Taplin-Baker Hydrojet

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember43226]

[MichaelRParticipant @michaelr]

Going way back to my Model Boating days from what I remember the unit had a normal three bladed prop, and I think you had to prime the unit to start the water flow.

[Ramon WilsonParticipant @ramonwilson3]

Hi Gray,

 

Though I have never had anything to do with this specific model boating item I do remember vaguely when it was first advertised and I believe it had a conventional two or three bladed marine prop inside the curved housing. The rear tapered part augmented the flow though whether this had any flow straighteners I’m not sure. I’m pretty certain this was detachable for access to the prop mounting. Steering was carried out by the swivelling outlet tube. This was quite something in it’s day. I also have a feeling that the advert of the day showed it’s make up.

 

The Taplin Twin of course was a lovely engine though relatively expensive but considering the whole thing was aimed at those who could afford radio control not surprising.

 

Some time ago I was given a very poor example of the engine which I rebuilt (this was the aircooled version). The engine was based on the cylinders of the ED 3.46 ‘Hunter’ but with side port induction, the two crankcases independent of each other.

The adverts of the day accentuated on the fact that they were easy to start and this proved so, slacking off one cylinders compression and starting on the other then bringing the other cylinder ‘on song’. The cranks were set at 90 degrees which made for a strange ‘flicking’ action compared to a single but never the less it lived up to it’s reputation as a good starter. Regretably (in some ways) I had a really big thin out of engines acquired over the years a few years back and this was one that disappeared in that direction. Theres a photo somewhere but where?……

 

I guess you have probably Googled it but there appears to be nothing on it’s actual make up – mainly reference to the odd one or two that find their way to Ebay – it’s a rare beast indeed.

 

Regards – Ramon

 

 

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

The only model jet unit I’v seen was a home brewed one with a TAS 2stroke from a weed eater, it really moved. It had a 2 start Archimedes screw about 50mm dia. Steerable nozzle, and the scoop araingment for reversing. Ian S C

[MichaelRParticipant @michaelr]

Hi Gray,

A post on the Model Boat magazine forum may get more info on the Taplin water jet unit.

 

Here

 

Edited By Stick on 13/04/2011 13:47:22

[John Paton 1Participant @johnpaton1]

Just to reopen this in case anyone is interested!

Today I bought an early fibreglass speedboat hull at our local 'antiques' market – only because the boat has an interesting jet drive.

The remnants of r/c installation suggests single channel valve radio (maybe reed?) with meccano drive to the rudder servo. Probably early to mid 1960s I suspect.

A bit of research convinces me I have a Taplin Waterjet drive unit here although the directional 'rudder tube' nozzle is missing. The actual jet assembly is a lovely sculptured chrome plated unit with water cooling scoop for engine cooling and three bladed prop within. It has a mild steel U/J input ( a bit rusty as it isn't plated)

The hull is quite a nice moulding but obviously very dated and the fitting out inside is useless for today's r/c equipment.

i can upload a photo if anyone is interested to see what the water jet unit looks like.

All I need now is the lovely Taplin Twin engine to marry to the jet drive ( the engineering quality of Taplin was the stuff of legends, from their big electric boat motors and then onto their glow engines).

[Brian OldfordParticipant @brianoldford70365]

Posted by John Paton 1 on 13/03/2019 18:36:31:

. . . . . . .

All I need now is the lovely Taplin Twin engine to marry to the jet drive . . . . . .

Eye-wateringly expensive nowadays.

[John Paton 1Participant @johnpaton1]

I can imagine and worth every penny probably! A true classic and always an expensive and rather exclusive engine.

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