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[Michael Thompson 4Participant @michaelthompson4]

Hi I am completely new to modelling so will be asking some stupid questions. I have plans for the river launch Mabel looking at the wood side of things I am happy to crack on it does seem a simple design for a beginner. My first problem is the steam engine and boiler quoted on the drawing it says unit steam engine and unit boiler No2 can’t find any info on the internet any help would be great. I am retired now from an engineering background and looking forward to this new hobby

[Michael Thompson 4Participant @michaelthompson4]

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

my advice is……….don't run before you can stand up…

concentrate most of all on the build on the model itself, and once you have built the model launch, then you can concentrate on motorising the launch.

the Mabel, as i can remember was built to take steam, and so all measurements, angle of prop shaft and such will be designed for a steam plant basically……..BUT should you decide in the future to fit an electric motor, that will be a very easy conversion.

many a modeller has lost interest in the boat build, because their mind was too fixed upon what steam plant to fit, and have given up……….which is a sad loss to the modelling fraternity.

as i said…….concentrate on the boat build to plans first, and worry about the steam plant later.

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

The Unit Steam Engine and Unit Boiler are both manufactured by Tony Green Steam Models in Lincolnshire. The idea of the engine is that you can bolt together as many units as you wish to create a multi cylinder engine.

The boilers are also worthy of note in so far as they hinge up to ignite so you do not have the challenge of sliding a lit tray of fuel into the model, which is a huge improvement.

have a look through this web site:

Tony Green

 

Its also worth noting that, while steam is far from an easy thing to get into as your first model a Unit plant is probably about the simplest power plant you can start with.  It uses solid fuel so no messing about with gas and all its challenges and it can be a good way to learn more about steam as a propulsion system.  You will still have challenges though, the boiler is not a high performance and will only last for around 10 minutes or so before needing to be brought in for a fill and you will have to fill it with hot water otherwise by the time the boiler is up to steam the fuel tablets will be spent!

I did an article for Model boats a few years ago on a Krick 'Anna' with  Tony Green Boiler and a Tiny engine, which is similar to what you are considering and might be worth a read.  I'll dig out when it was published.

Edited By Richard Simpson on 11/11/2021 12:49:26

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

The build article for the Krick Anna was in the May '17 to Nov '17 editions of the magazine. If you cannot get back copies and you would like to read the articles then let me know.

I would recommend a kit as a first build, as everything has been done for you as regards design and there will be information out there as regards help and advice but as long as it is a simple build and an open hull for easy access to the plant it should not provide too much of a problem.

Anyway just a couple of pictures, which you may find interesting, including a shot of a Tony Green Unit Marine Plant.

Even with a kit there can still be some pitfalls but they should be minimal. The whole idea of this project was to demonstrate that a steam powered model could be put together for a reasonable cost with the total for this including all parts in the model came to less than £400.00. The engine is not controllable, neither would a Unit engine unless you are making it multi cylinder, but you can steer it around the pond with a radio and simply bring it in before you know the steam is going to run out.

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