Jump to content

Search the Community

Showing results for tags 'Constitution'.

  • Search By Tags

    Type tags separated by commas.
  • Search By Author

Content Type


Forums

  • The Captain's Cabin
    • How to use the MSW forum - **NO MODELING CONTENT** 
    • New member Introductions
  • Member's Build Logs
    • Build logs for SHIP MODEL KITS - by era - launch date
    • Build logs for SCRATCH projects - by era - launch date
  • Group Projects on MSW
    • Group Projects on Model Ship World
  • Shop Notes, Ship Modeling Tips, Techniques and Research
    • Nautical/Naval History
    • Discussions for Ships plans and Project Research. General research on specific vessels and ship types..
    • Building, Framing, Planking and plating a ships hull and deck
    • Discussion for a Ship's Deck Furniture, Guns, boats and other Fittings
    • Masting, rigging and sails
    • Model Tips and Tricks and Making Jigs
    • Modeling tools and Workshop Equipment
    • Metal Work, Soldering and Metal Fittings
    • Wood discussion...Where to use it? Where to get it? What types are best? How to Finish it?
    • Painting, finishing and weathering products and techniques
    • CAD and 3D Modelling/Drafting Plans with Software
    • Photographing your work. How to do this.
  • Ship Modeling News And Reviews.....Traders and Dealers...Ship Model Clubs
    • General Ship Model Kit Discussions - NOT build logs
    • Reviews
    • Book, Monograph and Magazine reviews and Downloads. Questions and Discussions for Books and Pubs
    • Traders, Dealers, Buying or Selling anything? - Discuss New Products and Ship Model Goodies here as well!!
    • NAUTICAL RESEARCH GUILD - News & Information
    • Important Ship Model Club News, Links to ship modelling resources and museums
  • The Crew's Lounge
    • Non-ship/categorised builds
  • Medway Long Boat - 1742 - Public group project.'s Plans and Instructions/Downloads
  • Medway Long Boat - 1742 - Public group project.'s Medway Long Boat - 1742 - Public group project.
  • Medway Long Boat - 1742 - Public group project.'s General discussions/How to join
  • Rope Making/Ropewalks's Ropewalk Plans/Downloads
  • Rope Making/Ropewalks's Discussions about Rope Making
  • Rope Making/Ropewalks's Rope Materials and parts resources
  • Rope Making/Ropewalks's Commercial sources for ropewalk machines
  • Intro to carving - typical decorative relief carving for ship models's Build Logs for the Carving Group Project
  • Intro to carving - typical decorative relief carving for ship models's Tutorials and Discussion for the Carving Group
  • Intro to carving - typical decorative relief carving for ship models's How to join this Carving Group
  • HMS Triton - 28 gun frigate's Build Logs for the Full Hull Version of HMS TRITON
  • HMS Triton - 28 gun frigate's How to Join The HMS TRITON Group Build
  • HMS Triton - 28 gun frigate's Cross Section Build Logs for HMS TRITON
  • HMS Winchelsea 1764's How to join this group project???
  • HMS Winchelsea 1764's General project discussions on planking, fittings and monograph chapters
  • HMS Winchelsea 1764's Member Build logs for the HMS Winchelsea
  • Planking Techniques's Planking Downloads and Tutorials and Videos
  • Planking Techniques's Click Here for Topics dedicated to planking!!!!
  • HMS Granado 'Cross Section' - CAF Model's Questions and discussions about building the kit
  • HMS Granado 'Cross Section' - CAF Model's Build Logs for the CAF Granado Cross MID-Section

Calendars

There are no results to display.

There are no results to display.


Find results in...

Find results that contain...


Date Created

  • Start

    End


Last Updated

  • Start

    End


Filter by number of...

