It takes a fine finish, sands well because of it's hardness. Wonderful veining, best used to set off other woods. For example as the waterline plank. Great for decks. Cherry Cherry is the same as the others and in time will get a wonderful deep warm color.
All woods can be bent.
In the thickness that we work with, and with the hull lines that we commonly use, there is mo problem with bending wood. Model hulls of older ships may have drastic curves at the bow. If the wood will not bend to the desired curve you can do any of the following steps. I will list them in order of their ability to soften the planks. Steam, a little tricky because you have to make a steam box.