Topic: Billing Boats Nr 424 Mercantic cargo vessel. (Read 28976 times)

Taranis · « **Reply #125 on:** July 31, 2021, 09:06:00 pm »

Billing fitting number F181 is the supplied ladder but this is also used in their 1:75 scale models and I decided to make an alternative from the Plastruct range 1:48 scale stairs.

I did this for my Stevn's Arctic build but they were much bigger so easier to handle on the sander.

Here I made a jig to get closer to the disc and set a stop at the required half width.

Thanks for this to my friend Bill "Nemesis"

No longer available

RST · « **Reply #126 on:** July 31, 2021, 09:50:13 pm »

Hi andy,

I've re-purposed plenty of companionways and ladders before but always cut them down one side rather than the middle. I find that is the easier route to re-join with solder or solvent with less clean-up after. Obviously, whatever works though!

Did I ask before? Since a long time I've been intrigued what the little hatch is for athwartships between the hatches? I guess it makes little difference as it was there originally.

...That Brass winch / capstain from Billings isn't too bad really -but the Graupner affair looks better.

Rich

Taranis · « **Reply #127 on:** July 31, 2021, 10:09:26 pm »

I don't know Rich but I'd think possibly access to the fuel or fresh water tank.

tassie48 · « **Reply #128 on:** August 01, 2021, 12:17:34 am »

Use to be called a Tonnage hatch going thru the Panama canal it gave you a discount on ships tonnage and we use to store hatch covers king beams and and hatch boards in there tow ropes etc some we're full hatch going to the tween decks others were just a storage hatch .tassie48

RST · « **Reply #129 on:** August 01, 2021, 12:40:57 am »

Quote from: tassie48 on August 01, 2021, 12:17:34 am

Use to be called a Tonnage hatch going thru the Panama canal it gave you a discount on ships tonnage and we use to store hatch covers king beams and and hatch boards in there tow ropes etc some we're full hatch going to the tween decks others were just a storage hatch .tassie48

..interesting and thanks tassie -probably another tax thing also. I've not worked on merchant ships before but know the rules are fickled.

Taranis · « **Reply #130 on:** August 01, 2021, 04:28:43 pm »

Yes thanks for that insight Tassie

Here is a chance to see the colours of my choice. Thank you Nemesis for the pointer to the blue

Taranis · « **Reply #131 on:** August 01, 2021, 04:34:42 pm »

Moving on and continuing with stair mods and railings

I'm going to do white with olive green treads after primer.

Viola

nemesis · « **Reply #132 on:** August 01, 2021, 05:40:18 pm »

Hi Andy, about that hatch, I always thought it was a deep tank, possibly for liquids and cofferdamed. But I will go along with Tassie, makes more sense. I love that mahogany deck, rich man has this boat, to deck it in this timber, lovely. It is going to be a cracker, bill

Taranis · « **Reply #133 on:** August 02, 2021, 10:47:59 am »

Thanks Bill

Continued last night

I don't solder this type of railing but use CA and remove excess with kitchen roll.

warspite · « **Reply #134 on:** August 02, 2021, 11:02:19 am »

At first I thought you had left the steps with that wear pattern on - but then remembered its as freshly built

Taranis · « **Reply #135 on:** August 03, 2021, 08:43:10 am »

I'm having second thoughts on hull colour since finding this screen grab from you tube. Looks to be during construction.

Taranis · « **Reply #136 on:** August 03, 2021, 05:08:17 pm »

I thought she deserves a stand today.
Using my templates of frames 3 & 7 to establish a raw shape for trimming exactly.

Halford gloss black dries fast on bare wood.

Piano lid felt

The white flecks are just dust.