Joined

  • Start

    End


Group


AIM


MSN


Website URL


ICQ


Yahoo


Jabber


Skype


Location


Interests

  1. Hello friends. I am here again with my new project 1:76 scale USS Constitution model. Of course, it will be a build from scratch again. While making the model, I will use the Constitution book as well as the kit plan of Model Shipways. Model Shipways' kit does not include gun deck details, but I will add the gun deck and its details to my model. My current thought is to make full rigging equipment except sails, but I don't know what the time will show us because it will be a long-term project. Again, as always, I am open to constructive criticism, comments, suggestions and recommendations.The pictures show what I have done so far and I'll continue to share as I progress. Kind regards.
  2. My name is Geoff and I have been building the MS Constitution. I basically followed Bob Hunts practicum. I am now ready to begin the masting and rigging part. I am very impressed with the other Constitution build logs and look forward to see them all develope Here are a few pictures of my progress so far. Thanks Geoff
  3. Yikes, I goofed. I don't know how I set this build log up in the wrong era. I couldn't see a way to move from one era to another, so I deleted everything I could. I'll try setting up the build log again tomorrow - hopefully in the right place. sorry...
  4. Hello, everyone! I've been quietly reading these forums for some time and finally decided to chime in with my own build. Others' build logs have been a huge source of information and encouragement for me during the build process, so I hope this log can be of some benefit to others. I worked on this kit for a week or so about nine years ago, and only picked it up again this year. It's my first model kit I've built as an adult and first ship of any kind (Although as a teenager, I painted the hull of the larger 1:96 kit from Revell, then immediately gave up). I also started with zero knowledge of ships, so this whole thing is a learning experience. Much of the work I've done recently has aimed to undo or improve mistakes I made when I first started. One of my biggest mistakes was choosing to modify anything at all, as this slowed the process and made me feel daunted at various points. As a beginner, I regret spending so much time tweaking this kit instead of progressing through multiple kits over the years. Still, I'll mostly focus on modifications here because that's what I've most closely documented. These first photos are from 2015, so some of this is more retrospective. My earliest record is of hastily assembling the hull and deck and painting various details. I tried replicating the paint of the real ship, which lead me to notice differences in the bow and other details. I couldn't figure out why the model had a figurehead, which lead me to research that interesting history. At this point, I should mention that I had two of these kits to work with. Both were purchased at Goodwill totaling less than $5, so I recklessly decided to sacrifice one in an effort to make the bow section more closely resemble the real ship in its current state. Even though I had already installed the boomkins and metallic anchor thread, I ripped everything apart and temporarily ruined both kits. I cut off part of the stem from the donor ship far enough down so that it would extend to roughly the correct height when reshaped and attached to the working model. A bit of jump, but here's the result. I tried filling the gaps with Tamiya putty but you can still see the seam where the two pieces meet and the decorative relief doesn't match up. The other white details were made using thin strips of masking tape for curves and covered with acrylic sealant. The whole endeavor still misses the mark for accuracy, but it makes the bow more recognizable in profile, which I count as a success. At some point, I also lined the hull with real copper leaf but didn't like the look of it and painted over it with green. I think this was because most of my reference photos showed the ship in dry dock.
  5. Welcome to my USS Constitution build log. This is my second wooden ship model. I completed the Artesania Latina 1808 Swift model a little over a year ago (which just reminded me to close out that build log). My first attempt was going to be this USS Constitution (1:76 MS2040) kit. Fortunately it was backordered (Christmas gift from my pop), because after previewing the somewhat limited pages of instructions available online - I realized that the build would need to be based almost entirely on the 8 or so architect style giant plan sheets. That was out of my league, so I thought it prudent to start with something a bit easier. I chose the Swift 1805. Having completed the Swift, I took some months to complete a "Mayberry Street Miniatures" doll house project with my daughter. And then it was time to begin the Constitution. To set the stage, I am an extremely novice woodworker. I had gotten in a bit over my head with my Swift project (especially the rigging), but was quickly able to work my way out of any problems with a lot of thought, creativity, and help from the great modelers on this site. For me, this hobby is a series of challenges to be solved, often requiring the learning of a new skill - and new tools 🙂. This build log will be of most interest to newer modelers, but may offer a few chuckles or familiar memories for the old(er) salts. Given the complexity of the model, the sparse instructive guide, and the 8 detailed build sheets, I chose to follow Bob Hunt's practicum (fancy term for instructions). I ordered Mr Hunt's "Sophomore Course: USF Constitution" (a CD with 12 Chapters), with a photo CD add on (about 1,000 pictures of all stages of the build). The practicum was exactly what I needed, unfortunately, it didn't contain anything pertaining to masting and rigging. So if you think you'll need help with anything above the deck, you should consider ordering Mr. Hunt's "Sophomore Course: USF Constitution, Masting & Rigging" (6 chapters and an additional photo CD). I've printed the first 3 chapters so that I'm able to look ahead. I also refer often to the sheet plans, as well as the supplied kit guide. The kit itself is chock full of goodies. Though I'm a bit surprised at how small some of the cannons and rigging parts are - they seem to be significantly below scale. I inventoried the entire kit for parts, but found the effort to be surprisingly helpful in familiarizing myself with nautical terminology. I'm not going to provide a run-through of the kit, but suffice it to say, I found it worth the money (even though it was a gift!). There are very few things you can buy today that will provide years of challenge, entertainment, and a beautiful result for under $600 (retirement is a long ways off, so I'm working on this after work, and between sports and school events). I'll be updating as time permits, which means my updates will usually be backfilling my progress. I look forward to any comments and suggestions! Cheers! Andre
