NORSKE LOVE - Billing Boats 1:75 scale

Due to some recent discussion about about early ship models, I thought I would share the history of Billings Boats. I found it interesting.

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So it seems these kits have evolved some, but still have the feel of an old kit, due to not upgrading the instructions. But with a little effort, imagination and research, they can be made into a nice model. ;)
 
Dean62 said:
Due to some recent discussion about about early ship models, I thought I would share the history of Billings Boats. I found it interesting.

So it seems these kits have evolved some, but still have the feel of an old kit, due to not upgrading the instructions. But with a little effort, imagination and research, they can be made into a nice model. ;)
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It's here in The Netherlands, Billing kits swarm the second hand market due to the fact that the instructions manual is something to whipe your @$$ with instead of reading en to understand. The purchase price is in lower range compared with other kitmakers, so a lot of starting modelers seems to start with a Billing kit and get stuck during the beginning phase of the build. Yet, they are still allive and operational. The overall materials are of less quality (lots of plastic is used, cheaper wood), however they have very respectable models that can be turned into beauties with the right skills and mindset.
You and Daniel are a good example of that. Thumbsup
 
Ptèr said:
It's here in The Netherlands, Billing kits swarm the second hand market due to the fact that the instructions manual is something to whipe your @$$ with instead of reading en to understand. The purchase price is in lower range compared with other kitmakers, so a lot of starting modelers seems to start with a Billing kit and get stuck during the beginning phase of the build. Yet, they are still allive and operational. The overall materials are of less quality (lots of plastic is used, cheaper wood), however they have very respectable models that can be turned into beauties with the right skills and mindset.
You and Daniel are a good example of that. Thumbsup
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Back in the day, it was all there was. Somehow society has shifted from being able minded, to being spoon fed. I blame modern technology.
There are full size plans, after that you don’t really need instructions. That said, it is not for those who can’t read plans and build from them. It’s not for those who have to be shown step by step with illustrations. It is not for beginners. But the kit says that.
I agree the materials are sub par. But look what you did with an Occre kit. You are changing all the materials, and using almost nothing from the kit but the instructions. You could have just worked from a set of plans! ;)
 
dockattner said:
Hmm. If the materials are sub-par and the instructions are sub-par shouldn't we wonder why such a thing should be sold as a kit? Surely a kit should offer more than full size plans regardless of the experience of the builder...
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Well…did you use the provided wood in your expensive Wasa kit…no! :p You chose to plank it with better wood. You also chose not to use the kit provided rope, etc.
So the fact is, we use what we can and want to from a kit.
The frames, and most all of the planking is acceptable wood that I am using. As is the masts and yards. The cannons are very nice too. In fact I am using most of the kit provided parts, except the pulleys and deadeyes. The rope I won’t use either.
In conclusion, it’s not a bad kit. ;)
For those of you who demand exotic woods on your ship, get used to providing your own wood!
 
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I should also say, I fall into the category of demanding modeler, who typically choses to go above and beyond what is provided in the kit. And there is nothing wrong with this approach, therefore I assume I will be providing materials in addition to the kit when I buy it! ;) And that is why I purchased this kit when it was on sale at around half price. :p

Ps - I did find it interesting that Mr Billings was the pioneer of plank on frame kits. :)
 
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Dean62 said:
There are full size plans, after that you don’t really need instructions. That said, it is not for those who can’t read plans and build from them. It’s not for those who have to be shown step by step with illustrations. It is not for beginners. But the kit says that.
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Being able to read drawings is a pre-requisite. If one is able to read the plans, almost anybody can build a kit, given that as a beginner, one doesn't start with an expert-level kit.
Any written build instructions are at best an addendum to the drawing, they are not replacing them.
 
