Hello shipmates
Has anyone noticed any variance in the thickness of the planks (strakes)that are supplied?
As much as I've tried to achieve a smooth run of the planks, there seems to be some that are thicker than others. It looks like I've got an awful lot of sanding to do to achieve the finish of all the build diary photos that I've looked at and admired. My hull looks nothing near as smooth as those.
I completed the 'fairing' of the hull to the best of my ability and the run is alright with no high or low points ( well none that won't be sorted with the sanding ), it's just the different thicknesses of the planks. I suppose in hindsight I should have laid them out and checked them before attaching them to the hull ( just thought about that while writing this ) so I'll do that for the rest of the hull as I'm only just coming up to the upper gun deck height.
happy building
Daffy09

Yup, I have some variations in the planking as well, glad I'm not alone on that one too..

If you come across the width of the planks vary, like this.


A very light sand will sort it.


Here is what I did, I laid all the planks out and from the picture you can see various shades, now this is not a problem, far from it, just beware if your like me going for a natural/stained hull, what you want to achieve is the 3 planks that make up a full layer of planks, they need to be the same shade.

All planks and shades


This close up you can see what I mean.


Take the last picture far right 2 planks, if you had those on the same layer it would stand out (if staining or Varnishing)
Just by choosing your 3 planks per layer you will get a nice uniform effect.

Also if your planks are different thickness, then add some packing to that plank.

Yep totally agree there with Lakes74, it will sand out, any gaps could be filled with a good filler, especially if your painting!

Hi shipmates,
I would say I am heavily behind with my kit. I haven't started planking the hull. I had some experiences with other model kits I collected via magazine abonnement. Mad was as I received for one model kit (not Deagostini) a replacement piece with last magazine which was for one of the first issues. I had to dismantle whole model to make it work! Lesson learned that falling behind can have it's advantages. (Not only to survive in battles). Keep up with the good work and please share your experiences here further. I am a newbie and can tell you that my launch build already looks some different from the model. However, I am optimistic to achieve an acceptable result and will be brave starting planking the HMS V hull in two weeks time. The different wood colours give me concern now how to deal and sort them best. Will this have an impact on the painting? As said, I am no profi so have to paint anyway...it's unavoidable. Keep up with good work!