Blue and gold hammerhead crane pic 1 Blue and gold hammerhead crane pic 2 Blue and gold hammerhead crane pic 5 Blue and gold hammerhead crane on the bench Blue and gold hammerhead crane pic 4 Blue and gold hammerhead crane pic 3 Blue and gold hammerhead crane original instructions
This fairly simple model of a Hammerhead Crane was first published in the 1937 No.9/10 outfits instruction manual it was also published in the 1947-1954 9/10 manual in the red and green period. The 1937 manual clearly show the change in balance between constructional parts and strip and flexible plates. Although the previous range of sets A to L had many of the new flexible and strip plates it carried over many of the models from the earlier red and green sets with the emphasis on constructional parts. The 1937 sets are far more orientated toward the use of cheaper flexible and strip plates. This crane clearly lacks constructional parts although I have added extra parts in the jib and tower using strips to replace the string shown on the instructions. The instructions show the crane as having all the functions hand operated but I have used three small geared motors for the hoist, trolley and boom rotation all operated through control box. The bearing for the jib rotation was previously used on my recent Pontoon Crane as were the three drive motors. The model is built with 1930's blue and gold parts but many of the gold parts have been resprayed. When I started building the model I was not at all sure about all the plates but when completed the blue and gold looks rather attractive particularly the tower corner strip plates. Prototypes of this type of crane were built between the 1900s - 1970s and can still seen be at naval dockyards and ship builders around the world. Although referred to as "Hammer Head Cranes" the more correct term should be a "Giant Cantilever Crane".  There are or were fine examples on Clydeside, Cowes, Halifax Nova Scotia and Sydney Australia. They were designed to be used for very heavy lifting during the fitting out and repair of large ships. Many of the cranes were capable of lifts of over 250 tonnes. Their use was some what restricted as they were built in a fixed position on the dock side. I have also built a much and larger more detailed Hammerhead crane this can be seen by clicking the link. First published September 24 2024 Revised 09/10/2024
You can see a video of the crane’s construction and operation by clicking the YouTube logo