SATURDAY 24th June 2017 USS CONSTITUTIONTHOUGHTS AND IDEASWhen I first saw mention that DeAgostini were to park work the USS Constitution I just knew it was a model I would love to have an attempt at.
I have subscribed to the 24 months option rather than the 12 months option in order to give myself a smaller cash outlay each month and also to allow me some extra build time before the next instalment arrives.
I was surprised to find the first pack of parts arrived earlier in the week and as keen as I have been to get started its only today that I have been able to sit down and look at what has been sent and to make a start.
Over the last week I have been very carefully considering how to present my build diary because what I do not want to do is find people have followed something I have done, which in turn may prove to be incorrect, and in turn affect their own build.
I did feel rather guilty when I started my Jaguar build (now cancelled) as I made a couple of errors in particular with the wheel and I think because people had followed what I had done they in turn “damaged” their own build. And causing someone else to damage their own model because of my own foolish mistakes did upset me.
I had considered just posting completed pictures after each build stage but that may not prove of much interest so instead I have decided I will try and show some of the techniques I have used, things I consider are worth looking out for and a few modifications I have in mind for this one.
BUT FIRST:
DISCLAIMER:Anyone following my build must realise that it is just that - “My Build”. There may be changes I make or sequence changes I decide work better for me that in the end do not work out as planned.
You are more than welcome to look at what I am doing, comment by all means (good or bad I do not mind) but please remember if you are building this model you will have your own build instructions as well as the official build being built by Andy Purchase, so please do not be lead astray by anything I am trying to do.
So, What Am I Considering to do Differently?1. Well one of the major enhancements I would like to try (and at this stage nothing is firm) is to have a go at coppering the lower hull.
I have already found the size of the original copper tiles used on the full-size ship and have scaled these down to 1:76 scale. Unfortunately, I have now been able to get a 100% match in commercially available products but have come to as close a match as is possible with 2 products I have sampled.
The closest match I have found is not one of the cheapest when you look at the number of tiles that may be required and while that is something I could overlook the actual construction of these pieces is not that great.
Another area I am exploring is to follow the instructions I have in a Model Expo Syren kit in which Chuck Presario gives details of how to make you own copper tile jig.
2. Deck Planking as I have done in the past will see me using the paper technique to simulate the caulking lines between the planks. Having done some reading up on the ship I came across a reference stating that at one point the caulking was BROWN rather than the traditional Tar BLACK so that is going to be one of my first experiments to see what that looks like.
3. Deck Colouring – Again very much a personal choice here with the instructions detailing an accurate, but to my own preferences a rather dark finish to the planking. As I say it’s very much a personal choice but what I am experimenting with is a change to the deck planks supplied in the kit for a slightly darker wood over which I have tried out an ethanol based wood stain which is quick drying and less likely to lift or curl planks which have already been glued down.
I do not think I would make a very good job of the kit suggestions for darkening down the deck but I am sure others will turn out wonderful examples, so have decided to go with something I feel more comfortable with.
4. As to the actual structures of the ship I am happy with the look of these. Looking through the excellent "Anatomy of the Ship USS Constitution" that I had the good fortune to win on the forum there have been several changes to the gallery area over the years but for me I am more than happy with how the kit has presented this.
So, there you are some thoughts and ideas on how I will try and build my own version of this ship. As I say some of these areas may not be to everyone’s liking and that is fine but for me, providing I can make a half decent job, then I will me very happy with the options I take.
So on with the build:
PICTURE 1Just in case I “forget” what I am building 😊 I thought a little decoration of my building board appropriate and here we have the badge of the USS Constitution.
PICTURE 2 & 3For the very early stages of the build (as the working length of the hull at this stage is quite small) I have decided to use my Hobbyzone small build board.
I really like these in terms of price and the thought that has gone into designing them. If there is one downside it’s the fact you have to build these from a set of CNC cut MDF parts and while in no way difficult it does take a little time. That said if it came fully built then this would be reflected in the selling cost.
Being MDF I use a “cheap” acrylic varnish from Wilkinson’s. A couple of coats rubbed down between applications will ensure the mdf says waterproof and is less likely to deform over time by picking up moisture from the air.
PICTURES 4A slight deviation from the instructions will see me joining the first 2 keel parts that have been included with pack 1.
An interesting point of reference in this picture shows that the mid keel section has 2 protruding tabs (you can see 1 in this picture) and these are designed to allow the keel to be held in a very reasonable priced keel clamp available via the DeAgostini online shop or if you not sure at this stage exactly how much you might want to invest in terms of money into this hobby you could use 2 wood battens in an ordinary table vice. Quite a nice thought out feature in my view as it’s not everyone starting out in wooden ship models that has all of the required tools immediately available to them.
PICTURES 5, 6 and 7The join between the 2 keel halves is reinforced by 2 plates that are glued either side of the join. Because the plates take in one of the rib slots its vital to ensure this join is made very accurately.
Here you can see I have dry fitted 1 plate and having lined it up exactly have drawn around it with pencil just to show me were to apply the glue.
Titebond has been my favoured glue across my builds and I will continue to use the same on this model as I am used to this product now.
PICTURE 8And for this last picture in my first update we can see the first of the reinforcing plates glued to the front section of the false keel.
It’s worth noting at this point that when you clamp up any glued wood sections like this they can have a tendency to “slide” on the glue as the clamp pressure comes to bear. So, on that basis when clamped up make sure and make sure again that the joint is sound and lines up exactly as it should. In this case a rib will be added to the slot you can see so as a precaution test it to ensure that it will fit with no snagging or other fit issues.
How Many Hours Does It Take to Build the Model?
Stage 1: 15 Minutes
Running Total: 15 Minutes
birdaj2 attached the following image(s):
Happy Modelling
BUILDING: Hachette Spitfire Mk 1A, Constructo Mayflower
SUBSCRIPTION COMPLETE (Awaiting building): USS Constitution, Sovereign of the Seas, 1:200 Bismarck (Hachette)
COMPLETED: Porsche 911, E-Type Jaguar, Lam Countach
US
