Operating Segments and Related Disclosures - Selected Financial Information for Each Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Net Sales:
Net sales	$ 329.7	$ 243.7
Segment Performance:
Unusual items	(4.9)	(5.9)
Reconciliation of segment performance to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Unusual items	(4.9)	(5.9)
Interest expense	(12.4)	(11.2)
Interest income		0.1
Stock-based compensation expense	(1.4)	(3.2)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	0.1	(9.2)
Operating Segments [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales	329.7	243.7
Segment Performance:
Segment Performance	26.6	20.2
Reconciliation of segment performance to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Segment Performance	26.6	20.2
Operating Segments [Member] | Aerospace and Defense [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales	328.2	242.3
Segment Performance:
Aerospace and Defense	33.4	29.2
Environmental remediation provision adjustments	(1.6)	0.6
Retirement benefit plan expense	(6.1)	(10.7)
Unusual items		0.1
Segment Performance	25.7	19.2
Reconciliation of segment performance to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Corporate retirement benefit plan expense	(6.1)	(10.7)
Unusual items		0.1
Segment Performance	25.7	19.2
Operating Segments [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Net Sales:
Net sales	1.5	1.4
Segment Performance:
Segment Performance	0.9	1.0
Reconciliation of segment performance to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Segment Performance	0.9	1.0
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Performance:
Unusual items	(4.9)	(6.0)
Reconciliation of segment performance to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Unusual items	(4.9)	(6.0)
Interest expense	(12.4)	(11.2)
Interest income		0.1
Stock-based compensation expense	(1.4)	(3.2)
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Performance:
Retirement benefit plan expense	(2.8)	(5.2)
Reconciliation of segment performance to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Corporate retirement benefit plan expense	(2.8)	(5.2)
Corporate and other expenses	$ (5.2)	$ (3.9)