Force9

Folks -

 

Just back from an RV adventure around the American West... Tahoe, Yellowstone, Zion, etc.  Always great to get out in wide open spaces... Always amazed at how many Europeans rent an RV and make similar treks.  They are universally polite and seem genuinely in awe of the scenery.

 

Looks like my build log has a life all its own... I can probably leave for a month or two and the thing will double in size!  

 

Kim - a very impressive collection of cardboard boxes full of plastic... I know you like to build 'em two at a time, but that does seem to be a few lifetimes worth in your pile.

 

Regarding wooden decks... I am steadfastly trying to stick with plastic for this effort - no wood except for the base. This is an exercise in plastic modeling skills.  I'm confident that I can do a respectable job without resorting to the real thing...  For those who will consider wood, I know there is a new veneer deck set from the folks at Scaledecks.com... The first version doesn't seem quite up to their other deck offerings - it doesn't have a butt pattern or margin planks with joggling, etc.  My understanding from postings on another forum is that they are working to improve that on the next version.

 


 

http://shop.scaledecks.com/1-96-USS-Constitution-Old-Ironsides-Deck-for-Revell-096-001.htm

 

The workshop is back in business and I am hoping to start back on my build soon.

 

EG

The workshop is back to shipshape and things have settled down enough for some build time...
 
The gun deck has come along:
 
The first need was to finally get the beam stanchions in place.  These were some of the first items I attempted for this deck, but I couldn't get anything satisfying...  I first thought to just use some stanchions from the extra Heller Victory kit in my stash, but those were too wimpy.  I bulked up my own version and test fitted those... Still too wimpy.  And worse, I couldn't seem to keep them consistently straight and true.  
 

 
Finally I decided to use my thickest rod and position them into holes drilled through the decking.  I did the base and caps using the square tubing in my styrene pile.  I reamed it out with the appropriate drill bit matched to the rod and slid them into position along the rod with enough sticking down to pass through the deck.  That did the trick.
 
To keep all the deck features secure I added some rod underneath to fit through similar holes drilled into the deck:
 

 
The appropriate holes were drilled through all along the deck to accept the various components
 

 
You'll notice that at some point I decided that the pumps should all sit on a raised platform amidships.  Just seemed like the right thing to do.
 

 
Here are some views of all the gun deck features test fitted:
 

 
I've put one of the Admiral day cabin bulkheads from my Heller Victory in place to see what it might look like if I added the Captain's suite to the deck.  It has potential, but I think I'll stick with my stated intention of not including this and keep the gun deck cleared for action.
 
Spare anchor stored amidships:

 
Manger

 
Pumps


 
I think I'm just about ready to paint the darn thing!
 
Thanks for following along
Evan

The workshop is back to shipshape and things have settled down enough for some build time...
 
The gun deck has come along:
 
The first need was to finally get the beam stanchions in place.  These were some of the first items I attempted for this deck, but I couldn't get anything satisfying...  I first thought to just use some stanchions from the extra Heller Victory kit in my stash, but those were too wimpy.  I bulked up my own version and test fitted those... Still too wimpy.  And worse, I couldn't seem to keep them consistently straight and true.  
 

 
Finally I decided to use my thickest rod and position them into holes drilled through the decking.  I did the base and caps using the square tubing in my styrene pile.  I reamed it out with the appropriate drill bit matched to the rod and slid them into position along the rod with enough sticking down to pass through the deck.  That did the trick.
 
To keep all the deck features secure I added some rod underneath to fit through similar holes drilled into the deck:
 

 
The appropriate holes were drilled through all along the deck to accept the various components
 

 
You'll notice that at some point I decided that the pumps should all sit on a raised platform amidships.  Just seemed like the right thing to do.
 

 
Here are some views of all the gun deck features test fitted:
 

 
I've put one of the Admiral day cabin bulkheads from my Heller Victory in place to see what it might look like if I added the Captain's suite to the deck.  It has potential, but I think I'll stick with my stated intention of not including this and keep the gun deck cleared for action.
 
Spare anchor stored amidships:

 
Manger

 
Pumps


 
I think I'm just about ready to paint the darn thing!
 
Thanks for following along
Evan

The workshop is back to shipshape and things have settled down enough for some build time...
 
The gun deck has come along:
 
The first need was to finally get the beam stanchions in place.  These were some of the first items I attempted for this deck, but I couldn't get anything satisfying...  I first thought to just use some stanchions from the extra Heller Victory kit in my stash, but those were too wimpy.  I bulked up my own version and test fitted those... Still too wimpy.  And worse, I couldn't seem to keep them consistently straight and true.  
 

