USS Constitution from Scientific Models

WilliamM said:
But this is not an academic or professional environment. We build our models for fun, and strict adherence to the reliability and validity of references is not required.
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I've seen this sentiment not infrequently expressed and widely embraced in internet ship modeling forums. When I offered the same rationale to my teammates in a "pickup" basketball game down at the local schoolyard here in the 'hood after I missed what could have been the game-winning free throw they were markedly unimpressed. :rolleyes:
 
Bob Cleek said:
I've seen this sentiment not infrequently expressed and widely embraced in internet ship modeling forums. When I offered the same rationale to my teammates in a "pickup" basketball game down at the local schoolyard here in the 'hood after I missed what could have been the game-winning free throw they were markedly unimpressed. :rolleyes:
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On the other hand, this is not exactly a competition. If it were, I'd have quit a long time ago. Too many builders here are way better than I am. I'll never reach their standards, but I will get better with a little help from my friends.
 
Vfordyce said:
On the other hand, this is not exactly a competition. If it were, I'd have quit a long time ago. Too many builders here are way better than I am. I'll never reach their standards, but I will get better with a little help from my friends.
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You certainly will reach their standards if you only strive to do the common things uncommonly well. Nobody springs from the womb doing this stuff. It's like golf. The objective is to simply consistently beat your own "personal best." It isn't about beating anybody but yourself! Don't ever lower the net for that guy! You've got plenty of friends rooting for you here, too! If you strive to build each of your models better than the last, you'll never get bored modeling. The only guy you've got to beat is the one you see in the mirror every morning. (Not to mention that your work doesn't seem to reveal anything you've got to apologize for, either!) ;)
 
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I particularly agree with Bob's parenthetical last sentence. As of this posting you have 51 followers. They can't all be thinking that they are wasting their time. So, take it to the bank. You must be doing SOMETHING right!Thumbsup

Pete
 
Bob Cleek said:
You certainly will reach their standards if you only strive to do the common things uncommonly well. Nobody springs from the womb doing this stuff. It's like golf. The objective is to simply consistently beat your own "personal best." It isn't about beating anybody but yourself! Don't ever lower the net for that guy! You've got plenty of friends rooting for you here, too! If you strive to build each of your models better than the last, you'll never get bored modeling. The only guy you've got to beat is the one you see in the mirror every morning. (Not to mention that you work doesn't seem to reveal anything you've got to apologize for, either!) ;)
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Thanks, Bob.
 
After spending many hours in the workshop, I am always amazed by the apparently paltry amount of completed work I have to show for it. :rolleyes:
Your progress on your spar looks great, by the way, and I know you aren't even done with it yet!
 
Vfordyce said:
On the other hand, this is not exactly a competition. If it were, I'd have quit a long time ago. Too many builders here are way better than I am. I'll never reach their standards, but I will get better with a little help from my friends.
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Builders are free to participate in contests for which the rules are very specific. That's great if you fall into that category. Most of us build for pleasure and don't bother with the pressures of competitiveness. This is not a sporting event. The analogy falls flat!

Bill
 
Peter Gutterman said:
After spending many hours in the workshop, I am always amazed by the apparently paltry amount of completed work I have to show for it. :rolleyes:
Your progress on your spar looks great, by the way, and I know you aren't even done with it yet!
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I think I am done, except for maybe clue/sheet/brace blocks. They go on after sails. I’m going to try to make an interesting sling, but that may be a little above my skill level. Oh, and I forgot about robands and lifts. Another 8 hours!
 
The early versions of the Connie had triangular sky sails and also had bowlines. Apparently the later versions didn’t, according to Marquart’s Anatomy of the Ship: The 44-gun Frigate USS Constitution “Old Ironsides.” (That won’t be my version. Mine is the “Old Mansides.”) Also, apparently it used cannonades on the upper deck. It had a couple of carriage guns for chasers. I won’t be making my own cannonades. image.jpg
 
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