John Wilder and his team have finally reached the point where pilot Henry Forbes can start testing their new Sovereign passenger airliner. Forbes has concerns which are proved correct when the under carriage buckles on landing.
The Scott Furlong board want answers to the Sovereign airline crash and look to works manager Arthur Sugden to find the culprit. Now on the board, former Union man, Sugden is reluctant to single out an employee to be sacked.
Wilder is livid when a leaked newspaper article, on the Sovereign airliner crash, gives the impression of major delays. This is seventh and most serious leak in the past few months and Wilder wants the culprit found and sacked.
Sales manager John Hamilton has signed a large order for the Middle East but it requires an early delivery date. Works manager Arthur Sugden is under pressure to motivate the workers into increasing current production levels.
John Wilder invites works manager Arthur Sugden to join him on company business trip to Italy. Sugden struggles to understand what hi s motives are, and feels used, when Wilder is joined by his Italian based girlfriend Kate Barber.
A reversing lorry damages sensitive equipment carried by Ernie Wainwright. He is sacked on the spot. When salesman Nigel Carr botches the details of a big order, the Union cry foul that Wilder has overridden his sacking due to his class.
Workers get to hear that places are available for a trial flight to Mediterranean. Tim Ormiston draws the short straw of how allocate tickets but soon get overwhelmed by requests. Deciding to make stand just as Wilder requests a place.
Arthur Sugden is visited by old friend Tim Carter. He is just returned to the area following his release from jail. Sugden offers him a second chance, with a job at Scott Furlong, but his return causes friction among his fellow workers.
Harry Costigan is the go to man at Scott Furlong. Anything needing to fixed or found he's the go to guy. So when Harry buys a greyhound named "The Rocket" he starts a syndicate with his workmates so how can the dog fail.
Rumours that Wilder's wife is having an affair with test pilot Henry Forbes (nicknamed Auntie) have been circulating. Wilder knows Sir Gerald Merle is likely to take the nickname at face value and can use it to his own advantage.
With Wilder away on business, Sales Director Don Henderson is given the chance to make the big calls. The shop floor start to believe he is about to sack Arthur Sugden and make men redundant. Union boss Dusty Miller sent to mediate.
Wilder returns from Australia and has his eyes set on a Knighthood for services to British Industry. Henderson is waiting on a government order so sends Tony Maccabee to meet Keith Saville but believes the truth is in short supply.
A radar glitch in the Sovereign jet nearly turns into a disaster but for quick action by test pilot Henry Forbes. Coming out of cloud, co-pilot Simon Wanleigh, is flying low over an housing estate. Wanleigh begins to lose his nerve.
A board meeting is called to approve building twelve new Sovereign's. The night before Wilder sacked Phillip Hammond after finding him, with a girl, in the back of his car. He is vital to Dr Katz's and his vote could thwart Wilder's plan.
Wilder desperately tries to get Revidge to change his mind about building twelve new Sovereigns. With a threat of 400 job losses, firebrand Ted Collins plans an all out strike. Wilder thinks this could yet have the desired affect.
With the threat of strike action over, John Wilder gets his way and the twelve new Sovereign's will now be built. Sir Gordon Revidge is less than happy about the decision and attempts to have Wilder removed from the board.
Scott Furlough send their top salesman, to Europe, to sell the Sovereign jet to VIP buyers. Things don't go to plan when Colin Stock starts too much attention to stewardess Jane Gault. When David Fleet does the same tempers flare.
Harvey 'Smiler' Graves is offered an executive role after leaving a rival company. Graves appears to be a bright prospect, working with Arthur Sugden, but stories that he is looking into everything make Wilder fear he is an industrial spy.
Author Jeremy Dobell brings his proof copy about Scott Furlong to Arthur Sugden. He is less than pleased about the chapter on the Quester from 1933. He believes Sir Frank Bennington is trying to rewrite history and he will fight it.
Scott Furlough is running flat out in an attempt to complete their new engine but it appears the French are going to beat them to it. A desperate Arthur Sugden, is looking the fall guy but decides to give it one more go in Manchester.
J. Ashley Pender arrives at Scott Furlong on a fact finding mission. Wilder believes he is working as a spy for rival Sir Gordon Revidge. Instead Revidge intends Pender to be Wilder's replacement, working alongside close pal Don Henderson.
Major Mortimer Crabbe as been added to the management team to beef up security. He introduces a new tabulating system which a causes a backlash from the workers. When he makes weekend training compulsory they start to revolt.
John Wilder has talent spotted young designer Jeff Rossiter but his manager Tom Bancroft has sidelined him. When Rossiter quits, Wilder discovers a pay increase won't help when wife has left him. So attempts to talk her round.
Metallurgist Adrian Cantlow sends a report to Tom Bancroft, about metal fatigue on the Sovereign's thrust reverses. Bancroft has sat on the report for eleven weeks but is now desperately searching for something to take the credit for.
Bill Ingram, an old friend of Arthur Sugden makes him a tempting offer of a Managing Director's post up North. With the trial period as Group Manager nearly over he is his content to stay despite learning John Wilder wants him sacked.
Wilder's wife Pamela has returned to the marital home. In an act of unity he agrees to take her on a business trip to Paris. While he's completing a deal with West African Airlines, Pamela meets a charming American, Al Bonner.
Arthur Sugden should be confirmed Group Manager but his relationship with John Wilder has hit the rocks. Sugden has written a paper which has gone down well with businessman Gilbert Cory which Wilder on the back foot.
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By what name was The Plane Makers (1963) officially released in Canada in English?