Pretty common problem. I’ve been there. To avoid this, a few things:
- read whatever you can here and elsewhere about planking and find videos online
- e.g., under “Modeling Techniques” at the top of this site, you’ll find links to info about planking
- you’re doing full width planks all the way (or it seems like you are) and these may need to be tapered a bit (thinner near the bow than mid- ship), but never thinner that half the plank width
- you like need to do some edge bending too (using a heat source like a plank bender, soldering iron, travel iron) with a bit of water - this is bending in the direction planks don’t naturally want to bend - you can achieve it with clamps, heat, water, practice
- most models don’t give great guidance on how to shape and bend planks
Getting planking right is probably the hardest aspect of ship modeling - it is more me. If you look at my Sherbourne it has huge gaps.
You can “fix” the problem with lots of wood filler and sanding. I’d suggest trying to remove the planks and trying again, using alcohol or acetone to release the glue.
