If you want to build an historically accurate model of Constitution, before spending money on drawings, I suggest that you first decide “which” Constitution you want to build. Of course there is really only one ship but since she has remained in commission throughout her long life she has been “updated” many times changing her appearance. Even her 1990’s major overhaul failed to return her to her period of historic significance when she fought the Barbary Pirates or the Royal Navy.
In the 1920’s she also underwent a major repair. Photos of her in a dry dock stripped of her planking date from this overhaul. Back in the 1990’s the Navy offered a free CD with Constitution plans. These plans date from the 1920’s. If you visit the museum’s website make sure that plans offered are not these from the 1920’s unless you’re modeling the ship to her 1920’s appearance.
The changes to Constitution are discussed in the book Old Ironsides by Thomas C. Gillmer. Gillmer is a naval architect who was involved with the overhaul in the 1990’s that resulted in Constitution being (briefly) sailed. It’s good reading for anyone interested in the ship and is written by someone who knows the subject.
Roger
