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Looking for a Ship Builder - USS Constitution

L

lwalker.ca

Joined
Jun 16, 2026
Messages
9
Points
3

Hello. My name is Brian Walker. My father just passed away recently and he was in the middle of building the USS Constitution. I am looking for a model ship builder that can help me finish the model and would be willing to donate all material and tools that my father had. All tools would be kept by the ship builder. I would also pay the ship builder for their time but would need an estimate and ETA based off of progress photos that I can provide. Is there anyone out there that is interested in taking on this task? Please email me at: lwalker.ca@outlook.com
 
Hi Brian,
Is this a kit, and if so, is it plastic or wood? Please post some photos. Where are you located?
Thank you
Allan
 
lwalker.ca said:
Hello. My name is Brian Walker. My father just passed away recently and he was in the middle of building the USS Constitution. I am looking for a model ship builder that can help me finish the model and would be willing to donate all material and tools that my father had. All tools would be kept by the ship builder. I would also pay the ship builder for their time but would need an estimate and ETA based off of progress photos that I can provide. Is there anyone out there that is interested in taking on this task? Please email me at: lwalker.ca@outlook.com
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I'm curious why you wouldn't want to finish the model yourself. Being three years into a build of the USS Constitution myself, with at least another year ahead of me for a much less detailed effort than most, I can attest to the fact that, unless your father was nearly finished with his, you're going to be wracking up a sizable tab for someone to finish it for you. Wouldn't your father appreciate your finishing it yourself over contracting with someone else?

Depending on the condition of the current build, I might be interested, but assuming planets aligned, I wouldn't be even consider it until mine is finished. (ETA, June 2027). Pictures of the ship in it's current condition would be helpful to anyone considering your request.
 
Here are the pictures that I could gather of the current progress. Unfortunately, my dad passed but was still working on it up to about three days before he couldn't anymore. He has a lot of tools and material. I am willing to donate it all in exchange for a good ship builder and price. I am looking for an estimate on what this will cost. I cannot build it myself due to time and knowledge. My dad was MUCH smarter than me! :) Or, is this something that is too large of a project and should I just keep it the way it is now or scrap it? Thoughts?

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Hello Brian.

What is " ...near me. "

Even as an un-rigged model, it would make a very nice display piece. Finishing up the details as an unrigged model ( they are not uncommon ) would not be much of a task for an experienced modeler. The rigging would represent 50% or more of a complete build, and very time consuming.
 
TheGatzby said:
Hello Brian.

What is " ...near me. "

Even as an un-rigged model, it would make a very nice display piece. Finishing up the details as an unrigged model ( they are not uncommon ) would not be much of a task for an experienced modeler. The rigging would represent 50% or more of a complete build, and very time consuming.
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I am in Brentwood, CA.
 
Der Alte Rentner said:
I'm curious why you wouldn't want to finish the model yourself. Being three years into a build of the USS Constitution myself, with at least another year ahead of me for a much less detailed effort than most, I can attest to the fact that, unless your father was nearly finished with his, you're going to be wracking up a sizable tab for someone to finish it for you. Wouldn't your father appreciate your finishing it yourself over contracting with someone else?

Depending on the condition of the current build, I might be interested, but assuming planets aligned, I wouldn't be even consider it until mine is finished. (ETA, June 2027). Pictures of the ship in it's current condition would be helpful to anyone considering your request.
Click to expand...
I don't have the time or knowledge to finish it. Pictures are below.
 
I agree with Gregory’s post above. Think about your objective. Do you want a memorial or tribute to your father or do you want a fully rigged model of Constitution?

I personally suggest the former. As an old geezer with grandchildren, I’m surprised at how quickly succeeding generations lose contact with their ancestors. If some time a future generation sees the model and asks about its builder it will have served its purpose.

I faced the same issue with a Clipper ship model started but never finished by my father. Like your Constitution the hull was finished but the model was not rigged (photo below). I thought about completing it but decided to instead spend time on projects of more interest. I cleaned the model, reglued loose parts, and touched up paint. I added stub masts ( a modeling convention ), and built a glass case to house it. I think of my father and marvel at his craftsmanship every time I pass by.

Roger

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Another thought. If you finish the model, which means adding masts, yards, rigging it will be very large and fragile. Without a display case, it will quickly become coated with dust and will become damaged if someone tries to clean it. So, in addition to paying someone to finish it, there’s the cost of a display case.

