Paul thought himself a good dad. He encouraged his son Kevin to explore outside the limited parameters of his education and was pleased when Kevin developed an interest with things of a practical or mechanical bent.
Starting, of course, with Lego Kevin moved on to building model planes and ships from Airfix upwards showing a particular skill in painting them. Making a 3 masted battleship under full sail and fitting it into a bottle was a masterful achievement.
Moving into his teens Kevin discovered the magic of electricity and the myriad ways it could be utilised to expand the skills he enjoyed. He made radios, walkie-talkies, torches always striving to make the best he could.
All these endeavours impressed Paul mightily and it became clear that Kevin was putting his growing pocket money to good use.
On finishing school Kevin eschewed to prospect of University in favour of an apprenticeship in electrical and mechanical engineering. His history of achievements boded well and in due course he obtained an apprenticeship with a reputable firm carrying out suitable engineering work. He was introduced to assorted arcane skills which he mastered gradually and efficiently and by the age of 19 he was the top apprentice at the firm. Offered full time employment at the firm he started work as an electrical and mechanical fitter.
During his own time and at weekends he continued to explore the vast range of opportunities his developing skills offered. His bedroom resembled a workshop and he saved his wages to acquire ever more exotic equipment.
He turned his hand to remote controlled model planes and boats, self built, naturally, and enjoyed experimenting with them in the fields around his home.
Paul was delighted with his progress and helped to fund Kevin’s growing body of work. He was very proud of the gifted young man he had fathered.
In due course and without much surprise Kevin discovered drones and immediately decided to build one himself. This was a venture needing every ounce of the skills he’d developed.
He read all the literature he could find online about drones and commenced to collect all the necessary equipment. He found some assorted relevant manuals and studied them into the night.
Building the UAV was difficult in the extreme as was the remote control itself.
It took some months, in his spare time, to put it all together but, at last, he was ready to build his drone. He had all the materials and all the manuals. He had acquired a camera for the drone to record its progress and download the results to his laptop.
He went out to his extensive back garden for the drone’s first flight. Up it went and off it flew. Kevin and Paul watched its progress as it flew on. Soon it was out of sight and Kevin manipulated the remote to bring it back. But he couldn’t track its course. It had vanished.
“Can you see it Dad?” cried Kevin, “I can’t”
Paul replied, pointing upwards “There it is. It’s on the house”.
Foootsoldier Says… 