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[SinWin]

Hi all,
I'm fascinated by the steam engines and steam turbines I see some people out there are using in some of their models. I'd love to have something like that myself, although I realize they are expensive.
I'm currently looking for a kit suitable for installing a steam engine or ideally a steam turbine. I'd prefer a small, fast naval vessel: either a torpedo boat, old destroyer or something similar, which originally had a steam turbine (or, if all else fails: a steam engine).
I don't have a very large flat, so I'd like the model to be no more than about 70 cm long, and have a plastic hull.

Does any of you have any suggestions?

Looking around I've found for instance Graupner's steam engines for sale, but I have yet to find a steam turbine and a suitable boiler for sale. JC Steam's shop and products looked interesting, but they seem to be closed(?). My second question is therefore: does anyone know of a manufacturer of steam turbines and suitable boilers?

[grendel]

some of the 1920's cross channel passenger ferries were steam turbine driven too, so might make an interesting model.

[grendel]

http://www.ministeam.com/acatalog/Steam-Turbines-p2.html
looks to be a steam turbine with output shaft.
Grendel

[SinWin]

Thanks! That was a cute turbine! I wonder how powerful and efficient it is.


As for a ship I'm really interested in naval vessels, but I will not dismiss the idea of other types of ships if there is a kit available.

[Circlip]

HMS Grey Goose.
 
  Regards  Ian.

[tonyH]

Hi Sinwin,
 
How limited are you to the 70cm length? If you're looking for something like a destroyer, any steam plant is likely to be much too heavy in relation to the limit that the hull will support. You could go, for example, for a naval rescue tug, such as the Saint Class, which would still have the feel of a warship but would also give you the capacity to carry the load.
 
Good luck
 
Tony

[Mad_Mike]

Id have to agree with tony on that, even my little bowman boiler when filled with water and combined with a single wobbler engine it starts to weigh in excess of 2 kilos, and thats just the plant. I put it in a flat bottomed 70cm launch with a 18 cm beam and the water line comes up about  2.5 cm up the sides. Another thing though is the boiler has to be right down low in the bottom of the boat and if the engine and boiler are to be contained within the hull the heat will surely melt the plastic hull.
Mind you I reckon a flash steam boiler and turbine might work
 

[essex2visuvesi]

Thanks! That was a cute turbine! I wonder how powerful and efficient it is.


As for a ship I'm really interested in naval vessels, but I will not dismiss the idea of other types of ships if there is a kit available.

I read somewhere that its a real steam eater and not much power.... more for display than a working model

[SinWin]

Thanks a lot for your suggestions! HMS Grey Goose looks interesting. But if, like you say, there is a problem fitting a boiler and a turbine engine within it, it might defeat some of the purpose for building such a model, so perhaps a naval tug is a solution — or scaling up to a slightly bigger hull.


Hm.. Any other suggestions for a turbine engine? I wonder what happened to JC-steam?

[Circlip]

Saito did a marine turbine plant but as has been intimated, turbines are VERY steam thirsty.
 
  Regards   Ian.