Imai 1:80 USS Constitution (wood)

I can't comment on the Imai Constitution, but  have a couple of their wooden kits (Thermopylae 1/80 and Catalan ship 1/30).  They have metal parts, like figureheads etc. where Billings would have plastic.  They also have  some plastic parts e.g. deckhouses, I don't remember off-hand what else.  Overall I think they are better than Billings in general, but I have not seen their new Constitution kit.  I would think the best Constitution kit would be the one by Model Shipways.

Thanks cerberusjf;

At least that's reassuring.  The Imai Constitution has metal castings for the bow and stern carving but no plastic of any sort.  I really don't believe the kit is originally Billings but when someone, who may be more knowledgable than I, says something like that it can't help but raise doubts.  I'm sure the Model Shipways kit is better but I don't have the kit because it's the Constitution - I have it because it's an Imai.   I'd swap it for a Imai wooden Catalan Ship (or Chebec) without hesitation.

Have you built the Thermopylae and/or Catalan?

Michael

Sorry, I hadn'd read your original post properly.  I'm not sure if your kit is one to collect or build, I don't know the kit at all.  I have a soft spot for Imai too, but like all manufacturers they have their good kits and their bad ones.  And even if it's a good kit, it would depend on what other manufacturer has done the same subject and how well.   I hope someone can answer your question for you.

Some of the Imai wooden kits have been reissued in the past by "Woody Joe", but not by Billings and I don't know about the quality of the reissues.  You can see some here for example, including the Catalan ship ;-)  (I don't have any affiliation with this site).

http://www.zootoyz.jp/en-us/dept_67.html

You can read about it here

/forums/p/116117/1163787.aspx

Sadly their 1/80 Cutty Sark kit looks as if it's unavailable now, oh well.. 

And I would advise building a couple of other wooden kits before starting the Constitution.  If you don't have any experience I think a good place to start would be a small ship with a simple rig, something simple like Model Shipways "Phantom" which was (is?) a good quality kit with excellent plans so you can detail it well.  The reason I say this is that there are a lot of skills and techniques to know before you tackle a big project like this and it would be a shame to spoil a rare kit.

There are some excellent books on the Model Shipways site if you don't have any and another good book is "Plank-on-frame models" by Underhill, particullarly vol. I. 

Thank you for your sage advice.  Much food for thought!

Believe it or not I have the Model Shipways Phantom!  I started it about two years ago but I only got as far as shaping the hull and some deck fittings before it was interrupted.  It's still on the pile, I saw it just last night and wondered if I should attempt to finish it off before tackling anything else.  If I can get this image posting thing right (it’s been a few years…) a few pics of the work not in progress might appear below;

Shaping the hull was enjoyable work but thinning out those bulwarks was hard yakka, especially when they split.  You can see where the cracks were but don't look too closely.

I think you've convinced me to sell on the Constitution, as you rightly say it'd be a shame to ruin a rare kit.  Perhaps I can use the money to purchase the Catalan ship, assuming I can get one from Woody Joe.  Failing that the Winston Churchill.

Hi,

I didn't mean to encourage you to sell your Imai Constitution, only to get a lot of practice in techniques like planking and rigging before tackling such a big project.  If you come to regret selling it, it will be difficult to find another one. 

Here are a couple of shots of my Imai Catalan ship and actually there are a few plastic parts, like the fighting top and the base of the focsl. Also the baskets that hang from the sides.   Replacements could be made from more suitable material of course.  I don't know if Woody Joe products are teh same though.. 

http://s229.photobucket.com/albums/ee274/cerberusjf/?action=view&current=DSC_1947.jpg

http://s229.photobucket.com/albums/ee274/cerberusjf/?action=view&current=DSC_1946.jpg

Thanks for the pix of the Catalan - that's the model I'd really like to have!

I've made up my mind to sell the Imai USS Constitution kit for several reasons;

a: The sheer size and fragility of the completed model - we simply can't accomodate a model that big in a small house.

b: Even with more experience I don't believe I could do this kit the justice it deserves.

c: While I collect Imai kits the huge box takes up a lot of space.

d: I have no particular interest in the Constitution, if it were the Cutty Sark or of course the Catalan, it would be different but I can't just build a model kit, I need to feel some rapport with the subject (does that evem make sense?).

Anyhow thanks for your invaluable advice and time, at least I've gotten back to work on the Phantom!

Michael