Junior Bunyip

[lner]

Hi Guys,

It seems forever since I posted here, but I have news on the paddler front worthy of sharing.  My 14 year old daughter is studying Engineering at school and has a project to construct a powered model boat.  It has to propel itself across the local boat lake.

after some discussion she settled on a model of Randell's 1857 centre wheel steamer, the Bunyip, from the sketches I made several years ago.

She is using the sketches as a 1:1 template making the model at a scale of 2.5mm to the foot or 1:121.5.  The entire model is only going to be 25cm long but will hopefully be fine as she does not need to incorporate steering.

She is apparently the only one basing her craft on a real vessel

I took some photos tonight and will post them shortly

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's...& welcome back Martin........

I spend some family time in Parkholme [approx 3 times x two weeks each year] ....which is only about 20 minutes from you  .....one of our favourite places is 'Paul's on the Terrace @ Norwood' for our sea food luncheon   

I do remember your postings & questions about  the Bunyip....was it in 2006? 

Anyway...please keep us posted with progress on your daughters naval architecture career  ...........Derek

[lner]

Doesn't time fly?  When I check the forum it was actually the end of 2005 I was going to start my model of the Bunyip.   That obviously didn't get very far

[lner]

While I think of it, I have to try and help sort out the drive.  The motor as I said is a small can (not sure about shaft size ATM) and the paddle wheel will have a diameter of 45mm which I will assist building from plasticard and or ply.

The motor is to be powered by a 9volt battery and I am considering either a rubber band reduction drive to lower the speed of the wheel or possibly sacrificing the gearbox from a model train.

Would running a resistor in the circuit lower the motor speed and allow direct drive?

Any thoughts on this dilemma would be welcome

[lner]

The more I think about it, the more I think I'll let her raid the model train cupboard and use one of the worm gearboxes and mount the motor lengthwise.