Mercdaddy27

I've started this kit and i hope my planking comes out s good as yours!!!

Excellent Job!!!!!

Great Start!!!!

How did you compensate fro the additional thickness of adding planking over the the kit provided decking?

Hi Hans

I did send you a message 

perhaps you didn't get it

I will send it to your email

Thanks for getting back to me

Mercdaddy27

Thanks ccoyle for your response and info!!

Good day fellow modelers.. I'm searching for my next project and I am considering de Zeven Provencien by Kolderstok.

Is anyone familiar with their product, quality, etc.. I have noticed only one build log, that of the Batavia..  Quality looks good overall.  But I would like those knowledgeable in this hobby to give their opinion and expert advice. 

Any information would be greatly appreciated..

Mercdaddy27  

Nice to see this build and so far you are doing a real good job!

I've started this build and will continue to follow your progress with interest.

Continue the good work!

Mercdaddy27

Past builds: Model Shipways USS CONSTITUTION; Mantua"s SAN FELIPE; Mamoli's FRIESLAND; Corel's VICTORY; Model Shipways SYREN

Current builds: Model Shipways USS ESSEX; USS CONSTITUTION cross section

Just started following your post Mark.  Outstanding working!  Thanks for sharing!

Mercdaddy

Past Projects: Corel's HSM Victory; Mamoli's Friesland; Mantua's San Felipe;  Model Shipways USS Constitution;  Model Shipways USS Syren; 

Current Project: Model Shipways USF Essex

Future Project: Researching for one

I would certainly be open to meet and discuss this kit since I'm probably 20 -30 minutes from you. As far as doing a item by item comparison, I believe that is unnecessary since the updates have been well document in this thread.

Mercdaddy

Past builds: Core's Victory, Mamoli's Friesland, Mantua's San Felipe, Model Shipways, USS Constitution

Current Build: Model Shipway's USS Syren

Future Build: Model Shipway's USF ESSEX

I received my ESSEX kit from ME last month(See previous posts this topic), and the parts list had a date of 5/21/2015.  To my knowledge, ME did not update the drawings nor the packaging.  My box had a 2013 date on it.

Hope this helps.

Mercdaddy

Past Builds: Corel"s Victory, Mamoli's Friesland, Mantua's San Felipe, Model Shipway's USS Constitution

Current Build: Model Shipway's USS Syren

Future Build: Model Shipway's USF ESSEX

Received the new manual a couple of days ago.

Being an old Engineer, did a line by line check with the old manual.

Basically, ME removed all reference to the lower deck construction, updated a couple incorrect figure references, a little better description of the stern/window construction,  and a couple of grammatical changes.

Certainly with the Bob's build log either manual will work well.

Mercdaddy

Past builds:  Corel's Victory, Mamoli's Friesland, Mantua's San Felipe,  Model Shipways USS Constitution

Current Project; USS Syren

Future Project: USF ESSEX

Excited to start following this log from the start!

Mercdaddy

Past Builds: Corel's Victory, Mamoli's Friesland, Mantua's San Felipe, Model Shipways USS Constitution

Current Project:  Model Shipways USS Syren

Future Project: USF ESSEX

I was notified by ME that I have a new modified kit, even though I have the old Instruction Manual, original drawings (which I knew they did not update) .

ME also said they eliminated the modifications for the bulkhead former and BH's 6, 10 and 15 to show the lower deck since they are incorrect.  Simple enough to do myself.  Expecting a new manual soon.  Let the fun start.

Mercdaddy

Past Builds: Corel's Victory, Mamoli's Friesland, Mantua's San Felipe, Model Shipways USS Constitution

Current Project: USS Syren

Future Project: USF ESSEX

Thank you Bob for taking us on an awesome journey.

Your log is inspiring and your talent is something to be proud of.

Congratulations !!!!

Mercdaddy

Past Builds: Corel's Victory, Mamoli"s Friesland, Mantua's San Felipe, Model Shipways USS Constitution

Current Project:  Model Shipways USS Syren

Future Project: USF ESSEX

Thanks Bob

Reviewing your log has made me aware of many of the pitfalls.

Look forward to using your log as a guide to help as I get going.

You have certainly build a high end / museum quality piece!!!!

