Email Update Number 7
Great News, after a lengthy break, the lake is open for use by Dabblers again, please see the Dabblers website for the up-to-date information about using the lake. The photo above was taken on the 9th of April
by a fellow Dabbler. The water looks inviting, so let’s get back out there and fill the view of the empty lake with our models whilst still observing the rules on distancing and wearing masks.
Southwater Dabblers Group sizes: Group must not be larger than 6 persons. Social distancing must be observed by all members of the group whilst within the gated water sports area. It is recommended that the Dabblers implement a booking system for their members.
Here’s a stunning video link, sent in by a reader (thankyou), confirming how fabulous Southwater lake is, https://youtu.be/V0v4lLfiG68
In this the 7thissue, we continue the Bluebird story together with its strong local links, and also have the
first of what is hoped to be many sailing reports for 2021. So, when you are next down at the waters edge, spare a moment, take your phone out and snap a couple of photos showing the boats and the Dabblers present, then share them with us, together with a sentence or two about what was going on.
Every now and again something happens that reminds us of the value of being a club member. Clubs offer many things to new and potential members, the obvious, is the opportunity to engage in a shared interest. A club could be described as a platform for socialising, where friendships flourish, and a culture evolves that attracts other people who want to be part of a proud community. Being a member, you become part of a family where you are treated, not just as a teammate, but as a friend. On 6th April I witnessed the
friendship and sense of shared community come to the fore, when Dabblers and the wider Southwater Country Park community came together and worked selflessly to help out a fellow Dabbler in an hour of need; thank you and well done.
Southwater Dabblers
Dabblers Post Bag - Letters to the Editor
Once again, another really interesting newsletter with lots of good information to digest. It must be very rewarding for you that other members are giving you articles and feedback. Thanks once again, and I will save the videos for a rainy day.Regards John
If you would like to make contribution to these newsletters then feel free to pick up the phone and call, I am more than happy for you to call me on Tel 07934758623, and for you to tell me your stories for inclusion in these updates. The format of these updates can be anything we would like it to be, there is virtually no limit to the numbers of words, photos or stories that you can contribute, just send them over in a format that’s easy for you:
By phone Tel 07934758623
By letter, call me first and I’ll let you have my address, or Email to [email protected]
Look Forward – To the next issue
Possible Headings for the next issue include: • Dabblers Post Bag - Letters to the Editor • Look Forward – To the next issue
• Lakeside Café – Pull up a chair and share – the home for all the things we like to talk about over a coffee and bacon roll at the lakeside café.
• My First Model Boat – your story about your first model boat or how you got into model boating. • Be Calmed – Tales of Sail
• Grey Funnel Line – Dabblers warships from around the World • Dabblers Dock Yard - Home for the Dabblers New Builds
• Dabblers Dry Dock - Home for Dabblers Repairs and Renovations • AC, DC & RC - Three bright sparks form the dark arts
• Hot & Bothered - Getting Steamed Up
• Bluebird K7 and Donald Campbell – your stories, photos and memories
• Reports from the Lakeside – Your photos from your recent outings with your boat. • Dabblers Other Interests -
• Competitions • Competition Results
• Naughty Buoy – Humour and Jokes • Memories From Yesteryear
• Your Fantasy Model – a money and time no object model you would like to see at Southwater • Dabbler Trumps – The fun way to share details of your boats on one side of paper
Please feel free to suggest any other headings and topics you would like to see covered, if there are headings that you wish to alter, amend or delete then please do say so.
Entries for the next newsletter by the 7th May please
To keep up to date with events please check the Dabblers Website on a regular basis
Lakeside Café – Pull up a chair and share
the home for all the things we like to talk about over a coffee and bacon roll at the lakeside café
Dabbler Days Out – David Cross
Autumn 2014 I was over at Sumners sailing my boat, walking round taking to various members and asking about the idea of coach trips out may be to Chatham Dockyard. About 15 members agreed it would be a good. So early in 2015 I asked a local coach firm Knights Travel the price to Chatham Dockyard, I then phoned Chatham for a price, worked out the cost per member. So, in early March we parked our cars in Hop Oast park and ride, and the big white six-wheeler coach appeared and away we all went.
