The Nelson Chequer

I was planning on doing the port lids black, a muted yelow stripe from just aft of the cat heads through the gallery and along the edges of the stern.  Then it will be black down to the yellow with a thin red stripe (al la O'brian's reference, but I can not remember the book.) under the yellow back to black then down to the copper.

I am rescribing the hull to show the panels and then will pull on some Bare Metal Foil for the copper.

Any one else reading this I would appreciate thier suggestions.

I think the answer is not necessarily.

Prior to Trafalgar at one point the gunport lids of Victory were painted yellow ochre, but post Trafalgar the fashion grew for all rates to have the lids black against the Ochre or white strake.

Prior to the painting of ships sides they were payed with rosin a sort of yellowy varnish finish, but were also painted plain yellow, perhaps with black wales.

You really do have a fair amount of choice in the matter

Personally I think your sixth rate would look fine with black main wales, mellow ochre sides, and perhaps black or dark blue topsides.

Whatever you choose  I don't think you will be wrong.