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[das boot]

I saw this in Marine Modelling magazine years ago, and then again just recently...what an amazing looking ship it is.
Now I could really get into building one of these, it's like nothing else I've ever seen.

Anybody actually built one? I bet it's fun in anything over a flat calm...

Rich

[barryfoote]

It would be interesting to see what she looks like below waterline. Is she a conventional shape?

Barry

[das boot]

No sooner done than said, Barry...

Rich

[fullboat]

Hi Rich,
Am i assuming correctly that this was a military vessel . If so it would have presented as a small target compared to a conventional boat. Worth a try I suppose.......
I too would love to know if any one has modelled it.

[das boot]

It was a Russian battery, fullboat, quote from a website I found...

"Laid down: 17 December 1871

Launched: 21 May 1873

Commissioned: 1874

Decommissioned: 4 July 1903

Fate: Scrapped 1912

Struck: 1900

General Characteristics

Displacement: 2,491 tons (2,671 full load)

Length: 101 ft

Beam: 101 ft

Draught: 12.32 ft

Propulsion: 8 coal-fired boilers, 6 screws

Speed: 7 knts & 2,000 ihp

Range:

Complement: 150

Armament: 2 11" guns, 2 4-pdr guns, 2 37-mm guns

Armor: 9" belt, 2.3" deck"

It wasn't particularly stable apparently, every time a gun was fired the thing swung round and totally confused everybody onboard!
I did read somewhere that the model shown in MMI magazine possessed the same characteristics as the full size version...ie, it wouldn't turn very well and the sea conditions played a major part in it's directional capabilities!

But it's certainly worth consideration as a build project...after I've finished the USS Missouri/the USS Dragonfish/U-33/USS Blueback.

Question...does anyone have any pics of the model shown in the magazine? (built by a chap called Ian Kennedy I believe?)


Rich

[das boot]

There is a resin kit available (or there was)...

Rich

[das boot]

Link to kit manufacturer http://www.steelnavy.com/ISWNovgorod.htm I'm not sure if it's still available as yet.


Rich

[poll]

Hi U-33 This ship was sailed in the m.p.b.a. National finals at Balne Moor this year. If you can contact
Dave Wooley he took some photos for model boats mag. Also I will see if I can get Ian Kennedy to
contact you. Hope this is some help to you.
Regards.

John

[barryfoote]

John,

I think we could generate some real interest in her. I can't find any details for an available model so any info would be most welcome.

Barry

[das boot]

That would be great John, many thanks for that....very much appreciated.

The more I see of this boat, the more I fancy building it, it would certainly be an almighty challenge, totally different to anything I've ever built. I forsee much research....

Thanks again...

Rich

[das boot]

John,

I think we could generate some real interest in her. I can't find any details for an available model so any info would be most welcome.

Barry

Ahem... http://www.steelnavy.com/ISWNovgorod.htm   

Rich

[das boot]

Another pic...

And another...



Rich

[barryfoote]

Yes Rich,

That tells us lots of things but not whether a kit is available, from where, how much and technical details like sizes etc.....It would help if we had a stockist....She does look a belter though does she not??

Barry

[das boot]

Yes Rich,

That tells us lots of things but not whether a kit is available, from where, how much and technical details like scale and sizes.....It would help if we had a stockist....

Barry

I'm on the case Barry....I've emailed a mate of mine in the States for more info, I'll report back soon as.

Rich

[barryfoote]

Hey Rich,

Can't you give him a ring???Its the middle of the night over there so he won't reply for hours yet!!!!!Wake him up man....

Barry

[das boot]

I have an idea I know the response I'd get....          


Rich

[ian kennedy]

Hi Rich,

I take it you want to know a bit about the Novgorod and vice admiral popov, circular design black sea fleet ironclads.

I started building the Novgorod about 18 years ago, pre internet so the info i had had was very sketchy, working from one photo and a small overhead line drawing in all the worlds fighting ships 1860-1905 i had to draw my own plans.

as a result the shape of the forward structure is wrong but the rest of the model is quite accurate as portrayed later in her career.

I built the hull from rings of 4mm plywood laminated up in bread and butter form up to deck level, then a 1mm ring of aluminium was bonded to the top of this sandwich. The deck was made in a similar fashion also with a ring of 1mm thick aluminium on the base, this was to achieve a water tight face with the help of a thin smear of grease.

The hull was coated in SP 113 epoxy resin and rubbed down, then about 1800 copper plates were attached to the lower hull, to represent the copper sheathing.
 Starting from the centre line on the bottom running for and aft to the point of curvature, then the plates were fixed radially up to the water line.

