Mercantic cargo ship 1:50

Billing Boats

In the early 1950s, Danish architect and former RAF pilot Ejnar Billing displayed a self-made model of a fishing boat in the window of his wife's hobby shop. After a photo of the model appeared in a magazine, Mr. Billing was flooded with orders to build dozens of the same model. Since it was beyond his power to handle such a quantity, he thought of offering the boat as a kit - the first mass-produced kit with a wooden frame with keel, ribs and planking as close as possible to the construction of real ships. This method of construction quickly caught on, and Mr. Billing's models began to conquer the world. In 1958, a family company was founded that still bears the name Billing Boats. Over the years, the construction of the models was improved and modernized, in the 60s the use of plastic molded hulls was introduced, then CNC machines came in, and already at the turn of the 80s and 90s Billing Boats began to enjoy laser cutting of parts. Today, the company is managed by the third generation of Billings, and both floating RC models and non-floating table models still represent the absolute top in ship modeling.

We are pleased to offer you the Billing Boats series of kits, from which you can build beautifully detailed remote-controlled floating models or create a stylish addition to your apartment interior with the salty smell of the sea and the call of distant...

Mercantile 1:50

M/S Mercantic is a typical cargo ship for small coastal transport with a displacement of 299 tons, which were common in European waters mainly in the 1960s and 1970s. She was launched in 1963 at the HC Christensens Staalskibsvarft shipyard in Marstal, Denmark. It was powered by a 425 horsepower diesel engine that gave it a top speed of 10 knots. The actual ship had a length of 48.01 m, a beam of 9.10 m and a draft of 3.33 m. The Mercantic served the Mercandia shipping company until the late 1960s, after which it changed owners and names many times; from Europe it moved to the Caribbean where it eventually ran aground south of Saint Vincent Island in 2012 and was written off.

A modernized version of the classic Billing Boats kit in 1:50 scale; the internal structure of the ship was thoroughly redesigned for easier construction of the skeleton, and a number of mock-up details were added. Mercantic is intended for slightly advanced boat builders, it is also an excellent model for entry into NAVIGA F4B category floating model competitions.

The Mercantic has a classic wood construction hull made of laser-cut plywood parts with plank cladding, a wooden deck and superstructure. Removable superstructure and cargo hatches provide convenient access to the power unit and RC equipment. The kit includes all the wood, plastic and metal parts needed to complete the model, model accessories (e.g. position lights, anchor, winches, etc.), boat shaft with sleeve and boat screw.

To drive the model, a 500-600 series DC motor is considered, you can also use a 400 series motor with a gear or a size 2826 or 2830 AC motor with 1000-1200 rpm at V, 20-30 A bidirectional regulator (depending on the motor), 6-7 cell NiMH or 2S LiPo battery with a capacity of 2-5000 mAh.

Even the most ordinary two-channel RC set is sufficient for controlling the basic functions; a common standard servo will do for controlling the rudder. But for a true modeler, adding as many model functions as possible (lights, sound module, etc.) is of course a "must", which requires the use of a multi-channel RC kit - and there are never enough channels.