USS Constitution by Model Shipways 1:76 scale

Peter Gutterman said:
One foot in front of the other.;)

Pete
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Best advice ever!
Kurt Konrath said:
Gee it sounds like we have enough builders with this kit to get a group started to show all our builds together.

I am thinking about starting mine when I finish my command deck and cross section in work, about a month from now.
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I'm open to a possible group. I am finishing my Endurance first. In the meanwhile, I'm here to support Tony in any way I can.
JSGerson said:
I am five years into building the Model Shipways USS Constitution and am just now getting ready to complete the hull. This model is not for first time builders. The kit instructions are not step 1, step2…but general guides. Mr. Hunt’s practicum is an excellent roadmap to building the model, but it does lack some details and sometimes accuracy in various areas. It will, however, result in a good-looking model to the uncritical eye.

This is only my second wooden square-rigged ship, having previously built Mr. Hunt’s kit bash of the Mamoli Rattlesnake, so I’m no wooden ship model expert. The MS kit is based on the 1927 renovation of the ship so that, when completed, it will not closely resemble what the ship looks like today after her 2017 renovation. Many builders like myself, added a gun deck (not part of the kit), or are trying to modify the model to look like her 1812 version. The BlueJacket kit will render an 1812 model. Mine is modified to follow the 2017 renovation. Because the USS Constitution is still a commissioned warship, and the oldest warship still afloat in the world, there are plethora of images online as well as actual US Navy plans available to the public to guide the builder. Because I discovered ShipsofScale.com after I started posting first on ModelShipBuilder.com and then on ModelShipWorld, there was just too much to repost on ShipsofScale.com.

Jon
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Jon, I've been reading your Connie build log on another site. It is wonderfully detailed with photos and easy to read narrative. I'm where you decided to add a gun deck. I personally think adding the gun deck is the only way to go.
 
The MSW links are just below my signature on all my posts. To view the images on MSW, you have to join at cost. MSB you can see the images without joining at no cost but cannot comment. Although my post are almost identical on each site, the comments obviously, are not.
 
JSGerson said:
I am five years into building the Model Shipways USS Constitution and am just now getting ready to complete the hull. This model is not for first time builders. The kit instructions are not step 1, step2…but general guides. Mr. Hunt’s practicum is an excellent roadmap to building the model, but it does lack some details and sometimes accuracy in various areas. It will, however, result in a good-looking model to the uncritical eye.

This is only my second wooden square-rigged ship, having previously built Mr. Hunt’s kit bash of the Mamoli Rattlesnake, so I’m no wooden ship model expert. The MS kit is based on the 1927 renovation of the ship so that, when completed, it will not closely resemble what the ship looks like today after her 2017 renovation. Many builders like myself, added a gun deck (not part of the kit), or are trying to modify the model to look like her 1812 version. The BlueJacket kit will render an 1812 model. Mine is modified to follow the 2017 renovation. Because the USS Constitution is still a commissioned warship, and the oldest warship still afloat in the world, there are plethora of images online as well as actual US Navy plans available to the public to guide the builder. Because I discovered ShipsofScale.com after I started posting first on ModelShipBuilder.com and then on ModelShipWorld, there was just too much to repost on ShipsofScale.com.

Jon
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Hi Jon
I have seen your build log on the other sites, a very inspiring read it just shows how good this kit can turn out. I have decided not to add the gun deck, just build it to the drawing as best as I can.
Your log and others are going to be a big help to me as I progress with my Constitution.
Tony
 
Bill Gray said:
Tony, I am at the point where I am starting the standing rigging of my Model Shipways USS Constitution. It is a big ship, as you know by now, and has 8 sheets of very crammed instructions. Sorry to mention this when you are just starting your build but if I had known the problems I would encounter I would have never started. There are just too many problems to make this build enjoyable. Instruction booklet is next to useless as far a clearness goes, the minute details in the plans are so small you would need a microscope to build. I have spent as much time trying to figure out the details on the plans as I have with the build! There are not enough small parts to do what is asked of you, there is loads of lumber but many of the sizes referred to in the instructions cannot be found. Rigging sizes referred to are not to be found, in many cases. Not enough brass/copper strips to do what they ask of you, etc., etc., etc. It is obvious nobody who made the plans sat down and made this model ship or they would have made changes to the kit. I am 10 months into the build and expect month or two to complete the rigging. Am I going to put sails on her? FORGET THAT! My builds include 3 Bluenoses, 1 Pegasus, and a Bounty, so I have had some experience. Again, my apologies for making your day worse but it had to be said.

