The Ship Model Forum

Hello all!

Here's Richard Glanville's USS Constitution - his take on her early years:

http://www.shipmodel.com/art-Glanville-Richard.htm

Very interesting - the differences between this and the 1812 version of her - note the open bulwarks, Hercules figurehead, single martingale (that's the dolphinback striker that extends below the bowsprit) , the color scheme, the two yards on the bowsprit, and the overall roportions of the rigging.

Jose Gonzales

I will have to make the trip to the US East Coast to see Old Iron Sides one day... currently a very high priority for me. Awesome ship, incredible history, so glad she's still so alive and well.

To my knowledge though, there is also one more surviving Frigate from the period - HMS Frodroyant? Slightly younger and built in India however?

Or did I just dream that?

_________________
IG: @somewhere_east_of_suez
www.JosephReindler.com

Joseph,

Here you go:

http://www.hms-trincomalee.co.uk/

_________________
Have fun, Monkey around.™

-Steve L.

Complete catalog: - https://www.model-monkey.com/
Follow Model Monkey® on Facebook: - https://www.facebook.com/modelmonkeybookandhobby

Thanks Steve. I was driving myself nuts wondering whether it was real or just something I saw in the matrix.... off to run up a wall now.

Cheers,

Joseph

_________________
IG: @somewhere_east_of_suez
www.JosephReindler.com

I see that this thread hasn't been active in a while. I hope somebody can help me out.

I recently purchased the Revell-Germany 1/150 (so they say) USS United States. I know it is not top-of-the-line as far as kits go, but I'd like to make it look good. So, I have several questions:

1) Is it really 1/150 scale? I ask this because if I choose to tart her up with aftermarket fittings, I'd like to know the scale.

2) Are there any plans for the USS United States available? I know that she is a sister of the Constitution, but there were some differences.

3) What would be the proper colors for the ship? Should I go with the instructions?

4) Related to question #1, where can I get 1/150 (or whatever the proper scale is) ship fittings?

5) Am I wasting my time on this kit?


Thanks for your help.

_________________
Fred Sirois
Tace et Exemplar Aedifica

The Modeling Madness website has a post on an amazing waterline rendition of the 1/96th scale Revel kit of the Constitution:

http://www.modelingmadness.com/reviews/ ... carcon.htm

_________________
We like our history sanitized and theme-parked and self-congratulatory, not bloody and angry and unflattering. - Jonathan Yardley

Hi, just came upon your post regarding the Revell 1/150th USF United States. Not actually having seen the kit in the flesh, I believe it is actually just a Constitution re badged as the United States with no parts to actually make a United States. While both ships were built to the same plans they did receive individual detail attention from their captains. We're all pretty familiar with the Constitution's appearance during the war of 1812, at least according to the Hull model, Revell's 1/96 kit and other references but for the United States, the appearance becomes a bit clouded. A few things are known for sure. She had a round house or poop deck built on her quarterdeck during Capt. Barry's tenure. She is also known to have had an Ochre gun stripe but that may have changed periodicly as it did several times on the Constitution throughout her career. Revell made a 1/96th scale United States in the mid 70's which was just the same Constitution kit with parts added to build as the United States. All conjecture but who's to say it's wrong. It is close enough. I would try rebuilding the stern galleries to something more resembling what was the norm on US Navy ships at the time. The Revell one is a little strange looking but could be used if needed. As for the kit you have, as it is in the box it is the Constitution and in its 1927 refit as well which looks nothing like the ship was at the beginng of the 19th century. I would suggest you try to get the larger kit if you want to build the United States. It regularly shows up on Ebay and sells for around 50-70 dollars.

Sorry about this late post, only found it today. I am surprised that no one answered you before this. The Smithsonian Institute sells plans for the Constitution class frigates. They are in 1/48th scale. Howard Chapelle's book "The American Sailing Navy" is available on amazon.com, and it is in there too. as well as plans for just about every sailing ship the navy had.

I see there are 2 1/96 kits of the Constitution listed as avalibe. The venerable old kit by Revell, and now I see a Revell-Germany 1/96 kit of Old Ironsides listed around the web, that costs twice as much. Whats the difference between the two kits?

_________________
Thomas E. Johnson

http://www.youtube.com/user/ThomasEJohnson

Thomas:

As far as I know the difference between the two kits is the cost and are identical. I have seen this stated on this site and several others. Buy the cheaper one. Hope this helps.

