USS Constitution by bthoe – Model Shipways – Scale 1:76.8 – 1812 era

[bthoe]

Last weekend, I visited Boston for the first time ever.  Well, actually, it was just the cab ride from the airport to Charlestown and back that I went through Boston.  We spent 3 days in Charlestown, just a few blocks from Constitution, and all I did was spend time on and around the ship and in the museum.  I liken it to being a kid in a candy store, not knowing what to do first! 

Although masting and rigging are quite a long way away for me, I was disappointed that Constitution wasn't fully masted, sparred, and rigged until I noticed masts and spars on the ground between the ship and drydock.  I took many photos of them from angles that I never would have seen had they been where I was expecting them to be. 

Anyway, I'd be happy to share what I have with any of you.  It was a real thrill to see the "real thing" up close for the first time.  I hope you all have the chance to see it sometime.

 

My best,

 

[GGibson]

Oh, dang.  That would be a bit disappointing to get there and see that the masts and rigging had been removed for work!  Were you able to tour on the ship and the various decks, anyways?  Definitely need to put a Boston trip on my must-do list before I start my own Constitution build! 

[Unegawahya]

If you are wanting an excellent visual resources you can go to the Google 360 tour from 2015. I’ve been using this ever since I started my gun deck!

 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/NskVHXQRjakqPvuTA?g_st=im

[bthoe]

Thanks for the likes folks, and I promise that you will see more photos as I get to detailing those particular areas.  In the meantime, if you are interested in anything in particular, just ask - I'd be happy to share anything I have.

 

Hi Gregg,

 

It wasn't all bad about the masts and spars - I did get a LOT of details on them because they were on the ground that I could have never seen way up in the air.

 

Yes, the ship was open.  As a modeler, I was disappointed that some of the areas were roped off on the Gun Deck, like the bow area.  I had hoped to get details of the hawse holes the bitts, and the pathway of the anchor rope.  I know that I want to do things differently than as it is now, as it is set up for anchor chain rather than rope.  I'll need to rely more on drawings, and online photos/videos.

 

As for the captain's/admiral's area in the stern, it would have been nice to have access to get more details of the inner galleries, bedrooms, and stern area where I'll have windows.   Again, I'll need to rely on others' photos/videos and drawings for inspiration.  

 

On the Spar Deck, the entire main hatchway was battened down (covered by canvas),  I had hoped to see more details of joinery, etc.  I was able to see it from below, but my view area was restricted due to deck support spars.  I suppose I could have laid down on the deck and shot upwards, but the ship had other visitors as well 😉.

 

Seriously, it was a thrill to even be there, and there was a lot to see.  I likened it earlier to a kid in a candy shop - it's like you have a preset idea of things you want to detail, and it goes out the window when you see it in person! .

 

Hi Unegawahya,

Yes, I have for SURE seen that 3D site, and it's great.  However, sometimes what you are most interested in seeing is in border areas of images or wasn't detailed at all.   I don't mean to sound ungrateful for what is there, because there's a LOT.  But I find myself thinking, "gee I wish they got X from a different angle/better detail". 

Edited September 11, 2024 by bthoe

[JSGerson]

I have approximately 25,500 images of the ship from the very earliest in 1857 to the present showing all kinds of detail from multiple angles and multiple sources (public & private) that I have collected since about 2014. Should you or anyone else need a image showing particular detail, there is a good chance I may have it. Just ask.

 

Jon

[bthoe]

As someone else recently mentioned Jon, you ARE the answer man!!

 

[JSGerson]

Hey, I'm a life long 77 year old bachelor with no one to answer to except myself and the cat, so I've got time to gather stuff and organize it for easy retrieval. I try to share the wealth.

 

Jon

[Dziadeczek]

Edited September 11, 2024 by Dziadeczek

[bthoe]

Thank you Dziadeczek!  That will be helpful for later -- I have to get the hull planked first!  I'll let you all know when I get around to detailing the Gun Deck.