 
Finally I decided to use my thickest rod and position them into holes drilled through the decking.  I did the base and caps using the square tubing in my styrene pile.  I reamed it out with the appropriate drill bit matched to the rod and slid them into position along the rod with enough sticking down to pass through the deck.  That did the trick.
 
To keep all the deck features secure I added some rod underneath to fit through similar holes drilled into the deck:
 

 
The appropriate holes were drilled through all along the deck to accept the various components
 

 
You'll notice that at some point I decided that the pumps should all sit on a raised platform amidships.  Just seemed like the right thing to do.
 

 
Here are some views of all the gun deck features test fitted:
 

 
I've put one of the Admiral day cabin bulkheads from my Heller Victory in place to see what it might look like if I added the Captain's suite to the deck.  It has potential, but I think I'll stick with my stated intention of not including this and keep the gun deck cleared for action.
 
Spare anchor stored amidships:

 
Manger

 
Pumps


 
I think I'm just about ready to paint the darn thing!
 
Thanks for following along
Evan

The workshop is back to shipshape and things have settled down enough for some build time...
 
The gun deck has come along:
 
The first need was to finally get the beam stanchions in place.  These were some of the first items I attempted for this deck, but I couldn't get anything satisfying...  I first thought to just use some stanchions from the extra Heller Victory kit in my stash, but those were too wimpy.  I bulked up my own version and test fitted those... Still too wimpy.  And worse, I couldn't seem to keep them consistently straight and true.  
 

 
Finally I decided to use my thickest rod and position them into holes drilled through the decking.  I did the base and caps using the square tubing in my styrene pile.  I reamed it out with the appropriate drill bit matched to the rod and slid them into position along the rod with enough sticking down to pass through the deck.  That did the trick.
 
To keep all the deck features secure I added some rod underneath to fit through similar holes drilled into the deck:
 

 
The appropriate holes were drilled through all along the deck to accept the various components
 

 
You'll notice that at some point I decided that the pumps should all sit on a raised platform amidships.  Just seemed like the right thing to do.
 

 
Here are some views of all the gun deck features test fitted:
 

 
I've put one of the Admiral day cabin bulkheads from my Heller Victory in place to see what it might look like if I added the Captain's suite to the deck.  It has potential, but I think I'll stick with my stated intention of not including this and keep the gun deck cleared for action.
 
Spare anchor stored amidships:

 
Manger

 
Pumps


 
I think I'm just about ready to paint the darn thing!
 
Thanks for following along
Evan

The workshop is back to shipshape and things have settled down enough for some build time...
 
The gun deck has come along:
 
The first need was to finally get the beam stanchions in place.  These were some of the first items I attempted for this deck, but I couldn't get anything satisfying...  I first thought to just use some stanchions from the extra Heller Victory kit in my stash, but those were too wimpy.  I bulked up my own version and test fitted those... Still too wimpy.  And worse, I couldn't seem to keep them consistently straight and true.  
 

 
Finally I decided to use my thickest rod and position them into holes drilled through the decking.  I did the base and caps using the square tubing in my styrene pile.  I reamed it out with the appropriate drill bit matched to the rod and slid them into position along the rod with enough sticking down to pass through the deck.  That did the trick.
 
To keep all the deck features secure I added some rod underneath to fit through similar holes drilled into the deck:
 

 
The appropriate holes were drilled through all along the deck to accept the various components
 

 
You'll notice that at some point I decided that the pumps should all sit on a raised platform amidships.  Just seemed like the right thing to do.
 

 
Here are some views of all the gun deck features test fitted:
 

 
I've put one of the Admiral day cabin bulkheads from my Heller Victory in place to see what it might look like if I added the Captain's suite to the deck.  It has potential, but I think I'll stick with my stated intention of not including this and keep the gun deck cleared for action.
 
Spare anchor stored amidships:

 
Manger

 
Pumps


 
I think I'm just about ready to paint the darn thing!
 
Thanks for following along
Evan

The workshop is back to shipshape and things have settled down enough for some build time...
 
The gun deck has come along:
 
The first need was to finally get the beam stanchions in place.  These were some of the first items I attempted for this deck, but I couldn't get anything satisfying...  I first thought to just use some stanchions from the extra Heller Victory kit in my stash, but those were too wimpy.  I bulked up my own version and test fitted those... Still too wimpy.  And worse, I couldn't seem to keep them consistently straight and true.  
 

