As a child and then as a young woman, Nilufer worked with her four older brothers in their mechanic's shop. Destabilization brought on by necessary but harsh civil and military reforms, and constant threats from outside (usually Russia), meant the Ottoman Empire needed every hand and mind it could get. Along the way, Nilufer learned the finest traditions of military scrounging. She could engineer a three-way finagle as well as any man. Given her natural inclination to look for a better deal and trade up, Haktanir Bayan made the most-desired list in the city: Princess Nazli's personal salon. The two women's friendship over the next several years became the stuff of legend. When the Russians declared war, she started a build in her own shop. Which the first dovmaks assembled outside the Fifth Military Gate, she piloted Number Three, the one with her children's names painted on the cockpit hatch. Haktanir Teyze led the second charge, the one that overran the Russian forces. So yes, go see Haktanir Teyze if you need a complicated repair, or a specialized part. Do not underestimate this short, slightly dumpy woman. This middle-aged Turkish mother drove an untested prototype three-story-high fighting machine, that she built herself, into combat against the Russians. And she still has tea with the princess once a week.
This product was added to our catalog on Monday 05 August, 2019.
