Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Steam => Topic started by: Patternmaker on August 29, 2008, 10:30:36 pm
-
Hello, I am Mike a newcomer to Model Boat Mayhem, a retired patternmaker with a passion for building model boats for the past 60years. I have one displayed in The National Sceince Musuem of a Shearwater Catamaran made in 1957 and a model of a fisheries protection vessel built for Lake Chad in 1962 for the United Nations building in NY.
I mainly built and raced Nitro boats but decided to build a steam launch, Miranda was scratch built from adapted plans by Basil Harley
All the mahogany used was cut from a discarded window frame, the engine and gas fired boiler were made by my son Paul.
Its nice to see so many nice models on this website.
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/013.jpg (http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/013.jpg)
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/019.jpg (http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/019.jpg)
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/017.jpg (http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/017.jpg)
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/018.jpg (http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/018.jpg)
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/014.jpg (http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/014.jpg)
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/015.jpg (http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/015.jpg)
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/011.jpg (http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/011.jpg)
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/009.jpg (http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/009.jpg)
http://s499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/?action=view¤t=023.flv (http://s499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/?action=view¤t=023.flv)
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/013-1.jpg (http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/013-1.jpg)
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/015-1.jpg (http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/015-1.jpg)
-
Absolutely beautiful launch there Mike, and quite a stunning finish on the hull!
Lovely job and what a great first post to be able to share such a wonderful model with us. I can't wait to see what else you have made.
-
Wooooooow.......GREAT.......
regards Bernhard
-
Absolutely beautiful....Welcome to the forum Mike. I am not on my own in looking forward to your input.
Barry
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfZ_e8zctdU
Link to utube video of first trial of Miranda Underway in neighbours 15ft diameter swimming pool at tickover, (10psi boiler pressure) full rudder required.
-
Stunning Mike,
Welcome to THE Forum to you and Paul.
Tony
-
Very nice boat. What kind of boiler is that?
-
Hi kno3, The engine and boiler were made by my son a precision engineer adapted from plans by Basil Harley with modifications to the engine i.e.:
crankshaft, valve chest steam ports,
controller, engine base plate and cylinder plate. The boiler is made from 16g copper sheet with 6 -15mm cross tubes all silver soldered, the boiler support and smoke box are mild steel
coated with heat proof paint. The boiler is gas fired with a 4in ceramic burner and refillable
gas tank situated in the front saloon with a removable roof and rear wall for access to ignite
burner. The boiler has been pressure tested to 100psi, safety valve set at 50psi.
The only parts purchased were; pressure gauge, whistle and globe valve.
I clad the boiler and made all the other brass fittings on the boat with the exception of;
Propeller, navigation lights and bollards.
Mike
Link to Engine and Boiler Test
http//vid4999,photobucket.com/albums/rr360/patternmaker_photos/001.flv">
-
thanks! Do you have a pic of the inside of the boiler? I'd like to see it it has water tubes or fire tubes and how the flame goes up to the chimney.
-
Sorry, I do not have a picture of the inside of the boiler, the cross tubes are set at opposite angles 3/8" from the centre line of the boiler, you do not get flames in the smoke box or up the chimney from a ceramic burner/
Mike
-
You eye for detail is obvious. A very nice launch.
-
kno3,
I have made one of these boiler and engine combinations and they do work very well.
I have done a very basic sketch for you to see how the cross tubes fit into the boiler.
They are the next step up from a pot boiler and very easy to make.
John
-
Thanks John!
So, if I understand correctly, the flames go directly into the fire tubes below the boiler, and not around it?
Interesting design. Does it have any specific advantage over other boielr types?
-
Thought you might like to see my one. Based on the Waterlilly, that was at the National Maritime Museum Greenwich. Its 4 ft long single cylinder 5/8 bore and stroke engine with vertical centre boiler. I was just finishing this when Basil's article first appeared in Model Boats, spent the next few years pointing out it wasn't the Miranda (still have to do it occasionally now) As you can see it also has the traditional tean earn in the aft cabin
:)
-
Hi
I have just been given plans for Miranda steam launch,never built plank on frame before,I have no technical data telling me what sizes of timber for planks etc.or written guides on building her.
Sorry still a novice but determined to build her.
Can u help
-
hello
does anyone on this forum know where I can get the model boats build article for this boat.
Many Thanks
-
Miranda was featured in the July, August, September & October 1983 editions of Model Boats magazine. Seem to remember reading in a later magazine an item on converting the burner to gas firing, but unfortunately can't locate the year/date.
Couldn't find any currently available at the magazine exchange, but the August & October issues are listed on ebay with a seller in the US.
-
Hello Chris
God you gave me a fright, mick (patternmaker) was a good friend to me while I was building my boat but sadly he past away a few years ago.
So when I saw his artical back up the top of the forum I thought it must be a ghost !!!
Any way have a look at my artical "Building the Alaska" it will give you all the pictures and know how to plank a boat.
There are also some other very good articals and build blogs on this subject in other blogs for other boats.
Have a look at them all, we all have little idiosyncrasies and one of them will help you.
I also have built the Miranda as my first and can supply you with pictures if required.
Regards
Alan