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USS CONSTITUTION model
The USS
Constitution is a wooden frigate of the United States
Navy. Launched on October 21, 1797, she is the oldest
commissioned floating warship in the world. Currently
maintained as a museum ship in Boston, the ship leaves
her dock for a turnaround cruise in Boston Harbor every
July 4th.
Acquiring
a decent USS Constitution model must be quite
challenging nowadays. Google the phrase and numerous web
sites and photos immediately appear. If you are a novice
buyer and you see some hard-to-resist prices and think
that you are getting a tremendous
deal, be forewarned. There are very bad USS Constitution
models out there. One web site advertises highest
quality and museum standard replica yet produces a model
with wrong stern gallery and cannon balls that are twice
the size of the gun's muzzle. Another shop that claims
to be widely recognized as a leader in tall ship models
crafts their USS Constitution
like a painted toy which has pristine
white rigging, fake copper bottom, undesirable
yellow deck, and no two bow chaser guns.
There is another type of USS Constitution model which
comes from a single wholesale source popping up everywhere -- Ebay, Etsy,
home furnishing stores. Some fundamental errors of this
type are the very short bowsprit, humongous blocks and deadeyes,
black metal lids on
gun ports, boxy stern gallery, weird boats and oars. The
list can go on but we don't want to spend too much time
on this issue.
Characteristics of the USS Constitution:
The USS Constitution's design was created by Joshua
Humphreys, who was tasked with creating a ship that
could out-gun and out-sail its adversaries. Her one acre
of sail and a slim underbody gave her a remarkable top
speed of 14 knots. Although the USS Constitution was
larger and more heavily armed and built than standard
frigates of the period, she was faster than not only any
ships of the line but also all frigates, except the
USS United States.
The USS
Constitution was the most formidable ship of all
frigates. The unique design of her hull contributed
considerably to her structural strength. There are three
layers of oak: white oak for the exterior and interior
planking, and live oak for the vertical framing. The
hull's planks were up to seven inches thick which earned
her the nickname "Old Ironsides" during the War of 1812
after sailors witnessed British cannon balls rebounding
from her sides.
Heroic actions of the USS Constitution:
On August 19, 1812, the USS Constitution model caused a
great shock to the Royal Navy by defeating HMS Guerriere.
In just 15 minutes, her powerful carronades devastated
the enemy frigate of similar size. It was not the first
American naval victory of the war (that honor went to
USS Essex’s crew who captured HMS Alerton six
days earlier), but it ended the battle in a terrific way. The Guerriere could not be saved and had to be scuttled by
igniting the ship’s powder in the magazines.
On
December 29, 1812, USS Constitution dueled with the
British frigate Java off the coast of Brazil. After a
fierce battle lasting almost three hours, the enemy ship
suffered such heavy damage that the Americans had to set
it on fire and sink it. Because of this battle, the
Royal Navy ordered its frigates not to engage American
frigates alone.
On February 20 1815, the USS Constitution captured two
British men-of-wars at the same time. Off the Madeira
Islands, in a battle that lasted three hours and 20
minutes, USS Constitution outmaneuver and captured HMS
Cyane and HMS Levant whose combined broadsides was
heavier than hers.
In 1844, USS Constitution model became the very first
American ship that circumnavigated the globe (a 29-month
journey). In 1897, she was brought to Boston for
preservation. She made an extended goodwill voyage in
1931 1934, traveling to 76 ports along the Atlantic,
Gulf, and Pacific Coasts.
This USS Constitution model
features:
- Beautiful stern gallery and
sail system are of the Old Ironsides' most glorious
year. (We can build the model like the ship's
current configuration per your request.)
- Realistic soft sails.
No dark rims, not bright white, no uniform shape that
looks like plastic.
- Authentic
extensive rigging system comprised of
many different sizes of rope and features numerous
blocks and deadeyes.
-
Copper-plated bottom:
individual copper pieces (no fake lines, no copper
paint on wood hull.)
-
Blackened metal cannons and wooden
carriage. Under the main deck, all guns have metal
barrel on whose wooden carriage which sit
on a real deck.
- Scratch-built,
plank-on-frame
construction.
27" long x 25" tall x
11" wide: $3,990
39" x 30" tall x 13" wide:
$5,920
60" x 43" tall x 20" wide:
$8,590
10' long: contact us
for price.
Our USS
Constitution
model is built per commission only.
Please click here
for
more information.
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We also build
this USS Constitution model in two different versions:
- Full 39 sails: the ship is at top speed, toward the HMS
Guerriere. Foremast
and mainmast lower studding sails are all out.
This version is $700 extra.
- No sails: to showcase
beautiful and authentic rigging. This version is $200
less.
Prices include crating,
shipping, and insurance in the contiguous US
($500-$1,200)
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Illuminate the
USS Constitution
model for the
special evenings:
$300. Powered by a
standard 9v battery placed under the base for your
convenience. This option is available on larger models
only.
Nobody builds better
tall ships than ModelShipMaster.
In December 2007, Intel general
manager Malcolm Harkins used our USS Constitution model
as a special gift to Intel CIO John John in a special recognition event Staying the Course through
Stormy Weather.
"I want to tell you that I absolutely love
the USS Constitution I bought from you a while back. Just great. It brings me
delight every day. Norman La Force."
Click
here
to learn more. |
Both
ships have sailed in, docked, and seem happy in their
new home port. I have
been studying each of the models now for an hour or so,
instead of working, but, hey. What two great
distractions these are. Some feedback on each: USS
CONSTITUTION model: the level of and execution of the
detailing are outstanding. Period. I did a lot of
research on this particular model, and I found no other
model that compared to it. The rigging and the masts
alone qualify this model as exceptional in its class.
Seeing it "in person" is more than convincing of its
greatness. It exceeded my expectations...
Ray E.
Once again, you have blown me away with the excellent
detail on the USS Constitution model. It is unbelievable
how meticulous everything is done. And of course, the
packing was perfect. Not even a broken string on the
rigging. I am at a loss for words to tell you how
pleased I am. I sit there and see in my mind your
sitting in front of the ship and doing all the tedious
handwork. Now I just have to decide what my next ship
will be to add to my fleet! Thank you again.
Brett
Your USS Constitution model appears scaled
as she was originally designed- her port and starboard spar deck midships is
open. Her bulwarks were not added until 1814 -- Good Job! got you on my favorite
vendors list. I am very impressed with her 39 sails!!!.
Captain Fred Ladd.
Learn more about The USS Constitution
here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Constitution
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