USS Constitution by Hipexec - FINISHED - Constructo - 1:82

[HIPEXEC]

Just finished framing lower gunports on the port side. Now they need cleanup. Then I'll start on the starboard side. Then I'll tackle that oversized stern piece.

[HIPEXEC]

I finally finished framing all gunports port & starboard. What a tedious job. I've included a picture of the array of tools to cut, square and glue in place those tiny pieces of wood. Now I've got to sand and fill those all in to give them a finished look. 

[augie]

A lot of what we do is repetitive --- it's an occupational hazard.  Just relax and don't forget to sit back and admire what you've done when it's completed.

[HIPEXEC]

Well I finally glued on the stern piece. The lack of detailed plans as to how to construct the rest of that aft cabin structure is maddening. Constructo gave me eight pieces of very hard plywood to glue in place and then carve into shape (with no details of exactly what that shape should be). I'd wreck my hull trying that after gluing them in place.  I think I'll get some balsa blocks and carve my own shapes ( before gluing) after studying many pics of the Constitution. The pre-cut stern piece provided by Constructo seems historically accurate. At least that's a good beginning.

[HIPEXEC]

I'll be trying to solve the riddle of making the aft castles for quite a while. The plans are too vague and the provided parts do not seem to be the right size. I've scoured most of the USS Constitution builds and found Bob Riddoch's photos will help me much more than Constructos instructions. Thanks Bob!

[src]

Rich,

I am going to be watching this part closely. If I ever get my carriages finished that is next on my to do list.

Sam

[HIPEXEC]

I feel like Michaelangelo with my Dremel as I carve out the castle base to fit my hull. Many strange curves. I also found a 2mm sheet of wood that will take up the 2mm space the poor plans left me with. It seems like this solution will work if I don't get too crazy with my Dremel. It's hard not to take off too much.

[HIPEXEC]

Sam,

Here's another view of the 2 mm filler piece I made to fill in the stern. It'll have a veneer layer of planks, so by the time I blend it in, no one will know it's not the original transom. I bowed it by soaking it and then rubber banding it to a magic marker which gave it the correct curve.

Edited March 2, 2014 by Hipexec

[src]

Rich,

With that big open space there I see room for a captain Hull or Decatur in there!

Looking good!

Sam

[HIPEXEC]

I could even put some furniture in there. It's deck has even been planked and varnished!  While I'm waiting for all the Dremel sawdust to settle (even my Admiral is sneezing), I planked the aft rail while I continued to carve and Dremel the castle bases.

[greatgalleons]

Rich ,your build looks great even with all the inconsistencies in the kit. If I had one kit that actually matched the instructions when finished I would think something was wrong! They all have a few unexpected obstacles (flaws). Looking forward to seeing this build to the finish, A.J.

[src]

 They all have a few unexpected obstacles (flaws). 

Think of them as undocumented features. 

Sam

[HIPEXEC]

I just finish rough finishing the port Castle base. It's a heck of a lot better than what the kit gave me. Now I'll rough out the starboard base. I just realized it looks like a bullseye! That's why they invented veneer planks.

[HIPEXEC]

Starboard side Castle base roughed in. Got better with the Dremel and it took half the time. You can see what Constructo gave me sitting next to what I made.

[HIPEXEC]

I used my trusty Dremel again to rough in the tops for the aft galleries or castles. I've included in the photos the pieces Constructo provided to to that job. It seems I would have had to build these parts up with a layer or layers, so making my own seems a better way to go.

 

By the way...I researched what goes on in these aft galleries. It turns out that's where the ship's captain's quarters are and in one of those protruding wings resides his toilet. I wonder for the sake of realism I should make a hole in the bottom of the wing  where this toilet opened to the sea?

[HIPEXEC]

It is with great apprehension that I am in the process of gluing all the parts I fabricated on this aft gallery. I'll have no one to blame but me if it goes wrong.....here goes!!

[augie]

Good luck, mate!

[HIPEXEC]

Here we go again!

 

I opened the plastic bag containing the transom & bowsprit decorations and they are bent, stained with some kind of dried liquid spots, the black contrast background is gone, so it's just brass on brass, missing stars, and to top it off, the angle on the windows is a few degrees off from my build....and my build is right off the built in angle the kit came with. Go figure!?

[HIPEXEC]

I've glued all the gallery pieces on today. Tomorrow I'll start veneer planking the whole end of the ship.

[HIPEXEC]

I made a tapered plank to transition from the added stern piece I made to add to the original stern. I also glued on the stern post so I can plank up to it for a neater stern when it's done.

[augie]

It's funny, I'm doing just about the same thing you are at the moment on my stern.  I wish us both patience.

 

On your brass tarnish, I've heard this product works pretty well.....but I never tried it myself:

 

http://www.micromark.com/flitz-50-gram-tube,7082.html

[HIPEXEC]

I just finished tapering my transition plank from 1.5 mm on one edge to 0.5 mm on the other edge. I just glued it in.

[HIPEXEC]

I used some "Brasso" I had to clean up the tarnished brass piece. It's not a bad clean-up. I'll look into Augie's stuff. too.

 

By the way, Constructo's distributor hasn't answered my e-mails as of yet? Not very good support. In fact no support.

[src]

Wow Rich that cleaned up nice. 

I am surprised that Constructo has not responded to you yet. When I contacted them about some additional lumber I had a response in 2-3 if I recall correctly. Unfortunately, that was in early 2011 or late 2010 and I no longer have that email chain - its on and old computer. If I did I would PM you the person I dealt with. How long ago did yo uconact them?

Sam

[HIPEXEC]

I e-mailed Constructos distributor in Spain a few days ago. I got their name from Phils Hobby Shop where I bought the model. I'm going to buy "Flitz" as recommended by Augie. I found it on Ebay for fast shipping. I hope I don't need any more parts!

[augie]

Let us know if the 'Flitz' does the job.

[HIPEXEC]

Constructo said they will send me a replacement for the damaged part...I take back what I said about them.

[HIPEXEC]

I'm half way through planking the transom.

[src]

Rich,

Thats great news. Their kits/instructions  may not be the best, but they do seem stand behind what they sell you. I had a similar experience with them.

Sam

[HIPEXEC]

90 % of the transom is planked. Now I'm starting to plank the starboard gallery or castle. It's tricky. After all of that is planked, I'll have to clean it all up. It's full of jagged edges and small spaces with some glue spots. Hard to do all these bends and curves without all this.

Edited March 8, 2014 by Hipexec