Just thought I'd introduce myself

[Turbinia]

Hi all, Just joined the group so I thought I would introduce myself, I'm 56 yrs old, live in Somerset and have been interested in model boats most of my life, but due to my work, family and other commitments the hobby was put on the back burner for quite a few years, I've got an interest in all things steam related, I've built a Stuart D10 from unmachined castings and just assembled a Graham TVR1A. there's quite a few unfinished builds in my shed, one of which is of "Turbinia" with a Japanese "WADA Works" Steam Turbine Plant, Another is a hull for an open river launch that's going to have the TVR1A fitted, no paddle vessels at the moment.
I'm really impressed by this site there is a vast amount of experience and knowledge that I'm sure is going to be of great help to me, hopefully one day  I may even be able to add to it.

Regards
Turbinia

[Eddy Matthews]

Welcome to Paddleducks Turbinia.....

Hopefully we can get you to build a paddler in the near future, but in the meantime I'd love to see photos of your model of Turbina, it's always been a boat thats fascinated me - Especially since the real boat is just up the road from where I live.

Regards
Eddy

[kiwimodeller]

I would particularly like to see photos of the WADA turbine. I have a boat with a WADA variable pitch prop. Some years ago I was given copies of some WADA adverts and ever since I have coveted the turbine but have never seen one for sale so a photo would be good. Thanks, Ian.

[R.G.Y.]

Living in Somerset you my like to search for swambc on google. R.G.Y

[Turbinia]

Thanks for the replies, I'll get the digi camera out and upload some photos of the turbine unit, probably this weekend,and thanks for putting me onto the SWAMBC web site, very useful, roll on the fair weather sailing days.

Regards to all

[pa]

Hi, I have a genuine wada works steam turbine that I bought brand new and I have hardly used it, I also have the genuine boiler, burner, propeller shaft and three bladed prop with the universal coupling....I reckon I could even find the box if I looked hard enough...haha.  I'd be curious to know what it would fetch on ebay....anybody got any thoughts?

[kiwimodeller]

Dont know what it would fetch but let us know when you put it on there. I dont usually watch what is happening on Ebay but I would certainly keep am eye on that one and might even put in a bid if I can persuade SWMBO that we dont need to eat for a few days. I have always been curious as to how well they worked. Did it seem to have much power when you did have it going? I have a copy of an advertisement for them when they were offered in the UK in the 1980's I think. Let me know if you would like a copy of the add, just send me a personal message with your email address and I will scan the add for you. Cheers, Ian

[pa]

Hi Ian, to be honest I only had it fired up a few times. At the time I had it in the hull of a model bulk carrier that I was building which was about 6 foot long.  After putting in quite a bit of lead to get the hull down to her correct draft I fired up the turbine and there is no doubt that once it hit full speed it had the power to move it along...in fact proportionally the model was going too fast.   The key thing I discovered was the "free flow" of the steam if there were any constrictions in the outlet you wouldn't hit full power....so to rectify this I build an expansion box just below the funnel, which worked really well.  All in all its a great little engine and the precision engineering and the detail is very impressive.  I'll certainly let you know when I put it up on ebay...which will be soon once I get an idea as to how much its worth.  Oh, and thanks for the offer of the advert...I might take you up on that. :-)

[mogogear]

Welcome TURBINIA----I have a friend with a WADA turbine and boiler also in London--- Here is a video of it running...He has a few different makes of tubines.

http://youtu.be/FAPWatcZJ-k

also

http://youtu.be/Aj7weQHMN-U

I too have the full plans from Traplet of the Turbinia but have a similar boat under construction at the moment- the Spanish American War ship USS Cushing---52" long- twin screws powered by a Graham twin