My friend and former work colleague Brian Main, who has died aged 81, was always fascinated by mechanical matters. He had a natural flair for mechanical design and was an expert from a young age in building and repairing machinery – a talent learned in his native Africa and which served him well throughout his life.
From 1977 Brian’s work at Westland helicopters in Yeovil, Somerset, focused on creating a helicopter to replace the ageing Sea King. In 1980 Westland began collaborative work with the Italian manufacturer Agusta, and Brian led the Westland cohort of engineers, working to translate the broad political principles of collaboration into a realistic design.
