USS Constitution by Jasseji - Mamoli - 1:93 - CROSS-SECTION - First Wooden Ship build

[Jasseji]

Hello again folks,

After several moves from country to country during the last couple years, i finally settled with my Family in Germany and i decided to get back on track with my Revell Connie.

I have a 2-year-old Boy now so need to prepare, 2 more years and he will help me with next projects

 

However to my shock i found the original box damaged, masts broken, decks warped as from heat exposure, several pieces missing etc. only the Hull pieces have survived intact - this got me thinking about kit-bashing, semi-scratch-building her from wood around the existing Hull but for now i lack the tools for a complete scratch build, hence the decision to go with the Mamoli Cross-Section.

 

I've got my hands on some Mamoli plans a few years ago and after calculating the cost of tools needed to build from scratch, i decided to order the kit from Dusek Ship Kits aware of the fact that a few parts will need to be replaced.

 

So while waiting for UPS Delivery, here is the Overall plan:

1. Mast only to the Fighting Top with standing rigging and Ratlines - as she would look with rest of mast removed (also to reduce height of Display case)

2. Possibly Main Yard rigged too but i am thinking "prepared to be pulled up"

3. Rest of mast pieces lying in front in display case

4. Some sailors perhaps preparing to raise the Yard

 

After looking through all the build logs, i found already what needs to be replaced:

- Rigging Blocks (Caldercraft as i cant find Syren in Europe)

- Pumps (no idea which manufacturer yet)

- Cannonballs (Caldercraft - i got them for the Revell Connie originally)

- RB Model Barrels

- Mantua Buckets (at least the small ones)

 

And propably many more things which will need to be added/Replaced.

 

So, waiting for the Package i have purchased JD already as the Instructions say

 

Cheers and hope to have a chance to finish this one.

 

 

[Jasseji]

Ok, so the Box Arrived, here are my findings during Unboxing:

PROS/Nice Things:

- The Rigging Blocks/Deadeyes, Barrels and big buckets are of a better quality than i saw in the previous Mamoli kits, replacement doesnt seem neccessary

- Laser Quality seems fine to me, some discoloring exists but only on parts which will not be visible or need to be painted over 

- New designed spacers for the frames - there is a single crossbeam with cutouts now connecting the frames 

- Deck beams are supplied already bent - no more gluing and bending to shape

- Redesigned plans and sheet with explanation of all numbering of the Laser-Cuts  

 

The biggest CON/Problem/Issue is although:

- There are new Plans, however the Description is copied 1 to 1 from the Old Mamoli Plans - there is no corelation between original Mamoli Part Numbers and new Dusek Numbers (i.e. Mamoli Keel is Part number 2, Dusek is glued from 2x Part 12)

 

Basically, the Kit is redesigned, but the Plans (Especially the Description) are taken from the old Mamoli

 

I hope i will be able to put it together using the Original Plans.

 

Overall, New Parts Very Good, New Plans Need work.

 

OH, and Jack Daniels is not on the Cover anymore !!!!!

 

Some Pics here:

Edited June 22, 2018 by Jasseji

[Jasseji]

Oh, and here is the plan for the Framing, Simpler than the original (no more small spacers between Frames, just a single element to hold all frames together):

 

[Jasseji]

The frame is coming together, there are a few errors in the Kit but Daniel Dusek agreed to fix them.

 

Sanding needs to be done of course 

 

 

 

 

[Jasseji]

Today's Progress. It's going faster and smoother as i expected

 

- Frames Cleaned and glued (only waiting for Daniel to replace the external short rib)

- Started Planking the Outside, as i plan to paint the Hull black by Airbrush (and would mess up the internals).

- Progress until bottom of Wales, even The Admiral lent a hand with file and sandpaper.

 

We are trying to decide if to paint her at all, what you guys think (it wouldnt be the Connie then, but this model is not historically accurate anyway)

[Jasseji]

Admiralty is getting herself dirty (voluntarily) with sanding, hence more progress.

 

Starboard outside planked and some rows of copper plating added (yes, the kit doesnt come now with these weird greenish tiles anymore, just self-adhesive copper strips).

 

Also started planking inside of Hold (planked until the deck beam Supports).

Port framing is still only Dry-fit.

 

More Sanding, we decided to paint her after all but by brush (so after gundeck is ready - long time still)

[Jasseji]

Slower Progress now (other hobbies to follow too :P) but steady.

 

- Hold Planked and Planks trimmed

- Deck Supports Glued in and started planking

- Forgot Support Knees but will fit them soon

- mast Step Glued in (proper position i think)

- Got a few Cannons From Caldercraft so putting one together now, they are a bit longer (2mm) than the ones in the kit but should do fine

- Test paint of Carriage with Acrylic Miniature Paints

 

Last pic my tools, i think i need to get proper model tools

 

 

[Jasseji]

Finished one of the Caldercraft Cannons

 

[Jasseji]

So for today's Progress.

