ron ward

my plane, basicly a glorified, no- deheadral, T-tailed,mid star 40 pylon racerlooking bird is ready to cover. i haven't made up my mind about covering material yet, film (most likely ultracoat),or poly dress lining and paint. i've never done film, so you all know the apprehension there, iamconfident i can obtain as nice a finish with fabric/paint as can be had. presently, with radio, tank, L-gear, battery and engine in, but bare, sealed airframe it tips the scales at 15.33 oz./ sq. ft.... plenty light for a .46-.50 sized plane at this point of completion. i'm procrastinating about the finished weight withfabric/ paint vrs. film, which i know will be considerably different, but still wellwithin the weight parameters for a sport planeof this size,with either covering i choose. this is a first plane in 40 yrs. and i would like it's performance to be good if ichoose to open it up as i get more accumed to flying again, but i did design/build it with manners in mind .am aware thati will absolutely need some trainer hours, which have been alreadyarranged, so jumping in over my head is not an issue. i also realize that even with the training, i most likely built a pile of splinters, the plane will turn much sharper than the curvature of the earth, so it's inevitable that they will eventually intersect!!
my question is .... ease or difficulty aside.....which would you choose to cover itwith? fabric and paint will be heavier, of course,i imagine by 1/2 to 3/4 lb. i don't need a twitchy rocketship, but alsodon't want a stone. i realize your left thumb does more than just runthe rudder and that stickdoesn't have to go all the way up alltime. will i really see a difference in handling between the two covering materials asumming about a pound gain for fabric/paint vrs. 1/2 lb. at most (if even that),forfilm.?...ami wasting my time thinking about it?....
go ahead andlet'r snap......that's what iwant!
thanx fer yer opinions..
ron.

CK1

My Feedback: (60)

I reserve the use of fabric and paint for larger more scale planes that can handle the additional weight . Film covering is quicker and lighter by far ... and usualy a better choice for a 40 size plane.

Looper

My Feedback: (22)

Hi Ron. Having been in your spot many times in my modeling life, I would go for the film. The fabric trip is messy and time consuming and in the event of a mishap, a pain to repair. Watch some of the videos on film covering and cover the parts before assembly. You can figure out a good visible color scheme and by taking your time and using a good amount of blades, come out with a very respectable job. Your will also appreciate the pound or so that your will save when you fly a lively and lightly loaded plane. Good Luck! Frank