Archive for The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam ForumThe Original Unofficial Toy Steam Forum Established 2006 The biggest, most popular global steam forum around! Accept NO imitations! We have a growing community of regular posting members who chat about all aspects of toy and model steam.
After several weeks of waiting she is finally packed and crated, with passage booked and paid for.
She leaves Cambridge tomorrow, will fly to Antigua on Monday, then on to the Virgin Islands.
Assuming we don't have the same fiasco as last time, she could be home by the end of next week.
IndianaRog
Hope she has a good tail wind on her trek to the VI's...you must be bustin' with anticipation.
johnreid
I cant wait to see her pictured in the VI. I admit I was a bit excited when I saw the title tothis thread, God Speed Der Seekadett.
Atticman
So was I, what have they been doing in Cambridge
Les
God speed.
kusuchi
Atticman wrote:
So was I, what have they been doing in Cambridge
I don't know, Tom!
I had to call them earlier this week to get them to pull their finger out. Then I get a phone call today at 3,00 pm, UK time, telling me it's leaving tomorrow.
I had two hours to secure insurance coverage from a UK company on a Friday afternoon using a cell phone.
Really hoping we don't have the same delays as last time and she gets here soon. At least I won't have the problem with the Haz Mat labels being on the wrong side of the crate.
steamgranny
Have been (impatiently ) waiting for an update, too!
Good to know she is finally on her way & may she have have a speedy & uneventful trip. Looking forward to the final arrival announcement!
mogogear
Like all the others wishes for you Richard, Godspeed and fair winds to the Seekadett.
She nor her builder could have never dreamed to sail in such beautiful waters..
Sandman
To echo the others.
Hoping that all goes well on the journey mate.
redryder
I can't wait to see photos of her in warm waters!!!
Gil
kusuchi
So far, so good.
She was scheduled to fly to Barbados on Monday, to Antigua on Thursday, and on the first available flight to St Thomas after that.
She arrived in Antigua at 10.30 this morning.
For all I know she may already be here.
Or not.
tmuir
Glad to hear this one is doing better time on its trip over compared to the last one.
Les
I am glad the trip is a lot quicker this time.
johnreid
I am sitting on pins and needles awaiting news of her arrival
Atticman
johnreid wrote:
I am sitting on pins and needles awaiting news of her arrival
I hope not the ones before they go in your eye John
kusuchi
Not today. Maybe tomorrow. Still have to clear her through customs before I can bring her home.
The lady at the freight forwarders and I have become good friends. I'm sure she will let me know as soon as it arrives.
She let me take delivery of Topaz before it was even cleared! Good job customs didn't want to do an inspection! Maybe she'll do the same with Der Seekadett.
When I was there today she wanted to see pictures of Topaz, so I showed her this video on my I Phone:
kusuchi
johnreid
Les
That is great news, now open the box.
Please.
mogogear
Dear Lord, thank you for the joy we are about to share with Richard and Andrew..
If he is disappointed in the least bit- please appear to him in a vision on the waters and have him ship it immediately to :
MOGOGEAR
Portland Oregon
A toast to the Seekadett!!
kusuchi
OMG
She's much grander in scale and detail even than Topaz. You have to see her in the flesh to appreciate it. Pictures just don't do it justice.
Nevertheless, here's the first set of general views.
Many thanks to Michael for all his invaluable assistance, and to Odilon for help at the final stage.
Andrew needs a haircut!
Les
Just gorgeous.
MooseMan
OoooOOOoooOOooooooooohhhhhhhhh.......
I am SO in love!
Sandman
Oh My. Words are not enough.
That is truly awesome to say the least.
What an addition to the collection Richard.
johnreid
Oh my that is better looking than I thought, what a beauty.
Can we expect a group shot of the Fleet soon?
kusuchi
Tonight we'll charge her and tomorrow recreate the Topaz video above on her first test run.
Some more specific shots:
IndianaRog
Richard, I have never seen a finer vessel....that is absolutely gorgeous.
MooseMan
I'm sitting here behind my desk with my mouth hanging open drooling onto my keyboard.........
I've seen some beautiful boats, but that beats 'em all hands down.
kusuchi
Details of the Interior and the M,H&B Triple:
ministeamer
OMG!! That detail is just....... Wow!
Congratulations onyour purchase, I've never seen a finer boat. Not even a real one thatI've seen could ever look better than that.
kusuchi
Thanks, everyone, for your kind words.
Andrew and I are completely blown away.
Finally,........ the pictures I could only dream I might one day get to take:
Now where can I get Vigilant and Opal?
Sandman
How are you going to top that at the STWWW, Richard.
kusuchi
Sandman wrote:
How are you going to top that at the STWWW, Richard.
Video, Sandy, if I'm not to busy with other duties.
Topaz badly needs a new stand. Now I see Der Seekadett's I'm going to have one built along with the new display case.
Les
Just awesome.
mc_mc
Phew, I'm glad it's finally reached you safely. I was privileged to help out, thanks for trusting me with it.
It looks much better pictured on your balcony than on my kitchen table.
