USS Constitution by GGibson - Model Shipways - 1:76.8

[GGibson]

Yep, sorry, gang…  Another Constitution build log…

 

Those that have read any of my posts on my recently-completed Santa Maria build log or seen comments that I have made on some other’s current Constitution build logs are probably aware that the Model Shipways’ USS Constitution was next on my shipyard list.  I am excited to get this one started!

 

I purchased this Model Shipways kit back in March 2024 when Model Expo had a huge discount sale so, along with a store credit I had with Model Expo, I was able to buy the kit for cheap cheap and could not resist adding this historic ship to my shipyard.

 

 

So, since that March date, I have been trying to do as much research as possible, jumping in, taking notes and asking questions on several of the current Constitution build logs.  In that research, I have acquired numerous books and documents that everyone is familiar with and that I am sure I will continue to use as resources during this build:

 

Anatomy of the Ship: The 44-Gun Frigate USS Constitution – Karl Heinz Marquardt

 

USS Constitution 1812-1815 (Blue Jacket) – Laurence Arnot

 

Ship Model Making, Volume III, U.S. Frigate Constitution – Captain E. Armitage McCann

 

Constitution Close Up: Minutiae for the Modeler and Artist – Cmdr. Tyrone G. Martin

 

 

As I was preparing for this build after I bought the Model Shipways kit, I also purchased Bob Hunt's complete Constitution practicum and, as others have done, will use it as an additional resource during the build process.

 

I was fortunate when I began this model shipbuilding hobby a few years back to find this Model Ship World website, where we can share ideas, ask and answer questions, receive praise in our triumphs and receive comfort in our tribulations.  Active Constitution builders that I have been following and that have been invaluable in my preparation include @JSGerson, @mtbediz, @Der Alte Rentner, @Unegawahya, @kmart and @Geoff Matson.

 

I have also reviewed some amazing completed build logs by @xken, @usedtosail, @Modeler12 and others. 

 

Thank you to all!  You are all to be commended for your model shipbuilding skills and your ability to find solutions in difficult situations.  Even though I am sure to stumble often, your collective display of perseverance will hopefully carry me through to a magnificent completion… however long it takes! 😅

 

With all that said, the $64,000 question is… what version of this iconic Constitution will I be building?  Well, you could probably conclude from my reading list above that I have really wanted to concentrate on the 1812 version.  But there have been countless times where I have changed my mind to its present-day version.  I never really considered the original 1797 ship version, or the 1927 and 2015 major revisions.  I’ll do my best to stay as close as I can to that 1812 Captain Issac Hull model.  If I can steal the term that Tom ( @usedtosail ) used several times in his awesome build log, my Constitution will strive to be “1812-ish”.  And, as several others have done, I will do some kit bashing, and I will have a detailed gun deck and some form of exposed spar deck.  I’m even taking a trip to Boston this fall and, of course, both a Fenway Park ballgame and a Constitution tour are on the itinerary. Let’s just say right now, though, this will not be a historically accurate museum piece, but rather I will enjoy building it as mine.  I am guaranteed to get frustrated multiple times in the build process, but I will definitely have fun.  And that’s what it’s all about…

 

So… the month of June is going to be a busy “family time” month with grandkids visiting, so I probably won’t get much done in the coming weeks, but I’m looking forward to this journey.  I will encourage and I appreciate all the comments, advice and criticism fellow builders have to offer.  Y’all are awesome.  Carry on. Thanks…

 

[Geoff Matson]

Nice to see you jump into the deep end of the pool!

[Unegawahya]

That’s great news! I’m excited to see your work and solutions for what’s coming up!

[Der Alte Rentner]

Welcome aboard Gregg.  I doubt the planets will align, but my wife is trying to get me out to Boston sometime in the fall as well. If calendars permit, maybe we can tour the Constitution together.  

[popeye2sea]

You should shoot for Sep. 19th timeframe. I can make it worth the trip with a Constitution turnaround cruise. Gregg will be there, also.

 

Regards,

 

Henry

[mtbediz]

This is great news. I'm looking forward to you starting your Conny build.

[Flyfisher]

Howdy and welcome to the club. Looking forward to seeing your progress and innovation. 
 

Jim

[GGibson]

20 hours ago, mtbediz said:

This is great news. I'm looking forward to you starting your Conny build.

 

Thank you, Mustafa!  Your build has been a great inspiration for me.  I appreciate your work and your advice.

 

4 hours ago, Flyfisher said:

Howdy and welcome to the club. Looking forward to seeing your progress and innovation. 
 

Jim

 

Thank you, Jim!  Likewise looking forward to watching your build, as well, sir!

[kmart]

Gregg,    Welcome to the Connie Club.

I'm pulling up a chair  It's a looong build  but well worth it.!   

[GGibson]

1 hour ago, kmart said:

Gregg,    Welcome to the Connie Club.

I'm pulling up a chair  It's a looong build  but well worth it.!   

 

Thank you, sir!  From reviewing everyone else's build log, it's definitely going to be long.  My current plan is for me to outlast the build! 🤷‍♂️😅

[JSGerson]

Per your PM that you have officially started your Constitution saga, I am honored to join you and the rest of our group as a follower and look forward to your next postings.

 

Jon

[GGibson]

1 hour ago, JSGerson said:

...I am honored to join you and the rest of our group as a follower and look forward to your next postings.

 

Thanks, Jon! You have truly been one of my inspirations, watching your Constitution build and appreciating the research you have done and that you share with others. 👍

[Der Alte Rentner]

Added your build log to my Followed Content today and noticed you changed your ID photo.  In keeping with the start of work on Conny?

[GGibson]

11 hours ago, Der Alte Rentner said:

Added your build log to my Followed Content today...

 

Thanks, Peter!

 

11 hours ago, Der Alte Rentner said:

...noticed you changed your ID photo.  In keeping with the start of work on Conny?

 

Of course!  I've got to represent, right?!?  🤷‍♂️🤣

 

OK, I keep telling myself I am not going to start any cutting or gluing until after the upcoming annual summer stay from grandkids, but I am doing some prep work by cutting up plan copies of keel parts and bulkheads, drawing reference lines, rabbet lines, gun deck cut lines, etc.  So, here's one of my first silly questions... What is the purpose of the vertical reference lines coming down from the Bulkhead O slot?  Is it just demonstrating how all of the bulkheads should slide down in their respective slots and be positioned against the bulkhead former?  Well, duh...!  If anybody understands an alternative purpose, I'd be interested in learning!

 

 

Dang, in just dry fitting the three bulkhead former pieces, I can see that this is going to be a big ship!  Yay!

Edited June 11 by GGibson

[Der Alte Rentner]

14 hours ago, GGibson said:

Dang, in just dry fitting the three bulkhead former pieces, I can see that this is going to be a big ship!  Yay!

Until you start messing with the small stuff, like 1/8"double blocks..  I wish it were twice the size! 

 

The vertical reference lines are there to assist you in keeping the bulkheads perpendicular to (hmm, what exactly are they perpendicular to?)  the future deck or provide parallel spacing between bulkheads.  I must have missed that detail in my build, or thought it pointless.   The horizontal reference line is to help correctly place the bulkheads on the false keel.  In the photo on the left, note the intersection of reference lines at bulkhead F.  In the one on the right, note that I did not use the vertical reference lines.  My build log has no reference to how I kept the bulkheads perfectly vertical. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

but, I do have this note: 

 

"It seems that all this prep work with the reference lines may have been academic. So far, every part I’ve slid onto the false keel has bottomed out slot to slot and the reference marks have all lined up."

 

Have fun!

Edited June 11 by Der Alte Rentner