In the early years of the 1950s, Mr. Ejnar (Ed) Billing, a former RAF pilot during World War II, found himself practicing as an architect in the town of Esbjerg, Denmark.
Meanwhile, his wife managed a leisure store named Vestjydsk Hobby. Mr. Billing, on his part, proudly showcased his meticulously crafted model of a Danish fishing boat. During that era, the absence of genuine model boat kits hindered the creation of scaled-down ships.
One day, a Danish magazine had the...
In the early years of the 1950s, Mr. Ejnar (Ed) Billing, a former RAF pilot during World War II, found himself practicing as an architect in the town of Esbjerg, Denmark.
Meanwhile, his wife managed a leisure store named Vestjydsk Hobby. Mr. Billing, on his part, proudly showcased his meticulously crafted model of a Danish fishing boat. During that era, the absence of genuine model boat kits hindered the creation of scaled-down ships.
One day, a Danish magazine had the privilege of spotting this magnificent model displayed in the leisure store's window.
The magazine expressed a keen interest in purchasing fifty "pre-assembled models" of the fishing boat for an upcoming summer competition. Mr. Billing, fueled by immense excitement at the prospect, was confronted with a colossal challenge: crafting fifty replicas.
This marked the moment when an idea sprouted in his mind – the idea to birth a model in the form of an assembly kit, mirroring the construction of a genuine ship.
It was at this precise juncture that the concept of "plank-on-frame" was conceived by Mr. Billing, an ideology that would go on to be universally embraced by all model boat manufacturers worldwide.
Until 1958, the kits were manufactured under the name "VHT" (Vestjydsk Hobby Teknik), a name that gradually faded as Mr. Billing's creations gained recognition beyond Danish borders.
In August 1958, the Billing Boats logo and name came into existence, propelling the company towards international acclaim as the premier and finest manufacturer of model boats.
Throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, these kits underwent a process of refinement, gradually simplifying to meet the demanding expectations of consumers. Frames were pre-cut or laser-cut, and during the 1960s, ABS hulls were introduced for enthusiasts who sought remote-controlled navigation.
In 1989/90, the first laser-cutting machine emerged, streamlining production and making it more accessible for model-building enthusiasts.
In 1990, Mr. Billing passed away, leaving his wife and son to carry forward his legacy in accordance with his principles. During the 1990s, it became increasingly evident that the market was evolving, with competition stemming not only from Europe but also from the global stage.
In 2003, Kent Billing, Mr. Billing's successor, and his wife Rikke Dolleris Billing took the reins of the company with a clear vision: to infuse dynamism into the business and integrate more technologies.
Come August 2008, the 50th anniversary of the Billing Boats brand was celebrated with pride, as preparations were underway to present a range of the world's finest maritime model kits.
These kits embraced the latest technologies, our Danish craftsmanship, and honed skills.
In 2016, Billing Boats was acquired by the Vestergaard Group.
SCIENTIFIC FRANCE and BILLING BOATS: A Collaborative Synergy.
Starting from the 1960s, SCIENTIFIC FRANCE took on the responsibility of distributing BILLING BOATS' maritime creations within the French market.
The founders of these two enterprises, the late Ejnar Billing and his successor Kent Billing, alongside Jean Fontaine, nurtured a lasting symbiosis.
This ongoing collaboration facilitated the curation of models deeply engaging for French model enthusiasts within the BILLING range.
Consequently, at the behest of Jean Fontaine, BILLING BOATS created a multitude of French kits, such as L'Etoile, La Curieuse, La Calypso, Le Boulogne Etaples, Le Bayard, L'espérance, l'Henriette Marie, L'espérance, and many others, which have since been removed from the catalogue.
Billing Boats, a benchmark for all... Designed and crafted at the heart of Denmark.