I can't wait to see the video of it's first sailing. I've already seen the engine running so I know it's going to perform well.
I suppose you've got to get the RC sorted first?
mogogear
Hip Hip Hurray!
All is well in the world now. It is so great when any of our members achieve these success'
Have a splendid weekend Richard and Andrew
kusuchi
Although the Webra receiver is supposed to be compatible with Futaba, my Futaba transmitter doesn't seem to work. Both are 40Mhz, totally illegal in the US. It works with Topaz, so I have no idea what's wrong.
Was going to order a new transmitter/receiver combo anyway so they can run together, but the test run will now have to wait a week.
Andrew, (and his Dad), are very disappointed.
johnreid
Another long wait, at least you can admire it up close now.
Les
Are the transmitter and receiver on the same frequency??
kusuchi
Les wrote:
Are the transmitter and receiver on the same frequency??
Yes, Les.
I really don't know why it doesn't work. Neither did the tech help at Futaba!
We'll probably run Topaz tomorrow for Aimee. I'm thinking of taking Der Seekadett along for Ballast trials, (she's never been on the water ), and photo ops.
johnreid
It is a shame I no longer work at the Crystal factory. Could have sent along some Engineering Samples.
Sandman
Let's hope you get the R/C problem fixed quickly Richard.
We're all on tenterhooks waiting for the first video.
Steve_S
She looks fantastic Richard! Just stunning! What a fleet!
steamgranny
Was in transit myself (presently in UK) thus missing the long-awaited arrival!!
What can I say & where can I find a suitable smiley for this one??!!
'Sublime' is a word that comes to mind..... The detail is stunning, her rakish lines gorgeous & hope the RC problems are soon solved & we can finally see her in action.....Wonderful, simply wonderful....
kusuchi
In the jacuzzi, (just! )
With a full boiler she seems to sit on a pretty even keel.
The Elliot Bay for comparison:
madeinenglang
thanks Richard for the grate pics
Les
You need a bigger jucuzzi.
Stilldrillin
Oh, my.......
Oh, my......
OH, MY....
OH, MY.....
johnreid
The water is clear enough that it looks to be floating on air. A beautiful craft.
RocDoc
Fantastic Richard ... what a fantastic boat.
However ... I did notice something ... a small detail which I think you have overlooked. You have a boat that is illegal ... sorry mate, but you cannot sail her.
You see ... the boat is missing a flange type E socket. As I have such a socket, I'm more than happy to visit you to repair said boat
Pete
mogogear
RocDoc wrote:
Fantastic Richard ... what a fantastic boat.
However ... I did notice something ... a small detail which I think you have overlooked. You have a boat that is illegal ... sorry mate, but you cannot sail her.
You see ... the boat is missing a flange type E socket. As I have such a socket, I'm more than happy to visit you to repair said boat
Pete
Here comes the invite........
bessytractor
what a lovely thing to own!
I'm particularly taken by the standard of finish on the anti fowling. Its better than the best ive seen on the full size!
kusuchi
RocDoc wrote:
Fantastic Richard ... what a fantastic boat.
However ... I did notice something ... a small detail which I think you have overlooked. You have a boat that is illegal ... sorry mate, but you cannot sail her.
You see ... the boat is missing a flange type E socket. As I have such a socket, I'm more than happy to visit you to repair said boat
Pete
Oh No !!! What are you doing tomorrow?
Steve_S
Les wrote:
You need a bigger jucuzzi.
You certainly do!
kusuchi
Steve_S wrote:
Les wrote:
You need a bigger jucuzzi.
You certainly do!
OK, OK.
My next project, right in front of the living room, a model boating pond!
Les
That's better.
mogogear
Rog can come over and make you a spiffy launching ramp
RocDoc
I can come over and fix that sprocket E flange or whatever it is
Pete
kusuchi
The RC has arrived! Charging tonight, test run tomorrow, on the water on Thursday I hope.
ministeamer
kusuchi wrote:
The RC has arrived! Charging tonight, test run tomorrow, on the water on Thursday I hope.
I now know the pain of waiting. After nearly half a year of saving up for an RC car, I haven't got the fuel!!!
redryder
Congrats Richard and Andrew !!!!!
I know you have been patiently waiting for this one.
Looking forward to seeing more of the newest addition to the Virgin Islands Fleet.
Gil
kusuchi
Installed the new receiver and had to spend a considerable amount of time rearranging the servo connections. The channels on the original receiver were not the same as on the new one. Some also had to be reversed.
It was not until we ran her tonight, that I realized the forward/reverse servo also need to reversed. I could not do this in the field as the centering and length of throw also need adjustment.
The attenuator also needs to be set up. It didn't work at all. As you can see in the video we rapidly hit 70 psi and the attenuator never cut in. Accordingly, I had to manually shut the gas supply valve down to the lowest possible setting. These M,H&B boilers are just too powerful.