  6. USS Constitution - Model Shipway’s Kit No.: MS2040 “Old Ironsides” 1797 Frigate Scale: 5/32” = 1 ft. (1:76.8) This is my second POB square rigged ship; I spent about seven years building my first, Mamoli’s Rattlesnake. Like the first one, I will be following Robert Hunt’s practicum, but unlike the first, I have a multitude of excellent build logs and books to supplement it and help guide me through the inevitable pitfalls that are sure to raise their ugly heads. Hopefully, based on this and my hard-earned experience with the Rattlesnake, it won’t take another half a lifetime to build. Now for the obligatory part. Below is the kit box and contents. I won’t bore you with showing all the little packets that are stuffed in the box, that has been done very well by numerous other builders. I will state that in addition to what came with the kit, I purchased a few more items: · Robert Hunt’s practicum · Hobby Mill’s wood supplement package (based on Hunt’s practicum) * · Additional copper plate tape (as I understand it, the kit was a bit too frugal with their supply) · 2 - 2½” x 2½” x ¾” genuine pieces of USS Constitution wood ** · Medallion made from genuine USS Constitution copper plate. Not sure yet how or if it will be used. * Wood package purchased before HobbyMills closed shop. The supplement package was derived by HobbyMills where Mr. Hunt made his substitutions in the practicum. It was not identified as a package that could be purchased in the practicum. I have the original price list which describes what the wood is being substituted for and where in the practicum it is being described. If anyone wants a copy of the supplement wood list, please send me a PM. ** Constitution wood was purchased from the museum just before the ship went into drydock, December 2014. I have since tried to get a larger size for the keel or nameplate but accordioning to popeye2sea (who as I understand it volunteers on the ship), the US Navy is withholding any more wood from the public for now for reasons unknown. The museum told me, maybe in the Spring sometime. This will be my third attempt at constructing this model. The first attempt was done when I was a child building Revell’s small plastic model which I really botched. I hadn’t yet learned to read and follow instructions, but just dove into assembling the parts with expected results. My second attempt was as a young teenager and when the wounds of that failed build had waned, went a bit better. This time I got the larger plastic model. I did follow instructions and even painted the parts but had absolutely no idea how a rigged ship worked let alone how the lines were attached or what they were for. It looked decent to my young ignorant eyes at the time. Both models met their demise at my hand with firecrackers; usual method of disposing such items This time I expect a glorious finish…I hope.
  7. Hi folks. My name is Avi Deitcher, finally starting my build log. "Old Ironsides" is my first build. I went camping up in Maine with my wife a very long time ago (Toddy Pond, for those who know the area), long enough that it was a year before our first kid, who recently finished college. On the way back, we stopped for a break and wandered into a store that had my jaw open the whole time, BlueJacket. I have wanted that Constitution ever since, and my wife just surprised me with the model. It took a few weeks of going through the manual, including pulling out my old copy of "Sea of Words" to remember what half the terms meant (half being generous, more likely ¾ 🙂 ), slowly figuring out what paints to get, where to get tools, whether or not to get the topside planking and copper plates, not to mention going through the parts list. I needed calipers to tell which wood part is which! I finally am just about ready to get started. To make things more interesting, I live in Israel, so while some of what I need is readily available here, not everything is. I have an order from a local modeling place that arrived yesterday (he imports Vallejo paints and some tools), Amazon UK coming next week (mostly tools and sandpaper) and one from BlueJacket (planks and copper, etc.). Heading off today to the copy shop to make copies of the profile so I can cut it and start to shape it. I have been looking especially at @KHauptfuehrer's amazing log here (who kindly responded to some of my questions in thread; I hope I stopped before really hijacking it), @jfinan's here (I really like your idea of staining the topside planks instead of painting them, and staining them before gluing them on), @JSGersonkindly welcomed me in the thread and linked to Ken Forman's build and Bill Edgin's build. So many capable and helpful people here, I really am looking forward to this. Yes, I know the build is likely to take me years; I work full time doing technology business consulting. I will post some initial pictures soon.
  8. 1. Constitution - Superfrigate of the many Faces - A tribute to the Basses Years ago I got this nice book by William Bass and his wife in which they describe their findings and their reconstruction of US Frigate Constitutions "Second Phase" as they called it. The years after launch and Quasi War with France - and before the War 1812 - the times of Preble and the Barbary War. Since I saw this beautiful book which was published privatly and therefor did not get the audience it deserves, I did fall in love with this beautiful ship! The Basses based their reconstruction mainly on Felice Corné´s paintings done in 1803 (Side view) 1805 (?) and 1807 (Battle of Tripolis). This one for shure you all know very well. Its - as far as we know by today - the very first visual description of Old Ironsides - done by Felice Corné in Summer 1803 most likely. The Basses did brief investigations even on which viewing angle the artist must have had for his sketches and they could prove that Corné did do really intensive studies of his object. But isn´t the ship a beauty here? Ochre gun strike, no bulkward on foredeck, single dolphin striker, open galion and - that impressive Hercules. Nevertheless, as we will see later: this interpretation causes headaches (at least in my little brain). Here now one of the Tripolis Paintings: Source: https://www.mainememory.net/artifact/6155 You can increase the image if you click on the picture on the Maine Historical Societies Homepage (link). Look at that beautiful lines, the two yellow stripes above the gun deck - and note the position of the channels on the lower of those lines: and here the beautiful Stern of the ship in its early phase: She was a beauty in ochre and black, some white, yellow and maybe a bit gold? .. and a thrilling sight with all that guns! In my eyes the ships earlier appearance is of much more grace and elegance than in her later designs. Fortunatly the real ship is getting closer and closer to that design again with the restorations since Tyrone Martin started that process. But maybe the most beautiful sight she must have been as she was planned: with complete open bulkwards - just as Humphrey intented her to be: Nevertheless: my plan is to rework and pimp the