Do you Fancy a walk?
If you do perhaps you could consider this one, it’s the Burgess Hill Green Circle Network, it’s a series of paths and along the way you will come across a mirror polished stainless-steel sculpture titled Bluebird Contained celebrating the work of the Norris Brothers
Here is a link so that you can download a leaflet describing the walks and a variety of sculptures that you will see along the way.
http://www.burgesshill.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Green_O_Public_Art_Leaflet_web.pdf
Be Calmed – Tales of Sail –
Help Needed – Question – How do the sailors amongst you set up your transmitter so that the joystick has full travel, from bottom to top, to control bringing the sail from fully in to fully out?
Fiesta Yacht Racing – here’s a video link to the Southwater Dabblers Fiesta Racing in 2009 https://youtu.be/ZbWY1p1xum0
Grey Funnel Line – Dabblers warships from around the
World
HMS Daring D32
HMS Daring is a Type 45 or Daring-class destroyer built for the Royal Navy, and the seventh ship to hold that name. Launched in 2006 on the Clyde and handed over to the Royal Navy in December 2008, entered her base port of Portsmouth for the first time in January 2009 and was commissioned on 23 July 2009. The Type 45 is the first destroyer class built for the Royal Navy since the 1970s. The name, crest and motto are a reference to the Roman youth famed for his bravery.
During trials, Daring reached her design speed of 29 knots (54 km/h) in 70 seconds and achieved a speed of 31.5 knots (58 km/h) in 120 seconds.
https://www.the-blueprints.com/blueprints/ships/destroyers-uk/65440/view/hms_daring_d32_type_45_destroyer/
In 1893, the 4th HMS Daring, was part of a programme of prototypes consisting of four boats, HMS Daring
and HMS Decoy from Thorneycroft together with HMS Havock and HMS Hornet from Yarrow. HMS Daring became famous at the time for being the fastest boat in the World, she was a Torpedo Boat Destroyer, designed to be fast, to hunt down and destroy the torpedo boats that posed a major threat to the great Battleships of the Fleet. This is the first time, destroyer, is used in the title of a ship, so HMS Daring is also the first in a long line of Destroyers. With a top speed of 28 knots, she exceeded her design brief of 26 knots, also during her trials is the first time that the phenomenon of propellor cavitation is discovered and researched. Builders Thorneycroft also included a tunnel shaped hull and interesting twin rudder
HMS Daring Length 185 feet, Beam 19 feet, Draught 7 feet, Displacement 280 tons, crew of 50, armament 1 x 12 pounder, 3 x 6 pounders, 1 x 18 inch bow torpedo tube, 2 x 18 inch deck mounted torpedo tubes. NB HMS Daring was faster than her torpedos!
Dabblers Dry Dock - Home for Dabblers Repairs and
Renovations
During lock down I Have been undertaking a bit of renovation work on a couple of boats and was told about this product, Captain Tolley’s creeping crack cure (leak/crack sealer) by an experienced Dabbler
(Thankyou), so have been giving it a go to see if it will cure a small but as yet untraceable leak. The following text is quoted in the advertising for the product –
Captain Tolley’s is a liquid sealant/adhesive with exceptional penetrating properties. Formulated to be thinner than water, it uses capillary action to penetrate deep inside the narrowest of surfaces before making a firm yet flexible waterproof seal. It’s perfect for tracing and sealing leaks caused by hairline cracks. Being water-based it follows the route water would take, sealing even fissures that are hidden to the eye. It’s also quick and easy to use. As the sealant can penetrate deep into structures there’s no need to take items apart or put them back
AC, DC & RC - Three bright sparks form the dark arts
Rudder Servo Replacement – Dave StegglesI may have made a novice mistake, if I have, feel free to laugh. To improve my knowledge of radio control I bought a book and it suggested that the servo for a rudder needed to be strong because the load on the rudder can be quite high and that the servo could stall and or draw lots of current and after all, a boat with no steering is not a lot of fun. So being new to radio control and with the Torpedo Boat Destroyer that I am renovating being larger than average, I thought I would upgrade the servo. Now I wanted to buy a servo to install a remote control on/off for the gas supply, so figured I would buy a new heavy-duty servo for the rudder and re-purpose the old servo from the rudder to the gas valve. The old servo is a Futaba FP S148 which I have heard is a reliable servo.
