NEW KIT OF BRITISH PADDLE STEAMER PRINCESS ELIZABETH.

[Walter Snowdon]

I dont really know which section kits fit in, so here goes in "chat" !  Richard Webb is well known for his articles and plans for styrene ships and boats in the UK model press, but he also produces nice strene kitsof a variety of small craft. His latest release should interest us- its a 36inch semi kit of the paddler PRINCESS ELIZABETH of  Dunkirk fame. (The full size ship is preserved afloat ar Dunkirk in France) See his website for details and pictures of the finished model (scroll down from title page)
 www.scalemodelboatyard.co.uk
 See also item in forum under books and magazine for Richards new book.

[ady selway]

Hi Walter,
         That looks to be a very smart model. Couldn't quite see whether it has feathering paddles or just a simple type. I'm only very much an amateur at paddlers and the thought of building feathering paddles daunts me a bit I must admit. Would value any advice I could use on my 40 inch Medway Queen I'm half way through building.
     Thanks, Ady Selway

[Eddy Matthews]

I dont really know which section kits fit in, so here goes in "chat" !

There you go Walter....A nice new area for you to post messages about kits or commercially available hulls :-)

Regards

[Walter Snowdon]

Hi Ady the model features feathering wheels built of - you guessed it- plastic card! If you look at books in forum, Richards book devotes a whole chapter on buiding this model, with some good pictures of the wheel parts. Personaly, Im not sure of the usefulness of feathering wheel in model scales  . When a model is on the water only a tiny part of the wheel is visible and any efficiency gains are lost in mechanical friction and the viscocity of water in relation to scale.

[ady selway]

Hi Walter,
  Thanks for the reply. I've often wondered how useful they are at model scale. some years ago I built a 1:144 model of the paddle tug Endeavour complete with motor, gearbox and powered by a single AA battery. Although only 10" long it works but takes ages to get anywhere!!! Its featured on our latest flyer at Claro Marine Modellers in Harrogate. Will try to send a picture of it but only a learner at this game!
    Thanks for your help anyway.
      Regards Ady

[PJ]

Walter wrote:
"Richard Webb is well known for his articles and plans for styrene ships and boats in the UK model press, but he also produces nice strene kitsof a variety of small craft. His latest release should interest us- its a 36inch semi kit of the paddler PRINCESS ELIZABETH of  Dunkirk fame. (The full size ship is preserved afloat ar Dunkirk in France)"

For those of you who would like to see more of the real ship and her history, the following websites provide a very good look at her. She is now owned by the City of Dunkerque in France who maintains her as a floating conference centre.  What a pity the same opportunity of being adopted by a City couldn't be afforded to another "Dunkirk" heroine!

http://www.megoran.fsworld.co.uk/Princess%20Elizabeth.htm
http://www.adls.org.uk/shipinfo.cfm?id=120&RestTrust=0

PJ
Victoria, BC Canada

[mjt60a]

I like that first link, some good pics there. I've added some taken by me (around 1980/81?) when the ship was at swan pier in London, having closed as a bar/restaurant but still with the wheelhouse extended the full width of the bridge (and with various structures on the promenade deck) and just before being removed. They're in the photo gallery.
The model (on scalemodelboatyard) looks quite impressive but if I made one I'd have to rake the funnel a bit more than that....

[Barrie]

Hi, Im new to this forum, but just wanted to say that I have built the Richard Webb Princess Elizabeth.  The paddles as drawn by Richard don't feather, he agrees with the post which says its not worth the effort!

Barrie

[Eddy Matthews]

Hi Barrie, good to have you with us....  That's a nice model of the Princess Elizabeth. What's she powered by? And what is the drive system (pulleys and belts?)

I hope you don't mind, but I've reduced the size of the image you uploaded as it was a bit on the large side. Unfortunately we only have limited space and 2Mb images would soon gobble that up - As I'm sure you'll understand. But please don't let that stop you from uploading more photos!

[Barrie]

Hi Eddie,

Sorry about the file size!! It was direct from the camera.
I am currently using a geared Beuhler motor bought from Model Motors Direct at Beale Park last year. It drives the paddles via plastic gears and plastic sprocket chain. I'm not entirely satisfied with the on-water performance and am thinking of going to individual motors. Since the photo was taken I've added some more bits and pieces, figures and lifebelts. It did have a jackstaff but that got lost in the dark at our venetian night last year!

The model will be at Ellesmere Port on the Burton MBC display.

Barrie

[Barry]

What's the beam on the model Princess Elizabeth?

[charvey4875]

Hi Barry,
I will measure up the plans from Richard Webb for you when I get home tonight.

Cheers

Chris

[charvey4875]

Hi Barry,
On Richard Webb's plan the beam is 132mm which scales at about 1:54.  On the dockyard plans I have, the beam is 307mm at 1:24 scale which gives 24'2".  The width over the sponsons is 290mm on Richard Webb's plan which scales at about 1:51, and 616mm on the dockyard plan giving 48"6'.  The overall length on Ricard Webb's plans is 924mm which scales to the stated plan scale of 1:64.  Although I have never spoken to Richard Webb about it, I feel sure that these differences are to facilitate the requirements of a model paddle steamer, which if built to 1:64 scale in all dimensions would be very "delicate" if not completely in-operable.

Chris

[Daryl]

Is Richard still selling this kit? as the link to his site is dead?

Daryl

[chipmonk]

Hi There.
I have built this kit and can confirm that Richards website is down. He can be contacted through Marine Modeling Monthly. As to the kit it's best described as a drawing with materials. In the M.M.Monthly book "working with styrene" the one with a photo of the princess Elizabeth on it. There is a complete "blow by blow" account of building the boat. Mind you if i were doing it again I would increase the draft by about 12mm as she is a little top heavy.
Hope this helps.
Cheers Chris