Model Maker: Volume 1, Issue 11 – October 1951

KER incorporating – THE MODEL MECHANIC & MODEL CARS VOLUME 1 OCTOBER 1951 NUMBER 11 (New Series) “Festive’ Marblehead Yacht IN THIS ISSUE: “A” Class Championships Sinking of S.S. “Egypt” : Brick & Timber Signal Box Making a Composite Mill : : A New Ultra-small Model Railway : Electric Pick-up Coach in 4 mm, Scale : _ Realistic Model Railway Clock for Timetable Running Maserati 4CLT Championships Paints & Painting : Put that Dot on the Spot! Troughs for 0 Gauge : A Lathe Treadle Stand : Model Car Speed : : Modelling a Mack Truck : Tuning a Dooling 61 Model PY Cooper 500 Prototype a ees : : $ : : : 3 ; i] DEASON PRESENTS A “MODEL MAKER” PHOTO FEATURE “A”? Class Championships at THE British Open ‘‘A’’ Championship, held at Fleetwood from August 9th to 25th, attracted 50 entries, 48 of which actually took part, these including six Scottish boats, two from Ulster, three French and a lone Danish challenge by Kai Ipsen with Revanche, which finally defeated its rivals and ran out a close winner by four points in the finals, from W. Douglas’ Helios from the Barrow Club. Weather during the week was distinctly mixed, ranging from light and fickle breezes from all points, through a flat calm, to gale force for the final rounds, which began on Friday the 24th. By this time, Dou, Phibou, and Zef, the French contenders, were ail eliminated, leaving only the redoubtable Kai Ipsen to contest the issue with the British contingent of (Head of page) Left, “Helios’’, runner-up in the Finals, led by A. McGruer’s “Fiona” on a close reach, (Centre) Boats retrimmed during a beat. The skipper in the centre seems to have set a personal spin(Right) Two ”Boards” naker! camera ”Black Empress’ leads “Westwind” on the seaward side. Nearest the in progress together. “Fiona”, with “Yeoman” ahead of (Above left) Start of a beat, with “Yeoman”! in foreground matched against the ultimate mainsail, W. ©. V. north bank. (Below south end, showing with spinnakers set. champion, ‘’Revanche”. (Below) Battle with a Blogg’s ‘Sharma’ changing a suit of sails on the centre) The Fleetwood salt-water lake from the ”Fiona” and ‘’Westwind’ running a fast board —— H. e– G. October 1951 Schooled in open water. racing, and hailing from a country second to none in its organisation of model yachting, Kai Ipsen of Denmark, Class “A” famous his sailed to victory and the “Revanche” Scrutton Cup in the British Open Championship held at Fleetwood in August, 1951, after lying third to two British boats at the end of Friday’s sailing. – No stranger to British competitions, ‘’Revanche’’ finished second to the American yacht ”Ranger’’ at Fleetwood in 1948, and was third the following year. He is seen here with ”Revanche” during the Finals of 1951. o- OF . . . . FINAL HEATS IN THE Fleetwood which two, Flame and Westwind, were sailing in home waters. ‘ By the time Model Maker arrived at the lakeside for the first round of the finals on Friday the wind, absent in the morning, had freshened considerably, reaching gale force at times. On the windward courses both beating and reaching conditions prevailed, but full use of spinnakers on the South-to- | North run gave some fast sailing, and the handling of the competing boats was of the very high standard one would expect of Open Championship events. J. Freedman’s Rapture and B. H. Priest’s Yeoman led the Danish boat at the end of the day by five and four points respectively, but after a hard tussle on the Saturday, during which the weather again (Above right) With the commodious Clubhouse in the background, H. Scott-Freeman of South London starts “‘Zenith” on a beat against a Fleetwood boat, E. L. Dawson’s ”Flame”. These two boats finished fourth and fifth in the final results. (Below) An overhead shot from the bridge, showing “Yeoman” and “Black Empress’’ being trimmed at the pontoon before a ”board”’. Sea-boots were the order of the day, and the big “A” Class boats called for skilful handling under these conditions. MODEL MAKER J. ‘Rapture’, (Left) Freedman’s Yorkshire entry, third in the final lacings, running in a moderate reeze, and A. McGruer’s Scottish boat ”Fiona’’ drawing well. away with canvas deteriorated, Kai Ipsen sailed Revanche to the front to win the Challenge Trophy. The Mayor of Fleetwod, -who took a keen personal interest in the Regatta, of- ficiated at the prize distribution in the Fleetwood Clubhouse, and a gift of five bronze medallions, by. M. Boussy of France, were awarded to com- petitors as a _ spectral recognition of merit. FINALS r Yacht 1. Revanche Skipper Kai Ipsen 2. Helios 3. Rapture 4. Flame W. Douglas J. Freedman E. L. Dawson 6. Grenadier 7. Black Empress E. Marsh R. Bradley 5. Zenith 8. 9. 10. Il. 4 12. Panther Yeoman Westwind Fiona Sharma H. Scott-Freeman J. Tregenna B. H. Priest R. Pilling A. McGruer G. Blogg DIVISIONAL HEATS Club Denmark Barrow South Yorks Fleetwood South London Birkenhead Bolton Ulster Birkenhead Fleetwood Helensburg Y.M.6m.0.A. Sun./Mon. Tues. 33 32 38 54 48 48 28 39 30 19 42 30 26 27 43 57 47 39 él 42 39 40 29 45 Wed. 12 67 65 60 58 73 65 50 81 62 54 él Thur. 90 804 764 84 78 84 79 69 89 80 80 84 Division Saturday 33 68 65 65 33 30 38 B B B A A B A B B A A A Friday | 20 29 19 22 34 25 20 27 ? 