USS Constitution by KurtH - FINISHED - BlueJacket Shipcrafters - 1/96 - First wood model kit

[KurtH]

Gripes installed.  The straps are made from black construction paper.  I did not use the rings from Model Expo because they were too small and the next size up was too big.  These are the same rings I used as breeching rings on the 24 pounder guns on the gun deck.  I have lost track of where I got them.

Now to rig the main braces.  I will also attempt to hang the flag which will add a dash of color.  Whether or not I use it will depend on being able to make it hang in a realistic fashion.

Edited February 15, 2023 by KHauptfuehrer

[KurtH]

Main braces rigged.

Now to see if I can hang the flag in a realistic manner rather than just stick it on.

[KurtH]

Flag installed.

This completes the model (!!!!!!).

Now my attention turns to finalizing the display starting with the cradle.  I would like to do this in mahogany to match the base board.  Let's see how it comes out.  Worst case scenario- I am unable to improve on what I have, in which case, I will paint the current cradle black.  We shall see.  More posts to come.

[schooner]

Amazing build!!!  Although there are some other period kits available with stunning details, building them mainly consists of glueing and painting without anywhere near the amount of fabrication and scratch building needed to pull this off. Well Done and thanks for putting the build log together.

Edited February 18, 2023 by schooner

[KurtH]

Thank you so much Tim!

[mort stoll]

Well done sailor, very well done.

[usedtosail]

That is a very nice build KH! You should be very proud of your efforts. I am sure you will be able to make a nice mahogany cradle.

[KurtH]

Thanks so much gentlemen!  Your kind words mean a great deal to me!  Once the cradle is done, I will wrap up the build log and start work on my gallery photos.

Edited February 21, 2023 by KHauptfuehrer

[MrBlueJacket]

Good job! Your customer file now shows a 10% discount on the next kit you buy from us.

 

Nic

[KurtH]

Thank you so much Nic!

[KurtH]

I have completed and varnished the display cradle, and have finished and varnished the base board.   I modeled it after some cradles I saw in Keith Julier's books on modeling techiques.

This will be my last build log post.  I understand that all shots of the completed model belong in the gallery which I will begin work on shortly.

 

I began this build in 2007, 16 years ago!  There are two reasons it took this long.  One reason is that this is a very challenging build, and I had never tried the majority of tasks required.  It was therefore a matter of learning skills as I went rather than applying skills already mastered.  The other reason was that I needed to take months at a time off during the year to pursue my audio-video jobs.  In view of the fact that this is a challenging build, and that I was a novice in most respects when I began, it is not surprising that the errors and flaws in my model are legion.  Nonetheless, I am happy with the overall appearance of the model.  Actually, I think I deserve an "A" for persistence if nothing else, and I am patting myself on the back just for having finished it.

 

I would like to express my great appreciation for the encouragement in the form of comments and "likes" and advice I have received from other MSW members.  MSW is truly a mutually supportive and collegial group of model enthusiasts.  I would also like to thank Nic and the folks at Bluejacket who have been a delight to work with, and prompt in sending me all those little items I bought one at a time because I could not always forsee my needs.  I also benefitted greatly from the availability of fine rope from Chuck at Syren.

 

Edited March 10, 2023 by KHauptfuehrer

[mort stoll]

Well done sailor, very well done.

[KurtH]

Thanks Mort!  I appreciate your constant support throughout this project starting from before I joined MSW.

[Avi]

Quite a beauty, Commodore. 

[KurtH]

Thank you so much!  I will be following your very fine build with great interest.

Edited March 22, 2023 by KHauptfuehrer

[DomFischli]

Hi 
Really nice Modell you built here! Congrats!

Got a question for you...
I'm just in the final stage of finishing my amati endeavour build but sadly a drop of CA glue dropped on the final painted hull... now i can see you are using a lot of CA debonder. Do you think i can use that on my painted and varnished hull to remove the shiny glue?

[Blue Ensign]

I am impressed by your build Kurt, more so by  the difficulties of creating a 1:96 scale build out of a solid hull. That it is your first venture into wooden ship modelling make it even more so.

You have produced a fine model of which you should be  justly proud.

 

Well done.👏

 

B.E.

[MrBlueJacket]

On 2/27/2024 at 9:53 AM, DomFischli said:

Hi 
Really nice Modell you built here! Congrats!

Got a question for you...
I'm just in the final stage of finishing my amati endeavour build but sadly a drop of CA glue dropped on the final painted hull... now i can see you are using a lot of CA debonder. Do you think i can use that on my painted and varnished hull to remove the shiny glue?

Is your hull shiny or dull? If dull, then a coat of flat clear will hide the shiny glue, but not the bump. Perhaps some careful sanding will help. I would worry about debonder, try it on a prepared piece of scrap first.

 

Nic

[KurtH]

I have only just now checked on my build log and found some new and most rewarding comments!

Thank you Dom Fischli for your kind words.  I have found that debonder does a good job of diluting the CA although I have not tried it in quite the same situation that you describe.

 

Thank you Blue Ensign for your compliments.  I have spent a great deal of time looking at your builds and have the greatest admiration for your work as do many other modelers.  Your comments mean a great deal to me!  Incidentally, I plan to add lodging knees to the quarter deck scantlings to my Sphinx build in much the same way that you did.  I can only aspire to do as well.

Edited August 28 by KurtH

[Geoff Matson]

Nice job

[KurtH]

Thank you Geoff. I greatly appreciate the compliment!  I have just looked at your build.  Wow!!!

Edited April 11 by KurtH