Billing Boats 1:35 Scale H.M.S Renown Model Building Kit

Wanted this model for years so I will have to move to a higher plane to tackle it. It's a challenge, a good one.

My son tells me that although impressed by quality of components , the translation into English of instructions often leaves a lot to be desired and can cause confusion. He is a seasoned model maker and engineer but wondered how a less competent builder might fare.

As a fairly experienced boat modeller I chose this kit because of its unusual looks. Note that this is not, of course, HMS Renown. HMS Renown was a battleship and carried these pinnaces to ferry officers about. So it is a pinnace *from* HMS Renown. The first stage, building the hull, plays to Billings' skills and is simple to build using formers and planks. The parts are accurately cut. However the fun starts when you get to the superstructure, notably the white blow-moulded sheet and the sub-Airfix grey parts that are supposed to make the gun.To cut a long story short, whilst the kit was deficient, the company's back-up was excellent, sending a missing stanchion quickly and admitting they had no idea how the gun was supposed to be assembled either!Some of the minor fittings were below par, so I spent £20 at Model Dockyard buying much nicer portholes, navigation lights, fairleads, a brass wheel the correct size and a better white ensign. I also veneered the cabin in mahogany and planked the rear deck.Whilst browsing the net for references I came across an extant example of this design, '199', and based my model on that, with the gun shield removed and the hull painted navy blue with mahogany strakes. That, together with the upgrades, resulted in a very smart and striking model. But to achieve that you will need more than beginner skill.

Arrive right on time, in a huge box. Boat great quality and took just under a month to make. Ready to order the next one !

nice model looks good when built instructions a bit vague this is my 3rd billings kit instructions on all 3 were vague saying that they all turned out nice roll the 4th kit

Instructions are not very good. Very little detail so will take forever to work out what goes where.

Prompt delivery and very pleased with boat kit