Tight lines tethered boats and cars

Having got wind that Eric (Offen) was thinking of selling the Oliver patterns, I paid him a visit, as he lives very close to me, and the patterns changed hands. I can say I was very happy to have them and had desired them for many years but did not know where the originals were. I had spoken to John Oliver with regards to making a new set of patterns in the style of the Oliver tether cars a few years ago, but never progressed with it.

I will be visiting the Foundry next week and orders will be placed for castings with the intention of keeping a stock' so that any orders for the Oliver castings can be promptly dispatched. Castings will be available towards the end of May 2012. Prices will be published after my visit to the foundry and my aim is make these castings affordable for everyone.

I am also working on a kit so that the whole Oliver tether car can be assembled with basic tools by anyone without specialised machinery to hand. We are exploring the option of using a modern diesel and glow engine in place of a twin-shaft engine. This will enable people to buy, assemble and run an Oliver inspired tether car at a fraction of the price of fitting a genuine Oliver twin-shaft engine. Wheels are in the design process at the moment. We intend to have a prototype of the kit inspired Oliver tether car up and running soon.

Initially I will be able to supply the Oliver castings and can be contacted by phone or email. Phone number 01276 21835. I may not always be able to answer the phone, but a message can be left and I will call back as soon as possible. The best way of contacting me is by email: ironmonger619@btinternet.com

7. Oliver Mercedes 8. Oliver BRM (this never went on the Oliver list, so this will be the first time this is available)

All Oliver castings listed will be supplied as a pair, top half and lower pan, as from the foundry with runners and risers attached but shortened but not fettled. Please note, everything will be made and produced in the UK as I wish to keep the British heritage of the Oliver range going and support our foundry/engineering companies.

We are working on the design of pan handles, fuel tanks, fuel knock off valve, engine mounts, rear wheel extension shafts for non twin-drive engines, front axle system and wheels at the moment. These will be made available when completed and tested thoroughly.

Firstly, some excellent and very welcome news from Victoria Park. Not for the first time in their 108 year history, the Victoria Club has been without any water for a very long period of time. In this case, it was due to the very protracted redevelopment of the Park. After a great deal of frustration and longwinded negotiation and delays, the lake now has enough water in it to go boating. A regatta is planned for Easter and the grand re-opening in May, just in time for everything to stop to allow the Olympic thingy to happen. Thanks to Keith Reynolds for keeping us informed of progress and along with Pete Dirs and Norman Lara for the photos.

Hydro Club Conference
26th March

What a difference a month can make, from record low temperatures to weather that was more suitable for boating than conferences. Still, Bletchley Park was the venue for the annual meeting of the Model Hydroplane Club, and it was a pleasure to see a number of members who have not had the best of winters enjoying the sunshine.

After a short burst of official business, the Chairman, Terry Everitt, announced that after no less than 35 years in the position, Arthur Wall was retiring as Secretary. Stuart Robinson gave an amusing resume of Arthur's career with tethered hydroplanes, before Terry presented Arthur with a rather fine watch in recognition of all his years of service. Sue Free then presented Brenda wall with a lovely bouquet to remind us all, where the power really lay!

Arthur's retirement did not last long, as to universal acclaim, he became President of the Club, replacing the late Stan Poyser. The role of Secretary was taken on by Sonia Collins, and the new contact details for the club can be found on the racing page.

Received from Arthur Wall

I would like to thank all the members of the Model Hydroplane Club for the superb watch that was presented to me on my retirement as Hon Sec. The presentation was by the Chairman Terry Everitt at the Club's AGM. Also, Brenda would like to thank the Club for the lovely bouquet that Sue Free presented to her and I would also like to apologise for not responding to Terry Everitt, Sue Free and Stuart Robinson who gave a resume of my hydro career, some of the things I had forgotten! After retiring as Hon Sec, and then the members voting me in as President, I was at a loss for words. Please accept apologies.

The one thing I can still remember is at the AGM at Woburn 35 years ago where Terry and Stuart asked me if I would stand in as secretary until they could get a volunteer. I agreed, the rest is history. I wish the new Hon Sec, Sonia Collins my best wishes and hope she enjoys being secretary and making friends here and abroad as as Brenda and I have.

Best Wishes
Arthur Wall

OTW would also like to pass on our very best wishes to Sonia and hope that she is soon back to full mobility after her unfortunate accident.

Tom Clement then demonstrated the latest version of the electronic timing equipment, and it has to be said, that it is by far the most sophisticated available in the sport, giving individual lap speeds as well as aggregate time and speed, both in MPH and KMH, and it can also handle 5 or 10 lap events. Tom is to be congratulated on getting the system working, and with the help and assistance of Terry Everitt and John DeMott, electronic timing should soon be available at every venue.

