A conflict of interests

[Suffolk Lad]

 Hi guys - As I have alluded to on the French GB build I have another non plastic modelling project I need to spend some time on. I thought that perhaps you might like to see what it is that is pulling me away from such a pleasurable build as that little Nieuport.

I began to build a model steam launch around September 2013. It's entirely scratch built and has had many hours dedicated to it. Last year I hit a bit of a brick wall in trying to get it finished for launching and decided to put it to one side and take a break and build the Starfighter - then the Camel took over then the Nieup and before I knew it nine months had gone by.

I need to rebuild the engine and make the pumps and finish off the engine/boiler installation and had earmarked the end of March latest for doing so. As of tomorrow then I shall make a start on it. It's going to take me away from my plastic bench for a while  but not forever - I have those WNW kits in the stash to be absent for too long not to mention completing the Nieuport.

I don't know if anyone else is plagued with other hobbies and subsequently conflict of interests but I find the only way I can deal with them now (at my age) is to deal with one at a time for a concentrated period of time - long gone are those days of ball juggling with several in the air at one time 

Anyway here's the reason for my malaise - as you can see it's called Wide a Wake (perhaps that's apt) - the boat itself is more or less finished just mainly the engine to sort out. The boiler, finished and ready to fit is sitting on the shelf (out of sight) when this was taken.



Should you be of a mind there's a full build log on the Model Engine Maker forum here http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,2851.0.html?PHPSESSID=5738323b74f7279747eef511e6cfdf77 but be warned it's lengthy with lots of pics. BTW there are more than one 'Tug Wilsons' in the model engineering world hence using my given name on there.

I do intend to keep up with the latest posts but do tend to get a bit preoccupied so forgive me if I'm absent for periods.

Good luck with all your modelling projects whatever they may be

Regards - Tug

[Des]

What a wonderful project you have taken on Tug, you have done a superb job with the boat. Good luck with the finishing touches to the engine, it should look beautiful when fully finished, please give us updated photos as you progress.

Des.

PS. What scale is this boat?

[Nigel Jackson]

Wow, Tug, that is mighty impressive. Apart from the normal family things, my main conflict of intetest at the moment lies in learning to play the electric bass.

Best wishes
Nigel

[Suffolk Lad]

Hi guys,

Nigel - modelling 'conflict' has always been something I've  lived with over the years as I have had several interests but these days I do find it a problem - only way I've found I can deal with it now is to give one thing at a time some dedicated time on it's own.

Des - the scale is 2" to the foot. It's 52" long and 15" beam.   The beam is a little wider than intended as that's the way it came off the moulds. Though I purposefully didn't I'm told by someone content to do so that there are over 1200 rivets in it. As anyone reading the log on MEM will see, I was inspired to build it as long ago as 1972 - just took me forty odd years to get round to it  . I confess I don't have quite the enthusiasm for it as I once did but it's so close to finishing now it would be a shame not to try to see it on the water. Much as I'd like to continue with the Nieuport I really don't think I can leave it any longer if it's to be launched this year.

I will be continuing posting pics of the remaining build on MEM as above but will pop the odd pic on here as you suggest.

I cleaned the bench down today and tidied everything away - tomorrow I'll be machining but I'm missing the Nieuport build already 

Regards - Tug

[Thumbs up]

Bleeding hell! I thought it was full sized.nice one!

[coyotemagic]

Bleeding hell! I thought it was full sized.nice one!

Same here!  She's absolutely ravishing, Tug!

- as you can see it's called Wide a Wake (perhaps that's apt) -

Good thing, since "Boaty McBoatface" is already taken.
Cheers,
Bud

[stefanbuss]

That is a beautiful way to waste spend your time, especially the "rebuild the engine" part of it.

Stefan

[boggie]

Hi Tug 

Well at least your "other" hobby has a prop attached to it so I reckon that's acceptable 

Please try not to be absent too long. 

Regards and happy boating.

[Jim]

That is a lovely looking launch...there's nothing quite like a wooden boat, no matter the scale. I also like the name - much better than Boaty McBoatface!

[Des]

I had a look at the build log and I must say, you are a very talented man Tug, the build log is very informative.

Des.

[Suffolk Lad]

Guy's thanks for your kind comments - yes Bud thank goodness 'its' been taken  .  I can't quite get it out of my head - launching ceremony, posh accent  " Eeh Neame this vessel 'B Mc bloody BF' - mey gord bless 'er  end orl who seil in 'er. Doesn't quite have the same ring as Titanic eh

I made a start on the engine today - black hands from the cast iron already, won't be picking anything plastic up for a few days yet Boggie but I will be back 

Des - I've loved making things virtually all my life and I've had varied interests along the way for most part. My big love though was for control line model aircraft which lasted off and on, mostly on, throughout until 2006.

Regards - Tug

[Suffolk Lad]

Hi Guys - well that six to seven weeks has disappeared in a flash  but pleased to tell I've finished on my distraction from the Nieuport so will be picking up on that again as from tomorrow 

Des, you did say to pop a pic or two of progress up so here is the engine as started on....

It's a Stuart Turner 'Double Ten' built by somebody else pre 1972. That's when I obtained it, sight unseen, in exchange for a new 10cc model boat engine. Though well made it was dreadfully painted in a luminous green. My input at that stage was to strip it and repaint it. It's been like this ever since.

As it stands there is nothing wrong with it , it's in good working order but the boat really requires it to have reversing valve gear so that has been made along with new con-rods and new pistons made from the originals etc etc. I felt I'd like to personalise it by making a new one piece cylinder head as opposed to the two separate heads of the original and it now looks like this




It runs very well on air and is more or less ready to fit to the boat.  I will need to take some more time out at some stage to make the two water pumps but for now it's full speed ahead on the Nieuport until finished.

As before, for those interested, there are more pics of the rebuild on Model Engine Maker forum here http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,2851.msg117544.html#msg117544

Well I know that's completely different from the mainstream here but I hope that's of interest - it (model engineering) was once a true passion but after so many years machining metal I'm afraid the fire has diminished considerably - I have to say I have really struggled to stay focussed on this so am truly looking forwards to tomorrow 

Regards - Tug

[Des]

What a superb looking engine Tug, the modifications you performed are excellent, the work of a true craftsman. Looking forward to seeing this gem of an engine fitted inside the hull and all coupled up ready to go.

Des.

[coyotemagic]

Awesome work on the power plant, Tug!  If it runs as well as it looks, it'll do everything you want it to and then some!
Cheers,
Bud

[Suffolk Lad]

Hi Guys -

I thought some of you might be interested to see another small update. The engine and boiler plant is now finished and ready to fit. There's still quite a few small things left to do inside the boat once it's installed but it's getting very close to launch day now 



and Bud and those of you with a bent for such here's a very short vid of it running 
https://youtu.be/EZGZ1uONCaw

Won't be long now before I can get back to the plastic without (this) distraction at least 

Regards - Tug