that this was a modified starter for they themselves had drilled the hole that had rectified the problem. I told them I was surprised they had had these machines for fifteen years without putting right a fault they knew was there and had the ability to correct. They swallowed it hook line and sinker. I continued with my normal teaching programme, commencing with the engine progressing to the transmission mechanism. The students were now impressed, praising every move I made. No matter what I said or did I could do no wrong. I finished the course and left our agent very happy and satisfied in the months that followed these Zurich agents kept asking for my return but I found their demands on my time became excessive and eventually I had to ration these courses to a maximum of one every few months.

Our Scandinavian Service Engineer arranged for me to give a school in Helsinki. It was his intention that the school would satisfy his customers and at the same time enable him to have a lazy week. As he was inclined to be a bit lazy, the plan suited him very well. The booking was organised and confirmed at least six months in advance. On the Friday afternoon prior to my Monday departure for Finland, Clark’s received a Telex message from my boss the Service Manager saying:- “Cannot understand why you are to give a service school in Helsinki. It is not required, cancel the school!” My manager was en route from America and I could not contact him so in the circumstances I telexed Helsinki to cancel the school.

It was during late October and because of the dark evenings, the Helsinki office would close early on a Friday and subsequently my telex was not read until the Monday morning! Needless to say I did not go to the airport for my flight but worked as normal in my office at Blackbush. By ten o’clock the telex messages started to arrive, copies of which found their way to my desk! We were told, in no uncertain manner, what we could do with our earth moving machines and more specifically as the Training Supervisor, I was told to do unrepeatable things to myself! All hell was let loose so I thought it best to consult with my boss if he had returned from the States Fortunately he had and was requesting my presence just as I walked by. His first words were “Seems “we” have made a BooBoo!”

“We,” I replied, “you” gave the orders! “Oh sorry about that,” he answered, “better get on next flight and put things right!”

I told my boss that if he thought I was going to face the music he had better think again. I was sure they would murder me.

“Come on Bob,” he persisted, “I’ll clear it on the telephone it will be ok.”

In retrospect I think my boss had been trying to prevent the service manager from having a free week! With an amazing lack of enthusiasm and extreme reluctance I agreed to his cajoling and took the next flight to Helsinki. We landed heavy snow, a landing, which only a Finnish pilot could safely, attempt. The Service Manager met me wearing a very long face.

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