Vic Smeed’s Silver Mist

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hi Paul

The shaft isn't actually bent, Doctor

It has a short normal prop shaft and tube, glued into the hull and a longish extension, connecting the propshaft to the motor, further up the hull

There is a flexible coupling connecting the two shafts together

Because the flexible coupling could whirl, there is a bearing housing, close by

For the maiden voyage, the bearing housing was not glued in position and could rattle about

This is what made the engine noise

The silencer I referred to, was simply me gluing the bearing housing to the hull

Just my usual attention to detail, as friend Michael referred to!

Capt Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Captain Bob

You will have to forgive me as this is probably a daft question but wouldn't it have been easier to fabricate (or buy) a single piece shaft.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

On the contrary,old chap

Got plenty of propshafts and couplings in stock, Doc

I liked the idea of the set up anyway

Er……..How's your little kit build coming along now?

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

The little kit is just fine but you know me I'm easily distracted by shiny things.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hi Paul

The shiny bent shaft you proffered could have worked actually, since the ends are just about in line…..ish

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

For Geo and Kevin

Made a start on the Ariel mast and assorted wiring

For such a simple model, Vic has gone to town with the wire works for some reason, I like it though

Note the mast folds down, to pass below the low bridges……….What low bridges?

Just look at the size of that Flag pole!………All part of the model`s charm……….Total quirkiness

It`s going to be a bit of a pain, getting inside, at the pondside?

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I try never to open my boats up at the pondside, that's when you tend to knock bits off!

Test before leaving home and check when you get back. I do have a syringe with a bit of tube to suck out any unwanted water through removable skylight or something similar though.

Colin

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Good advice,Colin, but I was thinking more like getting the lead and batteries in and out

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Captain Bob

Re; hinged mast and wires

Perhaps Vic imagined that Silver Mist might be moored somewhere upriver and needed the mast to collapse in order to get under a low bridge. The wires might be antenna for an early radio.

Paul

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Fair point Bob, my boats are smaller and portable, I was overlooking the obvious!

Paul, you are probably right, low bridges can restrict where you could take this sort of boat unless you can reduce the air draught.

Colin

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

 

Old seafaring yarn……

I was mooching around Rockferry, last November, just as it was going dark, with a sea mist drifting across the mud flats, there was an old pub nearby, I could just make the lights shimmering in the haze and the faint sound of an old sea shanty, coming from within

Errrrr………No, this ain`t a Les Dawson joke

There was a hint of cigar smoke, wafting about, when I stumbled across an old anchor winch, half buried in the mud.

It was encrusted with the sands of time, and several old rivets embedded therein

Next day, I managed to drag the winch up the beach and after cleaning off the encrustations, I decided to mount it on Sea Mist……..Where it looks most befitting………I wonder where it came from?…..Mmmmmmm?

Just a bit of fun, me `arties

Bob

 

 

 

Edited By Bob Abell on 02/05/2017 17:42:59

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

You could grind corn with that Bob…..

Colin

[mike farrellParticipant @mikefarrell21522]

Hi Bob sad to say but where is his pipe ?Michael

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hi Mike and Colin…….The question is……..Where did the winch come from?

It`s not a winch really, but it`ll do for Silver Mist

The story is full of clues

Bob

[BanjomanParticipant @banjoman]

Hello Bob,

That "winch" looks rather like summat that might once have been connected to some stationary toy steam engine or other … ?!

Mattias

Edited By Banjoman on 03/05/2017 06:20:02

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Banjo, for your comment

The winch thingy was salvaged from my Great Eastern model in 2012 and I am quite pleased to see it being used again on Silver Mist, as an ornamental gadget

It was part of the cable paying out mechanism, as seen on the BBC Coast GE cable laying episode

The model was erroneously broken up in 2012, which I have regretted ever since

The clues were aimed at other club members, who were involved in the epic story at the time

The real Great Eastern was broken up at Rock Ferry, the pub of the same name was also broken up in the past few years, the river Mersey mud flats are full of old rivets from the ship and the cigar smoke was a hint towards Brunel

Bob

[BanjomanParticipant @banjoman]

Bob,

Of course! I should have figured — I saw that episode of Coast when it was first broadcast, and ought to have remembered the cable laying mechanism.

Mattias

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob

As it was before I joined in on this forum, but why did you break up your famous model ? or am I missing something ?

Regards Ray

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Ray

I would like to send you a PM, but you don't seem to be accessible

More info is required in your personal info box

Bob

[BanjomanParticipant @banjoman]

Bob,

If you look underneath each post in the thread, you'll find a link there saying "Message member"; if you click that link under Ray's latest posting, you should get a blank PM form pre-addressed to him.

Mattias

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob

I've just sent you a PM to reply too, hope it works

Regards Ray

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob Brunel

Sorry old chap I didn't' realise we were playing guess the part, but well done in bringing the GE back into the conversation….are you sure you don't get royalties?

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hi Paul

The gadget looks OK to me on the deck of Silver Mist as a winch and an explanation was necessary

There is no logical reason why the model GE story should ever be swept under the carpet and forgotten

Think about all the Kevin's out there who don't know about it

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob Brunel

Having learnt so much from the last one you could build another one and show Kevin what its all about.

I am missing your patent riveting system but this time build the hull in sections for ease of transport.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hi Paul

That would be an uphill battle these days, you do realise, I'm 80 now!

Looking back to 2007, the model only took 6 months to build

I was doing 15 hour shifts in those exciting days

It only had two 540 motors, 7 feet in length and yet it galloped about the lake

Bob

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