Norske Love - Billing Boats 1:75 scale

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I am a new member and have seen a few questions arise about this kit. So this is a short build log, for reasons I will get into later, but most importantly a review of what to expect with this kit. Along with a few techniques used, which may or may not be of any value.060DE648-EFEC-40EB-9017-963A215F1225.jpeg
 
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A bit of history is in order at this point. I have built plastic models since I was a child, mainly cars and planes. And I built and flew wood RC airplanes. I am an Engineer by trade and have no issue understanding plans, section views, ISO views, etc.
That said, this was my very first wooden ship model...or ship model period! I picked a single plank hull thinking it would be less work, not knowing the room for error would be less and require more skill. So I jumped head first into an advanced kit...thinking I’m a veteran modeler and wood worker. What I didn’t know is hull planking and ship rigging is definitely a learned skill and something not be taken lightly. But I was determined! I bought a book on ship building shown in pic. And the build began.BB92EE61-7837-4A97-A356-38C8BC61511D.jpeg
 
The assembly manual, although light on text (at front of book and refers to illustration numbers), has good iso views and was adequate information in my opinion. Between the iso views and full scale plans, I had no issues understanding what order to build and what to use.
In addition, the rigging plans are on a full scale sheet and also in manual on the mast building pages. Belaying pins are numbered on the full scale plan view. So between those three sources and a lot of studying, the rigging can be figured out. It is all numbered so you can follow the lines from the mast build sheet to the full scale rigging plans to the belaying pin layout. Hope that all makes sense. Being a newbie, if I can figure out, anyone with experience will have no issue.
Here are views of the manual...71622E92-E475-48C6-B525-A325D3241B5B.jpeg3B49755D-5C34-4568-BF3A-DF441256F3D7.jpeg1E312C64-3342-4480-8447-30A920C6A0A6.jpegE51B8B85-3D90-4936-9095-FB0B1884A073.jpeg0188354A-6028-41D3-B8F2-2FD2819F1D87.jpeg
 
Unfortunately I don’t have build pics, but these are the pics I have of my last stage of progress. Ship finished, masts built and standing rigging started. Basically the shroud lines and forward stays.
The kit came with a light brown for the shroud lines, I chose to order black waxed rope and use that instead. I served the lines at the dead eye and other areas with regular black thread. A dot of CA and wrap around line. Rat lines were done with individual clove hitch’s... too many to count. I would tie, then use a board to line them up in a straight line, then tack in place with glue and snip ends. The board I used to move the knots in a straight line was also used for spacing the next row. I would put the board on the previous row and push the knots on the new row down to the top of the board...working my way up to the crows nest. Just a method that worked for me. Not sure how others achieve level rows and spacing? Dead eye spacing was achieved with a bent paper clip 90 degrees on both ends at proper length. That was my method of madness...lol
Here are the pics... 0C9117B0-D3CE-42FD-A67E-D46BA2FD67F9.jpegCF8E6F45-79BC-4406-B0D9-32B265595E12.jpeg
 
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I will post more pics I have later...but now I should close with a few things.
First the review...
In my opinion I think it is a beautiful ship and a quality kit at the price. I didn’t personally find it hard to understand or build. I would recommend for an experienced builder for sure. But I also believe it could be built by a less experienced builder like myself. However the bends at the stern are not for the faint hearted...lol!
And finally I should explain this is more of a review than build because I have nothing to build anymore. Yes that’s right. My wife and I built a new home, and we sold our old home and moved into an apartment in the interim until the new home was finished. I had stuff in storage and the apartment. I moved twice and it took a toll on me. I was tired and careless and the ship suffered a horrible fate! It was crushed in the moving truck by a piece of furniture. I was devastated to say the least. Over two years of work I carried to a dumpster and threw in...sigh!
I want to build it again... and I know I can do better, but for now I have to move on to something different. Still stings...but after seeing build logs on this site I became motivated to build again! So I ordered the Cazador Xebec by OcCre... I believe it’s 1/64 scale. I will start a build log on that once it arrives and I get started.

regards,
Dean
 
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This is the remaining pics I have. Sorry for the quality, but it’s all I have. First pic was in need of dusting...ha ha. I bought some barrels and buckets to add next to cannons. I chose to leave railing posts gold to add bling and go with gold and brown color scheme. In retrospect I would paint them to match railing, and I would blacken the cannons. In addition I would plank the deck. But once again my first effort. I do want to build this one again, but better knowing what I know now!9BA83B20-E6B8-4725-905A-444C68F2374B.jpeg3C8C358C-C29C-4E91-88E6-3172B4B25D59.jpeg6AFDEB02-DB96-4018-9E32-C38F86002713.jpegE34AAF51-7B11-40CD-B917-BB720FFB648D.jpegD4B635A5-7CFC-444B-9222-C9AD089E6363.jpeg8C3D10EE-9B1D-45C9-A5BA-11B85CF9362C.jpeg
 
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Another technique I used, for the water line, I put ship on stand and used a square on the keel to level the ship. Then I took another square with base on bottom and taped a pencil to it at the water line height. Then I slid it around the ship scribing a line that I used to tape before painting the white. Not sure if there is a better way?
 
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I built this model approximately 35 years ago. It looks like Billings has really improved on the instructions. There was a huge amount of carving required for the stern details, and no sail material provided. This was the last kit I ever built before I went on to scratch building. You have done a great job on your model so far. Looks like Billings may have even improved the quality of their lumber.
Jim
 
I bought this kit in 1989 and I was going to say that the instructions seem to be the same. I had never made a model before, but when I came across this model, I couldn't help but buy it, despite the seller's warnings. He was right. I had a lot of trouble finishing it, but I did well overall.
Today, it's still not finished. Worse, it is now in parts, mainly due to the multiple moves I had to make between Europe and North America. She faithfully followed me but I abandoned her to her sad fate.
I discovered SoS and I'm ready to get her back on her feet.
The only thing I didn't like about this Billing Boats model were the colors used. The green in particular, which distorts the final appearance of the ship, I think. After many readings on SoS and other sites, I'm not sure that BB followed the colors of the time. If anyone knows what colors the Danish navy in the 18th century used, it would be appreciated.
 
