USS Constitution by Der Alte Rentner - Model Shipways - 1/76

[Der Alte Rentner]

Jon,  You may have noticed that I'm not exactly following the plan.   Given the screwup with the lower molding, for example, I'm forced to make the pillars longer than the plan.  And since I already used basswood for the round molding on the transom, I think I may be stuck using the same for the pilasters, to keep the color there consistent.  However, since I'm less than satisfied with the first one I made, I'm pretty sure I'll be revisiting the process, and may yet try boxwood, as I have some left over from the deck planking.  I'll see how I feel when I return to the shipyard.. 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 18 by Der Alte Rentner

[Der Alte Rentner]

Trying to construct these pillars from the boxwood  left over from planking the deck was problematic. And with the boxwood this close to the curved Basswood molding, the difference in materials was notable. Therefore I used the same material - basswood, and procedure to start making more pillars but with a narrower bottom cross piece. Time consuming work to be sure..

 

I use the same milling method I used yesterday, but narrowed the strip for the lower cross pieces.

 

Using a spacer, I made marks where I needed to remove material.

 

 

 

Then, ever so carefully, I pared away the material for the indentations.

 

Despite supremely careful handling of very sharp tools, breakage occurred on every piece, requiring repairs. If this continues to plague me for the remaining five pieces, I will just get rid of the lower crosses all together, and go with the solution exhibited in the Constructo kit.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 5 by Der Alte Rentner
the usual - typos

[Der Alte Rentner]

Whew.  I'm glad this is done..

 

[GGibson]

Looks great, Peter!  Well done! 

[JSGerson]

If the ship didn't already have a name, I would have suggested you name her Tenacity, because that's what it took to get the model to this stage!

 

Jon

[Der Alte Rentner]

Having been sidetracked with matters mechanical in my Shipyard, I haven't gotten much done in the last few days. Today at least I managed to deal with the Constitution name plate.

 

I took a tip from the Bob Hunt method and obtained the dry transfer decals he suggested using. I didn't see the need to make a separate name plate out of styrene. Instead I just sanded the top of the laser cut piece that came with the kit, painted it, and positioned the dry transfer decals over the outlines of the letters spelling Constitution.

 

Since I already have the black/white contrast on the gallery windows, I thought I'd repeat that theme here, as opposed to staining the name plate.

 

It's a good thing that the dry transfer decals from Woodland Scenics we're still available online.

 

 

[GGibson]

1 hour ago, Der Alte Rentner said:

I took a tip from the Bob Hunt method and obtained the dry transfer decals he suggested using.

 

It's a good thing that the dry transfer decals from Woodland Scenics we're still available online.

 

Transom looks really nice, Peter!

 

OK.  Haven't even started my Constitution, so probably five years (or more) away from this step, but... based on your "still available online" comment, I thought I better knock that one off of the order list and I placed my order with Woodland Scenics now, as well.  I did, though, order the MG740 USA Gothic White dry transfers that Jon mentioned in his build log.

 

Now if I can just remember 5 years (or more) from now where I put them! 🤷‍♀️🤣

 

Carry on, sir!  Doing well! 

[Der Alte Rentner]

I just had an amazingly disappointing session at the shipyard. I spent the solid hour trying to get a single hinge on one of the stern gunport lids. Nothing I have tried works. The hinge sticks to the tweezers or my fingers or falls to the floor. It just can't Wrangle it into position where it needs to be. Does anyone have any tips on how best to put these hinges on the gunport lids? I'm thinking about just painting them on now.

[GGibson]

1 hour ago, Der Alte Rentner said:

I just had an amazingly disappointing session at the shipyard. I spent the solid hour trying to get a single hinge on one of the stern gunport lids. Nothing I have tried works.

 

We've all had days like this... some of us more than a dozen days like this...  I'm sure someone will suggest an A+ solution, Peter.  And the rest of us will take notes for when it happens to us again. 👍

[helmarsowick]

This maybe too simple but try pointing the bow down on cushions.

[GGibson]

On 11/24/2024 at 4:57 PM, GGibson said:

...I placed my order with Woodland Scenics now, as well.  I did, though, order the MG740 USA Gothic White dry transfers that Jon mentioned in his build log.

 

Apologize for taking up space on your build log, Peter, but just wanted to give a shoutout to the Woodland Scenics folks that we discussed on Sunday.  Ordered my set of dry transfers on Sunday... and received them via UPS today (Tuesday).  Great customer service! 

Edited November 27 by GGibson

[Der Alte Rentner]

13 hours ago, helmarsowick said:

This maybe too simple but try pointing the bow down on cushions.

Tried that.  I just don't have the dexterity to hold tweezers in one hand and another tool in the other to push the part into position.  Perhaps the problem with the ones I'm working on now is that I have those pillars already glued to the transom.  There's very little space to maneuver between these and where the hinges belong.   For the transom, given how thin these hinges are, I think my best would be to cut hinge shaped slots into masking tape and use the tape as stencils to paint on the hinges.  Plan B would be to omit them altogether.  

