TH Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 Hi All, Has anybody any suggestions about covering my Fieseler Storch 156, from a plan by Dennis Bryant / Model World. I was thinking of completing the tailplanes in 0.8 balsa but don't have any idea what else to use on the Fus and Wings. (Having got back into building fairly recently, the last thing I covered was using tissue and dope so ignorance reigns with respect to what modern stuff is available for this). Any help gratefully considered. Many thanks in advance Tony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 Hi Tony, What size is the model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lee Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 I'd recommend one of the 'tex' iron-on covering materials, I've put links below. Each have its advocates, I still use Solartex by preference for models of this sort. Limited quantities of Solatex are available from Solarfilm direct or Sussex Models Oratex is widely available eg Steve Webbs Diacov is available from Sarik Hobbies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TH Posted February 19, 2022 Author Share Posted February 19, 2022 Hi EarlyBird, Model is 92" span - thanks for your interest. Hi John, very useful info, will definitely follow this up at a later date when model is finished. Hmm. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 (edited) Start saving as well ? especially if using Oracover ! Edited February 20, 2022 by Engine Doctor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 1 minute ago, Engine Doctor said: Start saving as well ? especially if using Oracover ! Yes put your house on the market straight away,,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 Lightweight Ceconite, from LAS aerospace. Apply using balsaloc, or heat setting interlining glue from haberdashers. Seal with non shrink dope and paint. Cheap, comes 2 meters wide, and as many years long as you want. I can’t fault the stuff where you are applying paint anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TH Posted February 24, 2022 Author Share Posted February 24, 2022 Thanks Everyone who replied to my enquiry. Engine Doctor and PDT, you've got me thinking about tissue and dope again. Thank you Don, haven't heard of Ceconite before, what is it, where can you buy it please ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 Ceconite Fabric LAS Aerospace Ltd that's a good bit of info Don. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Carlton Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 (edited) EarlyBird (appropriately I suppose) got there first, no sense in duplucating. Edited February 24, 2022 by Matt Carlton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 (edited) 14 minutes ago, EarlyBird said: Ceconite Fabric LAS Aerospace Ltd that's a good bit of info Don. ? You've gotta love that it is still sold by the yard....! ? @Don Fry, I am intrigued by this stuff though ... How does the lightweight version compare to tissue and dope over an open structure? Would it be a good option for the 40" VMC Spitfire I am considering? Edited February 24, 2022 by MattyB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 £10 a yard, so what is it, how do you apply it etc ?. thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 (edited) I think Don answered how it's used a few days ago. There are 'Engineers Notes' about using Ceconite here - it would seem that this applies to models just the same way. At £9.49 a yard plus VAT and shipping it seems cheap because it's 70 inches wide while Solartex and most others are only about 24 inches wide. It says Lightweight Ceconite is 1.8 ounces per square yard which seems light enough. The question is why haven't we known and used this for years instead of Solartex? Edited February 24, 2022 by kc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lee Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 37 minutes ago, kc said: It says Lightweight Ceconite is 1.8 ounces per square yard which seems light enough. The question is why haven't we known and used this for years instead of Solartex? Ceconite is glued to the structure & doped after it is applied. From Ceconite's Website: The adhesive & finish on models may be less critical than those quoted above but there is a bit more to its application than there is for dedicated model coverings. Ceconite is deservedly popular on full size light aircraft but the steps in its application has led to varieties of modelling Oratex being used as an alternative in the full size world. https://www.betteraircraftfabric.com "Oratex represents a major breakthrough in aircraft fabric covering systems. No solvents, no paint, no stench, no exposure to toxic chemicals of any kind. Just glue it, shrink it, and fly! Easy and Fun to Apply Covering an airplane used to be a long and involved process. Oratex is different. The builder doesn't need to apply any coatings at all. Just glue it, shrink it, and you're done! Covering with Oratex is fun! Covering with the legacy systems is nasty! Prolonged exposure to dangerous chemicals and hours of tedious sanding, always working with a respirator and protective clothing." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Carlton Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 1 hour ago, kc said: The question is why haven't we known and used this for years instead of Solartex? Solartex is easy to use, comes in a lot of colours and doesn't need any finishing, making it friendly on the nose, the lungs and the household. That swings it for the majority of modellers I suspect. Sadly, the "is" has become a "was" , so we might have to go back to some more labour intensive methods. Intetested in giving it a try though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 3 hours ago, MattyB said: You've gotta love that it is still sold by the yard....! ? @Don Fry, I am intrigued by this stuff though ... How does the lightweight version compare to tissue and dope over an open structure? Would it be a good option for the 40" VMC Spitfire I am considering? Lightweight ceconite, when doped and painted is a replacement for Solartex. It’s a heat shrink fabric. LAS aerospace give instructions for use. They do a glue for it but it’s expensive, messy, stinks. Balsaloc is fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 Thanks, I remember doping some nylon stuff in the 70's could that have been it ?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 2 hours ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: £10 a yard, so what is it, how do you apply it etc ?. thanks. See above Paul. BTW there is a French distributor. It nice to use, shrinks well, and a big winner where you want to paint a surface as it’s got no paint on already. My assessment is when painted it’s the same weight as Solattex. 2 minutes ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: Thanks, I remember doping some nylon stuff in the 70's could that have been it ?. No, this a heat shrink fabric, think Solartex, without the glue, without the paint. I buy the fabric only, and then use model shop dope. Bet the water based stuff would be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 Found a French supplier of 16g m2 silk, 8.50€ le metre linier 82cm wide,, as I have plenty of dope and paint so my Kwik fli kit arriving tomorrow will be covered in that,,? "better the devil that you know than the one that you don't"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flight1 Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 Well since solatex is no more the best solution(affordable) is either Diatex 1000 or Diacov both the same but Diacov has heat glue applied to it and the other you use a heat adhesive only applied where you need it so saves a bit of weight. The weight difference between the two is Diatex 1000 is 49g/m² and Diacov is100g/m² so a good weight saving can be had if needed. The best think about it there is no need for using smelly dope, just paint (flexible paint not brittle varnishes) your finish see manufactures details. also with ditex 1000 if you want you can used non shrinking Nitrocellulose for adhesion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 59 minutes ago, flight1 said: The best think about it there is no need for using smelly dope, It's an elixir of life, it brings me back 50 years,,,,? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flight1 Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 1 hour ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: It's an elixir of life, it brings me back 50 years,,,,? Dope! 50 years ago that could have been the start of the hippie revolution? ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 3 hours ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: Found a French supplier of 16g m2 silk, 8.50€ le metre linier 82cm wide,, as I have plenty of dope and paint so my Kwik fli kit arriving tomorrow will be covered in that,,? "better the devil that you know than the one that you don't"? I have dreams of long young ladies, clad in wisps of silk. Not had too much thoughts lately on aircraft so covered. I remember bits being warped out of shape. That is not, I hasten to add, the long young lady. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 I got my kit the balsa and ply are of excellent quality,,, silk ordered,,, eat your heart out,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyGnome Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 My clubmates VMC Spit is covered in doped, painted nylon. Heavy but still flies well. My SFM SE5 is covered in doped, heavyweight tissue. Constantly patching it. When I re-cover it, I'm using laminating film, then tissue, then paint. Price of Oracover, Ora-anything, is ridiculous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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