Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Steam => Topic started by: Bernhard on October 11, 2008, 01:50:12 pm
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hi...got this from Ebay,,,will be send to me monday,,,,,,i will use it for my Anton engine,,,is it a river queen launch,,,,,,
here whas it sai from ebay regards Bernhard
RADIO CONTROL STEAM LAUNCH ELECTRIC 1920s POND YACHT. IT IS POWERED BY A ELECTRIC MOTOR NOT STEAM THIS IS A MODEL OF A 1920s STEAM LAUNCH, BUT WAS MADE SEVERAL YEARS AGO. IT HAS A LABEL WHICH SAYS ''LES BROWN MODELS, 12 BIRSTALL, BATLEY, WEST YORKSHIRE''. IT MAY HAVE BEEN MADE BY THIS PERSON OR SOLD BY HIM. IT MEASURES 36 INCHES (91 CMS) LONG BY 11 INCHES (28 CMS) WIDE. IT IS FITTED WITH RIPMAX RADIO CONTROL AND SPEED REGULATOR. IT IS IN FULL WORKING ORDER. IT DOES NOT COME WITH THE CONTROLLER OR THE CHIPS. I WAS USING THIS ON NUMBER 5. THE RUDDER DOES NEED TO BE CONECTED. THE HULL IS MADE FROM VERY THICK FIBREGLASS. IT IS DECKED-OUT IN WOOD AND BRASS FITTINGS. IT IS VERY STURDY AND BEAUTIFULLY MADE.
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This may very well have sailed on my own home waters at one point coming from Batley!
I'm sure with a going over by you Bernard and the addition of your wonderful levels of detail you are going to have a very nice launch there.
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Hi,,,Many Thanks......i think the Anton engine will look good ,and just be the right size fore this launch...there is a Hemmens launch on ebay right now,,,it cut have be fine to,,bot i allready have one off them,, the Lady Jane photo from Ebay,,,,,
regards Bernhard
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That looks like Vic Smeed's "River Queen" design. A fibreglass hull was available from MAP - maybe it is still. I have one some 25 years old now made from wood. Nothing like as pretty as yours. It has a 3/8" bore and stroke slide valve twin. Drive is through a fwd-neutral-reverse gearbox as I didn't fancy fitting reversing linkage to such a small engine. This has turned out to be very useful as when the prop picks up weed, I can select neutral, and still run the engine to drive the boiler feed pump. It also has automatic water level control and gas control.
Malcolm
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hi.........woww that launch look so real.....and so made in wood... where is the water tank,,,and how mouch water can there be in..........how long running time do you have ,,,,,,,>Many thanks
regards Bernhard
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There is no water tank - water is drawn from the pond, river, lake etc. Pure water is no good as it's electrical resistance is too high, and the level control system can't distinguish between steam and the water.
So running time depends on the fuel available, and that depends on the throttle used. Flat out the whole time about 40 minutes, but who charges round like that all the time. I usually come in and have a look at the fuel level every 15 - 20 minutes. The picture shows my re-filllable tank under the forepeak. You cas see the level gauge.
Malcolm
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hi..Thanks.......yes thats true,,,,15-20 minuts,,,and so in for a check ,,,i see that nearly every one is doing that.......you boat look so real...not to clean and lots of bling.bling...cant stop looking at it....eny vidio when you have it in water.........have you use this launch offen in the 25 years....i have 2 wood launch...bot have allways problems to keap them water tight,,,so fiberglass is better for me,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Regards Bernhard
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A few years ago, a couple of the joints along the planks opened a little - luckily above the waterline so I could still use the boat. I did a rebuild in 2003 I think. The joints were remade with a thick cyno and all the ribs were replaced. The hull was varnished and the green inside and below the waterline repainted red.
The last couple of years it has only been out a few times, but before that it was used regularly about evry other weekend, and some times in the winter.
Sorry but I don't have a video of it running.
