African Queen Model Boat Kit – Billings Boats

Yes! We have a dedicated Beginner difficulty level in our range, designed for those just starting out or looking for a great model to build together with kids. These kits are straightforward, enjoyable, and a brilliant introduction to the hobby.

All kits include the core components needed to complete the build – timber parts, rigging, fittings, and instructions. Most kits don’t include paints, glues, or tools, but we’ve made that easy to solve. Our Essentials Tools Bundle covers every glue and tool you’ll need, and our Essentials Paints Bundle includes general paints, varnishes, and brushes to get you finished and looking great.

Some kits don’t include sails, and some have specific paint requirements – where this applies, you’ll find these available as add-ons directly on the product page. We’re also expanding our range of kit-specific paint sets over time, so you can get exactly the right colours for your model rather than working from a general palette.

You’ll typically need scalpels, tweezers, clamps, sandpaper, and wood glue or PVA as a minimum. To save you sourcing everything separately, we sell an Essentials Tools Bundle that includes everything you need to get building straight away. It’s a handy addition to any kit order, especially for first-time builders.

We offer a range of RC boats that are ready to run (RTR) or almost ready to run (ARTR) straight out of the box – no conversion needed. We also stock 70+ RC-compatible model kits for those who want to build their own. If you’re looking at a specific kit, check the product page or browse the RC Compatible category on our site to see whether it supports RC conversion. We don’t sell individual RC conversion components separately.

We don’t sell individual spare parts directly, but most of our manufacturers offer warranties covering missing or damaged components. If you run into any issues with your kit, just get in touch and we’ll contact the manufacturer on your behalf to arrange replacement parts to be sent directly to you.

It really depends on the kit and your own pace – and that’s part of what makes the hobby so enjoyable. Beginner kits can take around 20 to 40 hours, while our most advanced professional-level kits can run to 1,200 hours or more. Many of our customers work through a model over 3 to 6 months, fitting it in around daily life. There’s no rush.

Yes. We only stock kits from the best manufacturers available. All of our brands are carefully selected and we hold them to a high standard – if a manufacturer can’t consistently deliver the quality and reliability our customers expect, we won’t continue working with them. Simple as that.

Where available, we include a downloadable copy of the kit instructions directly on the product page. Please note that not all manufacturers make their instructions available online, so this won’t be present on every listing – but where we have them, you’ll find them there.

This varies by kit and manufacturer, but most of our wooden model ship kits are constructed primarily from laser-cut wood – typically a combination of plywood for structural parts and lime or walnut wood for planking and detailing. Kits also commonly include metal fittings, rope, fabric for sails, and plastic or cast metal parts for smaller details. If you need clarification on a specific kit before purchasing, feel free to contact us.