what model was it in the end, and dare I ask how much?

i doubt anyone on here has even seen one let alone owned one... they are way beyond the size of a home or hobby machine (thats not to say this site is just for home & hobby users! but the majority of us are, with some notable and welcome exceptions - they know who they are). I just wish I had the space to put (and a way to load/offload) a 2.5ton monster!

Tony Griffiths has manuals for some parkson mills at http://www.lathes.co.uk/manuals/ as follows:

MP10 PARKSON 1NA MILLING MACHINE: Operating and Maintenance Instructions (simple) and Illustrated Parts Manual with Exploded Assembly Diagrams and Lubrication Schematic. Also included is a copy of the useful Technical Sales and Specification and Accessories Catalogue. £55

MP10A PARKSON 2N Series Milling Machines (all versions: 2N-1, 2N-2, 2V-1, 2V-2, 2NU, 2NU-1, 2NU-2, 2NP-1, 2NP-2, 2V-1 and 2V-2, etc ). Complete and comprehensive Data Pack with two editions (early and late) of the Operator's Instruction and Maintenance Manual and the matching Parts manuals as useful Exploded Component Drawings. Also includes Sales, Technical Specification and Accessories Catalogues. £65

MP10AE PARKSON 2N 7 2V Miller - a large electrical schematic. £35

MP10C PARKSON No. 3 Size Milling Machines Models: 3V/3, 3V/3A, 3V/3M, 3V/33, 3N/1, 3N/3, 3N/33, 3NP/1, 3NP/3, 3NP/3M, 3NP/3A, 3NP/33, 3NU/1, 3NU/3, 3NU/3A, 3NU/3M, and "Millermatic" etc. Operator's Instruction Manual. £55

MP10D PARKSON No. 3 Size Milling Machines Models: 3V/3, 3V/3A, 3V/3M, 3V/33, 3N/1, 3N/3, 3N/33, 3NP/1, 3NP/3, 3NP/3M, 3NP/3A, 3NP/33, 3NU/1, 3NU/3, 3NU/3A, 3NU/3M, and "Millermatic" etc. - Illustrated Parts Manual that covers all Vertical and Horizontal Models with detailed Exploded Assembly Diagrams. £55

MP10DE PARKSON 3V Miller - a pack of 4 larger electrical drawings. £45

MP10E PARKSON M1200 MILLING MACHINES: Comprehensive 140 page Operator's Instruction and Maintenance Manual with Exploded-components Parts Manual. Includes Technical Catalogues for all variants. £75

MP10F PARKSON M1250 Series and M1250E MILLING MACHINES: Two manuals in one - Operator's Instruction and Maintenance and Parts as Sectional Drawings, £55

MP10G PARKSON M1700 MILLING MACHINES: Comprehensive Operator's Instruction and Maintenance Manual with Exploded-components Parts Manual. Includes Technical Catalogues for all variants. £65

MP10H PARKSON Model L MILLING MACHINES: Operator's Instruction Manual (includes both the early and late editions). Includes a copy of the detailed and useful Technical Sales and Specification Catalogue. £35

MP10J PARKSON MILLER-MATIC 3A: Spare Parts as Exploded Component Drawings. £55

MP10K PARKSON 9N, 15N and 15MN GEAR TESTER. Operator's Instructions and Parts as Exploded Component Drawings. £55

MP10L PARKSON MILLER-MATIC Plug Program Controlled Vertical and Horizontal Milling Machines: not a Manual but a technical paper explaining how the machine's control system worked. 8 pages. £14