If you are a model ship builder working on a model of the USS Constitution, you may be looking for some model plans or blueprints of the historic ship.
There are a number of resources with all the necessary drawings, plans or photos you need to build a detailed model.
Some of these resources are actual instructions for USS Constitution model kits while others are books with drawings, plans and details about the construction of the USS Constitution.
The following is a list of the best USS Constitution model plans:
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♦ The Frigate Constitution and Other Historic Ships by Alexander Magoun
Originally published in 1928 but later updated and republished in 1987, this book by Alexander Magoun contains the history, detailed plans and measurements of the USS Constitution as well as numerous other historic ships like the Mayflower, Santa Maria, the clipper Flying Cloud and the schooner Bluenose. The book contains over 100 illustrations, text descriptions and photos of the ships.
♦ Old Ironsides: The Rise, Decline, and Resurrection of the USS Constitution by Thomas Gilmer
Published in 1993, this book by Thomas Gilmer discusses the USS Constitution’s history, construction and various reconstructions. The book has numerous drawings, plans and photographs of the ship.
♦ USS Constitution Plans: For Model Ship Builders and General Researchers
This CD is sold online on the USS Constitution Museum website and contains drawings of the ship during the 19th century, the 1927-1931 restoration, and the 2007-2010 restoration.
Also included are reports with additional information about all of the changes made to the ship since 1797.
♦ Bluejacket USS Constitution Plan and Book
Bluejacket Ship Crafters sells a plan book from their USS Constitution model kit. The model kit and the book are based on the ship’s appearance from 1812-1815.
The company says that the plan is highly accurate because it is based on three years of research of the ship’s deck logs and maintenance records.
Revell offers free downloads of their instruction booklets for their USS Constitution model kits. These instruction booklets are useful even if you aren’t using a Revell kit because they are so detailed and contain a lot drawings and step-by-step instructions.
The instructions Revell offers include:
1/96 USS Constitution (kit 80-5602) – includes a paint guide and instructions to assemble hull, gun deck and masts (the second half of the instructions are upside down so you may need to print them out)
1/96 U.S.S. Constitution – (kit 85-0398) – includes rigging instructions
1/96 U.S.S. Constitution (kit 85-0398) – includes a paint guide and instructions to assemble hull, gun deck and masts and sails
1/196 Frigate USS Constitution (kit 85-5404) – includes instructions to assemble parts of the deck, the masts and the rigging.
1/146 U.S.S. Constitution (kit 80-5472) – includes instructions to assemble the hull, deck, rigging and sails
♦ The USS Constitution, 1812-1815 : Step-by-Step Instructions and Plans to Model the Ship to her 1812 to 1815 Configuration
Published in 1988, this book written by Laurence Arnot and published by Bluejacket Shipcrafters provides detailed plans and step-by-step instructions on how to build a model of the USS Constitution.
The only problem is the book is out of print, is unavailable anywhere online and only seems to exist in one library in the entire country: the Museum of Fine Arts Library in Boston, Mass.
If you live in the Boston area, definitely take the opportunity to take a look at the book in the library. If you don’t live in the area, I seems you’re out of luck unless you can find a copy in a used bookstore.
♦ USS Constitution ship model plans by Best Ship Models
The website Best Ship Models sells two different sets of USS Constitution plans. The two sets include 20 sheets with specifications, details and more.
The plans are high resolution so you can change the scale and build the model in any size you want. Default scales are 1:93 and 1:76.
There are also a few websites that are supposedly giving these plans away as a free download but I’m not sure how much I would trust a free download from an unfamiliar site so proceed with caution if you go that route.
Sources:
“Instruction Plans.” Revell, www.revell.com/support/instructions.html
“Standard Rigging Plan for USS Constitution.” Fine Scale Modeler, Kalmbach Publishing Co, 11 Feb. 2005,
cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/7/t/36113.aspx
“Revell USS Constitution.” Fine Scale Modeler, Kalmbach Publishing Co, 27 Dec. 2013, cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/7/p/157663/1705069.aspx
I built a solid hull USS Constitution Model in the late 1950’s to early 1960’s while in College. The model is about 28″ long with the hull about 20″. The book I used was from the Yonkers NY Public Library. It has been in a glass case in our home since 1970 as the threads used for the rigging had gotten so brittle. It hasn’t been out of the case in 20 years now.
Some day this will be one on my son’s most favored possessions. I’m only 78 and hope for many more years. But I think it would be great if I could find the book I used to build the model and have it with the model.
The “plans” had a set of profiles to build a “solid” hull. I think it was 5 layers. I once tried to float the model and it was a little off plus, even though it was painted, the pine of the hull picked up some moisture and I spent a few weeks scraping the seams of the hull.
For the last 20 years I’ve been an art glass / fusing glass artist (this is my third 15+ years career). So on the Website listed I’ll post an image of my almost 60 year old model at the bottom of the home page in the hopes someone knows the book I would have used.
Regards,
George McGinn – Durham, NC but formally from Yonkers, NY