Here's my new SPA plane I just finished. A circa 1975 Patricia. I bought the plans, fuse and cores from Dan at Carolina A/C . I just test flew it for the first time today in gusty winds with an OS 91 Surpass. It flies fast and lands slow at 7 1/2 pounds. When the wind dies down I'll get a better feel for any mixes needed to correct for knife edge etc. Skip

Very nice Skip! Any build photos?

I neglected to take any pictures during the build. The plane was really simple to put together. The real work came from glassing and painting. I used Concept paint from Radio South which I was able to buy in small quantities because it's so expensive. I really wish Kand B was still around. It was the best stuff and hard as a rock when cured.

www.klasskote.com

Skip, I am currently painting with the above products. Very similar to the old K&B. Good service and prompt delivery.

I have some Klass Kote here but have not had the opportunity to use it. I will try it on my next plane. I think the drying qualities of that paint differ somewhat from the old K and B (slower). I have been told that other than that they are very similar. I'll try anything for a good result.

My preferance is plain old acrylic laquer myself. Though it does fade with high nitro fuels.

Just ordinary rattle can acrylic laquer is fuel proof? At least for 15% and lower fuel? That is something I didn't know and will have to try out. I have a Kadet Senior mostly framed and covered with polyester fabric and was pondering if I was going to get some fresh dope and finish it some day. Now I will have to try this instead. Do you know if it goes on well over nitrate dope?


Mark

Pretty much only Nitrate dope over Nitrate dope. Everything else I tried peeled righ off.

That's too bad, it sounded like a good way to finish the Kadet without buying a bunch of dope and pulling out my compressor (I moved recently, so things are a bit unsettled...). I guess it will be dope all the way for the Kadet.


Mark

Carefull with the rattle can stuff, read the fine print and make sure it is 100% acrylic laquer. I quickly painted a 1/2 a C/L plane with rattle can Plastikot truck an van paint, for my son years ago. Despite having fuel all over it the paint held up well. The competition C/L stunt guys use it all the time, it goes over nitrate dope, as well as butyrate. But ususally they apply one to two coats nitrate as a sealer, three to 10 coats of aluminum butyrate as a sealer, sanding the dope till the wood shows on all but the last coat or two. Then the acrylic lacquer. It dries faster than dope, fills faster with less coats. Be sure to use less coat because it is heavier for the same thickness. Easier to use than epoxy, but not as durable if in the sun a lot, or with high nitro fuel. About the same durability as butyrate dope.

No it works very well on nitrate dope, as well as over butyrate. I have used automotive primer to seal the balsa as well. Takes a few more coats but works well.

That's great news. For the Kadet, it will be going onto polyester fabric sealed with 3 coats of nitrate dope. For other aircraft I was thinking of dope and tissue for the base, then the acrylic for the color trim. I covered a Hots with Polyspan years ago and it was a great material. I think a Dirty Birdy would look awesome with it on the open bay stuff and tissue on the fuse and only color trim. That would let you see the structure under the translucent covering and look awesome.[8D]


Mark

Are we talking about acrylic laquer or acrylic enamel? The enamel is much harder when dry and much tougher, is that really what I should be looking for?


Mark

No laquer. The enamel is not fuel proof.

OK, good enough. I know there is both and wanted to be sure we were talking about the same one. I will take a look at the local auto parts store for some touch up spray bombs.


Thanks,
Mark

Be sure to test it first. You will have to wait a day or so to be sure it is dry enough to be fuel proof.

Absolutely. I always try out something new first before I commit an airframe to it. Thanks for the tips and advice.


Mark

Skip,

Great job on the kit. Glad to see it turned out so well.


Dan
Carolina Custom Aircraft