You have all gone quiet

[Mike Mayhew]

To All the paddleducks out there in the Big World, You all seem to have gone very quiet recently, perhaps it is the building season or are you all waiting to use the "Test Tank" once her who must be obeyed has finished in there?
I must say how much I like to read the E.Mails on a subject that I love, bygone shipping and paddle steamers.
The ADELAIDE will soon be at the plug stage, and the paddles are in the experimental stage, some in etched brass; some in steel . I know it is not yet Christmas, but I would like to say to every one of you thanks for your support in the past year and may I wish you a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS 2002. To my Australian friends sorry to see the bush fires.

Best Regards ..... Mike Mayhew
33 Kenn Moor Drive,
Clevedon.
North Somerset. BS21 5AR
http://www.waverleymodels.co.uk

[Derek Warner]

on Sunday, December 01, 2002 4:52 PM, mike mayhew said :- To All the paddleducks out there in the
Big World, You all seem to have gone very quiet recently, and The ADELAIDE will soon be at the
plug stage, and the paddles are in the experimental stage, some in etched brass; some in steel
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hi Mike - yep, it [low number of communications] seems to happen now & then - not really sure why

The snaps I took of the hulk of Decoy 10 months ago clearly show a pair of shall I say boarded up port
holes [steel disk welded back into the hull] however they are low in the hull and @ 1:25, they end up
about 30 mm from the waterline

So I spent considerable months deliberating if I really wanted to drill holes in the hull which had the
potential to leak, however made the decision and have recently modified four KRICK brand brass & glass
lined portholes [hopefully made them water tight] & installed them in Decoys hull and last night laid the hull
on her side, filled the ports with water and taped some paper sponge in the hull on the opposite side of the
glass lined port to soak up by cappiliary action ie., if they were not water tight - this morning all dry!!!!!! -
well 2 out of 4 so far - The KRICK catalogue lists these ports are brass & glass, however the latter being
more of a clear plastic material

Your PS Adelaide - I think it is absolutely supurb that you are building an OZZIE icon like Adelaide,
please tell us about the construction [I assume you are building the plug so as to produce a GRP hull]
is she 1:25?? - how will she be powered?? - one could only hope consideration be given to that other
OZZIE favourite [no not Vegimite or VB beer], but the the humble windscreen wiper motor!!!!!!!!!

I am sure we would all be interested in etched brass detail for wheels, from memory we have very little
in our postings on etching, and certainly none for etched wheels - regards Derek

[Randal R Largent]

All extra time here has been tied up with 'honey do' work around the
house and some research in local libraries.
However I have managed to squeeze a couple hours in the last 2 weeks on
the Port cabins on my "Transfer".
I for one am very interested in the etching subject and would welcome
some detailed discussion about it.

I also managed to get to a local model railroad swap/show and met a guy
by the name of Bill Rubarth who with a couple of other guys is building
an HO model of a sidewheel car ferry from California. She is a beaut.
Makes my Transfer look pretty amateurish.
Alas I have misplaced her name. I did tell him about Paddleducks so hope
he will share about her sometime in the future.
May you all enjoy the celebration of Christ's birth. The reason for the
season.
Randy Largent

[Mike Mayhew]

So you are still out there, at least I know that you are alive and kicking.[model making]
Re Adelaide, Yes I am making a Grp hull but showing planking etc. I think the rounded paddle boxes are the best as she started and finished with these. I am making the fittings in Poly Resin, eg./ the old oil lamps and the original steam winch. Power will be a Ford Radiator Fan motor as these are quiet, use only1.8 amp and can be geared down with toothed belt drive from an electric Qualcast lawn mower.Spares off the shelf.. Thinking of using a pair of clutches on the main shaft which disengage one wheel or the other.system works well for a rowing man I made years ago. This means one motor,speed controller,and a servo for the clutch.as well as one for the rudder. Could make the rudder servo also operate the clutch..Hope in time to make the barge she tows at present complete with logs.Will have to send out scouts to get Red Gum sticks later. Came across some brass tube with a thick wall which will make the rings for the paddles if all else fails. I will detail my paddle making efforts for all to see after Christmas.
I would like the old girl to be steam driven but that will have to be later as costs are high.
Well Derek, Paul , Brett, and all of you, keep taking the tablets,as they say, more news soon. Waverley Mike.