hey chris, first off let me welcome you to rcu.

now as for your covering. it really depends on what you're wanting the end result to be. tissue is the lightest (i've never had any deaalings with it, so all this is "by reading" accounts) but it is probably the least durable. the only thing i can see tissue holding up to is rubber band powered models.

next is shrink film. i think this is the most versatile "all around" covering on the market. it does require you to learn several new techniques to keep wrinkles to a minimum. you also have to watch the overlap of the film (making sure the overlap is facing the aft of the plane so the wind won't undo the covering job). it's durable (within it's limits), fuelproof, long lasting, easily patched.

the last you asked about is silk-n-dope. i plan on covering a model with this sometime in the future just haven't decided what i want the scale look on. yep...that's right...silk-n-dope has lots of benefits durable, fuel proof, paintable, scale. also has some downsides. CAN be messy, labor intensive, you REALLY need a well ventilated area (i just couldn't handle the smell of dope for hours on end), this one also requires you to learn several new skills, and finally, don't coun't on calling up one of your flying buddies to ask for help. silk-n-dope is probably the least used of all the covering now. so there's someone, somewhere, across the sea, state, continent etc that was using silk-n-dope years ago and you and him can talk back and forth on here but don't expect a lot of help should you have any questions.

hope this helps and one you get started snap a few pictures to let us know how it's coming along and feel free to ask, if you have any more questions.