International Aero Engines has become renowned for more than its highly successful V2500 turbofan; for some years the multi-national partnership has had "themed" chalets at the international shows. Guests will remember IAE's olde English pub here, a genuine interior rescued from a demolition site, as well as their "follies" bistro at Paris and a Raffles look for Singapore.

This year's them is a "sports bar" with mannequins displaying the latest sports fashions, a video jukebox with a choice of great sporting moments from around the world, and even a putting strip-for those stressed golf junkies who are missing their daily fix.

And the whole thing comes so soon after soccer's world cup, over which IAE's famed international unity nearly fell apart. Partners from England, Scotland, Germany, Japan and the USA all had widely differing views over what would be the "dream" result (though the Americans probably didn't care too much as they favor a kind of football unknown to the rest).

In fact, of course, none was satisfied for the World Cup was won by France, which isn't represented in the engine-building consortium at all. So there's possibly a touch of green-eyed jealousy when IAE's communications director Martin Johnson says commercial rivals Snecma are welcome to go along and watch a re-run of a famous Gallic victory. "But in their case, they'll need a bottle of wine to get in," he adds.

By Bob Rodwell