 
Finally I decided to use my thickest rod and position them into holes drilled through the decking.  I did the base and caps using the square tubing in my styrene pile.  I reamed it out with the appropriate drill bit matched to the rod and slid them into position along the rod with enough sticking down to pass through the deck.  That did the trick.
 
To keep all the deck features secure I added some rod underneath to fit through similar holes drilled into the deck:
 

 
The appropriate holes were drilled through all along the deck to accept the various components
 

 
You'll notice that at some point I decided that the pumps should all sit on a raised platform amidships.  Just seemed like the right thing to do.
 

 
Here are some views of all the gun deck features test fitted:
 

 
I've put one of the Admiral day cabin bulkheads from my Heller Victory in place to see what it might look like if I added the Captain's suite to the deck.  It has potential, but I think I'll stick with my stated intention of not including this and keep the gun deck cleared for action.
 
Spare anchor stored amidships:

 
Manger

 
Pumps


 
I think I'm just about ready to paint the darn thing!
 
Thanks for following along
Evan

Folks

I'll have a new post soon...

 

In the meantime - here is a plea from the folks at the USS Constitution museum:

 

Impact of the Partial Government Shutdown on the USS Constitution Museum

 

We wanted to keep you - our visitors, members and supporters - apprised of the impact the government shutdown is having on the USS Constitution Museum. Though we are a private not-for-profit that receives no direct federal funding, we are situated within Boston National Historical Park, a federal property which is now closed to visitors. As a result, we unfortunately cannot welcome the many visitors we usually greet this time of year. Our exhibits are empty of school kids exploring, our program staff working at computers instead of in our galleries, our donation boxes empty and our Store shelves fully stocked.

 

October is one of Boston's busiest months for tourism, with increased cruise ship traffic, leaf peepers, conventions and more. Add into the mix school kids on field trips and the Museum is generally buzzing with activity this time of year. This same time last year, daily revenue generated through on-site donations, Store sales and group visits averaged nearly $7,000 a day.  For every day the shutdown continues, this is critical revenue we must generate elsewhere.

 

While we are hoping resolution comes quickly, there are a few ways you might be able to help:

 

Make a tax-deductible gift to our annual fund

Get an early start on the holiday season by shopping our online Store

Write to your legislators to express your concern over the impact of the closure.

Let us know if there are affinity organizations or companies that might be willing to share our story with their constituents or employees, directing them to our website.

Spread the word! Share with Facebook friends, on twitter and more.

Other ideas welcome!

 

We recognize that we are just one of many organizations feeling the impact, and hope in the end the burden is minimal for all. Unfortunately, it looks as though this might not be as short lived as originally hoped. We appreciate your support, and welcome any suggestions you might have as we ride out the storm. And in the interim, take a few minutes to make a virtual visit to the Museum, and explore our collections and more online at www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org

 

Thank you -

Laura O'Neill

Director of Development

617-426-1812, x. 112

loneill@ussconstitutionmuseum.org

Folks

I'll have a new post soon...

 

In the meantime - here is a plea from the folks at the USS Constitution museum:

 

Impact of the Partial Government Shutdown on the USS Constitution Museum

 

We wanted to keep you - our visitors, members and supporters - apprised of the impact the government shutdown is having on the USS Constitution Museum. Though we are a private not-for-profit that receives no direct federal funding, we are situated within Boston National Historical Park, a federal property which is now closed to visitors. As a result, we unfortunately cannot welcome the many visitors we usually greet this time of year. Our exhibits are empty of school kids exploring, our program staff working at computers instead of in our galleries, our donation boxes empty and our Store shelves fully stocked.

 

October is one of Boston's busiest months for tourism, with increased cruise ship traffic, leaf peepers, conventions and more. Add into the mix school kids on field trips and the Museum is generally buzzing with activity this time of year. This same time last year, daily revenue generated through on-site donations, Store sales and group visits averaged nearly $7,000 a day.  For every day the shutdown continues, this is critical revenue we must generate elsewhere.

 

While we are hoping resolution comes quickly, there are a few ways you might be able to help:

 

Make a tax-deductible gift to our annual fund

Get an early start on the holiday season by shopping our online Store

Write to your legislators to express your concern over the impact of the closure.

Let us know if there are affinity organizations or companies that might be willing to share our story with their constituents or employees, directing them to our website.

Spread the word! Share with Facebook friends, on twitter and more.

Other ideas welcome!

