USS Constitution Completed. Pictures.
by John
Well, almost completed. Completed enough to take and post some pictures. I still have to make a dust proof case, install carronade breech ropes, and make rope coils.
So here a some photos. And probably without extra comment.
OK, I will break my “no comments” intention already. The rigging is black for standing, and light fawn for moving ropes/sheets. The black background (just a sheet of cardboard) looks good, but the black cables are almost invisible. The running rigging ropes likewise disappear with the fawn coloured curtains as background. Despite that, this one of my favourite shots.
The ropes are to scale.
johnsmachines 
I’m lost for words.
”fair dinkum unbelievable”
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Thankyou!
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What a great marathon effort John. I can’t imagine anyone anywhere completing the model as you have. The hull is one thing but the rigging is off the scale (no pun intended). Simply amazing Tim
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Thanks Tim. SWMBO thinks that the rigging is the best part of the build! John
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Wow, fabulous
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Thankyou!
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Hello John, Well, what a magnificent example of your skills and attention to detail and precision. Hoping your eyesight didn’t suffer too much, I followed you every step of the way and admired the jigs and fixtures to make some of the parts, especially the cables etc.
Not sure if I would have the patience you’ve got.
Most excellent model, very well done. Are you going to make a set of sails for the model?
Best Regards
Chris Cafferata
mob – 0416126613
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Thanks Chris! I have subscribed to your site, and will follow it with great interest. Will there be a triple expansion engine to follow? There is a great new book recently published on the subject by James Clark which would be a must read for intending makers. John
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I’m utterly gobsmacked by the craftsmanship and accuracy of your recreation of Old Ironsides. What an incredibly beautiful product of curiosity, skill and passion!
You may want to produce a few true-to-scale ragged, barefoot sailors and officers to man the ship. It would be a delicious detail.
You’re a good photographer but I’d advise you to get a pro to document this masterpiece before you box it. There are a lot of people out there who would love to see this. It may well end up in a museum someday!
Congratulations!
ALoha,
Richard
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Thankyou Richard for the very nice feedback. The past few months became an obsession to get it finished. As for bare foot sailors, the only drawings and information that I have about constitutions sailors is that they were all volunteers, not press ganged, very enthusiastic, and no suggestion of bare feet. But I do confess that using twentyfirst century firemen, wearing overalls and helmets for the figures was a bit incongruous.
It is definitely not a museum standard model. There are dozens of mistakes, shortcuts, and faults, including one very major fault, which I am not disclosing. But I was reassured somewhat when one very experienced and authoritative model ship builder did not find it!
Not too bad for a model shipbuilding beginner though methinks. Regards.. John
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Magnificent, John. A work of art. Congratulations!
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Thanks Phil, although the artistic director (SWMBO) deserves most of the credit. John
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