Malcolm
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Thanks,,,,,,,,i forgot,,,,,,,,,where do you let the used steam,and oil go...i cant se that extra oil seperator tank,,,,,,,,,,
Bernhard
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Up the funnel. The exhaust pipe goes about half way up and is belled out at the end. This gives a nice soft gxhaust. I found that with a sharp ehxaust like they do on the locos, opening the throttle quicklyt could draw the flame off the burner. It also gave a jet of steam that didn't look much like the real thing. On start up I push a piece of plastic pipe over the exhaust to collect the condensate. Some oil gets blown out, and some falls onto the top of the boiler under the dome. It needs cleaning from time to time, but causes no problem. My lubricator has a needle valve to control how much oil is used - without that, things would be considerably messier.
Malcolm
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Thanks Malcolm.....First time i have here about that,,,every boat i have see before have a condensate tank...to keap the oil and water in...i will like it ,just as you do,,,bot im afraid...the water will blow aut the flame,,,,,,,i run my proteus around 60 psi,,,,,,,and Anton 40 psi,,,,,,,,how big a propeller do you have on it,,,,,,,
Bernhard
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Well Bernhard, if I don't get rid of the condensate at the start, my burner is also likely to go out, but once warm, there is very little condensate. If you do fit a condensate/oil trap, it should be kept as hot as possible so that it doesn't fill up with water. In the "River Queen", there's not a lot of space for a trap.
My propeller is a home made one about 2.25" diameter (about as big as I could fit in) and 3" pitch (sorry about the imperial dimensions). The photo earlier in this thread shows the boat almost at full speed. The engine will be turning at about 1500 rpm and the pressure 25 psi. I can run at a higher pressure and the engine obviously turns more quickly, but the boat hardly goes any faster and there is a lot more commotion as it is up to "hull speed".
Malcolm
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Hey,,,,,,,i have got the launch.......and it is reale well builld......be working on it,,,try to have the anton in there,,,,,,,,Malcolm.....i cant make rum for a watertank in there.so i will try to do it as you do,,,,i have a water pump on the enginen...do you use a filter to clean the water up before it go to the enginen...and where under the boat do you take the water in,,,,,,,,,,i have build a oil trap tank...i have it under the boiler,,so it is hiden,,,i will take photos sun ok
regards Bernhard
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Bernhard
The water intake is about 1 inch from the keel, and the by-pass about 1/2 inch above the waterline so I can see when water is being by-passed.
Malcolm
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Hey thanks....Malcom....eny filter on.......and eny problems fore the pump to bring up the water
Bernhard
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Sorry - forgot that bit. There is no filter - as I said, I've been running this boat for around 25 years, and during that time I've never had any problems due to dirty water. If a leaf or somthing of that sort got over the intake, it would obviously stop working, but with the intake well under the hull, this hasn't been a problem.
As the pump is at about at water line level there has been no problem with picking the water up. When I start, this is usually done out of the water, once running, it is put in the water, and I feel underneath to see how much suction there is. You should certainly be able to feel if the pump is working. Sometimes, one of the non-return balls sticks. If you feel nothing, it will be on the suction side, but if you feel a suck and blow it is the delivery ball that is not working. Sometimes a tap on the pump will cure things. If that fails I loosen the banjo coupling on top of the pump - this also keeps the ball in place and allows the pump to work against no load which usually frees the ball.
Thought I had a photo of the pump etc, but find I havn't. Will see if I can get a good shot of the system tomorrow.
Cheers Malcolm
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Thanks........i will try to do it that way,,,,,,,,,i like the ide,,,,,and allso that with no oil seperator on,,,,,,look better with aut...so i have hide it under the boiler,,,,,,
yes photo will be great ,,to get ides from
Bernhard
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If I can download a word document, this should show a picture of the plant with the various parts labeled
Malcolm
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GREAT,,,,MANY THANKS.........first class
Bernhard
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hi......so after some good ahours work
Bernhard
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Super workmanship. I also love the Captain and especially his dog!
Roger in France.
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Another superb job Bernhard. Is it finished or are you going to put some of your trademark tools and bits in it?
Were do you get those figures from? They really are superb and a huge improvement on the dolls house pipe cleaner and felt type that never look quite real to me.
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Hi..Many Thanks.......you can find them on Ebay...usa Canada,,,,,,,,under,,, Shelf Siiter captain or seaman. dog,, from usa and uk Bulldog figurine
i reale like this English bulldog and the france Bulldogs,,i did have one fore 12 years,,,,,,,,,,,yes i will find some nice parts to it,,,
regards Bernhard
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There is no water tank - water is drawn from the pond, river, lake etc. Pure water is no good as it's electrical resistance is too high, and the level control system can't distinguish between steam and the water.