 

We recognize that we are just one of many organizations feeling the impact, and hope in the end the burden is minimal for all. Unfortunately, it looks as though this might not be as short lived as originally hoped. We appreciate your support, and welcome any suggestions you might have as we ride out the storm. And in the interim, take a few minutes to make a virtual visit to the Museum, and explore our collections and more online at www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org

 

Thank you -

Laura O'Neill

Director of Development

617-426-1812, x. 112

loneill@ussconstitutionmuseum.org

Folks

I'll have a new post soon...

 

In the meantime - here is a plea from the folks at the USS Constitution museum:

 

Impact of the Partial Government Shutdown on the USS Constitution Museum

 

We wanted to keep you - our visitors, members and supporters - apprised of the impact the government shutdown is having on the USS Constitution Museum. Though we are a private not-for-profit that receives no direct federal funding, we are situated within Boston National Historical Park, a federal property which is now closed to visitors. As a result, we unfortunately cannot welcome the many visitors we usually greet this time of year. Our exhibits are empty of school kids exploring, our program staff working at computers instead of in our galleries, our donation boxes empty and our Store shelves fully stocked.

 

October is one of Boston's busiest months for tourism, with increased cruise ship traffic, leaf peepers, conventions and more. Add into the mix school kids on field trips and the Museum is generally buzzing with activity this time of year. This same time last year, daily revenue generated through on-site donations, Store sales and group visits averaged nearly $7,000 a day.  For every day the shutdown continues, this is critical revenue we must generate elsewhere.

 

While we are hoping resolution comes quickly, there are a few ways you might be able to help:

 

Make a tax-deductible gift to our annual fund

Get an early start on the holiday season by shopping our online Store

Write to your legislators to express your concern over the impact of the closure.

Let us know if there are affinity organizations or companies that might be willing to share our story with their constituents or employees, directing them to our website.

Spread the word! Share with Facebook friends, on twitter and more.

Other ideas welcome!

 

We recognize that we are just one of many organizations feeling the impact, and hope in the end the burden is minimal for all. Unfortunately, it looks as though this might not be as short lived as originally hoped. We appreciate your support, and welcome any suggestions you might have as we ride out the storm. And in the interim, take a few minutes to make a virtual visit to the Museum, and explore our collections and more online at www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org

 

Thank you -

Laura O'Neill

Director of Development

617-426-1812, x. 112

loneill@ussconstitutionmuseum.org

The color of the mast hoops is interesting - there is much debate on what is appropriate.  I think it was most common across the world's navies to paint them black to contrast with the mast color up until the battle of Trafalgar.  We know that going into that battle, Admiral Nelson had his fleet painted a uniform pattern as an IFF measure... Having been in so many fleet engagements, nobody understood the fog of war better than Nelson.  And he knew that his upcoming tactics would entail an incredible intermingling of the combatants with banks of gunpowder smoke obscuring everything.  Oftentimes it would only be masts looming above the smoke or a bowsprit emerging from a gray haze that would indicate a nearby ship.  With this in mind, he ordered that all of his ships paint over their iron hoops to match the mast color as a way of making the British ships distinct.  (The combined French/Spanish fleet was still utilizing rope wouldings instead of iron hoops) It is interesting to note that the HMS Victory was restored in the 20th century to the most accurate historic Admiralty records available - which clearly indicated the black iron bands on the masts.  This is surely how she emerged from her Great Repair shortly before Trafalgar and that is how she appeared up into the 1970's.  But research revealed the Victory's signal log with an entry showing Nelson yelling at a couple of his ships to paint out their @#!*&^ mast bands to match the rest of the fleet as they formed up for the great battle.  Apparently these were outlying units that hadn't gotten the word to paint them out to match the masts, which suggests that Nelson had ordered this change very shortly before Trafalgar.  It should be pointed out that the Turner painting and the Clarkson Stanfield work both sat showing the painted out mast hoops for over 150 years.  These paintings were heavily influenced by veterans of the battle.
 
Gradually the British navy adopted the Trafalgar painting practices and the American navy generally followed suit.  The Hull model shows the mast hoops on Constitution painted out and the credible contemporary paintings do as well.  But all of this, of course, can/should be superseded by artistic license - it is your model.
 
