USS Constitution by Texxn5 (John F) - FINISHED - Revell - PLASTIC - 1:96

[texxn5]

OK, guys, as promised I am setting up this build log well into the model. I originally started this model at age of 19 in college...it survived up until a few years ago and was destroyed by an ex during a divorce when she was about 80% finished....so restarted in 2009 and got to the point I'll show in pictures to be posted soon. Life changes caused a halt on modeling in 2010, and I moved to Costa Rica for a year in between. Thankfully, the Connie survived. So, now with a "new" life, I have started her again, and my new Fleet Commander actually likes ship models....so with that said, I am now restarting the Connie, as well as working on my newly acquired wood model, the C.W. Morgan, shown on a separate build log on this site, titles: "C.W. Morgan - by - Texxn5 JohnF - MS 1:64 Kit" for anyone interested. So, I have reformatted my camera to fit the proper size, and will post pictures tomorrow. Unfortunately for this build, I have no prior pictures even though I took pictures of every step...someone stole my laptop in Costa Rica, so I lost them all, including a log I started for myself...I had a backup external hard drive, but they got it too, so I lost all. So the best I can do is start here and go forward. The model is complete up to the Running Rigging. I have the Foremast pretty well done, and currently working on the Main Mast. All yards are done and ready to be hung, and I have the Mainyard hung with the Jeers done. I'll post current pictures tomorrow. Enjoy the ride, and hopefully I'll be finished soon so I can devote 100% to the Morgan.

 

 

11-5-14 Photographs of this build of the USS Constitution are featured on my website in the Gallery pages. My current build of the Charles W Morgan is also featured along with other model ship building information.

 

http://www.charleswmorganmodel.com

Edited November 5, 2014 by texxn5

[DSiemens]

I look forward to seeing the pictures.  The constitution has been on my list for a while I need to break down and build it.  

[texxn5]

This will be a new attempt to send a current picture of where I am with this restart of construction.

Edited April 18, 2013 by texxn5

[texxn5]

ok, trying again with new pictures....

[texxn5]

Well, that seems to have worked, so I guess I'm off and running...At this point, I've finished setting up the yards for mounting on the ship. Blocks, footropes and studding sail booms are attached to the yards. I've hung the Mainyard, run the Jeers, and now running the Leech and Bunt lines on the main mast. When I stopped working on her in 2010 I had finished most lines on the Foremast. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep showing progress as it occurs. I'll probably also be working on the Morgan at the same time.

[AndyMech]

This is looking very good; super impressive.  Thanks for sharing those photos.

 

Andy.

[texxn5]

Thanks Andy, I am following the directions for doing this, and wish I had changed a few things along the way, however, it is way too late now.  I would have tried to mix wood and plastic on this with a planked wood deck, and I would have used wire footrope  stirrups for a more scale look, also I should have painted the bulwarks green like on the real ship.  I've been on board her a few times, but lost my pictures, and since the instructions said to paint them white I did it that way.  I think you are ahead of me in your rigging, so I'll be referring to some of your pictures too.  I'll try to post a few more of where I'm at with this before I proceed.  Your model is quite impressive and I appreciate your pictures.....

[AndyMech]

I, too, am following the instructions, with slight deviations on paint color here and there.  With respect to the rigging, I'm pretty much following that to the letter.

 

I hope to make progress this weekend on the fore/aft running rigging, step 6.  I plan to start with the bowsprit.  I've also skipped for now the sheet and tack lines (step 4) as I feel they may get in the way as I try to access the pinrails.  I'll add them in later.

 

I have noticed that step 6, part G calls for 2 eyebolts on the rear deck that don't seem to exist (nor do holes for them).  I guess I'll need to drill holes - not sure if you've noticed this yet or not.

 

Good to see someone at approximately the same state I'm at, solving the same problems.

 

Andy.