So running time depends on the fuel available, and that depends on the throttle used. Flat out the whole time about 40 minutes, but who charges round like that all the time. I usually come in and have a look at the fuel level every 15 - 20 minutes. The picture shows my re-filllable tank under the forepeak. You cas see the level gauge.
Malcolm
Hi, what kind of fuel are you using and what burner?
And where is the gearbox from?
These boats are really nice!
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hi.......so are the rc in,,,and some more work is don
Regards Bernhard
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hi..a few more
and stil work to do
regards Bernhard
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hi...there is 12 more photos on side 1
Bernhard
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Famed for my Steam Proficiency, what's the "dome" fitting please"
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Good question Martin. It is on the suction line to the engine driven water pump but I can't think of what it is actually doing unles it is some sort of priming device.
I'm sure Bernard will enlighten us.
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I think it's an air vessel for equalising the pressure of the water being pumped into the boiler by the feed pump.
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I am no "steam buff" either. However, I am a plumber's son and it looks to me much like an expansion chamber used in plumbing runs where "water hammer" occurs. It absorbs the sudden expansion under pressure which causes the "knocking".
But to quote our great Leader, "But what do I know?"
Roger.
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Hi,,,,,,,,,,,,The wind boiler serves to compensate for pressure surges in pipelines,,,,sorry my english........
Regards Bernhard
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I thought it looked like such a device however I have never seen one on the suction line before, you would normally expect to find it on the discharge line where it is designed to reduce the pulsations from a positive displacement pump discharge.
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hi........ all 3 i have of them i have work with no problem,,,,,,,,,The windkessel is a buffer . The air bubbel under the windkessel buffering the pressure.
regards Bernhard
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Hi.......So After the enginen have be send to a check up to Anton in France,,i have it back.after .2 1/2 month,,,run great agin,,,,here is a video of it,, i did take that l tube in the chimny out,,so the steam look more real...
..Regards Bernhard........http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jOfMlzDe18&feature=channel_page
I have ordred a Heron enginen , from Nick in usa...i will used it in this boat,,,Nick is working on it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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Bernard I absolutely love your launches. The level of detail is stunning and really makes them come to life. The weathering is perfect and makes the model real without being over done and the whole thing comes together in a perfect example of a working steam launch. The shotgun and the decoy duck just make you smile to look at them. When I eventually get around to making my own launch, in about 10 years time, your pictures will certainly be a source of guidance and inspiration
Can we have some more pictures of this one please?
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Hi Bernhard,
Looks great.
Good news your custom Heron engine will be finished today. I will send you so pictures if you like.
Nick
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Hi........Thanks..........yes i will take some more photos,,,,,,,,,,,,,Wowww that whas fast Nick............tip top.......ohh yes photos,,,,,,,,,,,,,Regards Bernhard
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Lovely engine the Heron. When I had it at Harrogate a chap did not believe it was a slide valve engine until we took a cover off and proved it. He was very impressed and I have been with it ever since. Very smooth and runs very slowly.
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Hi Bernhard & Bunkerbarge,
Bernhard,
I just emailed you the photos of your custom Heron. It would be very interesting to see what a weathered version of the Heron in one of your boats would look like. I think it would look really great.
Richard,
Thank you for your kind compliments about your Heron engine. It will treat you well when your get the opportunity to put it in a steam launch. The steam launch you already have will be a very be a very fine model once completed.
Best Regards,
Nick
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Hey Maaany Thannnks Nick...............just as i like it,,,,,woow.....first class
Regards Bernhard . .hmmm i not shure i will weathered it.........Bot maby?
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Congratulations Bernhard! and superb work Nick.
A beautiful engine, love it in the red paint.
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Thank you guys,
The engine color turned out really nice. I am happy with it too.
It would be interesting to see one in a dark green some day but I don't have this color in the right stoved enamel paint at this time to try it.
Nick
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Hey.......a few more
regards Bernhard
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I really wouldn't weather it Bernhard. just oil it well, run it plenty and give it the occasional wipe with a cloth.
