jagnweiner

My Feedback: (1)

Getting ready to do the wings on my GP .60 Cub with Monokote. Everything else is covered. It seems the proper way to cover the wing would be to use one piece of Monokote lenghtwise for each half of the wing, top and bottom (i.e., 4 panels.) The problem is that that would be a tremendous waste of covering. The wing is wide (front to back) enough that it would take more than half the width of the monokote. Because the span is 90", I would use 4 rolls just for the wing.

Can I cover it with 8 panels (4 on each side) running front to back with a seam halfway out the wing? If so, how do I make the seam look good? On the top, I can put the seam on a cap strip, but on the bottom it will have to span some open territory.

Does my question make any sense?

Thanks,
Scott

wilrc

Scott,
I don't think the seams front to back would be particularly attractive no matter how nicely done. For the top of the wing I would add a design such as a sun burst, or solid panel using another color(s). Make sure you start from the rear of the wing in laying these out so wind doesn't catch the seam.

For the bottom of the wing. Since the width of you fuse is hiding the center part of the wing...don't cover this part. I would coat this uncovered area with a 50/50 mix of epoxy and alcohol. Make sure you extend the Monokote inboard an inch or so. When applying the epoxy/alcohol mixture extend it over the Monokote edge by about 1/4". This will keep the Monokote from eventually fraying up as you put on and take off the wing.

I'm sure you'll get other advise, but that's how I would do it.

jagnweiner

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks, Wilsoni-

I appreciate the advice about the trim scheme. Unfortunately, since its a Cub and I've already committed to the standard Cub Yellow coloring (I've done everything but the wing), I think I will stick with the solid scheme. I may just have to bite the bullet and buy a bunch more monokote.

-Scott

gus

Be creative with the cutting, and remember that what you can't see at three feet can't beseen at 300' either (bascially, seams are OK, because no-one except yourself will see them).

Just thinking about it, though, what you are saying is that the wing width is just over half the width of the covering. My suggestion....:
use small/thin pieces to cover the trailing edge and inside of the aileron pocket, ending in a straight line about 1/4" in front ot the ailerons. All that is now left to cover are the top, bottom, and leading edge of the wing.

So, cut new roll of monocote in half length-wise to cover the top of the wing to within about 1" of the leading edge. The other half covers the bottom. Now you need to cover the leading edge. From the first roll that had the pieces used to cover the trailing edge, cur the leading edge strip, that neatly overlaps the top and bottom with wind-resistant seams, over fully sheeted areas (the leading edge is sheeted, right...).

So far, used 1 roll for the one wing half, with about half a roll of small bits here and there. We also have a fair amount of scrap left over.

Using another complete roll, and the scraps from the first wing, you could probably cover the other wing. Three rolls instead of 4 is a good thing....

The point is, there is nothing wrong with covering the trailing edge first, then the tops, and bottom, then the leading edge.

Basically, cover with 4 panels on each wing, but do them the other way around (from root to tip, instead of TE to LE).

gus.

jagnweiner

My Feedback: (1)

Gus-

Your suggestion made perfect sense and I tried it last night. I did the bottom of the wing, left and right last night and it looks great! Seam at the trailing edge is hard to notice. The wing is so much easier to cover than the fuselage was. Hopefully I'll finish it up tonight.

Thanks,
Scott