USS Constitution by GGibson - Model Shipways - 1:76.8

[Der Alte Rentner]

 Jon is correct, the transom is one of the first major obstacles to overcome on this build. I've seen several builders bail at this point.  You complicating the process by going for the 1812ish 6 window configuration is going to make this even more challenging.   I look forward with eager anticipation to your progress in this endeavor.  

 

I'm pretty sure you're already following Haiko, aka the Bitter End, in his scratch build.  If not, here's a link to the post that talks about his choice to go with a 7 window transom.   Maybe you can pick up some tips and techniques to help you in later stages of the construction effort.

 

Excellent progress to date.  Congrats and keep up the good work.

 

 

[GGibson]

1 hour ago, Der Alte Rentner said:

Excellent progress to date.  Congrats and keep up the good work.

 

Thanks for the comments and encouragement, Peter.  Like Jon, you have been an inspirational mentor as I have studied your build log and continue to watch the progress on your Constitution, as well.  Thank you!   And yes, I have read Haiko's build log!  And have also been messaging back and forth with Marcus.K. regarding his stern configuration research, as well.

 

I appreciate you gentlemen staying updated on my progress. 👍

[mtbediz]

Great start, Greg. You've made it even harder by choosing a 6-window transom version for the USS Constitution, which is already a difficult model to build. That's some commendable courage!

[GGibson]

1 hour ago, mtbediz said:

Great start, Greg. You've made it even harder by choosing a 6-window transom version for the USS Constitution, which is already a difficult model to build. That's some commendable courage!

 

Thanks, Mustafa!  As I indicated earlier with Jon and Peter, you gentlemen have been mentors with each of your builds, and I have really enjoyed and learned so much in watching each of you face your challenges and celebrate your successes.

 

I can only hope that my version of the Constitution in the era that I am trying to achieve will look as sharp as all of yours.  But I also know that there will be plenty of challenges in this rendition, as well.  I appreciate your likes, comments and advice, sir.  You are an inspiration! 👍🏆

[GGibson]

Another small update on my progress.  Working now on the waterways and planksheer.

 

The waterways and planksheer that I will be placing now will be on the spar deck, but it looks like I will also be doing some version of this on the gun deck once I get to that level.  The spar deck waterways will provide some “solidarity” to the bulwark extensions, though, when I get to the point coming up where I take out the existing spar deck framework in order to work on a detailed gun deck.

 

In beginning to work on the spar deck waterways, I followed the instructions as shown on Sheet 2 of the kit plans, but I also relied on suggestions made by Bob Hunt in his Practicum, as well as looking back at how a couple of my fellow shipbuilders handled this step, especially Tom @usedtosail and Jon @JSGerson.

 

For the waterways, I used the kit-supplied 5/16” x 5/32” strips.  Lengths were measured and cut from the stern to Bulkhead E.  The plans show various degrees of beveling that is required on the outer side of the waterways so that it fits snuggly against each of the bulkhead extensions, depending on which bulkhead the waterway is hitting.  The inner side of the waterway has a 45^o cut measured 3/32” on each side.  I used a compass to measure and mark that distance, then used the Proxxon disc sander to get the 45^o bevel correctly.  I simply used a palm sander to make the necessary bevels for the outer measurements.

 

   

 

   

 

 

Then secured and glued the long waterway strips on both port and starboard sides from the stern to Bulkhead E.  I used some temporary small square-dowel pieces on the outside of the bulkhead extensions in order to squeeze the waterway strips firmly against the bulkhead extensions without the risk of breaking those extensions.

 

       

 

To make the waterways that have the serious bend around the inside of the bow (from Bulkhead E to the bowsprit in front of Bulkhead A), I decided to cut them from basswood sheet stock, like several others had done.  I have a decent supply of 8” x 8” x 3/16” basswood sheets, so I’ll use that.  I measured the distance from the center keel out to the inside of the bulwark extensions at each of the Bulwarks A-E.  Then, using a French Curve, I tried to draw that curve onto a cardboard sheet.

 

        

 

It came out pretty well, although I still needed to make some adjustments at the bowsprit for it to fit a bit more “snuggly” against the bow knighthead.

 

 

I then transferred the cardboard shape to the basswood sheet and, using my Dewalt scroll saw, made the outer side cut for the waterway.

 

   

 

Since this basswood sheet was 3/16” thick but the waterway needed to only be 5/32” thick, I had to sand the sheet down another 1/32”.  This was going to be easier to do with a larger sheet piece then after cutting it to its desired width.

 

 

Using the compass, I then measured and marked the 5/16” width thickness and made the cut again using the scroll saw.

 

       

 

I then, of course, repeated this whole “measure-and-cut” process for the starboard side. 

