Thanks for your kind reply. I will contact Dave and talk to him and see where I go. It is nice to have helpful people around for a novice like myself. Again I will keep you updated and I am sure I will probably keep looking for advice.👍😊

Why not buy a moulded hull from Dave Watts, I know it won't be Lady D but there are only minor differences. Probably his James W Piper would be the nearest in shape, but I'm sure he'd advise you if he thought one of his other hulls would be better. I've built two different barges from that hull and both have turned out very successfully.

All the best, Nerys

Just to let everyone who has replied about where I am at. Have been to Guildhall Museum and seen model Lady Daphne. Very small scale but got some good photos. Will be building at 1/32 scale and Mastman has lots of parts in this scale. I live in Maidstone in Kent and now looking for suggestions on best suppliers of modelling woods please. Thanks again in advance for help and support. Steve👍😊

Steve if you are going to build the Daphne as a static display any good copy shop can enlarge or decrease the size of the plan you have to suit your needs. Work out what % size you need and ask them to scan and print at that size. Even our local shop here has the ability to do so - they produced paper plans at 200% for a friend. You might also bear in mind that you possibly will want to sail the barges sometime in the future

I expect you know that both Lady Daphne and Lady Jean were built by Short Bros at their Borstal factory in the mid 1920's. There are lots of photos of them around as both are still sailing. Models of them are often based on the James Piper hull from Mastman. Good luck with your project, but I still hope the bug gets you and you build a sailing model sometime soon.

Cheers, Nerys

if I can sort the scale size issue and build successfully I will build the Lady Jean (my mum's middle name) and have the pair on display. Since your last post I have been Googling for info and Rochester Guildhall museum have model Daphne on display. Live very close so going to see and hopefully get loads of photos to help. Retirement may be my time for sailing model. Regards Steve 😊

Purely as a matter of interest, I worked with an elderly shipwright many years ago who had been one of the team that built Lady Daphne. Hope in building a static model, you catch the barge bug and build a sailing model next.

Nerys

Also should have said got plans for Lady Daphne (my mum's first name) so would like to build this vessel particularly. This may cause the re-think. i appreciate the pointers😊

Firstly thanks to you and redpmg for your replies. The model will be static as a memorial to my mother who was named after two barges by my grandfather who was a bargeman. The scale fits the size of my house and saw Billings model at this size so thought it may work. Dave Watts Mastman has replied to an e-mail I sent and may be able to help. Will let you know how it goes or about a re-think asap. Once again Regards Steve😊👍

I'm not sure, but I have an idea the Billings kit is only intended as a static model, but as redpmg says it is a bit of a toy. My first barge was a 30" hull from Dave Watts and I have been well pleased with her performance. She is the subject of my avatar picture.

All the best, Nerys

At 1/67 it sounds a bit like the Will Everard kit that Billings produce. All comments are that its too small to sail well although there are some which do, however it seems only the experts get it right. The larger scale Nerys is suggesting is far better proposition for sailing and also avoids the "toy-like" motion of the small hull.
Nerys suggestion that you contact AMBO is a very good one - have spoken to them a few times at shows - very friendly & helpful.
You probably wont be able to find fittings at that scale in any event - I believe Billings no longer sell fittings either......

I should also have told you that if you wish to build a wooden model, Sarik sell the plan and a part kit to build in 1/24 scale the famous racing barge Veronica. The kit just consists of the main frames, so a lot of your own woodworking skills would be involved. A useful organisation to contact is the Association of Model Barge Owners. The secretary is Richard Chesney, 49, South Avenue, Thorpe Lea, Egham, Surrey.TW20 8HQ.

Cheers, Nerys

I would think again if I were you. The best and practically only supply of suitable fittings are from Dave Watts Mastman. He makes more or less everything you could want but in 1/24 and 1/32 scale which makes the length of the barges either 42" or 30". Both are popular, but probably most are built in 1/24. He also supplies hulls in these sizes based on a number of well known full size barges. Any help you want, please ask, only too pleased to help.

All the best, Nerys