Model ships with steam propulsion

Book excerpt: Next to railways, they are the epitome of historical technology: steamships. No wonder, then, that they also have a special appeal for model builders. To drive one's model not simply with an electric motor, but even more originally with a steam engine, is the dream of many technology fans. If the model then moves across the pond, trailing a plume of steam behind it, the enthusiasm is perfect! But how do you build such a model? What are the possibilities? Which models are suitable? These and many more questions are answered in detail by steamship specialist Thomas Hillenbrand in this book. In addition to the basics of technology and construction, he looks at various types of models, most of which he has successfully built himself - some of them very unusual constructions. The book concludes with an example of the construction of a steamship with a simple superstructure - an ideal introduction to this fascinating branch of model building. So, open the throttle and full steam ahead! From the content: • Some of the history of steam-powered ships and models • Steam as a source of power • The steam boiler • Some information about combustion and the firing of steam boilers • The different versions of the propulsion engine • Commissioning, troubleshooting and repair of the steam system • The propulsion systems of the steamship • Suitable models for steam propulsion • Installation of the steam system in the model • Presentation of different steamship models • Building the Steam Launch Presto