Roger
 
Your best bet may be to find a ship modeler's club in your area.
I Googled clubs near you and FWIW AI spit out the following.
1. Sacramento Model Shipwrights
  • Where: Elk Grove Regional Park, Elk Grove, CA
  • Distance from Brentwood: About 70 miles north (approx. 1 hour 10 minutes drive).
  • What they do: An active radio-control (R/C) club. Members build military and civilian ships powered by electric motors, steam, or sail. They meet regularly to sail and share techniques.
  • More info: Follow them on the Sacramento Model Shipwrights Facebook Group.

2. South Bay Model Shipwrights
  • Where: Game Kastle, 1350 Coleman Ave, Santa Clara, CA
  • Distance from Brentwood: About 65 miles southwest (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes drive).
  • What they do: A highly collaborative club for anyone building ships from kits or scratch-built materials. They focus on sharing building techniques and socializing.
  • More info: Visit the South Bay Model Shipwrights website.

3. Hyde Street Pier Model Shipwrights
  • Where: San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, San Francisco, CA
  • Distance from Brentwood: About 65 miles west (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes drive).
  • What they do: A group of history-minded ship modelers. They hold annual gatherings, and many still do their individual building work while waiting to re-establish their full workshop at the park.
  • More info: Check updates on the Hyde Street Pier Model Shipwrights website.

4. Mare Island Ship Modelers
  • Where: Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum, 734 Marin Street, Vallejo, CA
  • Distance from Brentwood: About 55 miles northwest (approx. 1 hour drive).
  • What they do: A smaller, dedicated regional group focused mainly on wooden sailing ships, as well as paper and plastic boats. They meet quarterly for inspiration and to solve building challenges.
 
Hello Brian
I know this has already been asked, but do you have any idea if this was from a kit? If so which? Do you know what scale it is?
 
AllanKP69 said:
Your best bet may be to find a ship modeler's club in your area.
I Googled clubs near you and FWIW AI spit out the following.
1. Sacramento Model Shipwrights
  • Where: Elk Grove Regional Park, Elk Grove, CA
  • Distance from Brentwood: About 70 miles north (approx. 1 hour 10 minutes drive).
  • What they do: An active radio-control (R/C) club. Members build military and civilian ships powered by electric motors, steam, or sail. They meet regularly to sail and share techniques.
  • More info: Follow them on the Sacramento Model Shipwrights Facebook Group.

2. South Bay Model Shipwrights
  • Where: Game Kastle, 1350 Coleman Ave, Santa Clara, CA
  • Distance from Brentwood: About 65 miles southwest (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes drive).
  • What they do: A highly collaborative club for anyone building ships from kits or scratch-built materials. They focus on sharing building techniques and socializing.
  • More info: Visit the South Bay Model Shipwrights website.

3. Hyde Street Pier Model Shipwrights
  • Where: San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, San Francisco, CA
  • Distance from Brentwood: About 65 miles west (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes drive).
  • What they do: A group of history-minded ship modelers. They hold annual gatherings, and many still do their individual building work while waiting to re-establish their full workshop at the park.
  • More info: Check updates on the Hyde Street Pier Model Shipwrights website.

4. Mare Island Ship Modelers
  • Where: Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum, 734 Marin Street, Vallejo, CA
  • Distance from Brentwood: About 55 miles northwest (approx. 1 hour drive).
  • What they do: A smaller, dedicated regional group focused mainly on wooden sailing ships, as well as paper and plastic boats. They meet quarterly for inspiration and to solve building challenges.
Click to expand...
Excellent, thank you so much. This was a HUGE help!
 
Frank,
I'm going to hazard a guess. That looks like the model shipways kit.

Brian,
your dad did a very nice job on the Constitution, especially the galleries and scroll work at the bow. The copper plating looks well executed as well. To finish the model to include spars and rigging will take a dedicated builder about a year (more at the pace I'm at with mine.) Unless you find a very generous modeler in your neighborhood, this will cost a pretty penny. For someone to take it to the state of Roger's clipper ship above would be much easier and not take too much time.

I agree with Roger, in that displaying a nicely finished hull would honor your father (without breaking the bank)..

Good luck with the local organizations.
 
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