I would love to build my own stationary steam engine or traction engine. The kits available are very impressive, and there is something about building your own powerhouse.
Carl Newman, Witham, Essex
The Raspberry Pi looks fun. It is a low-cost, open-source mini-computer. It has many uses, from weather forecasting to brewing beer.
Paul Garlick, Bournemouth
I did get the engineer’s Meccano and Lego sets that we all used to combine to construct anything other than what the instruction books provided. But what I wanted was the Mamod steam engine to power them up with. Today, it would fall into more of a giant chemist’s set – a micro brewery start-up.
Brian Whittle, Ramsbottom
Warhammer Armies. Not a traditional engineering toy, but it requires model-making, strategy and imagination, which cannot be a bad thing.
Tim Bywater-Lees, Rickmansworth, Herts
In the 1950s, it just had to be a Hornby Dublo 3-rail with a few add-ons. As for a secret Xmas gift this year… mmmm, well… Hornby Dublo 2-rail, of course.
Graham Lawrence, Redbourn, Herts
Meccano and Lego were my favourite toys. And this was before the days of the “themed” kits, where all the pieces were part of a kit for a specific shape. You could let your imagination run freely as you made up a new toy every time. A life-sized kit car would be my secret desire nowadays.
Mike Newell, Downpatrick, Northern Ireland
My first model aircraft engine, a PAW 0.8cc diesel, started a fascination with engines at the age of 13. With the help of my dad, I fitted it to a small control-line plane, and after weeks of work we were ready for our maiden flight. The controls were much more sensitive than I imagined. One involuntary wing-over and two loops later, my new engine was buried in the playing-field turf.
Mark Wassell, Burbage, Leicestershire
Scalextric was the toy of choice for me. Building tracks and cars filled many happy hours. This Christmas, I’m after one of those golf clubs that hits it straight every time.
Gary Lock, Dorking, Surrey
As a child, I enjoyed building and playing with radio-controlled cars, Lego and Meccano. This year, from Santa, I would like an AC Cobra replica kit car to build, along with a suitable donor car. However I doubt that I have been good enough this year to warrant such a gift.
Paul Raithby, Immingham, Lincolnshire
I was thrilled by my Meccano set, and had extras bought for many successive Christmases. I would like to receive a remote-controlled spycam outdoor helicopter.
Brian Burgess, York
There are three Christmas toys that stick in my memory (I was born in 1967). The first was a model steam engine – the one with just a boiler that was heated to eventually power a small piston. The second was an Evel Knievel stunt bike, while with the third one you had to control and land a Harrier jump jet as it sped towards you on a wire – great stuff, and not a battery in sight.
Jason Baylay, Staffordshire
As a child – a Mamod stationary model steam engine with methylated spirit burner giving off a nice blue flame. Today – a 3D printer.
John Richardson, Crowthorne, Berkshire
In terms of today’s gifts, I’m not aware of any that really grab me. It would probably be Technic Lego kits again. Alternatively, if someone gave me a miniature traction engine in kit form, that would keep me going for a while.
Simon Schofield, Nottingham
As for a Christmas gift now, I think it could be some neat, space-saving device for storing the bikes in the garage or a new mulching lawnmower for the garden, as I’m fed up of emptying cuttings all the time. But I think it actually has to be a new iPad mini.
Ben Walls, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire
A Series 1, 3.8-litre, E-Type Jaguar… Not going to happen.
Nic Bowman, Cambridge
That would be Lego – the basic old-fashioned variety – and I wouldn’t say no to the programmable stuff if you’re offering.
Alastair Miles, Yate, South Gloucestershire
Today, the best Christmas gift would be a modern road bicycle. The technology that goes into one of those is fascinating, and I do like to tinker with mine in the garage.
Chris Hewson, Pontefract, West Yorkshire
Technic Lego. I had loads of it: gears, motors and pneumatics in cranes, diggers and trucks, plus a few of my own design. This Christmas? Dear Santa, please could you bring me… some Technic Lego… and the peace and quiet to build it.
Mike Wareing, Loughborough
When I was about 10 years old, I received a Philips electrical engineering kit – kept me happy for many hours. In more recent times, I have become interested in Arduino physical computing – a starter kit and a box of miniature actuators would keep me busy.
Andrew Sharratt, Bath
Peace and quiet.
Ron Makin, Northampton