Constitution by Geoff Matson - Model Shipways 2040 - 1/76 scale

[capnharv2]

Looks great Geoff. I was tempted to make and install the stuns'l booms to help stabilize the support fittings (the aft one gets really banged up), but I wasn't sure they would be in the way of rigging. I see that they are.

 

Thanks for posting the photos!

 

Harvey

[Geoff Matson]

Well, I finished the fore and aft bumpkins. I used basswood for the bumpkins Square plastic for the iron band and wire for the rods. Just took everything off the plans.

 

 

 

 

 

The one Thing I noticed is that once the bowsprit is installed it is going to be a tight fit to install the chains around the bowsprit

 

Edited April 7, 2013 by Geoff Matson

[themadchemist]

Hello Geoff

Beautiful work. the details on the masts are amazing. Your bowsprit turned out excellent also.

I tend to spend way too much time thinking things over myself. I prefer to think of it as internal research rather then putting it off. The difference is the amazing detail that was produced by that stalling/thinking. I like the pace that model ship building forces us to take sometimes. Its a slow precise hobby and your mastering it. I can't wait to see your rigging, as I'm sure it will conform to the excellency of the rest of your conny build.

[JeffT]

Nicely done Geoff. Your conny is looking excellent!

[CaptainSteve]

I second that !! 

Edited April 11, 2013 by CaptainSteve

[Geoff Matson]

Thanks guys.

 

It sure is nice to have a group and future group of guys working on the Conny. That way you know help is just an email away

[themadchemist]

I just relooked over your log, to evaluate your use of styrene and on my previous post I guess I didn't pay attention to the fact that this is a 1:76 kit. I'm even more astounded with the details of the masts and their components then on my previous look. One often forgets to look at the scale before evaluating. Such detail at such scales is a definite mark of a true artist.

 

Looking forward to seeing those masts rise and standing ringging go on.

[Geoff Matson]

Looks like we are at the two ends of the state. I am right on the Ill. Wis. Border. Thanks for the comments. I wish the Conny was of a larger scale so you could show more details. But if it was You have have to keep it in a garage!   I am now working on the yards, A lot shaping and sanding to get them right.

[JSGerson]

In looking over your last set of images, I took particular notice of the stern and have two questions.

 

First, how did you create the "Constitution" nameplate with such fine lettering detail. Is this self made decal, part of the kit, or what?

 

Second, what is the purpose of the rudder chain? Obviously it's not part of the steering mechanism. The only thing I've been able to hazard a guess is, it is some kind of fail safe to catch the rudder should it fall off during battle or storm. If that is the case why are there three chain loops. Are they decoration or do they serve some sort of purpose like a shock absorber to prevent breakage should the chain suddenly become taut due to a falling rudder?

[Geoff Matson]

Thanks for your interest

 

The lettering on the name plate is just dry tranfer lettering from woodland senics. Very east to use.

 

As for the chains on the rudder. I think you are right about it being a fail safe to keep the ruddr from breaking away. Not sure as why there are three loops. That is what is on the plans.  If I were to do it over I would blacken the chain and not have it brass.

[Geoff Matson]

Making progress on the yardarms

 

Since I have no lathe here are the tools I use to make the yardarms.

 

 

I start with a square dowel and sand it down.

 

Here is the yard before painting.

 

 

 

Again I used styrene to simuliate the wood battens and iron fittings. Here it is painted

 

 

 

 

The studding sails dowels were colored with Burnt Sienna oil paint.

Edited April 23, 2013 by Geoff Matson

[Tophog]

Really looking great

[Geoff Matson]

Thanks Geoffrey,  I like the way you spell your name

[JeffT]

Good work Geoff. I hadn't thought about using square dowels.

[themadchemist]

Nice work!

 

Are those some kind of sanding blocks under the emory board? I find hand work relaxing. It takes alot of time but its rewarding when its finished and looks awesome, as yours do.

[Geoff Matson]

Jeff:

I can never find good straight dowels. So I make my own. For the Conny they are a strip of poplar wood from Menards. I then cut them to proper size and then sand away.      

 

themadchemist:

 

The sanding blocks are made by GreatPlanes and called easy-touch hand sander. They fit good in your hand and are easy to use. I have five of them with grits of 80,100,150,180 and 220. Makes sanding alot easier.

[aliluke]

Hi Geoff

Just caught up on your log. Beautiful work indeed. I always tip my hat to those who take on this model - it is epic and you doing it a great justice. Will follow from now on.

 

Cheers

Alistair

[Geoff Matson]

I finished the Fore, Main and Mizzen lower yards

 

 

 

 

 

One of the draw backs with using oil paint to simulate the bright colors is that it tends to rub off with ahndling and will nedd to be touched up. No big deal.

Edited May 3, 2013 by Geoff Matson

[themadchemist]

You know what they say, spring time is time to start yard work

More Beautiful work, even if the lawn doesn't get mowed...

[Modeler12]

Geoff, the alignment of those eyebolts and jackstays is perfect!!! Great job, my friend. I wish mine were that good.

[Geoff Matson]

Jay

 

Those jackstays took some time. I am now working on the top sail yards and want to make the jackstays one size smaller and do the same for the top gallant yards. The top gallant yards will be a challange to make. But I love a challange.

[texxn5]

Thanks for all the pictures I'll be using them with my Morgan to follow how you've done the yards and such. Looks great.

[Geoff Matson]

I finished with the top sail yards.

 

 

 

 

I did use smaller eyebolds and rods for the jackstays. I will folllow the same procedure the remaining yards. THe higher I go the smaller the eyebolds adn rods for the jack stays.

 

Now on to the top gallant and royals. The smalller the yards become it is more time consuming to shape the yards.

 

Edited May 26, 2013 by Geoff Matson

[Geoff Matson]

I finished the topgallent and royal yardarms

 

 

Here are all the yardarms.

 

 

 

Now on to the spritsail yard, spanker boom and spanker gaff.

 

 

Edited June 2, 2013 by Geoff Matson

[hamilton]

Beautiful (and I imagine painstaking) work, Geoff! I love the detail and finishing on the spars!

hamilton

[ZyXuz]

Impressive!!!

I love every detail on the yards!! you handled them well!!

[Geoff Matson]

Well I finished the spritsail yard and the gaff boom and spanker boom

 

 

Now all have do is make line and then onto the rigging part

Edited June 12, 2013 by Geoff Matson

[themadchemist]

Just breath-taking work, all this detail is going to look so good hanging.

[SkerryAmp]

Outstanding work, neat and clean (I am so drawn to that and dying to do that kind of work on my own... but living through people like yourself for now =) ).

 

And the colors just pop.

 

The masts are coming along really nicely and look solid.

 

Love it.

 

-Adam

[Modeler12]

Geoff, you are doing fantastic work on those spars. I like the way you added the studding spars. The fittings are perfect.

 

I am afraid I tend to go too quickly with mine and overlook the details. I just need to pay more attention to your work. Keep the pictures coming.