Who We Are
We are all unique.
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Paul Cruickshank-Inns,
a designer and master wood craftsman, traditionally apprenticed and served within a traditional engineering environment at the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough. He has worked on heritage projects including restoration of historical aircraft such as the ‘Grosvenor House Comet Racer’ 1934 England to Australia winner as well as the replica of the ‘Cody Flyer’, for the centenary celebrations of the first powered flight in England. He also teaches fine woodcraft including guitar making. My evolving collaboration with Mark, and particularly with this project has felt a very natural process, inspired and driven by a mutual desire to create and make rather than a unison solely based on business principles. Within that context ideas and designs evolve into unique visual and mechanical forms. The evolution of the ‘Delta pod Tripod’ is an example of this, inspired from the elegant graceful designs of aviation wonders of the past. 
Mark Thurstan-Turner,
A dreamer made good. innovation, creation, designing all come into play in the building of our telescopes and Delta Pods. Having a degree in fine art and photography I found the I was not limited to two dimensions and over the years have been successful in such areas as Interior design, garden design, winning awards in the UK and USA, statue design and five years as a successful professional photographer until an accident put pay to all that running around. Now I am totally focused on creating unique, beautiful and functional scopes for land and sea for clients who want the best, a custom build to exacting specifications for enjoying stunning vistas. |
Our clientele come to us from all walks of life, from business men/women to Rock Stars. The rich and the not so famous, {because they enjoy their anonymity}, and the enthusiasts who appreciate that certain "je ne sais quoi" that you get from owning a bespoke hand crafted instrument.
Some comments, from clients, press and admirers........
" unique, handcrafted, distinctive, instantly recognisable, beautifully tactile and practical, a telescope that manages to look different, a great example of British design and craftmanship, a future classic."
From Sky at night magazine.
‘Not only has Mark & Paul made me two of the most beautiful telescopes in the world, the quality of the optics is the best and most pin-sharp that I have ever seen, by miles. A big thanks to them for their incredible standard of workmanship, attention to detail and painstaking devotion to his customers’ needs. Nobody else delivers service in this class.’
"WOW
This is one of the most beautiful long focus refractors Ive ever seen. This scope was made with a lot of love. I'm so glad to see our iStar achromatic doublet mounted in it.
.... now compare this hand crafted beauty with any mass produced, big name brand refractor.... pretty sad sight, right?
I sure hope to see more scopes like these in the future. My congratulations to the guys who designed it and produced it.
regards,"
These telescopes are beautiful and a delight to behold. I am envious of few people, but those lucky enough to own such a telescope number among them. I one day hope to join them, not because I am wealthy and want to show off at star parties, but because I appreciate the imagination, design and engineering brilliance that is embodied in each one of these marvelous creations. Why should I not treat myself to the best if I am prepared to work for it?".
Finally my dream arrived well packed in a wooden scope box which was well packed in a box and surrounded by bubble wrap and polystyrene pieces.
I savored the moment took a deep breath then proceeded to open up the scope box.
Wow! this thing is a work of art and shiny. for a prototype you can see how much love and attention has gone into the design. Everything from the OTA down to the hand made thumbscrews just look stunning!
Altair ."Hi Mark the customer loved the adapter and the scope looks better than ever and customer said he now has a "Keeper" so many thanks for your help.
"Roberto, simply stunning work from TTCI and love it when the Brits innovate."
"Wow, just a wonderful looking scope! "
"Awesome scope, love the brass finish and the long dew shield! What is so great about Mark is that he can make the scope so much more functional, whether it is for binoviewer use, adapters for special filters, and mount adapters. These are the scopes that the spouses love as well; when I decided to sell a bunch of stuff it was the one scope that my wife made sure I was keeping!"
"The perfect marriage of art and function in a telescope...as it should be!"
"That's not a scope, it's a work of art!!!Roberto, I'm very happy for you and wish you many great nights under the stars with your beautiful masterpiece."
"That scope looks amazing. It just has that certain indescribable look to it. Very very nice looking indeed! "
"OMG! Craftsmanship is not dead."
"Talented machinist just doesn't cover it. You sir, are an artist! Beautiful just beautiful work........."
"I'm so overwhelmed by the workmanship and beauty of each instrument you create.You stirred up memories of my youth I was 9 years old in New York City when I looked thru a telescope for the first time I thought I landed on the moon .Then my first trip to the New York Hayden Planetarium I was hooked . After the show next to a meteorite, I saw it , a 6" reflector I stood there many time thinking how beautiful it was. .Four years later I earned enough to buy a 4" reflector .Fast forward. At 61 I'm lucky enough to hear about you and see your creations it made me feel like that 9 years old again looking at your work .You are very gifted craftsmen.I hope there's one or two with my name on them! It's wonderful when one finds his bliss everyone feels it.
Regards,"
Alan
There's more but that's enough for now.....................