Billings Dragen 1930's Wooden Yacht Kit (B582)

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Most wooden boat kits require skill and patience to assemble. The easiest are usually those supplied with either a solid or plastic (ABS) hull so the masts and rig are the hardest part. Harder but the most usual form of construction for the hull is plank on frame and that requires the most patience and skill. Always a great value hobby, some models can literally take months to complete.

Building model ships is an absorbing hobby, but it can be even more enjoyable if the correct tools are used. There are some specific tools necessary to do the job, such as a good hand drill with a selection of miniature drill bits, something in the region of 0.5mm and 2mm as a general rule. Small files and wood rasps are very usefull, not just for cleaning up the decorative fittings, but also taking off any waste wood when releasing frames from laser cut sheets. A small pin hammer is a must, and can be used in conjunction with the Amati pin pusher, this clever little device saves on injured digits by allowing you to guide a tack gently into the frame with precision. Obviously a good selection of modelling knives is crucial, and the Expo metal shaft handles allow for a variety of cutting blades to be fitted, not to mention specialist chisels & gouges. Curved blades are best for making straight cuts, whilst a straight blade allows for intricate cuts. Miniature needle nosed pliers allow for manipulating small fittings as would a good set of tweezers. Vices and clamps are effectively a third hand, and a good magnifyer is also important, preferably one that's suspended on a free standing base. Fortunatly Antics supply a fantastic range of modellers tools from Expo. Some are some very specific tools for period ship building, plank benders for example reduce the risk of frustrating splitting or breaking of the often wafer thin planking strips, and the Amati Loom-a-line is an excellent rigging frame for building vessels with difficult to rig ratlines. see our hints and tips page for more info.
Remember! If on examination you feel you would prefer another model, you are free to return any item for a full refund, providing of course that it hasn't been started.

Billings Dragen 1930's Wooden Yacht Kit (B582)
The first Dragen was built in 1929 in Gothenburg, Sweden. The sailing characteristics of the vessel were so fine that the boat soon was used throughout the world, and especially in Europe. As time passed, the Dragen was changed gradually, so that today only the hull is original. In 1948 the Dragen became an Olympic yachting class, and all measurements have been standardized by the International Sailsport Union.

The Billing Boats kit of the Dragen features: plank on frame construction, laser cut plywood keel and frame components, wooden superstructure and decks, hull and deck fittings in wood, brass and/or plastic, Mast and spars, rigging cord in various sizes and printed sails. The instruction booklet is very detailed, taking you through every step of construction. This model can also be radio controlled, by an expert builder, although extra items are required to enable this.

Scale 1:12, Length: 750mm.
Skill Level 3

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