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

[texxn5]

Hi Daniel, yes, the end is in sight.....a lot of little stuff to do once the Mizzen is finished.  It should move pretty quick compared to the Main... then comes the base.  I'm going to mount her on a larger walnut base, and I don't want to have to drive in to Houston to get the wood.  I'm about an hour out of town.  I'm debating whether to mount her on the small brass pedestals or using walnut wood strips to look like a drydock.   Open to any suggestions on this as I'm not there yet...

[texxn5]

Thank you Sjors, your kind words are very insuring. Glad you liked the pictures. I live on a lake, and it gets difficult to get a good background shot that shows the masts very well. My work table faces out to the water, so I can enjoy the lake and build my ships.

[lambsbk]

I found your link after all. I am looking forward to following your completion of this build. I am sorry you had to do a rebuild. I had a similar experience but my first Connie was the victim of my aunt's spring cleaning (thinking I lost interest in completing the model). Alas.

[themadchemist]

Looking good Tex. I've found the unusual methods of mounting the ship interesting. I think it was PopJack that mounted the Mare Nostrum on a rock, which I thought was an interesting stand. Whatever you decide, she gonna look great, as she all ready does.

Keep the vaccuums away to at least 15 feet.

[ScottRC]

Lookin great Tex.  I am also working on this kit and am about finished with the standing rig then will start on the yards.  Thanks for the pics. pretty motivational.

 

Scott

[ScottRC]

Thank you Sjors, your kind words are very insuring. Glad you liked the pictures. I live on a lake, and it gets difficult to get a good background shot that shows the masts very well. My work table faces out to the water, so I can enjoy the lake and build my ships.

That would be my dream place to build. To be able to look out at the water.  At present I have to build in my basement.  Not to complain mind you, it is a very nice shop, just a little dark for my tastes.  Then again, I just picture myself in below decks.

[texxn5]

Thanks Keith, I'm still working on trying to figure out how to mount her (no pun intended), I'm starting to explore options on that issue. No vacuums anywhere close to it.....

[texxn5]

Hi Scott, yes, I really enjoy looking out over the water and building my ships.  I also have a table just outside on the deck, where I'll be doing most of my "dirty" wood working such as sanding or sawing.  The weather almost permits that now.  Welcome aboard, the Conny is nearing completion and I'm ready to begin the Morgan.

[texxn5]

By the way Scott, do you have a build log on your Constitution?

[ScottRC]

No, just a few pics from later in the build that survived from an earlier HD crash.  This is the earliest pic I have and need to take some updated pics.  I have been doing so much experimentation with this kit such painting and rigging that I was hesitent about a build log. 

 

I'll be keeping an eye on your Morgan build.  Looks fun!

[texxn5]

Looks good.....keep it up...you should start a build log from where you are at, and we can see how it progresses. That's what I had to do on this one since my laptop was stolen and I lost my pictures. Thanks for the picture.

John

[ScottRC]

Thanks, I hope to get pics ready over the weekend to set up a build log.  However it is getting busy for me at work,  It would be nice to see both our kits progress through the rigging process together.

 

Scott

[texxn5]

Setting up the build log really isn't that hard.  Naming it is the most important, and there are instructions as to how to do it.   It's a learning curve like everything else, but it isn't too bad.  I'm quite a bit further along than you, I think.  I was following AndyMech's build, and he is further along than I am.  He is almost finished, and I wouldn't be surprised if he finishes this weekend.  It has really been helpful, when I have questions.  I'm going to be through rigging the masts and yards this weekend, and be into the Braces, and other rigging then.  My log here started at the Main Mast.  I was completed up through the Standing Rigging, and the Foremast Running Rigging when this log began.  I might have to slow down some "Admiral's Orders" she wants me to build her a Widow's Walk ----- can't neglect The Admiral -- Capn's Mast and serious brig time can result......

[texxn5]

I have finished rigging the Running Rigging to the Mizzenmast, now all masts are done, Step 1, 2, 3, and 5, skipping step 4 for now. I'll update some pictures next. The Admiral tooks some construction pictures...so just ignore the ole Geezer working on it....Looks like I'm only going to get 1 on here, the files are too big on her camera....

Edited April 27, 2013 by texxn5

[texxn5]

Well, here are some more pictures bringing this current....

[texxn5]

Here's a couple of more, now ready to move on to the next step, #6 the Fore and Aft Running Rigging....these are for you Sjors...enjoy......

[russ]

Your rigging looks like it is coming along fine. Nice work.

 

Russ

[texxn5]

Thanks Russ....we're movin along....

[themadchemist]

Thats a great candid shot. I hate posed photo's. The glow of the bright light in the dark room, you can feel the focus. A photo like that would be great for the calender in my opinion.

 

Tell the Admiral, NICE camera work. A++.

 

and on the widows walk. You'll love it.

I live in IL (but grew up a Navy brat, east coast) and 5 years back we put uptop a 16' x 30' walk/deck. The neighbours dont get it but oh well. Around here its good for storm watching. I love being up there and having to lean into the wind

[texxn5]

Thanks Keith, I'll pass on the cudos to her.  As for the Widow's Walk, that was a joke, in that she's beginning to feel like a Sailor's Widow since I'm all involved in shipbuilding....lol...wish we had one as it would look out over the lake....also we have a 1 story house... 

[themadchemist]

We have a 1 story also, but who cares! Actually we had a small 2nd story room added with an inner staircase so NOW its a 2 story. The deck also has an exterior staircase, the dogs love going up there, they can see the whole neighbourhood.

I'm tellin yea it's nice on a beautiful evening to sit back up there and watch the sun go down. Its also a great place to watch meteor showers in sleeping bags. I wanted to put a crows nest up on top of the room but the Admiral said no to that. She wouldn't let me put a slide from the roof to the pool either. Oh well, I can't hardly make it up the stairs anymore anyway.

[Sjors]

Thanks Texx       

 

She's a fine looking build!

 

[texxn5]

Thank you Sjors, I hope I'll be able to do the same when it comes to wood....

John

[texxn5]

Keith, I thought I was the only one that watched meteor showers that way....lol

[Sjors]

John,

 

You can do this also with wood!

I have faith in you 

With all the help from your friends on this forum it can not goes wrong!

 

[lambsbk]

Ah...great job John. Nice to see those pics. I, as you know from my log, am at least a year behind you and Andy. Keep those pics coming.

[texxn5]

Thanks lambsk, I will keep posting pictures until and after I finish the last string.  Hang in there, it is possible to finish this thing.....lol.....time and patience...

John

[texxn5]

Not that much done over the weekend, did manage to finish the Fore and Aft Running Rigging, through Step E, leaving F and G until after the braces in Step 7 are mostly completed. Using AndyMech's suggestion since it gets real congested after the Spanker Gaff and spanker Boom are rigged. Might as well keep those out of the way until I get to that area after the Braces are run. I made a Pre Rigged set of Blocks for Step#3 under Notes: on the Step 6 of the instructions. I measured the lines, cut them to length, ran them through the blocks then ran the entire thing through the opening on the Fighting platform for the Main Mast. See photos. Then tied them off in their proper locations on the Foremast, with the exception of leaving them "dangling" on the Main Mast until the Braces are installed----then I'll tie them off when they won't be in the way. I hope this makes sense to anyone following along. I think you'll see what I'm talking about when you get to these stages. So now I'm off to Braces....

John

[texxn5]

A couple of more pictures should clarify the pre rigged blocks and lines

[texxn5]

Here's a couple more....