G’day John. I did buy the Billings kit although I haven’t started to build. I have done a full inventory and gotten a feel for the kit generally.
I think it is a little overpriced perhaps because it is the only one available. There is the Constructo model, but the scale of that 1:200 I think is too small.
The components in general are good and a couple of minor issues were rectified promptly after I contacted Billings. However, one of the sheets of 1mm ply had a fault running from one edge across to the other. I sent Billings a photo and they replaced it no problem. This sheet has most of the lasered gratings and as can be seen the laser has not penetrated completely through. I pointed this out when I reported the fault line and thought, oh well, when I get the new one it will be OK. While there was no fault in the new sheet the gratings were the same.
When I contacted them again, they replied, “You can send an email to our model builder Peter, that made our “house model of the Warrior I think he could give you a couple of advice”.
At this scale I’m unsure how I will precede, the openings are only 1mm square too small for a file and if I drill then it will have round holes.
The main shortcoming with the kit is the absence of the gun deck and the cannons. All the gun ports and the lids are provided but with nothing in them. The 12 cannons of various size supplied all go on the main deck (which isn’t historically true). I will be bashing it and adding a gun deck and the twenty-six 68 pounder cannons.
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Perhaps some of the above is of use to you and if there are any other questions or you would like photos of something please ask.
I hope I haven’t put you off as I’m still happy I bought it and am really looking forward to the build, it is quite a unique kit and will be a good challenge.
Regards Allan