Thirty-odd years ago, I purchased a Billings 1:96 kit and promised my wife a wonderful decorative artefact. Unfortunately, life intervened, and we have enjoyed a wonderful working life and a busy retirement. Last year I decided to locate the 'Billings' from its garage tomb. I found the remains decayed to an extent that encouraged me to seek the blessings of the wife/bank manager/and now Admiral to purchase a new kit, which duly arrived last March - a Billings 1:75 kit of the same boat (Cutty Sark). And so it began.....
Nine months later, I decided that my prior experience, upon which I had relied to proceed with the build with vigour, haste, and total naivety, would serve me in good stead. It didn't! I proceeded, knowingly having made some (many) critical errors, to the start of the running rigging and...well, I dismantled the lot....and....bought another kit!
So, that is my introduction (confessioni I guess), as I start again on my Billings 1:75 - albeit now with the benefit of the Internet and access to this hoard of wonderful knowledge on strategy, tactics and technique (further confession, I am ex Army and need to learn the language of the sea in addition to everything else). My dad was a marine engineer and my great-grandfather a ship's carpenter - must be in the 'jeans' [sic].
In sum, greetings from a septuagenarian Scotsman living in the North of England who is humbly grateful for the information available on the site.
Nine months later, I decided that my prior experience, upon which I had relied to proceed with the build with vigour, haste, and total naivety, would serve me in good stead. It didn't! I proceeded, knowingly having made some (many) critical errors, to the start of the running rigging and...well, I dismantled the lot....and....bought another kit!
So, that is my introduction (confessioni I guess), as I start again on my Billings 1:75 - albeit now with the benefit of the Internet and access to this hoard of wonderful knowledge on strategy, tactics and technique (further confession, I am ex Army and need to learn the language of the sea in addition to everything else). My dad was a marine engineer and my great-grandfather a ship's carpenter - must be in the 'jeans' [sic].
In sum, greetings from a septuagenarian Scotsman living in the North of England who is humbly grateful for the information available on the site.
As for the hobby, it's much more serious than that. She who must be obeyed has waited many years, but I intend, on this occasion, to take my time and do it in a manner fit for this fine site. Have a great time in Scotland.
