CaptainSteve

Great to see you back on deck, CapnHarv !!!

Looks like the FakeCaptainsClub is alive and well.

Bob's back !!!!

Jay,

I'm definitely gunna be watching this build continue. Keep the pics and extremely helpful tips coming !!

My model came in last week in the same box.  It is probably more cost effective.  If it were a european kit we might be sunk with out the reference photos on the box, but MS does a good job on the plans.  More useful are the insights from builders like you!

Thanks for posting your build!

Thanks Keelie ...

But I consider myself a lowly apprentice wood-hacker. I'm only trying to follow in the footsteps of people like Bob (BRiddoch), Jay (modeler12) and Jeff (helmsman).

Today was dedicated to a final check and sanding of all keel and bulk-head pieces. They now fit together beautifully !!

As I have to move house within the next few weeks, I do not wish to glue these together for now. So, it's back into the kit with them for the time being.

Next steps will be studying the plans to position my false lower gun-decks and building these to fit. I will also start working on the coamings and some stairs leading down from the spar-deck to the false gun-deck.

Stay Tuned ...

These are the LEDs and battery-pack for the lighting which I am planning to install. The LEDs are yellow and only approx 3mm long. The lights will most likely be installed in the transom and side galleries, as well as on false gun-decks which I will have to build.

The wiring will go down thru the keel, running into one of the pedestal supports in the display base. Some creative modelling will be required to disguise the switch and battery pack (ammo-dump, anyone ??).

Whilst buying the lights, one electronics "guru" suggested that a small circuit board could be installed inside the hull to make the LEDs flicker randomly - just like candle-light !! I have done some research into this and hope to have the hardware in a couple of weeks.

Bulkhead pieces have now been faired and bevelled ...

I cut cardboard formers for each bulkhead and used these to transfer the reference lines.

I did manage to get my hands on one detailed "practicum" for the USS Constitution (Hull only - gotta pay if I want the rest !!).

One point I thought noteworthy was the suggestion to have the marked side of the aft bulkheads facing in the opposite direction.  

This takes advantage of the natural "fault" with laser-cut parts and uses the slight angle on the edges to assist with the fairing. 

Stem and stern-post have been tapered. The plans call for the stem to be rounded at the front. I realise that a cap piece will be fitted over this piece later on, so have opted to only round the edges for now ...

Taking my lead from another Connie builder on the old MSW (RIP !!!), I wish to strengthen and straighten the false keel. I have routed a channel along both sides of the keel-pieces. Two pieces of left-over planking will be glued into these channels.

The groove on the port side (not shown) is 2cm lower than the one in this picture ... 

Those with a keen eye may spot a couple of new lines horizontally along the keel-pieces ...

Keel-piece halves glued together; reference, bulkhead and rabbet lines all marked.

OK. Let's give this thing another shot.

I'd been hanging around this fantastic site for about 4 weeks whilst awaiting the arrival of my ModelShipways USS Constitution. During this time, I discovered MSW (now MSW2.0).

I was blown-away by the beauty of the ships and quality of workmanship produced by the members on this site. Yes, yes - go ahead and take a collective bow. You all deserve it !!

Whilst I am not a complete "newb" to modelling, having done two kits to date, many of the techniques employed by you guys and gals were largely unknown to me. Up til a month ago, I had no idea that "bearding lines", "garboard strakes" or "rabbets" even existed.

My two builds so far are berthed with two of my brothers. CaptainPete commands the HMS Victory (launched June 2006), and the Apostol Felipe is under the capable watch of CaptainPaul. It has been two years since the launch of the Apostol Felipe. Through a combination of work, life-in-general and indecision, it has taken this long before I finally settled on the USS Constitution for my third brother, CaptainDen. I tend to choose my builds based upon to whom they will be going.

I look forward to this journey, and actively welcome any hints, tips, advice whenever I require it. I will try to post as many pics as possible as I go.

I do have a few "kit-bashes" which I plan to incorporate into my build:

                             - All sails rigged as furled.

                             - 1812 version with 6-window configuration at stern. Painted white outline. Side galleries also black w/ white outlines.

                             - Deck hatches open and left askew, where leading via ladders to partial lower gun-decks.

                             - Flags installed as per modeler12 method.

                             - [OPTION] LED candles for lower-deck/gallery lighting. Wiring thru pedestal holes in keel.
 

My "Connie" kit finally arrived a few days back ....