I have adopted another orphaned kit

[mtdoramike]

A Billings Nordkap R/C finishing boat. A ladies husband recently passed away while working on this kit. I was asked if I would accept it and finish it, which I humbly agreed to do. I was not only humbled, but honored that I would be asked to do so. I will strive to make his vision for this model a reality and make her all se can be.

I have several projects going, but couldn't say no, nor did I want to.  

 

Edited October 27, 2021 by mtdoramike

[BobG]

Another fine model rescued! It looks like the previous builder got a nice start on her. It’s very kind of you to finish this one for his wife. Good luck, Mike. I’m sure your do this project proud. 

[mtdoramike]

Thanks Bob, the previous builder did very well on the build.

[mtdoramike]

[BobG]

That looks very sharp, Mike!

[mtaylor]

Mike, since this seems to be a build log, I suggest we move it to the kit area as this isn't the place for builds.

[mtdoramike]

OK, works for me, I was considering it more of a finishing log. Thanks.

[mtdoramike]

It appears all of the super structures have been built. The hull requires some light sanding and then it should be ready to lay fiberglass cloth to seal it. Now for the not so good news. This is an older Billings kit and for anyone who doesn';t know, older Billings kit did nor does include the fittings packages, which were sold separately. This kit did not include the fittings package. Now, finding a fittings package is like finding hens teeth, nothing on Ebay, which is my go to source for hard to finds things. Ages Of Sail, offers the fittings package, but are out of stock. So this leaves me with a few options which are overseas one of which is Cornwall models. The cost of the fittinds package alone makes you say your kidding at $174.00 that ain't shipped folks and with the supply chain, getting it here might be the bigger issue of the two. To give you an example, if I were to buy the fittings separately, the two brass anchor trawling line winches are $100.00 for the two.   

[Keith Black]

 Mike, did you see this one? I checked my area Craigslist and Marketplace, nada. 

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/383633084709?hash=item5952505125:g:cJEAAOSw~U1fDk8T

[mtdoramike]

Thanks for the link Keith, this may be an option for some of the parts.

[Keith Black]

Mike, both are 1:50 and the 401 has the winches. I searched everywhere and this is the only thing that even came close to the 476. 

 

 

Edited November 4, 2021 by Keith Black

[mtaylor]

I'll leave it here for now, Mike.  Sounds like the fittings are going to be a problem.

[mtdoramike]

I checked every where and the only place that had the Nordkap fittings package was Cornwall models in England. I was able to get the only fitting kit they had although having to bite the bullit for $192.00 minus the currency conversion rate. But it is what it is. Billings has some on order, but with the supply chain going the way it is, they have no idea when they will get them.  

Edited November 4, 2021 by mtdoramike

[mtdoramike]

One of the first things I will have to do on the Nordkap is surgically remove the decking from midship to the stem post in order to seal the interior of the hull, which the previous builder didn't do. He may have been shooting for a static display versus R/C operation, but I'm going full R/C. 

[mtdoramike]

I was able to remove the deck from midship to bow, which allowed access to the hull interior for sealing. It's hardly noticeable once the deck is replaced. But I intend to plank the deck anyway so no harm done. 

[CDW]

Nice job sealing inside that hull. Looks like you've done this before. 🙂

[mtdoramike]

Yeah more than a few times hahahaha.

[mtdoramike]

Color me shocked! I received the Billings Fittings package for the Nordkap this afternoon, that was roughly a week to receive it from England. Here is what $200.00 worth of boat fittings looks like. But if it saves me time, it saves me money because to me, time is money. 

[mtdoramike]

She has been glassed up with the first of many coats of resin. This is what the old girl actually looks like under all that soon to be rouge, lip stick and eye liner and all the rest of that war paint to really purdify her up. I love this stage of the build because it's like what the hell have I done to such a nice hull. 

[popeye the sailor]

even as an older kit,  it's still a very nice model    I built mine some time ago........an older kit that was given to me by a gent who had it in his attic for about 30 years.  older kits did sell with the fittings separate in the event that the model was never completed {the wood half went for around $150.00}.

    he had the fittings and couldn't find them.......in the meantime before he found them,  I had cobbled together the fittings with the help of Tom @ BB USA.  in the end I had two sets of fittings.  since a couple of years ago,  BB USA {which is now part of Ages of Sail - Product Catalog } the fitting are now available for the Nordkap,  the Mary Ann,  and other kits that were never available before.  I wanted to build a newer kit....the laser cut experience was a huge draw.....so the admiral got me another for Christmas.  little did she know,  she had bought me another of the older kits    that was alright though, because when I researching about the Nordkap kit,  I happened onto a clone of this model,  the Progress.  I have pictures of the finished model......and not long ago,  I actually found one of the diagram sheets online.  I have a log on her here somewhere........I really need to get back to her.  

   I should have sealed the Nordkap the way you did....would have saved me from the headaches I had painting the hull.  my only excuse is that it was my first wood boat model,  even though the Cux 87 turned out to be my first finished wooden ship.  it's too bad that my log is gone....lost in the big crash some years ago.  the printed wooden deck platform showed the margins....I made those from scratch and I planked the deck.  I did do a blog on her...if your interested I can give you the link,  should have problems.  an accomplished modeler like yourself should have no troubles though  

 

enjoy the ride.........I certainly did!  