I am a new member and have seen a few questions arise about this kit. So this is a short build log, for reasons I will get into later, but most importantly a review of what to expect with this kit. Along with a few techniques used, which may or may not be of any value.View attachment 181663
Over my more than 40 tears as a builder, I have build 3xNORSKE lOVE, AN
I am a new member and have seen a few questions arise about this kit. So this is a short build log, for reasons I will get into later, but most importantly a review of what to expect with this kit. Along with a few techniques used, which may or may not be of any value.View attachment 181663
Over my more than 40 tears as a builder, I have over time build 3xNORSKE LØVE, and on the Billing, boat side .giving help to 3 others (South Africa, New Zeeland and Canada- so I now very Well the good and much more the bad side. The first one was from before Laser-cut, so it was all hand cut. Have .just seen your side this moment .t The pic. is the hand-cut from early 1970 with some mistakes with the sails. It lasted 40 years- the last 5 on the seafront of the Medetiranien seas in Malaga Spain. This destroyed it-mainly the riggen -high humidity., high temp, dessert sand storm from Sahara I took it back to try to restore, but not only the rigge01 Norske love 1.jpgn, but the hull too, so last voyage -after surveying the trip from Denmark to Spain-the waste bin. the second image trying to restore. the first one was taking in Madrid
 

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The assembly manual, although light on text (at front of book and refers to illustration numbers), has good iso views and was adequate information in my opinion. Between the iso views and full scale plans, I had no issues understanding what order to build and what to use.
In addition, the rigging plans are on a full scale sheet and also in manual on the mast building pages. Belaying pins are numbered on the full scale plan view. So between those three sources and a lot of studying, the rigging can be figured out. It is all numbered so you can follow the lines from the mast build sheet to the full scale rigging plans to the belaying pin layout. Hope that all makes sense. Being a newbie, if I can figure out, anyone with experience will have no issue.
Here are views of the manual...View attachment 181676View attachment 181677View attachment 181678View attachment 181679View attachment 181680
Your build is from much later, where Billing Boat made the false keel, sternpost and bow, and the added a 1mm stern and bow part, and a plank along with the edge od the false keel. here a Gardboard eas not made but I did as well adding a bow filler and fillers at the stern too
 
I bought this kit in 1989 and I was going to say that the instructions seem to be the same. I had never made a model before, but when I came across this model, I couldn't help but buy it, despite the seller's warnings. He was right. I had a lot of trouble finishing it, but I did well overall.
Today, it's still not finished. Worse, it is now in parts, mainly due to the multiple moves I had to make between Europe and North America. She faithfully followed me but I abandoned her to her sad fate.
I discovered SoS and I'm ready to get her back on her feet.
The only thing I didn't like about this Billing Boats model were the colors used. The green in particular, which distorts the final appearance of the ship, I think. After many readings on SoS and other sites, I'm not sure that BB followed the colors of the time. If anyone knows what colors the Danish navy in the 18th century used, it would be appreciated.
Yes, Apart from going to laser cut and before mentioned improvement of the keel, false keel, the instruction is the same. It is CLEAR to ME -that this kit is on the lower end in its class. price about €, whereas Montañes, San Juan Neposano is in the range of 350 to 450 € -from Spain-and the Manoli/ Amaty like Pegasus, Agemom over 600 € some up 1000 €. Frankly steaking I used nearly only Big Laser cuts part (I have no mechanical saws, and the rest scratch builds - Gun carriage on all Deck. Extra deck inserted, so NO DUMMY GUNS. The front part of the BOW is absolutely bad- out of scale too, so new ones were made and so on. If I should ever again with my nearly 80 Years, it would be like Pegasus, Agemon. I have been following the build of these ship with even the upper part of the bulkheads or frames with the right curves for water run of. I am sorry to say that about Billing, as as much in 1960 I was working in neighbour Town to Billing. I even new the BIG man, who started all -Mr Erling BIlling.
 
Yes, Apart from going to laser cut and before mentioned improvement of the keel, false keel, the instruction is the same. It is CLEAR to ME -that this kit is on the lower end in its class. price about €, whereas Montañes, San Juan Neposano is in the range of 350 to 450 € -from Spain-and the Manoli/ Amaty like Pegasus, Agemom over 600 € some up 1000 €. Frankly steaking I used nearly only Big Laser cuts part (I have no mechanical saws, and the rest scratch builds - Gun carriage on all Deck. Extra deck inserted, so NO DUMMY GUNS. The front part of the BOW is absolutely bad- out of scale too, so new ones were made and so on. If I should ever again with my nearly 80 Years, it would be like Pegasus, Agemon. I have been following the build of these ship with even the upper part of the bulkheads or frames with the right curves for water run of. I am sorry to say that about Billing, as as much in 1960 I was working in neighbour Town to Billing. I even new the BIG man, who started all -Mr Erling BIlling.
 
Hi Dean,
I just started following your build here. Your Norske Love is a good looking build. I like the wood used in the mast and mast tops . I have a Billings Wasa on the the shelf as my next build and am not too happy with the planking which is Obechi which I will place a veneer of walnut over. Have not worked much this week though with cold weather and power outages. How about you and this weather...WOW!
 
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