The rudder and propeller are considerably larger than on Topaz, The prop generates wind like a machine shop fan. I've a feeling this boat is going to really move when we put it on the water tomorrow.
mogogear
GoodLord...Thankfully you had a sizable whistle to rely on for "steam depletion"- that pressure gauge was leaning to the right the whole time!!
The prop size does look ominously large
"Aye captain we are up to ramming speed"
She is a racer for sure
kusuchi
mogogear wrote:
GoodLord...Thankfully you had a sizable whistle to rely on for "steam depletion"- that pressure gauge was leaning to the right the whole time!!
The prop size does look ominously large
"Aye captain we are up to ramming speed"
She is a racer for sure
The recommended operating pressure is 45 to 60 psi. I too am glad we had the whistle to blow off excess pressure.
Andrew and whistleman would love it, but I'd prefer it if the attenuator did it's job. Surprisingly the safety valve did not launch it's dummy whistle cover into outer space. (Although we tied it with thread to the railings just in case!)
mc_mc
When I saw the boat demoed by the previous owner I'm sure I saw the attenuator operating, the pressure didn't get any where near that and you could hear the variation in burner noise. Perhaps try opening the gas tap a little less?
But glad to see it running again at last, the air flow being forced by the prop is great isn't it.
I'm sure you'll get everything dialled in, in time.
I think you're going to need a 'chase boat' to keep up with it when it's on the water.
Les
That is wonderful Richard, I am sure with a little tweaking here and there you will get it running to perfection.
kusuchi
Running on the pool today. Video tomorrow.
johnreid
That boat looks fast, even when sitting still. Cant wait to see the video.
IndianaRog
Richard, that is gorgeous...simply gorgeous.
But please, if you are going to run it on the ocean, pick a dead calm day...hate to see a repeat of your first video boat outing when all our stomachs did a summersault.
Rog
mogogear
An-tic-i-a- paa-a- tion
It's makin' me wa- aaaa-it.....
I love it...this is going to be sooo smooth
Sandman
Oh my what a beauty Richard.
Bring on the video mate.
kusuchi
Not the best video we've ever done.
First Val's friend showed up, and the two of them chattered incessantly, despite pleas for quiet. I wanted to retain the sound of the engine, the water and the whistle, so did not add music.
Secondly, halfway through the run, I noticed someone had set the camcorder focus to manual, so most of that footage was unusable. I did include one out of focus sequence, simply because it shows Andrew deftly bringing the launch from full speed ahead to stop millimeters from the pool step.
Turning the launch is quite a challenge. Because of the huge rudder, too much throw at high speed causes her to list violently. By the end of the run, however, Andrew had it down!
MooseMan
WOW that has some legs.......what a gorgeous craft!
Captain Andrew is an RC champion......incredible control! That boy has the makings of a helicopter pilot!
Les
She doesn't hang around does she, I think Der Seekadett would be very scary on the open water.
logoman
very maneuverable! definitely a load of fun.
johnreid
YOu need to find a bigger, and shallow, pool
That boat is amazing, sleek lines and really fast.
mc_mc
Just beautiful.
AzRob
I second John, you need a bigger pool.
Hey, don't you have a sheltered lagoon nearby...?
mogogear
Very commendable Richard , With a son at the helm getting used toa very powerful power plant-- you never screamed out as the steps approached the bow..
perhaps you edited out the tense moments!
She is a Thoroughbred! quite a filly ..a large protected expanse of serene water is calling to you. Good wishes as you get the R/C adjustments dialed in...
She sure is beautiful ---Andrew was quite agile running to catch in case the r/c instructions were not enough... on the job..a good first mate
kusuchi
mogogear wrote:
Very commendable John..With a son at the helm getting used t oa very powerful power plant-- you never screamed out as the steps approached the bow..
perhaps you edited out the tense moments!
She is a Thoroughbred! quite a filly ..a large protected expanse of serene water is calling to you. Good wishes as you get the R/C adjustments dialed in...
She sure is beautiful ---Andrew was quite agile running to catch in case the r/c instructions were not enough... on the job..a good first mate
No, Greg, I have absolute confidence in Andrew. He's a whole lot better on the RC than I am. Loved the way he stopped the launch right as the submerged bow was about to impact the step. He had only one small collision with the side of the pool during the whole run, right at the beginning. Something that could have been prevented had his mother not been distracted, talking to her friend.
I was very impressed with the way he operated the RC, learning rapidly to maneuver the launch in extremely tight quarters.
In the opening shots, the launch is running at about 50 psi, and you can really see the raw power. After I corrected the camcorder focus problems, we were only running at about 40 psi. Given that the recommended operating pressure is 45 to 60 psi, everyone is right, we really need a bigger pool.
Unfortunately, that pool is over 30 ft long, and we were only just getting up to speed when Andrew had to hit the brakes. I think we'll have to put her to sea.
At the end of the run, with the boiler still half full, I turned up the gas to try and increase the pressure. Maybe I overdid it, but at that point we discovered the outer funnel paint was not VHT. Some minor refinishing will be required this week.
Maybe tomorrow. Still have to clear her through customs before I can bring her home.
(Although we tied it with thread to the railings just in case!)
