Hoist! Luff! Slew! - Part I
Meet Stiff-legged Eric.
This simple crane is called a "stiff-leg derrick." It was built with Meccano Outfit Number Two of 1926.
Here's the same thing, but different; a derrick built with the Swedish construction system FAC . Note that unlike the little Meccano derrick, which has a luffing (but no slewing) movement, the FAC derrick has a slewing (but no luffing) movement.
The FAC derrick, ready for action. Note the Meccano Loaded Hook.
Image copyright: Meccano Ltd., Binns Road, Liverpool 13.
A more elaborate Stiff Leg Derrick could be built with the legendary Outfit Number Seven and was featured as one of the famous "Super Models" along with the Motor Chassis, the Loom and the Giant Block-setting Crane. As you can see from the picture, it can perform all the movements; hoist, luff and slew.
Here is my "freelance" derrick, actually requiring two Ten Sets (or one Ten Set and one extra N:o 7 Angle Girder ;-). The wire drums are housed inside the column and each of them is built up of two Face Plates and two Wheel Flanges. Barely visible in the picture are the worm drives for the luffing and hoisting movements, thus dispensing with the need for pawls or brakes.