Restoring an old tugboat

[Hankwilliams]

Hi, friends and neighbors,

again no paddlesteamer, but I think, it will be quite interesting to watch the restoring steps of this old tug.

In the age of 12  I made this tugboat, a Robbe kit named "Hamburg II". It seems to be an american tugboat very similar to Revells plastic model "Lucky". Scale should be 1 : 25 with a lenght of 990 mm. I found the boat like fathers "Thomas" some weeks ago in the cellar of late mothers home. It will be restored and improved, very much more work is necessary than the "Thomas" motoryacht. As you see, the boat was in original condition of 1966 and should be again in water. Most work is done now, I hope, in about 14 to 20 days to show some pictures of driving on a lake.

Thomas

[Paddlemex]

Wow. Still a nice model. But what really caught my attention is the antique equipment.
Graupner Variophon radio, lead batteries and Märklin connectors. The reducer to shaft joint made with the red Märklin gears is quite unique. Haven't seen that before. The gear reducer seems to be Graupner too.
Cannot identify the motor. Seems like a motor from a mixer or similar.

Will you restore the radio too?

Regards Jurgen

[Hankwilliams]

Hi Jurgen,

the motor is a British Taycol engine for models. In the sixties this engines were offered by Robbe modelling. There is a little collector scene for this engines - mostly in GB. The gearbox with several different transmissions isn`t rich in meaning. The antique Graupner RC is ok, I will preserve it, but not for further use in the model, because there is no motor regulation except forward, back and stop.

Thomas

[Hankwilliams]

Model now is nearly finished, only some details must be made also installation of a new R/C. I used gravel for ballast, weight of the boat is nearly 11 kg. I hope, a test trip will be possible next week. New name is "Bullenbaum" means "Bulltree", the nickname of my late uncle Ulrich - think, this is a well matched name for the weighty boat.

Thomas

[Hankwilliams]

Some trouble with the old Taycol motor. As a field winding engine there was only one direction, no reverse was possible. There is a interesting page about old Taycol motors in the net with some tips about reversing. It should be possible with an extra switch between the left and the middle pole of the engine. But this wasn`t succesful, direction didn`t change.
Fortunately I had an Graupner Nautocraft motor of same age. With this engine there wasn`t any problem of reversing. The power is rather good, but after 15 - 20 minutes of run engine became rather hot. In any case, the test run was succesful - this was the first contact of the boat with water since 54 years. I hope, an outside test run on a lake will be possible in the near future. In moment, weather is very bad, cold rainy days but no frost except in night.

Thomas

[Hankwilliams]

Again I have changed the motor back to the more interesting and even more powerful Taycol Standart engine. Ether center or right pole now can activated thought a switch connected with a servo. So reversing is possible, nevertheless one needs an extra channel for the servo.
The Taycol engine becomes less hot than the Nautocraft, it seems even load of motor is not so strong, diameter of four bladed screw is 65 mm. The model`s deplacement is now 11,5 kg and lies directly on the waterline.

I hope, a test run on a lake will be possible in the next days - still there is no frost, but rain and mist.

Thomas

[Hankwilliams]

Today was a cold and dark late autumn day with temparatures at 0° C. Nobody at the lake. But the "Bullenbaum" tug presentation was excellent. As you know, I`m more a specialist for steam driven models, but I must resume that the boat with vintage Taycol engine is really pleasant for drive. The sound of motor seems rather close to an old diesel engine, at youtube are three or for short films with Taycol motors.

Steering was very precise. In opposit of modern electric motors one must switch a further channel for reverse, but this isn`t burdensome after some habituation. With the strong 12 V gel akku the boat will reach speed of 1,8 m/sec. The power reserve is very good, also with lower number of revolutions the speed is sufficient.
I remember, I last drove the boat in 1968 or 1969 in the age of 15 or 16 years, without speed controller, only starbord, port and engine forward, off and retour. In my now advanced state of life this boat is a importent part of personal tradition. Hope, you will enjoy the pictures!

Thomas

[DamienG]

  Looking good.

[Paddlemex]

I have searched the Taycol motor videos on YT. Indeed, they sound like an old Diesel.

Looks good on the water.

Regards Jurgen

[Hankwilliams]

I`ve bid for an antique Taycol Supermarine of 1966 with brass bearings, weight is 1,2 kg. The engine should be more powerful than the Taycol Standart. Condition is good, the brushes seems nearly new. I remember, my wish was the Supermarine, when I build the boat in 1966, but I get only the Standart. Now it`s fulfilled - only 56 years later!

Thomas

[Spankbucket]

The best things always come to he that waits!!

That really is a stunner Thomas so well done on the perseverance with the motor.

i wish you a Happy and Healthy 2023.

[Hankwilliams]

Yes, sometimes wishes came to fulfillment after decades. But my present wish is only for next year: A happy and healthy 2023 for all members!

[Spankbucket]

Likewise, in all respects.