The push rods on the old set up had been bent. I dismantled rudder assembly. The rod holding the rudder is 5/16-inch dia, and the rudder solid metal, it weighs the best part of a kilo, a very solid item that's not going to get bent, that's for sure.
Hot & Bothered - Getting Steamed Up
While renovating the Torpedo Boat Destroyers boiler and replacing a broken union cock valve, I managed to crack the water level sight glass so had to replace it. Now this should have been straight forward, however due to the age of the boiler it was not. The original glass is 3/16-inch dia and has not been made for 30 years, so I set about finding a new one. Now some were advertised as 3/16 but were in fact 5mm meaning it would not fit through the securing nuts. Fellow Dabblers Pete and Keith checked their stock and offered help. Any way to cut a long story short friend in France, Phil, had some old stock of 3/16 sight glasses and volunteered to send me one. The French post conspired against us, taking ages, then delivering it broken. Not to be beaten, Phil rose to the challenge again, this time sending a second glass inside a metal pipe to ensure it arrived safely.
The broken handle on the union cock valve was silver soldered back on, it was my first attempt at silver soldering, so was pleased with the result.
Usefully the sight glass has a blue stripe down one side which makes it much easier to see the water level
Sailing Reports
9th April - With the Lake open again for sailing Dave and John made an early start, both approached the water with anticipation. David Cross joined them at the lake side. Dave and John had new boats to try out, John’s Princess had been built during Lockdown, and Dave, after waiting months during lockdown had finally collected a 1/8th scale model of Bluebird K7 that he had lightly refurbished. The sun was out, the
lake was flat calm, what could possibly go wrong? Well as it happened, just about everything imaginable! While transporting Princess, Johns new pride and joy (featured in email update 4), she bounced off the trolley, hitting the concrete and smashing the rudder and damaging the newly varnished hull. So, John returned to the car to bring out his other boat. Joffre was safely transported to the lake, sporting a new brushless motor, esc and battery arrangement. Inexplicably, Joffre’s engine then failed to run forwards. After a bit of head scratching by those present, an issue with the speed controller was resolved and off went Joffre, the improvements that the new equipment made in Joffres performance were clear. Joffre glinting in the sun was put through her paces, producing a wonderful clear bow wave.
Next Bluebird K7 was readied, this was the only the 3rd time the model had been on the water, and the first
Competitions
Caption Competition
Here is another caption competition – What on earth is Keith doing? For bonus bragging rights do you know where and when this photo was taken?
Competition Results
Memories From Yesteryear
I Remember - By Derek Palmer from Dabblers Newsletter (May 2017)
I first started model boating as a teenager. First it was a balsa “bluebird” complete with a Jetex motor. I quickly discovered that Jetex and water did not go well together. It was a dismal failure. Next a couple of Keilcraft balsawood motor cruisers, again not a great success as the wet cells available were too heavy and the recommended 4.5v battery ‘dry cell’ was so SLOW. No fun there! Many years later, at the Boat Show in Earls Court I bought a Robbe model motor cruiser. Having built it, there was only one lake available to use. Sunday Mornings for two hours. Then CB radio started and used the same 27 mg frequency as the models, so control was hit or miss depending on passing cars. The friends I had made back then remain friends to this day and we went on to found the Crawley and District Model boat club where I served on the committee for many years. I then moved out of the district and into a dry wilderness (no model boats clubs locally
anyway). On moving back to Surrey/Sussex I visited the Dabblers Open Day where the display was spread out and the owners were only too happy to let anyone “have a go mate”. This was just what I was looking for, but we were restricted in the use of the lake to Sunday mornings and Friday pm if the canoes were not in use. Now we have extensive hours of time when we can get on the water. Two lakes in regular use. I am retired, but now cannot find the time to get to the lakes as other things are now restricting my boating hobby. So, a bit of advice to the wise, get your model boating in whilst you can and enjoy every minute! Scrap Heap Challenge July 2017.
