The "Monarch" build

[chipmonk]

Hi all,she finally had a proper test at the lake today and she went like a charm. no horrible grinding noise, glided along like a lady and steered as if she was on rails. As you can see from the photos it was a perfect day (unlike last Sunday it was so rough the club yacht regatta was abandoned). Like most model paddlers she really is not happy if it is windy or the water gets choppy. I managed to wipe off the front jack staff with the sleeve of my shirt when lifting her out of the water . Just a simple repair job. All I have left to do is make up the incense stick burning smoke unit and she will be complete for May 1st public show. Next project, a simple steam paddle engine, details of which I will post in the steam section.
Cheers Chris M

[Stuart Badger]

She looks really lovely on the water Chris - great job!

All the best

Stuart

[Tug--Kenny]

Nice clean looking craft Chris. I'll bet your pleased. 

Can you expand on the incense stick idea, please. Is it merely lit and placed in a safe place within the boat.?

Ken

[chipmonk]

Hi again,
firstly thanks for the support, having your help during this project has made building a paddler a lot less isolated. Secondly I have been using incense smoke generators for a while. They are simple to build, relatively reliable and do not use power. They consist of a simple mechanism to hold the smoldering  stick or sticks in the funnel, a small aluminum plate below the funnel to catch the small amount of ash and a source of air into the superstructure. This can be as simple as not glazing some of the windows or leaving the engine room ventilators unglazed (I have done this on the monarch) or having doors open. Even at small scales the funnel will draw air up its self. The smoke seems to last longer in the air than the smoke from the vaporized oil types and smells better.
I hope this goes some way to answering your questions. And if you want any more details I can do some simple drawings if that helps.
Cheers Chris M.

[Talisman]

She looks great Chris!
So whats next on the bench
Regards,
Kim

[chipmonk]

Hi Kim, what a question to ask . I have to respray the camouflage on a  stealth patroll boat. Finish the steam plant for a friends TID tug and I have a set of plans for a "veron" police boat that have been waiting for me to start on. But as to paddlers, I have fancied a steam stern wheeler if I can find one that will turn. I have built the engine (well mostly) I am just looking for some inspiration. It will probably be some kind of work boat as I can't stand the "showboat" type all that gingerbread work makes me shudder.
Cheers Chris M.

[R.G.Y.]

Chris, Having taken a trip on Monarch last summer, I said at the time she would make a super model. I must say you proved me right. R.G.Y.

[PeeWee]

She looks right at home there on the water, well done