Hi. I just went to my nearest hobby shop who only sells wooden kits by Billings and i asked them why they didnt sell other kits by other manufacters like Amati, Artesania latina and so on...
The answer for that was, there is only a handfull of ship modelers left in Norway and most of them are of the older generation that prefer scandinavian instructions over English instruction. And Billing is the only ones that offer scandinavian instructions. So there is really only one brand that is selling in Norway and thats Billing.
There is some small Norwegian kit manufacters aswell but they mainly make local traditional fishing vessels.
They bad thing with Billing being the only real source for ship kits in Norway is the instructions. They are for sure not going to draw any younger crowd.
Most probably would give up as soon as they open the box and try to read the instructions. It has to be the worst instructions and photos i have ever seen. It was not until i started the rigging i understood all the information was in the plans, not the instructions. But as a beginner this is not easy to know. We are used to ikea and lego instructions.
I know the instructions alone is not the reason kids choose to stay out of it in this digital age, but they are not helping
But now to a more interesting thing my local dealer said to me after all that conversation, and what i originally ment to say :lol: Billing is aware of this it seems like and they are trying to find ways to improve! Now take this with a pinch of salt but he actually told me there was some talking between Artesania Latina and Billing boats that they would get together. He told me he had heard this from his supplier but that it was just a rumour.
What do you guys think of this? I think it would be a very clever move for both the manufacters. What the one manufacter lack the other one got and visa versa.
It might not be true but i do like the idea of it.
The answer for that was, there is only a handfull of ship modelers left in Norway and most of them are of the older generation that prefer scandinavian instructions over English instruction. And Billing is the only ones that offer scandinavian instructions. So there is really only one brand that is selling in Norway and thats Billing.
There is some small Norwegian kit manufacters aswell but they mainly make local traditional fishing vessels.
They bad thing with Billing being the only real source for ship kits in Norway is the instructions. They are for sure not going to draw any younger crowd.
Most probably would give up as soon as they open the box and try to read the instructions. It has to be the worst instructions and photos i have ever seen. It was not until i started the rigging i understood all the information was in the plans, not the instructions. But as a beginner this is not easy to know. We are used to ikea and lego instructions.
I know the instructions alone is not the reason kids choose to stay out of it in this digital age, but they are not helping
But now to a more interesting thing my local dealer said to me after all that conversation, and what i originally ment to say :lol: Billing is aware of this it seems like and they are trying to find ways to improve! Now take this with a pinch of salt but he actually told me there was some talking between Artesania Latina and Billing boats that they would get together. He told me he had heard this from his supplier but that it was just a rumour.
What do you guys think of this? I think it would be a very clever move for both the manufacters. What the one manufacter lack the other one got and visa versa.
It might not be true but i do like the idea of it.