Seven 3mmx6mm keels are attached to the bottom of the hull to aid straight running and stability issues.

Six M2 threaded prop shafts were made and installed into the hull and they are driven by two 385 electric motors through u/j couplings to the central shaft and then belt drives to the inner and outer shaft on each side of centre.

Simon at prop shop made six 20mm diam 3 bladed M2 threaded props for me 3x r/h and 3x l/hand. I now know these should have been four bladed, i could change them but hey it works fine as it is.

The model runs off an 8.4volt nicad pack as individual cells spread around the front and sides of the hull and two small esc's, giving independent control of the engines.

The main problem in controlling the boat is it has issues with going in a straight line.............handy when it comes to regatta work(not) but turn within it's own length.

I will post some piccies on here later for you, If you have other questions feel free to  quiz me as i like helping out others who love the more unusual prototypes.

Cheers
Ian

[nhp651]

the hull would be an easy one to make. just mould it in the largest frying pan you can find out of grp.........seriously. a perfect shape for one!!???

[das boot]

Hi Ian,

Nice to talk to you...an honor, sir.  

Thanks for all the info on the Novgorod, it sounds like an enjoyable, though hard build, probably way out of my league doing it like that. I'm sort of thinking of building it from plastic sheet(I hate wood)onto a plastic former for the hull, although as yet I haven't a clue as to where to start. It certainly is a strange beast, I can remember seeing yours years back now, I can't remember where I saw it, but it was at a show where you attended and the AMS were present...Derby perhaps? In the Midlands? I can't recall now, the little grey cells aren't what they were any longer.

I'd love to see to see some pics of your model Ian, and I know the rest of the guys here would too, my post seems to have stirred up plenty of interest in the Novgorod. There's a chance there may be one or two more hitting the water very soon.

Thanks again Ian, very kind of you..

Regards,

Rich

[das boot]

the hull would be an easy one to make. just mould it in the largest frying pan you can find out of grp.........seriously. a perfect shape for one!!???

Possibly a circular dustbin lid (one of the old fashioned metal ones) as a base with modded bottom section, then a glass mould from there?
The possibilities are endless....


Rich

[tonyH]

There's an article in the 1997 Model Shipwright anthology about a model built in 1974 which refers to details in the book Bizarre Ships of the Nineteenth Century by John Guthrie published in 1970. There are only 3 photos of the real thing but you're welcome to the article if you wish.

There's also mention of articles in Playboy and the Eagle!

The builder, Colin Gross, Couldn't find a frying pan of the right size so made a foam male and built up fibreglass round it.

[Ron1]

Posted on our american site last year by Dave Woolly

These two vessels were seen this year. at Dortmund and
Windermere. The first being a model of the well known
Russian circular Coastal Defence ship Novgorod
designed by Popov in 1870. The second model may be
a bit of a puzzle . Although the original was designed
by Popov it was in fact built on the river Clyde for
Czar Alexander as the Royal Yacht LAVADIA. The model was
built by John Hollis who was also builder of the superb
model of HMS Devastation, shown on this board last year.
The hull is not built using plank on frame in the classic sence
but built up in sections and covered in sheet timber Not
suprisingly the Novgorod was always considered a failure
but I think to prove a point John managed to steer his
multi prop model rather well but remarked that the rudder
was more there for show than effect. Johns model is also
live steam and all the wood panelling is just that real
planeling around the upper and lower deck housings
and the deck planking is simply outstanding .
the question is why did the Czar have a circular ship built.
Answer he suffered from sea sickness and asked for a
more stable form of hull.
Dave Wooley

[das boot]

TonyH...yes please, any information at all is more than welcome.

Ron1...hells teeth, the things are breeding! I didn't know that there were other circular vessels apart from the Novgorod and the Popov, terrific pictures...thanks so much for that.

I can see that the Blueback/U-33/Dragonfish/Missouri maybe waiting for a turn on the slipway, this odd looking thing is starting to get a hold of me! I have a cunning plan for the hull...an idea is forming.

Thank you all, gentlemen...you are all too kind.

Rich




going round in circles...

[craftysod]

Why not use a wok
that would be fun seeing sweet an sour going across the pond

[das boot]

I can recall having the same directional problems with HMS Silver Swan, my r/c kettle...that went where it pleased. A kort nozzle helped, but I guess with the Novgorod you'd have to put up with the problems..after all, the full size ship had them, so why not the model as well. At least it would be scale like...

Rich