 

Best,

 

[bthoe]

Hi all, it's been a productive weekend.  I planked Starboard and Port sides 8 forward strakes from bulkhead N to bow, and stair-stepped forward one on each subsequent strake.

 

Now I need to figure out the stern at the counter!  

[bthoe]

So here is the tool I came up with in order to clamp planks at the counter, and also get around the sternpost.  I needed something to hold the wet planks in place while they were drying.

Anyway, you get the idea.  It worked really well.  Here it is doing the next belt.

I finished off that belt and continued up the sternpost.  Here is where things are now.  I can see that there will be a lot of sanding/filling ahead of me later, but overall I'm pleased.  Hoping to finish the planking this weekend!

 

 

[bthoe]

Thanks for the likes folks!  Well, I made it half-way on the port side, didn't even touch the starboard side last weekend.  Now that I'm getting close to finishing, I find myself re-checking measurements to make sure it all ends well.  I take comfort in knowing that the area I'm working on will be covered in copper, but still I want it to work out right.  Have a great week!

[Der Alte Rentner]

Very nice planking at the stern.  I found that to be much more difficult than the area at the stem. It seems as if your experience was the opposite of mine?

[bthoe]

Yeah, in the harsh light the bow area really looks pretty bad in the above, but it is smoothing out ok - I'm taking sandpaper to it little by little when I'm not working on the planks.  And don't be fooled - the stern also needs much loving attention with sanding.  Overall shape is looking good, and hoping for a minimum amount of filler, if any. I hope to get back to the shipyard either tonight or tomorrow to close up the hull.

[Der Alte Rentner]

On 9/11/2024 at 4:50 PM, bthoe said:

Thank you Dziadeczek!  That will be helpful for later -- I have to get the hull planked first!  I'll let you all know when I get around to detailing the Gun Deck.

 

Best,

 

 

Hey, Dziadeczek,  Got any photos of the stern as well?  Especially the galleries and transom?  That would be helpful for me now.  😁

Thanks

Peter 

[bthoe]

Hi Peter,  I can help with the stern and galleries, because when I recently visited I was particularly interested in that as well.  By the way, I think you are doing great on your galleries!  Sometimes we have to reinvent things half a dozen times to get it right.  I hope these help:

 

 

Edited October 14, 2024 by bthoe

[Geoff Matson]

Thanks for the pictures. They sure show a lot of detail

[bthoe]

Hi Geoff,

That's intentional - I wanted to detail those things that I have yet to work on, which is pretty much everything!  I'm a long way away from masting/rigging but will be watching your build for hints.

[Der Alte Rentner]

I too thank you very much for the detailed photos. I continue to work on the galleries, and I'm getting close to. I'm finding styrene very nice to work with, but I fear that if I use it, I'll be forced to paint instead of stain.  

 

Your detailed photos are a great help in fine tuning the construction of the windows.  I built the first styrene today.  Sadly, it resulted in a proof of concept rather than the finished product. I'm getting close though.

 

Thanks again.

 

 

[bthoe]

You're most welcome, Peter.

[kmart]

Bthoe,   

Just stumbled onto you log.   (A bit late to as your been working on it a few years now)

Your build it looking good!   Will follow along as you progress. 

I'm also building ME  Connie as well. (My interpretation of 1812 version)    My build log is out there. 

Best 

KMart

[bthoe]

HI all,

Just a quick update to let you know that the planking has been finished, and I'm working on cleaning it all up (filling where needed, smoothing it all out).  I'll be providing photos shortly.  The Holiday season shut down the shipyard for a while, and it took a bit of self-goading to get things back in operation.  Since this isn't the first time it's been like this, I'm guessing it will be the norm.  During Thanksgiving and Christmas, there were just too many little ones running around to be safe with sharp tools and a fragile ship lying about, so it all goes into the basement where it will be safe.  Anyway, she's back out and I am working on her.  It looks a lot better than I had expected, given my little experience.  I give a lot of credit to all you experienced modelers out there who provide your wisdom to us newbies!  Thanks a lot!!

