1:96 USS Constitution replacement/detail parts

Modeling Subjects Ships
1

I haven’t built a scale model of anything since I was a kid. Well, now I’m trying to get back in the game and recently bought a Revell 1:96 USS Constitution to try out, and an Iwata HP-C plus, air compressor and other odds and ends.

Any who, I have never built a ship, I was wanting something that would look great in about a 3-4" of deep ocean blue resin (but I think this kit may be a bit big for that [:P])

My question to you scale gods is…what parts can I, or should I replace for better ease/realism, etc? and what size?

I have seen several parts for scale ships at several online stores, but I have no idea which or what I should get, as I don’t want to buy anything that may not fit to scale for my kit. I would also like to replace the cannon with brass cannon, but I am not sure which cannons I should get that would work and fit for this kit.

2

You can certainly come up with a nice water display, however the resin idea won’t fly for a number of reasons.

One great way to go would be to get a big piece of clear plastic and cut a hole in it the size of your ship at the waterline. Put waves and color on the top with clear silicone, artists matte medium or whatever you like.Paint it to look like water and waves, and build a clear box to set it on. You will love it.

3

What about wooden and metal parts that I could replace the flimsy plastic parts?

4

Model Expo, Bluejacket Ship Crafters, Loyalhanna Dockyard and MANY others have all the stuff you are looking for. The current advice on this forum, and I agree with it, is to buy these parts as you need them instead of all at once. Eyebolts, blocks, and deadeyes are good things to replace as is the rigging thread that comes with the kit…

Good luck and good hunting

Ray

5

I certainly agree with the eyebolts. However, the blocks and deadeyes in the kit are not bad if you paint them well. Yards and upper masts are an option, but even so-called tapered masts from suppliers are not that great- you would get much better ones from doing it yourself if you have a lathe or can rig up something that will serve as a lathe (I once set up a kluge to do this using a Dremel Moto-tool). Wood spars allow you to increase tension on the rigging.

6

What size eye bolts, block, and/or deadeyes should I be looking for to replace the ones on the 1/96 Connie? Thanks for the help and info thus far

7

This is a fine model in itself. I’ve built it and never found the need for any parts other than what came with the kit. Carry on,

Allan Buttrick

8

I would suggest measuring the kit parts using the metric system as blocks and deadeye sizes are most often listed in millimeters… I did the 1/96th Constitution years ago and replaced all the eyebolts

with home made ones. I used the tie wraps that come on loaves of bread. I stripped the paper off and used a wire guage drill reversed in a pin vice as a mandrel. The wire is mild steel and is the right color to replicate the wrought iron used on real ships of the period. Just glue them in place with CA.

The twisted shanks will provide a great gluing surface that will never come loose…

Ray

9

Smallest eyebolts they sell. They don’t offer too many sizes. As for blocks and deadeyes, you’ll need several sizes- just measure the ones in the kit- same sizes will do (though, again I maintain if you paint the ones in the kit, the blocks and deadeyes are not that bad.