USS Constitution by DCooper - Revell - 1/96 - PLASTIC

[DCooper]

I started this kit last year to rekindle the fun I had as a young teen building this kit in the mid 70's.  I usually build 1/32 scale aircraft and 1/6th figures and I apologise ahead of time for any howling mistakes I make with history or nautical practice.  I have been inspired by the many great builds on this forum.  Much of what I have done I have shamelessly borrowed from others here and for that I thank you all.

 

The build so far, State of play;

 

 

 

Not much to look at but a bit done to get this far.

 

I wanted to thicken the hull sides so used what I had read in Force9's log to add styrene to the inner hull.  While I'm at it I have added some styrene rod bolts  as well.  There should be many more but I had to trade off accuracy for sanity.

 

 

 

The gun deck was joined and re-scribed as per Force9 and I reworked the gratings as on my kit they where a mess.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First gunport on the bow was filled and made good.

 

 

 

A start has been made on the main armament.  I'm trying my hand at resin casting the barrels so I don't have to clean all those seams.

 

 

 

( I notice that I have some more details to add to these as I need to add some more eyebolts and a other bits.)

 

This last photo is where I'm working now.  I want to finish the bolts and internal structure on the gun deck so I can install same and get the rest of the hull together.

 

Thanks for stopping in for a look and as always constructive criticism is always appreciated.

 

Dan 

 

[DCooper]

Progress;

 

I have finished the internals for one side of the hull and got some paint work started.

 

 

 

 

 

I pushed the shadows a bit hard as I thought that they would get lost once the deck is in place.  This is what I was after with the deck just set in place.

 

 

 

Started some other little bits and now need to buckle down and do all this again on the other side of the hull.

 

I want to get the eyebolts in for the gun rigging and work some more on the gun deck.  Getting that installed is my main goal right now.

 

Thanks for looking.

 

Dan

Edited May 28, 2013 by DCooper

[John Paul Jones]

Looks good so far.  I'll be starting a build of the Sea Witch by Lindberg in 1:96 scale, for the same reson as you, to get that old feeling back.  I'll be watching your build because after the Sea Witch, I have the Constitution waiting in the wings.

[DCooper]

Thank you for your encouraging comments JPJ.  I'll be watching out for your build log.  1/96th seems a nice scale to work in.  Large enough to see some nice details but small enough to not take up too much display space.  Not to mention I can see the parts and my fumble fingers aren't chasing tiny little slivers of plastic all about.

 

Progress;

 

 

 

 

Just blocking in colours and starting to get some shading started.  No doubt I'll have to do a heap of touch ups as I go along due to all the handling the hull will get during construction.  It's nice to get a sense of what the ship will look like in the end.  I have opted for a 1812 post yellow ochre painted stripe colour scheme.  I'm not 100 percent sure this is all right but it does look good to my eye.  I have also gone with removable gun port lids rather than the kits hinged lids.  Once again not sure this is right but looks like the contemporary paintings that I've seen.  I am going to stay with only black, white, green, red and yellow ochre as the only colours.  Raw wood will be in differing shades of brown/grey.

 

I have been working on the hull internals and working out how to put some kind of supports for mounting pedestals.  Need to purchase some blocks to rig the main guns and pins for the belaying rails.  lots of fun so far and it's such a nice size kit to work on.

 

My wife was super nice to me and while out antique shopping picked up a second Constitution kit for $40!!!  Who knows how long it sat in a musty old antique shop but it is complete and unstarted.  I'm a pretty lucky guy to have a wife that both likes and supports my hobby.

 

Thanks for stopping in for a look.

 

Dan

[mathewp]

She's looking good Dan your painting looks spot on, it sounds like you struck gold with your wife, mine hasn't bought me one yet. 

[texxn5]

Nice start.  I'll be following your log.  I like your color scheme.

John

[DCooper]

mathewp & John-- Thank you both for you comments, glad you like what i'm doing.

 

Progress, sort of...

 

While putting in the gun deck I have managed to leave some nasty gaps.  I didn't take enough care in working out how the hull thickening I did would effect the fit of the gun deck parts.

 

 

(This is the good side.)

 

After kicking myself for my stupidity I got to thinking how I was going to fill those gaps and not mess up the deck proper.  Enter the smallest caulking gun I could make from bits on hand.

 

 

I had bought this small syringe at a local shop on a whim not having any idea how it might come in handy.  Filled with Valejo plastic putty it acts just like a tiny caulking gun to squirt the putty into the gap.  A damp cotton bud wiped away most of the excess.  Not a perfect fix but better than nothing.

 

 

I have started to paint in some shadow on the two bays on the right and it will look okay once tarted up.  I have started to put in the eyebolts for the gun rigging using the cut off ends of the smallest fish hooks I could find.  Cheap a 95 cents for 20.

 

I should have taken much more care when I thickened up the hull but sometimes you learn as you go along.

 

Thanks for looking in.

