Back-dating the Revell 1/96th Constitution to the Tripoli/Barbary Coast years, or use another?

Hello nfafan...

I think a representation in the Barbary years would be very interesting.  Firstly it would require attention to removing/replacing a few elements from the kit.  The double dolphin striker would need to be replaced with a single, the trysail mast has to go, and the forward most gunport on the main gun deck would need to be filled in.  Additionally the bow trailboard would need the dragon and other elements removed and replaced with something generic.  I don't know what it should look like, but we do know those decorative elements were added in a later refit.  A figurehead (Hercules?) would need to be added. The stern would probably benefit with some additional ornamentation.

The masts might require rope wooldings instead of iron hoops... Dunno for certain.  Her armament might need to be altered based on additional research (Tyrone Martin "A Most Fortunate Ship" probably has it)

The Corne painting commissioned by Commodore Preble provides nice guidance for painting and other details for this period:

I hope you pursue this approach and post some pictures of your progress.

Thx

Evan

Thanks for the reply!  Have a question on the Corne painting; I know why the white "band" around the gun ports was often painted ochre for deception during the 1812 campaigns, but any idea as to why Preble went with an ochre "band" around the gun ports as opposed to white in 1803, when not at war with England?  Going to have to get the "Most fortune ship" out again and do some reading...

The explanation for the 1803 ochre scheme is no more interesting than that being the standard gun stripe color of the world navies in that day.  The US was wild and crazy when they moved toward white gun stripes prior to the War of 1812.  I think it would've been unusual if the Constitution did NOT have an ochre stripe in 1803.

I'm thinking that John Tilley (jtilley) is probably the best source of information on this matter, since the painting of the "Federal" frigates was proably greatly influenced by the practices which were followed for the frigates built during the Revolution.

I found the illustration below off the U.S.S. Constitution off Tripoli in 1804 on the web some time ago while considering the same subject.  

Assuming that this is accurate, the paint scheme seems to follow the general pattern for English warships for the period 1775 through 1798 (please see Model Ship Builder, Mar/Apr 1987, "English Warships in the Daysof Sail, Part IV"):

Hull: Yellow with black wales (in the picture above, the yellow extends far below the gun ports, so it is probably more than a streak) - the brig trailing the Constitution definitely has a yellow hull.  It also looks as though the masts are yellow (rather than white)

Upper works: Black, yellow or gilded carved work

Interior: Red (more likely green, but this is a guess on my part).

Bottom: Copper

Chapelle, "The American Sailing Navy," notes that "...the painting of the ships of the Navy was left to the commander's taste for a very long period; at least no regulations concerning this have been found prior to the '30's [1830's].  In the War of 1812, the American frigates were usually black, with a bright yellow streak along the gun ports, British fashion."  (page 417).

Good luck!

Mike

Am also converting the REVELL 1/96 CONSTITUTION to 1803 appearance under Preble. Humphries building draft shows open railings along the entire length, but apparently she was built with stern bulwarks planked. I remember reading somewhere that the forecastle bulwarks were not planked until around 1808, but I can't find that reference now. Anyone know if the forecastle had open railings in 1803, similar to what's seen on images and models of USS ESSEX?

Here is some info from the Navy:

Documentation concerning USS Constitution & the color of her gun streak:

Enjoying the thread, great discussion.  Building mine as in 1812 but am fascinated by the ship's earlier appearance. 

Best wishes to all on your models.

Gentlemen,

I would also purchase the CD USS Constitution Plans published and sold through the USS Constitution Museum.  It includes many drawings of how the ship changed throughout each of her conversions.  You might also contact the museum for specific information about her appearance in 1803.  And, don't be surprised by the ochre gunport stripe; Constitution changed the color several times.  She even sailed around the world once painted white with a crimson stripe.

I would recommend the Revell 1/96 kit for the conversion.  Of all the models of the ship, this one seems to more closely represent her in the War of 1812 era, although the model does not truly do so. Look at Force 9's log. The smaller Revell kit represents her between 1833 and 1870.  The Imai/Ertl/Monogram kit looks to be of a later period.

Bill

I also found this link to a great model of the USS Constitution at the time of her launch.

http://www.shipmodel.com/art-Glanville-Richard.html

Please note the open bulwarks, the Hercules figurehead, single martingale, the color scheme, two yards on the bowsprit, and the different propostions to the masts and rigging.

If the link does not work, simply go to www.Modelwarships.com and look in the March 2007 folder.  The story was posted March 16, 2007 at 3:26 p.m.

Bill