Tin Boat Surprise

yellow_jr · Tin Boat Surprise

Given this Tin Boat by an old gentleman of my local boating club.

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What a surprise when I removed the cabin - A Wilesco steam engine in mint condition

I have found out with a bit of searching this is what I think it should look like:

As can be seen the boat has gone under massive transformation to try and get to float / sea worthy.

I suspect the boat originally was display purposes only?

A makers badge on deck identifies the manufacturer as 'Tucher + Walther'.

Any further information

would be great.

I will attempt to get the old girl back to its former glory.

Les

A bit of info about the makers.

Tucher + Walther was established in 1977 by Elisabeth Walther and Bernhard Tucher in Nurnberg, Germany, the traditional toy center of the world. Since Nurnberg had a long tradition of manufacturing tin toys, many from old factories that were no longer in production, Tucher + Walther were able to get their hands on a continuous supply of world famous traditional tin toys that could be sold to collectors. As many of the toys needed repair before their re-sale, they ultimately decided to open a small repair shop. Their business took off and the antique toys proved to be best sellers.

In 1979, with hopes of expanding their business, Tucher + Walther decided they would sell not only antique tin toys, but new ones as well. As part of their expansion plans, they decided to exhibit their merchandise at the world famous Nurnberg Toy Fair. Since there were so many exhibitors, many of which were competitors also selling tin toys, they needed to differentiate themselves. In the hopes of drawing attention to their booth, they decided to hand make and display a large tin Zeppelin and tin Ferris Wheel for decoration. These “decorations” proved to be more popular than the items they were actually selling. Shortly thereafter Tucher + Walther produced their first two original tin toys, with additional designs added each year. Their first original steam-driven items, first introduced in 1982, were a train and boat called the “Elisabeth Joanna” (named after Mr. Tucher’s daughter), similar to their “Victoria Luise”, which is still in production today.

Each of Tucher + Walther’s tin toys are handmade in limited editions (between 50-1,000 pieces each, depending on the toy design). They start each and every toy they make with a tin plate. This tin is then cut, punched, stamped, curved and embossed. Each individual part of the tin toy body is then soldered together by hand. Once this is completed, the toys are fit together, sprayed with color and finally, hand-painted.

Tucher + Walther’s success forced them to expand their business yet again. In 1991, they moved their business about 20 miles from Nurnberg to the Franconian countryside to build a modern toy factory where production capacity and expert knowledge could satisfy the worldwide demand of their remarkably unique tin toys.

Mr. Tucher designs each toy himself. While he studied Economics in school, he has always loved to tinker with toys. Each year, ten (10) new toys are introduced to the world. Tucher + Walter pride themselves on their traditional tin toy making method, which is no different than when they were made at the peak of their production in Nuremburg from 1880 to 1920.

Tucher & Walther -Victoria Luise

Collectible Limited Edition Tin Toy Model Boat w/Wilesco working steam engine. Very rare only 500 units produced. This model comes with a certificate of authenticity and serial number. Installed in bottom is a double acting Wilesco steam engine equipped with nickel plated brass boiler, water gauge, safety valve, and working steam whistle. Measures 24" long and includes metal stand for display.

johnreid

scroll down this page
http://www.ministeam.com/acatalog/copy_of_Boats.html
it is the 6th one down the page.

Quite a nice find. There is a forum member that has several T&W boats maybe he will see this and add some more info

MooseMan

That's great! Even if the hull turns out to be a total loss, the engine looks in fine fettle.

mogogear

This could be ( if you decide to) the greatest restoration for a long while..It would be nice to get that boat back to it's original simple "un-adorned " glory.....

Looks like the railing was made solid and the super structure and keel added.

Might not be as daunting as it would appear........