Happy modeling!
EG

Careful John... The museum generally has a strict no photos policy in most of the exhibits. Upstairs, be sure to flip open the lid on the little wooden box hanging on one of the walls. Inside is a hand drawn diagram of the Java battle done by one of Constitution's officers. Very neat... It shows how much maneuvering went on - lots of twists and turns. In fact, Old Ironsides absorbed two stern rakes from Java. Also not to be missed, the original George Ropes paintings of the Guerriere fight are exquisite jewels to admire. Ropes was the deaf mute protege of the famous painter Michele Felice Corne.
 
Enjoy the great ship.
 
EG

Folks -

 

Just back from an RV adventure around the American West... Tahoe, Yellowstone, Zion, etc.  Always great to get out in wide open spaces... Always amazed at how many Europeans rent an RV and make similar treks.  They are universally polite and seem genuinely in awe of the scenery.

 

Looks like my build log has a life all its own... I can probably leave for a month or two and the thing will double in size!  

 

Kim - a very impressive collection of cardboard boxes full of plastic... I know you like to build 'em two at a time, but that does seem to be a few lifetimes worth in your pile.

 

Regarding wooden decks... I am steadfastly trying to stick with plastic for this effort - no wood except for the base. This is an exercise in plastic modeling skills.  I'm confident that I can do a respectable job without resorting to the real thing...  For those who will consider wood, I know there is a new veneer deck set from the folks at Scaledecks.com... The first version doesn't seem quite up to their other deck offerings - it doesn't have a butt pattern or margin planks with joggling, etc.  My understanding from postings on another forum is that they are working to improve that on the next version.

 


 

http://shop.scaledecks.com/1-96-USS-Constitution-Old-Ironsides-Deck-for-Revell-096-001.htm

 

The workshop is back in business and I am hoping to start back on my build soon.

 

EG

Folks -

 

Just back from an RV adventure around the American West... Tahoe, Yellowstone, Zion, etc.  Always great to get out in wide open spaces... Always amazed at how many Europeans rent an RV and make similar treks.  They are universally polite and seem genuinely in awe of the scenery.

 

Looks like my build log has a life all its own... I can probably leave for a month or two and the thing will double in size!  

 

Kim - a very impressive collection of cardboard boxes full of plastic... I know you like to build 'em two at a time, but that does seem to be a few lifetimes worth in your pile.

 

Regarding wooden decks... I am steadfastly trying to stick with plastic for this effort - no wood except for the base. This is an exercise in plastic modeling skills.  I'm confident that I can do a respectable job without resorting to the real thing...  For those who will consider wood, I know there is a new veneer deck set from the folks at Scaledecks.com... The first version doesn't seem quite up to their other deck offerings - it doesn't have a butt pattern or margin planks with joggling, etc.  My understanding from postings on another forum is that they are working to improve that on the next version.

 


 

http://shop.scaledecks.com/1-96-USS-Constitution-Old-Ironsides-Deck-for-Revell-096-001.htm

 

The workshop is back in business and I am hoping to start back on my build soon.

 

EG

Patrick -
 
Thanks for the encouragement... I just had a look at your terrific Niagra brig.  Great work!
 
In truth I haven't yet focused any time on the guns.  I did purchase a few samples of the Bluejacket 24 pdrs for comparison.  At first blush they look a bit more stout than the Revell versions.  I kinda like it.  I will, of course, be augmenting the carriages with the proper bolts and tackle.  Might change out the trucks - at least on the ones that might be visible.
 
 I suspect that I will completely refashion the carronade carriages.  They really aren't going to be too difficult and it will allow for including the elevation screws.
 
That'll all be a few steps away.  Up next are the spar deck rails and other details...
 
Stay tuned!

Folks...
 
My wife originally hails from Boston so we make a few trips back periodically to visit with family and friends. This year they were really making a big deal out of the July 4 celebration with Old Ironsides as the centerpiece of the commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 - so we decided to make our trip coincide with the festivities.
 
On Tuesday mornings during peak season the USS Constitution offers a special behind the scenes "Constitution Experience" tour of the great ship for a limited sized group (you need to pre-register thru the website). You get to see the morning flag raising and morning gun before heading aboard. The tour includes the captains quarters, the orlop deck, and a chance to crawl down into the after powder room - all spaces normally off limits to us civilians.
 

