USS United States in 1/72 scale

[threebs]

A new build from yours truly. This will be slow to start off as I still have a long ways to go no my USS Columbus, but, I hope to have the hull planked on one side by April of 2018.



As you may know, during the civil war, the Pennsylvania, the Columbus, the United States and I believe a few smaller ships were burned to keep them from the Confederacy that was advancing on Norfolk Harbor where they were berthed. These builds are a sort of commemoration of that event.

I hope to have all of the ships burned modeled before I die. I then plan on donating them to the Museum at Norfolk if they will take them.

There are lots more bulkheads to make, hope I ordered enough plywood!

[Capit�o Norbert]

Be welcome Threebs.
Good to see this wonderfull ship
In construction.

[JIM BAUMANN]

@ Capit�o Norbert....

Threebs is being modest...

here are 2 x links to his previous amazing scratch-builds here at MW.com !!!

viewtopic.php?t=46982


viewtopic.php?f=59&t=85233

I watch wth great interest


JB

[ModelMonkey]

[threebs]

I will be posting photos of this build in the next couple days. Be warned this build will not be as "step by step" as my Columbus and Pennsylvania. You can peruse those two builds to get an idea how I advanced from photo to photo. A notable exception will be side and back hand drawn views of the quarter and stern galleries. I had to use a drawing of the United States in a book called American Heavy Frigates 1794-1826 by Mark Lardes- Illustrated by Tony Ryan. This drawing and a copy of the stern from the Revell Model and the more original stern from the Constitution to get the result you will see.

[JIM BAUMANN]

Looking forward to the pictures

JIM B

[threebs]

As promised. On another note, I have started laying out and cutting bulkheads for the Delaware and Brandywine and Columbia

[threebs]

Been working on this as I get bored with the ratlines on my Columbus build. I realize it looks a little rough, but, the final product is what is important. I may not build in the traditional way, but, again, end results are what counts. when the coppering is done, I will install the gun deck furniture and cannon. Then I will build the spar deck. Somewhere in there I will do the stern and quarter galleries although the finish work like the window framing and scroll work will be done when the spar deck furniture and cannon have been installed. Hope you like how it is progressing and I apologize for the long times between posting. I am cutting out bulkheads and keels for the Delaware and Germantown too, so, lots to do.

[threebs]

and a couple more!

[JIM BAUMANN]

Wow--you are still a busy builder!!!

I agree with you--its end results that count--the interim stages can look how they need to !




>>>> I have started laying out and cutting bulkheads for the Delaware and Brandywine and Columbia <<<<

Your choice of subject matter is certainly consistent...!

[threebs]

Working on spar deck and poop. stern and quarter galleries and head area are next. followed by the deck furniture. I am gluing the bulkheads to the keel for the Delaware ( I suppose I should start build logs for it), and will start cutting out the bulkheads and keel for the Germantown (also start a build log), in a week or so. I usually plank the hull before I cut out the gun ports, but, I am taking a different approach with the next several models and will frame up the ports before planking. I was always in a hurry to get the planking done so it looked like something before, but, it was so much work that way cutting the ports out and getting them lined up properly the first time. No, this time I will layout the ports before planking as it is easier to fix misaligned ports at that stage.

[JIM BAUMANN]

Jim Baumann wrote:


>>>> I have started laying out and cutting bulkheads for the Delaware and Brandywine and Columbia <<<<

Your choice of subject matter is certainly consistent...!


threebs wrote:
>>>> and will start cutting out the bulkheads and keel for the Germantown <<<


That is no longer a hobby Bench.....!

==> but a veritable PRODUCTION LINE model shipyard !!

You will need some staff !!





apropos USS Germantown.... interesting career ,

link below

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Germantown_(1846)

as a 'sloop' -- compared to the behemoth USS Pennsylvania you have built,
she ought to be ...." less work "

here is a charming , if a bit " rustic " model of her ( IMAGE FROM NAVSOURCE )

Jim Baumann

[Neptune]

Gorgeous build and very crisp execution! Following with interest, I'm too clumsy for woodwork, but always admire the ones that excel at it. You definately do!

That is indeed a production line you are getting over there. Hopefully they all get finished and posted over here.

[threebs]

Now that my Columbus ship's boats are done and installed, it is time to start working on my other builds again. I am stuck on the United States now as I am piercing the hull for the spar deck entrance. It is similar to the Constitution. My problem is I cannot tell if the entrance runs down to the spar deck, or stops short of it and has a step arrangement of some kind leading down to the deck. I cannot find ANY photos of the entrance from INBOARD. Only vague glimpses of it. In one photo it looks like there is a step or two down to the deck, while in some drawings it seems to go down to the deck. Drawings seem to indicate that the entrance does NOT go all the way to the deck as the drawings show it stops short of the bottom of the carronade opening? Can any one help with this?

[threebs]

Stern gallery is all but done. finishing up quarter galleries and then the stern assembly will go on. I have made the pin rails and they will go in as well. I will then finish off all the deck furniture and rig the carronades. chain wales dog bones will be next I suppose. In the mean time I am framing the gun ports on the Delaware and assembling the bulkheads to the keel piece on the Germantown. I have also started laying out the bulkheads for the Columbia and Raitan. I have started cutting the patterns for the Dolphin. It is really weird working on the Dolphin. Just so much smaller than all the others. When the frame work is glued together I will post a photo of her next to the Pennsylvania just for kicks.

Let me know what you think!

[Fliger747]

A very nice scale to work in as one can use many real construction methods. The copper bottom is quite impressive! Imagine the cost at the time!

[threebs]

I found the entrance solution on my own. Thanks to anyone who might have, or is trying to find me an answer to this.

[threebs]

Installing the deck furniture now. Just a few more things left, then I will rig the carronades. I have the side tackle assemblies to rig up. The belaying pin rails are done and will go on when the carronades are rigged. Also laying out the gun ports on the Delaware. Photos of that coming.

[DrPR]

Best of luck to you on the carronade rigging!

I have been working on a seven gun Baltimore clipper revenue cutter - six 6 pounders and one 12 pounder pivot gun - and the job has stalled at the gun side tackles. It is 1:48 and only the tiniest 3/32" blocks from Syren Ship Models are close to scale. Very monotonous work and only seven guns!

I can't imagine trying to build a model with dozens of guns on deck!

Phil

[JIM BAUMANN]

>>>> I have the side tackle assemblies to rig up <<<<

...that small sentence summarises sooo many many hours of work..!!

I wish you continued patience and merntal fortitude to get over this very repetitive task. !!

Best wishes

Jim B