Manufacturer: Billing Boats

Specification:
Length. 900 mm
Beam. 200 mm
Heught. 500 mm
Scale. 1:75

Manufacturers comments:
Smit Rotterdam was built in 1975 for Smit International BV in Holland, and was at the time of its completion the largest and most powerful tugboat in the world - with a tonnage of 2,273 tons, a length of 75 m, a 22,000 HP engine and a top speed of 16.5 knots. The ship is built with bulb stern and stern nozzle; inboard equipment includes the most modern gear for navigation, steering and radio communication.

My comments:
I have always wanted to build a tug and as I am very interested in using as much wood as possible and little plastic the Smit Rotterdam from Billing Boats is ideal. It must be said that this is only model tug I could find that is entirely made of wood and Billing Boats are one of the rare manufacturers (the other one being New Maquettes) that offer some of their models entirely of wood, nearly all other model tugs have fiber glass or ABS hulls pre made, therefore the only other alternative would be to scratch build.
I initially had some difficulty getting hold of the kit at first I order it thought the Czech distributor only to be told after 6 weeks that billing don't produce this model any more I subsequently found out that this information was wrong and ended up purchasing the kit thought the The Model Dockyard whom where quite helpful and had the kit ship out in matter of days.
This kit will be quite a challenge as many of the fittings like door etc.. are all made of wood and will have to cut out, prepared and painted so it will be long project ideal for the long and cold winter months.

To see how far the model has progressed take a look at the Smit Rotterdan building gallery, (Updated: 22.01.05)

Building tools used (so far):
Billing boats Building Slip No.301
Hand croll-saw.
Assortment of modellers knives and files
Sandpaper
Electric modeling Drill (Dremel).
Quick drying wood glue and 5min. epoxy glue, epoxy Laminating
Modeling pins and grips

Running Equipment to be used:
Motor: 2x Graupner Speed 720 BB Torque
BowThurster: Graupner BowThurster using speed 400
Radio: Graupner MC 14, FM/FMsss PPM
Receiver: To be decided
Servo: To be decided
Speed Controller: To be decided
Battery for Motor: To be decided
Possible items to be added: Lighting, working water cannons, working radar, sound module

Performance:
will have to wait, Probably till some time in 2006.

Links to other Modelers whom have the Smith Rotherdam
Froum Thread with some Pictures (German Language)
Personal site
SORENS MODEL-BOAT PAGE
French Modeler
Duth Modeler also has pictures of the full size tug
Model Boat Club with pictures of various models(German Language)


http://www.smc-bremen.de/SMC-Start/SMC-Bremen/Fotogalerie/Modelle/Schlepper/schlepper.html

Links to information about the full size Smit Rotterdam/London
Smit-International HMBC

Links to information about other Smit tugs and boats
Schiffe Boote Modellbau (German Language)
Personal website with information about Smith Tugs and ships (Dutch Language)
SmithWijs