The new rules for electric classes were explained by Jim Free, with special emphasis on the safety aspects, followed by discussion on the arrangements for the Team that will be travelling to Bulgaria for the European Championships in August.

Sonia Collins commissioned a trophy, which she awards each year to her own specific criteria, and as she announced this year's recipient, it slowly dawned on us that she was talking about OTW and that we had been given the award for this year. Quelle embarrassment, as it is usually us taking the pictures.

Well, always assuming the drought conditions do not lead to lack of water in some of our lakes, that is the Tight Lines winter tour brought to a conclusion and the next offering will hopefully be regatta reports.

Left: Yes, that's us.

There were a few events at Watford that tested the insulation while waiting for the doors to open, but they were of nothing compared to the unprecedented temperatures we experienced over the weekend at Old Warden. The snow and cold of the preceding week hardly prepared us for the trip, which started at a snug –8 degrees and gradually dropped to –13.5 degrees. Even with the heater and air con full on, the inside of the car was still freezing up.

As well as traders from all corners of the UK, Old Warden welcomed several overseas visitors, including Darrel Peugh from the USA. Darrels' father was a well known aeromodeller who had built up a quite magnificent collection. Darrel used his laptop and photos to give interested parties a taste of the size and eclectic nature of this vast collection. One shelf alone, entirely of pulse jets, was almost beyond belief.

The predominant fare on offer in the halls were aircraft, from the very largest, to a delightful and tiny traditional team racer, kits from every known and a few obscure manufacturers and, as usual, engines galore. Several boats, including a nice destroyer came in through the door, and left equally quickly, having found eager purchasers.

On the twinshaft front though, it was the arrival of none other than John Oliver with three of his own cars that was such a treat for many. John had made the trip up from Dorset, setting out at some unearthly hour in the morning. As well as being besieged by well wishers and old acquaintances, John was also finding homes for the aircraft he had brought to trade. It was also a pleasure to see Oliver enthusiast Dave Coe who had a pattern for a 2.5cc BRM that had never been put into production.

Bill Langley can always be relied upon to produce interesting cars, and this year was no exception, with one of just 37 C&C or Curly rail track cars that were reputed to have been built. A 1066 MRC also nestled amongst the assortment of interesting motors that he had on offer. Next door were Carlo and Mario Gandolfi with their modern carbon fibre bodied railtrack cars and Mario’s championship winning MG from his days as a leading light on the railtrack scene in the 50s.

As usual there must have been thousands of engines right from micro size to a whole boxful of industrial engines for conversion. With a significant continental attendance, there were several unusual motors as well, mainly replicas, it has to be said. It does seem however as if the pricing strategy of some traders has got a bit out of kilter. It is difficult to justify £60 for a standard 2.5cc Utckam, especially as there were so many of them in the hall. Mind you, the vendor on ebay that wants £19 just for the pipe must be even more hopeful!

In the true spirit of swapmeets, there are usually a few stalls that represent a true ‘clearout’, where there are bargains to be had and the ‘metal man’ had very little of his brass and aluminium left by packing up time. It is always difficult to work out how much trade is being done, but considering the weather there was a goodly crowd and a constant stream of aircraft and boxes leaving, along with several wads of cash being passed over stalls.

For OTW, chatting is the prime occupation at these events, and there is always an interesting contact or piece of information that comes to light, but this years highlight was thanks to Olly Monk, who had brought along Frank Jutton’s TNT flash steamer for us to have a look at. What an amazing boat, even better in the flesh.

It was no sadness for us that the temperature had risen significantly, but the drive home reminded us just how treacherous conditions had been, with the west bound A14, one long accident where the rain had frozen as it hit the road. Considering the conditions leading up to the event, it has to be considered a real success, and let us hope that Old Warden appears in the calendar next year, only a little bit warmer please?

Just as a taster, three photos by courtesy of Tony Collins showing the newly refurbished hydro lake at Pazardzhick in Bulgaria. This is where the 2012 European Championships will be held in August. The purpose built hydro circle and facilities here are a world away from the dilapidated state of the lake that competitors experienced at Stara Zagora a couple of years ago. Photos clearly show the sloping sides of the lake and centre island to break up the waves, and the launching platform. Incidentally, this venue and the flying circle will be in use later in August for the World Control Line Championships.


Darrel Peugh shows his collection	There must be one that fits?	Is there a prettier model than the Ranger?


Paul & John Goodall's select offerings	John Oliver with an original Raylite motor	John's Bottoms Up and Tiger 2.5 Proto