Covering TF Contender Wing Tips
 

What would be the best way to cover the optional wing tips on a TF Contender?:confused:

I want the tips to be red and the body of the wing white.

1. Would it be best to cover the entire wing including the tips in white and then just re-cover the tips with red?

2. Should I cover the tips first and then apply the white just up to the angle on the dangle?

3. Or wing first followed by the tips?

I have included some pictures of where I am at for your ideas.

Thanks in advance,

AL

Covering TF Contender Wing Tips
 

Another view.
AL

Covering TF Contender Wing Tips
 

View #3.

AL

Covering TF Contender Wing Tips
 

View #4.

AL

Covering TF Contender Wing Tips
 

Al

If I was to cover that wing, I would first add a capstrip to the
last rib, then I would cover the wing tip first including the
capstrip, then I would cover the rest of the wing, and over lap the covering on the capstrip, you will want at least 1/4" of
over lap or more for your covering to stick to.


Good luck
Ralph V.

Covering TF Contender Wing Tips
 

Al,

You sure are handy to have around. I am following in your footsteps - letting you find all the traps on the trail. I only have the rudder (orange) and the vertical stabalizer (black) covered as yet. Tonight I'm adding black horizontal stripes to the rudder.

The manual says bottom of wingtip, then top, same for other side, then bottom of [entire] wing, then each half of the top. The wingtip is not the problem as I see it - you can fold the covering down and fasten it to the inside of the outer rib for lots of grab. It's the wing covering butted up to it that worries me. I Balsarited the wing tips and edges of all of the ribs, hoping it will give extra hold. There shouldn't be much stress on the edge of the film, but I am concerned that it may pull away from the tip as it shrinks. Hopefully, the 1/4" overlap will be sufficient. I'm doing black tips and yellow wing on the top, both orange on the bottom. Should be visible, no?

This is my first full-plane Monokote attempt. I used some larval shrink covering 20 years ago (Micafilm?) and this seems easier. The inside curve on the stab was a pain. I'm also learning how to use the Monokote trim tool and ended up with zero overlap on the leading edge AFTER battling out all the wrinkles by heating and tugging. Crasser frassin grommer frangles. The narrow patch strip hardly shows, except where the curve is. For the rudder I put a strip down first along the edges and covered over that.

Charlie P.

Covering TF Contender Wing Tips
 

Depending upon how the covering material you're using will stick to itself, you should have no problems doing the tip first, and then the rest of the wing.

The usual patter of "bottom, then top" should be followed. This allows the seams at the leading and trailing edges to be less visible to the eye.

Use the end rib's inner surface to give you some extra surface to enable you to get a good stretch on the covering when you apply it.

Contenders have had upswept wingtips in Central Illinois since the 70's, with many, many of them covered in MonoKote. Of course, that's what we use on our models! :)

Covering TF Contender Wing Tips
 

Ditto to what Bax said.

Except that thing about MonkeyKote. :D

Covering TF Contender Wing Tips
 

Thanks folks!

I have the flaps, alierons and big center flap done. I used a couple of techniques and the one that works best for me is covering the trailing or rounded edge with a thin strip, then doing the bottom followed by an overlap with the top.

I am using MonoKote and it seems to be working ok for me so far. Maybe the white will cause duress but the red is ok.

I just couldn't figure out how to get the red tip color to stick and stretch. Getting someone else to look at your work almost always helps.

I will give it a shot tonight and see what happens. I must have at least five feet of red left on the roll, that might be enough!;)

I'll post a pic or two if I'm not on the water tower with a rifle! (Just kidding, honest!)

AL

Covering TF Contender Wing Tips
 

How'd you make out with your wing tips? I did mine yesterday and they came out OK . . . mostly. I had a bit of difficulty getting a straight seam between the tip (black) and the wing panel (yellow). The bottom is yellow tip and orange panel. I ended up covering with lots of overlap, peeling it back to about 1/4" overlap and then trimming the seam with iris scissors out of my fly-tying gear. I didn't dare use a knife for fear of poking through the wing tip covering. I then went over all of the seams with the iron followed by trim solvent to bond them securely. It's drum tight and I haven't hit it with the heat gun yet - this is just tugging to stretch out the wrinkles and ironing it down.

Covering TF Contender Wing Tips
 

Everything worked out pretty well. I just took my time and pulled and pulled some more. I will add a black stripe to the leading edge to simulate de-iceing gear. So far I am pretty happy with everthing. Here are a couple of pics.

AL

Covering TF Contender Wing Tips
 

Here is another one of just the tip.

AL

Covering TF Contender Wing Tips
 

Looking very good. I wish I had a digital camera. Mine has a yellow/black/orange color scheme (with purple canopy no less) that has never been seen in nature. I wanted something visible in all conditions (including snowstorms) and the top completely different from the bottom. Am now feeling I should have gone monochrome for my first heat-shrink covering job.

Hopefully I'll get the eyeholes cut right so that I won't find it too hard to fly with the paper bag over my head.

Covering TF Contender Wing Tips
 

Keep your chin up Charlie! When your plane is in the parking lot you will always be able to find it! :D
AL