vickers03, you are a genius!
Got your file and tweaked my existing file based on it. I feel like Capt. Miller after they blew up the German bunker on D-Day: "we're in business!"
This takes care of a major hold up; the remaining interior can now get worked on. Beds and torpedo room have already been made - just need texturing, so I really like the position I'm in right now.
The one last issue is realistic small pipes and wiring to add '"clutter" - because good looking pipes are deceptively simple, taking more work than more complex parts. But i have some ideas I will probably implement this week once I get back from work.
Alongside this is final tweaking of new damage effects for ships and ship weapons systems, which isn't too hard.
The mod as a whole needs more merchant vessels but these take very little time to produce, so - again - things are going quite well.