• Win a Free Custom Engraved Brass Coin!!!
    As a way to introduce our brass coins to the community, we will raffle off a free coin during the month of August. Follow link ABOVE for instructions for entering.
  • PRE-ORDER SHIPS IN SCALE TODAY!

    The beloved Ships in Scale Magazine is back and charting a new course for 2026!
    Discover new skills, new techniques, and new inspirations in every issue.

    NOTE THAT OUR FIRST ISSUE WILL BE JAN/FEB 2026

USS Constitution 1:70 Scratch

My work on the bowsprit and jib boom continues. On the bowsprit, I cut notches where the iron bands and the gammoning rope will sit. For the gammoning, I decided to use rope instead of chain. Afterwards, I completed the fabrication and installation of the iron bands, chocks, and fairlead on the bowsprit, and finally painted it white.

I also finished the jib boom. First, I tapered a 5 mm round strip according to the plan’s dimensions. Using my milling machine, I shaped the aft section into an octagon, while the forward section was turned on the lathe as per the plan. At both ends, I applied my usual method to represent the sheaves. Additionally, I milled the underside of the aft octagonal section to match the plan, so that the jib boom can be secured onto the saddle on the bowsprit. Finally, I fabricated the jib boom saddle itself.

View attachment 569396

View attachment 569397

View attachment 569398

View attachment 569400

View attachment 569401

View attachment 569402

View attachment 569403

View attachment 569404

View attachment 569405

View attachment 569406

View attachment 569407

View attachment 569408

View attachment 569409

View attachment 569410

View attachment 569411

View attachment 569412

View attachment 569413

View attachment 569414

View attachment 569415

View attachment 569421

View attachment 569422

View attachment 569423
So far your work continues to be mind blowing. Excellent precision and workmanship. Thumbsup
 
I’m currently working on the open hearts that connect the fore stays to the bowsprit, using photos of the actual ship as reference. At first, I tried making them entirely out of wood, but the side extensions were so thin that they kept breaking during construction. So I abandoned that approach and came up with a hybrid solution, which turned out really well.
This hybrid structure combines brass sheet and wood. Once the open hearts are painted white, the mix of materials is practically invisible—unless you look very closely with a magnifying glass.
:)


20260113_115059.jpg

20260113_115205.jpg

20260113_122809.jpg

20260112_083610.jpg

20260112_083137.jpg
 
I’m back at the shipyard, continuing from where I left off. I’ve mounted the bowsprit in place and secured the gammoning. As mentioned earlier, I decided to use rope instead of chain. After that, I glued the steps onto the bowsprit. Finally, I prepared the fore stays and connected them to the hearts on the bowsprit

20260129_130456.jpg

20260129_130534.jpg

20260130_103054.jpg

20260130_103135.jpg

20260130_102910.jpg

20260130_102647.jpg

20260130_124543.jpg

20260130_124418.jpg

20260130_104148.jpg

20260130_104043.jpg
 
I’m back at the shipyard, continuing from where I left off. I’ve mounted the bowsprit in place and secured the gammoning. As mentioned earlier, I decided to use rope instead of chain. After that, I glued the steps onto the bowsprit. Finally, I prepared the fore stays and connected them to the hearts on the bowsprit

View attachment 574261

View attachment 574262

View attachment 574263

View attachment 574264

View attachment 574265

View attachment 574266

View attachment 574267

View attachment 574268

View attachment 574269

View attachment 574270
Looks amazing fantastic details, I'm starting my rigging but having a bit of trouble deciphering the drawings.
Tony
 
Looks amazing fantastic details, I'm starting my rigging but having a bit of trouble deciphering the drawings.
Tony
Thanks Tony. Since I have already rigged a few ship models before, I don’t find it very difficult, as the rigging systems are quite similar to each other.
 
Back
Top