Misguided Article in a Model Magazine?

[dscott]

Decembers magazine contains 2 pages on early Missiles!! My question is, is this a suitable subject for what is a creative magazine and just before Christmas?
Christmas is a peaceful time of year and Model Engineering a Peacefull pastime?

Any thoughts!!

[houstonceng]

Unfortunately, Christmas is no longer a peaceful time. Whitness the recent lorry killing and the ongoing wars around the globe.

The article was the personal reminiscences of the writer about engineering problems in his work and, as such, neither promoted weapons nor condemned them. As such, it made interesting reading.

By the way, the Christmas edition of ME is issue 4550, dated 23 December, which I received a couple of days ago, so the "December" issue which contained said article was published nearly two weeks before Christmas.

[Jo]

There have been a lot of articles in the ME mags that are at arms length to making models which is why I no longer subscribe.

As for the subject matter: During the world wars the model engineering fraternity provided many answers to problems that the so called experts could not solve. A case of we don't know how you are supposed to do something but we are very good at coming up with answers that work Look at Edgar Westbury's contribution.

Jo

[Lisa]

Sounds like something that model rocket and mini satellite makers would find interesting; sort of space-age model engineering.
Just because a technology was used to kill, doesn't mean it has to be.

[SteveW]

Guys,
Years back when I did subscribe to ME someone wrote in and complained about the magazine advertising plans/drawings for a scaled Gatling Gun. The complainant thought this to be counter to the aims and objectives of a magazine that from my point of view was dedicated purely to the recurring theme of knackered old models of long gone locomotives. The possibility that some old guy would buy the drawings, build it, somehow source a load ammunition and then go hold up a Post Office made me smile. Happily, I've seen a number of beautifully made model Gatling Guns at MEXs, perhaps two fingers to the PC brigade and the then ME editor.

I for one would have been very interested in a set of drawings for a Gatling Gun and I wrote in an said so. I didn't really want to build one, just see how all the tricky bits got solved. A couple of other brave souls also wrote in supporting me. Unfortunately the old lady in editorial charge capitulated to political correctness supported by another old lady from Somerset and the cause was lost. The correspondent also put the kiss of death on ever seeing articles on building atomic bombs appearing in ME. Poor chap. That one is well out of the bag but like sourcing ammunition for a scale Gatling Gun, plutonium doesn't grow on trees and is becoming tougher to get than rocking horse poo.

Interestingly, I see all sorts of non-locomotive items in really old ME magazines. Would be interested to know when 'Model' became locked to steam locomotives, similarly for 'Engineer'. Somewhere between then and now the term "Engineer" ceased to described someone who had to wash his hands BEFORE using the loo because he had to. Now, "Engineer" is restricted to folk that wash their hands AFTER using the loo because someone told them to.

ME has sort of been hijacked by nostalgia for old steam locomotives. Perhaps there is space for someone's reminisces of times long gone when this country had a truly independent missile capability along with all the other long lost engineering successes of times past. Do not forget, it was someone's skill at making actuate navel gun barrels that made steam engine cylinders possible. Should be we also remove the Spitfire from our history because it was made to kill Germans? I think not. However, lets have more engineering.

[Jo]

A friend made a Gatling gun and brought it along to our bits and pieces evening. The cam mechanism was very interesting. He had left his barrel solid but his discussion on how to machine the rifling on home tools was excellent.

Don't get me on model engineer turning into a loco mag I am now collecting earlier model engineer mags as they have interesting stuff in them. Unlike today when I borrow my friends it hardly ever is worth more than a 5 mins skim - I spend more time on forums, their content is much more varied and I learn much more. And as for MEW... I am at a bit of a loss as to what if anything it has to do with models. Splitting the mag diluted further what was already loosing its way.

Jo

[simplyloco]

Dec 26, 2016 15:09:35 GMT SteveW said:

Guys,


ME has sort of been hijacked by nostalgia for old steam locomotives. Perhaps there is space for someone's reminisces of times long gone when this country had a truly independent missile capability along with all the other long lost engineering successes of times past. Do not forget, it was someone's skill at making actuate navel gun barrels that made steam engine cylinders possible. Should be we also remove the Spitfire from our history because it was made to kill Germans? I think not. However, lets have more engineering.

Agree completely. Trouble is, nostalgia isn't what it used to be...

[jasonb]

It's strange that the OP did not find the Barclays well tank build offensive too as it is about a loco supplied for use in the 1st world war? Maybe it's a Loco thing


"Interestingly, I see all sorts of non-locomotive items in really old ME magazines. Would be interested to know when 'Model' became locked to steam locomotives"

Have you looked at one lately? the issue in question has far more non steam loco content than steam loco:


-Electric diesel shunter
-Traction Engine Rally
-Mill Review
-Oil Engine
-Sensitive drilling attachment
-Boll Glow Engine
-Steam raising blower
-Custom Spanners
- Missiles

Plus three steam loco articles

Quite an even balance over the spectrum of "model Engineering" to me


J

[Jo]

It was the missile article that dscott objected to.

