Cutty Sark by Keith B - Billing Boats - circa 1970's?

[Keith B]

As I'm now into the awful job of rigging out my H.M.S.Victory,I've decided to make a start on this old partially built kit I bought off someone who decided it wasn't for him,and threw it up in his loft for a few years! It will save me getting too bored with the rigging job. So it will now be a bit of rigging,then a bit of building/repairing. Should break the day up nicely!

 

This Cutty Sark is,I think,a 1970's kit.The hull and main decking is assembled,but there are a couple of repairs to do first.See photo. It does appear to be the complete kit,and there is also the fittings kit,which is unopened.All the instructions are present,as are all the plans and sails.

 

No laser cut parts here,just marked out,so my coping saw/scroll saw/bandsaw skills will have to be good!

 

Wish me luck

 

 

[Shipyard sid]

Hello Keith

Well two builds on the go at the same time. I have just been looking at your victory, and it's looking excellent. Yes I got the billing bounty in the late seventies, and as you say no laser cut outs. All the cutting out of the bulkheads etc with a fret saw. The kit was about £25 , and the fittings kit was about the same price. I did not finish the build, but gave it to my father as I could not be chewed with the rigging. Anyway enjoy the build as much as you appearing to enjoy your victory. DAVID

[Keith B]

Hi David, I think I will enjoy this build even more than the Victory,as having to cut everything out accurately instead of just assembling pre-cut parts will give much more satisfaction,I think!! But I could be wrong,and it might be really frustrating!!

Cheers,

Keith.

[NenadM]

I ll follow your build with great interest

 

Still a lot of work in front of you, but CS is one of the nicest thing that appears on sea

 

Go on

 

Nenad

[clearway]

seeing this brings back memories from 17 years ago! I bought my cutty back in 1997 and the packaging for the fittings is a different style so may be 1970's vintage. Mine was just die cut as well- adds to the fun. Are you going to alter the unrealistic anchor deck?- see my post in finished kit built gallery.

Keith

[Keith B]

Hi Keith, I'll have a good look at the anchor deck. Building the Victory has given me the confidence to try modifications.

Cheers,

Keith.

[rfolsom]

Hello, Keith;  I have this billings kit also from the 1970's purchased off of ebay around 2 years ago.  It was unstarted, but did not include the fittings kit, and some of the preprinted deck sheets were missing, so I decided to plank false decks in the construction, as well as alter the hull planking to make the scale more accurate;  in a nutshell, my Billings kit is now mostly being scratched over the die-cut keel and bulkheads, using the included Campbell's plans.

 

Check out the early posts on my log to see similarities, and good luck and welcome to the C.S. Fleet!!

 

~Bob

[petervisser]

Hi Keith,

 

I am in the same boat as you! I also bought a partially started Cutty Sark wih only the frames and false deck started. Having seen your fine work on the Victory, I will follow along closely with your CS.

 

I am taking the summer off from modelling, but at least I have your model to follow in the meantime to keep me inspired.

 

Cheers,

 

Peter

[Keith B]

Thanks everyone. I'm really looking forward to building the Cutty.I think she's one of the most beautiful ships ever built. I hope to get down to London soon to have a look round the real thing.

[NenadM]

Keith

 

take your camera with, and take 10.000 photos about every single detail on Her hull, bow, rudder, bulwarks, whole outside, and of everything on deck you can see. You will need them all

 

Also, if they let you, climb on every mast and yard you can and take another 10.000 photos

 

And enjoy seeing Her in every second

 

Also, put some of pictures you make here

 

Dont forget, in Maritime museum near Cutty you can bye 3 sheets of Campbell plans for less than 15€

 

Cheers

 

Nenad

Edited June 4, 2014 by Nenad M

[Keith B]

Actually managed to get a couple of repairs done on the Cutty while having a break from rigging Victory.

[NenadM]

Nice work in rails. That was hard part for me considering all curvatures presented. Go on with Her Majesty

[clearway]

good job there, Are you going to add planking to the deck or just use the printed deck?

Keith

[Keith B]

I think I'll plank the decks.The printed decks actually LOOK printed,if you know what I mean.

[NenadM]

i agree with deck re-planking. How do you intend to do that ?

[rfolsom]

Keith;  I planked my deck with 1/16" x 1/32" basswood strips, which equates to 4.8"  wide when enlarged to the 1:76.8 scale of this kit;  very close to the actual ships plank width of 5".

Edited June 24, 2014 by rfolsom

[rfolsom]

Here is a photo of my broken forecastle deck lying on the original Billing's printed sheet.  As you can see, the pre-printed lines are scaled quite nicely to serve as a planking guide...

 

Cheers!

~Bob

Edited June 24, 2014 by rfolsom

[Keith B]

Cheers Bob,that does look just about right.You're right about the printed lines being a good scale,they just look rubbish.Planking will certainly improve it.

Take care

Keith.

[M. Pajulahti]

I think those decks are even ment to be planked and pre-printed lines are just there for guide how to plank. Your planking looks good.

Markku

[Keith B]

There's no word on planking the decks in the instructions though. Still,this is what model making's all about,adding your own touches and improvements!!

[Keith B]

I've done a bit!! Well,nearly.

[Keith B]

A bit more done.I don't know why I started with this section,it was just the first bit that took my eye!

 

Been experimenting with caulking the decking with black thread.It's something I wanted to do on Victory,but instead of being patient,I just went at it like a mad thing who lives in Mad avenue,Madtown.

I like the effect,it's a bit fiddly but no worse than trying to knit fog.

[NenadM]

Looks nice, but ... You`ve just said

 

I am just curious about deck-houses and curvature of deck ... how to resolve this to match ... looking carefully for your solution

 

Keep on good work

 

Nenad

[clearway]

seeing your log brings back memories from 18 year ago! remember having the sames trials and tribulations myself! Heres a pic of my finished stern section. Hope this provides inspiration!

Keith

Edited July 1, 2014 by clearway

[Keith B]

Thanks Keith,that really is beautiful work.

[clearway]

thankyou Keith- took around 4 years of build time (with a 10 year break due to housemove and no decent work area till new workshop built!).

[Keith B]

Getting on with a few more bits and pieces.

[Keith B]

Removed fore deck for repairs,and also removed side rails,for repair and easier access to deck for planking.

[rfolsom]

Looks good!  Will you be planking the deckhouses' roof?

[Keith B]

Yes,I got some 2mm x 1/2mm strips to do all decking etc.