As it seems to be the custom to introduce oneself here, I felt I should follow the trend.

I am retired, and a lifelong modeller, mostly R/C aircraft but my first influence was watching model power boats and large model yachts on Princes Park lake in Eastbourne, which was about 3 minutes walk from my grandparents home.

My model boating has included i.c. powered and sail powered models, but I have been content with electric powered scale (ish) models for the last 25-30 years. I am a member of the Oxford Model Boat Club, and attend the weekly Sunday morning and Thursday afternoon sessions at the club's water in Hinksey Park.

I always used to admire the looks of Graupner's Glasgow, but Graupner disappeared before I had the time and money to buy a kit. My interest in paddler steamers was revived by an afternoon's cruise on the Kingswear Castle out of Dartmouth.

Recently, while looking at the used model boats for sale on ebay and saw a Glasgow that wasn't too far from Oxford. I was the successful (and only!) bidder, so drove up to Kenilworth to collect it. The following day, I had my first experience of sailing an R/C paddle steamer (even it was electric powered!). There were a few minor niggles, such as the motor being too fast for the paddles, meaning I was unable to open the throttle more than about 20%. However, the model looked great on the water and I was definitely hooked.

I have now replaced the 2.5:1 geared motor with an 11:1 reduction geared motor and am ready to test it on the water at the next opportunity.

Looking forward to learning more about these fascinating models in the coming year.

This is a really beautiful boat, the lines colours of the wood against the red and green paint. It's beautiful!!
Has it had many more sailings since it's first launch?
Regards
Jon

I'll await updates on this project. It's quite a large project for sure.

I'm confused on why you'd want to drive the engines independently, surely having the cylinders working together would be more efficient? I've possibly mis understood you. For the boiler dimensions you mention, there was a Sentinal locomotive which I have the magazines for. That used a 4" diameter boiler, driving a Stuart twin vertical. Although coal fired, (just ignore anything below the grate level), may prove useful if you think it would be of any help to you.

Regards
Jon

Hi Eddy,

Thanks. Also make some time in the summer to come up one Sunday. It'd be nice to meet you.  My partner Vikki loves her chats with Walter, she always learns something new, even if it isn't always boat related. He and Geoff had said that you used to be a member there.

Regards
Jon

Hello everybody,

Thanks for allowing me to join. I'm a member of Darlington District Model Boat Club, in Co.Durham, UK. I have been for a couple of years now. Where myself and my family (including the missus) all have fun sailing boats. I am effectively a novice when it comes to boat building and have had a steep learning curve. I've previously modelled railways in the larger garden scales and at Hornby size. So have some scratchbuilding knowledge. Im also an amateur model engineer. I have built a large ride on loco for my sons birthday in only 6 weeks, (that was tough going). Also a few smaller projects also. I started (not finished) to build a Nina to the Bazil Harley plans. This has been a stop, start build as it was one of the first I've built, had a few mishaps along the way and had to overcome them. I have since been given another by Walter Snowdon on this site, which is probably the most travelled Nina, having come from South Africa when it's owner emigrated to the UK. I have a love of steam in general, and I'm usually drawn to anything that has whisps of steam rising from it. I'd be interested to hear from anyone with the Trident II boiler plans that they are willing to part with, I have my eye on some castings at the moment which would need a larger boiler such as the trident II. But I haven't found anywhere that sells the plans anymore.

Regards
Jon