How I built the GLASGOW

[Tug--Kenny]

Hello everyone.

Having a bit of spare time I decided to open up the Graupner Glasgow Paddle steamer and give it a go.

The kit has been previously described in other threads, so I won't bore you with the kit contents. Everything is supplied in the box, except the motor and electrics, so it was just a case of weeding out the English instructions from the many languages provided, and getting on with it.

I won't be providing a blow by blow account of the build as, all one has to do is plod though fitting all the pieces together.  The fitting of them together was a nightmare and dimensions are to the nearest inch !!!  Many times I had to make new parts and stronger parts as well as the mechanics of the build are not the sturdiest, so reinforcement were added as we went along.

I shall just put appropriate comments as we proceed, to show any differences in the plans.

Off we go then, starting with the bare plastic Hull, which I didn't like at all. Very bendy and difficult to glue.

The paddles were supplied with plastic rivets so these were exchanged for nuts and bolts.

[Tug--Kenny]

Next it was onto the frame which was constructed outside the boat.

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Rudder time

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The frame was fitted and a splash of paint introduced.

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More parts added and a stand was made.

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Deck laid in place to see how she fits together. Seems I've glued the supports underneath a bit to high. (to late now as it's all solid)

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The fun begins with the paddle boxes. They have to line up in three dimensions.

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The cabin build started. I enjoyed this as it all went together very nice.

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The 50:1 motor fitted via a 1:3 gear system. This is calculated to spin the paddles at 100 RPM.

I used a steel drive shaft as the hollow aluminium one supplied looked a little weak for the torque involved.

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Rudder fitted and servo connected. I've used a commercial tiller instead of the one supplied.

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Paddle box platforms re made from three ply instead of the floppy stuff provided.  The bar across the paddles was later cut and mad into a removable bar, to allow for paddle extraction.

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More woodworking on the topsides.

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Paddles fitted  (12 times ?) to shafts and lined up for correct rotation and feathering.


Connected them up to a six volt battery and sat watching them churn around during a tea break.  Very satisfying.

[Tug--Kenny]

Paddle boxes fitted another 8 times with lots of cutting and trimming and sanding and finally being screwed down.

It was noted they are very flimsy and had to be braced to the side of hull.

[Tug--Kenny]

Further fittings added to the deck