Newbie

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Just a quick up date:

Due to a tragic accident involving a large mirror and a freight train, (I'll leave you to figure it out!) I had to rebuild this model. I decided to rebuild her with a prop, rather than go to all the work of rebuilding the paddles. I was also curious to see if I could get the same performance as the paddler, using the same motor. (which I did, suprissingly) It did require guite a bit of mucking around with gear ratios and prop sizes though…

Lacks the charm of the side wheeler though!

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Amy. Different animal really. Should not be a suprise to get the same performance as the paddles because the screw propellor is supposed to be more efficient. The science museum had a wonderful cabinet with loads and loads of model props in it, dating from the very first ones, but not quite up to modern types.

The variation on a theme has to be seen to be believed. Indeed there was also a case of paddle wheels, again, loads of variations. On my list is a paddler, not sure what yet but it is there. I have a book on British Navy paddle warships, a little known subject, and I think that this will be the way to go. I need a schooner type hull and I will be off!

Ashley

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

In 1845 the event that decided between paddle wheel and screw propeller took place between the screw-driven Rattler and the paddle steamer Necto. Both ships were of similar size and power and were joined stern to stern and engaged in a strange event – a tug o'war in the North Sea.

The winner was the 200 hp Rattler, which towed the Necto backwards for 5 miles at 2½ knots. Since then screw has been the favoured type of propulsion.

Early propellers were surprisingly efficient, the one which Brunel designed for his SS Great Britain is only 5% less efficient than a modern computer designed one (ref Wiki).

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I think it was the Alecto Tony.

Colin

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

You are quite right, Colin, thanks for the correction. It is a very interesting piece of maritime history.

Ashley, looking forward to seeing your future build of a navy paddler.

Tony

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Hi there Tony and Ashley.

Thanks for your posts. I had long been under the (mis)understanding that paddles were more efficient than paddles, quite wrong I see! Certainly props are less work and more practical!

Thanks for the bit of history, Tony, I wasn't aware of it.

your build shall be worth watching Ashley.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

yes I shall indeed be pleased to watch it…

bit of a junior moment there Amy. More correctly, props are more efficient than props

Ashley

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

He he, just practising for my old age!

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