I have just randomly taken a mag from Jan 1939, it covers:

Constructing a Thames barge,
A vertical Steam engine.
Firefly III (2 stroke model engine in a boat)
Rebuild of an 4-4-0
Workshop practise.
Lathe Fixtures.
Decarbonising Blowlap Burners.
New Locomotive design
50cc four cylinder IC engine
Colour slides viewer,
Queries and Replies ( (Knocking in gas engines, Blowers, Balancing Petrol Engines, Springs, Making small ignition coils, Turning slender work in the lathe, wiring for an electric bell)
Reader's opinions (Never heard of Model engineers having one of those!!)


Ohhhh I have just found another Stuart Engine that I had not seen before. I do like these old mags.

Jo

[jasonb]

Dec 26, 2016 17:39:19 GMT Jo said:

It was the missile article that dscott objected to.

Yep 1st line of my reply related to that, rest to Stevew's comment about the mag being takenover by steam locos

[itchyballs]

Dec 20, 2016 23:56:57 GMT dscott said:

Decembers magazine contains 2 pages on early Missiles!! My question is, is this a suitable subject for what is a creative magazine and just before Christmas?
Christmas is a peaceful time of year and Model Engineering a Peacefull pastime?

Any thoughts!!

interesting question and thanks for posting it)).  I see two assumptions in your question, firstly that Christmas is of some significance to the readership of the magazine and that model engineering is a peaceful hobby.  In addressing the first assumption only some 31% of the world's population are Christians.  Therefore if we apply that same percentage to the hobby only 31% of the readership may be considered to be christian.  Perhaps the percentage is slightly higher as the UK is a Christian country. It is also possible that the subscribers are less likely to be of any religious association due the logical and scientific nature of our hobby. In either case, it would be reasonable to state that around one third of the readership may be Christian and therefore not to publish the article and may be prejudicial to the majority of readers who might find an interest in the article.  In reference two you second  assumption that model engineering is a peaceful hobby have you read the posts on this very site?  Fights, arguments, misrepresentations and what a superfluity of whingers and whiners.  This site, as do others, have such potential for the dissemination of information, yet having only just joined i find people not willing to share information of  their knowledge but willing to say that have that same knowledge. As an example the discussion on how miniature steam/water pumps work. Simple a vertical valve ( like a d valve but  say half round in the round part) works off a trip rod which runs in the hollow piston rod.  The vertical valve directs steam to the horizontal valve that is just behind ( in the rectangle box) and this valve admits steam to either side of the main steam piston. One day I will get around to drawing it in 3D and publish it here. These designs which work have been published for well over 50 years. I have had a home made one and now i have a commercial one and they both work as designed no problems at all.  Would i ever make a pump, no. There is a lot of work and for the price $A900 for a 5" single stage i have better things to do))).

[piddlocoeccentric]

Dec 27, 2016 13:03:44 GMT itchyballs said:

Dec 20, 2016 23:56:57 GMT dscott said:

Decembers magazine contains 2 pages on early Missiles!! My question is, is this a suitable subject for what is a creative magazine and just before Christmas?
Christmas is a peaceful time of year and Model Engineering a Peacefull pastime?

Any thoughts!!

interesting question and thanks for posting it)).  I see two assumptions in your question, firstly that Christmas is of some significance to the readership of the magazine and that model engineering is a peaceful hobby.  In addressing the first assumption only some 31% of the world's population are Christians.  Therefore if we apply that same percentage to the hobby only 31% of the readership may be considered to be christian.  Perhaps the percentage is slightly higher as the UK is a Christian country. It is also possible that the subscribers are less likely to be of any religious association due the logical and scientific nature of our hobby. In either case, it would be reasonable to state that around one third of the readership may be Christian and therefore not to publish the article and may be prejudicial to the majority of readers who might find an interest in the article.  In reference two you second  assumption that model engineering is a peaceful hobby have you read the posts on this very site?  Fights, arguments, misrepresentations and what a superfluity of whingers and whiners.  This site, as do others, have such potential for the dissemination of information, yet having only just joined i find people not willing to share information of  their knowledge but willing to say that have that same knowledge. As an example the discussion on how miniature steam/water pumps work. Simple a vertical valve ( like a d valve but  say half round in the round part) works off a trip rod which runs in the hollow piston rod.  The vertical valve directs steam to the horizontal valve that is just behind ( in the rectangle box) and this valve admits steam to either side of the main steam piston. One day I will get around to drawing it in 3D and publish it here. These designs which work have been published for well over 50 years. I have had a home made one and now i have a commercial one and they both work as designed no problems at all.  Would i ever make a pump, no. There is a lot of work and for the price $A900 for a 5" single stage i have better things to do))).

