Topic: Billings Smit Rotterdam revival (Read 10672 times)

Taranis · « **Reply #25 on:** May 09, 2020, 11:08:52 pm »

The rest of todays progress
The products used.

Hande · « **Reply #26 on:** May 10, 2020, 10:18:46 am »

I have been grateful for your comments always, Taranis!

I have admired the Smit Rotterdam all my life (but I chose Smit Nederland for my first build anyway - I thought it would not be as difficult

)

Now seeing you at work - I admire your workmanship. Really wonderful to see how you work! and the build is turning to be a beauty, for sure!

Taranis · « **Reply #27 on:** May 10, 2020, 10:28:13 am »

There is irony for you because I had wished I had bought the Smit Nederland but I did not do enough research for my first model. This is why I put her in storage after only 3 months to build the 1:32 Portgarth. However now I have restarted I am enjoying building her again. I am not looking forwards to the railings

Thank you for your kind words

I have a Nordkap in the cupboard for future as I got it very cheap

hama · « **Reply #28 on:** May 10, 2020, 12:12:34 pm »

I'm also following this with great interest, you are truly talented and making her into a very nice model. I built this kit a few years ago and I strongly suggest that you try to weatherproof the hatches. They sit very low at the stern, and should you get water there with the ports locked it has nowhere to go except down the hatches. Or else you are only to sail on flat waters which would be sad as they really behave splendid in choppy seas. In fact, the swell she produce might also end up on the aft deck.
Keep up the first class build, watching in awe.
Hama

awvs · « **Reply #29 on:** May 10, 2020, 03:23:24 pm »

Looking great, first class Andy

Wilhelm

Taranis · « **Reply #30 on:** May 10, 2020, 04:46:31 pm »

Thank you Hama, is that a model pictured? looks real

Thank you Wilhelm

Thank you to Marco Zee on Billing Facebook for catching me in time to point out the error in Billing instructions

This part is completely wrong and at the very least needs part 242 rotating and then it needs broadening to the same thickness as the post.

At the point where I was informed

Part 242 revised

All posts same height

Taranis · « **Reply #31 on:** May 10, 2020, 04:52:46 pm »

Next this part leaves one thinking how does F39 connect? It seems to me that it needs an eye forming in the end. I find it impossible to produce this with the 1mm brass rod.

My answer is to use brass split pins

Trial fit

Taranis · « **Reply #32 on:** May 10, 2020, 10:03:16 pm »

Perhaps you might be interested to know that someone started a Boulogne Etaples yesterday on Billing boats facebook. Making rapid progress and just glassed the hull already

EDIT I could not resist and just bought one from CMB

RST · « **Reply #33 on:** May 10, 2020, 10:33:06 pm »

Quote from: Taranis on May 10, 2020, 10:03:16 pm

Perhaps you might be interested to know that someone started a Boulogne Etaples yesterday on Billing boats facebook. Making rapid progress and just glassed the hull already

EDIT I could not resist and just bought one from CMB

...got a link or is it a private feacething blocked for normal folk to see?

Rotterdam's interesting! I never realised she had drop down bollads "king pins" but thats wrong terminology for this (more an AHT thing) but did make me wonder if she handled a wire over the stern, but you just showed the stern roller to go in hand though it looks a bit light so nothing serious presumably. Was wondering also if she was a salvage tug? I was googling specs. again today but not come up with much. For some reason I was wondering what the capacity was -hp, bollard pull, pumping (salvage) etc.

....nevertheless a nice build to watch thanks. I semi-scratch built the Nederland years ago as I didn't like all the idea of the wood in the Rotterdam kit.

Rich

PS: I took receipt of the little Waveney kit couple of weeks ago: built one almost 30 years ago and the kit has been down-graded since! Some random cheap and thin wooden parts, and I never saw stickers like home printed bits of paper before, they're not even in the right colour!

Taranis · « **Reply #34 on:** May 10, 2020, 10:36:55 pm »

Hi Rich thank you, as far as I know she was built to tow oil and gas rigs onto station plus salvage. More recent years under Svitzer

Facebook group for Billing boats https://www.facebook.com/groups/2316898798387354/

Taranis · « **Reply #35 on:** May 10, 2020, 10:46:41 pm »

What kind of ship is this?

GLOBAL DESTINY (IMO: 7402439) is a Tug that was built in 1975 (45 years ago) and is sailing under the flag of Panama.

It’s carrying capacity is 2686 t DWT and her current draught is reported to be 7 meters. Her length overall (LOA) is 74.83 meters and her width is 15.78 meters.

https://www.giantmarine.com/download/ocean-towage/old/specs_rotterdam.pdf

167 ton bollard pull

Taranis · « **Reply #36 on:** May 11, 2020, 01:10:47 pm »

So this morning I fitted the Hydraulic towing pins, being attached to the deck with canopy glue.
I used the no longer available Halfords Appliance white on these, 3 coats.

