USS Constitution build II - 35 years later

Hi Bob,

Your story almost mirrors mine regarding the ole Connie, in my case a ceiling register decided to come loose and fall onto the ship that was 90% complete totally destroying it, so I'll be jogging down memory lane with ya.!

Michael D.

Michael:  Happy to share the journey with you! 

So I have been busy for the last 5 or 6 weeks, so I have some catching up to do.

I started with the hull, and followed Force9's lead to beef up the gun deck ports.  I added a layer of .060 styrene around the ports and along the bottom edge where the final planks would go.  I then added .040 x .125 styrene "planks" over the top.  I left the bottom row off for now, so I would have a bit more room to slip the deck in.  I plan on added a portion of the berth deck below that as well, but only in the areas that will be seen through the open deck hatches and ladder areas.  Since it will be lit (dimly), I need to add this.

I decided to go with wooden decking, so I had to build some.  I used 1/8" wide basswood strips and "painted" the edge with a dry erase marker before gluing together with wood glue.  Held it all together with 2" wide masking tape spaced every 3 inches  While that was drying, I started with the gun deck from the box.  I glued up the plastic deck and traced it exactly onto paper, including all the deck openings.  Using the drawings from the USS Constitution museum, I then edited the cutouts to better match the plans rather than the model's version.  I then traced this onto the wooden deck and cut everthing out very carefully with a new #11 blade.  Finally, I added the gun stop around the deck.

I scratch built the necessary new hatch openings out of styrene, and cut out those from the plastic deck that didn't need to be altered, and checked the fit.  Finally, I added the board ends and nail holes with a small chisel and a T-pin.  I then stained the deck "Early American" and gave it 3 coats of polyurethane (sanding in between).

In between, I have been painting gun carriages, stairs, and most other parts needed for the early stages of the build.  More to follow.

Bob

Great work on the deck. Individual Basswood strips seems like quite a daunting task.

 I have quite a few photo's of the Constitution, collected from the usual sources, and your deck color/tonality seems like a great match to the 2011 Change of Command  event.

Here's closeup from a Public domain pic:

 The deck is a bit worn/dirty in spots.  You can make out the 2 different "shades" where different wood was used.

That is very well done. It's not so hard to go with individual strips. And the difference is remarkable.

Thanks Nino.  Not so daunting once you get it all set up and get in a rhythm.

The color in your picture was exactly what I had in my mind's eye.

Thanks GM.  It makes all the difference.  I also run a fine sanding block down one edge before gluing so that there is a distinct board edge.  I also did the same with the styrene planking on the inner hull for the same reason.  Creates a nice shadow line.  For the plastic, I use a cardboard emory board my wife uses on her nails.

Bob

Needed bits and a stove, so I decided to try my hand at building one.  I used an image of the BlueJacket camboose to get the size right, and then put this together:

Added the vent pipe as well, as the original kit version just seemed way too small.

I couldn't decide on how I wanted to do the chain bits, so I made one of each.  Finally decided on a hybrid - pair of each.  Then I stumbled upon ModelMonkey's 1/96 stuff and purchased his stove, some barrels, and the capstans.  Since his 3D printing is clear, it seemed easier to light his stove, so I have decided to go with that instead.

Moving on to bilge pumps next.

Bob

Luv, You do really beautiful work. I am anxious to see the hull when you get it painted.

Thanks Gene.  Debating on whether or not to patina the copper plating.  Seen so many variations on that, from painstakingly altering individual plates, to the generic green wash.  Still haven't decided on what to do.  Suggestions welcomed!

Hi Bob, I just found this thread and think you are doing a fantastic job. My first Constitution was with my father back in the late 60's. He would spin tails of the old girl's exploits while we built her. I have been tooking at the kit as of late to do her justice. I must say that you are setting the bar high. I don't believe I could do as good a job.

I'll be watching and taking notes.

Steve

This may be one reason why it takes me twice as long to complete something than I planned - daddy's little helper!

Thanks Steve.  I definitely have a Type-A personality, and am a bit of a perfectionist, so once I have a goal or a picture in my mind's eye (that I have usually pirated from the internet), I strive to get it to look like that.  Did the same with all my pinball mods, which is probably why folks liked them as much as they did.  My wife says I should have been an artist, but I am my own worst critic, and probably would never have sold anything due to my own stubborness.

