A small update as it best illustrates "working from a square corner out" when building hatches made up of multiple gratings.
I know I said "no exotic wood" but I did have some bits of Ebony in the scrap bin so sorry I am using that for the framework. It will save masking and painting the framework black, the gratings will be varnished wood. I will mill recesses for the cannon balls once the item is fully assembled
A nice comparison between the kit supplied part and my version. I figured the single expanses of Grating in the kit are too large and would be very weak in reality.
Finally a pic of the deck after the first coat of varnish, it had "cupped" in the middle slightly hence it being clamped to the piece of Pearwood while I apply the finish.
The spirit based Polyurethane has been thinned 20% with white spirit and applied by brush. I expect to have to apply a multitude of coats with sanding to get the finish I am after
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