Author Topic: New project: Blockade runner CSS "Condor" under construction (Read 1648 times)

Hankwilliams · « **on:** February 18, 2026, 03:55:05 AM »

Dear friends and neighbors,

in mid december 2025 I startet my last project: Blockade runner CSS "CONDOR". Scale of model is now a little bigger in 1 : 42, caused of sufficient space for the steam engine in this rather slim hull, which shows rather sharp lines, as you see. Plan of the boat I draw by the pictures of the wooden models in American and British museums. In the past I`ve post the pictures in our forum.
Now the rough work with sawing and grinding wood is nearly finished, in the moment I made deck planking with 3 mm red cedar fillets. This is my 3. model of blockade runners after CSS "HOPE" and "COLONEL LAMB". Of course she will be steam driven. Last 3 pictures are again the models in museums, from which I made the plan.

I hope, you will like all pictures!

Thomas

Eddy Matthews · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2026, 05:17:45 AM »

Lovely work Thomas, please keep us updated on your progress....

Regards
Eddy

Hankwilliams · « **Reply #2 on:** April 02, 2026, 06:55:06 PM »

Dear friends and neighbors,

the boat without propulsion now is nearly finished - last work will be set up of the masts and rigging. I have ordered a slide geared Microcosm twocylinder engine. Flame tube boiler I will make by myself. Probably this boat with engine and boiler will be finished completely at the end of April or in the beginnig of May.
This is my third blockade runner and my first 3-stack model. Dimensions: Lenght 1604 mm with 205 mm breadth. Weight now without boiler, engine and R/C is only 3800 gram - so there would be enought clearance for weight of steam propulsion. Name of the boat will be not "CONDOR" - because I prefer "FALCON". Elder shipyard has build the blockade runners "CONDOR", "FALCON"; " EVELYN" and "PTARMIGAN" after same plans in 1864 for CSS Marine.

Thomas

Hankwilliams · « **Reply #3 on:** May 18, 2026, 06:31:35 PM »

Dear friends and neighbors,

yesterday first run of "FALCON" on the Eisweiher (Icepond) in Gernsbach/Blackforest - without any problem. Engine was running well for nearly one hour. The gear reduction between engine and paddleshaft is 3,0 : 1,0 - a suitable equivalent. As you see, I installed the Chinese Microcosm engine with bore and stroke of 12 mm - unfortunately the good Graham TVRIA will be no more produced since 3 or four years. The manufactoring of the Microcosm engine is very well, there are nearly no leakings of steam and oil, also a very well torque.

I estimate speed of the boat with full steam (3 bar) between 1,2 to 1,5 m/sec. Reversing was reliable and fast with Stephenson gear.

Thomas