This is a scratch build from a plan designed by Basil Hardy and purchased last year. Its inspiration is from a photograph of Charles Fildes 'Fairy Queen' in the archives of the Windermere Nautical Trust.
I chose it following a gift of a Meccano steam engine which was the power for Basil Hardy's paddle steamer. These lakeland steamers were very much family possessions. The plans include a design for the drive unit as well as the hull.
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This is a scratch build from a plan designed by Basil Hardy and purchased last year. Its inspiration is from a photograph of Charles Fildes 'Fairy Queen' in the archives of the Windermere Nautical Trust.
I chose it following a gift of a Meccano steam engine which was the power for Basil Hardy's paddle steamer. These lakeland steamers were very much family possessions. The plans include a design for the drive unit as well as the hull.
Hi Chug
It isn't a replica of any but the hull and steam powered paddles is like the 3rd picture, which I see is called the 'Fairy Queen'. But this has a cabin on the fore deck but retains the simple tiller.
It is definitely 'in the spirit of' and not a replica.
Neither is it likely to be exactly to the plans when I have completed the build.
Colin
That makes perfect sense—and to be honest, I think that’s what makes a build like this even more interesting.
Working “in the spirit of” rather than chasing an exact replica gives you the freedom to create something truly your own.
You’re clearly grounding it in a real prototype, but still allowing room for interpretation and personal input—and that usually leads to a much more characterful model.
I like that approach a lot.
It becomes less about copying and more about capturing the essence of those Lakeland steamers.
Looking forward to seeing how your version evolves.
😎
It isn't a replica of any but the hull and steam powered paddles is like the 3rd picture, which I see is called the 'Fairy Queen'. But this has a cabin on the fore deck but retains the simple tiller.
It is definitely 'in the spirit of' and not a replica.
Neither is it likely to be exactly to the plans when I have completed the build.
Colin
That makes perfect sense—and to be honest, I think that’s what makes a build like this even more interesting.
Working “in the spirit of” rather than chasing an exact replica gives you the freedom to create something truly your own.
You’re clearly grounding it in a real prototype, but still allowing room for interpretation and personal input—and that usually leads to a much more characterful model.
I like that approach a lot.
It becomes less about copying and more about capturing the essence of those Lakeland steamers.
Looking forward to seeing how your version evolves.
😎