[popeye the sailor]

the fitting kit you purchased is the new release of the kit.......the original kit had all metal winches.....even the pulleys were metal.  those can be found at Cornwall Model Boats.  the metal winches can be sourced,  but they do cost a bit  

[mtdoramike]

1 hour ago, popeye the sailor said:

the fitting kit you purchased is the new release of the kit.......the original kit had all metal winches.....even the pulleys were metal.  those can be found at Cornwall Model Boats.  the metal winches can be sourced,  but they do cost a bit  

Yeah, I found them at Model Expo for another $100.00. But after spending $200.00 on these after market fittings package, I will leave that up to the new owner whether or not they want to up grade. But it wouldn't be financially feasable for me to do it because I'm basically a flipper and I have to look at the bottom line as to what I can get for the finished product.

Edited November 18, 2021 by mtdoramike

[CDW]

That hull looks real good Mike. She's going to be smooooth...

[mtdoramike]

10 hours ago, popeye the sailor said:

even as an older kit,  it's still a very nice model    I built mine some time ago........an older kit that was given to me by a gent who had it in his attic for about 30 years.  older kits did sell with the fittings separate in the event that the model was never completed {the wood half went for around $150.00}.

    he had the fittings and couldn't find them.......in the meantime before he found them,  I had cobbled together the fittings with the help of Tom @ BB USA.  in the end I had two sets of fittings.  since a couple of years ago,  BB USA {which is now part of Ages of Sail - Product Catalog } the fitting are now available for the Nordkap,  the Mary Ann,  and other kits that were never available before.  I wanted to build a newer kit....the laser cut experience was a huge draw.....so the admiral got me another for Christmas.  little did she know,  she had bought me another of the older kits    that was alright though, because when I researching about the Nordkap kit,  I happened onto a clone of this model,  the Progress.  I have pictures of the finished model......and not long ago,  I actually found one of the diagram sheets online.  I have a log on her here somewhere........I really need to get back to her.  

   I should have sealed the Nordkap the way you did....would have saved me from the headaches I had painting the hull.  my only excuse is that it was my first wood boat model,  even though the Cux 87 turned out to be my first finished wooden ship.  it's too bad that my log is gone....lost in the big crash some years ago.  the printed wooden deck platform showed the margins....I made those from scratch and I planked the deck.  I did do a blog on her...if your interested I can give you the link,  should have problems.  an accomplished modeler like yourself should have no troubles though  

 

enjoy the ride.........I certainly did!  

Popeye, I tried Ages of Sail and although they do carry the fittings kit for the Kap, they were out and had been for some time and not sure when they would get any in. This model really needs to be converted to R/C operation, I saw one in action some years ago and it looked magnificent puttering around a local lake. I will PM you, I would love to see the blog.

[Ian_Grant]

Mike, Are you sure that cloth is wetted out properly; or is that sanded white filler underneath it?

Just askin' 🙂

 

Ian

[mtdoramike]

It's bondo filler. I lay down a coat of resin on the hull before I lay down the cloth to insure that it is "wetted" properly. This is after I smooth and fare out the hull. I then sand the hull with 80 grit sand paper to give the hull a bit of tooth for the cloth and resin. Then I sand between each coat with 180 grit sand paper and normally apply three coats of resin. When finished you could almost drop this hull off a two story building.  

Edited November 19, 2021 by mtdoramike

[popeye the sailor]

I did my Dumas PT boat hull with resin,  but I left out the cloth.  I always seem to get the cloth texture showing through.  this is one thing I wish I would have done with my Nordie.......didn't know about it at the time.  you probably saw the results of my initial paint job    I freaked out!  what I did was sand the hull down and give it multiple coats of diluted white glue.  that sealed up all the cracks.  I was new at it......didn't know that one needed to cement between the planks..  the second kit I have is going to be the progress.  the research I came up with,  is that this model was offered along with the Nordkap.......it is a clone.  there is also a 'junior' kit that was sold around the same time.   look'in forward in seeing more  

 

glad you like the blogs.....hope they come in handy.

[mtdoramike]

When doing plank on frame I usually glue the plank edge as well as the frame, which helps give a more solid hull. But if it's intended to be R/C and the hull painted, I use Bondo auto body filler, which is water proof to fill any cracks as well as any holes or divits in the hull. I also use Famowood whidch is a wood filler (you can see small splotches of it in the hull which is redish brown (mahogany shade) it's also water proof. Now if you see the fiberglass cloth showing through the resin, this happens with a heavier weight cloth. This is the reason I maily use 1 1/2oz to 2oz cloth especially if it will not be painted. But if I'm painting the hull, I will use up to a 4oz cloth.      

[mtdoramike]

I was able to spend a little time on the Nordkap, got her painted, installed the stuffing tube, rudder tube, motor mount. 

[druxey]

Vastly improved!