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USS Constitution 1:96 - Revell Build Log...

Ahoy! The prodigal shipbuilder has returned. I won't bore you with the particulars that dragged me away from Connie these last few years (anyone else take up bizarre hobbies like blacksmithing in their retirement?), but I am back on the job.
I'm ready to close up the gun deck on my Constitution as soon as the 15-minute epoxy I ordered arrives Tuesday. I've spent a good bit of time fine-tuning the knees and beams that will support the spar deck at the right height. I made some cannonball racks and stained some 2mm brass bearings for the cannonballs. So much of this level will never be seen again so I'm ready to move on.

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Lookin good!!
Have you glued together the 3 sections of spar deck as others have done before fitting it to the hull? I'm just about ready to add the spar deck, but can't figure out how to squeeze the whole spar deck onto the hull without breaking things. Waiting to see what you do!
 
Myhr99 said:
Lookin good!!
Have you glued together the 3 sections of spar deck as others have done before fitting it to the hull? I'm just about ready to add the spar deck, but can't figure out how to squeeze the whole spar deck onto the hull without breaking things. Waiting to see what you do!
Click to expand...
The spar deck is assembled and ready to rock. I've spent a lot of time making it fit as close to the edges as possible. The cross beam supports are doing some of the work of establishing the gap so the spar deck pretty much drops in with little adjustment. It goes in far easier than the gun deck did. That one was a bear to install and required a lot of tense moments, spreading the hull and praying it wouldn't crack or separate. There are a couple of places in the middle where I couldn't install beams that are a little tight or loose. The tight spots will require a tiny bit of spread for the spar deck to fit in. The loose spots will call for some clamping to pull things together. I have some small bar clamps that will likely work. I've also seen other builders use tape and/or string to pull things tight. Hopefully all my planning won't go to hell too badly when the glue goes down. I got slow-setting epoxy so I'd have time to make adjustments during that critical phase. Fingers crossed.

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The build is looking really good. I built the Revell Whaler Charles Morgan when I was 13. I was thinking of doing it again until I saw the prices for these old models on Ebay. Just too high and then as much as $50.00 shipping on top of the asking price. I might have done it anyways if I had nothing in my stash. I will just watch your build so thanks for that.
 
Mikey25252 said:
The build is looking really good. I built the Revell Whaler Charles Morgan when I was 13. I was thinking of doing it again until I saw the prices for these old models on Ebay. Just too high and then as much as $50.00 shipping on top of the asking price. I might have done it anyways if I had nothing in my stash. I will just watch your build so thanks for that.
Click to expand...
What a coincidence: I visited the Morgan at Mystic Seaport many years ago. I did a quick search and found this Revell Morgan kit on ebay for $60 (+$10 shipping). Maybe it's closer to your budget?
 
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