72 55 54 52 5l 49 44 43 4l -, deel Bnd oy a (Centre) E.. Marsh’s ”Grenadier”, sixth finisher, (Left) W. Douglas of Barrow, second in the Championship, trims the spinnaker of ‘Helios’. with boom out and spinnaker filling nicely. sight satisfying a provides Empress” ‘Black boat Lancashire (Right) and Finals, the in close hauled MAST HEEL. October 1951 =ee a be ge soo 7 pee 5 ye 3 4 oe A A) JIB ~ o) RACK. io) “Pos @ JACK LINE. (@) RUNNING LINES. @ BEATING SHEET. @ KICKING STRAP. © eye FOR NO. 4. aN lan (QQF2000009000000000000000 GUNWHALE o= TENSION SLIDE. EYE. =) [_] SLIDER. = ay _W. J. DANIELS CONCLUDES © MARBLEHEAD DESIGN WITH ~ RIGGING _ DETAILS AND HINTS ‘HE point has ON SAILING now arrived when consideration must be given to the finish. Most model yachtsmen who are expert at planking a model do not like to cover up their work by painting, but a plain varnished boat does not display her shape unless there : something to indicate the topsides from the underody. (ET HIS vt FESTIVE I a0\ 62 A line known as a boot top will achieve this and set off the finish. After applying one coat of varnish as a filler and allowing to dry, rub down with fine paper. Turn the model upside down on a flat surface and with a scribing block arrange it so that the water line is parallel to the surface, and mark round the model the load waterline. Having done this LAYOUT OF DECK FITTINGS raise the bow and set the scribing block lower so that a line is struck % in. higher at stern and 3 in. higher at bow. Gum paper can now be fixed around the hull along these lines and the colour (a light one) can be painted in the gap. After the paint is dry, soak off the paper and varnish all over. The deck of the model is the part that most catches the eye, as previously has been said. There are two methods of lining it, but the lines running parallel to the deck rail are preferable and comply with modern practice. If you represent the plank ends joggled into the centre king plank and stain the latter it is most effective. If you make the deck coamings and taffrail piece of obechi they should be stained a dark colour. The latter should be fixed with # in. copper pins. Do not drive the latter right home, but leave 4 in. up, then cut off the head with pliers and tap them right home with a series of light taps to form a rivet head. They will not then be visible. The rigging up and final assembly can now be done, and the model.completed. Use nothing but the best cord. Cotton bobbins should be used for running rigging such as sheets and steering lines, outhauls, etc. All necessary bowsers, sail hooks, cord, bobbins, etc., can be obtained from Arthur Mullett as advertised. Sailing “Festive” Having now completed the model it is now a question of tuning her up so that she functions correctly. It is one of the unfortunate things of vane steering that one is inclined to use the vane to get the course desired before everyhing is arranged for the model to give her best performance. As at the moment the model is fitted with quadrant steering the matter does not arise, but it must be borne in mind that although sailing is a mechanical operation a yacht can never be an exact piece of machinery. Sails are liable to change shape slightly, and to stretch, and even the hull does not stay put. Some model yachtsmen have graduations marked on the spars and keep notes of 654 AND DECK LINING FESTIVE. the trims by this means, but a slight dampness of the atmosphere or rise in temperature will alter all this, and it is best to train oneself to trim the sails by their aspect when the wind is on them. We will first take up our position at the leeward end of the water, which means that we have to sail close hauled to get to the windward end. First, haul in the jib fairly close, and then set the mainsail so that it is slightly at a wider angle. After starting the boat on her course a careful watch will note if she is keeping her sails full. On reaching the shore the mainsail can be hauled in a little closer ,and the model put round on the other tack. Repeat this until the boat at last is inclined to come head to wind when the previous setting will be the correct one. Care should be taken to see that the rudder is straight or the model will not perform the same on both tacks. In rigging up the boat first set the stays pulling the mast in a slight curve aft, then set up the jib stay to pull it straight. A tight forestay ensures the jib being a correct aerofoil. See that both jib boom and main boom are free to swing easily. If you find that the jib is inclined to back wind the mainsail after you have followed the previous procedure, try putting the mast more upright by putting the keel in a slot further aft. The opposite if you find that the model does not sail as close to. the wind as desired. If it is required to sail a course with the wind blowing at right angles (known as a beam wind) the sails should be let off to an angle of about 45 deg. and the’steering gear brought into play. Tighten the centring line elastic just sufficiently ‘to bring the rudder central. Unhook the beating sheet so that the lines to the steering quadrant come into play. If you find that the model sets up to weather of the course the pull on the quadrant must be put further away from the rudder head and close it in if the boat breaks away off the wind too much. The running line that is not operating should be hooked on the outer limit of the quadrant so that if the model gets the mainsail over the wrong side . (Continued on page 689) MODEL ~ MAKER MODEL MAKER MODEL YACHT TROPHY WE publish below relevant correspondence between this magazine and the Model Yachting Association with regard to the presentation of a silver chailenge trophy. Under the circumstances we are happy to abide by the decision of the M.Y.A., and accept MopeEL MAKER to Secretary, Model Yachting Association. 