ALDOAVME,
I have no 'hands on' experience with the 'AfricanQueen' so take this as hear-say, and for what it's worth. From what I understand and have heard, the 'A.Q.' isn't a beginner's boat, it takes some learned skills to build it correctly. As with almost all of 'Billing's kits, the supplied wood could be 'better'. It isn't totally bad, but certainly not the most 'select' quality (if there really is such a thing!). Having said that, it's sure a nice boat though, and one that most people will recognize!
Steam...
One of these days, I'm gonna try that! But I think it may be awhile (lol). Most people/modelers have little, or no experience with steam. There's a lot to learn about how a steam engine works, especially the safety part of it. Educating yourself is the first step, and a necessary one! It's just too expensive to learn the 'hard way' (not to mention dangerous, even the small engines). Again, having said all that, my 'next' boat ~was~ going to be one with a steam engine. (But, my modeling 'addiction' got the best of me before I could decide which one I wanted to try, so I've started another electric model.) My next 'next' model will be steam...
Good luck, and hope this may have helped.
- 'Doc