Wooden Model Boats/Yachts/Ships.

[Oily Nails]

Evening Folks.

Has anyone got any experience of building the static display wooden boats?
Having built a great many plastic aircraft/vehicle models earlier in my life I fancy having a go at these wooden types, but would really appreciate some pointers on what kits to go for/avoid, and any links to trusted model suppliers would be welcome.

I was thinking something along these lines....


http://www.model-ships.co.uk/index.php/fuseaction/...

Cheers
Oily

[Big Al.]

I started a Billings kit many moons ago "Bounty" never finished it and passed on to my son for final completion.

Very complex and the detail is second to none, they ain't cheap but they do some easier and cheaper models.

Just a random link I found take a look around the site.

http://www.premiershipmodels.com/index.php/fuseact...

HTH

[Oily Nails]

Cheers Al,
Yeah I am expecting them to be tricky, which is why I fancy having ago at one.

Just wish I could find some better pictures of the finished models, so I know what I'm getting.

[Big Al.]

I suggest you go to your local (BIG) model store and look at the boxes you'll pick up a lot of detail from those pictures alone.

If you go for the big Billings kits you'll buy the kit to start with and then you'll need the fittings kit.

On my Bounty there must have been 4 - 500 small parts cannons, guns, Plummer blocks anchors and all sorts of other paraphernalia.

[Oily Nails]

Well that's the amazing thing. I've been online trawling around for BIG model shops near me, and amazingly in Leeds there are only 4-5 stores and 3 of those solely do R/C!
Only one store in the whole of Leeds stocks Wooden kits, and they are wanting a TON for even the smallest.

And that ratio seems to apply to most of the UK

Guess I'll keep trawling.....

[Big Al.]

I've found that most R/C shops also stock a wide variety of kits not only R/C. give them a bell and find out.

Billings’s kits ain't cheap by any means, BUT they are brilliant.

[YAD061]

Billings Nordkap and Skit Rotterdam. Both had planked hulls and took a very long time to complete, the fact I'm a detail freak didn't help. I bought some good mini drill accessories, a mini jig saw and small rotary sander which made things a lot easier. I sold both and really miss the Nordkap as it had shedloads of character. If I can help with any queries fire away

Edited by YAD061 on Wednesday 23 December 09:16

[gmarks1]

Boat models are definitely a whole different ball game from plastic kits - lots more tools and skill required, however hugely satisfying. I Recommend the well known kits such as billings, graupner, robbe etc. www.westbourne-models.com have a great selection and are very knowlegable. Radio control adds a whole other dimension without compromising detail. My main advice would be to start with something very simple, as boat models tend to be winter projects, not something you can put together in a couple of weekends. The lovely Smit Rotterdam in this thread with plank on frame takes a lot of skill and time to put together to the standard in the picture.

Regards, Gary

[dr_gn]

Oily Nails said:

Evening Folks.

Has anyone got any experience of building the static display wooden boats?
Having built a great many plastic aircraft/vehicle models earlier in my life I fancy having a go at these wooden types, but would really appreciate some pointers on what kits to go for/avoid, and any links to trusted model suppliers would be welcome.

I was thinking something along these lines....


http://www.model-ships.co.uk/index.php/fuseaction/...

Cheers
Oily

Have you contacted Chris Watton (second post here)? he designs wooden boat kits:

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...