Paddleducks
Paddler Information => Research => Topic started by: Eddy Matthews on September 26, 2009, 08:24:04 AM
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As most of you that have known me for some time will know, I like the more unusual when it comes to models..... If something has been built a dozen times or more by other modellers I don't really have a lot of interest.
So, I'm after info on anything unusual - 4 wheel paddlers, a paddle powered crane barge, a paddlewheel pedalo, paddle hydroplane, are just a few things that spring to mind, but the more obscure the better...
Has anyone found anything REALLY unusual when searching? If you've accidentally stumbled across a really unusual paddler I'd like to hear about it!
Regards
Eddy
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Is this odd enough for you? :hehe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia -
Early developments
Ox-powered Roman paddle wheel boat from a 15th century copy of De Rebus BellicisThe use of a paddle wheel in navigation appears for the first time in the mechanical treatise of the Roman engineer Vitruvius (De architectura, X 9.5-7), where he describes multi-geared paddle wheels working as a ship odometer. The first mention of paddle wheels as a means of propulsion comes from the 4th–5th century military treatise De Rebus Bellicis (chapter XVII), where the anonymous Roman author describes an ox-driven paddle-wheel warship:
“ Animal power, directed by the resources on ingenuity, drives with ease and swiftness, wherever utility summons it, a warship suitable for naval combats, which, because of its enormous size, human frailty as it were prevented from being operated by the hands of men. In its hull, or hollow interior, oxen, yoked in pairs to capstans, turns wheels attached to the sides of the ship; paddles, projecting above the circumference or curved surface of the wheels, beating the water with their strokes like oar-blades as the wheels revolve, work with an amazing and ingenious effect, their action producing rapid motion. This warship, moreover, because of its own bulk and because of the machinery working inside it, joins battle with such pounding force that it easily wrecks and destroys all enemy warships coming at close quarters.[1]
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You might want to look here
http://www.inland-lake.com/harvester_models.htm
Stuart
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Has one been built with a Caterpillar track around those wheels above. The blades would then be on the outside edge scooping and pushing the water. ?
ken
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Has one been built with a Caterpillar track around those wheels above. The blades would then be on the outside edge scooping and pushing the water. ?
ken
There's a 'partial' model in the london science museum showing something along those lines....
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Are there any other "Unusual" ones like that in the Science Museum Mick? I'd love to have details if there are? As my original message said, anything oddball or obscure......
Regards
Eddy
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On paddle catterpillar tracks the WW2 Alligator amphibious tracked landing vehicle comes to mind. Built to a large scale it would be imminently buildable, especialy the decked over support version. regards, Walter.
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On paddle catterpillar tracks the WW2 Alligator amphibious tracked landing vehicle comes to mind. Built to a large scale it would be imminently buildable, especialy the decked over support version. regards, Walter.
The what? Never heard of it Walter!
Got any photos or drawings?
Regards
Eddy
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Nevermind Walter I did a quick search and found some info.... For anyone else that is wondering what Walter is talking about, here's a few photos.
Eddy
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There is a large copy of a drawing of a horse-powered paddler on one of the Lake Garda paddlers.
Or maybe it was one of the large motor vessels there. I forget.
The original Comet had four paddle wheels, there is a replica on static display in Port Glasgow
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The later developments of the Alligator were much more refined. The most numerous was a transport which could carry troops and supplies with a drop down rear ramp, even a jeep or small lorry could be driven on and off! The most sophisticated was completely decked over and fitted with a light tank turret and other armament for close support. Go on Eddy- you know you want to! Incidentaly there are several plastic kits available and the craft was built with flat panels with no compound curves so construction would be easy. So there you have it- a paddle driven vessel which can launch and retrieve itself without hurting your back or getting your feet wet!!! Regards, Walter.
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Are there any other "Unusual" ones like that in the Science Museum Mick?
I'll have a good look next time I go there, last few times I was only really looking at 'regular' type paddlers or at specific ones (like Connaught) or any that catch my attention in some way - I quite like this one but must admit, it was the unbelievably elaborate model stand that I noticed first!
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Thanks Mick, I'd really appreciate that - It's just a bit far for me to travel to easily :)
Regards
Eddy
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Until he came to paddler day, Joe Hardy thought we were all "oddballs"!
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Until he came to paddler day, Joe Hardy thought we were all "oddballs"!
That's true enough Sandy..... But I think we've managed to convert him to the only proper way to power a boat now! :hehe
Eddy
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A Hobart, Tasmania ferry the PS Kangaroo. Catamaran hull with a central paddle.
Length 110' 4"
Beam 11'4" each hull
Depth 7"2"
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What about this beastie? :Dhttp://website.lineone.net/~tom_lee/bessemer.htm (http://website.lineone.net/~tom_lee/bessemer.htm)
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....So, I'm after info on anything unusual....a paddlewheel pedalo....
A 'traditional' british seaside pedalo - and it's vintage predecessor...
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...but this is what I went to see...
Many years ago and after watching boats like Elizabethan and Yarmouth Belle passing by, I had an idea for a 'fake' paddler inspired by the centrifugal pump on an aquarium filter, the steering mechanisms on the SRN1 hovercraft and the fact that fake sidewheelers don't look as good on the river because the paddles are not in the prop wash, as they are on fake sternwheelers...
...found out it had already been built! (minus the fake paddles, that is)
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Not paddlers but certainly unusual, I wonder has anyone built a model of the 'Snowbird 6' or the earlier 'Snow devil' vehicles?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/england/1916481.stm
http://vekotus.org/wp/tag/fordson-snow-devil/
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Here's an odd one from the Kingswear Castle website..... It would make a lovely model!
http://www.kingswearcastle.co.uk/Beskydy.htm
Eddy
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What about the "Hunter Wheel" paddlers, Eddie? I can't find a picture on the net, but there are a number of illustrations in "The American Steam Navy" (I hope I recall the title correctly)
These vessels had a hole right through the hull below the waterline. Inside was a cofferdam in which two vertical paddle wheels spun around, propelling the ship. Efficiency was horrible, as most of the wheel's energy was expended in churning the water in the cofferdam round and round. Two ships were built, the USS Union and USS Waterwitch. (not to be confused with HMS Waterwitch mentioned earlier).
And then of course, there's my darling USS Alarm with her Fowler wheel. Though that's not really a paddle wheel :)
Cheers,
Oliver
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I'll be honest, I'd never heard of the Hunter Wheel Oliver....
I did a quick search, but apart from some hopeless Wikipedia entries I can find almost nothing on it - I did find one small etching that shows the USS Union, but haven't found anything on the Hunter Wheel itself.....
Can anyone help?
Regards
Eddy
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Here's a pic of the USS Alarms' wheel. The vessel was unsuccessful for it's intended purpose and obviously, the wheel was not a success either.
Randy
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reminds me of a voith-schneider drive...
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That's exactly what it is. It provided the necessary maneuverability just fine, but the Alarm only made 7 knots. The wheel was later changed to a Mallory steering screw (think swiveling fan), which added 5ft to her draft, and nothing more.
Cheers,
Oliver