Thanks for all that, chaps.

Just to steer things gently back to my original query, after reading this and other (!) audio forums around this subject, my plan has become this:

retain original enclosure volume but use double thickness of 18mm birch ply all round (stained then varnished)
flush baffle - black or possible dark veneer (also dbl 18mm)
radiused edges all round
3mm bitumen sheet for damping
extra bracing (inc. internal corners)
replace original stuffing?
replace capacitors and resistors for like values (early x-over - need advice on that if incorrect!)


Now I have written it down, it all seems very simple but it has taken me a while to sift through many threads and opinions out there. Does this all seem like I'm heading in the right direction for improvement on my old Dittons?

Advice and comments gratefully received.

Thanks.