Customer Reviews

Revell 1:96 USS Constitution

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this ship for myself, as it's going to be winter soon, and I needed something to do inside to keep busy. I had tried this exact ship many years ago and had two cats at the time who kept stealing my parts. So maybe this time I can complete it. I have just begun and it is time consuming and very intricate work so it makes for a great long term project. I'm sure it will turn out beautiful. Some of the tags on this item are incorrect: It is not a "Disneyland Ship", nor is it a "Pirate Ship". It is an Historical Ship that still exists, retired of course.

I built this kit over 30 years ago and the quality still remains as high as ever. Revell is a master at creating quality, detailed plastic model kits. The plastic sails were crushed a bit by the newer packaging (an attempt unfortunately to prevent this exact thing). Given I don't use the sails, preferring the rigging, it was not a problem for me. I'd recommend this kit for anyone who enjoys building 16th century model ships but hasn't the patience nor the funds for the museum quality wood kits.

I bought this as a gift for my husband and he has worked on the model everyday since he received it and loves it.

Highly recommended and fascinating for anyone wanting to build an important representation of history. Fine detail and 'many' parts.

I had not built a model of any type for more than 30 years and took this on. I am now working on the Standing Rigging. Challenging,however if you have any desire, build this one. My next model is the Heller 1:100 HMS Victory, an even more challenging build, so it seems.

Regardless, this has been a rewarding model build. I wonder why it took me 30 years to get back. Maybe I needed to mature?

Old Ironsides, the oldest sailing ship afloat in the world, was never defeated in battle, but I'm having a battle with this kit. Parts shown but unnumbered and directions sometimes difficult to comprehend.

If you plan to purchase this kit, construction will be much, much easier if you also purchase small tools with which to work. For example, when working with the ship's rigging, a regular pair of scissors are almost useless, even small ones. Small clamps will also be necessary to hold cemented parts together and in place while the cement (glue) dries.

When complete, though, Old Ironsides will be something you'll be proud to display. And you'll learn some fascinating American history, particularly about the War of 1812.

Worthwhile.

I almost built this ship in 1980 but gave up on it. I bought it again this year and am working slowly because that is how you have to do it This is absolutely the most difficult plastic model sailing ship ever made. Be sure to search online for building tips because there is a lot of help out there.

I have used superglue only on this ship - believe me, nothing else is good enough. I think I will throw out the plastic sails and make my own from linen.

I am 52 years old - I use glasses and magnifiers for everything I do with this model - painting, gluing, tying the rigging.

If you love a real challenge, take this one on!

I don't know why Amazon considers this a toy, but i was forced to answer the questions in order to get this published.

I don't classify this as a toy since this is not meant to be played with. This kit is very challenging. It's a very advanced kit so be prepared for an incredible amount of detail work.

I bought it for a winter project - something to work on when the snow is flying and it's too much of a hassle to venture outside. From that standpoint, a project well worth working on.

I built this ship 35 years ago. There is very little bad about the kit. It takes time and patience to build and is not for someone who wants to be finished in one day. You should have some experience with building plastic models but you do not need to be an expert.
Pros:
1. It is detailed and when completed looks very good.
2. It is large enough to be fairly easy to work on.
3. The plastic, for the most part, has few defects.
Cons:
1. It is plastic and not wood, but you can make it look like wood if made right.
2. The sails are plastic with some type of fuzz glued onto them. They make the ship look cheap, to me.
3. You need tools and some experience to make it.
For what it is worth, I recommend:
1. Paint everything, it will make the kit look like wood.
2. Take the time to trim off all the flash (extra bits of plastic created when making the parts). Use an emory board, sand paper, small files to clean it up.
3. Very lightly sand the smooth plastic parts, since this will help the glue and paint to stick better.
4. Use as much glue as you need, but not too much. The hull needs more glue.
5. Make sure you have clamps, laundry clips, rubber bands, paper clips and tape to hold the parts together while the glue dries.
6. Get good paint. The lower hull was copper plated. You can get tarnished copper color paint that makes the model really look good. Don't leave the black hull black. Paint it. It will look better.
7. For rigging, do not glue anything or cut anything until you have all the standing rigging in then tighten or loosen as needed. Usually, super glue works pretty well, put a drop on each knot.
8. Run all the lines through a little bees wax. It will keep the line from looking hairy and unreal.
9. Do not twist off the plastic pieces, cut them off. You will need a small cutter for this.
10.You will need tweezers and paper clips that you can bend to the right shape to help you with the rigging.
Have fun and take the time to get the right tools, glue and paint. The result will look better. It will be a lot of fun but the ship will take weeks to complete.

I bought this model boat for my father, who lives in Russia. I did not expect the instruction manual to be with so many pages. Now I either need to find him instructions in Russian (if they exist - Any suggestions?) or translate every page (there is a project for MY winter :). Also, the description did not say this is all plastics. If you're bringing this as a gift to someone by plane, pay attention to dimentions! This box is 30" long, and most suitcases are 27-28" max. I spent another $150 trying to find the largest hard-case luggage piece on the internet. I'm planning to lean the box in my suitcase under an angle, or I'll have to unpack the parts. I do hope that he will like the challenge and the gesture, and will have fun all winter.