Hello!  Following Kevin's letter suggesting a response, I was on the
visit which the MBSGB made to Germany last year and well remember the
very fine playing of the nearly completed automaton in the Cologne cafe
called Papa Joe's, named after the proprietor, Joe Buschmann.

The automaton which plays the instrument has been constructed, if
I remember correctly, by Joe's sons.  The instrument is in fact a tuba,
played by the figure blowing into a normal mouthpiece and operating the
valves with his 'fingers'.

The Society was privileged to hear the first public performance.  No
doubt by now the project is finished.  As Kevin says, there appears
to be no need to experiment further as the problem has been solved.

I have separately sent some pictures which I hope will be available
soon.

 [ Watch at http://mmd.foxtail.com/Pictures/  -- Robbie

Kind regards,

Keith Reedman