My introductory post. Boat modeller for 15 years. Current project(s)- Blockade Runner paddler!!! Marcher Steam engine from stock materials. Trent Lifeboat for the Wife. Rescue Launch with the Grandson. Secretary of the Swindon MB& EClub.

Brian Freegard in Purton Wiltshire UK

Hello Brian, a great welcome to you. You will find this a very easy site to get along with. 15 years model boat building? your just a bairn! Try 60 years (me!).
Which blockade runner are you building?. Remember amongst us we have a wealth of reference knowledge and as far as blockade runners go i know our American members will be more than willing to advise. Regards, Walter.

It is the free plan from Model Boats. Balsa and plasticard. By coincidence I bought the Osprey book on Blockade Runners and thought of a model then the plan appeared in the magazine so how could I not have a go?

Three of my previous boats are steamers. A 1:12 Picket boat (Marcher engine, 3 pass boiler), An Admiral's Barge to match(another Marcher built from stock bar, no castings) and a 16mm-1 ft Simpson Strickland Steam Yacht "Bluebell" (Arnot Vtwin, vertical fire tube boiler).

The rest of the fleet are powered by "Galvanic Trickery" but the steamers are the favourites.

Regards,
BCF

The Confederate paddler is nearing completion. Needs a LOT of lead.

Quote from: brian freegard on April 17, 2009, 04:58:39 AM
The Confederate paddler is nearing completion. Needs a LOT of lead.

Care to share a few photos of it with us Brian?

Regards
Eddy

HI Brian, would you mind giving some more details of your Pickett Boat? I am about to order the 50" hull from Models by Design and am debating which of my steam engines to use. What is the Marcher (single, twin, bore and stroke, single/double acting etc) and what do you mean by a three pass boiler? Is it a horizontal with triple flues or do you mean a verticle with three fire tubes? Also the dimensions of the boiler if you would. Thanks, Ian.