HIPEXEC

You're right...it's a tricky job. I made a template right from the side view of Constructo's plans. My USS Constitution gunports wound up exactly where they should be, but I could only tell when I mounted the stand-offs for the deadeyes and the holes lined up very close to where they were supposed to be. Sometimes you win a few.

Wow! What quality! I feel like I'm amateur night at the circus after looking at your fine craftsmanship.

Here's the newest addition to my shipyard. A 360 degree turntable. It's a pull out TV turntable.

Here's the newest addition to my shipyard. A 360 degree turntable. Just pull it out and turn the ship to any angle I want. It's a TV retractable turn table that can hold 125 pounds, so my Connie won't stress it very much.

Sam...you're right!

This stuff bends much better than the Ayous! Here's my plank bending factory in full swing.

I've started my davit factory. Two Heavy duty davits off the stern and four tall davits port and starboard aft. The side davits require bending two 1.5mm x 4mm Sapely to nearly 90 degrees and the glue them in pairs so they'll be 3mm x 4mm bent with brass trim. The aft davits are carved to shape.

Starboard side lids installed.

The port side gun lids are installed. I have 7 more to do on the starboard side. I'll probably re-do some of them after all are installed since I'm not happy with some of them.  They're tricky little devils to install.

I'll be very interested in learning from your cutting in all those gunports. I'm a chicken about doing that. NIce build!

I've been researching gunport lids. It's all over the park. Some say they are removable and stowed. Some just flop down. Some are pulled up and some are like my Connie. One interesting thing I learned is they discovered if the cannons were pushed all the way out it gave a more stable ride in rough seas. That's why some lids have holes for the barrels.

As far as the lids go, I was just following orders. Now you all have me thinking. I'll do some research and also see what other choices I have and still have my model look good. My Admiral wants her displayed in my living room when I get her finished. 

I'll be watching your build with great interest. Good luck!

No idea? They probably hang all the way down.

Gunport lids going on. It's harder than I thought.

Very nice work!

Sam,

Constructo complained about my frequent request for missing parts. They say I should ask for all missing items at one time so they came post it just once. So, I asked them for an inventory sheet so I can count everything they have given me. There was NO inventory sheet in the kit. I just counted the main deck cannons and they're all there. But all the small rigging stuff is anybody's guess. I can't believe they only gave me enough stuff to build 64 lids when I need 104.

I'm cautious when it comes to the glue sticking. Also, she's going to get many coats of varnish and I left the sanding dust for the photo. I only removed a small strip. I made a test mount of a lid and it was so strong, I think I could hold the whole ship by that lid. Also, with my lousy carpentry skills, I have mastered the art of covering up boo boos.

I'm building a model of the USS Constitution and constantly marvel at its design. I showed a person the shape of her hull and how it was stream lined just like a missile.  It's no wonder she was fast. She's clean as a whistle and a pure fighting machine. There are even guns in the Captain's quarters.

I've read mixed reports about frigates going without gun lids. I'm going to add them to my Connie, though. Thanks for the reports on gunlids.

I've heard that many frigates went without lids on their gunports. I've made more than half the lids required, so I think I'll stick to the plan and install the ones I have. I'm sanding off the one coat of varnish so the glue will hold.

I've been struggling with the cosmetic repairs to my botched bow construction. It's coming slow but sure. It's still not up to what all of you build. All your stuff is crisp and clean.  I feel like mine is one big jury rig.

I'm almost finished with remodeling my work area. I expanded the work top by three feet. I added overhead lights and electrical plug by my bench. I took over a large closet for my quartermaster storage area. (I kicked out my grandkids stuff to another room). I bought a light retractable vacuum to make for easy cleanups and I will add a pull-out swivel since I am constantly rotating my model and I'm afraid one day I'll drop it. I made a work holding stand the let's me angle it in , upright or away from me. My wife put in a new very dark hardwood floor...and guess what? I have no trouble finding the tinyest part when I drop it.

I went to finish making the gunport covers and discovered Constructo didn't give enough wood and hinges to finish. It'll take at least two weeks for them to ship the stuff to me....Oh well....I'll find other work in the meantime.

Thanks for the support! I'll keep on truckin'. I've already started the cosmetic cover up.