 

- Hold is ready (supports and knees added)

- Lower Deck Planked and Sanded, then painted again with second layer of watered down Glue, waiting to dry for second sanding

- Outside Hull Painted 

 

For future Reference, this is my Planking process:

- Glue Planks

- paint with watered down glue

- File to remove roughness

- Rough Sandpaper 

- Watered down PVA Glue without dusting off - to force the sawdust into cracks and openings

- Sand with lighter paper

 

Also, i did an attempt to stain the wood in the Hold, i used Acrylic Miniatures Ink - the effect is bad but luckily it's the Hold...

[Jasseji]

Current Status.

 

Lower Deck Finished

Drilled mast hole (alignment looks perfect)

Hatch and ladder done

Barrels and one Chest glued

Buckets glued

 

Mast Test-Fit

 

[Jasseji]

AAARGH i again forgot the Knees !!!

 

will have to remove everything and redo the alignment - crap

[Jasseji]

Had to remove all the barrels, Sand the deck again and place the gundeck knees, but now seems ok, i think i didnt forget anything else

[Jasseji]

So many views and not a single reply ??

 

Is it that bad ?

 

Anyway, here the Progress

[Jasseji]

One Cannon Ready to Fire.

 

i had to squeeze the rigging a bit, otherwise the tackles for the guns close to the edge wouldnt have space

 

 

[Jasseji]

Tiny bit of progress - finished the outer hull and started coppering, i am waiting for Gratings and more Cannon barrels to be delivered.

 

The Carronades are a kitbash from Mamoli Carriages and Caldercraft Barrels

[James H]

Nice to see this being built. Always fancied doing a cross section, and this appears to be coming along real nice.

[Jasseji]

38 minutes ago, James H said:

Nice to see this being built. Always fancied doing a cross section, and this appears to be coming along real nice.

Thanks James, i appear to be on a good track to finish this at least up to the Weather Deck,  will see about the Mast&Rigging

[James H]

At least you only have one mast! 🤣

[Jasseji]

6 minutes ago, James H said:

At least you only have one mast! 🤣

indeed, but that makes the model (even with display-case) totally unstable - imo too tall, so IF i do the mast, i will only do it up to the top and MAYBE add the Main Yard.

 

I have another project in view, this was just a warmup

[Jasseji]

So, no more excuses putting it off, Gratings and Cannon Barrels arrived from RBModel today:

I dont like the Pumps supplied with the kit, hence i decided to put Gratings in their place (also to accomodate Shot racks)

 

[Jasseji]

First Grating in place of Pumps and one cannon re-rigged.

Opinions please !!!

Also i am wondering, should i attach the inhaul tackle ?

 

As logic and experience with guns dictates (i am a Re-Enactor dealing with artillery, 17th century and Napoleonic Eras) the inhaul tackle would get entangled during normal operation with recoil, and i would personally only attach it when i really need to pull the gun in (misfire, firing aborted, need to close gunports due to weather etc.)

 

I saw a discussion somewhere on this but cant find the topic now

 

[Jasseji]

Gratings ready, cannon Carriages glued and prepared for painting

[puckotred]

It looks great! Have you decided what to do with the mast? I would do only the lower mast. It's just a piece of the ship so why not do a piece of the mast as well?

 

On the Götheborg the inhaul tackle was not attached when we fired the cannons....

[Jasseji]

2 minutes ago, puckotred said:

It looks great! Have you decided what to do with the mast? I would do only the lower mast. It's just a piece of the ship so why not do a piece of the mast as well?

 

On the Götheborg the inhaul tackle was not attached when we fired the cannons....

yes, we did the same during a re-enactment in Danzig, the Tackle was once used during a misfire (well, tackle-ish thing)

 

I did not plan to do the full mast, i am still deciding if to do the full lower mast or just a cut section.

These are the options i am thinking about:

1. Lower mast with Top, Shrouds, futtocks, main yard (or cut section of main yard)

2. Only lower mast without top and no shrouds

3. half of lower mast with some reinforcement rings 

[Jasseji]

Although i do not really like how some things turned out, i made few mistakes which i cannot correct now without dismantling the Gundeck, i am determined to finish the decks though but i am already looking forward to make another cross-section (the Triton especially) and i hope next week i can start a full POB Build (depending if i can get the frames by then)

[Viggen]

Looking good!

I have been curious about what Dusek would do with their aquired Mamoli range. Looks like what the have done they have done well - but they have more to do (plans/instructions). 

I think I would have done option 1 or 3 - or maybe option 1 without the yard. 

[puckotred]

Option 1 without the yard, yes.

[Jasseji]

19 minutes ago, puckotred said:

Option 1 without the yard, yes.

yes, anyone would love that

[Jasseji]

Rigging Cannons...

[Jasseji]

BTW, never ever 1:93 or similar scale...