ERS Rich

Hello, This is normal, as wood moves, and changes shape, and always will, with changes in humidity and temperature. The wood fiber is like a sponge, absorbing moisture in the air. Consider first adding blocks in the corners where the bulkheads meet the centerboard, then blocks at the outer edge of the bulkhead. Size blocks using the dimension between each bulkhead at the centerboard. This process will straighten a bowed centerboard. Best of luck with your “Flying Fish”. -Rich

Shaping the Counter Block Woodworking is all about measuring, marking, and removing the waste. Counter templates created from the plan with Vellum, Straight Rule, and French curves. Glue tracing to card stock, compress on bench with woodblock and clamps. Given counterblock provided in kit needs to be reduced in thickness to 11/32”, hard to do with a machine safely, created a new block with the table saw, by setting fence to 11/32” and re-sawing a 3/4” board. Then cut to rough dimensions with Byrnes saw and sawstop with Incra sliding table. Mark lines with a pencil and marking gauge, shape with jackplane mounted in vise, and Ultimation disk sander.

Bulkhead Marking and Glueup Prep Photocopy bulkheads on plans. Plan shows bevel lines on bulkheads A-E and M-R. Cutout bevel line on one side of bulkhead template and outside on the other side. Use template and a pencil to shade areas on bulkhead edges that will be beveled. I’m going to bevel after the bulkheads are glued up. Measure and mark the bulkhead horizontal lines. Use dividers to measure height of reference line off top corner of notch. Place straight edge along bulkhead notch and impress a dot into the bulkhead the correct height. Rotate steel rule 90 degrees and reference the dot and the notch corner. Draw horizontal reference line. Use flat file to remove laser residue in both bulkhead and center board notches. I like an easy fit. Spent a couple of hours on this. Work the centerboard notches so bulkheads slide in easy. I did snap a couple of centerboard tabs, one between bulkheads C and D, while filing because of the grain direction. Glued the tabs and reinforced with a wood strip. Mount the centerboard on a board, here melamine board with runners attached with pin nails. Check that reference lines on the centerboard and bulkheads align. Ready for glue up.

Happy modeling and may your winter be mild!

Doweling the Stem, Sternpost, and Keel to Centerboard Marked bearding line with templates made from plan. Cut rabbet with fishtail chisel and finished with wood file. Elmers and clamps to attach Stem, Keel, and Sternpost. Dowel Stem, Keel, and Sternpost for strength. Dowel setup: Foredom hand piece in Foredom drill press. Centerboard in shoulder vice. 1/16” bit. 1/16” dowels by Bluejacket. Roll dowels under hardwood piece to compress fibers. Tap in dowels with mini hammer, using brass end.

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