The model is based on the 1930 Meccano Super Model No.33 Single and Double Fly boats. Not quite in same league as "The Millennium Eye" in London but a fun model to build and operate. The drive on my version is Meccano cord running around the circumference of the wheel used as a crossed belt driven by a Temsi 300 motor,  very similar to the Meccano/Marklin power drive motor. I built it as an excuse to use my , at the time, my newly purchased girder frames p/n 113 a lovely part with not too many uses! I made small cabins instead of the "Fly boats"  used on the original model these did not somehow look right with the massive structure of the supporting frame. Someday I will get around to building the double one published in the same SML leaflet with two contra rotating wheels. A similarly proportioned model appeared in the Meccano Magazine Model of the Month in December 1957 with a rotating base. The original model was sprocket chain driven, not very practical, see original illustration above from SML No.33. The cord gives a very smooth and steady drive. New picture scan and text January 30 2008 Back to Gallery of Meccano Models.