Yet another Waverley build - LNER 1947

[Talisman]

Hi Richard,

Yes, i have painted my wheels ....     ...I used a brush and the paint is to heavy by hand. You will probably be better spraying them. I'm almost sure that Ian (peewee) and Stuart Badger have sprayed their wheels and look much better.

Also i believe a good prep before painting is to dip them in vinegar first  (and allow to dry) ... but do a google search or trial on scrap before taking my word..

You are right i have changed to laser cut and etched floats which does lessen the weight of the wheel ....

Looking forward to seeing her progress.
Regards,
Kim

[Mercury]

Finally managed to secure the first sponson to the hull as a trial fit. A bit of bodging still to be done at the sponson / hull join but it is strong enough on four bolts. I intend to fit some strengthening to the hull internals to spread the load.

Hopefully by making the sponsons removable it will make it much easier to paint the hull and to maintain and fit the wheels.

The paddle drum front is an early trial piece and will be replaced - I've worked out how the vents should work out now following some more pouring over pictures.

It's finally starting to look like a paddle steamer!

[djcf]

Hi Richard,
Looking good there, nice to see the "sticky out bits" going on!  Did you make a complete paddle drum, or are the sponsons open inside (if that makes any sense!)

I remember doing the paddle drum front on my wee Waverley, I think it took about four goes, I eventually scanned a picture & printed it out at the right size to use as a template.

regards
Clark

[Mercury]

Clark,

Yes I've made a complete paddle drum - it has been the best way to get the right shape. The rest of the sponson is open underneath and so if I have a problem I can cut open the drum to allow more airfow and prevent suckdown.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one to struggle with the vents. Unfortunately I am working off the plan published by Waverley Excursions which is frankly inaccurate. I'm not sure how this is as it is obviously a copy of the original GA but I've found numerous errors in basic sizes, windows etc.. Perhaps the most glaring one is the fact that it shows 11 paddle vents rather than the 8 on the ship as built. Either this was a change in the original design or the Inglis Drawing office wasn't much cop! As 8 was always the NB /LNER standard this is a bit of a mystery. Anyway - other Waverley builders beware!!!

[djcf]

I also used plans which showed various mistakes. There is a good picture in various books showing her starboard sponson whilst berthed at Craigendoran on her first day in service....I used that to get a more accurate shape/vents etc.

I may be wrong but I don't think the original Inglis drawings for her exist anymore.
regards
Clark

[mjt60a]

lookig really good, I hadn't noticed details that were wrong on the plan as I haven't yet used mine, have to dig it out and check

[Mercury]

Clark,

I have a copy of the original GA dated 11th July 1948 which I think I downloaded from paddleducks. It's quite interesting as even though it is dated well after Waverley was finished it contains numerous differences from the ship as finished including the 11 vents.

[djcf]

Thats interesting, though I'm glad they went with the 8 vents, as I think they look just great as she was built.

Do you plan to make the facings out of ply?
 
(edit...I see you did make the facings out of ply, Richard, I was wondering whether it would be easier to make them from plastic sheet?)

[Mercury]

Clark,

I may try my next attempt in plastic as I think it will be easier to shape accurately. I was also wondering what people use to treat ply prior to the final coat? I've tried standard primers but on a number of models I've had problems with the paint cracking over the ply - particuarly on bends.

[mjt60a]

For the hull I used resin and tissue but on superstructure and bulwarks I just use sanding sealer for the first 2 or 3 coats then treat it as a styrene or grp surface, seems to work well enough...

[Mercury]

I've heard people talk about sanding sealer. Is it like a dope? Where can you get it?

[mjt60a]

It is lke dope but with a fine powder mixed in (talcum?) I just get it from the model shop, either 4D or Modelzone...
...just did a quick search, here's one you can get by post http://balsamart.co.uk/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=109_198 - but shops usually have it

[mjt60a]

....or you could try making some from dope.... http://www.scale-models.co.uk/tutorials/362-how-make-sanding-sealer.html

[Mercury]

Many thanks Mick - I'll follow this up.

[Mercury]

I've now built the starboard sponson which has turned out reasonably well. The fan on this side is much better so I'm going to remake the fan on the port side as well.

Can anyone recommend a supplier of mechano chain and sprockets and the part numbers for a suitable set?

At 1:1 scale Waverley Excursions has announced an extended season on the West Coast for 10 days in late April / early May. They plan to sail right up to Portree and will be doing it over the bank holidays associated with Easter and the Royal Wedding. Personally I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be when the media descents into "Royal Wedding" mode than safely isolated from it somewhere in the Hebrides on the deck of a paddler.....