Harbour directory
Billing Boats Boulogne Etaples
Specifications
- Boat Length
- 18" (45.72 cm)
- Motor Type
- Brushed
- Drive Type
- Direct
- Props
- Single
- Battery Type
- LiFe
- Battery mAh
- 286 mAh
- Prop Type
- 3 Blade
- Prop Size
- 326mm
Photos
About this boat
This is a boat I was lucky enough to be offered when I was visiting Black Park lake near Slough with my daughter. We were taking it in turns to sail my Billing's Samson II when a pleasant chap asked if would be interested in buying the Boulogne Etaples he had with him. It had been built to a very good standard by a friend of his who had since passed away, and he had been asked to dispose of his models to people who would appreciate them.
He wanted only a token sum, plus my word that I'd look after it. There were several local club members there who had been trying to buy it, but I discovered they were mainly interested in putting it on ebay for a tidy profit.
The model spends more time on the shelf than it does on the water as the detail work is quite fragile, but when I do take it out, it attracts a lot of attention due to the fine detail work of the original builder.
I have since bought a kit for the same model, simply because I get fed up with telling people that I didn't build it when they inevitably ask whether I did.
The attached photos show the detail work (taken in my 'workshop') and the on the water picture was taken at Hinksey Park in Oxford.
He wanted only a token sum, plus my word that I'd look after it. There were several local club members there who had been trying to buy it, but I discovered they were mainly interested in putting it on ebay for a tidy profit.
The model spends more time on the shelf than it does on the water as the detail work is quite fragile, but when I do take it out, it attracts a lot of attention due to the fine detail work of the original builder.
I have since bought a kit for the same model, simply because I get fed up with telling people that I didn't build it when they inevitably ask whether I did.
The attached photos show the detail work (taken in my 'workshop') and the on the water picture was taken at Hinksey Park in Oxford.
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>>> First of all, bravo to the great boats! I've just been amazed lately . . .👍👍👍
@ Roy:
Clear answers to crazy questions! It was similar for me . .
“Do you trust your grandchildren to do this?”
“ Crash or no crash, they have to learn at some point! ”
That day, it was exactly this older member who asked me this question . . and unfortunately had a little “bang”!
What's the saying? Mop your own front door first . . .
I would like to say that my grandchildren are more careful than your grandpa.
And why is that? Because they know how else they can annoy the ‘old man’ 🤣🤣.
Your Michel-C.
Philuk👍
After I got to know my future daughter in law who is from Germany she expressed interest in my model yachts etc. So with son as well I took some models to the lake. I passed my sailing fishing boat over to her, showed her the controls and she took charge and launched her.
Over my shoulder an unknown voice said "I wouldn't let a woman run my boats"
I replied. "That's because you do not know any ladies who thrash a Tornado Class (Olympic) catamaran up and down a lake 7 miles long".
He turned away!
Roy
Today I am off on my delayed Birthday treat for a meal at the top of one of those high towers in London. The best bit is spending the day with our daughter, just the two of us, and weather permitting we shall probably walk down to Westminster Pier and go for a boat ride on the Thames.
Roy
Yes, you had the Aeronaut Victoria from me last year when I became frustrated at the lack of space I had/have in this house. I hope to see it on the water sometime. I still have an unstarted Aeronaut Queen which is probably going to remain unstarted as it is a fairly big model to store once built. The same applies to the Sea Queen kit, also unstarted. Too easy to tap a few keys on the laptop and a few days later have another large box to accommodate!
It’s a model that says a lot about the builder.
😎
I quote and you can work it out.
Everyone brings happiness to the place they are at. Either when they arrive or when they leave!
I sold a few models from an estate of a friend, to them as well (sailing boats). I think I had the Victoria kit from yourself too.
I have had a couple of set backs but on the mend again now and will be into my shed as soon as the weather improves.
Our exhibition is 27/28 Sept. 2025
regards
Roy
I'll definitely try to make it to your club's exhibition, so long as it doesn't clash with something else I've already agreed to do.
Roy