Rescue of a Billings Cutty Sark Kit

[Shaun]

I have been banging around here for awhile now reading and seeing all the things to be found and learned, there is a bunch of talent here! I have rescued a Billings Cutty Sark kit same as the one in the pic below that I saw from another fellows post on the Cutty Sark thread. I think Kevin is his name and he may be searching for the same thing, I did send him a pm to see where he is at with his search. The box mine is in is not in much better shape either!
I have had to remove the planking and reshape the frames back to new. How can A guy do that you say, well the previous builder only planked the Stbd side so the Prt side fame shape was untouched, alas templates... Now I have started to work on the fairing of the hull and wanting to verify according to the plans, this is where my hiccup begins. The plans look like they are missing the hull part of the build, I have 2 sheets the deck layout figures on one sheet and the rigging and block layout but I feel like there is one sheet short. Can anyone help and verify that there is only two sheets to the instructions for this kit. And possibly in some amazing set of circumstances if someone has as complete set if more than 2 sheets is confirmed would they be willing to part with them / have them scanned and made into Pdf format and emailed, a good link to plans? or even a really good picture might do the job, I'm just really wanting to confirm Frames and mast layout angles and planking layout, that is the stage I am at now. Being as the first plank at the Keel is a key starting point and where the change is in the planking as a guy progresses.
Thanks in advance for any and all advice from a rescue builder!

Shaun

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[Shaun]

Further to my original Post this is the 1:75 No.495 kit. I just happened across an example of the kit and it's contents, yes it appears I am missing several parts of the instructions. The main build book and more than one sheet, I believe there are at least two sheets missing. The search goes on.
Thanks to all.

Shaun

 

[fourseas]

Shaun, many years ago I found this same kit at a yard sale with the hull so badly constructed and distorted that I tore down completely to rebuild the bulkheads. All the rest of the kit with fittings was complete in the original box. The instructions for the kit were on one sheet printed on both sides of the masts and rigging, and an instruction book that was not in English.

 

[Shaun]

Thanks for that, I did find that Billings still does have plans and the build book, (in several languages) with the missing details to complete the rebuild, albeit a slightly newer version but the main details should all be relevant. I think it will be a good chance to work something over and bring her to the form she should be. The kit I rescued also came with the extra fittings for the build. How did your build turn out?

 

[jjs1950]

I have been banging around here for awhile now reading and seeing all the things to be found and learned, there is a bunch of talent here! I have rescued a Billings Cutty Sark kit same as the one in the pic below that I saw from another fellows post on the Cutty Sark thread. I think Kevin is his name and he may be searching for the same thing, I did send him a pm to see where he is at with his search. The box mine is in is not in much better shape either!
I have had to remove the planking and reshape the frames back to new. How can A guy do that you say, well the previous builder only planked the Stbd side so the Prt side fame shape was untouched, alas templates... Now I have started to work on the fairing of the hull and wanting to verify according to the plans, this is where my hiccup begins. The plans look like they are missing the hull part of the build, I have 2 sheets the deck layout figures on one sheet and the rigging and block layout but I feel like there is one sheet short. Can anyone help and verify that there is only two sheets to the instructions for this kit. And possibly in some amazing set of circumstances if someone has as complete set if more than 2 sheets is confirmed would they be willing to part with them / have them scanned and made into Pdf format and emailed, a good link to plans? or even a really good picture might do the job, I'm just really wanting to confirm Frames and mast layout angles and planking layout, that is the stage I am at now. Being as the first plank at the Keel is a key starting point and where the change is in the planking as a guy progresses.
Thanks in advance for any and all advice from a rescue builder!