Mercdaddy

Past builds:  Corel's Victory, Mamoli's Friesland, Mantua's San Felipe,  Model Shipways USS Constitution

Current Project: USS Syren

Future Project: USF ESSEX

Update on my previous post:

I received my ESSEX kit from ME yesterday. After going through it I concluded the following:

The Instruction Manual is the old one written by Sam

I believe the drawings are the originals .  They are dated 2013 and have an interesting comment.  The BH drawings are for reference only. If there is a discrepancy in the actual BH's vs. the drawings the actual are correct.

Quality of the wood pieces; Bulk Head Former, BH's etc.. are very good.  Parts list is dated 5/21/2015

The Britannia Castings, Brass and miscellaneous parts are good to very good.  The figure head is usable with a little work. The only poor piece is the Lantern.

I have asked ME for an updated Instruction Manual

It appears that ME has address some of the quality issues discussed earlier.  I look forward to seeing if my conclusions are correct.

Mercdaddy

Past builds: Corel's Victory, Mamoli's Friesland, Model Shipways USS Constitution, Mantua's San Felipe

Current Project; Model Shipways USS Syren

Future Project:  Model Shipways USF ESSEX

FYI:  ME currently has this kit on sale for $249.99 and no shipping.

Talked to John and he "assured" me that most of the issues have been resolved.

For that price I figured with the help of the modelers on this site I can handle any challenges that may arise. So I bought it.

Mercdaddy

Past builds: Corel's Victory, Mamoli's Friesland., Model Shipways USS Constitution, Mantua's San Felipe

Current Project:  USS Syren 

Bob

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Mercdaddy

Previous builds: Corel's Victory,  Mamoli's Friesland,  Mantua's San Felipe,  Model Shipways USS Constitution

Current Build:  Model Shipway's Syren

Came across your build log as I was gathering data for my next build.  Allow me to add my congratulations to an exceptional build!

I have a question.  Does any member know if ME has improved /made corrections to this kit.  They are offering it for $200 less and it certainly deserves consideration at that price.  Appreciate any feedback and again congratulations on a phenomenal build..

Mercdaddy27

Previous builds:  Corel's Victory , Mamoli's  Friesland, ,  Mantua's San Felipe.  Model Shipways USS Constitution

 Current Project: Model Shipway's USS Syren

Super detail Bob!

I too had the privilege of a "private tour" of Connie a couple of years ago thanks to a friend who is a retired Rear Admiral.  I was able to take dozens of photos that updated Bob Hunts Practicum ( which s tremendous) .  I would caution following it to the letter.  I did and regret installing the netting when he addressed it in his flow.  I occasionally damaged it while working on interior details. A couple of minor other changes I would make, though I could not have build the Constitution without it and the great work you and fellow modelers have done  

Thanks for sharing!

Mercdaddy

Current Build: Model Shipways USS Constitution

Past builds: Mamoli's Friesland ; Mantua's San Felipe

Welcome back Bob

Looking forward to you starting up again

Mercdaddy

Current Build: Model Shipways USS Constitution

Past builds:  Mamoli Fresland,  Mantua's San Felipe

Thanks Bob

I have tried to minimize handling and contacting the tape.  I use the paper backing to press it down now and that has seem to help some.

any other ideas would be appreciated.

Mercdaddy

Current Build:  Model Shipways USS Constitution

Past Builds"  Mamoli's Friesland ,  Mantua's San Felipe

Bob I have a question on your coppering the hull of your Connie.

I have almost complete belt one on the Starboard side and I notice that a few of my plates tend to curl up slightly. Even after I press them back down, some of those curl again.

Have you or any of the other modelers experience this and /or have a recommended solution?

Continue the pictures, they are awesome.

Gerry

Current build: Model Shipways USS Constitution

Past Builds: Mamoli Friesland,  Pan Art San Felipe

Congratulation on an excellent job Bob.   

Awesome work Bob.  Will definely use your "tutorial" as I now start my coppering of my Connie.

You are making it look so easy.

Mercdaddy

Current build: Model Shipways USS Constitiution

Previous builds:  Mantua's San felipe

                           Mamoli's Friesland

Great Job Bob. I certainly will follow your process when I get to this "difficult" step.  Your making it look easy. Thanks for all the detailed pics and comments, tips.  It helps in understaniding the thought process and makes it easier to build a quality model. Safe travels to Japan.  

Mercdaddy

Current Build: Model Shipways USS Constitution

Previous Builds: Friesland, San Felipe