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DECEMBER 1982: ROLLS-ROYCE CANADA: A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW. NOTHING WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE, I USED TO WORK FOR THEM IN THE U.K.. INSTEAD, THE PROBLEM WAS - A PROJECT THAT NEVER MATERIALISED.

 

This was in December 1982. For some reason I do not have the records of this one any more,  but I do remember a few key points.

 

I was introduced to one of their top engineers, an Englishman, by then-President of Sulzer Canada Inc., Tom Schur, who told me his company had been asked to submit a proposal for a new jet engine test bed. I learned later this was for testing  F404 turbofan engines powering Canadian Forces CF-18 Hornet fighters; it depended on Rolls-Royce getting the engine overhaul and testing contract, which was not then certain.

 

When I met with Rolls-Royce at their Dorval, Montreal engine overhaul and repair centre, they gave me a very interesting tour of the facility and explained that they were looking for someone to oversee the design and construction of the proposed new engine test bed; after this was complete, they then needed someone to deal with customer queries related to engine performance. I had some of the experience they were looking for, so the outlook at the time from my standpoint seemed fairly promising.

 

Subsequently I followed up with several phone calls over the next year or two, to enquire about to the status of this proposed engine test bed project. After this, with no apparent project go-ahead in sight, I have to say that I lost interest. It seemed to have become just a permanent pink elephant.