Frigate USS United States 1789 by threebs - FINISHED - 1:72

[threebs]

I am making another United States.  My first had a poop deck.  This one will be more like she was when burned in 1861. 

[highlanderburial]

I love this ship so I wish you joy of it! I will be building one at some point but my build log is a bit full right now! Can I ask where you got your references? I have been trolling both the national archives and the Philadelphia Historical Society to try and get more information on her.

[threebs]

Smithsonian Institute.  The website in the second photo is out of date, but it brings you to one that where you can order the catalog.  I think it is 25.00 bucks now.  Many of the warships of the US Navy from 1789 to 1860 are in this catalog.  I do not remember where I got the deck plans by C. Ware.  If you want, for the cost of postage and having my print shop guys copy it in this scale (1/72), I will send it to you.  you can email me at gabe3105659@gmail.com with an address.  Should be about 3 bucks for the copy and 5 or so for postage.   https://americanhistory.si.edu/about/departments/work-and-industry/ship-plans.   I had a similar request on one of my facebook groups and found this website.  I remembered this after posting, so I edited it.  Had to edit yet again, thought this forum might be of interest to you.  

 

Edited December 31, 2023 by threebs
added website info and forum info

[threebs]

Starting to plank!  This is the fun part!

[threebs]

Some slow progress on the planking.  In particular the form shaping the stern below the stern gallery.

[threebs]

Here I have posted photos of the hull of the United States, (1/72 scale). One side is perhaps 90% done with a few imperfections needing to be fixed. The other side shows it with a thin coat of wood filler. You can compare the sides to see the difference. The hull below the water line must be as smooth as I can make it. The reason is the copper adhesive backed tape I use for the plating is extremely thin and the plank seems would show otherwise. You would not see the seems through the copper on the real ship. I have included photos of the tape.

[threebs]

Working on the stern and quarter galleries of the United States (1/72 scale).

[threebs]

Work on the stern galleries for the United States are all but done. A Shield Eagle and some stars to carve yet.

[threebs]

Quarter galleries are done, coppering the hull begins.

[threebs]

Coppering done, making the stand.

[threebs]

Spar deck supports going in, making the main hatch beam pillars and starting the carronade carriages.

[threebs]

Planking and weathering the spar deck.

[threebs]

Making gun tackle hooks and sky light.

[threebs]

More progress.

[Matt D]

Beautiful work!  Your ship’s wheel looks like it was tricky to make.  It came out great!

[threebs]

It was actually.  Getting the spacing of the spokes is/was painstaking.

[threebs]

doing bow work now.

[threebs]

Working on the head timbers.

[threebs]

 

almost done with the head rails.

[threebs]

Bow and stern details are done side stairs are on, gun tackle eye bolts are in place and lower masts are done for the United States.

[threebs]

Starting to install the carronades and cannon. A well as some of the deck furniture on the United States.

[threebs]

The masts for the United States are done. Now I will "dress" them. Which means eye bolts and cleats where needed and slings, blocks for the stays. And of course finish painting them!

[threebs]

Almost all of the spar deck furniture on the United States is complete, a few things are not glued down, just in place for the photos.

[threebs]

"Chain links" are done on one side on the United States. I will paint them when the other side is done. The brass pieces are supports for the chain wales.

[threebs]

"Chains" for the shrouds on the United States are done. The chains for the stays will go in as I rig them.

[threebs]

Masts on the United States are up. Jib and flying jib boom are on. Starting standing rigging.

[threebs]

Quite a bit of work done since my last post.

[threebs]

The rat lines are done.

[threebs]

Most of the standing rigging is done.

[threebs]

Rigging the Mizzen yards on the United States. First photo shows a "before" view of unbelayed lines.