Ship nails were made of brass......I had a friend in school who's father dove on wrecks with the National Geographic down in the Caribbean back in the 60's. Brought back lots of interesting "finds" including a bucket of brass ship nails. Hope this helps. Rick H.
USS Constipation 1/120 scale Imai long suffering build
- Thread starter rtfoe
- Start date
rtfoe
SMF Supporter
It surely helps, Rick. Brass doesn't rust but oxidizes to near black or dull copper in color. Will look up some references.
Cheers,
Richard
rtfoe
SMF Supporter
rtfoe
SMF Supporter
Spar deck planks were lapped white oak so fasteners may not be seen, check out pics of real thing.
rtfoe
SMF Supporter
Thanks for that info Paul, I checked with images of the restored Constitution and the decks seem flush all the way with no nail protrusions.
Don't know which is more accurate, the restoration or what Imai claims they are depicting the ship during her early active period? Both ships have different lines. The restored version is pretty straight from bow to stern where as the Imai offering has a curve like most sailing ships of the period. The Revell version is also curved from bow to stern.
Cheers,
Richard
rtfoe
SMF Supporter
Hi,
After spraying a protective coat of varnish over the finished wash on the deck and while waiting for it to cure I tackled the guns, cradles and the doors.
I secured the guns onto a thick card with white glue after I had cleaned seamlines then sprayed them flat black.
The doors and gun cradles were painted on the spue and given a dark wash.
After this I decided to whiten the previous panel on the hull which has yellowed with time. At the same time I will correct the width of the panel reducing one plank height from the top.
Cheers,
Richard
After spraying a protective coat of varnish over the finished wash on the deck and while waiting for it to cure I tackled the guns, cradles and the doors.
I secured the guns onto a thick card with white glue after I had cleaned seamlines then sprayed them flat black.
The doors and gun cradles were painted on the spue and given a dark wash.
After this I decided to whiten the previous panel on the hull which has yellowed with time. At the same time I will correct the width of the panel reducing one plank height from the top.
Cheers,
Richard
The rebuild of the spar deck used Douglas Fir instead of White Oak so may appear darker now. The construction was much different than other fighting ships of the day. It was faster & more maneuverable, longer, narrower, straighter, heavier & more rigid than British & French ships of its' class. Internal bracing were cut from single trees & transferred weight evenly along the keel. It was all pegged construction. The "iron sides" used horizontal White Oak planks for the inside & outside layers with Live Oak (75lbs/cu. ft.) planks in between.
Jim R
SMF Supporter
Good progress on this Richard. That's a lot of guns to fit 
Jim
Jim
rtfoe
SMF Supporter
Thank you Andrew, glad you're following.
Wow Paul, that is fantastic reference and much appreciated. I was wondering why the spar deck wood color was dark in those photos and perhaps had followed that reference in the decks previous color when other builds show a remarkably lighter shade to the deck. Just like in the movie Master And Command where they discussed the French ship being built with a straighter keel for speed.
Thanks Jim, she had a different number of guns for a frigate but heavier and bigger guns for her class if I'm not mistaken.Good progress on this Richard. That's a lot of guns to fit
Jim
As mentioned I have re-done the white panel that runs along the hull to correct it. Here are the progress images, I first dry brushed a new coat of white with a vertical stroke before masking. This gave a slightly weathered look...I didn't whiten the line of planking just above the gun ports as that will be painted over with black.
Masking done as well as the open gun ports above just in case there is a spill-over.
Yes I re-used the previous masking I did on the deck as they were still good and thought of recycling.
Much better now and it gives the hull side a much broader height.
Will need retouching of the recessed panel lines where the white has creeped in.
Cheers,
Richard
Jim R
SMF Supporter
Hi Richard
That has worked well. The white does look better. Reusing the masking - now that is frugal modelling
Jim
That has worked well. The white does look better. Reusing the masking - now that is frugal modelling
Jim
rtfoe
SMF Supporter
Thanks Jim, had to as paints don't turn yellow that fast even it was from that period. As long as the tape hasn't any cuts and in one piece I'll reuse it. Also good for any filler areas that are exposed which doesn't need new tape. Tamiya tape is still tacky and crisp after a few runs...I don't know how they do it.Hi Richard
That has worked well. The white does look better. Reusing the masking - now that is frugal modelling
Jim
Cheers,
Richard
Jim R
SMF Supporter
In some situations tape that has been used is better as the stickiness is reduced so there is less chance of pulling paint off 
rtfoe
SMF Supporter
Today at the LHS I enhanced the waterline by masking and airbrushing a new coat of copper...
As usual I re-used the masking tape. The Revell enamel copper has an oldish tint than the Tamiya copper which suites the weathered bottom area.
Had only 3 hours to do the above and made a quick run on the way home to pack some dinner. Today's dinner was Chee Cheong Fun (steamed rice vermicelli rolled until they look like intestines hence the name, Chee is pig, Cheong is intestines, Fun is noodle) accompanied with fried tofu and pork filling, vege, meat and fishballs served with sweet savory thick soya bean sauce or coconut creamed curry.
Cheers,
Richard
As usual I re-used the masking tape. The Revell enamel copper has an oldish tint than the Tamiya copper which suites the weathered bottom area.
Had only 3 hours to do the above and made a quick run on the way home to pack some dinner. Today's dinner was Chee Cheong Fun (steamed rice vermicelli rolled until they look like intestines hence the name, Chee is pig, Cheong is intestines, Fun is noodle) accompanied with fried tofu and pork filling, vege, meat and fishballs served with sweet savory thick soya bean sauce or coconut creamed curry.
Cheers,
Richard
Making me feel hungry Richard……as to the build…looking excellent. Love the aged copper finish…..not going for a weed encrusted finish then?
Richard any Oak would completely destroy any steel/ iron fixing due to the high tannin content.
Due to her sturdy construction she was way straighter than her contemporaries. At one refit they found twelve British 32 pound cannon balls embedded in her side. The initial plans called for 32 long guns (24 pounder) including two bow chasers and 20 carronade (32 pounder). Though at times she had as few as 40 guns total. Can't tell how many came w/your model.
Last edited:
rtfoe
SMF Supporter
No chance of any weed Tim, as she hasn't touched water since the flood.
Thanks...do you like Chinese?John, yes it was mentioned that she was constructed with wood pegs. What were those rivet like knobs along the hull made of I wonder?
Thanks Paul, I counted and it's the same number you quoted.
Cheers,
Richard