Quote:
Originally Posted by ZenGum
Remember, with anything military, every single component must meet certain specifications. At what torque will this bolt stip its thread? At what temperature will the tires melt? Can the windscreen wipers clear rain falling at 20mm per hour while driving at 45 mph into a 50 knot headwind? The army wants to know exactly what its gear can do.
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The Dad of an ex of mine made a small fortune turning out parts for the armed forces. And I mean that - he wasn't a millionaire, but he was set up for life, with plenty to pass on when he died.
He had a small workshop, employed about 5 people, and made everything to the exact specification required. Only small parts, but because he was an approved contractor he was never short of work.
He sold the company when he was 70 (disappointed that his son had no interest in following him) and we all went out to dinner at an amazing hotel and drank a toast to Her Majesty the Queen and the Armed Forces. And he didn't mean it in a snide way either - he served in WWII and was proud to have continued to support the country in the way he had. The money was just the icing on the cake for him. It did make me wonder though... given that he was making such tiny things - how much did everything else cost?!
Now I know!