Bob

So using the plans from the museum and many pictures from the ship, I started first with the copper portions of the pumps on the gun deck.  I used plastic beads I purchased at HobbyLobby (a bag of 100+ beads of various sizes for $1.99) and selected six that looked about the right size.  Painted them the metallic copper I used on the hull.  But once I placed them next to the 1/96" figure, they just looked too large.  So I picked out the next smaller size and that looked much better.  I flattened the bottom with a file and added the outflow pipe and a base and repainted.  I then built the pump handles and stands out of strip styrene.  Painted that all black, and then added the "wooden" handles - painted 1/32" styrene rod.  Set it up as in the pics and drawings - 4 on one set, and 2 on the other.  Below is a photo of the set of 4 with one of the crew:

And here is one on the deck with all 6 pumps.

Hi;

 I like that you said , and I quote " I am my own worst critic " !  I have been saying that for years ! To every modeler I talk to . You'r edition of the old Girl is awesome .I do like everything you've done to date . T.B.

Thanks for the kind words, TB.  Here is a funny Calvin & Hobbs that pertains to this:

Started working on the spar deck walls last night.  I am using .015 x .125 styrene strips (.156 for top board and trimming) for the planking.  I tried .010 and .020 - .010 too thin, and .020 was tough to get the bolt pattern imprint through.  .015 works great.  To get an even pattern, I tried a 5/16" pounce wheel, but couldn't get straight lines on such a thin width strip.  So I made a jig out of .030 x .125 strip stock and drilled holes exactly where I wanted them, slightly larger than the blunted T-pin I was using to press into the .015 strip.  Took a couple of tries to get the jig just how I wanted, but now I can press about an inch of strip stock per minute.  Mounted and painted a few to show how it looks:

Below you can see the thickened gun deck walls.

Sorry, but this Calvin is even MORE appropriate.  He has caught the modeling bug!

I know how he feels.

Yes, I understand completely! Except in the 1950's the Aurora and other models I built were most likely under $5.00 .

The sentiment, I believe, must be quite common among young modelers - and even much older ones .

I know I can probably find the answer to this question in Force9's build log, but I will ask again anyway. 

Was the rudder on the Constitution copper plated like the hull in 1812, or was it left "bare" as depicted in the Revell model? 

Any answers appreciated.

Bob

Hi Bob,

I love your build, your attention to detail, and your technique for building up the decks from wood is astounding!

There are valid arguments on both sides for why the rudder should or should not be coppered and they have been made in various threads throughout this forum. My argument for coppering the rudder comes from the appearance on the Isaac Hull model housed at the Peabody Essex Museum. Here is a previous thread with pictures:

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/7/t/138375.aspx

Note that the rudder is painted green, just as the coppered portion of the hull. I was also hoping to find some evidence in the Michel Felice Corne paintings of the Constitution vs Guerriere paintings, but even zooming in on the pics in Force9's thread did not yield any solid evidence. 

Cheers,

Jose

I think it looks better sheathed.

Jose - thanks for the research.  Interesting to me is the green paint on hatch comings and deck fittings.

GM - I agree - it will look better with it sheathed.

Fantastic job...love the inventive mods.....

Rob

Thanks Rob.

Working on putting together the spar deck now.  Finished (for the most part) the gun deck add-ons and the inside of the hull, including beefing up the bow near the anchor gussets.  Any other things I might need will be installed once I get the hull together and the gun deck mounted.  I will be hanging the berth deck below the gun deck beneath the open areas of gun deck and installing the 34 portholes listed on the plan.  So the question now is, will any of the hammocks be visible, and if so, should I put a light or two on the berth deck?

I have just about completed the berth and gun decks before mounting them.  Images of the berth deck and the pumps I built for it are included.

I also have a couple of photos of the (nearly) completed berth deck below.

Since the berth and gun decks are fairly complete, I decided to start with a bit of the lighting.  Since I have to work my way up, I started with the berth deck.  This will be lit by 8 4x4mm yellow LEDs.  Each LED is only 1.5mm thick so they will not get in the way of anything on the berth deck.  They are (will be) mounted to the underside of the gun deck using a hot glue gun and 2 hour cure clear gorilla glue.  The photos tell the story:

After completing the soldering, I insulated any exposed wiring with liquid tape (rubbery stuff that acts like electrical tape).  Testing of the wiring:

there are only 4 lights attached to the bottom of gun deck at this point, but you get the idea!

Once the gun deck is in place, I will install the captain's cabin and wire up those lights, including the orage glow for the camboose.

Bob

this is such a great model to follow bob , your a very talented modeler mate ,

Thanks Steve.

Working on the cannons and carriages right now.  Also working on laying out the circuit board to power the lighting.  Found a decent one that will fit in the hull, but now I have to lay out the various circuits that need power.  I will take pictures when I have it all worked out.  All those years repairing circuit boards at the bowling alley will finally pay off.  I hope.

Bob