USS Constitution by maturin52 - Model Shipways - 1/76

[maturin52]

I've ordered the cannons I need for the lower deck, as well as a couple of pedestals to use in building a stand. I've also order the Model Shipways set of paints for this ship. John at Model Expo has been a great help in getting these parts. Professionalism is always appreciated.

 

[maturin52]

The gun deck is in, and the gun deck cannon ports are framed. I've planked and painted the bulkheads and the first coat of varnish is on the deck itself. I've received the cannons I ordered and will be installing them over the next few days. Here's a couple of shots of the current state of affairs.

[maturin52]

Adding the partial gun deck has turned out to be a lot more work than what I anticipated going in, but I'm glad I've done the extra work. It's been an excellent chance to practice some techniques that will be valuable later. When the time comes to work on the spar deck, I'm going to have to make a few modifications to allow at least some visibility down to the lower deck.

[maturin52]

Well, I've been very slack in posting to this log. I have, however been reasonably diligent in working on my Connie. In the 2 months since I've posted here, I've managed to log an hour of shipyard time most days, except for a 3 week period when I was away in Nova Scotia, visiting family and breathing salt air. Having lived much of my life near the ocean, I miss it constantly.

In any case, the gun deck section is finished and I've been working at installing the bulkhead above the waterways, the t'gallant rail, and beginning to set up for the main rail. Planking the hull is rapidly approaching, and I am looking forward to it! Here are a few shots of where my model currently stands:

[maturin52]

Note that the filler that I put in to frame the spar deck gunports and to support the rail are just backing. There will be a layer of finish planking both inboard and outboard. I decided to fill the inner section completely to provide a consistant gluing surface and to prevent any gaps or hollows on the outer layer of plancks. I've been using 1/8" pieces of softwood that I purchased at a local hobby shop. I have been following the instructions and plans as closely as I can, with a lot of guidance from this site when the provided materials aren't clear.

[usedtosail]

Coming along nicely Maturin.

[maturin52]

Well, once again, I have been very bad at posting pictures to this site. Fortunately, my ship-modelling has been a little more disciplined. I've finished the gun deck, and roughed in the transom. I've been working (for months it seems) on planking the hull. The end is sight, of the basic planking, at least. Much detail work remains to be done, and I've been dreading trying to figure out how to construct the quarter-galleys. I've got some ideas, and have actually begun to rough out some structure with balsa wood that I can shape as needed, glue in place, then plank.

[maturin52]

As can be seen in the shots above, I've decided to go with the basic 5-window stern. I really want to build a ship with a balcony at the stern. I think my next build may well be HMS Surprise.

[maturin52]

I have been very bad about posting to this log. I have, fortunately been much better about continuing to work on my Connie. I have not taken any pictures recently, but I've been working on her most days. The current state of the build does not make for interesting photos since all I'm doing is painting and coppering the hull. I will try and get a picture or two posted in a day or so.

[maturin52]

As I mentioned, despite not posting on a timely basis, I have been continuing work in my model. I've found painting the hull (on coat #3 now) and coppering to be incredibly time consuming procedures, but progress is being made. Here are a couple of photo of her set up (temporarily) on her stand, as the Admiral was interested in my progress.

[maturin52]

I can't believe that it's been almost a year since I posted anything in this log. I've had some health issues, and we had a minor flood in the basement that shut down my workshop for a while, but my USS Constitution project is still very much alive and progressing. I've finished the hull, and the spar deck is planked. I was very unhappy with my first attempt at the stern gallery windows, so I ripped them and redid them. I'm currently working on fife rails, pin rails, cannonades, and all the other deck furniture that needs to be done before the masts go in and rigging begins. I'll try and get a few photos over the  next day or so, and get them posted. I know a few folks were following my build, so, rest assured, it's not one of those abandoned builds. I'm still kicking!

[maturin52]

It's coming up on a year and a half since I've posted any pictures! I'm determined to correct that situation, since my Connie project is still very much alive. I've moved my shipyard to a new room in my basement which gives a permanent home for all the paraphernalia that goes along with this hobby. The Admiral also gave me a nice flat-screen, which I've mounted on the wall and I have a laptop on my worktable dedicated to this project. Well, mostly it's dedicated to usedtosail's build log, which has become my go-to source for ideas and information. I've finished the hull and the decks, and (long project) all the cannons are installed and rigged. I was very unhappy with the stern gallery and its port and starboard projections, so I ripped them down and redid them. I'm happier now. I am now working on the bow, specifically the head-rails and the outboard gratings that go with them. Here a couple of not very good images. I'll try and post some more in the coming days. The main thing is, the USS Constitution is still alive and well in Missouri!

[usedtosail]

I am so glad you are back to work on her. You are doing a great job and thanks for the shout out.

[JeffT]

Good to see you back at it.

[maturin52]

Basically finished the head rail area, except for the "seats of ease" as Tom named them. They are built, but not painted and installed yet. The gratings in the bow area look kind of patch-worky (yes, that's a word) right now, but I am sure that will be less so when the furniture is installed and all the staining and painting is done. The dowel that is in the bowsprit position is simply a placeholder, nothing to do with the final part. It's good to be back making progress. Rigging and installing all those cannons seemed to take forever! I am not sure why there pictures are so huge. I've used the same resolution as in previous posts. I must investigate....

Edited April 19, 2020 by maturin52
picture size

[maturin52]

PS It was nice to see that free issue of the Nautical Research Journal. I especially enjoyed the article on the Canadian Navy's Corvettes. My dad served as a radio officer on Corvettes throughout WW2, and has guided me around the HMCS Sackville in Halifax.

[maturin52]

Still at it, finding a little time to work on her most days. I've finished the head area, added the ships wheel, took a stab at fabricating some rudimentary binnacles, installed the capstan (I wish hadn't painted it, but there ya are). Following Tom's sequence, which I've found to be eminently logical, I'm now looking at installing the dead-eyes, chain plate, etc. I spent a bit of time poring over pictures on build logs and google, and I think I've figured out how the process will work. It's long and will take a lot of time, but with some patience I know I'll get there. Once I get a few in place I'll snap some photos. Also will try and get a decent shot of the wheel and the capstan. Allons-y!

[maturin52]

March is here. Pandemic is STILL here. I work half an hour to an hour on my Constitution most days, but somehow I never find time to update this build log. The hull and decks are finished. The ships boats are built and installed, except for the 2 that will hang from davits. The masts are constructed, painted, and installed. The tops and cross-trees are in. Now the rigging begins! To those hardy folks who have followed my build, here a couple of pictures. I brought her up to the dining room to let the Admiral see that I really am making some use of the time I spend down in the basement. She gave me a flat-screen TV to install in the workroom, so it's easy to pass time down there.....

 

Edited March 1, 2021 by maturin52

[maturin52]

The ships boats are complete with oars, boathooks, and sails. I opted to leave the gratings off so the gundeck can be seen, since I put so much work into thoses mods.

[maturin52]

The main and mizzen tops can be seen here. I'm not crazy about the understructure, but I'm sure that much of it will be hidden by the ratlines and other rigging.

[maturin52]

Here are a couple of profile shots....

Edited March 1, 2021 by maturin52

[usedtosail]

She looks great. Nice job and have fun with the rigging. It was my favorite part.