beautiful Revell kit which is ment to show her 1812-15 configuration - but which has some "errors" in it and which does not totally fit to her 1803 appearance. And this 1803-4 appearance - before leaving to the Mediterean Sea - that is my goal. I imagine by now a situation in which the ship is about to be fitted out for sea - maybe some weeks before the above shown departure of the ship takes place. Still with only long guns on the quarder deck... This build will be the very first for me since about 35 years. I was doing a Cutty Sark 1/144 (without proper rigging and bad painting) and a very nice Spanish Men of War in 1/72 - this time with Revell instructed but fully rigging (boy was I proud !) .. So I need to re-learn during the build all the needed techniques. Oh, I was mistaken: I started some years ago the build of the Revell Charles W. Morgan - but the "rush hour of life" did stop that efforts. Now, in times of Corona and possible loss of job I believe I need a time out for some hours a week from crazy daily hectic .. and "if not now, then when?" shall I start with this beauty. I hope you join me in my efforts and I am open for any advice and hint. Thanks for watching me.
  9. I have just accidentally deleted my entire build log. I thought I was deleting one post rather than the whole thing. I must now redo the entire log. This is most distressing, but at least I have the opportunity to make improvements in what I did. Fortunately I still have all the photos that I used. Unfortunately, all the likes, comments, and photos that were posted to my log by other MSW members are lost. Work on this will commence this afternoon. Unless the moderators object, I will do a series of posts, rather than try to do the whole thing in one. I plan for each post to be on a particular topic, or phase of construction.
  10. I am off and running to continue my education of model ship building and hopefully on this one I will add sails. Like my Niagara build I will start with the small boats which are mini model kits in themselves and that my two young granddaughters like looking at the "baby boats". They are 2 and 4 years old. I will skip the presentation of the box and contents since others have done it so well. I am starting with the pinnace the larger of the four. I started by marking the top surfaces of the laser cut parts before removing them from their parent sheet. The reason is that the laser cutting process burns a slight angle in the wood and when layering and gluing together you can use this angle to your advantage and avoid super thin areas. I glued all the layers of all the boats together minus the bottom layer. I used the scrap center as a clamp surface to provide even compression. Here is the reason to leave the bottom layer off and allow clearance to work on the inner walls. Here is the finished up inner walls rough cut and then sanded. Next I added sparingly automotive glazing putty to the inner walls for additional smoothness. This glaze dries quickly and is very easy to sand. Think of it as a thick layer of primer filler. Here is the finished exterior Here the bottom layer was added and shaping started by rough cutting with an Xacto blade, sanding block and sanding sticks. Here is the finished exterior ready for the keel. Here is the finished sanded interior ready for keel and other details. First I had to address the bow to stern sidewall curve which I developed using 1/4" masking tape, then marked the upper edge with a pencil and removed the tape and trimmed to the pencil line. Here is the interior with all the details added that will be painted while the rest will be bright stained finish. The exterior keel has also been added. The ribs are .0208" square Basswood Midwest Scale Lumber item number 8000. I have used their micro cut lumber for years on airplane builds. Next the pinnace will be primed and sanded and readied for paint per the plan scheme.
  11. Introduction This is the Model Shipways Kit No. 2040, 5/32” scale. Kit purchased new about 2005. Notably, after starting (15 years later!), noticed Plan Sheet 5 missing, contacted Model Shipways and they immediately sent a replacement at no charge. Building out of the box - meaning using kit supplied plans and materials, and adding additional hardwood wood if necessary. Update 7/18/20: See this post (currently pending) for upgraded parts and sources. This kit is not for the novice. You should come to this game with at least 1 ship model under your belt, preferably several. And you need an understanding of the nature of wood and how to shape it using chisels, files, and a hand plane. These tools need not be expensive, however they must be sharp. I recommend a 1/4” fish tale chisel from Lie-Nielson located in Maine. Power tools are used, they save time, essential to me for this project as there are hundreds of cuts. Not necessary though. I’ve built many kits and expect this to be some old hat but also I’m stretching into new areas like building stern galleries. So welcome aboard, I’m glad you are here. USS Constitution References: my own photographs of the ship Anatomy of the Ship: USS Constitution College of Model Shipbuilding: USS Constitution Practicum General References: David Antscherl’s: HMS Swan Class Sloops - for construction techniques Mastini: Ship Modeling Simplified George F. Campbell, M.R.I.N.A.: The Neophyte Ship Modelers Jackstay (Inexpensive and Essential) Table of Contents (incomplete, much more in the log) Part 1: Hull Doweling the Stem, Sternpost, and Keel to Centerboard Bulkhead Marking and Glueup Prep Shaping the Counter Block Bulkhead Glueup Completing the Counterblock Transom Frame Prep Bow and Stern Block Prep Shaping the Bow Filler Block and Fairing the Bulkheads Shaping the Filler Blocks (continued) Shaping the Filler Blocks (continued), Starting Bow Framing Bow Framing (continued) Bow Framing Completion Transom Frame Installation Making and Installing the Waterway Tools Inner Planksheer/Bulwarks and Bowsprit Prep Framing and Cutting Out the Gunports Cutting Out the Gunports (continued) Gunport Cleanup and Bulwark Prep Bulwark Completion Leveling the Bulwarks Lower Gunport Upper Sills Lower Gunport Framing and Planking Smoothing the Planking Gunports and Upper Hull Planking Completion Mast Partners/Tenons and Deck Framing Coamings and Hatch Framing Planking the Wales - Planking Without Pins or Clamps Tapering a Plank Planking Starboard Wale Belt A Installation - Starboard Side Forming the Forward Planks Belt B Installation - Starboard Side Belt C Installation - Starboard Side Belt D Installation - Starboard Side Belt B - Port Side, Marking the Belt Width Dealing with Butt Joint Gaps Using Proportional Dividers Plank Glue Up Completion of Port Side Planking USS Constitution Pictures - June 2020 Part 2: Fitting Out Installing Eyebolts for Carronade Tackle Installing Large Inboard Bulkhead Cleats Installing Small Inboard Bulkhead Cleats Fitting the Cathead Painting the Bulkwarks Cleaning Up the Dust Finish and Installing Deck Grates Deck Plank Stock Preparation Planking the Deck - Part 1 Planking the Deck - Part 2 Planking the Deck - Part 3 Planking the Deck - Part 4 Evening Deck Finish Color