 

Hi @kmart, welcome to the build.  I like your "my interpretation of 1812 version", as it gives us leeway to interpret things as we see fit and not toss and turn all night long worrying about how to do things "absolutely right".  I was in that boat for quite a while at the start of things and am a bit more relaxed about it now.  I get more sleep this way .

 

Best to you all for 2025!  I'll be checking into all of your build logs to see where you all are.

 

[bthoe]

Well, I promised photos - here we go.  First off, I purchased BlueJacket Constitution Manual and Plan set because it focuses on 1812 version of Constitution.

I appreciate all of the historical information provided within the covers, and the plans as well.

 

And here's proof that I have completed planking:

[bthoe]

I liked how things turned out, but it was obvious that there was need for some filling of low spots, etc.  So I applied a layer of filler

I was hoping that this wasn't a huge mistake, but it was too late at this point.  Once dry, I began sanding, and sanding, and sanding.

[bthoe]

After a week of sanding during the evenings, here are the results (after sealing and steel wooling):

 

I was very pleased with the results - remember, I'm a relative newbie to this.

 

 

 

[bthoe]

Next step, getting ready for the dreaded quarter galleries.

 

[bthoe]

I decided to detail the interior of the quarter galleries somewhat, knowing visiblity will be somewhat limited.  Initial measurements indicated that the floor would rest on the top of the fairing block.  I made the fairing block from a laminate of three 1/8" sheets of basswood, and the bottom block from a laminate of two 1/8" sheets of basswod.  The laminates were to simulate planks - not sure it made much difference, but it's there.  I then used my rotary tool with a sanding drum to shape the blocks, and in the case of the "bottom block", I hollowed it out to make a wall (see photo below). 

 

First, the fairing block installed 

Next, the floor attached.  Also, the roof block attached.

Next, the Captain's (or is it Commodore's?) head.

And finally a lamp.  Although out of scale, it gave it a little more to look at.  Also the "bottom block" has been attached forming the outside wall.

Edited 10 hours ago by bthoe

[bthoe]

Next came framing for the windows.  I decided to see whether or not I could make the MS laser cut windows work here, and so first created a template for the opening.

For now, I'll leave the windows out.  I have decided at least for now that I won't be glazing the windows on either the quarter galleries or stern so that there is a better view through them, but until I put the windows in place that decision can change any number of times .

 

Then laid it out on paper with measurements of the windows.

Next, I overlaid the windows to see what it looked like.

And went ahead with framing.  All along the way, I double-checked to make sure the windows fit.  I didn't get a pic of the finished last window framed until it was painted.

Near disaster hit when I was doing the port side - the forward-most window broke off at the bottom.  But I managed to find all of the pieces, and glue them all together.  It's still pretty fragile, but will do to get it into place.

 

 

Edited 9 hours ago by bthoe

[bthoe]

Finally, I drilled holes for port lights and scuppers.

Here they are installed and the paint extended to below the waterline:

I used the MS scuppers rather than create my own, so they are closed, which is ok by me.  It just means that they aren't forced open by escaping water.

 

This gets me up to date.  Now I can figure out if I should:

             1.  Copper the bottom

             2.  Detail the outsides of Qtr Galleries and Stern

             3.  Add the head rails

             4.  Something Else?

For those of you who are beyond these, which did you choose, or which do you wish you would have done first?

 

Thanks,

Edited 9 hours ago by bthoe

[JSGerson]

You made great progress especially on the windows openings. The window frames provided by the kit are not true to shape as they are distorted based on the foreshortened view from the side of the ship. This is why most of us had a problem using them and resorting to trying to fabricating them. I had so-so results. Looking forward to your future posts.

 

One minor note, I appears your port holes are a little proud of the hull. They should be flush to the hull with only their "eyebrows" protruding. But I'm a detail nitpicker and unless one is aware of this fact nobody will notice or care.

 

Jon