And BTW - congratulations to the newest member to the navy!!

johnreid

It might not be in as bad a condition as it looks. Worse Case remove the power Plant and make a Static Display of it, but I bet it can be returned to some of its former glory.

yellow_jr · tin boat

Any body know if they were built for display purposes only or actually made to go on water?

johnreid

They could go in the water, I bet the paint on it is due to exposure to water and then not being cleaned up after.

Drexelius

I have a number of T&W boats although not the Victoria Louise. They can absolutely be used on the water (although I generally don't myself as I'm afraid to damage the paint) but need to be properly ballasted prior to putting in the water to make stable. T&W models are so nice (and very limited in production numbers) that most people do not fire them but use them as show pieces (as I do with most of mine and fire up the more common engines). T&W is the last of a dying breed - there are a small shop located just outside of Nuremberg, Germany using original tooling from the "golden" era of tin-toy making. They use only high quality materials, hand-paint the details and the trim and each piece becomes a work of art (in my opinion anyhow). Bernard Tucher is the only one that makes the boats - he plans to retire in a few years and unfortunately this signal the end of the last remaining great tin toy makers - he has only a couple of other appentices that work with him and who are unlikely to carry the torch when Bernard is done. Luckily you've come across a great toy - it should be well worth the effort of restoring and by all means fire her up if you are so-inclined. Just make sure to share your pictures of her restoration and eventually firing.

Bob Drexelius in Cincinnati

yellow_jr · Tin Boat

Thanks for all the information, looks like I found a little gem of a boat.

Let hope my restoration can do it justice.

Removing the additional tin plate on the top deck and the horrible black plastic took some doing. So progressing to start striping paint looks like this:

Unfortunately I have two small holes in the hull, this is where the keel/ballast was screwed on.
The tin plate is good sound condition with no rust. Now some elbow grease to remove the rest of the paint from the hull and then start on the top deck.
More pictures on progress to come.

Roly Williams

Why don't you use Nitromors to strip the paint? Elbow grease always removes some of the metal as well as the paint.

mogogear

Yay!! You are well on your way to having this little launch back as it should!!

tmuir

That poor boat.
Lots of potential in there though.
Hope you get it sorted.

MooseMan

That looks so much better already! It's now recognizable as a T&W. I'm with Roly though, use a chemical paint stripper....it'll probably get rid of the filler compound as well.

Atticman

What a nice surprise- he GAVE you it

Some people are just so kind

That will come up really nice I bet

James

Real nice boat!!

How come they spelt "Louise" wrong on that boat?

CCairns

Or why have they spelt Viktoria wrong.

I think it is named after Prinzessin Viktoria Luise, although the real steam ship was called S.S. Prinzessin Victoria Luise ( http://www.gjenvick.com/HamburgAm...rten-PrinzessinVictoriaLuise.html ).

Looks like this will be a nice restoration project.

yellow_jr · tin Boat

Just about finished, need to try and finalize the mast (Currently a wooden BBQ skewer). Any pictures of an original mast welcome to make copy/duplicate?

Roly Williams

That's coming along nicely - looking good. The flag pole looks very much like the one I have on my Midwest Fantail.

tmuir

Wow!

I can't believe that is the same boat, what a transformation!
Looking great.

alan2525

Blimey, you've worked miracles with that!

That's really making a silk purse out of a sows ear as they say! If you pardon the expression!

IndianaRog

Wow did that turn out nicely...immaculate job, looks better than a new Tucher and Walther of similar design.

Really, really beautiful.

johnreid

WOW that is a transformation, great work.

Manxman

I just have to add to the comments. Are you sure they are the same boat. Totally different and looking very nice now.

mogogear

You just have to love EFFORT and elbow grease!! You have done an unbelievable transformation!! She looks wonderful!

MooseMan

That's not so much a restoration as a resurrection - what a fantastic job!

logoman

I think the gentleman who donated this to you knew he was doing the right thing.

Bernhard

Just great.......nice Job,,,,,,,,,,first class
regards Bernhard

alan2525

I think this is the most dramatic restoration I've seen yet! It looks really elegant now!

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