John Chapman
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Hobbies "Pioneer"Something rather special arrived this afternoon - to say I am thrilled is a massive understatement.
On OFAS last week was a a rather crude steam powered windmill thing made from a shellcase and bits of aluminium. It was described as a scratchbuilt steam model and to be honest it did look a bit of a dog's breakfast. However the engine that was powering it caught my eye, it was a Hobbies "Pioneer".
It's in cracking condition and a nice wooden base will set it off a treat, not to sure about that bright green baseplate though I think that might get a repaint.
Hope to steam it tomorrow.
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Spokesmann
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John thats a stunner! Excellent work, well spotted!
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avenger
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Well done good find !
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Bowman
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Sorry John, i pushed up your bid somewhat!!! Great buy nonethe less
sandy
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Mamod Collector
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Congratulations John thats a stunner 
I seem to remember it on ebay, did it have a windmill of some sort attached to it ?
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silverfoxsteam
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It's the Chapman magic in action - you really do have an eye for the unusual John. That's a great find.
I've never heard of a Hobbies 'Pioneer', is it a boat engine? Are those big things sticking out of the top vertical flue tubes? Looks fascinating
Please tell us more about this!
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Spokesmann
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| silverfoxsteam wrote: | It's the Chapman magic in action - you really do have an eye for the unusual John. That's a great find.
I've never heard of a Hobbies 'Pioneer', is it a boat engine? Are those big things sticking out of the top vertical flue tubes? Looks fascinating
Please tell us more about this! |
It is a boat engine Stephen, the boiler is actually quite small, the outer casing contain the steam pipe looped around the boiler insulated with asbestos - which can catch fire...
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John Chapman
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| silverfoxsteam wrote: | It's the Chapman magic in action - you really do have an eye for the unusual John. That's a great find.
I've never heard of a Hobbies 'Pioneer', is it a boat engine? Are those big things sticking out of the top vertical flue tubes? Looks fascinating
Please tell us more about this! |
In 1922 Geoffrey Bowman Jenkins demonstrated his steam powered launches to Hobbies Ltd. of Dereham, Norfolk. Hobbies were impressed and he started the manufacture of the steam launches that were sold under the Hobbies brand name.
By 1924 four launches were available; "Peggy", "Miss America", "Pioneer" and "Peter Pan", in addition the steam engines that powered the launches were also offered for sale as separate items.
In 1927 GBJ experimented with "superheated" engines for the "Pioneer" and "Peggy". They were similar in design but the "Pioneer" engine was quite a bit bigger. The boiler was contained in a cylindrical shroud” with two chimney like vents on top. The shroud was steel for the “Peggy” and brass for the “Pioneer. The steam pipe was quite long and was coiled around the boiler a number of times to provide a degree of “superheating”. Originally the steam pipe was lagged with non imflamable asbestos string. In 1927 a “Pioneer” engine cost 17 shillings and 6 pence (87.5 pence). The engines work well but were complicated and costly to manufacture so by 1929 the “Peggy” and “Pioneer” had reverted to more conventional designs
Mike (Newts) has a nice example of the superheated “Peggy” engine.
The “Pioneer” engine is a fairly substantial bit of kit. The engine unit is basically as the same as a Wormar “Elite” and very similar to a Bowman 158. The boiler is probably about the same size as a Mamod marine unit or an SE2.
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Bowman
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I have a peggy unit too....
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Mamod Collector
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You have to many nice engines Sandy
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John Chapman
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| Bowman wrote: | | I have a peggy unit too.... |
Ooh! That's super
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Spokesmann
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ANy chance of some size comparisons John.
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John Chapman
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| Spokesmann wrote: | | ANy chance of some size comparisons John. |
I assume we are talking engines here 
I'll take some photos tomorrow in the daylight.
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Spokesmann
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| John Chapman wrote: | | Spokesmann wrote: | | ANy chance of some size comparisons John. |
I assume we are talking engines here
I'll take some photos tomorrow in the daylight. |
Indeed John!!  
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Mamod Collector
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| John Chapman wrote: | | I assume we are talking engines here |
Now Now John 
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silverfoxsteam
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Surely, as the context is boat engines, John must have been thinking of 'cap-size'.
....think about it
...
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silverfoxsteam
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| Bowman wrote: | I have a peggy unit too....
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That s/v looks interesting Sandy. Is looks like a Mamod 1/4", is it original? I had one like it on an SEL Major once and thought it unusual then.
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silverfoxsteam
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| John Chapman wrote: | | silverfoxsteam wrote: | It's the Chapman magic in action - you really do have an eye for the unusual John. That's a great find.
I've never heard of a Hobbies 'Pioneer', is it a boat engine? Are those big things sticking out of the top vertical flue tubes? Looks fascinating
Please tell us more about this! |
In 1922 Geoffrey Bowman Jenkins demonstrated his steam powered launches to Hobbies Ltd. of Dereham, Norfolk. Hobbies were impressed and he started the manufacture of the steam launches that were sold under the Hobbies brand name.
By 1924 four launches were available; "Peggy", "Miss America", "Pioneer" and "Peter Pan", in addition the steam engines that powered the launches were also offered for sale as separate items.
In 1927 GBJ experimented with "superheated" engines for the "Pioneer" and "Peggy". They were similar in design but the "Pioneer" engine was quite a bit bigger. The boiler was contained in a cylindrical shroud” with two chimney like vents on top. The shroud was steel for the “Peggy” and brass for the “Pioneer. The steam pipe was quite long and was coiled around the boiler a number of times to provide a degree of “superheating”. Originally the steam pipe was lagged with non imflamable asbestos string. In 1927 a “Pioneer” engine cost 17 shillings and 6 pence (87.5 pence). The engines work well but were complicated and costly to manufacture so by 1929 the “Peggy” and “Pioneer” had reverted to more conventional designs
Mike (Newts) has a nice example of the superheated “Peggy” engine.
The “Pioneer” engine is a fairly substantial bit of kit. The engine unit is basically as the same as a Wormar “Elite” and very similar to a Bowman 158. The boiler is probably about the same size as a Mamod marine unit or an SE2. |
Thanks for the info John - we live and learn!
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John Chapman
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As promised some comparison photos to give an idea of the size of a "Pioneer" engine. I have photographed it with a Mamod SE1 and a Bowman M158 as most people will probably be familiar with one or the other of these.
A shot of the "Pioneer " and M158 engine units showing the strong family resemblance.
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Spokesmann
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Thanks John, thats better! I like that a lot. Im looking for a power unit for my planned 4th Arrow! I may use a modified MEC1 though. Any plans for this engine?
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John Chapman
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| Spokesmann wrote: | | Any plans for this engine? |
In the short term repaint the base which has been painted a rather lurid green and mount it on a wooden base. In the longer term nothing definate at the moment but a repro Pioneer hull would be rather nice 
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Spokesmann
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It needs a boat! 
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John Chapman
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Had a drop of meths left after the Exeter show so I gave the Pioneer a quick run this morning. Happy to report it runs very well indeed
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Spokesmann
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| John Chapman wrote: | | Had a drop of meths left after the Exeter show so I gave the Pioneer a quick run this morning. Happy to report it runs very well indeed |
Excellent news, great looking little unit, whats the overall width on that John?
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steamyjim
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Looks very good John! If you need some measurments of a Pioneer hull...
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