23rd April, 1951. Dear Sir, ; It is our desire to present a silver cup together with an annual award of £5 5s. Od. for model yacht competition. I should be glad to know whether the Model Yacht Association will be prepared to accept this offer of a Challenge Trophy for annual competition. I should appreciate your comments and hope that you will be able to make use of this offer. Yours faithfully, D. J. LAIDLAW DICKSON, Co-Editor. The Model Yachting Association to MODEL, MAKER. 24th April, 1951. My Dear Sir, I beg to thank you and the Mopet Maker for your most generous offer of a Silver Cup and Annual Award of £5 5s. Od. as contained in your letter of the 23rd inst., The -M.Y.A. only hold in trust (as their property) the six National Championship Cups, i.e., one for each of the Classes recognised by the Association. Individual Clubs of course, each have many Trophies for their own Club competitions and others for Open interclub events. Pre 1938 the M.Y.A. held in trust (not as their own property) quite a number of valuable Trophies, each one having its own conditions (as laid down by the Donors). When these tro- phies were raced for, the Clubs with which the Trophy was directly associated, always expected Headquarters to arrange and sponsor these events, and to allocate a sum of money towards prizes, etc. This resulted in a very severe and dangerous drain on the then as now, very limited funds of the Association. In 1938 it was agreed at an Annual General Meeting that the M.Y.A. could not possibly stand this continued. financial liability and it was agreed that ALL Trophies other than the National Championship ones, be handed back to the donors or Clubs. This was done…. I shall have the greatest pleasure to submit your Believe me to be, Yours very sincerely, CHAS. R. SEABROOKE, Hon. Secretary, M.Y.A. MopEL MAKER fo Secretary, Model Yachting Association. 26th April, 1951. Dear Mr. Seabrooke, Thank you for your letter explaining the general attitude of the M.Y.A..towards cups and trophies. I had rather anticipated that this might be the Association’s official viewpoint, but felt that it was both right and proper to make the unqualified offer in the way that I did to give their officers an opportunity of some say in its ultimate destination. Under the circumstances—may I add that I consider the M.Y.A. shows admirable restraint in this matter, for multiplicity of awards can be a real burden on administration —I should be glad if you would put up an alternative suggestion to the Council. That is, that a MODEL MAKER Trophy will be available for annual award as a challenge cup, together with a Five Guinea Prize, for the best performance by a novice skipper (first or second year men who have never won a national award before) in any of the six National Championship Classes in the Cup Competitions. i We are, of course, quite open to any other suggestion the Council may put up—our intention is to make some gesture of encouragement to the newcomer—they are so often neglected while the expert has always the goal of international sport and the possibility of an overseas trip as a national representative. Yours sincerely, D. J. LAIDLAW DICKSON, Co-Editor. The Model June 23rd, 1951. to: MODEL MAKER. My Dear Mr. Dickson, As promised in my letter of April 28th I was happy to present all the correspondence between us to the Council of the M.Y.A. at their Statutory meeting held in London on June 2ist. The matter of your thoughtful and kind offer was very seriously and sympathetically considered. I regret that Council could not see their way clear to depart from the practice that it had adopted since 1938 re further trophies. The suggestion that it could be allied with a Championship, on a meritorious performance by a novice’s performance in such a race, was deemed to be impracticable, as a novice as such, does not and are not entered by their Clubs for these high standard races. It was felt that your object would be best met if you contacted one of the affiliated Clubs of our Association and got them to arrange an ‘Open Novices’ race. By a novice we mean one who has not won a cup or trophy. We suggest that as most novices start with the 36 in. Class this would be the best class to start with. You could then in future years offer the trophy for each of or any one of the other classes in turn. In this. way, you would be sure that the trophy was won on merit by a genuine novice. The prize money must not, of course, be given as a cash prize, that would make the receiver a non amateur, i.e. one who has never competed for a money or cash prize . . . It is on the instructions of Council that I have to convey to you, their thanks for your kind offer in the interest of the sport. I am, yours sincerely, CHAS. R. SEABROOKE. letter to Council at their next meeting (in June) and will then inform you of their decision. Yachting Association I am afraid that your 656 “a their suggestion for its annual award. Model