"USS Constitution 1/1200" Topic

My latest model: Langton Miniatures' American 44-gun frigate. I've painted her in Constitution's modern colour scheme; her original paintwork was apparently quite gaudy, with (I think) blue and red bands on the hull. As usual, I heavily customized the rig and scratchbuilt the sails.

The model turned out pretty good. The only thing I'm not entirely happy with is the staysails (which I traced from a sail set for a Langton 64); the mast spacing on the U.S. 44s is very odd, and consequently the forestaysails don't fit very well. Oh well. On the other hand, I'm pretty happy with the studding sails, which turned better here than my previous attempts.

Nice!

Words fail me! Congratulations on a most beautiful miniature.

That's amazing! In the bow on picture that's third from the bottom, your painting makes the sails look translucent, as if the sun were directly behind them.

I will say though, that I think the red/blue colors you're speaking of were on the stern decorations. In 1797 she carried a broad buff stripe down the gunports, and her current black/white scheme came into use in either 1807 or 1811.
BWW

Simply beautiful!

WOW! Beautiful!

Lovely model. Having said that, is her foremast leaning a bit too far forward?

This is correct for the War of 1812 with the possible exceptions of a green deck and interior Gunwales. Constitution's truly gaudy period happened on her circumnavigation when, as she headed into the tropics, Capt. Percival had her painted white (or a really light grey) with a red streak for her guns.

WOW!!! Just amazing as usual

I can only say that I love !!!

ENHORABUENA!!!

I'm painting an USS Constitution among other ships, but I think I will not put so many sails (I would go crazy) ;o)

Beautiful.

Regarding "not so many sails", going on memory, Old Ironsides has 36 total sails, IIRC, but I think only a handful would likely have been used in a fight… perhaps as few as six.

So I believe the images here would be of the great lady "running before the wind," either to pursue a prize, escape pursuit, or just to see.what she can do in a fair breeze!

This many sails would be perfect for two of her actions in the War of 1812, early in the war under Hull, escaping from a British Squadron of NY, and late in the war (actually after the War was over), escaping from (IIRC) George Collier's squadron.

Gorgeous work Kniaz Suvorov! You're going to have a truly awesome collection of ships packing on all possible sail!

A really stunning model!

Stun'sails and all – awesome!

Thanks, everyone!

BrianW: since the sails are paper, they are actually translucent.
I can't remember where I read about Constitution's earlier colour scheme. Do you know any good sources for general information about her?

Dave Jackson: That foremast is actually vertical; it's just the exaggerated-by-scale stepping of the topmast, topgallant mast and royal topgallant that makes the whole thing look like it's leaning so much!

ModelJShip: if I could paint the hulls as nicely as you can, I probably wouldn't rig so many sails either!

jowady: I hadn't heard about the green deck/gunwales. Any idea what shade of green they were?

Parzival: I think the "official" maximum number of sails was 42; I put 40 on the model, having left off the mizzen skysail and gaff driver. That said, I think when the need struck, a variety of additional sails could be extemporized from spare canvas and spars. Maybe one of these days I'll try doing one with "all the sail she'll bear".

Amazing! of the best sails I've seen

Fantastic work!

Wow…

Lovely. THAT is "a cloud of sails."

There are color prints in Osprey's "American Heavy Frigates". I'm using Humbrol's #78.

Beautiful ship Mike!

Just curious how long is the overall ship?

Wow amazing!!!

Blinking eck! How big is that biro pen? Please tell me it's an inch thick because that model is amazing.

Can I ask one thing about your beautiful ship. The lower spars on your stud-sails? I have not seen this before?
Be safe
Rory

Hi all,

jaxenro: that sea base is 75mm long. The hull clocks in at about 50mm, while the whole ship is about 85mm from the tip of the bowsprit to the tip of the spanker boom. Yes, that's a normal ballpoint pen that you can see in a couple of the pics.

devsdoc: I think the lower (stuns'l) booms are what you're referring to. These fitted into eyelets or rings in the side of the hull, and were necessary to properly spread the lower studding sails. Google "studding sail" and you'll find plenty of pics.

Thanks for the info. I did not know about this.
Be safe
Rory

Bloody Fantastic!! You have a real talent, great work.

Outstanding work.