  12. My first attempt at a wood ship I usually build 1/32 plastic WWI and WWII aircraft and some armor. I’ve found it very fun so far. O2
  13. Ok I’m a little late starting my build log for this one. After doing a lot of research and comparing, I chose the Model Shipways kit of the USS Constitution for my first large scale all wood kit. In my research I came across JSGerson’s build log for the same kit and I got a lot of inspiration from his build! Just like JSGerson’s build I’m building a complete scratch gun deck for my kit. I’ve currently have a lot of my hull done and I just need to finish cleaning up my starboard gun ports and thin I’ll start working on a lot of my finer details.
  14. Welcome to the Jungle! Attentive observers had already discovered the hull of the USS Constitution in my shrubbery for some time. But who now expects a FITZCARALDOOOO downhill is wrong for the time being, it actually goes on in a civilised way The kit has been lying around for quite a while, as it is really great in many aspects, such as the hull, but in others it does not fully meet its own claims, especially with regard to the guns. What could be more obvious than to choose these guns after the purchase of a new printer and to program them in a contemporary correct way. The results were promising ... ... and with a little colour quite convincing ... ... especially compared to the originals from the kit. Grandpa, what big fingers you have!
  15. This is just an introduction to the new build log for my Conny. I will shortly add details about my current status and highlights of my past log. Please, bear with me while I am getting used to the new format and revisit my memory banks.
  16. 2/29/20 Well today I completed my U.S.S Constitution Cross Section model made by Mammoli. In the beginning of October by job took me to Massachusetts approximately an hour from Boston by train. Because I was successful in my work project, I was able to have the Sunday off and decided to go visit “Old Ironsides”. I am glad I did that because I fell in love with the old girl. She is a beautiful ship, well cared fore, and maintained by the US Navy. I donated some money to the ship by purchasing a flag that was flown from her deck. I even have pictures and video of the flag being flown. With the flag came a certificate of authentication signed by her captain. That was a great day. I encourage anyone who is building a model of her to go visit the museum. The Mammoli kit was fun to build though it was very confusing as the instructions are lacking. Fortunately I have been a model builder since I was a kid, and have been building wooden ship models off and on since 1985. Using my experiences from past builds, I was able to work my way through this model. I had found this kit at a garage sale and it was missing many of the wooden parts, but had almost all of the metal parts and fittings. I dug through my scrap box and found enough materials to replace everything that was missing. I started the model at the End of October and finished it today. I talk about my cross section model because while I was building it I found the Model Shipways Kit on E bay for a fair price. I had to have it, and since it was just before Christmas, I was able to convince my chief finance officer (my wife), to get it for me as a Christmas present. It arrived when I was away on a business trip. When I got home, I opened the package to inspect the kit. I completed an inventory of all the parts and pieces and greatfully found that nothing was missing. The previous owner had partially assembled the false keel. So here I am at the beginning of a new shipbuilding adventure.
  17. I purchased this model kit about a year ago while I was finishing up my second model, first scratch (USS ENGAGE). Now that I am done with that model (with the exception of building the display base) I am moving on to something more challenging. However, I am not a fan of the kits solid hull and only having the gun deck and main deck visible. There is a lot more to the CONSTITUTION than those two decks. My plan, therefore is to mix this as a kit and a scratch. The hull is going to be plank on frame. One side of the ship (probably the starboard) will be completely planked and painted; the other side (port side) will be open, so that someone can see all decks of this fine ship. Additionally, I am going to be as true to the construction of this model as to the original. I am going to use white oak and yellow pine through out the hull. I recognize this will be a significant challenge and will consume years (USS ENGAGE took me 12 years to complete, granted it sat idle for significant portions of that period). Everything else will be as per the model kit instructions. My first step in this process is the framing. Using the hull lines plan from the model instruction book I traced out one side of the frame and scanned the tracing into a PDF. I have attached the tracing for Frame "7". After scanning into my computer, I adjusted the scale to 100% (they were coming out at 139%) and took a screen shot of just the tracing from the centerline out just past the frame. I then pasted that screen shot onto a Power Point slide, increased the size to 108% (I came to that percentage after trial and error of getting the print out accurate size). I copied the half and flipped it to make the entire frame - port and starboard side (see the attached photo). Once I have all the frames and keel complete, I will glue them onto white oak plank and commence cutting. I have a concern about the strength of the frame, especially where it narrows at the top, above the main deck. My gut tells me to glue two or three planks with their grains perpendicular to then one next to it and then plane that down to the thickness of the frame. I am open to suggestions here, and welcome them as I am still tracing out the frames. CCF07272019_00002.pdf
  18. So I've had Model Expo's Constitution on the self for over two years now. I had been waiting until I finish my last build (HMS Victory Bow Section) before I start. Well I just finished The Vic and am wasting no time in jumping right into this one. It will be good to get away from tying knots and back to wood working. I've been following some of the other Constitution builds (UsedtoSail, CaptainSteve and others.. and getting inspired!) And I'll be shamelessly borrowing ideas from their logs to apply to my own build. So I'll start with the typical early decisions to be made when doing a Connie build :-) --Aiming for a 1812 version or reasonable proximity (of course) --Open waist --5 window stern --White stripe (not the yellow) --Gun deck with deck and real cannons. (Not the dummy barrels.). That's all I got for now, but I'll be posting pics soon as I start to assemble the frame and bulkheads. K.
