Back in 2006, I posted this in another thread:
"I'm currently building the 1/196 Constitution to appear as it does today in Boston. Not historically accurate for her active duty days perhaps, but there's certainly no lack of documentation and photos of her current configuration.
This is the second time I've built this kit -the first time was back in the late 60's when I was in junior high. That kit had the old coated-string ratlines, which actually didn't look that bad IMHO. Certainly more convincing than than molded monstrosities in the current kit. As I recall, that kit also had multiple piece masts as opposed to the one-piece masts in the current release.
I'm opening up the main hatch and am building a false gun deck below - kind of a shadow box effect. Used my 1/96 kit as a pattern to add some details to the false gun deck -hatches, lashed spars, etc. Really not that big of a deal. Will try to post some pictures later.
Other miscellaneous stuff:
- Fabricated gun port doors for the three windows/gun ports on the stern. More accurate, plus more convincing than trying to paint them convincingly. And certainly less work than cutting them out and actually glazing them.
- Currently rigging the footropes and Flemmish horses on the yards.
- Currently painting all of the long guns - painting the ends red to represent the tampions rather than drilling out the bores (truly boring...).
- Detailed the head - including drilling out the appropriate openings...
- I've painted the hull above the waterline, including the stripe along with the bow and stern details and the insides of the bulwarks - easier to mask and paint those areas prior to assembling the hull. As soon as I get the guns painted and mounted I'll close it up and then paint the copper bottom.
- Added an eyebolt to the rudder so I can add the preventer chains after it is mounted
My plan is to rig the topgallant shrouds and ratlines, seize the lower shrouds, step the masts and then tie off the individual shrouds to the molded deadeyes and lanyards. Once the standing rigging is done, I'll mount the yards and add the running rigging. So I'll be working on this one for a while yet. I've got another 1/196 kit on the shelf, and I've played with the idea of "backdating" it to 1812(?) configuration: scratch-build a new stern, cut down the bulwarks, single helm to represent the pre-Java configuration. Maybe even with some weathering and battle damage. Might make an interesting companion piece to the current configuration. Also have given some thought to building the receiving ship version, or maybe a cut-away version showing the lower decks... too many ideas and too little time. :)
Due to numerous factors (work, training for triathlons, etc.) this project hit the doldrums. I never actually put it away, but it was shoved to the back of my workbench, mostly gathering dust. I would occasionally sit and look at it and dry fit parts together but didn't really work on it in earnest.
So finally after nine years, I'm finally picking it up again. Admittedly some of my renewed interest has been piqued by watching the reports of the real Constitution entering dry dock for an overhaul - so the new target for getting my model done is now sometime before the real thing is completed.
As previously, my plan is to build her as she looked during her turn around sail in 1997.
Here's the mostly completed deck with the scratch-built filler piece to fit under the main hatch. Just a piece of scribed plastic sheet and some hatches made from Evergreen strip.
To position the insert piece at the correct height as the gun deck, I attached some spacers to the bottom of the spar deck:
Looks like this when fitted, Didn't sweat adding too much detail as you can't see much of it on the finished model.
Getting ready to close up the hull halves for the final time with all the long guns ready to go:
The hull all closed up with the deadeye assemblies mounted to the channels. (No, the F-14 ejection seats don't figure into this project).
Transom and rudder painted up and ready to go. Added an eye bolt to the rudder for the preventer chain.
Before mounting the transom and rudder, drilled holes for eyebolts to festoon the rudder preventer chain:
That's about it for now. Going to do some detail work and paint touch-up on the deck & hull and then step the masts. The fun is just beginning.
Mark