Westward Ho

[Malcolm]

I am new to paddler modelling, and to this forum, although not new to modelling. I am considering making "Westward Ho", as briefly described in "Practical Mechanics" in the 50's. Has anyone made this model?  Is the hull as drawn deep enough to carry a reasonable load of machinery and batteries, or even steam plant if I live long enough? Any advice would be welcome. I am considering using the original "Bread and butter" method, and possibly the Reeves aluminium paddle wheels, rather than the plastic ones.

[R.G.Y.]

I'm not familiar with the plan you are proposing to use. However I have built a model of the Glen Usk, another of Campbell's steamers. I would not build with the bread and butter unless you can make the hull very very thin. I built plank on frame using 1/6th balsa with plates from aluminium cans stuck on with evo-stick, 8 years old still going strong. Lightness is the key to success with plenty of draft, especially if a steam plant is installed ballast can always be added. As there is a lot of top hamper and a steam plant has a high center of gravity. Having said all this my model 58.3/4" long @1/4"= 1' sails on a scale draft of 1.3/4" with a cheddar steam plant, I have had to resort to moving the batteries from side to side by radio to keep her on an even keel in the slightest breeze. It was my first attempt and I did learn a lot. I made a set of brass wheels, far to heavy, so made a set in ali riveted together only took 4 hours.R.G.Y.

[R.G.Y.]

Malcolm, If you would like to go to photo albums click on search than type GLEN USK you will fined my model sailing. Geoff . R.G.Y.

[Talisman]

..... possibly the Reeves aluminium paddle wheels, rather than the plastic ones.

Sound interesting i tried googling them and cant come up with anything any pics / more info?
Many thanks
Kim

[Malcolm]

Thank You both. The design is here on this site, in "Plans & drawings" 6th Feb 2005, posted by Eddy Matthews. I would very much appreciate informed comment from members on the viability of this hull made by the "Bread and butter"method. I have kept the original "Practical Mechanics" articles for over 50 years, intending to have a go sometime, and it's now or never!
Kim, Reeves are Model engineering suppliers. Their castings are intended for use with the Edgar Westbury engine, and are intended for model engineers with machine tool capability. They are quite expensive.

[Harold H. Duncan]

Hi Malcolm,
 The file from paddleducks downloads only contains the first part of the build article, you wouldnt have the other parts would you?
cheers
kiwi

[R.G.Y.]

Maicolm, I have built the Westbury engine and I don't have any use for the cast paddles if you are interested. The engine has run on comprest air but the valve timing keeps slipping so it all has to come apart again. I am now in the process of building a boiler. Geoff

[Malcolm]

Kiwi: I have the other two parts but they are disappointing, mostly to do with the engine. There is a slightly enlarged view of the paddleboxes and some info on paint schemes. I will try to put them on the site after my holiday, but I'm no computer expert, so may fail.  Geoff, I might be interested in your cast paddles. How much do you want and where are you?

[ancoaster78]

Hi,

To help improve the accuracy of the model, some basic plans of the real ship are held on file at the Glasgow University Archives, not the most helpful plans ever for model building but with some time spent on them I have managed to gain a lot from them.

I have done quite a bit of research on this ship, and am drawing up plans for a future model at 1:32 for this ship, based on period photos and the Glasgow Uni drawings, am happy to give further information if needed.

Cheers.

[Malcolm]

Hi Ancoaster78.  I would certainly be interested in more detailed information on "Westward Ho". My first consideration at this stage is whether the hull lines shown in the "Practical Mechanics" article are reasonably correct. I believe that it is common in model design to increase the depth of the hull to increase the payload, and I would like to find out whether the designer did this.

[ancoaster78]

Hi Malcolm,

Yes the hull has been deepened, considerably so. Unfortunatly this is not the only error, this drawing is at best 'stand off scale.'

At a quick glance I can confirm the stem is not vertical enough, the sheer is too flat, and the midship section of the hull lines far too parallel. It looks like it has been simplified to make it a lot easier to construct.

It certainly would make an atractive enough model, and no reason at all not to go for it as is if thats you're preference, and the deepened draft will greatly aid stability at that scale, but if its scale accuracy you're after, I suggest you're going to need something else to work with.

