Look at the Model Aircraft world. They spend yonks building (say) a "Spitfire" with working instruments and (even possibly a dwarf pilot) and all that....then they crash it. "Oh,well" seems to be the attitude. Try again. I often think that us boaters can learn a lot from the aircraft fraternity
You may well be correct in that BY but I think amongst the boaters there is a similar talent and I am all for sharing that talent across the board .
There are a lot of things to be learned both ways and something I might find as a way of doing something easily on a plane I could probably replicate on a boat given the basic frame then sheet or plank in both cases . The detailing is something else as there are obviously diffrent weathered finishes between the two , but rivets and the like can be replicated from one to the other.
I do agree that there is a lot of money spent on model planes and the building of them . Check this out below from a professional builder who is doing the whole build (from scratch ) with an enlarged plan and posting it all from cutting the wood to finishing techniques.
I apologise in advance if I am p[osting copyrighted pics but as they are in apublic forum I dont think so . The chap in the pic is Ali Machinsky (sp) of Als hobbies who is the recipient of this one when its finished (sometime soon)

Just to show the detail that is going into it and the worn effect he has achieved with the painting .
And to give an idea of size this is what that cockpit fits into ! NO its NOT photoshopped !

If anyone wants to see this build and ask questions on techniques the builder Phil is very amicable and will answer your questions with pleasure .
The whole build thread is here
http://www.rcmf.co.uk/4um/index.php/topic,24106.0.htmlPlease bear in mind that you will have to register to read it but its painless and no personal details are asked for and any email Addy's you give are safe and will not be passed on .
Oh and the it cost 1000's but crashed comment . They all do at some time its part of the hobby unfortunately :-\
I have a friend who built a 1/4 scale hurricane that took ages to build . It went into the ground on its maiden flight

Still thats another one just about ready to fly again (hopefully next week) .
Its model making at the end of the day and forget its boats or planes the construction and finishing are basically the same in my humble opinion . I personally will take information from anywhere to achieve the results I want

That said John yes I like the idea and if we can get established pro builders on here to give a bit of instruction or maybe an article on a certain subject ,maybe planking ,weathering whatever else comes to mind then YES get them written up and posted . I don't think we should limit this to pro builders though , you yourself and BY have both posted pics of great models and should class yourselves amongst those you are looking for
OK then John Mahogany planking , I have a lot to do and cant get CA to hold it due to the shape of the hull , even though its supposedly reccomended for the job . PVA was a thought but it takes too long to set and I cant do 1 plank a night

Evo stik contact adhesive has been thought of but am not sure of its strength . Any ideas as I see you have mahogany planked in the past .
Just a few thoughts and questions I hope you are all still awake

I know I tend to prattle on

Shane