Which silk should be used for the avg. .40-.60 size classic pattern plane, 5mm or 8mm?

5mm But, remember - the silk you buy from someone like Thai Silk is preshrunk. It can still be used but the technique is a little different from the good old hobby stuff of years ago.

Here are a couple of excerpts from Dharma Trading concerning their 5mm Habotai and fabrics.

• Fabric shrinks. None of our fabrics are considered pre-shrunk. On each type, we have done tests with a hot wash and dryer and tried to give you an idea how much it will shrink in length and width, but it can vary from batch to batch, so this is just intended to be a guide. Remember to allow for shrinkage!

Fabric Details
SILKS
• 100% Habotai Silk
• 5mm, 36", 45", or 55" wide
• You can dye this with Acid Dyes
• We found that this shrinks 8% in Length and 1% in Width disclaimer
• Available in cut yardage and 50 yard bolts
• Machine wash in any temperature water

Following is a link to an RCG thread on a Falcon 56 scratch build. The section on dying and covering with silk starts around post #71.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1601652

andrew

jeffH

For a patternship of 0.60 the 5 mm is too light IMO, especially to spray paint.
I use 6.4 mm see the photographs.

Cees