Air-born radar operated torpedo

I was serving a 5yr engineering apprenticeship at BTH Rugby from 1943-8 and part of my time was involved in the assembly and wiring of the radar control units [using valves] and also the casting and pressure-testing of the aluminium nose cone containing this radar equipment.The nose cones were cast from old aluminium saucepans collected, nationwide, by the WVS in hand carts...these pans were melted down in a furnace and then poured into a mould to produce the cone-shape....I had to pressure-test the cones in a tank of water and look for leaking air bubbles..if a leak was found [ probably from an odd rivet holding the handle] we had to hammer the small hole closed, paint with some sealant, re-test and then assemble onto the main body of the torpedo.
On some quiet Saturdays I was asked to bring in and play 78rpm records into the works Tannoy system..at other times I was a despatch rider in the Fire Service from where I still hold my driving licence!
I also designed and built my own portable sound equipment using twin '78rpm' turtables complete with a valve amplifier that required a special licence before I could buy the valves.....this kit was used at many village halls for 21st parties etc.
I was a very keen wireless [radio] listener....especially to the war-reports and eventually joined the BBC in 1950.

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