MSW USS Constitution

Hello all,
It's been a while since I posted anything. I have not been moving very quickly of late because to be honest I got frustrated with this model so I stopped working on it. But, I have recently been inspired to continue so here is where I am at. I am at a point where my sanity is no longer compromised.

I completed the decking, applied a sealer coat to it, and I may try to stain it, again. I will test out how the stain looks to a piece of the decking that has been sealed. I hope that it will be more even.

The second photo shows my progress on the painting of the hull and the gallery windows. I 3d printed the widows.

deck.jpggallery.jpg
 
Jack Sparrow said:
Hello all,
It's been a while since I posted anything. I have not been moving very quickly of late because to be honest I got frustrated with this model so I stopped working on it. But, I have recently been inspired to continue so here is where I am at. I am at a point where my sanity is no longer compromised.

I completed the decking, applied a sealer coat to it, and I may try to stain it, again. I will test out how the stain looks to a piece of the decking that has been sealed. I hope that it will be more even.

The second photo shows my progress on the painting of the hull and the gallery windows. I 3d printed the widows.

View attachment 497814View attachment 497815
Click to expand...
It's good to see your progress this is the most challenging model I have done. Sometimes I spend longer working out how a part is made than actually making it.
 
The question is to stain or not to stain. I made a test sample to see what happens when I stain the wood with a pretreatment and without a pretreatment. The pretreated section looks a lot more uniform than the non pretreated section. I should add more stain to make it darker, which is what I am going to do next.

deck.jpg
 
Jack Sparrow said:
The question is to stain or not to stain. I made a test sample to see what happens when I stain the wood with a pretreatment and without a pretreatment. The pretreated section looks a lot more uniform than the non pretreated section. I should add more stain to make it darker, which is what I am going to do next.

View attachment 498456
Click to expand...
As an alternative to stain, you could use a stained oil like Watco Danish Oil. Light or dark walnut colors are worth trying. It's a LOT more even than water based or oil based stain.
 
Jack Sparrow said:
Hello all,
It's been a while since I posted anything. I have not been moving very quickly of late because to be honest I got frustrated with this model so I stopped working on it. But, I have recently been inspired to continue so here is where I am at. I am at a point where my sanity is no longer compromised.

I completed the decking, applied a sealer coat to it, and I may try to stain it, again. I will test out how the stain looks to a piece of the decking that has been sealed. I hope that it will be more even.

The second photo shows my progress on the painting of the hull and the gallery windows. I 3d printed the widows.

View attachment 497814View attachment 497815
Click to expand...
The decks of these ships were sanded on a daily basis by the off duty watch with men lined up in rows across the width of the deck continually abrading it with "holy stones"(blocks of pumice stone so called because they were the size and shape of a standard KJV bible) to keep safe footing beneath the sailor's feet in action or going about their normal duties. It was required that the bare wood be kept so well polished so that it was blindingly reflective in strong sunlight. They were sanded raw, smooth but not slippery. There was no varnished finish whatsoever.
 
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One questions is what are you trying to duplicate? New decks as build with initial finish, or decks of ship that has been under sail and had lots of wear on decks.

Most photos I have seen of decks after use for some time look light color from washing and wear often a light grey color.

Also, you might consider a pattern of colors of different tones based on where on deck it is, such as near guns or main walkways, versus areas not often walked on.
 
Kurt Konrath said:
One questions is what are you trying to duplicate? New decks as build with initial finish, or decks of ship that has been under sail and had lots of wear on decks.

Most photos I have seen of decks after use for some time look light color from washing and wear often a light grey color.

Also, you might consider a pattern of colors of different tones based on where on deck it is, such as near guns or main walkways, versus areas not often walked on.
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I am trying to replicate the worn out look.
 
So the first picture shows the port lights painted black, and the scuppers non yet painted. I recall there was a product that you could use to simulate glass in the port lights. I was hoping someone would remember what that stuff is called. I think it would add a lot to the details of the port lights. Right now they are hard to see because they are black but if you zoom in you should be able to see them.

The second pick shows some 3d printed parts that I made. Between the two parallel lines will be inserted the nameplate of the ship.
I noticed a gap in the planking that I intend to fix amongst other things that I am not happy with.

The pilasters and the eagle will be inserted above the two parallel lines, as per picture 3 from R. Hunt's practicum.

hull.png

transom.jpg

Screenshot 2025-02-09 135606.png
 
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Jack Sparrow said:
……… I recall there was a product that you could use to simulate glass in the port lights. I was hoping someone would remember what that stuff is called. I think it would add a lot to the details of the port lights. Right now they are hard to see because they are black but if you zoom in you should be able to see them.
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Hi Jack, Microscale Industries “Micro Kristal Clear” might help you. I’ve used it successfully for small windows. Usually available through model railroad stores or online. Hope this helps.

IMG_5482.jpeg

IMG_5483.jpeg
 
You are coming along nicely but based on the photos, it doesn't appear that you have enough room for the transom eagle which was supplied with the kit and stars. I think you made the white trim pieces too wide. Check the dimensions on the drawings and you will find they quite narrow.

Jon
 
JSGerson said:
You are coming along nicely but based on the photos, it doesn't appear that you have enough room for the transom eagle which was supplied with the kit and stars. I think you made the white trim pieces too wide. Check the dimensions on the drawings and you will find they quite narrow.

Jon
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hmm. i didn`t think of that. I`ll check the dimensions. Thanks. It`s not a big deal to reprint them, fortunately.
 
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