New member from Falkirk, Scotland

[Donald E. Meek]

Having joined Paddleducks last night, I will be relatively new to most of you, though some of you may know my name as the co-author (with Nick S. Robins) of The Kingdom of MacBrayne (2006, 2008).  My main interest is in the ships of David MacBrayne Limited and Caledonian MacBrayne, but all types of ships and boats fascinate me - anything that floats, from the Hebrides to Hawaii, from the dawn of history to the present day.  Although now living mainly in Falkirk, I come originally from the Inner Hebridean island of Tiree, and that explains my life-long relationship with the MacBrayne/CalMac fleet!  I build model ships (currently with a 1/48 scale model of the 'Claymore' of 1955 on the stocks), and have them built for me by much more skilful model-makers.  I own a small fleet of 1/96 scale models of present-day CalMac ferries, all on R/C.  A friend of mine is currently building me a model of the 'Cardiff Queen', well-known to Bristol Channel shipping enthusiasts.  From boyhood, I was attracted to the white-funnelled paddlers owned by P. and A. Campbell, which always seemed to me to be very well maintained and good-looking.  Much as I liked the Clyde paddlers, I thought that the ones on the Avon were even better!    I have assisted other builders with model-making, most recently by supplying Sandy Thomson with photographs of the old MacBrayne paddler, 'Glencoe', in his search for detailed studies of the ship.  Paddleducks has some splendid photographs of Sandy's model (and congratulations on your fine Gallery).  So...having arrived on Paddleducks, I searched for plans of, and articles about, the 'Cardiff Queen', and found the download from Model Maker 1966.  Alas, I cannot yet download it...although I will soon be the proud owner of a splendid model of that ship!  She was, of course, built on the Clyde by Fairfield's; so I am being very fair to both the Clyde and the Avon! Best wishes and thanks, Donald.

[Eddy Matthews]

Welcome to Paddleducks Donald, I hope you find our little site interesting....

You can now download files, but bear in mind that there is a limit of 2 downloads in any 24hr period, so that we can keep control of the bandwidth the site uses....

Regards
Eddy

[Donald E. Meek]

Many thanks indeed, Eddy.  Looks a splendid site - the standard of photography and modelling is superb!  Have activated a Gold Subscription, and hope it works.  Let me know if it doesn't!  I'll let you have pics of the 'Cardiff Queen' as soon as she is assigned to the owners!  All the very best, Donald.

[Eddy Matthews]

Many thanks indeed, Eddy.  Looks a splendid site - the standard of photography and modelling is superb!  Have activated a Gold Subscription, and hope it works.  Let me know if it doesn't!  I'll let you have pics of the 'Cardiff Queen' as soon as she is assigned to the owners!  All the very best, Donald.

Cheers Donald - The subscriptions all help to pay for the site fees, so every one is greatly appreciated!

Looking forward to seeing the Cardiff Queen. I know it's a ship that a lot of our members seem to like....

Regards
Eddy

[tonyh]

Donald,
The 'Cardiff Queen' is one of many paddlers featured on the DVD Paddle Steamer Memories and well worth watching. Available from the Kingswear Castle sales shop.

 

[Donald E. Meek]

Donald,
The 'Cardiff Queen' is one of many paddlers featured on the DVD Paddle Steamer Memories and well worth watching. Available from the Kingswear Castle sales shop.

Many thanks, Tony.  I must get hold of that one too!  Donald.

[djcf]

Hi Donald,
As Eddy says, looking forward to seeing the Cardiff Queen....always thought she was a great looking paddler, not as heavy looking as the 1937 Fairfield twins, Juno & Jupiter.
Also would be great to see any of your MacBrayne/Calmac fleet in the "Powered craft" section too! I have a 1:48 Lochiel on the go, so would be interested to see/hear about your Claymore. There is a nice model of her in the MacLean Museum in Greenock.

regards
Clark

[R.G.Y.]

Donald welcome. I am a fan of the Campbell's ships having traveled on them. I have built a model of the Glen Usk. This can be seen in members galleries page 2 under R.G.Y. If you are interested. Wile researching for her I was lucky enough to meet 2nd engineer on Bristol Queen. One of his stories was, with the enclosed paddle boxes if the access doors were opened (only when no passengers on board) an extra couple of knots could be obtained
Well I hope it works on your computer.
R.G.Y.

