RE: Is dope & fabric covering dead?
America's Hobby Center (still in business) used to have a pocket sized book on covering with dope and tissue, silkspan and silk. I have had several, but over the years they have all gotten away from me. Same with the other pocket sized books that you always received with any order from them. I remember one was on glow engines (the illustrations used the Herkimer Cub .049 with integral tank) Maybe they still have them in stock, or maybe someone else out there has one. (could be one of mine) Good luck. You might be able to find one on line as well. They were free back then, probably cost you a small fortune today.
Bill