Billings Boats quality

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suspend6

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Dec 26, 2023
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Geelong, Australia
Greetings from Downunder,

I am in the early stages of the Artesania Latina Bounty 1/48 (my first build). I am also looking ahead to what might be my second model (with no intention of purchase until Bounty nears completion). The Endeavour is top of the list and I really like the size of 1/48 scale models. This narrows down the possible Endeavour kits only one - by Billings Boats at 1/50 scale.

However, the feedback I have got whilst exploring the BB option has not been all that encouraging. A learned and respected collegue turned his BB kit into firewood, and others have noted overall poor quality, plastic components (eg cannons) and very poor build instructions.

Some of this feedback goes back in time quite a few years. I am wondering if today, BB have lifted their game or would I be in for a lot of kit bashing to achieve a satisfactory outcome?

Regards, Phil
 
My experience with BB is indeed that the quality of materials is not up to par with competitors. This does not mean I will not build any BB kits, I do if the subject is to my liking. But BB kits put up more of a challenge, which, if you like to be challenged, can be fun.

As you mention, certain parts are plastic, which I will always replace with aftermarket parts (adding to the project cost, of course).

As for the instructions, indeed these can also be challenging, but not impossible. Next to the instructions, you will need to use the BB provided plans for measurements, rigging etc. Here is a link to the Endeavour instructions on the BB website as an example: https://www.billingboats.com/compon..._514-endeavour-vejl-m-plastiklavetter-230.pdf

Occre has a 1/54 kit of the Endeavour which will be of better quality I suspect.
 
Leysend,
Many thanks for your feedback.
I obviously did not do enough research! I was somehow of the opinion that the Occre kit was arount 1/64 scale. So that changes things a bit.
Now I have a choice :)
 
suspend6 said:
Greetings from Downunder,

I am in the early stages of the Artesania Latina Bounty 1/48 (my first build). I am also looking ahead to what might be my second model (with no intention of purchase until Bounty nears completion). The Endeavour is top of the list and I really like the size of 1/48 scale models. This narrows down the possible Endeavour kits only one - by Billings Boats at 1/50 scale.

However, the feedback I have got whilst exploring the BB option has not been all that encouraging. A learned and respected collegue turned his BB kit into firewood, and others have noted overall poor quality, plastic components (eg cannons) and very poor build instructions.

Some of this feedback goes back in time quite a few years. I am wondering if today, BB have lifted their game or would I be in for a lot of kit bashing to achieve a satisfactory outcome?

Regards, Phil
Click to expand...
Hi With regard to quality of Billings Boats kit - I bought last year the Calypso from Billings. An expensive kit. It is shocking in terms of quality of components, plans, instructions and quality control. Quite a few bits were either missing or the wrong size and although Billings did replace them, they had to do it twice because the first replacements were simply the same as the ones they had put in the kit. The quality of wood is inconsistent and I am often using wood from my own stash. The plans and instructions manuals are also well below standard. The plans are inaccurate and the "instructions" are frankly a joke. Although I am scratch building a full interior for the boat and converting the kit (essentially a RC boat) to a static high detail boat, I am very disappointed with Billings given the price of the model. In terms of Occre - while their plans are not always that accurate, I found the quality of wood supplied is very good and their prices are far more attractive. I can forgive a few indiscretions on plans on competitively priced kits but not on expensive ones like Billings. I also think Occre should be complimented on their range of kits. Unfortunately I cannot see myself buying another Billings kit.
 
Please do not give up the Billing Boats brand! They are under new management and all the kits are slowly being redesigned and reissued. In particular, the Calypso kit has been reissued and recent reviews are excellent.

I have no association with Billing Boats but have been selling their product as a retailer for something like fifteen years and I have seen the product quality drop and drop, and now it is looking like the line is much improved. Remember, there are zillions of unstarted kits out there, so there is a very good chance you might have an older Billing Boats kit, that was produced before 2016. In particular, I think the rebuild of Calypso was only completed in 2022.
 
suspend6 said:
Some of this feedback goes back in time quite a few years. I am wondering if today, BB have lifted their game or would I be in for a lot of kit bashing to achieve a satisfactory outcome?
Click to expand...
Yes! The company has been under new management since 2016 and the kits are all being redesigned and reissued. You mentioned plastic parts. Those are being redesigned and replaced with steel parts where possible. As a retailer, I do agree that those little flimsy plastic parts were a disappointment but you also have to consider that the company had lowered and lowered their prices to match the quality.
 
