Covering alternatives
 

This may be too general a question, and if it is, let me know.
I've bought a winter project kit: a DeHavilland Beaver .40 size with 6 in. wingspan. A friend asked me what I was planning to cover it with, and I said probably Monocoat. He said there were coverings out there that are much more durable and suggested I look into them.
Does anyone have a suggestion they could give? Any preferences?

RE: Covering alternatives
 

I'm guessing we're all hoping you meant a 6 FT wingspan, otherwise I don't think a .40 is going to cut it!

RE: Covering alternatives
 

LOL! Yeah, 6 Ft. Boy, wouldn't that be a screamer!

RE: Covering alternatives
 

Just my two cents but I've always liked the ultracote

RE: Covering alternatives
 

I also like the Ultracote, and was planning on covering with that, but since it was suggested to me that that kind of covering needs touching up with an iron ocassionally (it does get saggy and bubbly), the material he was mentioning evidently doesn't sag. After covering, you can paint (not dope) the covering.

RE: Covering alternatives
 

What's a real Beaver covered in? Is it aluminum?

RE: Covering alternatives
 

Spok:
I have yet to see an aluminum Beaver. In the Canadian North country, aluminum would get rather cold. Many beavers are covered by a sheer fabric of some kind.:D

RE: Covering alternatives
 

Seeing as the Beavers are covered in a fabric, I can HIGHLY recommend SolarTex. It is a low temp fabric that is pre-painted and SUBSTANTIALLY lighter than Coverite.

Even though SolarTex is painted with a fuel proof finish, I do recommend that you clearcoat the plane for ease of clean up. SolarTex says the dirt and grime that gets in the weave will come out by scrubbing. I have not been able to get it out to my satisfaction. I suggest 2 sprayed on coats of a water base polyurethane to seal the weave.

RE: Covering alternatives
 

I guess I am old fashion. I think silkspan and dope it still the best. Maybe not the fastest but, in my opinion you can get the most detail with it. Plus if you need to repair the patch is the least visable.
David

RE: Covering alternatives
 

A dope finish would be really cool! Koverall and dope might match a real Beaver the closest? Probably heavier than a film covering though.

RE: Covering alternatives
 

Yup. I was thinking the same thing. That material really holds up, too. More work, to be sure, but what the heck, while winter building in the ol' basement workshop, a challenge helps take the boredom out of the cold weather (and usually no snow) in N. IL.