First Class Sloop of War Constellation by Jerry Todd - 1:36 scale - Radio

[Jparsley]

I am so amazed you've done this project I am in awe of all the techniques and technical innovation you've placed in her great job can't wait to see her sail in her full glory

[JerryTodd]

Baltimore's PortFest is May 18th - I'm going just to see that "six-foot sailing model of USS Constellation!"

 

[Omega1234]

Hi Jerry

 

I hope that we get to 'see' what you see of the Constellation in the water. Pics perhaps???

 

Good luck with the exhibition and I hope everyone walks away justifiablly impressed!

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

[captainbob]

You may have been late with the cat-heads but you made it fit very well.

 

Bob

[JerryTodd]

I'm pretty good with cats actually, Bob. We'll see how I do with dogs when I get to the capstan.   That's a-pawling isn't it? 

 

Pat, there will be pictures, and probably some video too.

 

This morning was spent making the starboard cathead.  Seven layers were cut from 1/16" bass sheet, three of those cut short to allow for the sheave slots.  The short layers were glued to long layers as well as walnut dowel sheaves, and the bass end pieces from the cut-off portions.

 

 

Again the hull was pierced to make a socket for a cathead.  The position marked; precut with a knife to keep the glass from tearing out; then successively larger holes drilled.  The final hole was squared by roto-tool with a burr on a flex-extension and a lot of knife and file work.  There's about 1-1/2 inches inside the hull and a little over 2 inches exposed.

 

 

Knees were made from oak and glued to the cathead, though the cathead isn't attached to the hull as yet.  Everything will be epoxied in place and pinned with brass rod; any gaps filled, and all painted black and white.

 

 

[dgbot]

Your coming right along.

David B

[JerryTodd]

Yesterday I did some filling and paint touch-up, and began bending sails.  Today I began jury rigging.  So far the two tops'ls are up. 

 

Last time I did this event the sails were lifting the coarse yards, this time I ran the tops'l sheets down to deck to act as a down-haul and prevent that from happening this time.

 

The fore-topmast-stays'l and the jib are up minus their sheets.  I'll probably set the outer or flying jib as well.  Because of the added sails, I'll be rigging rudimentary shrouds and stays especially for the t'gallant poles.

 

The top masts are lowered so the garage door won't hit them - just in case.  Once the sails are on I'll take a few pics outside

[dgbot]

What are you using for your sails and are you going to tint them any?

David B

[mtaylor]

That is one impressive model, Jerry.   I'm wishing I could come to Baltimore to see her sail.

[JerryTodd]

What are you using for your sails and are you going to tint them any?

David B

See: This Post in this thread

[JerryTodd]

Not the best image, but the first of her with t'gallants up.  This is pretty much what she'll be wearing to the ball next weekend.

 

[Omega1234]

Nice!

[JerryTodd]

Worked a bit on getting the mechanics and electronics into her.  Mounted the on/off switch under the skylight.  The wires that ran from the switch charging lead harness to the servo try and Rx were cut to make the harness separate from the servo rig using a two prong plug, but the "crimp-on" connectors slipped right off as soon as I tried to separate the plug - so some time was spent trying to find the soldering iron.

 

Tomorrow will be a drag everything in the shop out onto the driveway day and get this feces sorted or die trying.  If that's the case, BTW, I won't be posting pictures.

 

 

[mtaylor]

Let us hope that no builder gets hurt or killed in the sorting out of the "stuff".... I shudder to think about the amount of paperwork that would need to be filled out.   You're tougher than she is...

[JerryTodd]

Well, saying out loud that I intended to do something outside was a mistake.  The entity that always ensures it will be cloudy whenever there's an astronomical event I want to see, apparently made sure it would rain today, so I couldn't move the garage/shop contents outside to bring some order to my chaos.

Edited May 12, 2015 by JerryTodd

[lambsbk]

I think that is a written law some place Jerry.

[JerryTodd]

Cut some 1/2" by 1" strips from a plank of balsa I have kicking about and began capping off the port side hammock rails.

 

       

[JerryTodd]

Got the port hammock rail caps in place with a first coat of paint.  Getting the electronics in order and took a few "glamor" pics

 

 

 

 

 

[mtaylor]

Looking sharp, Jerry.  I got my fingers crossed that all goes well with weather and ship this weekend.

[JerryTodd]

Last year it was gusting and the wind was bouncing off everything, including the Savannah, which we were right along side of.  Everything on Constellation seemed to work itself loose.  A few weeks later at St Michaels, everything went much better, though the wind was still fluky and variable.

 

So this year, I'm not too worried with "at the event" as much as getting TO the event in good order.  If it's to strong, too shallow, etc, then she'll sit on the table or get "anchored" for folks to look at.

 

 

[mtaylor]

Wise man... very wise.  

[captainbob]

Hope everything goes well, we all want to see pictures of her in the water with sails full.

 

Bob

[JerryTodd]

Worked long and hard on getting her rigged with stays, braces, and sheets.  Tomorrow is adjusting it all, touching up paint, and rebuilding her cradle to allow the ballast tube to sit on it - making attaching and unattaching it much easier.

 

     

[Omega1234]

Hi Jerry

 

I can almost feel the water calling! Good luck with the exhibition and I hope all goes well.

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

[JerryTodd]

Here's some pics from Baltimore's Port Expo for National Maritime Day.  Constellation and Pride of Baltimore both went.  Most of the pics show Costellation with no more ballast than her bolt on torpedo because the pool was still too shallow.  Later I added about 12 pounds of lead shot in baggies inside which brought her down to within 1/2 inch of her LWL.  Not a lot of sailing done - she needs and likes room to stretch out - especially under her keel.

 

  Gratuitous stuffed into the van shot.

 

Set up on the table.  We were in the main tent with the other exhibitors this year.

 

 

The pool was at the end of the pier, more clear of Savannah and her interference with the wind.  The pools not very big, or really deep enough for a model like Constellation, but she looked nice on the water anyway.

 

               

 

Even Pride got a little swim.

 

 

I combined all the "sailing" video from the event:

  Edited January 12, 2017 by JerryTodd

[JerryTodd]

Last year and this year

 

[mtaylor]

She looks very much at home in the water, Jerry. 

[captainbob]

Looks like a good time was had by all.

 

Bob

[JerryTodd]

I had a couple of people ask if I took commissions - whatever that means.  I took some Damn Yankee Workshop cards along - we'll see if something comes of it.  Last year someone was bubbling over wanting to write an article for some local magazine - never heard from them either.

[Omega1234]

Last year and this year

Dscf0305.jpg con20150517a.jpg

Hi Jerry

 

That's a very nice before and after pic which clearly shows the progress made over the past year.

 

I have to say that wow, she looks nice on the water. If I were you, I'd have been very tempted to take her out of the pool and set her free on the harbour. Now, that'd be a real sight to see!

 

Well done

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

Edited May 19, 2015 by Omega1234