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USS CONSTITUTION model
Acquiring
an USS Constitution model must be quite challenging
nowadays. Google the phrase and numerous web sites and
photos immediately appear. The novice buyers might see
some prices that are hard to resist and then stop the
search, thinking they are getting a treasure deal. But
be forewarned. There are very bad models out there which
are blatantly advertised museum quality. A 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. A shop that claims to be widely recognized as a
leader in tall ship models crafts their model like a
painted toy which has pristine white rigging, fake
copper bottom, undesirable yellow deck, and no two bow chaser guns. Another type of
bad USS Constitution model comes from a single wholesale
source and appears everywhere -- Ebay, Etsy, and home
furnishing stores. Fundamental errors of this type
include very short bowsprit, humongous blocks and
deadeyes, black metal lids on gun ports, boxy stern
gallery, horrible boats and oars. Before you even
consider those, have a look at our model below and
compare to see vast differences.
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is
the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat.
Launched in 1797, she is a three-masted wooden-hulled
heavy frigate of the United States Navy. She played a
key role in the War of 1812.
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. The
hull's planks were up to seven inches thick which earned
her the nickname "Old Ironsides"
after sailors witnessed British cannon balls bouncing
off
from her sides.
The ship's design was created by Joshua
Humphreys who was tasked with creating a ship that
could out-gun and out-sail its adversaries. The USS
Constitution was larger and more heavily armed
than standard frigates but faster than all ships of the
line and frigates, except the
USS United States. With a complement of 450 sailors,
her one acre
of sail and a slim underbody gave her a remarkable top
speed of 14 knots.
The USS
Constitution’s first mission, during the 1790’s, was to
protect the American merchant ships during the Quasi-War
with France. In 1803, she protected American ships from
attack by the Barbary pirates in the Mediterranean. USS
Constitution bombarded Tripoli and on board her, the
peace treaty was signed between the USA and Tripoli in
1805.
The USS
Constitution was rebuilt in 1833, and under the command
of “Mad Jack” Percival, she became the first American
warship to circumnavigate the globe. During the Civil
War, she serve as a training ship for Naval Academy
midshipmen in Newport, Rhode Island.
In 1882,
Constitution was retired to Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Naval Shipyard. She was brought back to Boston in 1897,
refitted for display and opened to the public in 1905
where she became a national monument.
 On
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 achieved an
incredible feast. She captured two British men-of-wars
at the same time. Off the Madeira Islands, in a battle
that lasted three hours and 20 minutes, the HMS Cyane and HMS Levant
were outmaneuvered, devastated, and struck their colors.
ModelShipMaster's USS Constitution model
features:
- Beautiful stern gallery and
sail system of the Old Ironsides' most glorious
year.
- 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:
$6,430
60" x 43" tall x 20" wide:
$9,590
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
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. Other places: $400, $600, and $900 flat rate.
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Illuminate your
model for the
special evenings:
$300. Powered by a
standard 9v battery placed under the base for your
convenience.
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 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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