  19. Another birthday gift, started painting the hull so why not start the log? I know I started a revell Constitution when I was a kid, but never finished it. I figured it was probably the smaller one, I didn't think my parents would buy me a 3 foot long model ship, and I didn't see myself having the means to buy the big one myself. So I ordered this kit with an amazon gift card from my sister in law. It's not the one I had... after looking into reviews and videos on YouTube I have determined that I somehow ended up with the 1:96 kit as a kid!! So I don't get to "finish the one I started ", at least not now, but I'm sure I'll still have fun building this smaller one...
  20. Folks - Here is my rebuilt log of my Plastic Constitution build. I've copied the entries over from another forum and I reserve the right to alter a few things to clean up previous errors: I’ve had a Revell 1/96 USS Constitution fall into my stash at a very reasonable price (Overstock.com) and it seems appropriate to take it on in recognition of the upcoming anniversary of USS Constitution’s victory over HMS Guerriere on August 19. I’ve been spewing forth much hot air in defense of the Michel Felice Corne paintings and their representation of the ship as she first burst into glory against HMS Guerriere, so I feel obligated to back up my tirades with action. I’ll try to make this version align very closely to what we see in these paintings commissioned by Captain Hull immediately after his victory (https://picasaweb.google.com/106997252788973852335/PEMMichelFeliceCorneGuerrierePaintings'>https://picasaweb.google.com/106997252788973852335/PEMMichelFeliceCorneGuerrierePaintings). This does mean that I’ll set aside my Heller HMS Victory build for a time - I haven’t lost a bit of enthusiasm for that project - but I’ll apply what I learn in this new effort towards making that one better down the line. Like many of us (most of us?) I’ve built this kit before... a few decades (or more) back. It seems to have been almost a rite of passage for anyone wanting to take ship modeling seriously. I’ll call that one the MK 1 version and it still exists in a dusty condition on a high shelf in the garage: I was never happy with that earlier effort. Much has happened in the intervening years to improve my chances of making a more representative kit - most notably the proliferation of great information on the internet to inform my approach. This venerable kit was originally issued back... well, back before some of us were born(!)... and I think it still holds up well. Certainly there is plenty of flash and injection moulding marks that we don't see in modern kits, but the kit still makes up into an impressive display as we can see in the various log entries across this forum. It seems to be a copy of the 1/48 George Campbell plan model in the Smithsonian collection (http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery/misc/sail/constitution-48-sm/con-index.html'>http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery/misc/sail/constitution-48-sm/con-index.html) - which itself is a refinement of the famous Hull model built by the crew and presented to Captain Hull following his victory over Guerriere (https://picasaweb.google.com/106997252788973852335/PEMUSSConstitutionHullModel'>https://picasaweb.google.com/106997252788973852335/PEMUSSConstitutionHullModel). We see plenty of similarities in the bow and stern between the models and the Revell color guide somewhat follows the original. So the question becomes - does this Revell kit align well to the configuration of the Constitution when she earned her “Old Ironsides” moniker against HMS Guerriere? Well, strictly speaking no... In fact, if built OOB it would not actually represent Constitution as she was configured in any of her wartime cruises. There is a critical difference between the historic model and her modern copy - the Hull model shows 15 gun ports on each side of her gun deck (although the forward most are a bit too far forward) and the Revell kit shows 16. The difference is explained by this journal entry from Frederick Baury - one of Constitution’s midshipmen: 21 Sep 1812 Carpenters cutting bridle ports in bows ‑‑ Lieutenant Morgan and Midshipman Taylor left on recruiting duty. After returning to Boston following the battle, Isaac Hull resigned and command was handed over to the much despised William Bainbridge. He proceeded to make a few changes including the addition of “bridle ports” up forward to help in towing, anchoring, and to potentially serve as bow chaser positions. Unlike the guidance provided by the Revell instructions, these positions would not normally have had a gun mounted. If needed during a chase, a nearby 24-pounder would be hauled into one of these spots to lob a few shots and try for a lucky hit to take out a spar and slow down the prey. To that end Bainbridge made another change as outlined by Commander Tyrone Martin in his overview of Constitution’s armament: Following his succession to command of the ship on 15 September 1812, Commodore William Bainbridge eliminated the 18-pounder, simplifying his ammunition loading and handling problem by dropping one caliber. The gun had been virtually useless, anyway, since the ship's bow structure was not well suited to the accommodation of a chase gun. Bainbridge may have been a jerk of a human being, but he was an astute naval commander and he thought it made more sense to offload the 18 pdr chase gun and make room to store more 24 pdr ammunition for his main guns. So the 16 gun ports and the spar deck bow chaser as provided in the kit could not co-exist. The easiest solution to bring things into alignment is to ditch the bow chaser and the two forward main deck guns and call it a day. You’d likely have the correct representation of Constitution’s configuration when she scored her victory over HMS Java. Since I am trying to show her during the battle with HMS Guerriere, I will preserve the bow chaser gun, but I will need to take the drastic step of filling in the forward bridle ports. If you want to represent her last war cruise under Charles Stewart, then you’ll have to revisit the carronades on the spar deck. Here again Commander Martin provides some insight: [Charles Stewart] reduced the number of carronades to twenty and added two 24-pounder "shifting gunades" recently captured from the British by an American privateer. Designed by Sir William Congreve in 1814, each was 8' 6" long, but being of thinner barrel construction weighed only about 5000 pounds on carriage. The design was an attempt to combine the range of a long gun with the lighter weight of a carronade. The pair sat on carriages like the long guns, and it was expected that, since they were lighter, they could readily be shifted from side to side as combat required. Apparently Stewart had the two forward most and two aft most carronades removed and replaced with one each of the newfangled gunnades. I have no idea how these actually looked when mounted on a carriage, but it might be possible to find slightly over scale carronade barrels and mount them to the two gun carriages no longer needed on the main gun deck. Oh, and you’d also need to paint her with a yellow band - that is well documented. Regarding the carronades... As represented in the