Bill
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Hi Bill
Thanks for your feedback it's great to find out more about this kit from people who are building it.
This kit has been on my to do list since MS first release it and in my opinion it's still the best Constitution kit available. When I first opened the box I realised it was unlike any other ship model l had built before. Single planked manly only one type of wood and basic instructions but lots of information on the drawings.
My plan is to tackle the issue as they arise and try not to rush, it's so tempting to start gluing parts together then finding it's not right.
Tony
 
Donnie said:
I also have this kit ready to get on the bench as well. I bought it about 3 months ago. Right now, I am trying my best to finish my Belle Poule which i have about 2 months or less - I want to finish it by the end of June. So, I might join with you on this project. I hate to hear about the problems. ME Shipways is an American based design. I do know that no kit (even the best) will all have problems. The Belle Poule instructions even have some strange aspects about it and some strange build sequences to it. But overall, it is still a great kit and I would recommend it to anyone.
Back to the Constitution --- If I can be of any help, let me know. I don't suppose you remember the date that you bought it? I am wondering if ME shipways made any revisions in these problems. I guess I need to break open my box to look at the false Keel and Bulkheads.
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Hi Donnie
Thanks for the kind offer I'm sure I will need plenty of help along the way. My kit is just over 10 years old, if there was an issue it would have been corrected by now.
The Belle Poule is an excellent looking kit very modern in its design using 3D printing etc. The MS Constitution much more traditional in it's approach to building a ship model.
I would like to see many more MS Constitution's being built. It looks like there's going to be many issues along the way and as they say a problem shared is a problem halved.
Tony
 
I was looking for a way to check the bulkheads. After checking BH B on the drawing it looked like it was only out on one side, this is what I came up with.

IMG_20230613_190157.jpg
I made a board with paper on it that would hold the BH securely then drew around the bulkhead.

IMG_20230613_190130.jpg
Next turn the bulkhead over and trace the other side.

IMG_20230613_190337.jpg
If the two sides match the bulkhead is OK, there is a small error midway but I'm happy with that.

IMG_20230613_185826.jpg
One thing I noticed the slots for the keel was cut 0.020" oversize.

IMG_20230613_185959.jpg
This doesn't sound much but if you rock it from side to side and measure at the top the error is 1/16".

IMG_20230613_190506.jpg
I traced the other bulkheads and apart from some of the slots they look good.

Tony
 
Tony, You remind me of some of the long standing volunteer model shipwrights at the USNA museum workshop, who are a heck of a lot more experienced and thoughtful about the process than I am. I improvise pretty well, but these guys catch me up and when they do I usually get an hour or two tutorial. It's been like fifteen years or so of schooling. :rolleyes: Thanks for the lesson!

Pete
 
By the way, the current MS "Connie" kit was last redesigned and brought up to date by Ben Lankford in 1998.
I wonder if there might be any chance of talking Chuck Passaro into taking a crack at it. (Not like he probably doesn't have too much on his plate already.)
His kits sure are wonderful, well executed and user friendly. And he's already done some projects for Model Shipways.

Pete
 
Peter Gutterman said:
By the way, the current MS "Connie" kit was last redesigned and brought up to date by Ben Lankford in 1998.
I wonder if there might be any chance of talking Chuck Passaro into taking a crack at it. (Not like he probably doesn't have too much on his plate already.)
His kits sure are wonderful, well executed and user friendly. And he's already done some projects for Model Shipways.

Pete
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I agree with you on this. The only thing I don't get is that most of his models are admiralty models.
 
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