New to Forum and Hobby

[MattHoward]

Hi all — I recently bought a 4' wooden RC model sold as a “Vintage Billings Bay Shuttle / Fishing Boat.” I’m trying to confirm the exact Billings kit (or whether it’s a modified hull) and trace a stenciled/scratched code found inside the deck: cp7654 5529 (photo attached). The transom is named “GUSSIE — SAN FRANCISCO” (probably owner-applied).

Wanted to ask:

1. Does this look like a known Billings kit (Nordkap / Mary Ann / Cux 87 or a close relative)?

2. Has anyone seen interior markings like cp7654 5529 before (shop/estate/seller inventory, RC club reg, etc.)?

3. Any parts or plan details I should check (bulkhead shapes, jig holes) to confirm the kit ID?

Pics attached: full profile, transom, interior bulkhead close-up (code), and overhead of aft deck. Thanks — happy to post any additional angles or trimmed plan pages.

 

Thank you!

[Keith Black]

 Matt, welcome to MSW. Glad to have you aboard. 

[Jim Lad]

Hello Matt, and a warm welcome to MSW from 'Down Under'.

 

John

[robdurant]

Hi Matt, 

 

It's a lovely model my dad built a version of Mary Ann (the same hull shape as the krabbenkutter / cux87 etc...) in the 1970s and it has a very different hull shape to the model you have here. It has a rounded stern and more curved run of the deck and a smooth curve cross section from deck to keel.

 

I wonder whether this model has a scratch built superstructure? It was certainly built by someone who gave it a lot of love, care and attention, and was confident and able from all I can see.

 

I have also finished building the hull of nordkap myself, and again the hull is much more curved at the stern, with a pronounced covered deck at the front. 

Looking at your model it has a chine hull, with the "creases" running down the sides. More like the Kadet and White Star hulls made by billing boats, although these were plastic hulls as I recall. Indeed if you built up the deck edge walls (bulwarks) you might end up with something similar in shape to your model. That's as much as I can tell you, I'm afraid. But congratulations on a lovely model!

 

The other possibility may be that this is a model of a billings bay shuttle (I.e. Billings as a place name - see https://www.knowbc.com/limited/Books/Encyclopedia-of-BC/B/Billings-Bay ), but it is entirely designed and made by the original owner (i.e. not a kit at all). In that case, you've ended up with a lovely model that is entirely unique.

 

Was there a particular reason you were looking for parts?

 

Hope that helps

 

Rob

[GrandpaPhil]

Welcome!

[ccoyle]

Welcome aboard, Matt!