My God! Here's my desktop
Thank you for your insight and for giving me another view of my daily inspiration.
I see your point in regard to the pristine hulls on models. I don't see a ship of this period looking to be finished like fine cabinetry. Hopefully I'll be able to maintain that feeling of functionality as I go along. I've been thinking of tapering the edges of each plank to look like it's been caulked (at least a very fine gap). I'm going to break up the planks as well as I can't see using strips over the entire length of the hull. The other question is whether or not to even look at copper plating...I saw a model where the guy had used the copper strips used it stained-glass making. It looks incredible to say the least. Ahhh...lots of brain food