Welcome to Paddleducks..... The home of paddle steamer modelling enthusiasts from around the world.
To all who have replied and welcomed me a big thanks.January was a busy family month with lots of birthdays, family visits and not much model building. Nonetheless I have made a little progress on Deason's Anglia and have managed to make a gum strip hull!It is surprisingly stiff and true - for me at any rate. After marking the water line, deck and bulwarks with a pencil line I glued in a ledge to hold the deck. I established the position from the deck line marked on the exterior by pricking through the hull and then glued on strips of 1/4th by 1/16th card (see attachments). Weather and half-term activities willing I will start the varnishing soon.Still fettling the deck but it seats quite well if not 100% yet.I also pulled the Meccano out from under the stairs and built a prototype "power-egg". I suspect Meccano will be the mainstay of the mechanicals due to my non-existent engineering skills! Any objection to using a Meccano's 6v motor and large pulley wheel to provide the oomph? The motor comes with a base and screw holes. I had originally thought of using the clockwork motor but doubt the little Anglia has sufficient bouncy.On the subject of canals I have no knowledge of paddle wheelers on the Aire and Calder, Leeds Liverpool or Calder and Hebble, Rochdale Canals but that's just my limited knowledge and the lack of historic photographs? Presumably the early "packet boats" were paddlers? I have heard of paddle steamer engines being manufactured in Yorkshire.And finally; I suppose I should move or link this post to a construction thread? BestDavid