Weathervanes

Since retiring, I have had some
time to pursue interests and made this weathervane based
upon the North American P51D Mustang"Old Crow" flown by Col.
Clarence "Bud" Anderson from nearby Leiston during the last
war.
It can be seen in Framlingham from outside Solar supermarket
(look over the roof of John Self shoe shop) or, more
closely, from Albert Road.
I have been asked by friends to make them conventional weathervanes so I will offer the occasional bespoke conventional weathervanes to any who would like to buy from £100 each including a mount suitable for any vertical flat surface.
I offer TWO
different styles/sizes. Both can have any motif
desired.
Please click on the titles to see more information
Standard
These are also about 24" across the cardinal points but have
four interlocked scrolls on the main vertical shaft. Can
also be supplied without scrolls if a simpler look is wanted
The motif is cut in 2mm steel
Price: £100.
Large
These are about 36" across the cardinal points, have
four interlocked scrolls on the main shaft and also have a
raised direction arrow so as to allow a pair of scrolls on
the rotating shaft as well. The motif on these will be
proportionally larger. The fox in the illustration is 15"
from nose to tail.
Price: £135.
All
are substantially made with
16mm steel tube and 12mm solid steel bar. The designs are
laser cut for fine detail from either 2mm or 3mm thick steel
and painted with an industrial exterior metal paint for
durability.
Please don't confuse with cheap imported cast iron items!
All weathervanes can come with an "L"
shaped bracket suitable for mounting on a flat surface
such as a wall or gable end.
An actual example of the large
style can be seen by the wall adjoining the pedestrian
crossing in Framlingham or in the picture below.

The top motif will be as required
by the purchaser. Three examples are shown below but
basically,
if
it can be drawn flat as a silhouette, then it can be made.
You may use one of the many designs I can offer (or
provide your own drawing).
These include most animals (especially cats, dogs &
horses), fantasy & heraldic (such as witches &
dragons) and transport including trucks & boats. For
something specific, drop me a mail and I will show you the
best matched images.
The weathervanes will be sold fully
finished for local collection or flat packed to post.
In the case of the flatpacked only,
the cardinal points need to be inserted into a collar on the
shaft and then locked in place with a grub screw. This
picture shows how the collar looks (this is before painting
& welding to the main shaft for clarity). The collar
will be welded to the main vertical shaft and any scrolls
welded to the cardinal point arms. The scrolls (if fitted)
will be pre-drilled to allow a self tapping screw to lock
them onto the main shaft.
Some
examples of top motifs
and
More Motifs HERE


Anyone wanting to discuss is
welcome to email
me
On the offchance that anyone is
tempted I can also make another aircraft like the one above
(or
any other for that matter but please be aware the one shown
has a 96" wingspan, a 36" diameter propellor, needs a
scaffold pole to support it and would cost about £500). The
size would mean it would need to be collected and with a big
van!
"My" Mustang has a wooden frame, is filled with expanded
foam and covered in fibre-glass.
It has taper roller bearings for the rotation and the
propeller and purpose made decals.
It was featured in Model Engineer magazine Vol 205 No 4392
3-16 December 2010 where the construction is detailed.