I’m building Le Martegaou by BB. The x veneer plywood has been trouble. The grain runs all directions. Small parts chip the veneer off even when being careful. I’m getting close to the rigging and the plans make my eyes cross trying to follow one line. On the other hand, I did BB mini Oseberg and it had no plywood only solid wood. I got it on sale for 10 bucks.
 
I also like 1/48. Look at the HMS Ontario Dry Dock Models. Expensive and a very challenging kit. I did “cheat” and went with the 3D printed bow and stern pieces but you could build them by hand if you wish. I was very pleased with the results I got.
 
suspend6 said:
Greetings from Downunder,

I am in the early stages of the Artesania Latina Bounty 1/48 (my first build). I am also looking ahead to what might be my second model (with no intention of purchase until Bounty nears completion). The Endeavour is top of the list and I really like the size of 1/48 scale models. This narrows down the possible Endeavour kits only one - by Billings Boats at 1/50 scale.

However, the feedback I have got whilst exploring the BB option has not been all that encouraging. A learned and respected collegue turned his BB kit into firewood, and others have noted overall poor quality, plastic components (eg cannons) and very poor build instructions.

Some of this feedback goes back in time quite a few years. I am wondering if today, BB have lifted their game or would I be in for a lot of kit bashing to achieve a satisfactory outcome?

Regards, Phil
Click to expand...
Smart move in waiting to buy the second kit. All too easy to be a “bit” distracted by the second and never finish the first. I speak from experience! Enjoy your hobby!
 
I'm part way through BB's HMS Victory. I haven't had to deal with anything plastic yet, though I also haven't gotten to installing something like 100 cannon. The instructions are wordless, but the most significant challenge is figuring out the right order of work within each page. Like in Algebra lessons in middle school, getting the right order of operations is essential.
 
I am working on the BB Esmeraldo model. It is the newer kit with laser-cut parts. I am not impressed with the kit design -- too few bulkheads and too many difficult twists and turns. I have substituted much of the wood with better quality materials. Instructions are OK, but I literally have never had instructions before! Hard to lift the laser cut parts out without splintering. The keel design is too flimsy.

I am an experienced modeler and up until now have been largely kitbashing. My Cutty Sark took 12 years to complete (I still work full time as a surgeon) and is my masterpiece. There are pictures of it elsewhere. AL kits were of better quality but there were historical errors necessitating revision. But they were a lot easier to build IMHO. Lou

Cuty Finished 1.jpg
 
rshousha said:
Please do not give up the Billing Boats brand! They are under new management and all the kits are slowly being redesigned and reissued. In particular, the Calypso kit has been reissued and recent reviews are excellent.

I have no association with Billing Boats but have been selling their product as a retailer for something like fifteen years and I have seen the product quality drop and drop, and now it is looking like the line is much improved. Remember, there are zillions of unstarted kits out there, so there is a very good chance you might have an older Billing Boats kit, that was produced before 2016. In particular, I think the rebuild of Calypso was only completed in 2022.
Click to expand...
Really glad to hear that. I just got the Calypso kit and was becoming worried after reading some comments on quality. I haven’t started it yet but I’m more optimistic now.
 
I like Billing boats because they make many trawlers and tugs
I build the St Roch and will buy more : I admit their instructions are a challenge, plans and no many informations are a challenge, but I like to search by myself ! maybe Calypso later
I would like to see a kind of step by step informations about Billing boats, I admit that Occre is much better for instructions
 
I’m building a 1:400 Academy Titanic right now. For instructions, I can’t imagine anything worse!
 
suspend6 said:
Greetings from Downunder,

I am in the early stages of the Artesania Latina Bounty 1/48 (my first build). I am also looking ahead to what might be my second model (with no intention of purchase until Bounty nears completion). The Endeavour is top of the list and I really like the size of 1/48 scale models. This narrows down the possible Endeavour kits only one - by Billings Boats at 1/50 scale.

However, the feedback I have got whilst exploring the BB option has not been all that encouraging. A learned and respected collegue turned his BB kit into firewood, and others have noted overall poor quality, plastic components (eg cannons) and very poor build instructions.

Some of this feedback goes back in time quite a few years. I am wondering if today, BB have lifted their game or would I be in for a lot of kit bashing to achieve a satisfactory outcome?

Regards, Phil
Click to expand...
I am eyeing Endeavour as a future build but I am thinking the Caldercraft kit at 1:64. Float a Boat in Melbourne list them. Supposedly a good product.
 
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