Will Everard by Jayhawk - Billings Boats - 1:64

[Jayhawk]

My first goal was to build the Billings Dragen. I loved the clean, traditional look of it. I had purchased the kit 10 years or so back, but life got in the way of starting it. When I was ready to build it, I looked at this forum and discovered it might not be a good "first effort". Thinkin I needed something a little more basic, I went for the "advanced beginner" and thought I build it first, then the Dragen.  I found the Will Everard on eBay, and it looked like a good candidate.  That's where this story starts. 

 

there were some good build blogs and comments here, so that was encouraging. That gave me a lot of confidence, we'll soon see if that confidence was well-founded!

 

As others have noted, Billings is not great with detailed instructions. I don't think I was being overly cautious when I numbered the ribs.

 

As this was my first laser-cut model, I was very impressed with the fit. If you've never build a kit from the bad old days, you have no idea how this speeds up the process!

 

things were moving along pretty smoothly, but from reading other builds, I knew there was a big challenge ahead. More on that next time...

[Jayhawk]

Rubber bands are a staple in building plastic models. So, when confronted with the extreme bending of the hull bottom, I thought I'd give it a try, rather than use some pins. I took Izzy's tip and brushed soap and water on the solid pieces and also glued the three center bulkheads first.

 

After the bottom was really wet, I glued it to all but the stem and stern, wrapped some rubber bands around it, glued and clamped those uncooperative ends. 

It worked surprisingly well!

 

[Jayhawk]

with the bottom on, I started planking the hull, using boiling water to make the bends, which are very easy except for the bow, which takes a near 60 degree turn. This came out pretty uneven, but I was loathe to cut it apart and start over. I'm building a database for technique as well as a boat!

[Jayhawk]

Glued the two halves of the hull together, plenty of gaps on the keel, but otherwise OK. On a whim... AND to gain the experience, I decided to plank the deck. And I learned a lot - like how not to do it! Very important lessons. I'm also continually unimpressed with the "dark side of the moon" instructions. And missing pieces. It's almost as if an entire sheet of parts is missing. And why number pieces that don't exist, pieces that I have to fabricate from stock?

 

I also used some small strips to cover the gaps in the planking.

Then I pirmed the hull, and continued sanding and filling. and another bright idea. I know the Will is a steel-hulled boat. But since I've gone through the trouble of planking, why not let it remain a wooden boat? So that's my plan right now.

 

Added some masking tape for the plimsoll line, after "eyeballing" it and marking its location.

 

 

 

[Jayhawk]

Stained the deck some, then roughed it up, put a bit of paint on the hull...

[Jayhawk]

Had to redo a few places on the borders of the stripes since the paint seeped under the masking tape. Maybe the tapes a little old- about 8 years... then weathered the decking.

[Halvor]

Nice progress. I just started on my Billing Boats first build (the Norden) and I also saw some discrepancies between supplied  versus the materials list (number of supplied planks - nothing critical). Looking at the more complicated builds in here it seems that a lot of the fun (and skill) is how to make pieces and bits. I think if you manage to complete this build based on simple instructions I think you gain a lot of experience. Makes me wonder how they managed before the internet 🙂 

 

I look forward to follow your build!

 

-Halvor

[bolin]

Nice to see another Will. I built it as my second wooden ship model, and enjoyed it a lot. Much of the fun came from building new parts and modifying others.

[Jayhawk]

8 hours ago, bolin said:

Nice to see another Will. I built it as my second wooden ship model, and enjoyed it a lot. Much of the fun came from building new parts and modifying others.

Much of my choice to build Will was inspired by your build! Alas, since this is my first build, it's probably going to be more for the experience, display!

[Jayhawk]

So every time I put my hands on this thing there's a new challenge, and something that I should have done differently. But as long as I remember the lessons, it will be worth it. Note to self: try sanding and painting those hard to reach bits BEFORE gluing. 

 

But I do like the dark blue contrasting with the stained deck.

