USS Constitution

I just got lucky and found the 1978 version Revell Museum Classics H-391 of Old Ironsides. It has a few differences compared to your kit. Brass pedestals and mahogany base, pre-painted copper on the hull, no sailors, Cloth iron-on flags including signal flags etc. Seems to be maybe a little better quality than the later versions. Anyway, great vid. I should do the same.

Looking forward to buy this model. It looks epic!

Many thanks for posting - this is a fantastic build of arguably the finest (and certainly the biggest and most complicated!) model of a wooden ship ever made available to model enthusiasts. I love your use of authentic canvas sails; also, your choice of Smetana's 'Ma Vlast'. Bravo!!!

tried to build this twice, both times they ended up in the trash. I will try again, hopefully , now that I am a little wiser and much more patient I'll get it done. thanks for the motivation!

Nice build! I've watched your video, as well as followed builds by Force9 and Capt Isaac Hull on different forums, many times for inspiration to use on my 1st build of this ship model by Revell. I'm using spray paint and enamels for my build. I hope build will turn out as successful. Cheers!

what brand of paints do you use?

Nice Job!

I seldom criticize another modeler's work but there is so much more that could have been done to make this a much better model. Just because a plastic model is molded in different colors doesn't mean paint isn't needed. A block of beeswax or even a candle to pull the rigging line through would reduce the fuzzies. Stays and shrouds are much heavier line and the higher up the masts the lighter the line. Standing rigging is taut, I have built this model several times and I know the plastic spars can be pulled out of place but there is usually a line that will allow you to pull it the other way. Very touchy process. Running rigging is never heavier than standing rigging and the ratlines are much smaller than the shrouds. I never used the plastic shrouds and ratlines provided. If you use different size threads you will have much better looking results. Takes a little longer but it's worth it. Finally, the glue issue, use good thin glue and use it sparingly. Thin Tamiya is one of the best. One of the biggest flaws in this kit is the three piece spar deck. almost impossible to get rid of the seams. My solution was to join the ends of the deck together and then reinforce with plastic strips under the deck. Carefully fill the seams and with fine sandpaper or a file, clean up the seam. Paint the deck and the seams will virtually disappear. It will be a little more difficult to install but there will be enough bend in the deck that it can be accomplished. I know, I did it. I didn't write this critique to slam this model, I wrote it for the guys who are thinking about building it. I built the model for my brother and my two sisters were unhappy about it so I built one for each of them. Good way to start a family feud.

Wao very Nice compliment!!!!!!

Very impressive!!

Joshua, thank you very much for taking the time to put this video together - I'm all 'Captain Aubrey'ing' right now and am weirdly obsessed with the period and hardware at the moment. I understand the splinter-netting now too! The little winglet shroud enclosures on either side of the captain's cabin are a mystery to me though.

I bought that model same model in the early 1970's for $10 at the age of about 11 or 12! It was the mos expensive thing I ever purchased as a kid. Alas...I only got about half way before I ran into some issue with the decking not matching up properly and abandoned ship!!!

Awesome build. Had this very same model in the early 70s, and again in the mid 90s. I miss this model. Burglars stole the unbuilt 90s kit from me in the late 90s. Never got to even start it. Thanks for sharing this. Nicely done!

awesome! gj man!

o amazing

Thanks for posting!! Will be a great help in my second attempt to do the ship. I got as far as the cannons on the top deck the first time but couldnt get the thread from the rudder to stay tight around the wheel. I know half of this stuff I dont even know how to do and the rigging will confuse me left and right. If I can get mine to turn out half as good as yours did I will be very pleased! Hopefully I can have it done by next July. Any idea on a time table?

Very nicely done.

just too cool.  Great work.  I started a smaller version of this a few years ago and never stopped.  Now I'm inspired to start again.

Is this the same model ship? Doesn't appear to be from the same source; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ga4QyWZW5s

So I told my girlfriend I wanted to start this hobby and she bought me this one. Well I done my research and this is not the ideal place to start. But I'm going to try anyways. I'm really excited. How long did it take you to finish this? I have the plastic version.