Sport airplane needs a new skin
 

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I got this airplane from a ( Delta pilot ) guy that was cleaning his storage, a friend left this sport plane in his storage and never picked it up, he sold it to me for $20, complete with a FM futaba receiver, Magnun 46 pro, servos and all, the only problem was the skin, too dry and old, some of the plastic film was lifting, I got it around 2 years ago and till now I found a way to remove the Monokote off the wood using a blade to scrape the color off the wood, so far so good.

It is build from a kit, I don't have a clue what to call it, whoever build it did a nice job, so I think it deserves to fly again.

Most likely I will get fly it a dozen of times or so then I'll sell it to a club member that may really want it for cheap ( lucky dog ) I did that with a 30 years old unfinish Kavalier, the club member that boughtit from me is very happy with it, loves the way it flys with the 40 FP I put in it.

I was thinking to cover it with Ultrakote Yellow and black, like my Gee Bee.

Silk span? I don't know if they sell it anymore but back in my day it was high tech...

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That's another choice :) it is set up as a tail drager but I would prefer to convert her to tricycle.

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Can someone tell me what was the spring use for? I've forgotten, I know I used way, way before.

Generally, to return the throttle to idle in case of radio or servo failure.

Thank you for the info, I'm no sure how old this airplane is, looking at the equipment I would say around 25 years,

You will have to try and remove all of the old covering first then re sand and cover it again with your choice of material. it will be a delicate operation but give it a try
Michael Johnston

Agreed with you Michel, as you can see I started removing the Monokote color off the wood, It didn't come the way you see it.

Removing the color is not been easy, it is working out just fine without destroying the wood.

Hi Cars, I just thought of something that might work good for you once you get the rest of the covering off sand it light then run a tack cloth on it. Then get you some Coverite Balsa Right and coat the airframe with it. BTW do this in a well vented area as it gets pretty strong in the a close space. Then let it dry and cover it to your liking. There are sever tutorials online on covering an airframe.
Good luck
Michael Johnston

Very good, the coveright balsa right will make sure the Ultrakote will stick to the wood.

Tks.

Not sure if you've tried a heat-gun to loosen that covering... That works well, but sometimes leaves more pigment on the wood, still removable depending on the color and quality of the original film.

I would bet that plane is a Tsunami by Direct-Connection. Get a measurement of your wing and length, and Google it. Good luck with your project.

Will do, thanks.

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DGrant, it looks like you are correct, this is a Direct Connection Tsunami, the shear web and wing tips are the same as the plans, wing span is the same also.

I downloaded the plans and building inst from the net.

I'm thinking, I'm going to keep this one for me :)

Thanks again.

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Some work done today, took about 1/2 hour to clear the top right, I will estimate this project will take about 4 months to complet ( no rush )

I usually have more need to replace what holds the covering in the right shape !.

Thanks for the advice.

A heat gun might have that stuff coming off in very large pieces, with a bunch less work and less mess.... and maybe less intrusive on the base it's on. Just a suggestion.

I will check that out.

Tks.

I've tried to remove some of the covering by using a new piece of Monokote, it work good, not perfect as adviced but easier to remove the old covering that way.

I will get me a roll of the clear Monokote to complete the work then, I will recover it with Yellow and Black Ultrakote.

This is one of those projects that is begining to hang unfinished for a long time, I just don't like it when that happens soooooooo, it's time to get this and some other projects complete already :(