If you look at the photos of the model in the artical, they show an excelent scale model, compare them to the profile and deck view drawings given and you can immediatly see the two are not the same. That model in the photos looks good, the drawings are simplified, rather than actually too scale, and will not build into the same model the photos....

My drawings for this ship, which is a particular favorite of mine, are probally only approx 50-60% complete at the moment, I have taken measurements of each of the decks on the GA plan the Glasgow Uni sent me and from those am drawing my own hull lines, I have several ships I am trying to perfect this 'art' with at the moment, time consuming but rewarding in its own way. I have a midship section which hs given sound information on draft, hull form, depths etc, I am confident the two worked together, together with dimensions taken from drawings of sistership PS Britannia I also have, and careful studing of all the many photos in books I have acquired will enable a pretty accurate plan to be produced, in time....!

So i'm not currently in a place to simply offer you an alternative to consider, but am certainly happy to share the information I have established to enable you to decide how you wish to move forward, if you want anything more, just ask, i'd love to see a model of this ship built up!

Cheers, Andy

[R.G.Y.]

Malcolm, The draft of Westward Ho would have been approximately 7ft this will tell you how much the draft has been increased on your plan. £60 south Devon. Geoff

[ancoaster78]

, I have had to resort to moving the batteries from side to side by radio to keep her on an even keel in the slightest breeze.

Wow, thats sounds like a great solution, would love to know more about how it works/how you made it etc, I always prefer a scale draft, and novel ideas to help make it feasible are definatly worth a look in my book! Are their anymore photos of the model, it looks great! I love the Campbells ships....

Cheers  

Key dimensions for Westward Ho: Length Between perpendiculars - 225'  Beam 26'  Draft 5'6'' (not including an external keel which protrudes 6'' below the baseline making the total draft 6') Depth of hull to main deck at lowest point of sheer 9'6'' above baseline, Depth of hull to prom deck at lowest point of sheer 17' above baseline, Centreline of shaft 11'1'' above baseline.

[Malcolm]

Hi Andy and Geoff.
      Andy, thanks for your very detailed reply. I am attracted to "Westward Ho" both because I like her appearance, and because, very probably, I sailed on her when I was a youngster. As a beginner to boat modelling, it might well be that the "Practical Mechanics" hull would do for me. I would have preferred to have the hull true to the original, above the waterline at least, but  I am in my mid seventies, and can't afford to wait too long for better information to appear.
      I am three-quarters through the building of a full-sized (18ft) steam launch, but I fear that anno domini is getting the better of me, and it is fairly unlikely that I shall finish it, so I need an indoor job for the winter.   
      I note the comments re the draught, but in any event I would want to increaseit  a little to make a good operating boat, and to carry the machinery. Would it be possible, in the light of your comments, to slightly modify the above water-level lines so as to move towards truer scale? I think I am a good enough modeller to do this if you could provide any suggestions as to what to alter. When you refer to "baseline", is this the waterline? I have had some difficulty in relating the measurements you gave to the "P.M."  drawing.
      Geoff, I looked at your "Glen Usk". It looks a nice model. I would be very pleased if i could do as well. If you built the Westbury engine you must be a model engineer. I built the 2.5inchx2.5inch vertical twin for my steamboat. Crankshaft from the solid on a Myford! Never again!
      Are your paddlewheels brass or aluminium? Are they 5.75 inch dia as in the Westbury drawing?If aluminium, I would definitely like to have them, if brass I might be a bit concerned over the weight. If this is the case perhaps you would weigh one for me. I live in Shropshire, a bit far to collect, so it would have to be post, at my expense of course.

[Talisman]

      I note the comments re the draught, but in any event I would want to increaseit  a little to make a good operating boat, and to carry the machinery. Would it be possible, in the light of your comments, to slightly modify the above water-level lines so as to move towards truer scale? I think I am a good enough modeller to do this if you could provide any suggestions as to what to alter. When you refer to "baseline", is this the waterline? I have had some difficulty in relating the measurements you gave to the "P.M."  drawing.

What about maybe adding a 1/4 inch or so to her hull beam? Would help with stability and buoyancy but not detract as obviously from her appearance?
Just a thought.
Regards
Kim