As promised we will cover the fuslage top tonite. Most of the steps involved are the same as covering with film. If you want to put this stuff on with Sig Stickit glue be my guest. In that case it works just like film. Apply the glue and iron down the perimeter using low heat then shrink using a higher heat. I choose to use the dope method which has been used by modlers and real airplane builders since year one!
The Pictures are in the same order as the construction. There will be two posts so keep on reading.

First be sure that the structue has had 2 coats of nitrate dope applied. Try not to thin the dope too much. Unthinned dope is better than thinned but it is a little tough to paint on. Let those coats dry before you cover. Cut a piece of fabric about a half inch bigger in all directions. Try to put the material on so that the finished woven edge runs the long way. Koverall shrinks more in the long direction and this give the best surface. Cut the finished edge off or you will have a nasty seam overlap. (photo 1)

Cut the material around any of the structure where it might lump up. In the secont photo you can see that I notched the fabric where it fits arount the former and the cabin sides. Trim the size so that it has about 1/4 inch for overlap. Apply dope to one end. I wet the area, press the fabric into the new dope and then wet the cloth so it will form and stick down. (photo 2 & 3)

When one end has set up (10 min or so) you can pull the fabric and dope down the other end. Remember that you are only attaching the fabric to the edges of the structure. No dope is applied in the field. The fabric needs to slip and slide as it shrinks. In our case the spine of the fuselage was not doped. (photo 4)

Continued in next Post.