Calling all USS Constellation (1854) fans

[ModelMonkey]

Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Constellation_(1854)
http://www.southbaltimore.com/InnerHarb ... index.html

How she looks today at Baltimore (large file):
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... on_bow.JPG

[JerryTodd]

Here's a 1:36 scale working model in progress
It's 62 inches long on deck and will be of the ship as she appeared during her first cruise in 1856 and will operate and sail under radio control.

[JerryTodd]

Chugging along on a 1:36th scale working RC model. Still a ways to go, but it looks like something now.

[JerryTodd]

Constellation, after 7 weeks in dry dock was returned to her berth on March 21st, 2011.

I was on board for the trip and posted my report here: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1410820

You don't have to "join" the forum to see the attachments.

[JerryTodd]

A few years ago now, Historic Ships Baltimore moved the ship off her dock to build a new visitor's center/museum.
In the meantime, the ship's main-yard was replaced, and her head ornamentation was removed for restoration.
The museum's been completed and the ship moved back to her dock, with another dry-docking in between to go over her seams under water.
She's at her dock and a major rigging refit's been planned. It appears down-rigging's commenced, and the company hired to do the work's been advertising for help.
Additionally a company the Navy got to 3D scan the Macedonian figurehead at the Naval Academy which was used to CNC a replacement in wood so save the original, was hired to do the same for Constellation's head ornamentation, with, I assume, the same goal in mind; to replace the originals with exact reproductions, and save the originals from further deterioration.

[JerryTodd]

Constellation's having her rig redone over the next six months. The past few days saw the mizzen yards, t'gallant & top-masts pulled; today the mizzen mast was pulled.

Mizzen mast pulled

[JerryTodd]

Last week of February 2026, the sticks started going back in...

February 27 2026

[JerryTodd]

Rig's going back up, bit-by-bit, yard-by-yard.
She didn't have her t'gallants or royals crossed, and I don't know if they intend to put them up (she has the spars).

[ModelMonkey]

She sure is a beauty.

And so is your model of her.