Fitted and checked deck parts that might be difficult if done after deck fitting.

A final important message during CoViD building

Taranis · « **Reply #37 on:** May 11, 2020, 05:27:25 pm »

Can't help but see a mouth wide open face in this picture

Taranis · « **Reply #38 on:** May 11, 2020, 09:13:34 pm »

Moving on. I knew these were a problem from the beginning over 3 yrs ago, I decided to sort them today.

The turned brass rollers have been machined too short and I imagine this applies to every kit produced

They simply will not stay in the stirrups

So some 1.5mm brass rod and two sizes of brass tube later I have a fix

For effect

RST · « **Reply #39 on:** May 11, 2020, 10:10:05 pm »

Quote from: Taranis on May 10, 2020, 10:46:41 pm

What kind of ship is this?

GLOBAL DESTINY (IMO: 7402439) is a Tug that was built in 1975 (45 years ago) and is sailing under the flag of Panama.

It’s carrying capacity is 2686 t DWT and her current draught is reported to be 7 meters. Her length overall (LOA) is 74.83 meters and her width is 15.78 meters.

https://www.giantmarine.com/download/ocean-towage/old/specs_rotterdam.pdf

167 ton bollard pull

...cheers, it cuts off right at the interesting bit on salvage kit! LoL.

I think she's broken up now? Something about a fire or loss of propulsion needing a tow to port. Last AIS is to Pakistan in 2015 and no movement since so that's usually a one-way ticket dragged up the beach.

I heard a couple of times there's only one guy making the brass Billings fittings, pretty much in his shed out in Denmark. Not sure how true it is but surprised to see something has not been right. Easily rectified though I guess.

Coming on lovely, still intrigued about the deck colour though.

Rich

....Darnit, there is a shipspotting link somewhere here. I run 2 virus checkers on top of basic MS protection and they all light up whenever something comes even close to shipspotting.com!

Taranis · « **Reply #40 on:** May 11, 2020, 10:29:30 pm »

Thanks Rich

Deck colour is specified in the Billing instructions. Yes I know it is completely wrong but I like the contrast

They are great at accurate laser cutting but a bit slack on instructions, however that said this is the top skill level so I expect they expect the modeller to step up a gear

Begs the question why did I buy it as a first model?

Taranis · « **Reply #41 on:** May 12, 2020, 07:41:24 pm »

I made this over 3yrs ago and never was quite sure about it. I added the handles and grab ropes today and still not sure but then it is very tiny

barely as long as an AA battery. I suppose in the big picture it won't draw much attention like an iPhone does

I guess its the last men off raft?

Hande · « **Reply #42 on:** May 16, 2020, 06:54:37 am »

This is interesting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thDX55zFpOw
At 9:18 Smit Singapore has an encounter with Smit Rotterdam at sea.
Picture quality is not great, but the feeling is

coch y bonddu · « **Reply #43 on:** June 29, 2020, 06:01:20 pm »

Have you given up on this one

Dave

Taranis · « **Reply #44 on:** June 29, 2020, 06:04:43 pm »

Mothballed again

Ken Ireland · « **Reply #45 on:** July 24, 2020, 12:11:39 pm »

Hi All
Near completion of Smit Rotterdam and noted your comments re:wash ports. Has anyone experienced ingress of water on pond conditions ? Any practical solutions for making aft hatch watertight and accessible?
Cheers

Taranis · « **Reply #46 on:** July 24, 2020, 01:27:27 pm »

Not that far yet Ken but unless there is a mishap there's no need to access the rear hatch and I would apply a bead of clear silicon before placing the hatch for a final time. Once set any protruding silicon will just thumb off.
The centre hatch has an upstand within that should keep the motor compartment dry. Could possibly increase the height of that as an afterthought.

I expect some water to get on and across the aft deck but my thought of fitting wash port covers was correctly pointed out as a way of trapping water on deck.
P.S. Welcome to Mayhem

Ken Ireland · « **Reply #47 on:** July 25, 2020, 08:58:00 am »

Hi Andy
Thanks for reply. Hoping servo will behave so will seal aft hatch.

Taranis · « **Reply #48 on:** April 07, 2021, 05:35:17 pm »

FYI after a long delay this kit is now back in stock in the UK today at Cornwall Model Boats. I doubt you will find it anywhere else.

Billing started construction of a new factory after which COVID struck causing increased demand just as production was nil

They are getting back in the game producing models in batches as fast as possible.

News:

Author Topic: Billings Smit Rotterdam revival (Read 10672 times)

RST

RST