Stick A Fork In Me, My Constitution Model Is Almost Done

Beautiful job there Leftie ! You can be proud of her.

Julian

My my my.  so far it looks excellent, especially the rigging. 

What was your approach to the deadeyes and what did you use for rigging. and what approach did you use for the ratlins.  You seem to have taken a somewhat different take on the model with the yellow stripe, gun port lids stowed and the changes to the boats.  According to other posts these colors were used at times on the boat, so I am not suggesting you made a mistake, I am currious about why you made this choice.

Your rope work does look fabulous.

Very nice work.  The rigging is very impressive!

Mark

   MagicSteve:  I'm an aircraft modeler. And when you're doing a particular aircraft, photos are available to guide you to get it right. But since this isn't possible with the 1812 Constitution I had to rely on the wealth of knowledge here and elsewhere on the web.

  I started this project in Aug 2005 and quickly learned that all the models were based on conflicting information. I wanted to build my model just like the Issac Hull Constitution but notice it had 15 gun ports and the Revell model had 16, so that wasn't gonna happen. What I decided to do is to look at all the models on line and choose what I thought looked cool or believable. So you'll see in my model a piece of others Constitution models.

   The deadeyes I bought at Hobbytown and I can't remember the brand name. I used the kits blocks since I could find any aftermarket blocks that looked more accurate. Surely there are some that would look better but I didn't send the time looking for them. If anyone knows of any that look convincing close-up please let me know you makes them.

OUTSTANDING Build !

My wife got me the HMS Enterprise about 12 years ago, and I have no idea on how to even start on that

But your Constitution is looking GREAT !

Bud 

What I find most impressive is your rope work.  What type of cord did you use, and what was your approach to rigging.  It looks like you scratch built the fittings for the studding sail booms (on the yards). 

 

Leftie

    Nice work very nice.Make sure you put that beauty in a case to perserve it.

Rod

Leftie, It looks fantastic and real.

Please .........how did you attach your bottom deadeyes?????????????

 

 

Would also like to know how difficult the ratlines were ?

Thanks 

Outstanding work.  Glad to see you put in the extra effort with the rat lines.  I've done that myself and can appreciate the work.  Be sure to put that baby in a display case!

Dave

  MagicSteve: The cord I used for the shrouds was from a company called Artesania Latina sold at my local HobbyTown(NC). The part number was 8144. In hindsight I should have used a larger thread. After starting my shrouds I read that the actual shrouds were 11" in dia.

  To get rid of the fuzziness I tried beeswax but I guess I wasn't doing it right. Looked like the glaze on a donut. So I decided to try something a little different. I took a lenght of thread and dabbed a little Testors Rubber Enamel paint on it and smeared it for the lenght of the thread with a cloth. It worked very well. It got rid of the fuzzies and made it more like wire...but not too much.

   The fittings were made from a loop I found at Michaels. Not perfect but acceptable.

  Wilbur: After securing the deadeye assembly to the shroud I wrapped a small thread around the lower deadeye and passed it through the hole in the channel. I then cemented it into place with CA. If it was a little too long I twisted it up until it gave the correct tension to the shroud. All this has its limitations of course.

  I'm glad to hear from others that ratline work takes months to do. The majority of my time was spent on the ratlines. At first it seemed like an impossible task but after I while I could do it in my sleep...Well, just about. Here's a photo that may give you a better idea.

It is nice to see this model done without the traditional colbalt white trim.  It looks so much better.

You did a fine job of blending the colors and I must say, you did a very good job building this model in accordance to your research.

Scott

Thank You for that Leftie. I am rigging the Alabama right now and its my first sailing ship as an adult using all my skills. I have found that I do also get the glazed donut afect with beeswax, however I have taken to holding a match  to it which will soften it for several minutes , then I use a match again after a few minutes and a few lines. I have left off the ratlines on this one and just run lines straight up. I can replace them If I become proficiant at ratlines at some point.

I am planning the Cutty Sark for latter this year and must replace the deadeyes. They are on the inner hull on the CS which may present a problem to this method, I will see if the thread into hole method will work. It may and at least it gives me another idea. 

 

  MagicSteve: The cord I used for the shrouds was from a company called Artesania Latina sold at my local HobbyTown(NC). The part number was 8144. In hindsight I should have used a larger thread. After starting my shrouds I read that the actual shrouds were 11" in dia.

  My understanding is that the lines are measured in circumfrence not diameter so 11" lines would be 3.5" in diameter, in scale 3/64" or about 1mm.  11" diameter lines in scale would be like 1/8" rod, thicker than the upper masts.  I think you got the right rope.

It does show that you used good material in your construction.  Well done

Wow...speechless...

An outstanding model. I've seen quite a few Constitutions based on this kit over the decades; this is one of the very finest. The color scheme is quite impressive - and believable. It's obvious that Leftie did his homework.

I hope everybody notices what he says about rigging ratlines - especially the part about how it got easier - and faster - as he gained experience. I contend that the Great Ratline Problem is a hoax, perpetrated by manufacturers who seem determined to convince modelers that they just can't rig ratlines to scale. In fact it takes some practice and a certain amount of time but, as these pictures show, the results are worth it.

I look forward to seeing some more pictures of this model in due course. I hope Leftie has made arrangements for a cabinet or case of some sort. It's surprising - and depressing - how short a time it takes for ordinary dust to make a mess of a model like this, even if it isn't affected by carelessly-wielded dust mops, errant kids, or the number-one enemy of ship models: the species felinus domesticus.

   YES !!!! Very nicely done !! I have to second Prof. Tilley's remarks, excellent job, and a very attractive model. You have learned well. The time well spent on rigging, the excellent paint work, the attention to detail with the spars, and deck fittings.......very nicely done.

Pete

Very impressive work! Wish I had your skills with rigging. I'm definitely going to have to try and get some aftermarket deadeyes to use on my models - they hugely improve the appearance of the shrouds/ratlines .
During what period did the Constitution have the yellow hull strake and green bulwarks? I don't think I've seen a model with this paint scheme before. It certainly looks good.

  EPinniger: Jose Gonzales posted a letter from Ray Morton that convinced me that this color scheme was an option. I'm no good with links so...Use the search feature here and punch in Ray Morton. Look for Jose Gonzales post. Hope that helps.