Topic: A Greek BIREME (Read 48278 times)

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **on:** June 28, 2017, 11:10:12 am »

What ever is a Greek BIRENE, I hear you ask.

A Greek/Athenian Bireme is an early craft built around 480 BC.

Here is a picture of one that I propose to scratch build. She will have 22 oarsmen mechanically driven by electric motors and gadget things to accurately simulate the rowing motion. If I ever get more confident, then the crew will be increased to maybe 44.

I have already started making the OARS and experimented with drive mechanisms. I then made ONE single man rowing and the actions his body have to go through to execute this task. This project should occupy my mind for a while.

If you think it's easy, then please follow me through this journey of discovery as I work through the design and construction, which lies ahead.

Your comments (and answers) will be very welcome.

Here is the original

TailUK · « **Reply #1 on:** June 28, 2017, 11:23:32 am »

It's Jason and the Argonauts, watch out for the big bronze bloke!

Bob K · « **Reply #2 on:** June 28, 2017, 11:35:26 am »

Now THAT is a challenge Kenny. Effective rowing boats with a single oarsman have been rare, mainly because it is a complex set of movements to replicate mechanically, but to have a whole Bireme off them - I doff my cap to you sir.

Reversing the action is equally tough to achieve as the movements are different to forwards. To steer, back up, and manoeuvre . . . I shall be following this thread with great interest

roycv · « **Reply #3 on:** June 28, 2017, 11:46:55 am »

Hi all, we used to have a modeller who was interested in and built biremes and triremes all with working oars and able to move in the water. We had them at our club exhibution some 20 odd years ago I will see if I can find some pictures.

regards Roy

Bob K · « **Reply #4 on:** June 28, 2017, 11:54:18 am »

A colleague at Black Park has a wonderful rowing boat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6m-cyclMq8

TailUK · « **Reply #5 on:** June 28, 2017, 12:04:10 pm »

I think there are a variety of mechanisms that could be adapted. The picture is one I found while I was considering a project. The stern oars are driven by a belt from the motor and each subsequent pair of oars is driven by a belt from the one before. You could simplify this by using a gear wheel rather than a pulley and use a lay shaft with worm gears on it.

tonyH · « **Reply #6 on:** June 28, 2017, 01:39:43 pm »

Lots of fun but this one seems to show the strain on the rowers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8J1w4fcowA

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #7 on:** June 28, 2017, 04:41:34 pm »

Here is another one from YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPtjN2ImTFY

The ultimate, I would have thought.

ken

Netleyned · « **Reply #8 on:** June 28, 2017, 04:45:08 pm »

I know that you are a speed builder Ken,
but that is incredible

Ned

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #9 on:** June 28, 2017, 04:52:12 pm »

Thank you for the vote of confidence but this is not mine. It's something to aim for though.

The more one thinks about it, the harder it becomes to design. I'm having an 'Oars day' today. The mock up started with swizzle sticks but they are not sturdy enough. I am settling on the design and will go into mass production mode soon.

ken

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #10 on:** June 28, 2017, 05:25:19 pm »

Reminds me of a cartoon I once saw showing an ancient galley dead in the water, broken oars sticking out in all directions and bashed up half conscious crew members draped over the sides.

On the aft platform was a guy going nuts on a modern full drum kit....

Colin

Umi_Ryuzuki · « **Reply #11 on:** June 28, 2017, 05:37:00 pm »

We have a local that has a couple of viking ships.

The most impressive ones have come out of Europe.

Bireme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMaIE3YNefg

This modeler did ALL the oarsmen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMaIE3YNefg

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #12 on:** June 29, 2017, 09:56:35 am »

Love it. Thanks Umi.

We can but dream I'll do my best. I haven't got an exact idea of the design of the craft yet, but the main theme seems to be to rowing action. This is the priority at the moment with designs coming out of my ears.

ken

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #13 on:** June 29, 2017, 09:25:31 pm »

I have fashioned the oars, which I carved from real timber. Although time consuming, I thought it better to make them out of one piece of wood, rather than join the paddle ends separately.

Here is a mock up to show what they would look like on the ships side. I am going for 22 oars at the moment but might increase the number if the hull comes out larger.

Capt Podge · « **Reply #14 on:** June 29, 2017, 10:05:09 pm »

WOW!

...most impressive oars Ken

Regards,

Ray.

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #15 on:** June 29, 2017, 10:09:03 pm »

Thank you Captain Ray.

I've got into the whittling habit and mass production techniques since I ran out of money.

ken

Footski · « **Reply #16 on:** June 30, 2017, 07:41:07 am »

Ken
Can the title not be changed to the correct spelling of bireme? It slaps me about every time I open the forum!!

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #17 on:** June 30, 2017, 10:01:27 am »

Thank you for pointing this out Footski. You could say you were putting your OAR in but that would be tacky. I appreciate your correction and have altered the spelling. I never noticed it as Greek was never my strongest subject.

Cheers mate

ken

Footski · « **Reply #18 on:** June 30, 2017, 12:13:13 pm »

Quote from: Tug-Kenny on June 30, 2017, 10:01:27 am

Thank you for pointing this out Footski. You could say you were putting your OAR in but that would be tacky. I appreciate your correction and have altered the spelling. I never noticed it as Greek was never my strongest subject.

Cheers mate

ken

Cheers Ken,
Nice not to keep getting slapped!

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #19 on:** July 02, 2017, 10:44:47 am »

I'm having a Greek weekend.

I have come up with some drawings and made some sketches to enable me to construct the hull. They are not detailed, but I have enough info to go on.

Here is a lash up to get the general ideas and layout. As you can see, it's a trifle small at 2 foot long. What the scale might be is anybody's guess, but it must be large enough to accommodate the internal drive motors and mechanisms.

I have modified the oars by thinning the blades to make them more in proportion.

Today I am going for an increase in size as I have plenty of timber.

ballastanksian · « **Reply #20 on:** July 02, 2017, 04:02:56 pm »

I would certainly have honoured the ancient warship by putting it in with its descendants in the warships section. Even if the idea of explosive weapons rather than rams or personal weapons might strike fear into your crew!

This model will defiitly not be an 'Any other build'

tonyH · « **Reply #21 on:** July 02, 2017, 09:25:10 pm »

Don't forget 'Greek Fire' would be classed as a weapon of mass destruction!

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #22 on:** July 02, 2017, 10:22:28 pm »

Key Ken,

All those oars, which look pretty good I might say ..... how did you prevent yourself going mad?!?!

John W E · « **Reply #23 on:** July 03, 2017, 07:35:24 am »

Hi Ken this may be of some help to you

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Model-Boats-Magazine-May-2008-Vol-58-Issue-690/232386291633?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

john

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #24 on:** July 03, 2017, 10:15:45 am »

Quote from: ballastanksian on July 02, 2017, 04:02:56 pm

I would certainly have honoured the ancient warship by putting it in with its descendants in the warships section. Even if the idea of explosive weapons rather than rams or personal weapons might strike fear into your crew!

This model will defiitly not be an 'Any other build'

Thanks for thought Ian.

I will get it moved over to the new section.

ken

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