 

Dan

[lambsbk]

I agree with John. The color changes are nice. Keep up the good work on detail. It will be worth it.

[maso]

Dan, I like your build cradle. I might borrow your idea for my next build.

 

Dave

[lambsbk]

That second kit will come in very useful. The first time I needed it was early in my build when I LOST a bulkhead in the gallery! I know it is cliché but I am convinced the dog ate it.

 

It is also nice to experiment on one and work the build with the other (not to mention the extra rigging line which I understand can run a little short sometimes.)

 

Good luck.

 

BTW: the canon detail is very nice.

[DCooper]

Progress;

 

 

Painting the hull goes on apace but I've started to mess about with the cannon.  Feeling my way through and learning as I go.  If I ever get this ship finished the next will be way easier.  I'm pretty sure none of this will be seen on the finished model but at least if I stuff up now it won't show too badly.  

I've cobbled together a little work station to seize the ends of the breaching line.  

 

 

I have elected to go with two pieces so I can thread it through the loops on the side of the carriages.  I think the next ones I do will join below the end of the canon to better hide the joint.  All the eyelets are cut down fish hooks which are nice and bronze coloured so blend in better.

 

Maso-- Glad you like the cradle but I did it that way because I had those bits to hand.  I use something similar with my large scale planes.  I wish I could figure out some way of clamping the hull to the cradle at times.  At least the kit isn't just sitting on the bench top.

 

lambsbk-- I hear you.  My 'best friend' a big tomcat named Smudge is banded because he likes to 'help' too much and is no respecter of the no cats ON the workbench policy.

 

Thanks for looking in.

 

Dan

[texxn5]

I like your detail as well as the colors you are using.  this is much more detail than I included.  I felt you couldn't see it so I wanted to spend my time where it was visible.  I like what you are doing, and when I started building mine, this forum wasn't available so I never even thought about this kind of build.  Very good, I look forward to the results.

[texxn5]

By the way, I love the deck planks.

[Marcus.K.]

Great work !

Very interesting building log - I am looking forward to see more of it !

[DCooper]

Progress;

 

 

Decided to play about with some blocks.  I tried out the 3/32 ones I purchased overseas but they were too small for my fumble fingers and didn't work with the kit line.  Had some time this morning so trekked out to beautiful hobby shop and bought some proper line, some 5mm blocks and brass pins.  The 5mm blocks turned out to be a bit too big but the bigger size allowed me to get a start.  I have chopped approx 1mm off the length of these blocks ( should have bought some 4mm and 3mm blocks to play with...).  The finish here is rough and very naive but I can get in some much needed practice before I have to work in more exposed areas.  Equal parts fun and frustration, but I'm beginning to get some idea of what not to do.  The new better line is a joy to work with but I think I will need to experiment with waxing it as it is a bit fuzzy.  I both line in sizes from 0.1 to 1.5 mm and boy what a difference having the different sizes to work with makes.  I can see that I'll be replacing all of the line from the kit.

 

I'm learning that it is much faster to do batches of parts one step at a time rather than hand finish each part one at a time.

 

The pins may be a touch too big as well but look much better than the moulded ones from the kit.  Learning fast that what I think looks scale isn't necessarily so.

 

texxn5-- Thank you for your encouraging comments.  I'm learning more and more from this forum everyday.  Scary how little knowledge I have of sailing ships.  I very much like to paint and hopefully I won't tart the ship up too much.  Great to see completed kits to get a sense of just how beautiful they can be.

 

Marcus.K--I'm heartened you like my little efforts.  I hope to keep this going in the right direction.  I have had so much help from the folks on this forum already.

 

Thanks to all for dropping in for a look.

[lambsbk]

Dan: I too found that it is easier when modifying all those canons to work them in groups of steps. It is good to see your progress.

[DCooper]

Progress;

 

 

Not having the funds for overseas shipping of the Bluejacket photo etch sheet I thought I'd break out the styrene and have a bash.  Not all that accurate but once painted very dark grey and shaded it will at least give a presence of the stove being there.  The flue has been left long so that I can cut it down to fit the upper deck.

 

I have the Marquardt book of plans so I'm thinking of putting in the riding bits as I think you could see them through the gun ports.  I'll slap on some paint tonight and see if I have any hefty sized styrene for the bits.

 

Thanks for looking in.

 

Dan

 

Added some paint.

 

Edited June 16, 2013 by DCooper

[lambsbk]

Not bad Dan. I too have been thinking of how to attach the galley funnel to the stove. I'm not there yet. After I attach the guns then riding bitts will be made. It is nice to see your progress.

[historyguysteve]

Dan

   Awesome job so far. I think the galley stove really turned out- makes me want to rip my attempt out and try it again(too bad the weather deck is already installed). On the gun tackle for the cannon consider going down to the local hobby center and stopping in the costume jewelry department. There are some really small glass/plastic beads molded in brown or black that are great simulation for the relativly small blocks associated with gun tackle. If you manage to get the right ones they can be rigged convincingly, even tying the lashings around the outside diameter rather than through the 'sheave'. .