kit with the wooden quoins, these would seem to be rather quaint. The carriages on the foredeck with their small trucks would also seem to be inappropriate for 1812. Certainly by the time of Trafalgar it would be more typical for a carronade to be mounted with a pin to the bulwark with trajectory controlled by an elevation screw. I think Karl Heinz Marquardt addresses these same concerns in his AOTS book since the restored ship has these outmoded versions still represented. I’ll optimistically try to modify all of the carronades to include the elevation screws and eliminate the funky rolling carriages on the foredeck. Many folks get caught up in the various permutations of the stern gallery windows. Were there six or five?... or three or eight? The Hull model shows six, but the Corne paintings have five... I’m frankly not concerned either way. I assume there were many chances for the configuration to have changed across the years as different commanders supervised different refits within different time and budget limitations. Perhaps Hull and his crew replaced the six windows with only five after destroying the original gallery windows during their escape from Broke’s squadron (they axed out the windows and some of the transom to position guns to fire at their pursuers). Maybe there were always six and Corne got this wrong. Nobody knows the truth and we likely never will... I’m fine with working with the six depicted on the kit. The rudder on this kit is a bit perplexing... It is moulded with wood grain without any copper plating represented. Hmmm... That doesn’t seem correct. I’ll ponder the idea of putting some of my extra styrene strips to work and setting that right. Of course the kit provided plastic eyelets and rings are worthless - easily broken and a bit over scale. Those will be replaced with wire or PE versions. Somehow I managed to not break any of the plastic hammock cranes on my first effort all those years ago, but I’ll replace those with ones fashioned from brass micro-tubing and Jotika eyelets. Some of the thinner spars are also vulnerable to bending/breakage. I’ll try to shape some brass rod for replacements. I’ll need to carefully consider the moulded blocks - some may be usable or otherwise converted to usefulness. I suspect I’ll replace most with online purchases. The gun port lids will be omitted altogether - the Hull model and the credible paintings of the period (including the Corne series) don’t show them mounted (although the Hull model has a lid for the forward most ports). The pre-formed ratlines, moulded deadeyes, and vacuum formed sails will not be utilized. ‘Nuff said. As for the accuracy of the rig represented in the kit... I am having trouble finding a stable representation of her complete masting and rigging layout. The 1817 Charles Ware diagram may be about the best, but as Marquardt points out it differs in some respects to other seemingly authoritative sources. It is also interesting to note that the Corne paintings are showing crows feet rigged... that is unique. At least it appears that the trysail mast (immediately abaft the mizzen) is authentic - records indicate that Isaac Hull had this added to allow better movement for the boom and gaff. The Hull model clearly shows it fitted as well. I’ll worry more about the rigging when I’m much closer to that phase, but in the meantime I’ll probably fork over the $60 bucks for the Bluejacket manual set and perhaps rely on that for guidance... The biggest bugaboo in this kit is the multi-part decking. Ugh... The forums are full of attempts to mitigate the unsightly seams with various levels of success. Some folks just don’t worry about them at all and instead try to make the rest of the deck interesting enough to be distracting. I’ve even seen one modeler glue “battens” over them and pass them off as a “feature”. My first attempt was relatively successful in aligning the deck sections and eliminating any meaningful gap, but I was hesitant to fill and sand because I was trying to preserve the moulded wood grain detail. I was attempting to follow the “Les Wilkins” method of using a razor or low-grit sandpaper to remove the top layer of tan paint to reveal the base coat of black and highlight the grain (guidance that is also provided in the Revell instructions). I’ve since decided that the grain is a bit overdone at this scale and it’d be best to smooth everything down and use shades of paint and perhaps some artist pencils to impart the wood tones. Eliminating the seams is more important than preserving the grain. There are many fine efforts out there... Here’s one that inspires - well known to those of us who prowl the web for impressive builds: http://www.modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=177&t=11091&sid=a22ea2a7adc8efe9b2fcffd0273bb134'>http://www.modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=177&t=11091&sid=a22ea2a7adc8efe9b2fcffd0273bb134 Other useful online resources: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/war1812/atsea/con-guer.htm'>http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/war1812/atsea/con-guer.htm http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/46/46021.htm'>http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/46/46021.htm http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/sailing_ships/constitution/uss_constitution.htm'>http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/sailing_ships/constitution/uss_constitution.htm http://www.hazegray.org/features/constitution/'>http://www.hazegray.org/features/constitution/ http://navysite.de/ships/consttour.htm'>http://navysite.de/ships/consttour.htm http://www.captainsclerk.info/'>http://www.captainsclerk.info/ Here are some of the modifications I hope to incorporate along the way: Customized elements: Fill in the forward Bridle ports. Thicken the gunport sills. Add a scratch built galley stove. Show the anchor cable/messenger cable rigged on the gun deck. Display Carronades with elevation screws. Replace rolling carronade carriages with lug mounted versions. Copper plating on the rudder. Hammock Cranes fashioned from brass micro-tubing. Brass Rod for delicate spars. New capstan on spar deck (and gun deck). Paint scheme (guidance from Corne paintings and Hull model): Yellow ochre band ending up forward in a scalloped half-circle. White trim on bow and stern details. Red gallery windows. Red gunport sills/linings, Green interior bulwarks on spar deck. White bulwarks on the gun deck. Green deck coamings/furniture on spar deck. Yellow ochre lower masts with “natural” above. Tops in Black. Black bowsprit with “natural” jib boom. Let the fun begin.