The South Water Dabblers Open Day at Southwater will also encompass the members Scrap Heap Challenge and this year’s challenge is to construct and sail a South Seas Outrigger Sailing Canoe – the winner will have an award presented on day. The Scrap Heap construction materials are limited and are to be selected from the following:-
1 1⁄2 litre plastic water bottle - round or square, up to you. Garden Bamboo sticks, 2 Swimming noodles (Poundland) or pipe insulation (it floats!), Container for electrics (Receiver and Battery), Blue tack, Glue (any type), String, Sticky tape, 5p plastic bag from grocery store of your choice! For sail! Rig of your choice. One servo for steering if desired, No motors or propellers, No ballast allowed, One piece of wood for steerage max 6mm thick x 4cm x 12cm, trimmed as you see fit. September 2017
DRAGONFLY – By Norman Simpson
On the 9th of April 2021, as we passed through the gate at Southwater to sail our boats a gentleman
stopped and we spoke about yachts and steamboats, it was Ron Hall. Ron, we look forward to seeing back at the lakeside very soon. (Dave)
September 2017 - New member – By Ron Hall
Bluebird K7
If you have ever wondered what the attraction of Bluebird K7 is, please just pause for a moment, now look, and look again, closely at the glorious photo below. It was taken by Keith Hick and titled, Campbell Across Coniston. For me it is showing the raw power, the majesty and splendor of the engineering masterpiece that is Bluebird K7. And for those photographers amongst you, marvel at the reflection caught on the water, the ripples on the water in the foreground and the plume of spray whipped into the air from the magnificent Orpheus Jet engine that is driving Bluebird ever faster.
Now imagine what it would be like in the cockpit, imagine the bravery, the sheer guts and determination it took from Donald Campbell to guide Bluebird down the measured kilometer. Imagine the total assault on all your senses, the violence of the buffeting, the pounding on your body as K7 accelerated, the deafening roar of the jet engines intake just inches behind your ears, the howl of the jets exhaust that rises at full power to a murderous scream. Meanwhile, you can see nothing but spray cascading up over the front of Bluebird as K7 fights to get up and out of the water on to the plane. You are now doing 70mph, blinded by the water on the canopy you know you have to accelerate harder, squinting through the spray, straining to see a distant landmark so that you can try to steer K7 straight and true, then finally K7 breaks free from the water, up onto the plane and away to run free. With a mere millimeter of the sponsons in the water, every ripple rocks K7 side to side (tramping), the vibrations increase, literally shaking your eyeballs so that you are virtually blind. All the while gathering speed at almighty rate, the acceleration now is unbelievable, looking for markers that show you are in the measured kilometer, waiting those few seconds to clear the second marker before decelerating. Now you have to gather everything together as the instability increase’s, this is the most dangerous phase, you have to bring K7’s speed down and turn round before running out of space on a body of water that is too short for these speeds. Now that was a practice run and you have got to face the terror of doing all that again and again until everything is ready for the record attempt. You are going to go where no man has gone before, you are going to trust the mathematicians, the engineers, the team and you are going to go faster than anyone has ever been, into the unknown, in an attempt to set the World Water Speed Record.