 

I will try gluing a hinge on the as yet un-affixed lids for the gun deck.  ..after the holidays.

 

Thanks for the suggestion

[Der Alte Rentner]

Because my family in Florida is perusing these pages today, I'm adding the most recent photo.

 

Happy Thanksgiving to the snowbirds.

 

[mtbediz]

She looks great!

[Der Alte Rentner]

The gunport lid hinges are temporarily on hold. So I'm moving on to the main rail. I haven't yet started the forward portion with the big curve, because my stock isn't as thin as mustafa's. I may have to do some milling before I can do the laminating. However, I have made use of my milling machine. Turns out that one of the cutters is pretty much the same diameter as the thickness of the pins that hold the rail to the top of the bulwarks. No need to buy toothpicks her Bob Hunt's practicum. I used the same material for the pins that I will be using for the planks that go up above the main rail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing is glued in yet. I just had a thought.

 

Perhaps I'll make those pins stand just a bit proud of being flush to the bulwark planks. Then I will mill a shallow groove down the center of the bottom of the topgallant rail, which should make centering that a piece of cake.

Edited December 3 by Der Alte Rentner
Typos

[Der Alte Rentner]

Sadly, with year end projects like our 2025 family calendar, Christmas card, and honey do list items, I have had to squeeze in the rare few minutes to get anything done at the shipyard. Continuing on  with the main rail and the planking between that and the top Gallant rail..

 

Once again, Mr Filler Block has been busy. These provide more surface area to glue the planks to, obviously provides strength for future add-ons like cleats, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 9 by Der Alte Rentner
What else? Typos..

[Der Alte Rentner]

Some whittling at the stern yet to come, but getting there with the rails..

 

The grooves on the bottom of the top gallant rails work great to center them.

 

 

Rough cuts on the miters. Tomorrow I'll fine tune and build the joining section.

 

Edited December 11 by Der Alte Rentner
Typos

[GGibson]

Looks really nice, Peter!  Great job on the rails.

[Der Alte Rentner]

On 12/10/2024 at 7:17 PM, GGibson said:

Looks really nice, Peter!  Great job on the rails.

Thanks again Gregg. 

 

Because I forgot to take photos of the bottom of the topgallant rails - and in case it wasn't obvious, I thought I'd mention that I used the same setup as shown in the first photo of post 406 above to carve out the grooves along the entire length of these.  I raised the bit on the mill so that it only cut about halfway into the rail.  I had to reposition vice and the rail after each two inch cut - because the vice is only about two inches wide..   As I type these words, it dawn on me that I won't be able to do that on the curved sections at the bow, unless I cut them first and then TRY to bend them to fit afterwards.  Wait, wait..  What if I use Mustafa's method of forming these as laminate but in such a way that the center piece of the laminate is recessed?!?  

 

I spent several hours yesterday making the combination main rail, bulwark, topgallant rail section for the transom.  That was much more involved than I expected it to be, and in retrospect, I should have used the same technique I used for the port and starboard sections.  I'm heading back to the shop in a few hours to fit that piece and will add photos to this post then - and I definitely want to try Mustafa's lamination technique!  In the mean time, work on the 2025 calendar continues and I'm counting the hours to Manhattan Club.  I earned it this week..

 

Back soon..

Edited December 12 by Der Alte Rentner

[woodartist]

On 12/3/2024 at 3:33 PM, Der Alte Rentner said:

However, I have made use of my milling machine.

It looks like you have really put the milling machine to good use. It would be a nice item to have. Probably more useful than a Byrnes table saw, since there are sources for  finished wood planks and sheets.

[Der Alte Rentner]

I only had 40 minutes at the shop today, but I managed to finish the stern rails.

 

 

[JSGerson]

She's turning into a very handsome model!

 

Jon

[mtbediz]

She looks awesome!

[Der Alte Rentner]

To all,

 

I just spent a few minutes consulting the Practicum.  Hunt doesn't address the "top rail" until Chapter 12.  A lot of stuff happens between where I am in the build now and the point where Hunt finally adds this rail.  I'm wondering.  Is there any practical reason to wait until then?  In the Chapter 5 Hunt explains why he held off on adding the top rail,  "We will not install the topgallant railing at this time. When it is installed, the head rails must also be installed. I fear that installing them now might cause us problems later when we plank the lower hull as they are delicate and could get damaged with the model turned over on its side. We will come back to those rails once the outer planking is complete."  But, since I've already completed the hull and deck planking, I don't see the reason to wait until all the deck furniture is addressed.  Do any of you?

 

For what it's worth, I'm considering skipping the copper plating..

[mtbediz]

31 minutes ago, Der Alte Rentner said:

To all,

 

I just spent a few minutes consulting the Practicum.  Hunt doesn't address the "top rail" until Chapter 12.  A lot of stuff happens between where I am in the build now and the point where Hunt finally adds this rail.  I'm wondering.  Is there any practical reason to wait until then?  In the Chapter 5 Hunt explains why he held off on adding the top rail,  "We will not install the topgallant railing at this time. When it is installed, the head rails must also be installed. I fear that installing them now might cause us problems later when we plank the lower hull as they are delicate and could get damaged with the model turned over on its side. We will come back to those rails once the outer planking is complete."  But, since I've already completed the hull and deck planking, I don't see the reason to wait until all the deck furniture is addressed.  Do any of you?

