Model Shipways USF Constitution

[kingkahn1950]

Now in retirement, I have finally started my long ago purchased Model Shipways USF Constitution. I'm using Robert Hunt's practicum which I find invaluable. I started building about a month ago and hadn't thought about submitting a build log but now that I am into the project a little more, I thought it would be better to present it and hopefully glean some wisdom from the forum. Therefore my photos to date are sloppily done.

Here's where I started taking pictures. After the bulwarks were installed and the bow and stern filler blocks were carved and installed.





Bowsprit temporarily fitted to fit inner bulwark planking


The inner bulwark stern planking was later adjusted to match the deck camber

Inner bulwark planking finished with waterway and ready to cut the spar deck gunports
Tenon carved on bowsprit for later installation into bulkhead B

 

[Uwek]

A very good start with this complex structure

 

[kingkahn1950]

Some more progress
1. Cutting the spar deck canon openings - need to be careful to keep them square.
2. cathead openings
3. plank below the planksheer to the top sill of the gun deck openings
3. framing the gun deck openings for the dummy canons

 

[Tony H]

Hi

Good to see another MS Constitution underway. I started mine in June but progress is slow at the moment.
Looks like your off to a good start, I'll follow your progress in the future.

Tony.

 

[dnalley]

excellent beginning. i look forward to this build.

 

[kingkahn1950]

More progress.
1. gun deck ports all framed
2. planking from planksheer down to just above where the wales will be installed. Temporary placement of port lids was used to space the planks and allow approx 1/32 lip inside each port (to support the top and bottom lid pieces later)
3. Made a display stand out of sugar pine and then turned two oak pedestals. 5/32” brass tube was installed into the keel and 7/32” tube installed into the pedestals to make it a solid support. The hull is easily removed for planking work to come later.

 

[Thrasher]

You are off to a great start. Now the fun begins. Have fun and make some sawdust!

 

[mtbediz1]

Very good work so far. I'm following too.

 

[kingkahn1950]

This week I framed the stern gun ports and planked the stern, more sanding on the planks around the gun deck ports. Installed mast partners and deck planking supports for the hatch coamings. The hatches are being constructed this week and I’m thinking about placing stairwells in the hatches that lead to the gun deck, even though there is no formal gun deck. The openings are small enough that perhaps planking a small area around the bottom of the ladders would produce visually what one could see from the spar deck without planking the whole gun deck. I’ve already committed to using dummy cannons on that deck. Any thoughts?

 

[kingkahn1950]

Several questions.
Does anyone have any info whether there are railings on the hatch coamings at the top of the ladders leading to the gun deck. Does the bottom step end on the gun deck planking or possibly an elevated platform. Do the hatch coamings have a natural wood or stained wood or painted finish and does it just depend on which restoration period one is trying to represent?

 

[kingkahn1950]

Finished the basic hatch coaming structures. Sanding and stain/painting still pending. I decided to have some gratings and ladders open to view and have a faux gun deck “landing”. So far, built two ladders for main hatch - still to be fitted and painted. Also planked an area of the gun deck that will be visible through the grating opening. I plan on having ladders in the hatch immediately fore of the capstan, while leaving the others in this section covered with their grates. All of these hatches will have brass companionway railings To be produced later.

 

[Thrasher]

Looking good. Nice to sneak a little scratch building when ever you can.

 

[kingkahn1950]

I built a small landing pad for the hatch ladders going to the gun deck in the first hatch aft of the main hatch, and put some railings on the ladders. Used brass stanchions from Bluejacket Shipcrafters. Continuing with deck planking to line up the remaining hatch coamings. Once the deck is completely planked, the coamings will be removed for a final sanding and staining.
the ladder railings (black polyester) will be attached to brass stanchions to be installed on the hatch coaming later when the deck furniture is installed.


The planking towards the stern must be tapered from 3/32” to 1/16”.

 

[Thrasher]

Great job, it is always the details that set you up for a great model!

 

[kingkahn1950]

This week I finished planking the spar deck, sanded 100, 220, 320, and 400 grit, and stained as recommended in the Hunt practicum with 50:50 Floquil roof brown and grimy black, wiping if off almost immediately. I then used a #20 blade as a card scraper and scraped the entire deck. This removed any glue spills and scratches from coarser sandpaper to obtain a more even second stain application. Sanded it again with 220 and 400 grit. I have one more application of just grimy black to help bring out the butt joints, followed by a satin varnish. In the meantime I decided to start on installing rivets in the bulwarks. This is a task that is not for the faint at heart. It will require more than 4000 rivets when all is said and done. I found the mini pin vise from Micromark with a #75 drill bit worked the best, along with a good pair of forceps. The first dozen or so went very slowly, but I found I could drill and install one “rack” of 25 rivets in about a half hour. I should finish this task sometime soon in about one week from now. It will be exciting to paint the bulwarks green to get the final look I wanted.