Billings Models
Billing Boats is a Danish manufacturer of wooden model boat kits, widely regarded as one of the finest in the world. The company was founded in 1958 by Ejnar Billing, a Dane who had fought with the RAF during the Second World War and was working as an architect in Esbjerg, Denmark. When his wife, who owned a hobby shop, asked him to build a model boat for the front window display, the resulting scratch-built Danish fishing boat caught the attention of a national magazine and an order for 50 kits followed. Billing devised a novel solution: supply the model as a kit using the same plank-on-frame construction method used to build real boats. This approach was pioneering and is now used by model boat manufacturers worldwide.
The Billing Boats catalogue covers a wide range of subjects, including historical sailing ships, fishing vessels, tugboats, yachts, modern ships and classic runabouts. Kits are graded by difficulty from beginner through to expert, and construction methods include traditional plank-on-bulkhead wooden hulls as well as ABS plastic hulls for models designed for radio control use. All kits include laser-cut components, fittings, rigging, plans and instructions. Billing Boats was acquired by the Vestergaard Group in 2016 and continues to be designed and produced in Denmark.
At Wonderland Models, we carry a wide selection of Billing Boats kits. Shop securely online for express shipping or visit our in-store experts in Edinburgh for personalised advice.
Billings Models
Billing Boats is a Danish manufacturer of wooden model boat kits, widely regarded as one of the finest in the world. The company was founded in 1958 by Ejnar Billing, a Dane who had fought with the RAF during the Second World War and was working as an architect in Esbjerg, Denmark. When his wife, who owned a hobby shop, asked him to build a model boat for the front window display, the resulting scratch-built Danish fishing boat caught the attention of a national magazine and an order for 50 kits followed. Billing devised a novel solution: supply the model as a kit using the same plank-on-frame construction method used to build real boats. This approach was pioneering and is now used by model boat manufacturers worldwide.
The Billing Boats catalogue covers a wide range of subjects, including historical sailing ships, fishing vessels, tugboats, yachts, modern ships and classic runabouts. Kits are graded by difficulty from beginner through to expert, and construction methods include traditional plank-on-bulkhead wooden hulls as well as ABS plastic hulls for models designed for radio control use. All kits include laser-cut components, fittings, rigging, plans and instructions. Billing Boats was acquired by the Vestergaard Group in 2016 and continues to be designed and produced in Denmark.
At Wonderland Models, we carry a wide selection of Billing Boats kits. Shop securely online for express shipping or visit our in-store experts in Edinburgh for personalised advice.
- Billings Boats Wooden Ship Model Kits
Billings Boats is a Danish manufacturer with a long heritage of producing high-quality wooden ship model kits. The range covers an impressive variety of maritime subjects, from Viking longships and classic sailing vessels through to modern fishing boats, tugboats and coastal craft. Each kit is designed to produce a detailed and accurate scale replica using traditional plank-on-frame or plank-on-bulkhead construction methods.
Billings kits include laser-cut wooden parts for precision fit, along with brass fittings, rigging cord, detailed plans and comprehensive building instructions. The range spans multiple skill levels, from beginner-friendly smaller vessels with simpler construction through to large, complex sailing ships that provide hundreds of hours of rewarding building time.
- Billings Boats Fittings and Accessories
Billings produces a range of fittings, tools and accessories designed to complement their ship model kits and support wooden boat building in general. Brass fittings, including anchors, cleats, blocks, deadeyes, cannons and deck hardware, are available individually for customising and enhancing kit builds.
Rigging materials, planking strips, dowels and specialist adhesives round out the accessories range. These products are also compatible with wooden ship model kits from other manufacturers, making Billings fittings a versatile addition to any ship modeller's workshop.
- Why Buy Billings Boats from Wonderland Models?
Wonderland Models is a trusted UK stockist of Billings Boats wooden ship model kits and fittings. Whether you are looking for your first wooden boat kit, a challenging large-scale build, or replacement fittings and materials, our team can help. We offer fast UK delivery with express options, secure online ordering, and over 50 years of specialist modelling experience. Visit our Edinburgh store or shop online with confidence.
- Are Billings Boats kits suitable for beginners?
Billings produces kits across a range of skill levels. Smaller vessels with simpler construction methods are well suited to beginners, while larger sailing ships with full plank-on-frame construction are designed for experienced ship modellers. The plans and instructions included with each kit provide clear guidance throughout the build.
- What is included in a Billings Boats kit?
A typical Billings Boats kit includes laser-cut wooden hull parts, decking, planking strips, brass fittings, rigging cord, detailed scale plans, building instructions and any specialist hardware required for the specific model. Paints, adhesives and tools are generally purchased separately.
- What scale are Billings Boats models?
Billings Boats kits are produced in various scales depending on the subject. Smaller vessels such as fishing boats are typically produced at larger scales for a good-sized finished model, while larger ships such as galleons and clippers, are produced at smaller scales. The exact scale is specified for each kit.