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[HS93 (RIP)]

why does my steam tug boat not go as quick as this steam boat 

now I know why Steamboat Phill does flash..  steam that is
Peter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srq_pC4v5wo&feature=player_embedded

[John W E]

hi there Peter

The hydro plane in the video clip you have shown belongs to a gent from South Shields Model Boat club - Bob Kirtley.   Bob and SteamboatPhil are very good friends and it is difficult to get a word in edgeways when the pair of them meet, as has been proven at the Model Boat show at Temple Park.

The hydro plane is called Pisces 2 and it is said to hold the world speed record of 120 mph +  I do know Bob built everything including the engine.  The boiler is tubed stainless steel coil.  I believe it is in the form of a figure 8 coil, and she runs on 2 parafin burns I think.    If Bob turns up at the club tomorrow, I will take my camera along and if he has the model there, I will try and get some close up shots for those who are interested.

There are a couple of photographs on the forum which I pinched and I have put on here 

aye
john e
bluebird

[HS93 (RIP)]

thanks for that, ahve you seen it run ?

Peter

[John W E]

Hi ya there Peter

I have seen a test run in tank at the Club - mighty noisy - they just 'flashed' it up for moments.   

see what pics I can get.   Bob Kirtley was supposed to be in France with the model - think he was attempting world speed record again.  I dont know if he has gone or what though - will find out.

john

[SteamboatPhil]

I have had the pleasure of seeing it run on a few occasions, and it is something else. The whole casing at the back glows cherry red, which gives you some idea of the heat produced. He is using 3 vaporising petrol / parrafin burners and the boat carries its own water. It has taken Bob many years to get all the parts working in harmony (pumps, lenght of flash coil, prop etc) but what a sight. I am at present working on a radio controlled (don't laugh) flash steam boat, but using a slide valve engine rather than the uniflow Bob uses, and he has pointed me in the right direction regarding pumps (he's a very helpful chap). So watch this space as I will start my build log soon. 

[kiwimodeller]

There will be a lot of us "watching this space" when you start that build Phil. Cheers, Ian.

[yogojr]

Thanks for posting the pictures. How is it controlled? Does Bob just find a straight length of water, make sure the coast is clear then "let'er rip"? I imagine it is critical that it tracks straight then.

[yogojr]

Disallow the last post. I just saw the video. Tether - makes sense. That thing is dang near flying. Sounds like a chain saw - very cool

[John W E]

well hi there one and all

Bob K must have had his Visa sorted + his passport and oap bus pass    he has been to France, don't know how he got along there.   He is in Hull this week end and travelling further south at different Hydro events.   So he is somewhere near you ~Steamboat Phi~ and when he gets back to the North East we will endeavour to take his travel Visa from him to allow us to get some pics.   He doesn't get out much our Bob ya nar..... 

aye
john e
bluebird

[benjaml1]

I have always wondered how the valve gear handled the extremes of pressure differential. In control valves we used Stellite to achive a reasonable service duty. I wouldn't think "unobtainium" was easily available to the modeling community, therefore service life would be extremely limited ?

Interested in your thoughts ?

[steamboatmodel]

I have always wondered how the valve gear handled the extremes of pressure differential. In control valves we used Stellite to achive a reasonable service duty. I wouldn't think "unobtainium" was easily available to the modeling community, therefore service life would be extremely limited ?

Interested in your thoughts ?

The problem with Stelite is you have to grind it, its almost impossible to machine.
Regards,
Gerald.

[MikeK]

well hi there one and all

Bob K must have had his Visa sorted + his passport and oap bus pass    he has been to France, don't know how he got along there.   He is in Hull this week end and travelling further south at different Hydro events.   So he is somewhere near you ~Steamboat Phi~ and when he gets back to the North East we will endeavour to take his travel Visa from him to allow us to get some pics.   He doesn't get out much our Bob ya nar..... 

aye
john e
bluebird

With all the jet settin' and being a wizard with steam, Bob still has time to be a thoroughly nice bloke to boot ( but I never said that  )

Mike

[John W E]

With all the jet settin' and being a wizard with steam, Bob still has time to be a thoroughly nice bloke to boot ( but I never said that  )

Mike

hi ya Mike, to give Bob his true title he is a gent amongst gentlemen - such a very quiet spoken person - to speak and to listen too him and indulge in his knowledge - its very easy to understand how he was a highly respected tech drawing and metal work teacher - and then he retired.    I have a few fond memories of Bob as a teacher he taught at the boys grammar school - and on a Sunday when we were at the Lake - we could get away with calling him Bob/Mr Kirtley and on a few occasions at the boat club I called him Sir, please sir would you have a look at me model boat 

aye
john e
bluebird

[MikeK]

Yo John, yer alreet ? Re Bob, I finished at the High,sorry Grammar school in 57 so I guess Bob was not there then ? Strange tho as from the day I met him I had the feeling I knew him from somewhere, so maybe that was it seeing him in the school.
Hope yer keeping canny.

Mike