Michael Lacey

The cheaper one is what I bought.

_________________
Thomas E. Johnson

http://www.youtube.com/user/ThomasEJohnson

Should the Constitution's gun carriages be painted red during the 1812 period that the 1/96 model represents? I know the bulwarks on the upper deck was either white or dark green.

_________________
Thomas E. Johnson

http://www.youtube.com/user/ThomasEJohnson

Was this the kit with the 1-piece hull?
Thanks!

Has anyone tried to find figures that could "go" with the Revell 1/196th-scale (the one with the 1955 copyright date) Constitution kit? Maybe the tiny 1/144th figs would look acceptable?

Thanks!

I have been searching for similar info high and low, this is what I found so far;

Your kit in "1/150" scale is - I believe but not 100% sure is - the 1-pce hull kit. This would be smaller than the current 1/196th Revell kit of "Old ironsides" - that was first squirted in 1955. So - not 1/150th in size.

Constitution colors - and likely similar to the United States - are discussed at length in this very long but informative post over at the FSM site:

http://cs.finescale.com/FSMCS/forums/p/ ... spx#373432

I am still awaiting the arrival of my "not 1/150th" scale Connie kit in the mail. I personally do not view it as waste of time, but more as "practice" for building my 1/196th Connie; which itself is training for the big bout with my 1/96th Connie.

The mid-70's vintage Monogram Connie and United States were molded in the USA and appear to be original Monogram offerings and not someone else's kit - ie; not "baby" Imai kits.

It is a nicely molded kit. I would guess it has since been absorbed into Revell of Germany and is offered as their Connie and United States.

They have a 1-pc hull, molded ratlines with nice representations of (out of scale) rope, and vacuform sails. The kit has gun-deck pieces in a single molding for each side, and attach to the inside walls of the hull for the cannon barrels to stick thru. All gun doors are molded fully open and are the "split type".

The hull is post-1812, but the bow has the simple design of the 1812 Connie - as opposed to the Andrew Jackson figure on the 1955-era Revell 1/196th kit.

The main spar deck is similar to the 1955 Revell 1/196th kits in that the main hatch is molded closed. Some molded details of this deck are "soft", and some appear out of scale.

And yes, this kit is indeed smaller than the Revell 1/196th kits; there is NO scale mentioned anywhere on my Monogram boxed Connie - but no way is it 1/150th. Still, I'd have to think its the best "small scale" Connie and United States out there.

How about this? Check it out on the Flagship Models web site http://www.flagshipmodels.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=115. Lots of optional figures also available sculpted by Alan Ball.

_________________
Rusty White
flagshipmodels.com
Home of the American Civil War warship kits

November 12, 1812

Gentlemen,

My name is Isaac Hull. I am captain of the U.S.S. Constitution. "Old Ironsides" as many of you may already know it.

When I assumed command of the Constitution in December of last year, I saw fit to rebuild this fine ship. A complete overhaul. Everything from the copper plates on the hull... to the upper reaches of the masts. No expense was spared. And nothing was overlooked.

When complete... this fine, old ship will be ready for the high seas and, most certainly, victory in battle. She will have new yards, rigging, decking, long caliber carronades, masts, bowsprit, cutters, ratlines, etc. Even a new head on the bow.

Being my first assembly, the work has been difficult. Tedious at time, but well worth it.

But now... it is complete. And I am quite proud of it. It is most capital!

I present to you three things:
- Photos of the finished ship.
- Links to several moving pictures I have created during the process.
- A link to my Facebook page.

On the Facebook page you will find entries taken from my correspondence with superior officers in the Admiralty. Which contain weekly reports of our progress.


Evidence of each stage are presented visually as well, with dated collections that correspond to each entry. I felt compelled to share our progress to any interested parties. Hence, the page.


In addition to that, I will continue to add historical references relating to this ship and the Age of Sail.
I also intend to post further correspondence in the form of a Captains Log. Where our travels (based on real history) and our crew exploits (based on my imagination and my supporters depicted as crew, portrayed in miniature on this ship) will be posted on a regular basis.

If you wish to join the crew and be portrayed in this manner, simply be-friend me on Facebook and request your preferred position. (Many positions have already been filled so provide a few alternates if you can.)

