Hi mouldbuilder

Leeds model shop is the best shop going for modellers.

Robert👍

On one of my business trips from Torbay, I visited the Leeds Model Shop. Best one I have ever been in. (I don’t travel much😬). It had everything I needed and as Mike said, incredible stock and range of products.😃

Thanks Mike
Rick

Rick try Leeds model shop

https://www.modelshopleeds.co.uk/catalog/index.php

When I stayed in Kent bought my model fitting and other goods from Rob at this address. He does model boats only. Don't know if posts internationally but have received good ply from him posted to Scotland

https://www.dockyard-model-shop.co.uk/

Thanks Red will try UK eBay and Cornwall model shop is my go to .
Rick

Cornwall Model Boats & Howes Models seem to be the only large MB online shops left apart from Component Shop who don't do Kits. Cornwall are pretty good Rick - even managed to get some stuff delivered out here for Ianh which is a major feat. SHG and others seem to only be on eBay now - you could try logging into UK eBay and search there - works better than logging in to your local one. The Chinese online shops like Aliwhatsit and Banggood seem to be getting expensive - and delivery costs are high too.

Hi Martin as of now I don't see a way to order the kit. Will keep looking for somewhere to order it from.
Rick

Sorry Rick my mistake i meant the narrow boat from HAKits.

Martin555.

Hi Martin for now the narrow boat is on hold as I'm waiting for wood to come in.
Rick

Rick,
Keep us updated with the Narrow boat.
I do hope there will be a build log coming along.

Martin555.

Slowly over the last number of years hobby shops have been closing in my surrounding area. Most shops carry very little model boat product mostly RC vehicles or plastic kits. I would say 90% of my parts come from the UK. Although I don't pay the Vat. shipping costs do add up.To give an example I was in contact with the owner of Hakits to find out if I could purchase the narrow boat kit he makes. He indicated it would be in the 75 pound shipping cost for him to send to Canada. The good thing for me is he got back to me.
Rick

Believe the real Westbourne Models closed years ago - Barry the driving force behind it either passed away or retired and the business moved to a smaller shop over the road and that was when the problems started. It takes a great deal of money to stock the shop like Barry did and clearly that was not available with new ownership. Suspect what they did was to take the purchasers money first and then order the goods............ Sometimes suppliers are out of stock which must have been a big problem too.

Living in Bournemouth it was the obvious choice for MB bits & kits and I got to know Barry quite well - was even given a few freebies including a Pibber hull which I believe was one of the few attempts by Kingston at styrene moulding - '(obviously they never went commercial with them).

Sadly enough when I first got to Bournemouth there were 6 model shops altogether - when I left there were only two left Westbourne & Channel 4, Channel 4 was originally in Liskeard - met the proprietor through relatives living there - dealt with him few times and he would phone when he had some boat bargains - ( more a general hobby shop ). Kept in touch after I left via email and if memory serves in 2015 got a message to advise that he was also closing down.

Surprisingly there are 4 or 5 hobby shops left in Cape Town (about 3hrs away) but very little in the way of model boat bits - mostly aircraft, gaming and toys. There are also two Robotics specialist shops who mainly supply on line one near Capetown and the other near Johannesburg - some bargains to be had from them in the way of servos etc but that's about it

Well they cannot blame that on Covid19.

Martin555.

Keep well away from this company👍

Avoid !!!

Hi lobolondon

They are not the best company to order from. I would leave them alone.😍

Given the time you have had to wait, get your money refunded via your credit card company! The company is receiving very bad reviews (February 2016) with many people having waited 3 months like yourself and resorted to the same action of having their credit card company refund the money...

Tanks for the informations I'll try

Sorry mate this has been going on for some time, look on model boat mayhem for the long discussion that has affected many many people, contact your card company for a refund, this company must owe thousands of pounds

Mark