[Donald E. Meek]

Hi Donald,
As Eddy says, looking forward to seeing the Cardiff Queen....always thought she was a great looking paddler, not as heavy looking as the 1937 Fairfield twins, Juno & Jupiter.
Also would be great to see any of your MacBrayne/Calmac fleet in the "Powered craft" section too! I have a 1:48 Lochiel on the go, so would be interested to see/hear about your Claymore. There is a nice model of her in the MacLean Museum in Greenock.

regards
Clark

Many thanks, Clark.  I agree with you about the 'CQ' - beautiful lines, with a fine stern and splendid wooden bridge, which I think is one of her particular attractions.  The later Clyde paddlers always seemed to me to be a bit 'uncomfortable' in their looks: 'Caledonia' was built like a tank, and looked heavy, while 'Waverley' looked, and still looks, as if she had been starved, and needed a good steel meal, with some Bovril added.  'Talisman's' straight lines and boxy superstructure were not very appealing (to me); I reckon the 'Jenny' (as she was known - 'Jeanie Deans') was the most pleasing.  Campbell's 'Queens' conveyed a sense of calm, considered dignity.  Can't put my finger on it, but I always loved them, even from my Tiree vantage point!  Will be very pleased to post pics of my CalMac fleet.  I knew the 'Lochiel' very, very well in her Hebridean days, and visited her latterly in Bristol on numerous occasions.  The 'Claymore' is my special favourite, as her active years coincided with my 'youth', and I went through many storms on her!  Must get back to the model; have been painting pics of ships, currently working on one of 'Waverley' going down the Avon.

[Donald E. Meek]

Donald welcome. I am a fan of the Campbell's ships having traveled on them. I have built a model of the Glen Usk. This can be seen in members galleries page 2 under R.G.Y. If you are interested. Wile researching for her I was lucky enough to meet 2nd engineer on Bristol Queen. One of his stories was, with the enclosed paddle boxes if the access doors were opened (only when no passengers on board) an extra couple of knots could be obtained
Well I hope it works on your computer.
R.G.Y.

Wonderful to be able to talk to someone who knew them well, RGY!  Thank you.  I didn't know the ships, but I admired them from a distance, and have read as many of the books as I could lay my hands on!  I arrived in Bristol (having married a Bristol girl!) in the early 1970s, just too late to catch the 'Queens'.  Will look for your 'Glen Usk' - lovely ship.  How interesting re. 'BQ's' speed.  'BQ' was an ocean-going paddler, and could cross the Channel, I think.  Have posted a note in the downloads section on the use of a forward capstan on 'CQ' and 'BQ'.  Made both ships very clean on their foredecks, compared with the machinery on 'Waverley'.  Look forward to further chats.  Donald

[R.G.Y.]

Another story of my friend the engineer, who could be antagonistic. Someone made him a model of the Bristol Queen. He was not happy with the shape of the sponson. So would never talk to the man again.
Showing him my model he studied it for about half an hour, with just a few grunts. Then finaly he stood up and said the whistle is to small. I was very happy with that. R.G.Y.

[Donald E. Meek]

Another story of my friend the engineer, who could be antagonistic. Someone made him a model of the Bristol Queen. He was not happy with the shape of the sponson. So would never talk to the man again.
Showing him my model he studied it for about half an hour, with just a few grunts. Then finaly he stood up and said the whistle is to small. I was very happy with that. R.G.Y.

Hello again, RGY!  Your model of the 'Glen Usk' is beautiful - and steam-powered too!  Brilliant!  Ah, yes, the engineers have an eye for detail!  You escaped lightly.  We have done our best to make sure that the 'Cardiff Queen' will be as near to total accuracy as our fallible human natures will allow - and the rather patchy record that we have of some ships!  The Campbells weren't pleased with Fairfield's for their work on the original 'CQ' - according to them, it fell below Clyde standards!  I think they were perfectionists, though - the slightest spot of rust, and it was classified as a maritime disaster!  Of course, their standards could be seen quite clearly - every single ship looks spotless to my eye.  Ship-shape and Bristol fashion in every way!  Anyway, congrats on your superb model.  We all know the pics of the 'Glen Usk' sitting on the mud of the Horseshoe Bend - and the officers smoking nervously on the bank!  So it is particularly lovely to see her sailing alongside the 'Albion'!  All the very best, Donald.