Folder Three
Dragonfly Restoration- Body and Trim
The fuel tank was missing, so I had one made to spec in marine Stainless. I had to be sure I could extract it through the back seat. . . .before I reclad the aft deck in teak.
This is before I built the engine box. In the beginning I discovered that I would probably never find the Coventry KF4 engine. ( These were specific to just the FMDs and had been removed for scrap when the boats were decommissioned ), so I spent a lot of time comparing modern diesels for one of suitable power and dimensions. Luckily, just before biting the bullet and buying one I 'found' the perfect original engine in Kent.
I may also say that I had already bought a Grey-Marine petrol engine of comparable size from a nice chap in Provence. This now graces a lake boat in Sweden ! In this pic you will see the 4 holes in the engine bearers ready to take the mounting block studs, which made again in marine stainless.
I made the engine box slighlty away from Spec, as I wanted a relatively flat surface for social uses such as picnics, or for grandchildren to sit on ! Also, this first top turned out to be too low for the KF4 when it arrived, so had to be raised by a couple of inches, as you see later. The port side has a removable top deck so one can pass from rear to fore. The starboard side has a hinged top and houses the exhaust system, the anchor, ropes and spares, and the demountable navigation lamp mast
These two little 'glove-boxes' I made up to be at either side of the front seat . The starboard one houses all the electric controls, switches and fuses, and the port one has a multi-tool Leatherman and a hip-flask of single malt !
All three of the rope buffers were ruined so I got a chandler in La Rochelle to make me a front one. This turned out to be a mistake, as they could not understand the concept of - " Royal Navy " !! and produced something that looked like a doormat ! SO. . . I made up some big knitting needles and knitted them myself ! ( Strangely, it reminded me fondly of my mother knitting away during the long Scottish winters of my youth )
.The bronze fairleads were an unfortunate straying into modernity. The Navy ones had been in galvanised steel, but lost on the farm in Ireland. . . I am just hoping that these will dull down soon. . .or that I find the correct ones some day.
Just a few cable fixers I had to fabricate
This is my first trial ( using an old sheet ) and then final effort at making the tonneau covers. Another skill to be learned . However my trusty old Singer sewing machine slipped easily back into action.
As you will observe , the rope coils are pretty, but definitely NOT to be displayed like that when on the water !