More painting. Tamiya FINE primer followed by Halfords appliance white.
The cost of Tamiya primer has gone to £8.25 at Leeds model shop so I only buy that in an emergency. I just bought 10 tins on Ebay delivered for just under £69.

nemesis · « **Reply #137 on:** August 03, 2021, 06:08:26 pm »

Hi Andy, that is a great photo, you can glean a lot from it, you are right to have second thoughts about the hull colour. It looks like a dark blue on the photo, similar to the dark blue on the Maersk tugs. Ford Baltic Blue, that came from a Maersk skipper. I had to get mine mixed at a car factors. If you would like to see the colour I will send you a pic. I have dug and delved to get photos of the Mercantic and here you turn up with two, keep well, bill

Taranis · « **Reply #138 on:** August 03, 2021, 06:11:57 pm »

Check this one out Bill
https://youtu.be/NLTioTFhgLQ. Sitting a bit too low I would say but a nice example

The last few minutes of this too
https://youtu.be/8ilF3Xa1qI8

RST · « **Reply #139 on:** August 03, 2021, 06:29:04 pm »

I rather like the darker more grey colour. BUT it's an old cine film and you probably got no idea how distorted it is compared to what it should be.

...I think your Arctic would look better in the blue and the Mercantic in green! But then again I'm not known for my fashion sense, or following prototype!! LoL

Rich

Taranis · « **Reply #140 on:** August 03, 2021, 06:31:32 pm »

All replies and opinions are very welcome especially as the forum is like the Marie Celeste lately

nemesis · « **Reply #141 on:** August 03, 2021, 06:34:23 pm »

Hi Andy, What a coincidence, that looks like "Des,s" boat from the St Georges club in Sydney OZ. He is a real Mercantic fan and is one of the down under fans I was telling you about. He has about 5 or 6 of them in different guises. Tis a small world with the WWW. Thanks for the tip. bill

Taranis · « **Reply #142 on:** August 03, 2021, 06:37:17 pm »

I never thought at the outset that I would fall in love with this ship.
The fixed ballast definitely makes her feel real and lovely to handle.
Loads more pictures coming up on the Facebook Billing boats group.
If I get agreement from today’s post I will share them.

I'll be sending my frame templates to Billing Boats soon, there is a growing desire to buy this model if it comes to fruition

nemesis · « **Reply #143 on:** August 03, 2021, 06:52:05 pm »

Hi Andy, I should think so to, You have nurtured this boat from start to finish, if there is a tutorial to be had on how to build a model boat, well this is it. Knew you would get the collywobbles, He He, bill

Taranis · « **Reply #144 on:** August 03, 2021, 07:00:18 pm »

Kind words and appreciated. If Billing do manage to resurrect her they will be taking advantage of my build to assist customers

I think it would be risky to put this in a skill required class that is lower than experienced.

As our Father of the Billing brand said, this has to be built not merely assembled.

RST · « **Reply #145 on:** August 03, 2021, 07:01:31 pm »

What's been the sticking point for them so far or am I over simplifying things?

As a commercial idea, I really like that sister ship on the German forum with the lifeboat and davits on the aft hatch. It wouldn't take much to produce parts for two versions? Or would they need someone to provide the drawings for the davits plus the extended rear upper deck?

Rich

Taranis · « **Reply #146 on:** August 03, 2021, 07:03:32 pm »

The company of today does not have records going back to when this was produced.
The hull frames will get them re started in conjunction with the limited info they do have presently.

nemesis · « **Reply #147 on:** August 03, 2021, 07:05:10 pm »

HI, Do you mean the Adolf Bermphol. bill

Taranis · « **Reply #148 on:** August 03, 2021, 07:07:13 pm »

Quote from: nemesis on August 03, 2021, 07:05:10 pm

HI, Do you mean the Adolf Bermphol. bill

I suspect
The Ebba Victor training ship.

RST · « **Reply #149 on:** August 03, 2021, 07:07:57 pm »

Quote from: Taranis on August 03, 2021, 07:03:32 pm

The company of today does not have records going back to when this was produced.
The hull frames will get them re started in conjunction with the limited info they do have presently.

....yes I know that well, but they could do the same and look for an original kit and re-engineer it just the same. Or are they just not wanting to pay for that in fear of lack-of RoI?

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