bthoe

Henrik, I appreciate your insights. They gave me pause this weekend to really think through how I'm going to build Constitution. I'm still pretty sure that the gun deck will be detailed, but for now I'll be going slow forward. Thank you for the freedom to build her as I see fit. As for being the captain, I don't think it would ever go well for a midshipman to claim to be captain! Cheers,

Hey Rob, Thanks a ton for providing this to us - really appreciate it! Bob

One thing while I think of it - for all of you who have detailed the gun deck: once it's planked over and hull planking done, is it worth it for what you can see? I mean, besides just knowing in your heart that it's there. It occurred to me that as much as I am leaning towards detailing the gun deck that once everything is finished and the ship is in a case, will it be for nought? I'd like to model the guns as being run out, and so I don't like the looks of the boxed in dummy barrels - I'd at least want to see the front of gun carriages. Also - if the guns are run out, are the gun port covers hinged up out of the way, or are they removed entirely? On the Hull model there are a couple of full gun port lids in place, and that's how the Revell kit displays them. I'd welcome your thoughts. Mid'n 3/c (Ret.) Bob

Thanks for the like Gregory. As promised, here are a few photos to show where things are at right now. Forgive the harsh lighting - I'll try to get better at this... You'll notice that I have not faired the frames as of yet, nor have I drilled the hole for the rudder post in the counter. I've heard from others here that no matter what the stern blocks end up like, once they're attached you still end up removing more wood. We'll see how that goes. Next step will be to do "final" cleanup on the stern blocks, then attaching the counter and stern blocks. Then to the bow blocks. Mid'n 3/c (Ret.) Bob

Thanks for the likes ccoyle and scrubbyj427! I'll post an update tonight. I've already gotten as far as gluing the bulkheads to the keel, created the counter, and have begun shaping the stern filler blocks. Midn 3/c (Ret) Bob

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

Looking forward to your continuing this build Jeff! Any time soon? -Bob

Jeff, Nice work on your Constitution thus far. I'll be starting my own soon. Hope you don't mind me following along on yours for ideas on how to get past the tough spots 🙂 - Bob

Jon, You, and several others are truly inspiring! Thanks for sharing your build log. I'll be starting one soon, and can only hope to do as well. -Bob

Rich, You're doing great! I appreciate your documenting so thoroughly. I am about to start my own Constitution project, and yours and others build logs will be my go-to sources for how to proceed when I get stuck. Again, great job! - Bob

Great job SkiBee! A few thoughts on your conclusions: I am currently building this model, and am finding that the shortcomings, while frustrating, are perhaps the "next step" in the process of learning model shipbuilding. The Grand Banks Dory was excellent in it's instructions and the parts that were included. The Sailing Pram had enough ambiguity/mistakes/missing pieces that it forces you to really think through the build process and improvise - like the mis-marked bevel lines on the hull planking, the need to bevel the mast to create a square cross section before rounding, mast head drawing vs instructions, and the missing block. I expect that by the time I get to the Constitution, there will be a lot of this. I did ask Model Expo to correct the plank bevel lines or at least include an errata sheet for future sales of the Pram, and they responded that they already have. Best wishes on your future as a shipwright! Your co-apprentice, Bob