Shaun

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I am currently working on the same exact version of the kit that I see in your picture. In my case I purchased the kit around 1981. I still have all the parts and documentation that came with the kit. The kit had 2 sheets of plans and a "instructions book" which wasn't too useful. I started the kit in 1981 but due to the normal demands of work and family I worked on the kit intermittently over the last 40+ years. I don't know if that is a record for length of time to finish a ship build. I recently retired and over the last bit have time I have resume the build. Currently all is finished except for the placement of the masts and the rigging. Over time I have collected an extensive collection of plans, photos, build logs, etc. relevant to the build of this kit. I have digital copies of all of these. The only items that I don't have digitalized are the original 2 sheets of plans and a instructions book. I would be willing to send you all that I have digitalized already. I think that those copies will be very helpful to you. The folder on my computer containing them is large, about 150MB so I can't send them as a regular email attachment, but I could send them as a link with Apple mail drop from which you can download them even if you don't use Apple mail. If you want the plans and instructions in digital form from the original kit I won't be able to get those to you for a several weeks, as I am traveling and won't be back to my work shop where I have them until then. You should check out these links to get started: https://www.billingboats.com/compon.../1624431512_564-cutty-sark-vejl-040119-lr.pdf and https://www.billingboats.com/compon...905_1485165543-bb564-cutty-sark-main-plan.pdf.

 

[DomCee]

Hi Shaun,

That's a very old kit! My current build is also the Billings Cutty Sark from a 1985 vintage Billing's kit (jig cut frames) Cutty Sark Build . I'm taking my time over this build but I am including a lot of historical images and some history of the ship as I go through. I have also taken a lot of images of the ship as she is displayed at Greenwich which I am including in my build log as reference material for fellow builders. There is also a build by Harbour Hulk HH Billing Build which you may find useful.

Good luck with the build!

I really must get back to my build as well, it's been languishing in the Doldrums all summer!

 

[Robmelbourne]

I have the Billings kit NR.564. It did not come with the Fittings kit but I have been able to collect one. If there is anything in the instructions in that kit that will assist, let me know.

 

[Shaun]

I am currently working on the same exact version of the kit that I see in your picture. In my case I purchased the kit around 1981. I still have all the parts and documentation that came with the kit. The kit had 2 sheets of plans and a "instructions book" which wasn't too useful. I started the kit in 1981 but due to the normal demands of work and family I worked on the kit intermittently over the last 40+ years. I don't know if that is a record for length of time to finish a ship build. I recently retired and over the last bit have time I have resume the build. Currently all is finished except for the placement of the masts and the rigging. Over time I have collected an extensive collection of plans, photos, build logs, etc. relevant to the build of this kit. I have digital copies of all of these. The only items that I don't have digitalized are the original 2 sheets of plans and a instructions book. I would be willing to send you all that I have digitalized already. I think that those copies will be very helpful to you. The folder on my computer containing them is large, about 150MB so I can't send them as a regular email attachment, but I could send them as a link with Apple mail drop from which you can download them even if you don't use Apple mail. If you want the plans and instructions in digital form from the original kit I won't be able to get those to you for a several weeks, as I am traveling and won't be back to my work shop where I have them until then. You should check out these links to get started: https://www.billingboats.com/compon.../1624431512_564-cutty-sark-vejl-040119-lr.pdf and https://www.billingboats.com/compon...905_1485165543-bb564-cutty-sark-main-plan.pdf.

I just thought I would add a reply here as well. I did send you a DM with my email address for your kind offer. I am okay without the main layout sheets as I did download them from Billings website. Best way to have them really as you can zoom in and maintain the clarity. I understand work and family, the navy and three daughters will do that to you as well, well it did to me...

 

[Shaun]

Hi Shaun,

That's a very old kit! My current build is also the Billings Cutty Sark from a 1985 vintage Billing's kit (jig cut frames) Cutty Sark Build . I'm taking my time over this build but I am including a lot of historical images and some history of the ship as I go through. I have also taken a lot of images of the ship as she is displayed at Greenwich which I am including in my build log as reference material for fellow builders. There is also a build by Harbour Hulk HH Billing Build which you may find useful.

Good luck with the build!

I really must get back to my build as well, it's been languishing in the Doldrums all summer!

Just read thru the Harbour Hulks build log, looks very good with all kinds of helpful hints and ideas!

 

[Shaun]

I have the Billings kit NR.564. It did not come with the Fittings kit but I have been able to collect one. If there is anything in the instructions in that kit that will assist, let me know.

Thank you for the offer, once I have finished fairing and re-planking the hull, I may take you up on that if need be.

Shaun