Martin an 8" plank would be about right. What scale were these other models you have seen ? :-\
Dicky,
I don't know the scale of HMS Vanguard in the London Science Museum and as for Shipmate60's friend, I thought this model was built at 1:128 scale although I could be wrong. Maybe someone on the forum may know..
The thought of laying 1/16th inch planks sounds frightening, little less than a match stick.
As Rick has stated, you need to pick your strips carefully. I'll need to have these shipped from the UK and the only hope of having a good selection would to be to purchase a lot more than I need......more money
A planked deck on a Battleship looks awesome and the trouble and expensive would be well worth it....
Martin doon under