USS Constitution by BRiddoch - Model Shipways - Scale 1:76

[BRiddoch]

Thanks all.  It took me over a year to get the bow section done...(twice).  Glad to be moving on.

 

                      Bob

[patrickmil]

Bob, I'm happy to see the bow section completed again. I guess we're all caught up to current now. I'm looking forward to seeing more progress.

[BRiddoch]

Ok...why was I in such a hurry to start laying copper?   THIS IS NOT FUN!

 

       Bob R.

[JeffT]

I didn't find it to be much fun either. It took me 2 months.

[Capt.Bob]

You guys are not helping at all. I have been debating whether to add copper to my Mantua 1:8, but have had trouble finding the proper scale. For the MS2040 the $200 price tag is a little intimidating, so I'm reluctant to use anything that's going to look out of scale. I once talked to one of the model builders on the Queen Mary who said the secret to museum quality is "proportion, proportion, proportion!  However, keep the postings coming, I need all the encouragement I can get.  Currently, I'm buried in masts & spars.

[BRiddoch]

     So,  I marked off the waterline which is 3 1/8" from the baseline.  I then applied a piece of tape just above the waterline all the way around.  Then the fun began.  The one thing thats really slowing me down is the looseness of my ponce wheel.  I am now letting it ride along the edge of a piece of boxwood as I rivet the copper. 

     This is the results at the end of day 1.

 

                 Bob R.

[patrickmil]

The copper looks good Bob. I've been looking forward to seeing you tackle this portion of your build. 

[Geoff Matson]

Bob

 

Looks like you are off to a good start.

 

Make sure you have enough of the tape so it will all be the same color.  One thing I did was to copper the rudder at the same time I did the hull. That way it will all age the same. Just take your time.

[BRiddoch]

Thanks guys.  Plenty of copper.  My only problem is that I leave for Japan on Thursday for 6 weeks.

 

                  Bob R.

Edited March 24, 2013 by BRiddoch

[augie]

Great start on the coppering, Bob.  You may not think it's fun right now but, once completed, I will lay money you'll have a smile on your face from ear to ear.  Then you'll start worrying how long it will take to age  .

 

Keep on pouncin'

[capnharv2]

Bob,

 

Maybe you can take one of the Ship's boats along to work on while you're there.

 

Harvey

[BRiddoch]

Thats a great idea Harvey!  I just got back from your neck of the woods (Bremerton) on Friday.

 

          Bob R.

[BRiddoch]

Before I left for Japan I completed about 8 rows of copper on the starboard side.  I was on a roll!  Gone for 6 weeks but I do get to attend The Rope 38th Exhibition while I am here.

 

              Bob R.

[capnharv2]

You know Bob, I really like the rebuild of your bow. I like it enough that I may just have to tear into mine again (this would be the 4th time) and clean it up.

 

Thanks for building such a good looking model!

 

Harvey

Edited March 31, 2013 by capnharv2

[Mercdaddy27]

Great Job Bob. I certainly will follow your process when I get to this "difficult" step.  Your making it look easy. Thanks for all the detailed pics and comments, tips.  It helps in understaniding the thought process and makes it easier to build a quality model. Safe travels to Japan.  

 

Mercdaddy

 

Current Build: Model Shipways USS Constitution

Previous Builds: Friesland, San Felipe

[BRiddoch]

Thanks guys.

 

       Bob R.

[patrickmil]

Bob, your coppering looks first class. It's a shame that you aren't going to be working on her for six weeks though. I hope your trip goes well.

[BRiddoch]

Thanks Patrick.  I am already having withdrawls.

 

               Bob R.

[Tophog]

Very nice. This will be an interesting build to keep and eye on.

[BRiddoch]

Thanks Geoffrey.  I am certainly looking forward to getting home and back to the workbench.

 

                 Bob R.

[md1400cs]

Bob R,

 

Hi I happened onto your build by looking at Matti's new Wasa build and your post to him. I then linked to your build. WOA beautiful. Your attention to detail is spectacular. Your wood working skills are superb. This will prove to be a stunning build. I have a question, if you don't mind. You note that it is a Model Shipways kit. Are you adding much detail from the "out of the box" kit? It appears as though, from your notes, you are. I will enjoy following your build. One day I will travel to the East to see the Constitution.

 

Enjoy Japan. I spent the better part of ten years flying all over Asia (business). Just north of a million miles on Star Alliance. Now retired...

 

PS: Your bow repair is well, awesome.

 

Regards,

 

Michael D

[BRiddoch]

Hello all,

     Back from my 6 week business trip to Japan.  Working on copper plates and will post some pics over the next day or two.

 

             Bob R.

[BRiddoch]

All,

   As promised, here are some pics of my copper plating progress.  I have completed the first band on the starboard side.  I brought the copper 10 rows up and ran a piece of tape from bow to stern parallel with the waterline.  From there I filled in the middle area to bring the cooper even. 

 

           Bob R.

[augie]

Nice start, Bob.  That's going to be a lot of copper!

[Geoff Matson]

Glad to see you back to work on your Conny. The coppering looks  great. One small hint. Copper the rudder at the same time, that way all the copper will age the same and be the same color.

[BRiddoch]

Thanks Geoff...I'll do that.

 

     Bob R.

[JeffT]

Looks great Bob. Glad to see you're back at it.

[mtaylor]

Welcome back home, Bob.  Most excellent on the coppering.

[Tophog]

The coppering looks great. Looking forward to more.

[Mercdaddy27]

Awesome work Bob.  Will definely use your "tutorial" as I now start my coppering of my Connie.

You are making it look so easy.

 

Mercdaddy

Current build: Model Shipways USS Constitiution

Previous builds:  Mantua's San felipe

                           Mamoli's Friesland