  21. I have made the commitment to proceed with this build. Not without a lot of trepidation. I have not been a model builder, I have been a wood carver for 25 years, and have taught wood carving for the last 10 years. I needed a change of pace. Last year one of my carving students, a talented 11 year old, wanted to build a boat. Together we built the Mare Nostrum, it was not perfect but it was a success and has given me the courage to do this build. Due to an accident I only have limited use of my right hand. But I have made compensations that enabled me to carve. Realistically, I had to recognize that my limitations are such that I will not be doing any but minimal rigging, although I may attempt to complete the masts. I have read almost all of the other build logs of the USS Constitution by other members and have them all bookmarked on my computer. To begin, I have decided to follow the path of JSGerson and to build whale boats and pennace first. If I was not able to finish those then I would not have spoiled the kit for someone else. Unlike JSGerson and others who decided to build out the gun deck, I have decided that when I finish the small boats I will build the gun deck as set forth in the plans. Unlike Gerson I have not acquired the naval plans or Hunt's practicum and will instead rely on the numerous build logs here and the guidance of its members. I have ordered the styrene and the 1/32 basswood needed for the small boats. I have a 25 year collection of carving tools including the latest high tech rotary hand-pieces with a large assortment of micro bits and cutters. I will forego the pictures of the kit contents and will begin with pictures of the pieces cut out for the small boats. I did manage to get them removed with only one minor break that was easily repaired with CA. My only camera is my cell phone. I will start with the pictures of my carving studio where the construction will commence. I look forward to working with all interested and hope I will be able to continue to get young people involved in he hobbies related to working with wood. My past carving students assisted me in the building of my new studio and we look forward to using it for years to come.
  22. I am about to start the Model Expo Constitution. I have had the kit on the shelf for about a year, but I was waiting to finish the Bounty Launch. I only looked in the box once since I received it, and did not realize how many pieces parts there are for this one. I have to say I am a little intimidated now that I have started going through everything. Well, here goes... Before I get to the pictures, I have come back to add an Index to this build log. Hull Construction: Keel Bulkheads Stern Filler Blocks Bow Filler Blocks Transom Framing Gun Deck Framing Gun Deck Planking Gun Deck Gun Port Framing Gun Deck Knees Spar Deck Gun Port Framing Upper Hull Planking Transom Planking Lower Hull Planking Bulwark Planking and Rivets Painting the Hull Copper Plating Rudder Transom Details Quarter Galleries Gun Port Lids Bumpkins Channels Deck Details: Gun Deck Cannon Rigging Gun Deck Chain Pumps, Stove, Riding Bitts Spar Deck Beams Spar Deck Hatches Mast Pin Rails Spar Deck Planking Rails Cat Heads Head Rails and Trail Boards Carronades Ships Wheel Bulwark Pin Rails Binnacles Capstan Hammocks and Cranes Anchors and Davits Ships Boats Masts and Rigging: Chain Plates Bow Sprit Lower Masts Upper Masts Mast Tops Lower Shrouds and Stays Ratlines Topmasts Bentinck Shrouds Topmast Shrouds and Stays Flying Jibboom TopG Shrouds and Stays TopG Jacob's Ladders Royal Shrouds and Stays Yards Studding Sail Booms Sails Running Rigging Short Interlude Running Rigging II Quarter and Aft Davits Anchors Flags Completed Model Display Case Now, some pictures of the contents: Eight pages of plans: A lot of wood pieces: Looks like they upgraded some older parts: Copper foil for the hull, blocks, cast metal parts, etc:
  23. Good Evening, I am writing this build log to chronicle my second ship build from Billings Boats, and altogether. I received the ship model as an early birthday gift, and could not wait to get started.
  24. Motivation - My interest in Constitution goes back to when I was 10 years old. My uncle bought me a 22” Revell model of Constitution – it had a record in the box that that described the highlights of Constitution’s history which I nearly wore out while my dad built the ship for me. I don’t know what ever happened to the model, but I have a photo of it completed (see below). Seeing that photo inspired me in 2020 to purchase the kit off of **bay**, and upon finishing it (see below), I began thinking in larger terms – what about a wood ship model? So here I am, 18 months later, having obtained a Model Shipways kit of Constitution, and having taken some time with the Lowell Grand Banks Dory, Norwegian Sailing Pram, and 18th Century Longboat kits to get some basic experience in wood ship modeling under my belt. I have no illusions of matching the outcomes of the model masters I’ve seen on this site, but I won’t hurry the build along. As I turn 60 next month, my thoughts turn to finishing Constitution before I’m done with this world, and who will get it after I’m gone (I love the picture of xken’s son’s family with his – I hope for similar interest from one of my sons…). Details Modeling Constitution from 1812 prior to Guerriere Battle, possibly before “The Great Chase”. - Stern fashioned after Hull, Revell, and Bluejacket models - Billet Head & Trailboards fashioned after Hull, Revell, and Bluejacket models - 30-Gun gun deck – no bow chase/bridle ports - 24-Carronade spar deck + 1 bow chaser - Ships Boats – Captain’s gig & cutters in the davits, undecided about the hatch for now. Model Examples I will follow - Isaac Hull Model (Peabody Essex Museum) - Revell 1:96 Model - Bluejacket Model - Others as depicted on Model Ship World Modeling Resources - Model Ship World builds – many - Model Ship World model techniques - various Books & Papers Resources – this list will grow as the need arises - A Most Fortunate Ship – Martin - All Sails Up and Flying – Eriksen - Anatomy of the Ship – Marquardt - Constitution Close Up – Martin - Constitution Practicum – Hunt - Rigging Period Ship Models – Petersson Plans and Misc Resources - USS Constitution Museum – Modelers Resources - US Navy - Bluejacket Models (undecided) - Historical Paintings – difficult to sort out for accuracy Photographs - A “bazillion” online images and videos One thing that is somewhat discouraging is the number of attempts at this model that have apparently been abandoned. I have no doubt that every one of you who set it aside in the end started out with much enthusiasm as I carry today. Only time will tell. I do have a life beyond modeling - wife, children, and grandchildren. Oh, and work. Therefore you won't see progress moving along at a quick pace. However, if you stick with it, so will I. Looking forward to the ride... Midshipman 3/c (Ret) Bob
  25. I got this kit from Børge. Børge is a member of this forum and built the Dragon. His wish was always to build the Constitution one day. Due to illness, he is no longer able to build. A few weeks ago we visited him and his wife in Norway and he gave me this kit and asked me to build it. I am very happy to comply with this. As a result, the Victory and Duyfken are on hold until the Constitution is finished. I'm going to do my best to build a beautiful ship. My guide for this build will be the build log from Tom aka usedtosail. Sjors
×
×
  • Create New...