Thunder

My first kit, the racehorse, was from this same range as the president, and was awful. It was as inaccurate as you can get for that ship but some research showed very simular vessels from a much earlier period. I modelled it as the 1740's vessel Thunder. I did find a strenuous connection . Nelson was not on the racehorse but was on the Carcuss. This was of the bomb vessel class Blast. When I checked the lines for Blast it was an earlier version that the model more closely represented. Timber was poor as were the fittings. However, it taught me a lot about planning and I did enjoy it.

I would say go with it but don't let it put you off.

Hi, just looked, if you go to jotika website then construction photographs there is 12 pages through the construction.

Hi, I own the kit but have not yet started it. The contents look good quality especially the gun casting. Instructions are the later more in depth type as are the drawings.

Is there a build log for this one on the jotika website? They did for their later kits.

Chuck, this is a brilliant and informative build log. I have a kit of HM Naval Cutter Speedy which was produced in the early 70's back when the UK was still imperial, and it appears to have the square tuck stern. It will be my next build so your log is a godsend.

When building the Chatham the wood was excellent. I then built pickle and the walnut second planning kept losing its edge. On the supply the second planning was the same but deck planning was even worse as it was different sizes. They replaced this very quickly.

They have told me I am storing in too dry a house and should keep some water in the area I store them but doesn't seem to have made a difference.

Looking forward to following this build. I built the Pickle straight from the box and agree that it doesn't have the right feel to it. Is very English and conservative looking.

I have the plans to HMS Berbice by KHM which are very much like you describe. I am planning to make that my first scratchbuild.... one day!!

Bryan, mine has t hat reference number but is different from yours and no name plate. Deck furniture is different also.

Adrian.

Bryan, the stern looking better now. Did the name plate come with the kit, I have this kit to build, can't remember seeing that in the box.

Hello Bryan, I am a little concerned that you are galloping ahead but have not planked the stern. It may be just the photos but does look like you have missed it.

Concerning your deck. It looks flat. Does it just need pinning down as should curve downwards either side towards the gun ports.

Adrian.

Was not the Whydah previously discovered off the American coast in the 1980's. She went down in 1717. This was Samual Bellamy's ship.

The QHR would probably have been classed as a Corvette if French. England never had frigates at that date, more likely a sixth rate. Would be more interesting than a frigate, in my opinion.

I have registered 8 kits with them and never had anything back. Pretty sure been updates as in two kits parts don't match instructions or parts list.

Have had parts missing from one kit and got parts quickly, also had timber replaced 3 times with no problems.

I have built their models of Pickle, Chatham and supply. Early kit instructions are minimal but later kits like pickle are very in-depth. Saying that a few errors in Pickle spoilt it. Enjoyed Chatham most. My supply had one bulkhead incorrect towards the stern. If you look at some of the builds you can see where others have not spotted it. Otherwise a very nice model.

Frank, thanks for that, I contacted them some time back and at that time you couldn't get them. Do you have a part number?

I had the Mantua lathe but could not get it to turn anything concentric. It always seemed off centre. Then when it started to sound like a bag of nails and had play in the shaft I sent it back and they replaced it but the second one quickly became the same.

I replaced it with the proxxon which is much better. I just wish they would make a bed extention and another centre for long pieces of work. I have the 3 and 4 jaw chucks which are well worth buying as is the running tailstock centre.

Hi, I was considering buying the proxxon mini shaper to see if could also be used for this purpose. Has anyone else used this tool?

Try searching for 'flush end cutter' If in the UK then try RS Components. You can also get a pair that are simular size to electrical side cutters that having longer handles are better than nail clippers .

Hi does anyone own an occre portable workbench and if so could you please provide me with the dimensions. I am particularly interested in the internal dimensions once the build craadle tray has been placed back on top.

Also, any thoughts on this piece of kit would be beneficial.

Thanks,

Adrian

Does any body know when Billings started to sell their kits with the fittings combined? I have purchased a kit off ebay and it would be useful to know for getting an idea of dating the kit production.

For future purposes, does anyone know if they switched to laser cut frames at the same time? The old kits need the frames fret sawing out.

What's the general opinion of their kits, not many seem to feature on here, and I have brought a few in the past to just find myself selling them on.

After a question asked in another topic about euro model's Ajax I was wondering how many other kits Keith Julier reviewed that did not make one of his books. Does anyone have a list of these? The ones I know of, by him and others, are:

Marine modelling - H.M. Brig Supply -Jotika

Model Boats - Leida - Corel _ Keith Julier

                       Uss Constitution - Aeropiccola - Keith Julier

                       HM Yacht Chatham - Joitika - Terry Small

                       HMS Neptune - Corel - Keith Julier

                       HMS Granado - Jotika - Keith Julier

                       HM Convulsion - Jotika - Ivor Warne

                       Alert - Krick - Chris Watton

                       HMS Cruiser - Jotika - Keith JUlier

                       Ajax - Euro models - Keith Julier

                       Cutty Sark - Art. Latina - John Elliot.

                       HMS Fly - Victory Models - Keith Julier

http://www.modelboats.co.uk/news/article/hms-fly/475/

These are just out of my own collection and I was never one for buying magazines so there must be loads more.

Keith Julier did do the Ajax. I know I have a copy of it somewhere. If I can find it what's the best way of getting a copy to you?

Having seen pictures of the woody Joe Charles Stuart Yacht kit I wondered if anyone on here has any experience of it? I would like to know what is thought of its quality of design, instructions, materials and accuracy.

This is now available in the UK for about £220. Don't know if this is value for money.