 

And, once again, I used some temporary small square-dowel pieces on the outside of the bulkhead extensions in order to secure and glue the waterway strips from Bulkhead E forward firmly against the bulkhead extensions without the risk of breaking the extensions, timberheads and knightheads.

 

 

Once the waterways were in place, the planksheers set on top of the waterways against the bulkhead extensions.  These came from the kit-supplied 3/32” squared strips.  One strip was placed from the stern to Bulkhead G, and another strip was joined at Bulkhead G moving forward.  To make the curve around the inside of the bow, I simply held the two sides’ strips under really hot running water for several minutes, which got them soft and pliable enough to make the bend.  I clipped them against the bulkheads to allow them to dry and hold their curves before securing and gluing them in place.

 

 

Here is a final picture with all of the waterways and planksheers in place.  Hope I’ve done everything correctly!  This will all be done again on the gun deck!

 

 

I am now getting closer and closer to the serious kit bashing, when all of the spar deck level support beams will be cut out so that the detailed gun deck can be built.  We will then get into working on all the gun port placements, as well.  Scary times, indeed!  Definitely nervous about the whole process, but there is plenty of history from successful builders to look back on, as well as current knowledgeable followers who can help guide and counsel me, if necessary.

 

As always, your likes, comments, concerns and criticisms are all appreciated.  Y’all rock! Thanks!

[GGibson]

3 hours ago, GGibson said:

I am now getting closer and closer to the serious kit bashing, when all of the spar deck level support beams will be cut out so that the detailed gun deck can be built.

 

Well... I guess that "closer and closer" timeframe was closer than I realized!  I cut out the spar deck beams today.  Now the real work begins! Yikes! 

 

 

[JSGerson]

Well, it looks like you jumped into the deep end of pool!!! Enjoy!!

 

Jon

[Der Alte Rentner]

3 hours ago, JSGerson said:

Well, it looks like you jumped into the deep end of pool!!! Enjoy!!

 

Jon

Shall I throw you a life preserver?   😁

[GGibson]

53 minutes ago, Der Alte Rentner said:

Shall I throw you a life preserver?   😁

 

Ha! Not yet, Peter!  If necessary, though, I was always good at the back stroke... and dog paddling.  Horrible at the breaststroke, though!  Right now, I'm more concerned about snagging and snapping one of these bulwark extensions.  Having the spar deck waterways attached has helped secure them, though.  Working on fitting the gun deck's false decking now.  Keep that life preserver close by, though! Thanks for looking out, Peter! 👍🏊‍♂️

[Der Alte Rentner]

Glad to see you didn't make the mistake I made on the waterways.  Your carronades may yet poke through the gunports on the spar deck.

 

Happy swimming..

[GGibson]

Not much of an update, but I had to share what others may deem as a simple task, but I am quite happy with the result.

 

Awhile back, in preparation of my USS Constitution build, I downloaded several of the USN plans from the USS Constitution Museum website.  These included the spar deck and gun deck general deck arrangements from the 1927-1931 restoration work.  I will use these gun deck plans to create a template to use for the 1/32” false deck I will make from basswood sheets.

 

However, I needed to enlarge the USN plans slightly in order to be the correct size for the template.  Using the idea that Jon @JSGerson described in his build, I measured the distance on the Model Shipways plans between the main mast center point to the foremast center point to be 12-3/16”.  The distance between those two points on my PDF copy of the gun deck plans is 9-3/8”.  So, the PDF copy needed to be enlarged by approximately 30%.

 

I took my PDF copy to a local copy service company and the increase by 30% looked good and measured accurately.  Brought it home, cut out the shape and… DANG!  It fits pretty well!

 

      

 

Putting this gun deck arrangement printout on my ship gives it some life!  Pretty cool to see it this way.

 

Using this gun deck template, I think I will create four (4) basswood sheet panels that will sit on the bulkhead frames.  As I am peeking under the template to where I had already cut out the keel and some of the frames in order to replicate the space where the ladders go down to the berth deck, it appears they are lining up well.  I will make those cuts in the false deck, as well.  I will also do some reinforcing at the mast locations before securing the false deck onto the frames.

 

Since I am bashing my Constitution and adding the detailed gun deck, both it and the spar deck will have a waterway and planksheer.  After completing the spar deck waterway and planksheer, I realized that I did not have any more wood strips of the correct size for the 2nd deck, so… I’ve placed an order with Model Expo for some additional wood and was notified today that it was shipped.  Yay!

 

Anyways, I was excited about the template success and thought it was appropriate for a build log update.  Thanks, as always, for peeking in! 

Edited yesterday at 05:01 AM by GGibson

[g8rfan]

Nice job Gregg,

Murphy always seems to screw me over, but it's a great feeling when things work out right. Can't wait to see what you do with the deck