Hi, Thanks for the replies. I have a couple of other projects on the go at the moment, Some time next year I would like to have a go at building one of these pieces of history, mainly sourcing ideas at the moment.
gbritnell: thanks for the picture, that is an absolute masterpiece, much appreciated.
Rob: nice thread you have going there, I see home foundry is going well. I know little about the smelting and casting process, (Well maybe the odd lead spoon or bean sinker)
I do have about 30 -40 kg of ali I would like to melt down and cast my V8 engine blocks some time, I am sure I will have many questions for you in the future.
Peter: Paddle ducks UK is quite interesting, seems to be great history there, I do believe that steamers were a valuable piece of equipment in the 1700's commonly used for transport of equipment for the building of the world we live in today.
It would be a shame to see them forgotten in future generations.
Regards Barry