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[BernCo Ships]

Hi all!

I would just like advice, as I am wanting to sell my my 3d printed Titanic prototype.
I have no idea as to what it would be worth. Any figures would be great, and if you can, your reasoning for that number.

The model is currently as pictured, but will be finished to the same detail on the bow by the end of the year. It comes with a cradle, but no way to transport it beyond that.
Also, it has been permanently ballasted to a scale accurate weight... making her 135kg!
She does not come with electronics, but will have a timing belt drive to provide accurate propeller rotation to all 3 props. She also has a torque-reducer belt drive intended to use a single 880 12V heavy duty brushed motor.
It is in two independently floating halves, with the join at the accurate position where the ship snapped. I intended to make the front section a controlled ballast tank, and the split to be controlled by a winch.

Let me know what you think, and any other questions you would need an answer to. 

[plastic]

Sounds impressive!

One question - why go to all the expense and time of building the model and not fit 3 motors with independent control? The extra cost would be minimal.

[Liverbudgie]

Basically the equation is: How many hours you have spent on the project + the cost of materials x basic wage of the area and go from there; and hope and prey that someone is daft enough to pay it!

LB

[BernCo Ships]

Thanks for the advice Liverbudgie. I will do up this calculation, and let you know what I get.


Plastic, I originally intended on it. And to be honest, It would have been easier. but the belts did only cost me $9. And the timing case only cost me its weight in plastic (about $2.50). I already had the motor, so it was mainly the challenge that attracted me. Remember, the Titanics propellers were not independent. That is, one could not put one in fwd, and one in reverse. :S

[Colin Bishop]

That's the first I have heard that the the Titanic's propellers were not independent. My understanding was always that while the centre turbine powered prop could only operate in the ahead position, the two wing reciprocating engines were independently controlled and one could be put ahead and the other astern if required.

There are plenty of references to the two reciprocating engines being capable of independent control as was the usual practice for twin and triple screwed vessels.

Colin

[BernCo Ships]

Hi Colin

Just looked into it and you are probably right. There's a massive gap in reference on this one by the looks of things. But with the shape, and design of the ship in mind. Being able to independently control the engines on that thing would be as useful as cup holders on a roller coaster. Hence, tug dependency, lack of referenced for this use, and my f*#kup assumption.
These old steamers were designed with the maneuverability of bullets. Pretty much useless besides a large turning arc. At the end of the day, its one of the main reasons why its on the bottom of the Atlantic. I would have thought that if you had that ability, when faced with an ice-berg, one would have bought the port prop to full stop, rudder hard over to stbd (port in newspeak) and kept the center and stbd props at full ahead to maintain flow over the rudder. Hell, an emergency astern on the port prop only probably couldn't go astray either. Due to this not happening on the night, I assumed you couldn't do it. Murdock probably assumed as well. Master of all f*#kups.

[Colin Bishop]

Yes, Murdoch probably made a bad call but, to be fair, he didn't have much time to react in the circumstances and the sea trials of the ship were rather perfunctory by all accounts.


Of course in those days close quarters handling was done by tugs. One lot would point the ship out to sea and another lot would collect it at its destination. No thrusters in those days. So the rudder didn't need to be all that responsive really.

[davem99]

Regarding the propulsion on the Titanic I can confirm that both port and starboard props were independent and could be reversed. The centre propeller was only used when the vessel was travelling at speed and used the steam ejected by both port and starboard engines to drive a steam turbine.
I have a 1:96 scale model of her sister ship RMS Olympic (built alongside my friends RMS Titanic) and can confirm that using the rudder and propellers in the correct order makes turning much more effective. Rudder control alone results in a 40-50 ft turning circle. From full speed ahead my model requires about 7 ship lengths to stop (total weight 76kg).
I do not believe the Titanic would not have been able to turn in the short time available even if they managed to stop and reverse one of the props.
The fact that the Olympic sailed without structural problems over many years suggests comments on materials and construction are unwarranted.
 

[BernCo Ships]

Hi all

In case you are interested, here is a link to the concluded value I came to.
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bow-bowing/other-antiques-art-collectables/enormous-3d-printed-rms-titanic-rc-model-realistic-offer-wanted-/1129000275

Cheers
Bernie

[NFMike]

I think you've made two mistakes in the advert.
The headline price is 5000 but you almost immediately say the lowest you'll take is 4000. So the 'asking' price is 4000.
You give the reason for sale but this suggests you really need to shift the thing. People will see that as a bargaining point - in their favour.
I won't comment on the price itself as I have no idea what the market is like in Oz.

[tigertiger]

Just my initial thoughts, I am not expert.


If you consider that most models sell for not much more than the cost of the kit, and other components. I think you can forget about the hours of research and hard work. Sorry to disappoint you. Also, very importantly, it is unfinished.


You also need to think about who would want a model of this size. If you can find the interested buyer, they will pay the price, and the no doubt huge cost of transportation. Even for modelers who would find the model and process fascinating, you would be hard pressed to find to a buyer. Most likely the buyer would be corporate. Perhaps for a boardroom or hotel lobby, in either case the price would be irrelevant as I have seen this much spent on sofas.


I would think your best bet would be to enter it into one of the special maritime auctions.
Have a look here https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues This one has a live FAQ page, and may be able to give you selling advice.
and here https://www.globalauctionplatform.com/


If you do go to auction, delete all records of you current sales page. It will queer the pitch.

[plastic]

At that price level, people expect quality & value for money and your potential market place is very small. (not many people willing to spend that much and most people have nowhere large enough to keep it.

I think you would get your best sale price if it were finished - with all the ventilators, lifeboats, deck equipment, cranes & benches & the steering bridge is missing from the stern.

[BernCo Ships]

Thanks for the advice all! i will ammend the ad, try the auctions, but most of all, get her finished. im almost done with the rest of the detail, so maybe ready by end of December. Will update when finished.

[tigertiger]

When you do put it in the auctions, don't worry if it doesn't reach the reserve price in the first sale. It really is a specialist item and you need to wait for the right buyer.