MattHoward Posted September 20 #1 Posted September 20 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! JacquesCousteau, Keith Black and scrubbyj427 3
Keith Black Posted September 20 #2 Posted September 20 Matt, welcome to MSW. Glad to have you aboard. MattHoward 1 Current Builds: Billy 1938 Homemade Sternwheeler Mosquito Fleet Mystery Sternwheeler Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: Sternwheeler and Barge from the Susquehanna Rivers Hard Coal Navy 1870's Sternwheeler, Lula 1880s Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Perfection is an illusion, often chased, never caught
Jim Lad Posted September 20 #3 Posted September 20 Hello Matt, and a warm welcome to MSW from 'Down Under'. John MattHoward and Keith Black 2
robdurant Posted September 20 #4 Posted September 20 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 MattHoward and Keith Black 2 Completed Builds: Plymouth Ketch-Rigged Trawler "Erycina" (Vanguard Models, 1:64) / ἈΘΗΝΑ (Athena) (6th Century B.C.) Greek Bireme (Dusek, 1:72) / Zulu "Lady Isabella" (Vanguard Models, 1:64) / HMS Ethalion (1797) from HMS Diana (Caldercraft, 1:64) / HM Cutter Sherbourne (Caldercraft, 1:64) / Completed partially built Royal Yacht Caroline (Panart, 1:47) / HM Schooner Pickle (Caldercraft, 1:64) Paused Builds: Barque "Stefano" (MarisStella, 1:63) / Trawler "Nordkap" (Billings Boats, 1:50)
GrandpaPhil Posted September 20 #5 Posted September 20 Welcome! Keith Black, MattHoward and Knocklouder 3 Building: 1:50 Speeljacht (Seahorse card kit) 1:64 HMS Revenge (Victory Models plans) 1:64 Cat Esther (17th Century Dutch Merchant Ships)
ccoyle Posted September 21 #6 Posted September 21 Welcome aboard, Matt! Keith Black and MattHoward 2 Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix
Burgundy Posted September 24 #7 Posted September 24 Welcome aboard! MattHoward and Keith Black 2 Current Build: US Brig Syren - Model Shipways Completed Builds: Polaris - OcCre Golden Hind - OcCre HMS Sherbourne - Vanguard Models
SiriusVoyager Posted October 2 #8 Posted October 2 Welcome to MSW! MattHoward and Keith Black 2 - Eric Current build: Occre Cala Esmerelda (as the Santa Eulalia) Finished: MS Norwegian Sailing Pram, MS Lowell Grand Banks Dory, MS Muscongus bay lobster smack, OcCre Palamos, AL San Francisco Cross Section, AL Sultan Arab Dhow
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now