Bold machinery
Printed From: BMPT Forum
Category: Boats (In alphabetical order)
Forum Name: Bold Class
Forum Description: Discussion on Bold Class boats
URL: http://www.bmpt.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=12
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 7:57pm
Topic: Bold machinery
Posted By: Pioneer
Subject: Bold machinery
Date Posted: 06 January 2005 at 2:50pm
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Some interesting information has been forwarded concerning the power plants of both the Bold class vessels. Would there be anyone who could confirm that the Deltic's could not be run while the Gas Turbines were 'online' and visa vi? ------------- Pioneer - Forum Moderator |
Replies:
Posted By: cducane
Date Posted: 06 January 2005 at 5:37pm
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They had only two propeller shafts with some rather fancy gear boxes linking both drives which never really worked ------------- crusade |
Posted By: Pioneer
Date Posted: 06 January 2005 at 9:16pm
That could explain an ability to run the four power plants individually (or not as suggested). I have had discussion with some ratings of '1st crew' ( 'Bolds') and was told that they had four shafts but it was mentioned only as an aside to the main talking point, that of the boats actually being launched without the Gas Turbines fitted. Live and learn as they say ------------- Pioneer - Forum Moderator |
Posted By: Pioneer
Date Posted: 16 January 2005 at 5:17pm
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Further info suggests that they were both launched with four seperate shafts and in the early days, after the fitting of the Gas Turbines, the original diesels, believed to be Mercedes, were exchanged for the Deltics and the 'fancy' gearboxes were fitted at the same time. That would make Lt Cdr Ben Warlow's observation correct, as stated in his book Minor War Vessels in Focus, and also confirm Crusader's statement. Would anyone be able to confirm that? I know there are some 1st Crew 'bods' out there. ------------- Pioneer - Forum Moderator |
Posted By: Timparr
Date Posted: 28 January 2009 at 11:32pm
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Having just joined, I hope I might be able to help even on an old posting.
I actualy built Bold Pathfinder, and can confirm that she had four shafts, the inners were originally fitted with Mercedes Benz V20's form E Boats, and the wing shafts had Metro Vic Beryl gas jet engines fitted with a power turbine, which was connected to the shaft. The power turbines had troubles because the rotor was supported on overhung bearings, which were not stiff enough, and gave troubles. Later we took out the Merceds engines and fitted 18 cylinder Deltics, as a test bed. The Deltics were so big that one had to be unshipped and moved outboard, in order to unship and lift the other. I do not think that it met the usual requirement to "change a main engine in less than eight hours. It is sad to see her being broken at Pounds, I have a nice shot of her running trials at speed! Timparr ------------- Tim |
Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 02 February 2009 at 10:17am
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Hi Tim,
Well, you can't beat the experience of the person who actually built a Bold! they are still breaking at Pounds? indeed, always a sad sight to see a vessel being broken, especially from "our" point of view her being a coastal forces craft, still good news HOPEFULLY re the 245, but still await confirmation on her of course.
Johnk
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