There is a thread over on FBBO like this. I thought it would be interesting to hear other's stories .. Here is my story.
My life before age 11 was spent overseas with my Air Force Dad. Not many American friends, no TV, so my brother and I had to find stuff to keep us occupied. My Dad bought us Aurora H.O. car sets. We had a few sets and could make a pretty big track on the platform that my Dad built. Remember getting the Hop Up kits for them and making them better. Had some pretty cool HO cars back there in the mid 60's. Also used to occupy my time with building plastic models. Everything from Cars to Planes To Boats. Learned a lot about assembly in those days. When we returned to the states in 68, we lived on Eglin AFB in Fla before Dad went to Nam. When he got back, he got an assignment with the 89th at Andrews AFB. He had brought back with him from Austria a 64 MG 1100 4dr sedan. Had an 1100cc transverse mounted 4 banger with a 4 speed. The Engine was getting worn. I remember telling Dad, that I thought I could rebuild it. To my astonishment he brought home a FSM for the MG. At age 14, He gave it to me and said after I read it all, he would let me do it. Took the engine out of the car on the street. Took it for my first ever trip to a machine shop and had the machine work done. Went home and assembled the engine myself. First one ever. Put it back in the car , and it RAN. Amazed myself !! Only problem was I had the timing off by 180 deg. After I figured that out, it was fine. Never looked back. Been wrenching on my own stuff all my life. I'm 58 now. Lost my Dad to cancer, due to exposure of Agent Orange in Nam. He died at the young age 56 in 1989. Took me a while to realize the risk and confidence he had in me to allow that MG engine to happen. Thanks Dad. I miss you and love you!!
My life before age 11 was spent overseas with my Air Force Dad. Not many American friends, no TV, so my brother and I had to find stuff to keep us occupied. My Dad bought us Aurora H.O. car sets. We had a few sets and could make a pretty big track on the platform that my Dad built. Remember getting the Hop Up kits for them and making them better. Had some pretty cool HO cars back there in the mid 60's. Also used to occupy my time with building plastic models. Everything from Cars to Planes To Boats. Learned a lot about assembly in those days. When we returned to the states in 68, we lived on Eglin AFB in Fla before Dad went to Nam. When he got back, he got an assignment with the 89th at Andrews AFB. He had brought back with him from Austria a 64 MG 1100 4dr sedan. Had an 1100cc transverse mounted 4 banger with a 4 speed. The Engine was getting worn. I remember telling Dad, that I thought I could rebuild it. To my astonishment he brought home a FSM for the MG. At age 14, He gave it to me and said after I read it all, he would let me do it. Took the engine out of the car on the street. Took it for my first ever trip to a machine shop and had the machine work done. Went home and assembled the engine myself. First one ever. Put it back in the car , and it RAN. Amazed myself !! Only problem was I had the timing off by 180 deg. After I figured that out, it was fine. Never looked back. Been wrenching on my own stuff all my life. I'm 58 now. Lost my Dad to cancer, due to exposure of Agent Orange in Nam. He died at the young age 56 in 1989. Took me a while to realize the risk and confidence he had in me to allow that MG engine to happen. Thanks Dad. I miss you and love you!!