Now in the autumn of 1966, at eleven years old, Bluebird K7 is called up for one last challenge, to beat her current world water speed record of 276mph and to beat Americans, to be the first to break the 300mph barrier, to go way faster than K7 was originally designed to do. The final modifications, a new engine, the Orpheus is added, its half the weight of the Beryl Engine, it has 30% more power, and a very much larger tail fin is included to increase stability. Throughout the life of K7, there were continuous developments, with the single-minded purpose, to go faster; even the new engine was boosted by a further 10%. Below are three photos showing some of these changes (no fin, small fin, large fin) from 1955 through to 1967. Here is a 4 min Video of Bluebird – Still Trying in 1958 https://youtu.be/ff1lH9Jy3eI
In the last picture, note that the stabilizing fins can be seen below the sponsons, Bluebird here is hovering just above the water, finely balanced, the spray from the front is drastically reduced, K7 is literally flying across the water, the front planning shoes clear of the water, and only the rear planning shoe and port stabilizing fin in contact.
Bluebird K7 – Designed by Ken and Lou Norris for Donald Campbell – a revolutionary jet powered hydroplane that set seven water speed records between 1955 and 1967
Construction – madeat Samlesbury Engineering, which was situated next to Samlesbury Hall, Preston. Made from seamless square section chrome molybdenum steel tubing covered in a Birmabright light aluminium alloy outer skin. More than 12000 rivets were used.
Engine – Bristol Siddley Orpheus 701 turbojet Max output boosted by 10% to 5277 lbs Weight 5813lbs or 2637Kg – All up weight
Length 26 feet 5 inches – including the rudder 13 feet 4 inches - for the sponsons Width 10 feet 6 inches – across the sponsons
5 feet 2 inches – across the main hull Height 8 feet 5 inches
Performance 30 – 70 mph 12 seconds 70 – 150 mph 9 seconds 150 – 200 mph 5.7 seconds 200 – 250 mph 5.7 second 250 – 300 mph 5.7 seconds 300 – 328 mph 2 seconds
Time from 70 to 328mph on Bluebird K7’s final run 28.1 seconds
Information taken from the book Donald Campbell Bluebird and the final record attempt written by Neil Sheppard.
Fantasy Models –
money and time no object - models you would like to see at Southwater
ALP Striker – The World’s most powerful tug
4-minute video description of ALP Striker - also a Bollard Pull test - https://youtu.be/rwpIW3hWQ0M The ALP Striker is based on the ULSTEIN SX 157 design, with a 300-tonne bollard pull. Built and designed in Norway by the Ulstein Group. In addition to its impressive towing capability, ALP Striker is also made for anchor handling, positioning and mooring, with a stern roller, a three-drummed winch with 400t hoisting capacity, and chain lockers.
Ulstein claim the vessels has a service speed of 13 knots, with a top speed of 19 knots. Fuel capacity is more than 3,500 cubic meters, providing enough fuel for a continuous tow at full power for 45 days, enough for a non-stop Trans-Atlantic, Indian or Pacific Ocean tow. The ship can accommodate a large 35-person crew, again reflecting the long periods of time planned to be spent at sea. The vessels are 88.9 meters long and 21 meters wide.
Dabbler Trumps – Bluebird K7
Bluebird K7 a 1/8th Scale Model of Donald Campbells Jet Powered Hydroplane
Length 42 inches
Beam 16 inches
Displacement 2.6 Kg (All up weight)
No of Engines 1 Electric Motor – Water Cooled Feigao 5408407XL
Engine Size Inrunner brushless 2382 rpm per volt- 95 Amps, weight 378 g Engine Control Turnigy 160 Amp Aquastar water cooled ESC
Power Source Lipo 3s 30c 5000 battery
Propellor Dia & No of Blades Octura 442 sharpened and balanced, 2 Blades, 1.65 inch dia, pitch 2.31 inches RPM Approx 26500 rpm via flexi-drive propshaft
Speed (original) 328 mph – (Max speed achieved during the final run) Hull Construction Wood Construction – Lite ply and Balsa
Additional Features The motor mount is unusual. Tim wanted the thrust to be applied at the prop, not the motor, for two reasons. First, he didn't want to load the motor bearings and, second, he wanted to keep the thrust on the waterline to prevent forcing the bow down. Flexible prop shafts wind up and get shorter under load, so he designed a sliding motor mount and underslung the motor to keep the C of G low. It works jolly well! There is no lateral play but the motor is free to slide forwards and backwards to find its own position with no end thrust.
