My Latest “Lead Balloon!”

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Here it is, 51-ton Welsh trading ketch SQUIRREL, completed at Bridgewater in 1882. Still in register in 1923, but gone by 1930. Have no Lloyds Registers between those dates, so have no idea of final demise date. Can anyone help me on this?

 

Sea painted by wife this afternoon, so it will be going in it in the morning.

 

Bob

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

That looks a little gem!

 

Bob

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

I agree…..exquisite.

 

Peter.

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

A wonderful piece of modelmaking- it would be good to see another photo when it is set in sea.- and perhaps some from different angles.

I don’t know how you can part with these when they’re finished!

 

Ian

 

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Thanks,

I don’t have much choice really, as SQUIRREL is the 251st since I started counting in October 1992! Simply don’t have the psace for them. But I have them all in photographs.

Bob

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Please disregard “Lead Balloon” in title. SQUIRREL has now attracted more attention and interest than most of my more complicated productions!

 

Looks like it will soon be winging its way to the Far East!

 

Bob

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

The SQUIRREL has now completed her maiden voyage. Going (by air) to far-off Hong Kong, where she docked safely during the afternoon of the 17th Oct, after setting forth from Preston, Lancs, on Friday morning (14th October).

 

Bob

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Well done, Bob, I’m sure the new owner will be absolutely thrilled with his investment.

 

Peter.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Bob

This is very strange!

Your opening picture is only 350 wide and yet it enlarges when clicked on?

We need to think about this

Bob

[Andy HustlerParticipant @andyhustler32076]

Bob as this is a welsh ship have you thought of contacting the maratime musuem in swansea .I am sure they would bev able to help you .

Best wishes

Andy

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Andy,

Thanks, but as the Squirrel model is now in Hong Kong, it has largely passed from my sphere of interest. When I am actually building a model, I am very interested in its history, but during that time, information seldom comes my way!

Afraid it is now "water under the bridge" for me and I have moved on.

Even so, I have not moved on very far and must admit, that I am doing nothing in the way of ship modelling at the moment.

Best wishes

Bob

[Carl WalkerParticipant @carlwalker]

Absolutely gorgeous! A wonderful model.

Cheers

Ricky

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Thanks Ricky,

Yes, it did turn out well, but a bit too small for my taste. I don't mean the physical size of the model, but the size of the actual vessel – a mere 51 tons! I am more in my element with 2,000-ton iron or steel square-riggers or steamers of maybe 8,000 tons or more. Sadly, interest in my preferred type of ship was never been very high and has gone into a serious decline in recent years. Consequently, it has rubbed off on me and I have gone from producing 14 or 15 a year down to maybe 7 or 8! At the moment, I have regressed into designing and building obsolete radio of the type that have valves rather than transistors or integrated circuits!.

Bob

[Author]

Posts