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

[dgbot]

You are doing a swell job.   It must feel good when a project comes together.

David B

[src]

Rich, it may be going slow in your eyes, but the result is great! 

Looking at your lids, I understand what holds the upper half open, any idea what holds the lower half on the real Connie?

Sam

[HIPEXEC]

No idea? They probably hang all the way down.

[src]

I wonder how they would be retracted then, a pole and a hook?

[HIPEXEC]

As far as the lids go, I was just following orders. Now you all have me thinking. I'll do some research and also see what other choices I have and still have my model look good. My Admiral wants her displayed in my living room when I get her finished. 

[src]

Rich,

Wasnt trying to make you change your mind, just kind of wondering "out loud."

[augie]

Now you've got me wondering out loud.  This is something I never thought of.  On my Syren, there are 2 piece lids.  The upper is called a 'bolster' and is generally left off and stowed below (except in heavy weather).  The lower lids have 2 rings on the inside, one on each side of the gun cutout.  I suppose these could be closed with a hook from either side of the gun.  There are a couple of (not so great) photos of this on my Syren log:

 

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/46-us-brig-syren-by-augie-ms-kit-164-completed/page-3

 

Someone like Blue Ensign would probably have the definitive answer (and reference). 

[HIPEXEC]

I've been researching gunport lids. It's all over the park. Some say they are removable and stowed. Some just flop down. Some are pulled up and some are like my Connie. One interesting thing I learned is they discovered if the cannons were pushed all the way out it gave a more stable ride in rough seas. That's why some lids have holes for the barrels.

Edited May 18, 2014 by Hipexec

[augie]

Now that is interesting.

[HIPEXEC]

The port side gun lids are installed. I have 7 more to do on the starboard side. I'll probably re-do some of them after all are installed since I'm not happy with some of them.  They're tricky little devils to install.

[HIPEXEC]

Starboard side lids installed.

[HIPEXEC]

I've started my davit factory. Two Heavy duty davits off the stern and four tall davits port and starboard aft. The side davits require bending two 1.5mm x 4mm Sapely to nearly 90 degrees and the glue them in pairs so they'll be 3mm x 4mm bent with brass trim. The aft davits are carved to shape.

[patrickmil]

The gun port lids look great in place Rich. It looks like you have a good handle on the davits also.

[src]

Rich, she looks good! It appears that the Mahogany is behaving better than the Ayous did?

Sam

[HIPEXEC]

This stuff bends much better than the Ayous! Here's my plank bending factory in full swing.

[src]

Looks good. Dont let the Admiral see that razor knife on the bed. 

Sam

[HIPEXEC]

Sam...you're right!

[HIPEXEC]

Here's the newest addition to my shipyard. A 360 degree turntable. Just pull it out and turn the ship to any angle I want. It's a TV retractable turn table that can hold 125 pounds, so my Connie won't stress it very much.

[usedtosail]

That is a great turntable. Just be careful after you add the bowsprit being that close to the wall. I also like your bending method with the push pins. I happened to borrow that technique just last night on my Conny build, and it worked great. Thanks for the tip.

 

And you Constitution is looking really good. Nice work.

[dgbot]

Ì agree about the turntable.

[HIPEXEC]

You're right, I'll probably install a removable stop when the bowsprit goes on.

[HIPEXEC]

Anybody have any idea where to buy ready made brass hammock stanchions sometimes called hammock cranes? Constructio only gives me a roll of brass so I can fabricate them.

[dgbot]

Have you tried Blue Jacket or Model Expo?

David B

[HIPEXEC]

I've been researching these hammock nets thinking they were some vital defense function holding shrapnel absorbing material only to find out their function is to air out stinky hammocks! Oh well...so much for the romance of the sea.

[augie]

Come on, Rich.  You're allowed a little romantic license.  They may have stopped a little something!

[HIPEXEC]

I just finished shaping, pinning and gluing on the stern davits.

[HIPEXEC]

By the way, I clamped the two pieces of stock together and shaped them as if they were one so they would be identical.

[HIPEXEC]

I shaped and installed the seat for the spanker boom.

Edited May 25, 2014 by Hipexec

[patrickmil]

Rich, that is looking great!!! Very nice turntable you have as well.

[HIPEXEC]

Here's my side davit factory in full swing. I had to pre-bend the stock and now I'm gluing two together to form the rough davits.