Old Trafford finished pictures

[Stuart Badger]

Hi All

at the risk of boring you further (paranoia rears it's ugly head!) I have posted 6 pictures of 'Old Trafford' now that she is finished. I have deleted at least as many of the other pictures in the album so that I'm not taking up too much valuable space. I will post more photos of the radio/machinery installation in the near future and delete some of the existing pictures when I do so.

When I decided to get back into model shipbuilding I joined this group as my first model was to be a paddle steamer. I had intended to make the second model a screw driven vessel, mainly for ease of operation so that I could nip down to the lake and have some uncomplicated fun. BUT I have been so taken with the enthusiasm, help, information and support from paddleducks that I have decided that the only way forward is to stick with model boats with wheels on!!

I have decided to make my second project a model of the 1876 paddle steamer 'Zampa' as owned by the early DFDS group. I hope I can count on as much help as I have had with Reliant/Old Trafford.

Zampa will be either 6 or 8 feet long to ensure that I have no sailing problems with her as she is VERY fine and narrow in the beam compared to a tug. This will of course entail some problems getting her out of the workshop!! :-)) I also expect her to take a lot longer to build than Old Trafford.

Anyway - thanks again all and I hope you like the photos. Any comments - positive or negative - will be GREATLY appreciated, we can only improve by listening to objective comments from others.

Stuart Badger.

[george britnell]

Stuart,

I'm sure I'm not the first one to congratulate you but
I would like to get in line and give you my accolades
on "Old Trafford". From the pictures you have posted
it looks like you have done a spectacular job. Being a
steam buff for many years and seeing her powered by
steam only makes it that much nicer. Again let me say
"well done".

Sincerely,
George D. Britnell (Suter model)

[Derek Warner]

Yes George

My sentiments too - (apart from the steam thing) some of the detail or should I say crispness of
detail makes the visual splendour - take for example the black arc type towing hook assembly just
aft of the funnel - Stuart - did you pre paint (spray) this before installation?

Again, I know all PD's wish Reliant well in her first day on the pond & look forward to the info &
snaps ( you know, how the engines control performed, ABC - how does it really work, steering???
that is going to be interesting - with your scale rudder - you will need the independent wheel control
or reversibility etc) - just simple things like this

regards Derek

[Stuart Badger]

Hi Derek

Thanks for the kind comments---

take for example the black arc type towing hook assembly just
> aft of the funnel - Stuart - did you pre paint (spray) this before
installation?

A mentor of mine many years ago taught me that unless it was impossible
every part of a model should be finished - including painting - before it
was placed on the model. He also said that rather than get bogged down by
looking towards finishing the project that you should treat EACH component
as a model in its own right. By doing this one day you step back and -- the
whole thing is finished!!

I suspect that the maiden voyage will be when PJ is over here - does he have
any sub-aqua experience? !!

you previously asked about ABC and I ommited to reply. Old Trafford does not
have ABC (only gas control) as the engines are not equiped with feed pumps.
The ABC is for my 'Proteus' engine. ABC use 2 servos (independant of the
radio) one to operate the gas valve and one to operate the water valve for
the feed water. I will be fitting this to 'Zampa' when I build her.

>that is going to be interesting - with your scale rudder - you will need
the independent wheel control
> or reversibility etc)

I agree completely Derek - controlling her is going to have to be mainly on
the engines, the rudder isn't big enough to disturb a tadpole!

I'll let you all know how she makes out.

Stuart

[Stuart Badger]

Hi All

Just back from the lake having embarked on Old Trafford's maiden voyage. All
went well apart from shedding a drive sprocket (retaining pins about to be
fitted), taking on a little water (a small leak I think - but could be
'paddle wash') and losing the anchor!!

She is very stable with no tendancy to roll or hunker down to one side. I
have posted some photos an the reliant folder in the photo section.

I'm quite pleased!!! :-))

Stuart

[Derek Warner]

Come on Stuart - paddlewash !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - please explain - or did the engineer
forgot to securely close the sea chest valves in the engine room? - well just joking

One of the things that impressed most was that you could capture the boiler funnel
output in photographic media - excellent! - with you having boiler temp/pressure
control linked backed to the burner flame setting, I can only assume the whitish cloud
we see is the condensate (without oil) being reheated to steam in the exhaust gas flow
of the stack

I think we (all paddleducks) are all proud on your behalf for our first real steamer
to hit the water - regards Derek

PS - I know it is you being a little tongue in cheek with your rules (some of which I
do agree with), however there is only one additional thought I could offer, and that is

"if you contemplate building a scratch built model (from three little blurry snaps) and
without any plans - be prepared for twice the build time and many sleepless nights"