hey are made of tin. The
cab of each crane measures 2-1/2 inches high by 2 inches long by 1-3/4
inches wide. A small roof is fitted on, and a piece of wood fitted to
the bottom to serve as a floor. The jib measures 6 inches long by 3/4
inch at the base, and tapers to 1/2 inch. It has 1/4 inch turned down at
each side, thus adding considerable strength. The jib is fitted to the
cab by means of a wire passed through the sides, and two guy-ropes are
arranged as shown. A small piece is now cut out at the top, and a pulley
wheel fixed in position by means of a pin passed through the sides.

[Illustration: FIG. 126]

The winding-drum can be made of either tin or wood. The axle passes
through both sides of the cab, the crank being attached to the outside.
Fig. 126 shows the completed crane, which is held to the deck by means
of a small bolt and nut. A washer should be placed between the bottom of
the crane and the deck, to allow the crane to turn freely with little
friction.

A hand-rail, made of fine brass wire, is placed around the deck.

Dummy port-holes are fixed to the sides of the dry-dock for the purpose
of lighting up the interior of the engine-room. These are furnished from
top rings taken from gas-mantles. Anchor-chains are fixed at each end of
the dry-dock. The whole dry-dock is painted with two coats of gray paint
and the water-line painted in bright red.

[Illustration: FIG. 127]

Fig. 127 shows the dry-dock with a model boat in position.

CHAPTER XII

OPERATION OF FLASH STEAM POWER PLANTS FOR MODEL BOATS

THE flash steam method of propelling model power boats of the racing
type produces a far greater speed than would otherwise be possible.
Flash steam plants are far more complicated than ordinary
steam-propelled power plants, and for this reason the author devotes a
chapter to their description.

A considerable equipment of tools and not a little mechanical ingenuity
are required to produce and assemble a workable flash steam plant.
However, such plants have gained great popularity in the past few years,
and all of the hydroplane racing craft are propelled with such outfits.
These power plants are capable of delivering such a tremendous power
that speeds as high as thirty-five miles an hour have been reached by
boats measuring 40 inches long.

The illustration, Fig. 128, shows a flash steam plant and its various
parts. Each part and its function will be described in this Chapter in
detail. T