[texxn5]

No, I hadn't seen that yet, I'm not that far along yet, but it would probably be easier to drill now rather than later.  Let me know when you do this and I'll do the same.  I also think that I would possibly have gone to the trouble to drill out and replace the all of the belaying pins with brass ones that would make it much more substantial as well as make it easier to rig.  Probably a lot of work, but also might have been worth it.  Same goes with the eyebolts - I think they would be stronger and would have eliminated much profanity along the way.... 

[DSiemens]

Wow very nice!  I take it with the original destroyed you had to scratch build the yard arms.  

[texxn5]

No Daniel, the entire ship wash completely destroyed....like a small pile of garbage consisting of plastic fragments and wadded up string...couldn't even make a diarama of a wreck out of her...revenge of the witch...So I started completely over with a new kit...with the other winding up in Davy Jones' Locker....

[texxn5]

Here's a few more pictures of current status:

[DSiemens]

Oh yikes!  That makes for a bad day to say the least.  

[JPett]

Ahoy Tex

 

You do nice work

 

She's a looker

[texxn5]

Yeah Daniel, not a good day.....she also took out a 90% completed Revell Cutty Sark not a good day at all.....divorces can get nasty....

[texxn5]

Thanks JP, cudos appreciated...

[themadchemist]

Nice Conny Tex, shame about the 1st, but looks like it hasn't stopped you.

 

Oh, and Dan V has a great tutorial on adding your ship build inks to your sig. Now that you have 2 and its also so others seeing you post elsewhere know where your ships are

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/760-how-to-add-a-build-log-link-to-your-signature/

[texxn5]

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out right now.

[texxn5]

I'm not sure I got it right, but I did get something.  It looks different from your link, so I will probably go back to see what I missed.... thanks for the info

[themadchemist]

you got them typed in but didn't link them looks like, also you can change color and font. That greys hard to see

[texxn5]

Thanks Keith, I'll revisit the site in a little bit to figure out where I missed it...

[JPett]

Ahoy Tex

 

It is best to also "link" the two different builds. Then when you post in other logs anybody can just click on either one to come to that log.

 

Here's how

 

Click in the address bar while on the first page of your build. The address should should turn blue. Hold the "Ctrl" key and press the "C" key. Then edit your signature. Put the cursor at the end of the ship name and again hold down the "Ctrl" key but press the "V" key to paste it. Then press the enter key to make it a link. It should turn blue and be underlined.

 

If you already knew how to control copy/paste "sorry". I just like to cover the bases

Edited April 18, 2013 by JPett

[themadchemist]

LOL, now that ole' school hot keyin' cut and pasting JPett, you probably use DOS also.

My wife makes fun of me for using hot keys, she's just mad because she doesn't remember them. I had all the greek letters hot keyed when I was doing my thesis.... ah, memories....

[JPett]

Ahoy Kieth

 

"Lol" My kids only know how to type with their thumbs.  

[themadchemist]

I know what you mean, I still have a flip phone and dont text. I once had a student complain, I wish there was an easier way then all this typing, that was before QWERTY keys on mobiles were common. I laughed and said "ITS A PHONE, CALL"

 

Hey, did you ever talk to Buck (with the french polished whaleboat). That would look sweet on your Chris Craft. The outer planking on it turned out great. Or have you started coating her already? I need to check your log.

 

Sorry for hijacking your log Tex.

[texxn5]

Hey, keep it up.....keeps me entertained....lol

[texxn5]

OK, today (in between watching the events in Boston - so sad)....worked on Connie so I could work inside, finished running Mainyard Lifts, knocked off the Standing Rigging Backstays on the Main....quite a bit of foul language practiced...made repairs from big fingers, and hung the Main Topsail Yard....things should move quicker after these have been done....and I don't knock anything else loose....lol...I can laugh now that it's back together...at least progress is progressing...I think. Here's a couple of more pictures.

[DSiemens]

Wow that's awesome.  Great work!!

[texxn5]

Thanks Daniel...I'm trying...

[slagoon]

Sorry to hear about all the misfortune, but I'm glad you are able to persevere.  Keep up the nice work.