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[jpdenver]

First a Quiz. 

What do you think this is? 

[derekwarner]

Guess 1.......a radial imperfection in the silver soldered metal joint covered with nickel plating .....


Guess 2.....a cosmetic, radial imperfection in the silver soldered metal joint in an expensive engine, disguised with chrome paint? over the nickel plating 


[Nickel plating, whether electrolytic or electroless, will not fill a void.......the deposit mirrors [in thickness] over the given shape & surface]
[Only successive coats of plating followed by machining will reveal a void free uniform surface ready for the final coat]


[Do we also see two heads from socket head cap screws? that really need replacement with hex headed bolts]

 Derek

[mikew]

PB2 or 3 MH&B
Mike

[KBIO]

Hello !
This is PB 2.
Originally delivered with a friction system reverse . Not very reliable , so it has quickly been modified with a real Maudslay type.
The original model has Allen screws in the middle and nut on the sides . Don't ask me why, I do not know !
Concerning the "crack appearance " shown on the pic, I would say that it has no importance as it must be an excess of solder. NO reason for a crack at this place.
Here is the first version followed by the second one with a reliable Maudlslay reverse.
Have a good day

[jpdenver]

This is going to take some explanation, and some "historical facts" need to be corrected. 

1. This is a prototype of a 4 cylinder engine from the workshop of Peter Baylis.
2. It was created as an "intellectual exercise" by his son, Martin, just to see if it could be done. 
3. Peter, Brian Marten, and Liz Howes, MH&B,  thought it was a great idea and wanted to add it to their catalog.
4. It never went into production.  Although there was a plan to use it as the engine for a torpedo boat, that never happened.
5. It was sold to Tom Monahan, then to a collector in the US Virgin Islands.
6. Now it is mine.

I was told by Martin Baylis that he ran it once on steam,  it appears that the rest of the time it has only been
run on air.  I will find a hull for it.  It needs to be on the water.


SO - I GIVE YOU THE MB4 (giving Martin the credit). 

When I got her (I don't know - but she just seems to be one)
The cylinder cladding had been stripped back to bare metal. 
Martin tells me that they were originally "blued" and very dark.
I refinished them w Gloss Black Epoxy Paint.  We will see if it
stands up to the heat. 


I fitted her with an oiler and piping.Martin said that she probably did not need a flywheel,but I had a chunk of brass the right size and made one anyway,
just cause it looks good. 

More to come after I build up the steam plant. 

Regards,
Jim

[Jerry C]

Lovely piece of kit. Ref. Allan cap screws, from looking I suggest as they are very close to the boss the access with a spanner on a hex head would be problematic and that the points of the hex would foul on the boss???


Jerry C.

[Engineman]

This is the only boat that shall fit best this unique quadriple engine...


Cheers,
Roman

[jpdenver]

Well,  Roman, Send me one and I will put it in!       

Seriously,  The original concept from MH&B was to do just that.  They also developed a
twin boiler but that ran into issues with merging the steam and synchronizing the burners,
and water levels.  I believe it was broken up and sold off.   

In the meantime, her first berth will probably be an open launch - cause that's what I do. 

More to come.
Jim

[Engineman]

Well, Jim...
I"am pretty much aware about these itty-bitty things...and even know (at least virtually) both of the previous owners of the engine...
What about the twin boiler steam plant...the real story is looking a bit different...
Неrreschoff's fast steam commuter could be a very proper prototype to accomodate this engine...open steam launch cannot be considered as relevant one anyhow - for torpedo boat light-weighted powerful 'heart'...


Cheers,
Roman

[DBS88]

Wow thats a fabulous boiler arrangement, would love to see that up and running, I am enjoying the history of the engine and boiler please do keep the story going

[jpdenver]

So - Roman -
Is that your twin boiler?I have seen pictures of the system before, but understood it had been broken up.
I agree that it is a perfect match for this engine - if one wanted to hide it below deck. 

I kinda like to see my power plants running.  I considered for a moment a retrofit to the LadyX.
but I am still enjoying her and the way she dances on the water. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buFH4wv6nqY
(Martin Baylis thinks she is one cylinder too large anyway) 

So -   I anyone wants to donate a hull to me that they think this pretty little engine should be in,
I will gladly accept the donation. 

Otherwise,  She may live in an open launch for a while. 

Roman - I really do like your torpedo boat. 