 



During Cdr Tyrone Martin's tenure he had the forward gun modified to fire salutes. Here is the exposed loading tray of the surplus WWII anti-aircraft gun utilized for the purpose (each firing pin now costs $60 because of scarcity):

The Tiller:


Here is the scuttle down to the after powder room:


Here is some original timber (transom wings?) in the aftermost space of the magazine:

Here is my foot standing on original wood. The guide says it is the keel - but it is more likely the keelson or deadwood on top:

Orlop deck with the diagonal riders:

 
USS Constitution is, of course, still a commissioned warship in the US Navy so the guides are all active duty sailors and marines. The facts as presented in the tour are a bit sketchy in terms of accuracy, but the intent is well-meaning. Here are a few of the most egregious:
- "The frames are spaced two - four inches apart unlike the British ships, which were three or four FEET apart."
- "The crew fired a round every 90 seconds. The British crew fired every two to three minutes." (The opposite was probably true)
- "The ship could only fire every other gun in a broadside - otherwise a full broadside fired from every gun would tip the ship over."
 
Overall it was a terrific morning clambering around inside the great ship.

The Rudder...
 
The kit provided version was noticeably lacking any copper plating so, just for yucks, I thought I'd build my own version of the rudder...
 
It has always struck me as odd that the Revell Constitution has a cylindrical rudder head instead of a squared one similar to other period ships.  My first thought was to replace that... But then I did some research.  It turns out that the good folks at Revell probably got that right!  We do see the cylindrical rudder head on the Hull model:
 

 
When Constitution was first launched she had a typical "rule joint" type rudder with the square rudder head.  This rudder type required a larger opening in the lower transom to allow for the arc of the rudder head as it swung back and forth during turns.  Howard Chappelle notes in his American Sailing Navy book that the US Navy had replaced all of their  rudders with the newer "plug" type by 1801 or thereabouts.  This new innovation utilized the cylindrical shape and moved the rudder head forward so that the center aligned along the same axis as the pintles.  This eliminated the arc pattern of the rudder head - instead it spun exactly in line with the pivot point of the pintles.  This allowed for a much smaller opening under the transom - and perhaps a tighter feel for the helm.  Learn something every day.
 
Here was my approach:
 
I glued together four strips of .100 x .156" styrene (Evergreen 177) and did the basic shaping on a small vice using a heavy file.  Next I carved a groove into some appropriate rod styrene (same as what I used on the Galley Stove pipe) and affixed that to the top - centered, of course, over the leading edge.  Once done, I came back along and notched in the locations for the rudder pintles:


 
Now I needed to copper plate the thing. I used .010 x .125" (Evergreen 106) for the plates.  I whipped up a quick jig (using some available scraps) to help align the "copper" strips while I rolled in the rivet pattern on one edge.  I used the smallest roller in my collection to approximate the pattern existing on the kit plating.  The rest of the bolt heads I did by hand using my trusty scribe tool.

 
Took me about an hour to plate each side:

 
Lastly I came along and added the various straps, spectacle plate, etc.
 
Here is the result:



 
BTW - It turns out, the kit provided rudder is actually pretty good.  As noted it properly represents the "plug" type version.  This is not surprising since it is based on the Campbell plan and he consulted extensively with Chappelle. The rudder edges also taper nicely from forward edge to after edge, and from top to bottom.  Ultimately, a very nice upgrade could probably be had by simply adding the copper plates.
 

 
Thanks again folks for wading thru my entries!
EG

Hello Mike - I'm glad you find my build log and I hope it proves inspiring and useful!  
 
Verne - Nothing wrong with redoing a few things until you feel comfortable with the result... I've done my share of that as well!  Just set an easy pace at the beginning and you'll find yourself hitting the right stride as you get deeper into the build.  I'd echo the other sentiments that we hope to see you set up another Connie log so that we can follow your progress.
 
Daniel... I'll admit to being a bit perplexed about the deployment of the lower stunsail booms.  Mr. Eriksen is convinced after his detailed research that there never was a lower stuns'l for the main on the Constitution.  He thinks that the wider sail area of that stuns'l sail would blanket the foremast one and was therefore eliminated.  Have a look at the interesting photos of the USS Monongahela under sail in light air:
 

 

 
(http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-m/monong.htm)
 
Granted, these photos date from the 1890's when she was a midshipmen training ship, but it does seem to corroborate the idea that only the foremast had lower stunsails deployed.  I'm sure there are more experienced modelers/researchers that can shed more light...
 
Thanks all for the continued interest!

Hello Mike - I'm glad you find my build log and I hope it proves inspiring and useful!  
 
Verne - Nothing wrong with redoing a few things until you feel comfortable with the result... I've done my share of that as well!  Just set an easy pace at the beginning and you'll find yourself hitting the right stride as you get deeper into the build.  I'd echo the other sentiments that we hope to see you set up another Connie log so that we can follow your progress.
 
