PT Scotia

[Dallinson]

FINALLY.......
I have got myself a digital camera, figured out what enough of the little
buttons do to take some photos and posted them in the photos section.
I must point out that it is very much a scratch build in the construction
stage!!
Please don't be too picky about the planking, it is the first clinker model
I have built. The next one would definitely be better. (If there is a next
one!!) The hull is coated on the inside with lightweight fibre glass cloth
and epoxy resin.
The "works" are just about complete. The rudder is installed and connected
to the servo. The plug in "engine room" with toothed belt drives is
finished, except for a little wring. The speed controllers are installed in
the for'd part and the 10cell NICAD battery in the aft part. The other
paddle is made, but is not yet fitted. The flat area in the aft part, with
the small framing, is the base for the two funnels. The platform in the bows
is the basis for the towing bits and windlass. The strong-back under the
deck, in the for'd section, is for the base of the mast. The scale is
roughly 1:48. I have added some depth to her so that I could add ballast
later and make sure she floated the right way up!!
All I have to do now is put the deck on and paint it!!

Short history....
Paddle Tug "Scotia" was built of wood at Blackwall on the Thames, in 1863
for the Caledonian Steam Tug Co., but they only operated her for a short
while before selling her to the Admiralty. She was long for a tug, at 131
feet.
Full details in the P.N.Thomas book " British Steam Tugs". There is a plan
of her on page 20. I had this blown up at the photocopy shop and have taken
most of the details from it.
That is about it.
Any questions?
All the best
David

[Stuart Badger]

Well David

I am IMPRESSED!!!! What a beautifully planked hull - the whole model has an
air of 'neatness' that is very satisfying - it seems a shame to paint it!

I like the idea of the 'drive module' very much (might try that myself).

Incidently there was a programme in the 'home and leisure' series on Sky
today about pubs - principally in the North East of England. One of them was
called 'The Scotia' and another the 'Daisy'. Both pubs were a riot of
painted tilework featuring tyneside industry and shipping. Yes you've
guessed it - both pubs had some delicious examples of early wooden paddle
tugs featured in the tile work. The Scotia in particular had a wonderful
depiction of a clinker built wooden paddle tug with twin side-by-side
funnels - I don't think this was 'Scotia' herself - but very thought
provoking. I have been searching all of the marine archives in this country
looking for drawings of a side-by side twin funneled tug - looks as though I
may have to visit a pub on Tyneside and do a 'tile rubbing'!!

Old Trafford is nearly complete!! I just have some final fittings to produce
and attach,the radio to install and then I shall start the final
ballast/trim tests. As the day approaches to put her on the water I find
myself getting more and more nervous! Several people have urged me not to
risk her on the lake - which I don't know whether to take as a compliment or
dire warning!! :-))

I shall upload some final photos soon.

Looking forward to meeting you at Beale Park and also to meeting Paul when
he comes over in May.

Very well done on Scotia - she looks gorgeous and is a beautiful example of
the modelmaker's art.

Stuart Badger

[Derek Warner]

Congratulations David - I think we all seem too self critical when thinking or talking about
our own efforts

The clinker planking in snap 4 looks supurb and is a true life form of planking - the internal
glass fiber & epoxy resin will add great strength to the hull, but what do you propose for
the hull externals?

ie., with Decoy I have butt planking, so any impact under water or beaching on rocky sand or
a bank will be spread over a more uniform surface, but with (real life) clinker planking any impact
could be literally point impact (on the leading edge of a plank)

Some 12 months ago PJ was talking about making major sub components modular - well you
have accomplished this with a modular (and totally removable) engine room & paddle assembly
too simple for words - I can see the little tooth belt drives & and a speed reducer & are they
540 motors? - what sort of paddle shaft speed do you expect

Not sure if I missed a previous posting, but would be most interested in learning more about
your mode of Scotia - ie., model size, scale etc etc

Again congratulations to date & we all look forward to your next postings & additional snaps

regards Derek

[Dallinson]

Derek.
Many thanks for your kind comments. Always nice to receive some encouraging
words. Even so, a low resolution photo covers many sins!!
Regarding your questions on the size, scale etc.
The scale is roughly 1:48. The original was 131 feet long. The model is 33.5
inches long by 5.75 inches beam. The depth has been increased so that it can
be ballasted, so is actaully over size scale wise. However unless you had
the original drawings and a ruler you would hard put to discover it, I
hope!!
The motors were some surplus ones I found in an electronic magazine and were
made by ITT Automotive in Germany. They came with a small bevel gear on the
5mm output shaft which can be pulled off quite easily. They are rated for
use up to 16volts DC continuous, so hopefully I will get long and useful
life from them on 12 volts. The output speed at 12 volts is around 180 RPM.
I do not expect to run at that speed, but it is there!! The really neat
thing about them is the offset output shaft, which means I can just rotate
them slightly in the clamps to tension the belt. The paddle shafts are also
5mm stainless and run in ball bearings. The Graupner catalogue lists the
toothed belts and pulleys. Most model shops stock 5mm ball bearings for
model cars.
For anyone interested in buying similar motors, here are the details of the
supplier:-
J & N Factors, Pilgrim Works, Stairbridge Lane, Bolney, Sussex RH17 5PA. Tel
01444 881 965. E-mail jnfactors@aol.com
Order code No is 3P108. Priced at just 3pounds Sterling each.
I bought 5 at that price, as they looked so useful!!
Hope the above is of interest.
Best regards
David