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[trelawney]

I have a new unused LEE engine and a vertical boiler from an African Queen kit with boat  build instructions only. No boat kit.

Any information on the boat kit would be appreciated please.

[Bunkerbarge]

There was a two part build article of the Billing Boats African Queen in Model Boats Magazine, September and October 2023, which you might find interesting.  What information are you looking for?

[trelawney]

Information on original kit or maker / supplier would be good, but suspect may not be available.
Would have been good to have all original.
I do have a Basil Harley ROSE hull which could be used if need be.

[Bunkerbarge]

Does the instructions not tell you the kit manufacturer?


The only current one I know is the Billing Boats African Queen model as here:


https://www.billingboats.com/index.php/modelboats-footer/49/120/boats/advanced-beginner/P-bb588-african-queen

https://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/billing_boats_african_queen.html

and the first part of the review:

https://www.modelboats.co.uk/117868/review-billing-boats-african-queen-kit-part-1/

[trelawney]

Suspect the answer may be RON NEEDHAM from checking my LAKER book.   The boiler is definitely a Needham.  Also I have had a message to say the LEE engine is Needham, but the African Queen used an ST oscillator.
Cannot get pictures to load.
If anyone has the plans for the NEEDHAM African Queen please get in touch.
Thanks

[DocMartin]

Take a look at this MBM thread:

https://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,65018.0/nowap.html

DM

[trelawney]

Thanks DM. Most helpful and enough to get going.
I understand that it is the Modeen GRANT vertical boiler plus originally a Stuart ST engine which was replaced by his own design LEE engine, Fortunately I have both and will use the Lee.

[DocMartin]

 
A quick search of the net (keywords Modeen Steam Models) found this link with a brief video clip of two Modeen African Queens in action.  Hope this provides some inspiration.

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/modelsteam/modeen-african-queens-t95545.html
 
https://youtu.be/5qczRklD9KY?si=Yj0rdqPBSBBYAhbP
 
 All the best!
 DM

[trelawney]

Thanks DM.
A little more history.
It seems the original one was 27 inches long.  It was discontinued and due to demand was  re - introduced with an increase in length to 30 inches long, with the LEE engine.

[trelawney]

LEE engine

[DocMartin]

I understand that it is the Modeen GRANT vertical boiler plus originally a Stuart ST engine which was replaced by his own design LEE engine, Fortunately I have both and will use the Lee.

If you look closely at the video I linked, each of these motors is represented. The first boat is powered by the Modeen Lee (Needham design) and the second boat is running a Stuart ST1.

DM

[trelawney]

Modeen boiler with Lee engine