Daniel... I'll admit to being a bit perplexed about the deployment of the lower stunsail booms.  Mr. Eriksen is convinced after his detailed research that there never was a lower stuns'l for the main on the Constitution.  He thinks that the wider sail area of that stuns'l sail would blanket the foremast one and was therefore eliminated.  Have a look at the interesting photos of the USS Monongahela under sail in light air:
 

 

 
(http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-m/monong.htm)
 
Granted, these photos date from the 1890's when she was a midshipmen training ship, but it does seem to corroborate the idea that only the foremast had lower stunsails deployed.  I'm sure there are more experienced modelers/researchers that can shed more light...
 
Thanks all for the continued interest!

Lads...   My garage workshop suffered a setback a few weeks ago - I had piled so much junk into the garage attic space that a joist cracked and the whole ceiling threatened to crash down.  Catastrophe was narrowly averted with some quick bracing... The company that originally added the attic in my garage years ago has come forward and has been making repairs on their dime - no cost to me.  They really have stood by their work and put forth the effort to rebuild it properly.  All that being the case, I'm offline for a bit longer in terms of model building.   Hasn't stopped me from delving further into research...   I'm currently mucking about with the channels on my kit - trying to clean them up and otherwise enhance them.  The question of lower stun's'l booms fitted to the channels has got me thinking (uh oh).   The Revell kit includes lower stun's'l booms for both the fore and main channels (The mizzen, of course, would never have stun's'l sails deployed below the Crojack yard.  Some argue, in fact, that no stun's'l sails were deployed on the mizzen.  More later...)  The Hull model, however, only shows booms fitted on the fore channels:     Of course, this could be one of several omissions made by the crew in their haste to complete the model.  But why bother with any lower booms at all if they were trying to save time with shortcuts?     Marquardt in his AOTS agrees that there should only be one set of booms fitted, but he argues that they should only be on the main channels and not on the fore channels.  He reasons that the storage of the anchors on the fore channel precludes the possibility of having swinging lower stun's'l booms attached. Hmmm.   Olof Eriksen notes these same discrepancies in his CONSTITUTION - All sails up and flying.  He compared the Hull model to the Brady The Naval Apprentice's Kedge Anchor (1841) and the rigging journal kept by Midshipmen Anderson during the 1834-35 refit and found that all three agree with the stun's'l booms only fitted to the fore channels - none on the main.   Howard Chappelle in his History of the American Sailing Navy includes an interesting appendix with a copy of the builder notes for an 1826 sloop of war.  Included is a reference for "swinging stun'sail boom irons" to be fitted only on the fore channels.  More interesting is the inclusion of "channel cranes" for "supporting the spare spars and yards... one on the main and one on the mizzen..."   This approach would seem to agree with the Charles Ware drawing of the frigate United States:     The legend for this drawing labels L as Stunsail BOOMS and M as Spare Main Topsail YARDS.  This would seem to refute Marquardt's assertion regarding the anchor storage blocking the stun's'l boom on the fore channel.   Finally, we have this tidbit from Constitution's log following her engagement with Guerriere:    
  Whew... Based on this exploration... When all the dust settles I will only have lower stun's'l booms rigged to the fore channels on my model, but will also include spare topsail yards resting in "channel cranes" extended from the main and mizzen channels both port and starboard.   All part of the fun! Thanks for following along. Evan

A bit of work on the bow...
 
It will come as no surprise to folks that I don't like the kit representation of the bow details.  The molding for the head timbers and railings is pretty lousy:
 

 
There is no consistent guidance across all of the various sources to know exactly how these should look - or even how many head timbers there were in 1812.
 
Here are some representations:
 
Modern version:

Corne Paintings:

Hull Model:

 
In the end I just elected to replace what was on the kit with something a bit more crisp.  I wanted, however, to have the head timbers bow outwards in a graceful curve instead of the inward version as molded.  I went ahead and laminated together two strips of .060 x .125" styrene (Evergreen 156) using a convenient paint spray can to get the appropriate radius.  I taped the strips to the can and came back next day:
 


 
I replaced the head timbers one at a time - starting with the most forward (and smallest) one.  I left the middle rail intact for support and guidance for the new elements(!):
 


 
Some careful filing and test fitting iterations are needed to get everything aligned to the final shape.  I'll still have some tuning to do before final glueing.  Finally I came along with some .030 x .030" strips to add some detail:
 

 
I'll likely come along later and give some attention to the weather cloth and upper rails.
 