Regards,Jim

[Engineman]

That's correct, Jim -
This steam plant on the photo - is one of mine. What I know - two had been made, one - ordered (most probably - not completed). I was thinking about acquiring quadriple engine from Nick...but then decided that MB Engineering triple will fit the purpose much better.
62' torpedo boat of USS MAINE - is one of my looong-lasted projects...🙈
Anyway, this plodding along slowly and from time to time I do something to make it move...somehow 😹
One of the last (but not least) bits - was the screw propellor...a bit later I will show another "device" related to this "62" trouble"...😹


What about donating the hulll...the best I can offer is to make something suitable on order...maybe...🙀


Rgds,
Roman

[jpdenver]

Roman,

I was just kidding about the free hull. 

But - I know that everyone is waiting to hear about your latest project. 
Construction details, and see more pictures, interior shots, and all the other tasty tidbits.
what materials, does it float?   Does it actually go?

and of course - will you offer it as a kit?   Cause I know I can not afford it already built. 

In the meantime, I am going to play with my new toy. 

Regards,Jim

[Engineman]

Jim,


Understood, very the same from my end...😹
I also do apologize for keeping 'intrigue' with "wooden swordfish" a bit too long...
Nevertheless...I really wonder why most of 'steam fraternity' are so much stuck on these slight in build prototypes...and for ages? Nothing more interesting and eye-catching within sight? What is the reason?
Well, answering your question about the kit - yes, we're intending to produce it.
And for sure - exactly for steam propulsion.
Whence it was possible for you to afford a unique quadriple engine...no difficulties could be seen for a proper kit to be allowed then 😺


Rgds,
Roman

[jpdenver]

Roman,
I think that each of us "steamers" have our own reasons for the obsessions we have.
I got into this hobby as a way to build, assemble, play with engines.  I have a small
shop with lathe, mill, grinders, sanders, and the like.  All self taught.
So once I began to feel comfortable with making/playing with engines, I needed to search
for  way to use them.   Railroads take too long, I have limited space for stationary engines,
and I like boats.  So the obvious choice is to also learn to build the vehicles to showcase the
engines.  I guess that is why I trend towards open launches.  I like to see the engine.  I also
get worried about fires under deck. 

As to the aspect of shape,  long and thin  vs short and stubby?  I really like the way a hull cuts thru
the water,  and at 70, I have a limited capacity for "long and thin" personally,      so I guess I look for that in other ways. 

I will continue this conversation in a new thread, combining this one with the "can you identify this hull" as that will be my
next platform.  In the meantime, it is still the height of summer here, and the water awaits. 

Regards,Jim

[Engineman]

Many thanks for your reply, Jim!
Appreciated.
Speaking about another (new) projects - I have in mind to make a very fine working scale replica of this boat.
Really a piece of engineering art of the era...which is gone.


Rgds,
Roman

[jpdenver]

Roman,
What a beautiful craft. 
The stern view is something I have not seen before - with the rudder tucked up under the propshaft. 
and the prop itself with the grooves. 

Very interesting. 

If I may be so bold as to state an obvious comment:
If you or anyone is going to offer up limited edition kits, (especially open launches- hint hint),   it would be so nice if the boiler and engine were available in a configuration that fit. 

This could just be making a kit so a boiler from Clevedon or Pendleton Steam can be specified to fit,
or perhaps partnering up with one of the engine manufacturers to offer options when ordering. 

All of these kits/boilers are pretty much build-to-order, so it would not be too much more of a lead time to
do so.  One of my favorite builds to date was the MH&B Topaz.  Complete with full steam plant. and all the fiddley-bits. 

So having the full option available, even if I needed to order from separate sources, makes the kit process much nicer. 
It could be as minor as a comprehensive parts list showing the boilers, engines, valves, (and whistles - hi Raphael) that you
recommend as a good "Fit" . 

Just my 2-cents from an old guy with too much time on his hands. 

Regards, 
Jim 

[jpdenver]

I assembled the Steam plant for the MB4. 
Did a quick test run.  Her first time on steam.

https://youtu.be/UAZTRcK41yU 

A few leaks.    The oiler managed to empty itself on the tray. 
I need to take it apart and seal it up better. 

More to come. 

Jim
 

[KNO3]

Runs beautifully! I remember seeing this engine in photos by a previous owner, years ago. Back then the cylinder cladding seemed in good condition. I wonder what happened to it?


Here's the link to the old pictures:
https://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,20858.0.html