As most of you that have known me for some time will know, I like the more unusual when it comes to models..... If something has been built a dozen times or more by other modellers I don't really have a lot of interest.

So, I'm after info on anything unusual - 4 wheel paddlers, a paddle powered crane barge, a paddlewheel pedalo, paddle hydroplane, are just a few things that spring to mind, but the more obscure the better...

Has anyone found anything REALLY unusual when searching?  If you've accidentally stumbled across a really unusual paddler I'd like to hear about it!

Regards
Eddy

Is this odd enough for you? 

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia -
Early developments

Ox-powered Roman paddle wheel boat from a 15th century copy of De Rebus BellicisThe use of a paddle wheel in navigation appears for the first time in the mechanical treatise of the Roman engineer Vitruvius (De architectura, X 9.5-7), where he describes multi-geared paddle wheels working as a ship odometer. The first mention of paddle wheels as a means of propulsion comes from the 4th–5th century military treatise De Rebus Bellicis (chapter XVII), where the anonymous Roman author describes an ox-driven paddle-wheel warship:

" Animal power, directed by the resources on ingenuity, drives with ease and swiftness, wherever utility summons it, a warship suitable for naval combats, which, because of its enormous size, human frailty as it were prevented from being operated by the hands of men. In its hull, or hollow interior, oxen, yoked in pairs to capstans, turns wheels attached to the sides of the ship; paddles, projecting above the circumference or curved surface of the wheels, beating the water with their strokes like oar-blades as the wheels revolve, work with an amazing and ingenious effect, their action producing rapid motion. This warship, moreover, because of its own bulk and because of the machinery working inside it, joins battle with such pounding force that it easily wrecks and destroys all enemy warships coming at close quarters.[1]

You might want to look here

http://www.inland-lake.com/harvester_models.htm

Stuart

Has one been built with a Caterpillar track around those wheels above. The blades would then be on the outside edge scooping and pushing the water. ?

ken

Quote from: Tug--Kenny on September 26, 2009, 06:27:43 PM

Has one been built with a Caterpillar track around those wheels above. The blades would then be on the outside edge scooping and pushing the water. ?

ken

There's a 'partial' model in the london science museum showing something along those lines....

Are there any other "Unusual" ones like that in the Science Museum Mick? I'd love to have details if there are? As my original message said, anything oddball or obscure......

Regards
Eddy

On paddle catterpillar tracks the WW2 Alligator amphibious tracked landing vehicle comes to mind. Built to a large scale it would be imminently buildable, especialy the decked over support version. regards, Walter.

Quote from: Walter Snowdon on September 28, 2009, 03:51:44 AM
On paddle catterpillar tracks the WW2 Alligator amphibious tracked landing vehicle comes to mind. Built to a large scale it would be imminently buildable, especialy the decked over support version. regards, Walter.

The what? Never heard of it Walter!

Got any photos or drawings?

Regards
Eddy

Nevermind Walter I did a quick search and found some info.... For anyone else that is wondering what Walter is talking about, here's a few photos.

Eddy

There is a large copy of a drawing of a horse-powered paddler on one of the Lake Garda paddlers.
Or maybe it was one of the large motor vessels there. I forget.

The original Comet had four paddle wheels, there is a replica on static display in Port Glasgow

The later developments of the Alligator were much more refined. The most numerous was a transport which could carry troops and supplies with a drop down rear ramp, even a jeep or small lorry could be driven on and off! The most sophisticated was completely decked over and fitted with a light tank turret and other armament for close support. Go on Eddy- you know you want to! Incidentaly there are several plastic kits available and the craft was built with flat panels with no compound curves so construction would be easy.  So there you have it- a paddle driven vessel which can launch and retrieve itself without hurting your back or getting your feet wet!!! Regards, Walter.

Quote from: Eddy Matthews on September 27, 2009, 08:19:29 PM
Are there any other "Unusual" ones like that in the Science Museum Mick?

I'll have a good look next time I go there, last few times I was only really looking at 'regular' type paddlers or at specific ones (like Connaught) or any that catch my attention in some way - I quite like this one but must admit, it was the unbelievably elaborate model stand that I noticed first!

Thanks Mick, I'd really appreciate that - It's just a bit far for me to travel to easily

Regards
Eddy

Until he came to paddler day, Joe Hardy thought we were all "oddballs"!

Quote from: sandystrone on September 28, 2009, 09:30:12 PM
Until he came to paddler day, Joe Hardy thought we were all "oddballs"!

That's true enough Sandy..... But I think we've managed to convert him to the only proper way to power a boat now!

Eddy