The Building of “Old Ironsides.”
The USS Constitution, also known as “Old Ironsides,” is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It was launched in 1797 and is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world 1. The ship earned its nickname “Old Ironsides” during the War of 1812 when it defeated HMS Guerriere in August 1812. The British cannonballs were said to have bounced off the ship’s strong oak hull, leading one British sailor to exclaim, “Her sides are made of iron!” 2. The USS Constitution went on to defeat three more British frigates during the war 1. Today, it is a museum ship and a popular tourist attraction in Boston, Massachusetts 1.
In Search of…
I endeavored to make a 1:350 scale sea diorama with a collection of various ships from different times in world history including sci-fi. Please read my other blog on Kronos One 1:350 scale. I wanted to include the USS Constitution but finding a 1:350 scale was near to impossible. I finally came across a Lindberg model scale 1:450 and someone at Etsy had a few. Although this model is 1:450 and not 1:350, I found it good enough for me.
Unfortunately, I did not take many photos along this whole journey but have managed to take a few. On this particular model from Lindberg, the detail wasn’t too bad. I had to clear out some flash but not troubling. After that I glued together the pieces with my favorite Testors Model Cement. After gluing them together and sanding the parts down for painting, I applied Testors Enamal Paint for the gold, black, red, brown, wood, and flat white. You can get a set from ModelCars.com.
On the sides of the ship were no railings but a thick wall for railings and using photo references of the ship I cut them out and used photo etch ladders to act as railing along the sides.
I did not like much of the rolled-up plastic sails that came with the ship, so I cut out some white cloth and followed a pattern that I found online. I meticulously spent time on these sails daily and then added ratlines and rigging from thread and CA Glue to stiffen the ratlines, after which I painted black. This alone was tedious, yet satisfying since it was the last thing to do.
The Completed USS Constitution
Then within a few months, the USS Constitution was completed. I completed this when I was working on another model which I was bord with. As a matter of fact, I also completed Kronos One and abandoned the other project, for now.
For the rigging and ratlines, I used regular needle and thread, and a whole mess of patience. A lot of photo references was used to get the exact rigging.
As I researched this ship, I was amazed by the sailors who had lived on board this brave vessel. A ship without any computers or modern amenities. A ship that challenged the limits of human endurance and resilience. Indeed, conditions that the modern man could not fathom or begin to understand, except for those bold few that serve on her or any sailed ship to this day.
And so the USS Constitution is now part of a 1:350 scale sea diorama that is yet to be completed. Do you have any sea diorama you would like to share? Please post them in the comments section.
Started build on 09NOV21, completed 07FEB23.
1. nps.gov 2. history.com 3. history.com 4. ussconstitutionmuseum.org
Please share with like minds and comment below with any anecdote or suggestions. The links I provided throughout the blog which go to Model Cars or Diecast Models Wholesale are affiliates, and I do get a commission off qualified sales, that is how one can support a fellow modeler like me. Thank you!
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