Which covering on open structure

[Rob Lewis]

Getting ahead of myself as usual when building, but starting to think about how to cover my Spit when its ready (a fair few months yet). The more threads i read the more choice i have the harder it is to decide, lol.

 

The majority of the plane is sheeted so i'm going to glass and poly c it, before painting.

 

The bits i can't decide on are the rudder and elevators which are a ribbed open structure and will also be painted. Every way seems to have its advantages and disadvantages. Tissue with dope, nylon and dope, solartex etc. The tips have quite sharp curves which i think may be difficult to get the solartex to shrink around, but having never used nylon and a long time since i used tissue, i don't know if they will be any easier?

 

Any hints / tips/ suggestions?

 

Happy New Year to everyone as well.

 

Rob

[Peter Miller]

You don't say how big the model is. If it is say 56" upwards go for Solartex. You can get that round really tight curves

 

Tissue is good but damages too easily. Nylon would be a real pain. I used to use nylon in the past, Recently used it to to cover a control line model, Forgot what an awkward, messy, smelly job it is, and very hard to get really neat round the edges.

[Reno Racer]

I have found that SolarTex is one of the best covering films/material there is. I have used it on gliders, but mostly on WW1 warbirds. It does go around corners really well and I find it easier to pull around curves than other types of films (oracover, solarfilm, etc etc). It also goes tight really easily and any errors you make in those ohh darn it! moments can easily be pulled or ironed out easily.

 

It also takes paint really well, even without wirewooling thr surrface. IMHO, its the ideal covering to use on open structures of warbirds. Both below were covered in solartex.

 

Edited By Christian Ackroyd on 31/12/2011 20:19:23

[Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator]

Another vote for Solartex - great stuff, easy to use, shrinks well and evenly, takes paint well.

 

Also depending on what mark of Spit you are doing it might be very scale accurate as earlier Spits had cloth covered ailerons etc!

 

BEB

[Rob Lewis]

Thanks for the quick responces guys.

 

Peter, have you been peeking in my building room (otherwise known as the 2nd bedroom), the Spit is 56". Its an old kit from Aerotech international, got it for free at a raffle years ago, and its living up to their usual standard with none of the foam bits fitting, but Barry at foamwings is on the case.

 

Its a Mk IX, which i believe had fabric covered rudder and elevators, so solartex sounds like the stuff to use.

 

Lovely looking planes Christian, I'll be pleased if i get anywhere near that standard

[Peter Miller]

Oh Dear! Aerotech International Was that the booby prize in the raffle?

 

I was lucky enough never to have one but I know people who did.

 

I wish you luck with it.

[Rob Lewis]

It was donated by the LMS, probably realised they couldn't sell it... Some of the kit is okay, but the majority of the bits don't fit so theres been a lot of shaping and re-cutting.

 

Just hoping they got the aerodynamics right so she'll fly.

 

 

[Vintage]

I like solartex too, but original manner is materials with dope!! japan tissue etc

Posted by Reno Racer on 31/12/2011 20:17:05:

I have found that SolarTex is one of the best covering films/material there is. I have used it on gliders, but mostly on WW1 warbirds. It does go around corners really well and I find it easier to pull around curves than other types of films (oracover, solarfilm, etc etc). It also goes tight really easily and any errors you make in those ohh darn it! moments can easily be pulled or ironed out easily.

It also takes paint really well, even without wirewooling thr surrface. IMHO, its the ideal covering to use on open structures of warbirds. Both below were covered in solartex.

Edited By Christian Ackroyd on 31/12/2011 20:19:23