USS Constellation by jlheureux - FINISHED - Artesania Latina - 1:85

[mtaylor]

I wish I could help you out, Jason.  But no sails on my model.  I guess I'm inherently lazy.

[jlheureux]

Dude that ship is looking nice!

I shoulda done what you did with going back to the dark wood on the gunwales. That looks sweet

[jlheureux]

Bad example mtaylor!

[mtaylor]

I know... sorry.   Hell, I just found the bag of sails for this kit the other day.  I thought I'd toss them in the trash years ago.

[jlheureux]

I wish that this Constellation had MORE sail. I like the look of those little horizontal sails in between the masts, but I know not every ship had things like that.

 

I've been slowing down a bit now I'm up to rigging. I find when I try to rush things at this stage I mess up. But I am so looking forward to getting it done and seeing the final product, as well as starting my next ship although I'm really going to have to negotiate with the Mrs space wise. We already have no blessed clue where we're putting this one. It is significantly bigger than my San Francisco...

[Jetwrench]

Jason, nice work!

 

I found using the Dremel for drilling the brass fairly easy. I first made a set point in the brass with a sharp pin such as a push pin using a light tap. Doing this on a hard flat surface keeps the brass from deforming. The set point keeps the bit from walking and the Dremel set at its slowest speed makes for fast, uniform holes in no time. Drilling on top of a piece of scrap wood and holding each piece firm, it was the least of my problems with brass fittings.  

 

I find it interesting that you are installing the masts in sections. I completely assembled my masts on the bench before I installed them on the hull. I guess I thought I could be sure that each mast was straight and true using the drawing as my guide. Is there a specific reason you are installing them in sections or is it just a different way to approach this step of the build?

[mtaylor]

There's another reason to do the whole mast off ship.. it's easier to get the upper ratlines/shrouds and all the yards into place as well as much of the rigging.  But, I've seen it done it many ways.  You just have to find the way that suits you the best. 

[jlheureux]

Been working on my ship. I took a little time off to brew some beer and hit the gym. I've always got something going on. I got the anchors rigged and on. I tie the catheads to the anchor in a way that I like, but I'm told that they would hoist them by the business end of the anchor in real life. Eh. I like how I rigged em. Except for one or two points I know I am going to have some overlap with portholes. I gotta measure better in the future.

 

Finished shaping and putting together the upper masts and got them test fitted. Not secured yet, hence they look a little wonky. 

 

I also got the foremast main shrouds up and tied. I think they came out pretty well. A little loose, but I got better as I went along. I think the deal is the first set on every ship I do will be slightly sub par. I guess it's a skill you really gotta keep practicing. I prepped out my lines for the mainmast shrouds but I gotta wait for my lady to get the lines seized on the deadeyes. May take a few days.

Edited August 18, 2014 by jlheureux

[Jetwrench]

Jason,

 

Interesting how you rigged the anchors. I would not have thought of that. And as for rigging in general, I'm in the same boat as you. It is a skill to get it right and I need alot more practice. Keep going!

 

Jet

[jlheureux]

Yea for the anchors they are hoisted up on the cat heads then I figured secured for travel I did a similar feature on my San Fran and just kinda likes it better than just dangling anchors.

In reference to your question about the masts it helps me stay focused to go just one step at a time. I installed the lower masts and stays then am working on the lower shrouds one mast at a time starting forward and working aft. I will then owns talk the topmasts and rig them up. Then I'll do back stays and finish up the masts. The. I do yards pre-sailed. Stay tuned for my starch method to adding some body, and again start forward with the lowest mast and working up and back.

Just seems to work for me. It also seems to help keep my large bear mits mobile enough. It creates more workspace doing it this way. Just how my brain works, and also how the rigging diagram is laid out. I go step by step with how they lay it out.

Edited August 27, 2014 by jlheureux

[jlheureux]

So, I'm feeling like my light colored wood is looking a little monotone. Anything else I could do to add a bit of weathering or to otherwise just give it a little more texture?

[HIPEXEC]

Very nice work!

[foxy]

Great build, but excuse my ignorance on the gun ports, when did the Connie use the single gun ports instead of the double gun port.

 

Seems each captain changed the ship in some way on commanding it, was there no regulation at this time.

 

foxy

[jlheureux]

Thanks Foxy;

 

If I get what you're asking you're wondering about the single door flip up style gunports instead of a 2 piece segmented shutter style gunport.

I don't have the pictures on me but with this model the kit specifies making the gunports throughout the ship this way with the one piece flip up door.

It WAS nice using wood instead of pre-fab crappy metal doors, and I like the addition of the line on them that my SF didn't have.

 

One random pair of gunport doors I believe right up by the bow had a two piece shutter in the plans, but for consistancy sake (as well as laziness sake-Don't build when you're tired / have had more than one beer) I just made them consistant throughout. If there is one thing I've learned on here is I'm the captain of my own ship build and I do what I want!

 

Anyone a little more historically inclined on here have any info on the difference between gunport types?

[foxy]

No problem shipmate. you do it as you like and have fun.

 

But have noticed on other builds this difference with the gun port lids, that's why the question.

 

I am sure someone will have the answer.

 

Maybe I am mixing up the Costitution with the Constellation

 

Happy modelling

 

foxy

Edited August 27, 2014 by foxy

[mtaylor]

The kit uses the one piece lids as that was what was fitted to the real thing back when the kit was designed.  The ship in Baltimore is now fitted with the correct lids (two piece).   Foxy, if you're not aware, the kit doesn't reflect the 1798 Constellation as no plans exist (or have been found, at least).  The kit is based on the ship sitting in Baltimore which at the time the kit was designed was a fiction.  Long story, much about it on the web.

