Good to see a "old" member back in the forum and showing the progress in between.
I fully agree here with the words from Peter
@Swabbie that it is important not to give up and proceed with the work.
Yes, I know very well by my own experience, that the planking is very complicated and one of the biggest steps in the wooden ship modelling.
But it is good to have the possibility f.e. to clean up the first planking by some sanding etc. to prepare a good basis for the second planking.
Like I say by myself every time. Step by step with a little bit of patience.......and we can see on your sequence of photos -> It is getting better and better