As the design has evolved I have considered various construction methods. A full blown fibreglass mold and hull would be the best option, however, it would also be the most expensive. Also, I might be tempted to sell a couple to recoup my costs. The model would be slightly less unique then. Subs are probably the most difficult things to mold as well, so thats out.
An all wood option would be the most enjoyable thing to build, it would then require much sealing inside and out. Not done right it would start to suffer over the years, thats a no.
The lost foam option is a bit too messy for my workspace, firstly the foam carving resulting in bits of blue foam static clinging to everything, sticky mess being flushed out of the model somewhere, and finally much filling and sanding to obtain the end finish, yuk, itchy too.
A big static model has crossed my mind more than once, it would spend substantially less than 1% of its life in the water, and would look great at static shows, bit of a cop out though, so no.
The donor hull option, though not the cheapest, would save a large amount of time in the build. the extra detailing such as armoured bridge, upper casing etc, could be built as a reverse mold, i.e. I make all the details in 'negative', lay on the glass fibre, then remove the panels etc and offer them up to the model. thats how I am thinking at the moment. Also over the last ten years I seem to have been doing a lot of donor hull modifications, so its not new to me. The most involved being a hangar structure, built in reverse, to sit on a pre-existing merchant ship hull, and that worked and fit in all the right paces..escort carrier on the quick!
I am still open to suggestions though, so keep em coming...