[piddlocoeccentric]

Hi there. Can any of you guys tell/show me where I start to write regarding "Locomotion" that I schemed out while still gainfully employed at the *Original* A.J.Reeves & Co (Birmingham) Ltd. Nowhere on this site can I find such an indication - I'm a dunce at website forums - just can't get the hang of 'em. Got some background comments that might just help a bit. Just need to know where to start and "Quick Reply" doesn't seem right? Anyway - Do have a Happy and Healthy 2017.
DPidd

[jasonb]

David (I presume?) there is no real section for builds on this forum so your best bet would be to go to the "home" page, then click on the "General Chat" section which is second one down. The screen that comes up will have a green bar along the top with General chat to the left and on the right of that bar you will see "create thread" if you click that it will allow you to start a thread about Locomotion in the place where it is most likely to be seen.

There are a couple of members who have locomotions in progress some further advanced than others.

J

[sis]

David piddington?

Please do post regarding the 7.25" locomotion, I guarantee you will have at least one very interested reader. Perhaps many more.

Steve

[SteveW]

Goto top left of the main page, click on "Search" and enter "Locomotion" in the first field. There are other "locomtions" but quite a bit on "Locomtion" the engine, some from me.

Oops! Better if this was a new topic thread.

[cplmickey]

Dec 28, 2016 10:56:04 GMT sis said:

David piddington?

Please do post regarding the 7.25" locomotion, I guarantee you will have at least one very interested reader. Perhaps many more.

Steve

Me too. Over the past few years I have collected the drawings, castings and boiler kit but so far have only done the water truck axle boxes and horns along with most of the wooden chassis for the truck.
I originally enquired about a boiler from a specialist maker but he said having made one he was not keen to make another. Having made 5 conventional boilers so far I decided to have a go myself but not yet put torch to copper.
Ian

[SteveW]

Guys,
Suggest discussion of Locomotion boiler move to HERE where there is already history. Maybe also start another thread on construction of Locomotion elsewhere.

As for the original topic of "Misguided Article in a Model Magazine?"... It occurs to point out that from the first major write-up on the successful application of the pointed stick in 1066 this country has been making continuous improvements to the basic pointed stick and the means of deployment. This is real engineering and the reason many of us are here and perhaps what got this country hanging on as the fifth largest economy on the planet.

Its my understanding that its the politicians that are responsible for the misuse and abuse of engineering aided and abetted by what is apparently now the new UK official opposition the Daily Mail and similar rags.

Back to Model Engineer, we should laud anyone prepared to write an article on ANY subject that brushes with engineering of ANY kind. Was once told that some missile was doing Mach 1 before if left the end of the launcher. Just think through the engineering difficulties that must bring. The current, and likely ageing, readership is going to be replaced whether they like it or not. Taking the lead from our club open days, there seems to be increasing interest in our electric locomotives rather than the steam driven ones. Who'd have thought?

So, long live ME, but please, a bit different, perhaps a little controversial and definitely challenging. If Model Engineer doesn't evolve to follow what is happening it'll disappear. It's going to be tough if pointed sticks and similar aren't allowed.

[jackrae]

I no longer subscribe to the model magazines so cannot refer directly to the "offending" article, but as an engineer I can make a general comment.

Weapons of war, whilst in the utopian world would be totally unnecessary, represent a fascinating branch of ingenuity and engineering and shouldn't be censored from a magazine that purports to represent engineering on a model scale. The beauty of modelling is in the eye of the beholder and does not mean the model represents condoning the purpose of the original machine.

If one objects to weapons being modelled where should the line be drawn. At machine tools used to manufacture the full-size weapons, at the transport systems used to carry them from factory to field (locomotives), at the farmer who grew the food that fed the troops ........ Most of us who grew up in the 50s spent many a day shooting "injuns" and "jerries" or building Airfix and Keilkraft kits but we didn't grow up to be war-thirsty morons.

Life is a series of compromises and no-one is under the obligation to read any article that displeases.

[isc]

Only if there was an actual build article on missiles would there be any real objection, but it would never get in a UK magazine, I could imagine it in a magazine from USA. Those that "need" home built missiles seem to be able to produce them, often in quite primitive workshops.
ME lost a lot of it's value when it was split to MEW, there is nothing stopping a combining of the two with a slight enlargement of the ME, and reduction in printing and postage cost. isc