Yacht Club Committees are therefore. invited to make offers to place their sailing water at our disposal for the purpose of a Novice 36-in. Restricted Class Contest to be held on a convenient date in 1952. We should prefer interested Committees to have the whole handling of the event, and would agree the rules mutually with them. We have no wish to regulate the actual contest, though we should appreciate the invitation to serve on the Contest Committee. Our part will be to provide the Trophy and to present the winner with a voucher to the value of Five Guineas. It is hoped to hold the event at a different venue each year, so that should a Southern Club be agreeable to stage the 1952 contest then a Midland or Northern venue would be sought in subsequent years. suggestion would be impractical for the Association as such to employ. I do most sincerely trust that Council may offer a suggestion to you, for your consideration. With very kindest regards and best wishes, October 1951 To allow more fuel and air to enter the engine, the 90 deg. section cut away from the disc can be enlarged. This modification affects easy starting to a slight extent, but may be found to increase the power and r.p.m. of the engine. The area of the rotor port is increased as follows: On face “A”, .020 in. is removed as shown, filed 26A. HOLE WITH LEAD. FILLEr away at an angle, and then finally radiused. If the recess that has been machined to clear the big end of the connecting rod is broken into, it will not matter a great deal from a performance point of view. On face “B” the same operation is performed, only .040 in. is taken off the other side of the disc, the face then being filed off at an angle and radiused. The whole disc should now be very highly polished. On my own engine I have found that the bearing spindle of the disc has been worn to a remarkable degree, causing the back of the disc to bind on the front face of the back cover. This wear is, of course, due to the rotary disc not being properly balanced. To improve the balance of the disc, 2 B.A. holes can be tapped near to the faces “A” and “B” and also near the outside edge, as shown, and then filled with FACE 8. FRONT RADIUS | : -020 | oeon at FRONT. FACE ‘A’ FESTIVE RADIUS, MARBLEHEAD through a wind eddy she will excessive helm on the other tack which will jib her back to the proper course. If the course desired is a run before the wind the mainsail should be let off nearly square and the helm arranged accordingly for the new course. When you set the spinnaker see that the angle made by the line from outer end of spinnaker boom and the sheeting position on the deck rail is greater than the main boom angle otherwise the spinnaker is likely to get backwinded. It is sometimes the case that in order to reach the end of the course it is not necessary to make a tack right aeross the pond to the other side. In this case a short tack can be made by attaching a gye from the end of the main boom to a point forward on the deck rail. This gye consists of a short length of rubber cord with a hook at one end for the sail eye, the rubber being extended by a length of bobbing cord passing through a bowser through a hook on the end of the main boom and back to the bowser. By adjusting this gye so that it pulls the main boom to amidships it will cause the model to sail into the solder. No flux should be used when doing this. A small amount of the solder should be left proud of the disc on both sides, and then gently tapped into the hole when the solder has set. The superfluous metal may then be filed away and polished flush with the outer face. If the spindle has been very badly worn, it is advisable to turn it down to .125 in. and then fit two % in. high speed races, there being just sufficient material on the back cover to provide space for the two housings. To prevent any leaks, a distance piece of .187 in. diameter should be fitted between the races. By substituting ballraces for the ordinary bronze bearing a further small amount of friction can be eliminated. The foregoing suggestion which are based on persona] experience are intended primarily to be of assistance to those readers who possess a Dooling “61”. It is hoped, however, that they may also be at least of interest to others. (Continued from page 654) wind and shake herself round to the original tack. For winds that overpower the model in her No. 1 suit of sails it is necessary to have smaller suits. These must be arranged that all have their centre of drive in the same fore and aft position. The same main boom can be used but each jib will require a separate spar. Never sail the model so that she is labouring under too much canvas as she will sail much faster if comfortable. Always see that the mast is not pulled to one side through one stay being tighter than the other. See that the rudder is perfectly free to move with the slightest puff of wind and that the elastic centring line is only just tight enough to bring the rudder amidships when the lines. are slack. It will be noted that a kicking strap is necessary with the modern high aspect sail plan. This prevents the boom rising excessively and allowing the sail to wrap itself around the mast if the model gibes. It should never be set tight especially when the yacht is close hauled as it will then spoil the natural flow of the sail. 689 ——7~