Ronnie's First Rodeo - Billing Boats African Queen Build Log

[OGRonnie]

Hi SOS,

Merry Christmas!

I hope all of you are well and enjoying the Christmas and New Year festivities with your loved ones.

Welcome to my build log for my first ever model boat build: the Billing Boats African Queen 1:12 kit. I aim to document my progress here. As this is my first time dabbling in the world of boats, please excuse my lack of knowledge when it comes to maritime terms.

This will also be a bit ambitious, but I will be powering this boat with a live steam plant from MSM, an Australian company specialising in model steam plants for boats. If anyone's interested, I went with their #4038 plant.

First off, can I just say that the included instructions leave a lot to be desired... At first I thought it was just me being new to this, but after reading about other builds of this kit online, I'm not alone. And that's somewhat comforting!

As with previous projects I've built, like headphone amps, I studied the instructions and labelled each part using a pencil.

The first part I made was the wooden boat holder, where I used a metal ruler to measure the required lengths of wood before cutting it with a rotary tool. I admittedly didn't cut it too straight, and had to sand it flat, but it turned out pretty good! I used Tarzan's Grip super glue to hold the pieces together.



I then turned my attention to the ABS hull, trimming the vertical lip off the top using the rotary tool. I still need to sand this to clean it up, but it's good enough for now.

Next up, I measured where the front-most "wall" (?) is meant to be from the very front of the hull and marked that on the hull. This gave me a reference point for all the wooden "ribs", allowing me to measure and mark them up. To cut out the notches for the ribs, I used a hobby knife which worked a treat.





This is where I left off today, having glued each rib to the length of wood. The next step is to glue the lengths of wood to the hull.

It's slowly coming together!

 

[Papatotalos]

Good luck with your build.
I have no knowledge of plastic huls. But I'm curious.

 

[swampdweller126]

Hello and welcome to the forum

 

[Rob444]

Hi SOS,

Merry Christmas!

I hope all of you are well and enjoying the Christmas and New Year festivities with your loved ones.

Welcome to my build log for my first ever model boat build: the Billing Boats African Queen 1:12 kit. I aim to document my progress here. As this is my first time dabbling in the world of boats, please excuse my lack of knowledge when it comes to maritime terms.

This will also be a bit ambitious, but I will be powering this boat with a live steam plant from MSM, an Australian company specialising in model steam plants for boats. If anyone's interested, I went with their #4038 plant.

First off, can I just say that the included instructions leave a lot to be desired... At first I thought it was just me being new to this, but after reading about other builds of this kit online, I'm not alone. And that's somewhat comforting!

As with previous projects I've built, like headphone amps, I studied the instructions and labelled each part using a pencil.

The first part I made was the wooden boat holder, where I used a metal ruler to measure the required lengths of wood before cutting it with a rotary tool. I admittedly didn't cut it too straight, and had to sand it flat, but it turned out pretty good! I used Tarzan's Grip super glue to hold the pieces together.

View attachment 566290

I then turned my attention to the ABS hull, trimming the vertical lip off the top using the rotary tool. I still need to sand this to clean it up, but it's good enough for now.

Next up, I measured where the front-most "wall" (?) is meant to be from the very front of the hull and marked that on the hull. This gave me a reference point for all the wooden "ribs", allowing me to measure and mark them up. To cut out the notches for the ribs, I used a hobby knife which worked a treat.

View attachment 566291
View attachment 566292
View attachment 566293

This is where I left off today, having glued each rib to the length of wood. The next step is to glue the lengths of wood to the hull.

It's slowly coming together!

Good luck! It is interesting to see a plastic hull and wooden parts. Take your time!

Rob

 

[Sam66]

I enjoyed building it.

 

[Hobbyphile]

I only get to work on my AQ kit when we are away from our Brooklyn apartment and in our Kingston area country house, so I’m into my third year on this build. I strongly suggest that you go to the Billings internet site where there is a photo build of the kit by an expert modeler you can access that is on the AQ page. A key is to leave the kerf (selvage?) on the tip of the hull until the deck is fastened to it later in the build. The printed instructions do not guide you on this point and I am at the point where I am about to put down the deck with much less to support it because I removed the kerf as a first step in following what a supplemental instruction page appeared to require. I still cannot figure out how the deck is basically flat but the bulkhead that attaches to underneath is rounded on top. Any builders have help here?

 

[OGRonnie]

Hi SOS,

I'm back with an update on my African Queen. Since my last post, I've glued the side supports to the side of the ABS hull, and started assembling the wooden ribs that support the floor/decking. I started up the front, gluing that largest main piece to the hull while the rest will go in a little later. The back isn't glued yet, just used as a guide while the glue sets.

It's amazing how much firmer the hull feels now that it has some support in place. Starting to feel more and more like a boat.

 

[BernhardBB]

 

[BernhardBB]

..hi..my boat is Nearly ready..
Regards Bernhard

 

[OGRonnie]

..hi..my boat is Nearly ready..
Regards Bernhard

That looks amazing! Well done

 

[OGRonnie]

I've started gluing the rest of the wooden supports to the hull. About half way there, just two more to go.




However, I did notice that if I use too much of the Tarzan's Grip glue, it seems to deform the ABS slightly when I use too much of it... Luckily I spotted that on the first two wooden supports as shown below, ultimately preventing it from happening on the rest. The hull doesn't seem weakened or compromised, just warped slightly. I think using too much glue gives off too much heat, which wraps the ABS.


For anyone planning to use this glue, just be wary of using too much on thin ABS!

 

[OGRonnie]

I've completed the wooden supports and made sure the decking and steam engine base plate for nicely.

I've just ordered some goodies from Float A Boat (brass prop, prop shaft, universal joints, etc) and will wait for the MSM steam plant to get delivered before progressing further, just to double and triple check measurements before drilling and cutting the hull for the prop and rudder mount.

 

[OGRonnie]

A quick update: I can't sit idly by while I wait for the running gear and steam plant to arrive... So I decided to dry fit the decking and front window shutters. Looking good!

I do have a question though.... How do you do the planking on the deck? I've seen people say to use a sharp pencil or archive pen to draw them on before staining/oiling to colour... But is this a recommended technique? I'm Googling all I can but coming up short...

Appreciate any guidance you may have, SOS. Cheers

 

[OGRonnie]

Hi SOS, another update I've glued in the window shutters, and the wooden ribs extensions. I want my decking removable, so I only did this part way to allow me to pry off the decking.




I also glued in some magnets to secure the decking in a way that's removable. It holds it very securely, so it definitely won't lift during normal operation.




I also started thinking about the prop shaft brace. Given my prop shaft uses an 8mm sleeve, I went down to Bunnings and grabbed an 8mm copper pipe saddle clip. I then bent it to shape with some pliers so that the prop shaft rests on it nicely and is positioned correctly for when I eventually secure it in place.