Freesteam

Spokesmann

First of all I warn viewers this post has a lot of big images. You have been warned in advance!

I finished Arrow 2 this month after starting it as my second boat back in the tail end of April 2009. The build has gone well, has been challenging at times but I have learnt much from this project as the previous boat I built Arrow 1 - 'Spirit of Freesteam'. Suffice to say the final boat to be built - Arrow 3 'Eldoret' will benefit form the experienced gained in the the first two boats.

This vessel has been made closer to the original plans, save for modifications to the spray deck and internals, overall in dimentions it is exact to the plans by hobbies. This model is powered by a near mint ME3 c1965, the engine has been run 3 or 4 times now and has proved to be a smooth runner. The build has included a lot of brass content, especially to the inners as well as external features. I like brass, I have plenty of brass sheet in my workshop so I used it! The main difference in this model is the obvious engine house cover and Meccano funnel. The model need a little final ballasting adjustment, but in essence I have load the base of the hull right under the engine plate with lead strips to lower the c of G. Initial float test revealed a slight list but fore and aft it was well balanced. I hope maybe to try this one out at the STIA APS pool in Feb 2010. Anyway here are the finished boats for comparison.

Here's to Arrow 3, which will be started in ernest later in September after I come back off holiday. Enjoy...