 

For what it's worth, I'm considering skipping the copper plating..

In your case, there is no need to wait for the furniture. I did not wait either.

Edited December 14 by mtbediz

[JSGerson]

The topgallant rail was added during the 1927-31 restoration. It was subsequently removed during the 2007 -10 restoration (I believe) after it was determined to be historical inaccurate. The MS kit is based on the 1927-31 restoration which why its part of the MS model. So, all USS Constitution builders must decide what era their model represents...the earlier in the build the better.

 

Jon

[The Bitter End]

On 12/14/2024 at 5:44 PM, JSGerson said:

The topgallant rail was added during the 1927-31 restoration. It was subsequently removed during the 2007 -10 restoration (I believe) after it was determined to be historical inaccurate. The MS kit is based on the 1927-31 restoration which why its part of the MS model. So, all USS Constitution builders must decide what era their model represents...the earlier in the build the better.

 

Jon

Hi Jon

 

My apologies for barging in here, please delete this post if its a bother...

 

Do you have any information on what the rail situation would have been around 1812? While you are rummaging around your vast reserve of knowledge could you please also comment on the open waist represented in the Hull model of 1812? I have been doing some reading and looking at images and now im in a pickle about the subject. Is the vessel meant to have an open waist at this point in its history and if so what does that mean for the waterway and planksheer. 

 

If you haven't seen this already you should take a look and this very interesting document.

 

https://books.google.de/books?id=XYUWBpxFZN8C&pg=PR5&dq=uss+constitution+all+sails+up+and+flying&hl=de&ei=hi7NTZDUB4_6sgaqy9m6Cw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=uss constitution all sails up and flying&f=false

 

TBE

Edited December 15 by The Bitter End

[Der Alte Rentner]

If I were a betting man, and I am, you'll be hearing from Jon soon.  😁

[JSGerson]

TBE - I have Olof A. Eriksen's book Constitution - All Sails Up and Flying that you linked to in your post, but the link was for the whole book excerpt and not anything specific, so I don't know what specifically you wanted me to see. The book deals and rigging and sails, with a little history, and not so much the structure of the ship. He also has a few photos of his various models of the Constitution. His masterpiece was his 1:24 1812 scale model. Unfortunately I could not find any detail photos of his models.

 

The USS Constitution Museum talks about the 1812 Hull model exhibited in the Peabody Essex Museum. Although the Peabody Museum does not show any images of this exhibit, a good collection of them can be found at Fine Scale Modeler Magazine's website. I have found a few more images over the years.

 

The open waist was reintroduced by the US Navy with this plan below. It was an attempt to return to the 1812 configuration. The 1992 cross section plan showing the waterway and plank sheer was drawn the same time the open waist returned. You could use this as a guide.

 

I am not an historical expert, but I just have a lot of "stuff." Nobody really knows what the ship looked in her early days, just educated guesses, so you have some artistic freedom. As I have always said, your making a model of the ship, not a miniature reconstruction.

 

I hopes this helps

 

Jon

 

 

 

[The Bitter End]

6 hours ago, JSGerson said:

TBE - I have Olof A. Eriksen's book Constitution - All Sails Up and Flying that you linked to in your post, but the link was for the whole book excerpt and not anything specific, so I don't know what specifically you wanted me to see. The book deals and rigging and sails, with a little history, and not so much the structure of the ship. He also has a few photos of his various models of the Constitution. His masterpiece was his 1:24 1812 scale model. Unfortunately I could not find any detail photos of his models.

 

The USS Constitution Museum talks about the 1812 Hull model exhibited in the Peabody Essex Museum. Although the Peabody Museum does not show any images of this exhibit, a good collection of them can be found at Fine Scale Modeler Magazine's website. I have found a few more images over the years.

 

The open waist was reintroduced by the US Navy with this plan below. It was an attempt to return to the 1812 configuration. The 1992 cross section plan showing the waterway and plank sheer was drawn the same time the open waist returned. You could use this as a guide.

 

I am not an historical expert, but I just have a lot of "stuff." Nobody really knows what the ship looked in her early days, just educated guesses, so you have some artistic freedom. As I have always said, your making a model of the ship, not a miniature reconstruction.

 

I hopes this helps

 

Jon

 

 

 

Good Morning Jon

 

A wealth of knowledge as always! It is a real pity that the Peabody photos are no longer available, I searched high and low myself. I will give all that you have sent me some serious thought and make a decision.

I was thinking this morning that there cant be many models out there with more variation than the Constitution, I guess the nice part of that is the fact that it really forces you down the road of research and learning.

 

Thanks again(and sorry for hijacking your peter)

 

Haiko