How many had these

[Tony Taylor]

Most things in Japan in 1953 were considered cheap and nasty , e.g. the clockwork toys were made with pieces of old tins of baked beans and any thrown out garbage , the same as is being done today to try and save the world? The cheapest and most genuine thing to buy then was eggshell tea and dinner sets , I bought one to take home for my mother and one in later years for the wife which we still have. Japan rose from shoddy goods to some of the best in the world and to my mind equaled Germany on their optical lenses for binoculars etc. they did very well in their manufacturing industries rising from the ashes after the war. Cheers JS.
Japan at one time was considered the greatest copier and imitator of others goods. Today their equipment is considered top notch by most. They even changed a cities name to USA so as to be able to stamp on goods JS

John, I remember in about 64ish, my mates big brother bought a Honda 250, it was was very poorly finished, with castings rough as and not fettled, pressed steel frame and poor paint job. All the local street corner loafers who ran BSA, Triumph etc. all scoffed and took the p-ss.
However, his was the only one that always started, always ran, never leaked oil etc. It didnt take long for them to improve on finish, then killed the competition by usual Jap method of undercutting the home market; they were then free to up their prices but fortunately (for customers)kept persuing quality.

[James Curry]

I remember on the far east run we would load what was referred to as CKD. They were cars in crates and were assembled in the UK. Think the first ones were Toyota. It was obvious that these cars were not suited to the british winter climate as they rusted faster than a Vauxhall Victor.
Then they were shipping compleete cars as Car carriers became the normal way to do things.
Now we have Japanese car plants in the UK Nissan in the North East Toyota in Derbyshire & Dee side N Wales (engines)

[Bill Morrison]

Different MN to my era, but we did read a lot mostly Harold Robbins if we could get them (banned in UK at that time, like Forever Amber, would be considered nursery reading these days

Ivan as you started out trawling you may have read this.
The first adult book I read recommended by my mother she was an avid reader. ADAM WAS A FISHERMAN by Arthur Eperon

Many many years later I thought I would like to read it again. A search of the internet turned up a copy, 2013 it says on the receipt.
When it came to my surprise it was an ex-ships library copy and my old company too.
Bill.

[j.sabourn]

#23…As have said in the past Bill , all the ex trawler Skippers holding ( skipper Full) I knew, was always their favourite saying , stick fishing gear on the Queen Mary and we’ll take her anywhere in the World. JS

[john jenkins]

on the Wellington Star we all (engs) put some money in and bought a record player in Antwerp.favorite record was Wimoway ? at the end of the voyage the player was raffled off.

[Chris Newton]

In 1968 or 69 the nec plus ultra was a Phillips 9 band radio and a long aerial wire through the porthole and up to a life boat. Shortly aftwards the transistor radios started to appear in Panama Duty Free stores. Happy days with PSNC going from Europe to South America often as far as Punta Arenas or even Rio Gallegos.

[happy daze john in oz]

Amazing what we keep over the hears.

Found a old pair of shoes I bought back in about 1981 tucked away in a corner of my wardrobe, not sure how they got there.
But still wearable.
An electric shaver bought in Port Said in about 1964, still works.
Fearful of looking into cupboards, never know what I may find.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Ivan as you started out trawling you may have read this.
The first adult book I read recommended by my mother she was an avid reader. ADAM WAS A FISHERMAN by Arthur Eperon

Many many years later I thought I would like to read it again. A search of the internet turned up a copy, 2013 it says on the receipt.
When it came to my surprise it was an ex-ships library copy and my old company too.
Bill.

True words indeed Bill, have sailed with them, tough but kind at the same time with youngsters if you're not afraid to pull your weight. Learnt a whole new language I couldn't use at home!

[ben bryant]

I had one of those,brilliant thing, I think it was Panasonic, got stolen in Nicaragua from my cabin on Crystal Sapphire

[john mc dermott]

Sailed on the Crystal Sapphire in 73 paid off in NZ.