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This is a 1/64 scale model, made in about 1970, of an oil filled high voltage circuit breaker designed by my father, A Roxburgh FIET, working at BTH Switchgear, Willesden.

His circuit breakers were installed at electrical generating sites throughout the world, including at the Kariba Dam. I think this model was made to commemorate the display of a full sized breaker near the entrance to the Dome of Discovery at the Festival of Britain in 1951.

BTH was a world leader in an era when the importance of wealth created by manufacturing industry was recgnised in the UK.

I remember visiting the factory at Neasden and seeing how these giants were designed and built. A particularly memorable visit was one organised for my class at school when we watched a demonstration of high voltage testing - artificial lightning ripping through a large plank of wood!

BTH was later absorbed into AEI, then GEC and finally BAE Systems.
A sad story, somewhat mirroring the decline of British manufacturing industry.