JSGerson

Just stumbled onto this log and let me also welcome you the black hole of wooden ship model. Once you jump in, it is very hard to climb out. I have been working on my MSW Constitution since 2017 and still have a number of years to go. This is my 2nd fully rigged plank on bulkhead (POB) ship and my 3rd wooden model. My 1st was a solid hull Mamoli kit of the British schooner Evergreen. My 2nd was the POB Mamoli Rattlesnake. Since you are new to this hobby of wooden ships, may I suggest that when you are ready to start the USS Constitution, you invest in the USS Constitution practicum by Robert Hunt at his Lauck Street Shipyard website. He provides step by step instruction invaluable for beginners. But, be aware, his practicum is not perfect and most of us use his instructions just as a guide. We also review the build logs of others for their guidance as well. It is also important to have the proper tools. Do not make the mistake of buying a tool in anticipation of its use. Check with others, to find out if it really worth the money. I have have bought many a tool, only to have it covered in sawdust from lack of use. One tool however. that I highly recommend, is the Jim Byrnes 4" table saw from Byrnes Model Machines. This is a highly sought after precision tool well worth the money. I look forward to your future postings, especially when you start your USS Constitution kit. There is a wealth of information and active builders here on MSW to help you along. Jon

I did you one better. After I made my rudder, I set it aside in a box to be used later when I was ready to add its hinges. Then I used it to help formulate and fabricate the hinge axial, pintles, and gudgeons. When I was ready to install them on the rudder, I couldn't find the rudder. Now a rudder is not an easy thing to lose. Yet after weeks of looking I gave up because I didn't want to waste more time looking and so I fabricated a new one and installed it as you see it today. Then about a week later, the original one reappeared innocently sitting on my workbench just behind the model. I know I checked the workbench thoroughly and it was gone. Now it's back. A total mystery in the saga of ship model builders. Jon

I think you misread my post. I have no intentions of rigging the rudder to be activated by the ship's wheel. Once the rudder is in position in the display case, that's it, I'm done.😁

Very nice looking. From what I can see, the rudder will not move on your model, but then again it doesn't have to. It's a static model. I made mine moveable strictly as a challenge of my skills. Once my model is in its display case, my rudder won't move either. You save a lot of work and got beautiful results. Well done! Jon

My mental concept is to displayed one anchor hanging from a cathead with the double linked chain I bought on the web some years past, one anchor also hanging on the other cathead but with the cable, and the third stored on deck alone. I don't know how accurate that is, but does show off the various possibilities. Jon

Still looking good! Don't forget to make sure the notched masts have at least the preliminary required rakes. Those will be finalized when you permanently install the gun deck mast rings with dry fitted masts. Jon

You are correct, those are the fun things to make. The gun deck has lots of these gem mini-models to fabricate. Too bad very few of them will be visible enough for observers to see and appreciate fully. Jon

If I have a picture, I will share it. Just ask. Jon

I think I read somewhere (and I could be wrong) that the brass railings were installed when the ship was converted into a Receiving Ship/Barracks in the late 1800s. I believe the hand ropes for the ladders were always there. Jon

I then went on and added the remaining tackle. At this point, nothing is glued in place, and the lines are not neatly coiled up and positioned yet. The last three guns on each side of the stern will have a fifth tackle to pull back the gun slide where the spar deck is not cut away as seen in the last photo below. This last tackle is not installed on the actual ship as they are tourist tripping hazards in the modern world.

As is my masochistic custom of following the more difficult path, I chose to attach the recoil rope to the bulwark like I did on the gun deck by inserting the rope loop between two eyebolts mounted one above the other when the bulwarks were installed many years ago. Then a short drop bolt is inserted into the top eyebolt, though the rope loop, and out the bottom eyebolt. The drop bolt was made from a 3/8” long 0.025” shaft diameter flathead nail which was cut to 1/8” length. I apologize for the out of focus image. A zero depth of field, in a confined space, with a shaky hand are not a good mix. I didn’t realize I had a poor-quality photo till I was composing this post. So, I demonstrated the process using my gun port mockup.

Using the mockup gun port I originally made for the gun deck; I fabricated the recoil rope and a set of typical tackles. The blocks, both single and double were 3/32”, the tackle rope was tan 0.008” (0.028 mm), and the recoil rope was Ultra tan 0.030” (.76 mm), all from Syren Ship Model Co. As previously mentioned in the prior post, the seizing line was the 3/0 nylon rigging line from the kit. Once I was happy with first completed set, I made just the recoil ropes for all 20 carronades first. While seizing the loops, I noticed quite quickly that the loop would not pass through the recoil rings already attached to the guns. The rope loops were just not flexible enough at this scale. Therefore, after seizing the first loop, the recoil rope was threaded through the rings on the gun with the “un-looped” end first. Then the free end was seized creating the second loop.

It is fascinating to watch you assemble the historical pieces you have accumulated and translate them into your model. I can't wait for more posts. Jon

So far, so good. Jon

I have completed the gun deck on my model and followed the photos of the real ship for fastening the ropes and tackles to the bulwarks. I am doing the same thing for the spar deck now. It was a little tricky to attach the recoil ropes between two eyebolts and adding a pin to lock them in place, but I made it work. If you are going to seize your block and tackle directly to the bulwark eyebolts, DO NOT attach the eyebolts to the bulwark first. It will be a b*tch seizing the lines to the eyebolts on the model. Seize the lines to the eyebolts off-ship, then insert the eyebolt with the attached tackle into bulwark. Personally, IMHO, I believe the use of hooks would have been more practical on the ship for quick and easy replacement when it was required. Jon

Well done! And I love your sense of humor. I bet you have the only model of the USS Constitution demonstrating the use of the "seats of ease."🤣 Jon

The main thing I don't like about tulle is that it is not a true cross net. If you look closely, the intersections of the lines forms a star pattern. Of course, you would have to be up real close and be wither very near sighted or have a magnifying glass so the model builder can get away with it. I have found ship blogs where the builders weave their own nets. If anyone is interested, I can point you to them. Then there is the alternative: Steel mesh. Model Expo offer one but does not indicate the dimensions of the mesh squares Modeler Central (Australia) I have not used either one Jon

Beautifully done! Jon

That is some jig you made. It worked perfectly! Jon

Those are some exquisitely clean cut notches on those trestle tree components. As always, a pleasure to see your workmanship. Jon

Very handsome model! Jon

For me, the enjoyment is in the journey and this model has a multitudes of side trips, some seen by others, others not so much. Once the project is finished and on display, the fun, for the most part ends. My journey so far. is 8 years and still running😁! Jon

I too built the gun deck with a bunch of details. I made them somewhat visible by removing some of the main hatchways, spar deck planking, and beam supports. However, even with openings, a lot of the gun deck details are still obscured. Only me and the man upstairs know they are there. The image below shows the present state of my model. Jon

It's good enough for me too. I LIKE it! Jon

It's looking grand!!! Jon