[jlheureux]

Mtaylor- is the difference cosmetic or are their pros and cons to each type of port in practice?

[mtaylor]

Good question..  I think it's functionality.  With split ports, the guns were left run out and the lids sealed around them.   With single lids, the gun had to be pulled back in, the barrel raised and the whole thing lashed against the side of the ship.  It took more space.  Plus, if there was a need, it took some doing to unship it and make it ready, whereas with the split lid, pop open the lids, remove the tampion and you're in business. 

 

In 1798, the one piece lids were very common and it was also a "country" type of thing.  The French frigates of middle to late 1700's didn't (for the most part though some did) have any lids permanently installed.  The only time a lid was used was in heavy seas.

[jlheureux]

That makes total sense actually. Good point. I think it's pretty cool how different countries approached problems differently. I remember the awesome Horatio Hornblower series when they took a French ship and the crew commented on how "the frogs don't use footropes"

[Jack12477]

Jason,

 

You might try Tower Hobbies for line.  They used to have it in stock but the way things have been lately with many of manufacturers, maybe not.   Otherwise, try using the Amati line of ropes. 

 

The last alternative is for some positively stunning rope and that Syren Model Ship Company http://www.syrenshipmodelcompany.com/.  which is probably the best rope you'll ever find.

 

 

Mark, Jason

 

Tower Hobbies does carry a large assortment of Artesania Latina line and blocks. I bought a supply about 2 months ago; delivery was less than a week. I've had good luck with them. They also carry the AL boat kits as well. Sorry for the late post, I just found your build log.

 

Jack

 

"No one is as smart as all of us"

---------------------------------------------

Completed solo-builds: AL Swift , AL Armed Virginia Sloop, AL Santisima Trinidad Captain's Launch, AL Morgan Whaleboat, Dumas 3/8"=1' Scale model of 41 ft USCG Utility Boat

Completed co-builds: MS Phantom, MS Sultana, MS Morgan, MS Niagara, Amati Lady Nelson, AL Swift (2nd time)

In dry-dock for solo-builds: AL 1798 US Constellation, AL  Marie Jeanne, MS Willie Bennett, MS Picket Boat, Dumas Donzi Z65 Tournament Fisherman (R/C)

[Jack12477]

Overall I like the look and feel. I can't wait to get masts on her. I feel like it looks pretty close. Part of me wishes I'd painted. I just really like the look of natural wood. My goal is to paint my next one up. I'm thinking that MS Armed Virginia Sloop? Try something a little cheaper, but a new company and MS seems to create some new challenges and opportunities. What do you folks think of it? One Q: doesn't look like it comes with canvas though.

 

Jason

 

Tower Hobbies has an Latina 1/41 1819 Virginia American Schooner with sails for 89.99 USD.  I bought and built that exact kit from them several years ago. It's a nice kit.  Double planked in a mahogany veneer.  Looks nice.  Fairly easy build.

 

Jack

Edited September 3, 2014 by Jack12477

[jlheureux]

Thanks for the suggestion Jack.

I'm not into un-armed ships, if it ain't got cannons I'm not interested.

HOWEVER-That ship you suggest has a pretty sweet looking swivel cannon I've not seen before.

I may have to give that one a shot.

[jlheureux]

Side Project: Mantua Naval Cannon

 

In my adventures with the USS Constellation model build I hit a 'road bump.' I happened to be browsing the isles of my local hobby shop and happened upon this little gem. This kit was marked down from $90 to $40 bucks. At a $50 discount I couldn't pass it up. The guy at the shop said a fella had come in and traded in a bunch of old kits, hence the markdown. I left feeling like a winner. I think it's technically a 'French Naval Cannon' but I liked the red, yellow, and black scheme of a Victory style ship so I painted it up that way. I ran out of room on the board so the one rear line isn't exactly accurate, but it works.

 

For giggles I made a few extra little accessory pieces like the power canisters and the cannon bore scraper. I think it came out pretty good. It was just the distraction I needed to get my mind off of tying all those tiny damn knots.

 

Now back to work on the Constellation!!

 

 

[WackoWolf]

Now that is nice and worth the price all day. Thanks for sharing with us.

[jlheureux]

Thanks man! It was basically a one day project but a great diversion. Only gripe I had with the kit was it didn't come with deck planking. The instructions stated "mark lines with a marker on the base to simulate deck planking" and I was like "yea, right" and made a quick trip back to the ship for some plank material.

[jlheureux]

Made a little headway back on the Constellation. Got the mainmast lower shrouds 95% done. Man it is a slow tedious process tying all those knots. This one has 8 lines and I made 25 rungs, on both sides. 8X25X2 is a lot of tiny knots. Hey anyone else working on this kit: how do you keep from going insane?

[Jetwrench]

Hey anyone else working on this kit: how do you keep from going insane?

 

Jason, you will go insane so just roll with it. Two beers and a nap on that couch will reset you. Ask me how I know.

 

BTW, which rigging line are you using? Kit supplied or...?

 

 

John

[mtaylor]

hmm... he builds model ships with rigging and asks about insanity..       I thought that was the reason we build these things.    :D    

[foxy]

Don't know about insane, but that sofar looks good to relax in. .

 

I think all modelling can drive you nuts sometimes, but its good to escape.

 

foxy

Edited September 16, 2014 by foxy

[jlheureux]

Yea, that cannon was a worthwhile diversion. My other coping strategy is to take my time more. MY first ship came out great, don't get me wrong but I went straight out on it and built the whole thing in about 2 months flat. So I'm just working on this one, then taking breaks as I need them and it's been working well. I'm a hobby addict so I brew beer, play guitar, workout, ride my motorcycle, write, paint, build furniture, build models......It's a busy life!