>Date:         Mon, 29 Jan 2001 12:31:12 +0000
>Sender: Bletchley Park discussion <[log in to unmask]>
>From: John Harper - Bombe Rebuild Project <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject:      [BPARK] Wildly Inaccurate Bombe Report
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Status:
>
>Wildly Inaccurate Bombe Report
>
>Some of you might have seen an article in last Saturdays (January 27
>2001) Daily Telegraph on page 17 headed "Jagger leads Britain's crack
>team into the fray". Those who are involved with the Bombe Rebuild
>Project will know how inaccurate is the section in column four and for
>those who have not read the article I have reproduced the relevant
>section below.
>
>
>**************************
>
>The biggest challenge was building the 'bombe' machines, because we only
>had a few pictures to go by," he said. These were the giant code-
>breaking machines invented by Alan Turing, the mastermind who unraveled
>Enigma's mysteries.
>
>Beard was luckier with the Enigma machines. "I bought one at auction a
>few years ago, and it is used lit the film," said Jagger, "1 knew it
>would come in handy.
>
>"The bombe" replicas have now been donated to the mu-seum at Bletchley
>Park. They have been trying to make one for eight years but have only
>got as far as the frame," said Beard.
>
>******************************
>
>I will now attempt to put the record straight.
>
>It is true that when the Bombe Rebuild Team first got involved with the
>production of replica/props bombes there were only a few pictures to go
>by. However, this was soon corrected when we worked closely with Asylum
>Models & Effects who made these units. We provided detailed and accurate
>drawings to Asylum to the extent that in certain cases our CAD drawing
>files were fed, after simple conversion, directly into their CNC
>equipment. The resulting "replicas" were consequently made to a very
>high degree of authenticity and accuracy.
>
>We have not been working on the Bombe for eight years. Work first
>started in February 1997 and has progressed slowly but surely ever
>since. The first plan was to complete the Rebuild in five years but this
>had to be extended when it was found that the funding activity was not
>going to meet the original target. Our approach had to change to finding
>companies and suppliers who would provide products and services at well
>below commercial values. This has been more time consuming but is
>working well. Our current estimate is that virtually all of the
>mechanical manufacturing will be completed this year with electrical
>parts being completed next.
>
>It is totally untrue to say that we have only got as far as the frame.
>The frame stands completed at Bletchley Park ready to take all the
>various sub-assemblies that are in process of being manufactured at
>numerous places in England and oversees. We have over 50 volunteers
>working on this project at widely dispersed locations.
>
>Returning to the article in the Daily Telegraph; such inaccurate and
>negative reporting is not likely to help our Project along and could
>possibly cause real damage. It is not the sort of publicity, which will
>encourage our sponsors and supporters. It could also have an adverse
>impact on the moral and enthusiasm of our volunteers.
>
>What can we do about this?
>
>I will be writing to the Editor of the Daily Telegraph pointing out how
>bad the article is. I am also attempting to track down John Beard to see
>if he did indeed provide such inaccurate information to the Daily
>Telegraph. However, I do not expect the Daily Telegraph to print a
>worthwhile correction because this is something that they just do not
>do.
>
>Second best is to attempt to put the story right ourselves. I am
>therefore asking everybody who reads this Email, and have the
>opportunity, to please repeat the corrected story whenever they can.
>
>Thank-you
>
>All the best
>
>--
>John Harper - Bombe Rebuild Project