Dean62 said:
Well…did you use the provided wood in your expensive Wasa kit…no! :p You chose to plank it with better wood. You also chose not to use the kit provided rope, etc.
So the fact is, we use what we can and want to from a kit.
The frames, and most all of the planking is acceptable wood that I am using. As is the masts and yards. The cannons are very nice too. In fact I am using most of the kit provided parts, except the pulleys and deadeyes. The rope I won’t use either.
In conclusion, it’s not a bad kit. ;)
For those of you who demand exotic woods on your ship, get used to providing your own wood!
Click to expand...
I'm afraid I spend more on hardware I wasn't pleased with (or I simply wanted something more than the kit provided), than the cost of the kit itself, shipping included.
Wood, lights, dories, ropes, blocks. Not counting the hardware which was given to me by collegue-modellers.
dockattner said:
Hmm. If the materials are sub-par and the instructions are sub-par shouldn't we wonder why such a thing should be sold as a kit? Surely a kit should offer more than full size plans regardless of the experience of the builder...
Click to expand...
If kit manufacturers would improve the quality of the instructions and the quality of the hardware, the cost of kits would go up dramatically, thus shrinking their market share considerably.
 
RDN1954 said:
I'm afraid I spend more on hardware I wasn't pleased with (or I simply wanted something more than the kit provided), than the cost of the kit itself, shipping included.
Wood, lights, dories, ropes, blocks. Not counting the hardware which was given to me by collegue-modellers.

If kit manufacturers would improve the quality of the instructions and the quality of the hardware, the cost of kits would go up dramatically, thus shrinking their market share considerably.
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Agreed on all points! The cost of upgrading can match or exceed the cost of the kit if you are not careful. Those who are budget minded do best to find a kit that can be built as is, but hard to find. And it’s also fun to upgrade or personalize your kit. So I factor in all the above when choosing a kit.
In addition, if a ship is painted, the quality of wood required where painted, is less of a factor, as long as it’s workable. ;) I also consider this when deciding whether to change the provided wood. Plywood is acceptable for frames, and painted parts, after that it is best replaced with a wood that will look good stained or oiled. ;)
 
Dean62 said:
Agreed on all points! The cost of upgrading can match or exceed the cost of the kit if you are not careful. Those who are budget minded do best to find a kit that can be built as is, but hard to find. And it’s also fun to upgrade or personalize your kit. So I factor in all the above when choosing a kit.
In addition, if a ship is painted, the quality of wood required where painted, is less of a factor, as long as it’s workable. ;) I also consider this when deciding whether to change the provided wood. Plywood is acceptable for frames, and painted parts, after that it is best replaced with a wood that will look good stained or oiled. ;)
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I know of pastime hobbies, requiring a continuous flow of considerable amounts of money.
A friend of mine, owning a ship, had to replace his genoa: €3000, and that was like 7 years ago. His engine clutch a year later: again €3000. I think modelling can be rather cost-effective, unless you want to own and use all kind of machining equipment, but to all their own.
 
RDN1954 said:
I know of pastime hobbies, requiring a continuous flow of considerable amounts of money.
A friend of mine, owning a ship, had to replace his genoa: €3000, and that was like 7 years ago. His engine clutch a year later: again €3000. I think modelling can be rather cost-effective, unless you want to own and use all kind of machining equipment, but to all their own.
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True, getting all the fancy power tools can set you back thousands of dollars! I mainly use hand tools for everything. Power tools on tiny parts is a higher risk for injury. Not that I wouldn’t be willing to, I have only used them sparingly thus far in model building. ;)
I use power tools for making furniture, cabinets or doing trim work around the house. That is large scale stuff! Like my grandfather clock I haven’t finished! :p
 
Dean62 said:
True, getting all the fancy power tools can set you back thousands of dollars! I mainly use hand tools for everything. Power tools on tiny parts is a higher risk for injury. Not that I wouldn’t be willing to, I only do sparingly.
I use power tools for making furniture, cabinets or doing trim work around the house. That is large scale stuff! Like my grandfather clock I haven’t finished! :p
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I was lucky enough to be able to lend a lace for my spars. A drempel is also part of the inventory, other than that it's all handtools.
Work around the house is someelse though...
 
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