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Hi Bernhard, nice work indeed.
Can you tell us all where do you get all the detailed bits and bobs that go into your launch like the fishing rod and box and all the other trinkets?
Then we can add that little extra touch tooooooooooo.
Thanks
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HEY tHANKS,,,,, the bilgepumps,,,i have don,,same with the olie dunk ,,,the shot gun,,is from a actionman same with bullet,,,duck from dollhouse,,,,some off the small gauge i have don,,,some from dollhouse...the captain is a shelf sitter.. pipe from doolhouse .some tools from 1/8 cars,,,some from dollhouse,,,,the lantern,,with light in when the the radio is open,,,dollhouse,,,,,and some to actionman,,,brass lanterns from keyrings,,,same with the anchor,,,,,,some fishing rod i did,,one from dollhouse,,,same with the Accordian ..and ..it take long time to collect it all.......sorry i cant explain it better,,,,,,,,,
regards Bernhard
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There is only two words that can describe this boat,absolutely fantastic.
You have created a superb model boat,my hat off to you Bernhard
Mark
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That's a really impressive boat Bernhard. I'd love to see a video of it on the water.
Nick, what kind of paint do you use for your engines?
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Hi Kno3,
The paint we use on the engines, boilers and fittings is a high temperature stoved enamel from a company called Trimite out of England. Unfortunately it is only sold in larger quantities such as a gallon at a time and is custom made per order. It is b***dy expensive stuff too. We have tried every paint known to mankind and this stuff is by far the most durable we have found. All other paints failed miserably where as this stuff wouldn't no matter what you did to it. I dropped a freshly painted gloss black brass part on the cement groundin our shop by accident one day and thought for sure the paint was a goner. When I picked the part up I discovered that it was dented but the paint wasn't even scratched at all!
Regards,
Nick
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Hey,,,,,,,,when i paint the engines.......i use a brush..and car enginen paint..work okay
Nick...that i call a strong paint...bot i dont hope i will drop the enginen,,,,,,
Regards Bernhard
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Nick, thanks!
Bernhard, what brand is the engine paint?
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hi....... ,,,vht ,,high temperature engine enamel,,,..or just some high temperature paint,,,
works ok
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Hamerite is a strong,high temp paint
used on my real engines
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I find Hammerite on metals to be very resilient. The problem with it is that the timings for coatings are quite demanding as it must be left to cure for several days once it is finished. You must recoat within the period specified. The other problem is you really should use the special cleaner. Also, it is all expensive.
Has anyone tried the hard paints expressly formulated for hot radiators around the house?
Roger in France
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hey ...yes i have use it in white,,to the chimney ..works ok........
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Hi....so i have get the Heron enginen,,,,,,,,and have it in the boat,,,i have be runing it 2 times,,,nick sai around 10 ahours to break it in,,,
i will do a vidio later.
Regards Bernhard
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a few more
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Super installation Bernhard. The engine looks at home without any ageing.
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What can I say B but another fine model completed, you will have to line them all on the bench and take a photo for all to see then another one with them all
in the water with the RCVR hanging from your neck working them all {-) {-)
The engine looks just great in the boat and without any ageing too..................is nick pleased with the work? Maybe he will add it too his website under customers boats!!! I think it would be
a worthwhile addition for publicity eh.
Keep it up kind Sir
Cliff
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Hi Everyone,
Wow. That really was a fast installation. You must have worked non stop for hours. It really looks great! My key board is drenched in drool now.
Very nice indeed.
I hope you are happy with your engine.
Best Regards,
Nick
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Many Thanks.......
here it is runing
regards Bernard http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tctv6lUWmpI
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The engine fits the boat really nice and seems to run smooth too.
What kind of boiler is that?
And how slow is the engine able to turn?
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The Boiler Mike from mcsteam did to me.......it is not break in yet,,,,,,,,,bot it can allready run wery slow...and down to 10psi with no problem...in the movie the pressur is 50psi,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,ohh i cant moove the rung photo,,sorry ,it is a Hemmens max2
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Bernhard,You do Beautiful work.
Could you be the one I tried to sell a boat hull to? I was unable to ship because it would be too expensive. It would have been shipping from the US.
In any case your launches are works of ART!
Thanks, Jeff