I would be very sceptical and surprised that the plans from the model dockyard include enough information to be able to build a true plank on frame model.By true,I mean individual futtocks to build up each frame as in the original ship,or stylised framing Harold Hahn style.That level of information comes at a price and it is an awful lot more than what those plans sell for.Plank on bulkhead yes.
Regarding scratchbuilding as a dying art Bob,in the UK,yes I agree,but then again model ships in the UK has never really been big since we stopped making models for the Navy board.Look further a field to France,Poland,Lithunia,Croatia,Ukraine,US and Russia and things are very different.It is actually considered a sport in Russia.I remember when Dimitry Shevelev and his friends came to the International model boat show in the UK from Russia and wiped the floor of gold medals in the competition classes.
Regards
Nigel