   I wish I had seen your build before I began my USS United States variant of the revell kit. 

   thanks for posting

   steve

Edited June 17, 2013 by historyguysteve

[DCooper]

lambsbk-- There are so many little details I want to add but I feel I am going to have to begin to simplify things that won't been seen directly or I'll never finish.  I was working on the stove and realised that I'd spent three hours messing about with adding details that would never be seen by anyone once the upper deck was put on.  Still it will be a nice big black hulk in the right place.

 

Steve-- Thanks!  I did try out a similar idea at first but I wanted to try out ideas on how to rig some blocks before I use those tiny 3/32 inch blocks on the cannonades.  So much that is different in building ships as opposed to the planes I usually build.  The build so far has been fun and very rewarding. I am learning a lot from looking about and trying new techniques.  Thanks again for your encouraging comments.

 

Dan

[lambsbk]

Dan- it is a good point. I have added lanterns on the gun deck and I am not certain at this point what will actually be seen - plus I am just having fun with the details. Like you I it seems progress is a bit slow on my build too. I don't remember the last time I referenced the actual Revell directions! Your ship is looking good. I like the brick detail.

 

The plans are internet based on the Connie (Naval Museum I think - BUT they are more modern on the refit. The bitts position was the only thing I trusted on them since the rider bitts have changed to cable bitts.

[DCooper]

Progress;

 

Aft riding bit

 

 

Insitu,

 

 

Not much progress for a days work but then I build slowly.  I'm working on the fore bit now and it should go quicker now I know what I'm doing.

 

I've started to paint the copper plating on the hull.  Looks way shiny now but I'll add some washes to tone it down.

 

Thanks for looking in.

 

Dan

[DCooper]

progress;

 

 

Mr Color copper with multiple washes of Flory weathering wash and watercolours.

 

 

I've started to work on more of the trim and I have a question.  If the broad stripe was repainted in yellow to confuse the British would the other trim remain white?  Or was it yellow as well? My first thought was that it would remain white but I keep seeing it in different combinations.  Thanks for any light you might shine on this.

 

Dan

[lambsbk]

Dan:

 

Nice effect on the weathering. It looks like just the right amount to preserve some of the copper sheen as well.

 

I don't know about the color scheme but I understand your dilemma. What is the reference you are currently using?

 

Dave

[dafi]

Nice work, and lovely to see a yellow version :-)

 

Daniel

[Force9]

Hello Dan...

 

The color scheme is controversial - it all depends on perspective and source...  I will eschew the limited written records and instead use the Corne paintings for guidance.  They clearly show a yellow stripe with the rest of the hull trim in white - suggesting that the crew did the minimum needed to assume a British guise while leaving the rest of the white livery intact:

 

 

Nobody can gainsay you either way... I would strongly urge you to avoid gold/gilt trim - that was not done in the War of 1812 navy (and probably not ever done!).

 

Your ship is looking terrific.

EG

[texxn5]

Looking very good. 

[DCooper]

Progress; (Sort of...)

 

 

 

You know when you keep trying to get a certain look to something and it just doesn't work out no matter what you try?  Well that's what's happening with me and these darn rear windows.  I've tried a bunch of different ideas and in desperation I thought I would just paint the inside of my frosty Micro Crystal Clear hatchet job and be done with it.

 

It looks like kack.  I am contemplating my next move which is to rip this all out and use some clear plastic from a CD case and some tiny Evergreen styrene strips to make clear replacement windows.  Sigh, such is modelling.

 

On a happier note I have been going around the hull and painting bits with some success.

 

 

Some work done on some more cannon and bits and bobs but nothing too much as the windows are giving me fits right now.

 

Dave, Daniel and Texxn-- Thanks for the support and encouragement. There are times I want to just smack the hull with a large hammer.

 

Evan-- Thanks for the research and photos you have been providing.  They have been invaluable in getting a handle on what I would like to build.  I'm trying to make something pleasing to the eye and accurate to 1812.  I'm pleased you think my work is a long the right path.

 

Thanks for stopping by for a look.

 

Dan 

[lambsbk]

Dan -

 

Don't be frustrated by the windows. Take a few days to just think about it. Usually the cluttered thoughts clear away eventually leaving a workable solution.

 

The head area looks good.

 

Dave

Edited August 4, 2013 by lambsbk

[DCooper]

Thanks Dave I took you advise and had a go tonight at replacing the windows with some 2.5mm thick clear plastic.

 

 

I had to do each window a few times to get them to fit as well as they do.  I think I could have done this better if I had tackled it before joining the hull halves as it is hard to get to the back side of the windows now.

 

The bars are just painted on but look okay in this scale.  I'll have to see how well they hold up to handling but worst case I just repaint them at the end.

 

Think they look better now and I'm not going to keep beating myself up about them.  Model building is supposed to be fun, not drudgery

 

Thanks for looking in.

 

DAn