Thanks for looking
EG

Hello Verne...
 
Wonderful to see another modeler take on the 1/96 Connie.
 
I applaud your willingness to delve into some research to tune up your representation of the great ship.
 
Firstly, I think the "wooden bumper" seen in my photo of the spar deck bulwark is likely one of the forward pin rails.  These are often left "natural" and not painted since they experience more wear as a working part of the ship.  You can position these in accordance with the Revell instructions or follow some other guidance like the Bluejacket manual.  They'd certainly be appropriate for 1812 (or any era!)
 
The gun deck knees are an interesting quandary and I don't know that I have the end-all answers.  I'll give you my reasoning... The current restored ship is not representative in most respects to her 1812 configuration.  Lots of reasons why, but the best I can understand from various sources over the years (including docents on the ship and folks in the Constitution museum) is that the 1927 restoration utilized the most complete historic set of plans extant - which date to the mid-19th century.  Folks who restore ships prefer to rely on historic documentation and forego speculative sources and that seemed to be the best way to go back in 1927.  These are the basis for the 1927 drawings that you can access online at the official ship site (or purchase on CD from the Navy Museum or the Constitution museum).  More modern thinking has pulled in other sources that include documentation for sister ships as well as historic artifacts like the Hull model to generate a more accurate understanding of her appearance during her glory years.  In fact, I think there is congressional legislation in place that requires USS Constitution to be restored (and maintained) to her War of 1812 appearance going forward.  To that end we will see more and more changes across the next few refits to bring her bow and stern into an 1812-1815 context.  That being said, the knees as represented today almost certainly do not reflect her 1812 versions.  My photo of the current ship shows both vertical and diagonal knees fitted. The two best historic sources are the drawings made shortly after the war by sailing master Charles Ware, and the drawings of her sister ship USF President made by the British shortly after her capture.  I think the Ware version shows vertical hanging knees, but no diagonals... The President drawings show diagonals, but no vertical knees. Take your choice - nobody can really gainsay you either way!
 
The brilliant model by Gene Bodnar closely follows the Marquardt conceptualization shown in the Anatomy of the Ship (AOTS) book.  That rendition is highly speculative and includes many elements that have been discredited in recent years by careful scholarship by Tyrone Martin and others.  Gene was careful to make sure folks knew that he was not out to create a model with any historical exactitude that matched contemporary sources. If anyone had a problem with what he was including (or not including) then they should take it up with Marquardt and not him...  It should be noted that Marquardt chose to follow the guidance of the President drawings for the knees - same as I did.
 
I hope your thumbs have recovered from their riveting ordeal and I look forward to following your progress.  Please feel free to fire away with more questions and those of us who've gone ahead will do our best to provide guidance and explain our own approaches along the way.
 
Thanks for the interest
Evan

Here are some better photos with lighting that highlights the scribed lines...
 




 
The step pattern was initially laid out using the diagram in the Longridge book (Pg 121).  Then it was a matter of coming along and scribing every fifth plank - either vertically or horizontally until the deck was complete.
 
Thanks for looking

Here are some better photos with lighting that highlights the scribed lines...
 




 
The step pattern was initially laid out using the diagram in the Longridge book (Pg 121).  Then it was a matter of coming along and scribing every fifth plank - either vertically or horizontally until the deck was complete.
 
Thanks for looking

A bit of work on the bow...
 
It will come as no surprise to folks that I don't like the kit representation of the bow details.  The molding for the head timbers and railings is pretty lousy:
 

 
There is no consistent guidance across all of the various sources to know exactly how these should look - or even how many head timbers there were in 1812.
 
Here are some representations:
 
Modern version:

Corne Paintings:

Hull Model:

 
In the end I just elected to replace what was on the kit with something a bit more crisp.  I wanted, however, to have the head timbers bow outwards in a graceful curve instead of the inward version as molded.  I went ahead and laminated together two strips of .060 x .125" styrene (Evergreen 156) using a convenient paint spray can to get the appropriate radius.  I taped the strips to the can and came back next day:
 


 
I replaced the head timbers one at a time - starting with the most forward (and smallest) one.  I left the middle rail intact for support and guidance for the new elements(!):
 


 
Some careful filing and test fitting iterations are needed to get everything aligned to the final shape.  I'll still have some tuning to do before final glueing.  Finally I came along with some .030 x .030" strips to add some detail:
 

 
I'll likely come along later and give some attention to the weather cloth and upper rails.
 
Thanks for looking
EG