Please be reminded that this Facebook page is NOT a sponsored promotional tool or a means to advertise anything. It's just me… and my love of the Age of Sail.


I look forward to future correspondence, and am open to suggestions of matters relating to our fine ship, as you see fit.


Fare thee well, and God bless America.

Captain Isaac Hull
USS Constitution.
Annapolis, MD
1811
https://www.facebook.com/isaac.hull.58

Photos of the completed ship can be found here.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a249007595228802.58988.100003586910290&type=3

Movies that I have created about this ship can be found here:

"Undefeated: The Story of Old Ironsides"
The first video I made. Designed to tease the completion of the model.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzsdscRK9pg

"One by One - The Story of the USS Constitution"
A historical dramatization (overly dramatic perhaps) of the impact the USS Constitution had on the formidable British Navy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SIHTBzupxc

It Had to Be Built"
A video about the inspiration, and subsequent obsession, with the building of a model of the USS Constitution, and my plans to expand the experience online.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXLJca_jGH4

"Four Days Out"
A compilation using images of the completed ship taken by a professional photographer, which also portrays real people who have joined the crew through Isaac Hull's Facebook page.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcX-CaX4JDo

"The Life of a Super Model"
A documentation of the photo shoot itself… but with a fashion spin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykxlN0QlWKw

Thank you again,

Your humble servant, Isaac Hull

November 12, 1812

Gentlemen,

My name is Isaac Hull. I am captain of the U.S.S. Constitution. "Old Ironsides" as many of you may already know it.

When I assumed command of the Constitution in December of last year, I saw fit to rebuild this fine ship. A complete overhaul. Everything from the copper plates on the hull... to the upper reaches of the masts. No expense was spared. And nothing was overlooked.

When complete... this fine, old ship will be ready for the high seas and, most certainly, victory in battle. She will have new yards, rigging, decking, long caliber carronades, masts, bowsprit, cutters, ratlines, etc. Even a new head on the bow.

The work has been difficult. Tedious at time, but well worth it.

But now... it is complete.

I present to you three things:
- Photos of the finished ship.
- Links to several moving pictures I have created during the process.
- A link to my Facebook page.


On the Facebook page you will find entries taken from my correspondence with superior officers in the Admiralty. Which contain weekly reports of our progress.

Evidence of each stage are presented visually as well, with dated collections that correspond to each entry. I felt compelled to share our progress to any interested parties. Hence, this page.

In addition to that, I will continue to add historical references relating to this ship and the Age of Sail.
I also intend to post further correspondence in the form of a Captains Log. Where our travels (based on real history) and our crew exploits (based on my imagination and my supporters depicted as crew, portrayed in miniature on this ship) will be posted on a regular basis.

If you wish to join the crew and be portrayed in this manner, simply be-friend me on Facebook and request your preferred position. (Many positions have already been filled so provide a few alternates if you can.)

Please be reminded that this Facebook page is not a sponsored promotional tool or a means to advertise anything. It's just me… and my love of the Age of Sail.

I look forward to future correspondence, and am open to suggestions of matters relating to our fine ship, as you see fit.

Fare thee well, and God bless America.

Captain Isaac Hull
USS Constitution.
Annapolis, MD
1811
https://www.facebook.com/isaac.hull.58

Photos of the completed ship can be found here.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 290&type=3

Movies that I have created about this ship can be found here:

"Undefeated: The Story of Old Ironsides"
The first video I made. Designed to tease the completion of the model.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzsdscRK9pg

"One by One - The Story of the USS Constitution"
A historical dramatization (overly dramatic perhaps) of the impact the USS Constitution had on the formidable British Navy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SIHTBzupxc

It Had to Be Built"
A video about the inspiration, and subsequent obsession, with the building of a model of the USS Constitution, and my plans to expand the experience online.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXLJca_jGH4

"Four Days Out"
A compilation using images of the completed ship taken by a professional photographer, which also portrays real people who have joined the crew through Isaac Hull's Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/isaac.hull.58
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcX-CaX4JDo

"The Life of a Super Model"
A documentation of the photo shoot itself… but with a fashion spin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykxlN0QlWKw

Your humble servant,
Isaac Hull

Hmmm.
Photo link above did not work....

Let's try this one instead:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=249015531894675&set=a.249007595228802.58988.100003586910290&type=1&theater