Steam launch

Only made for 2 years, 1938 and 39, a development of the existing speedboats and electric launches. Measuring 26" long and available in red or white cellulose paint with varnished decks, named in the 1938 catalogue as "Planet" then changed to "Comet" for 1939, it was fitted with a 4" long brass boiler with a safety valve which sent steam to a piston powered motor unit to drive the propeller. It was lit with an "Unspillable spirit lamp" and could run for up to half an hour with one filling. The forward decking, fixed by brass screws, was removable to allow the pan burner for the boiler to be refilled. The boiler and steam motor unit were made by Mersey Model Co Ltd., who were based in Liverpool, their manufacturing factory was in Wallasey not far from the Star Works, the Mersey Model factory had to stop production in 1939 as it was needed for the war effort and their offices in Liverpool were unfortunately destroyed in the bombing raids of WW2. Steam Launches are now a very rare model to find. The photos below are of a red launch which was called "Comet", a 1939 version. The steam engine unit fitted to the launches was known as the Mersey Steam Boat Engine No.2.

** The name "Planet" in the 1938 catalogue may have been a misprint as the illustration of the launch in both the 1938 and 1939 catalogues show the launch with the name "Comet".

Star also produced the hulls for Mersey Models own version of the steam motor launch the "Miss Mersey I" and "Miss Mersey II" at 24" in length with striking similarities to the Star original.

                               SL/1 Comet