 

[Jayhawk]

On 3/26/2021 at 6:31 AM, Halvor said:

Nice progress. I just started on my Billing Boats first build (the Norden) and I also saw some discrepancies between supplied  versus the materials list (number of supplied planks - nothing critical). Looking at the more complicated builds in here it seems that a lot of the fun (and skill) is how to make pieces and bits. I think if you manage to complete this build based on simple instructions I think you gain a lot of experience. Makes me wonder how they managed before the internet 🙂 

 

I look forward to follow your build!

 

-Halvor

Yes! I can't see calling someone (anyone) and getting the info without pictures!

[Jayhawk]

Taking a change in direction, I'm going to repaint the hull. It's starting to look to "frilly" to me. I'll keep the bottom most white stripe, and go for a solid blue for the rest.

[Jayhawk]

After running through a lot of possibilities, I settled on this:

[Jayhawk]

I've had to pause for a bit. Two reasons, or maybe they're the same reason... The vague instructions drove me to distraction, the use of parts that don't exist, using wire instead of a rod or tube - crazy - making deck fittings that there are no parts for and no place to put it reflected in the plans! Just too frustrating for my skill level. So I'm on the fence as to putting it back on the shelf until I have improved my skills, and looking for a yet simpler build, or at least one with complete instructions and less improv. Any suggestions? 

[Halvor]

I have no tips for you, but I feel with you. The instructions are not very inspiring. I think however that if you continue you will learn a lot! 

 

Hope you continue.

Best regards, 

Halvor 

[Jayhawk]

Thanks for your support! I'm still mulling it over. I think I found a rod size to substitute for the wire. That would help!

[bolin]

I remember a lot of the same challenges with interpreting the plans and figuring out how everything should go together. I remember turning the plans back and forth trying to figure what went where for quite long time. In the end  most necessary information turned out to be there, but it took some time to figure out.

 

I don’t remember missing any parts in my kit, but there might have been something that had a different dimension than specified.

 

You have done nice work so far, I hope to see it completed. Best wishes on your journey.

[Jayhawk]

Thanks! Your work has been an inspiration to me, and I'm going to keep on the project. I have found a couple of work-arounds, and try to lose the frustration.

[Jayhawk]

Hey! So with time out for reflection, I'm continuing and putting my frustration about the kit's imperfections in a box and not look inside it. I changed the color scheme again, started building the masts - which so far has gone a lot smoother than the hull.

[Jayhawk]

I've made even more changes from my original plans, still feeling my way forward in the face of the lack of information from the plans. And I've made changes to the look of the deck hatches and equipment. I've changed the rigging method to one that more suits my current skill level. I did the rigging on a "loom" and like the result, but everything is so tiny against my fat fingers! The line supplied seems way to big, but I'm using it anyway. Next time thread!

[bolin]

I like what you have done with the hatches.

 

I remember not using the thread from the kit, very loosely spun and bad looking. I had some black linen thread which I used instead.

[Jayhawk]

It's been a while since last posting. I wish I had progressed more, but I do remind myself that this is not my "job" (already have two of those and don't need another thank you!) But that said, there has been progress. much of it invisible, quite a few changes.

Change the color scheme again, made a couple of sails out of silkspan, and like the look v. cloth sails. Proceeding on the rigging, some of which will have to be replaced, but basically making it up as I go along since there are quite a few steps no mentioned or illustrated in the plans.

I do find the rigging plan very unusual (to me - a newbie to model ships - not to seeing other sailboats),  because there are only two booms for all the sails.

[Jayhawk]

So I've made a few changes and some progress since I last made an entry. The deadeyes still confound me, and these will be just short of embarrassing (or maybe crossed the line). I've looked for all the tips I can find, and they still look awful. Need to practice. Otherwise, 2nd try at silkspan sails looks much better. I also learned that poly lines suck, so I'll be sticking to more natural material...

[BobG]

Nice job, Jayhawk! You've really motored along on this build and she's looking very good!