BEGINNER SILK & DOPE COVERING
 

I went to http://www.thaisilks.com/index.php?cPath=1 to search for silk to cover a schoolyard scale electric J3 cub and I have a couple questions:

1] What style of silk displayed at that site is best for covering electric airplanes? I want it to be a PRE-DYED yellow silk with very good shrinking quality that goes on real smooth. I would probably prefer silkspan covering if I can find it PRE-DYED. I do not want natural color as I do not do a very good job painting myself.

2] What kind of dope is best for applying silk? Butyrate, Nitrate or Sig Supercoat?

Thank you.

P.S: I would really love to see some silk and dope covered airplanes, so please share some pics, ideas, recommendations or suggestions.

Couple weeks yet before flying time, so trying to keep myself busy. Can not wait to start - maybe it will be less than two weeks [8D]

RE: BEGINNER SILK & DOPE COVERING
 

I have used UltraCote and MonoCote in the past. But, I am building a Great Planes 76.5" J-3 Cub and I am using Solartex (Balsa USA) that is pre-painted Cub Yellow, It is the easiest stuff to install I have ever used. It goes around the curves on the wingtips, elevators, rudder so easy without wrinkles. It is wonderful to work with. I will use it from now on on all my builds.

I have a AT-6 that is ready to coer and I have already purchased the Monocote for it. I will use it, but I wish I had known about Solartex before.

Good Luch in whatever you choose.

In God We Trust

Jim

RE: BEGINNER SILK & DOPE COVERING
 

I really prefer to do this one with silkspan (or silk) something already dyed. But if I hear enough raves about Solartex I just may be convinced to use that.
But let's also hear some ideas and suggestions about the silk and dope - that at the moment is still my first choice, something different from the usual iron-on, I have done plenty of those.

Thank you, I will consider the Solartex.

RE: BEGINNER SILK & DOPE COVERING
 

I use sig koveral and nitrate dope

nitrate continues to shrink over time, my Platt FW190D-9 built in 1983 has gotten so tight that the silk span has started to crack along the wood seams. But it is the only type I will use.

I've included a pic of my dynaflite pt-19, done with koveral and nitrate dope

RE: BEGINNER SILK & DOPE COVERING
 

Very beautiful plane. But koverall is not really what I am looking for right now for this model.
Anyone have any suggestions for silkspan/silk and dope? Koverall is not pre-colored and says its applied with dope and heat-shrinking. I want something pre-colored and is applied with dope.

Lets see more pics.

RE: BEGINNER SILK & DOPE COVERING
 

Would this work for covering my schoolyard scale electric J3 cub 52.5” wingspan? http://www.brodak.com/shop_productde...ProductID=7468
Or should I try to find something that is medium weight? I would still like to know if anyone knows of any colored silkspan?

Is this stuff used for covering an airplane or is it the cloth that you reinforce the wing panels with? Would this work for covering my plane? How is it applied (with dope)? I may consider using this and try another attempt at painting if anyone recommends it? http://www.brodak.com/shop_productde...ProductID=5787

Or this lightweight as I am looking for lightest weight possible? http://www.brodak.com/shop_productde...ProductID=5789

I believe it is the same product listed here at QuickTechHobby under RC coverings: http://www.quicktechhobby.com/Mercha...ory_Code=Cover

I am still looking for colored silkspan but this is a start.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of both fiberglass covering and colored silk? Which is easiest to apply and keep taut during application and stays taut better throughout the years without cracking or drying out? I have heard much about fiberglass covering and I think I might want to try it sometime.

RE: BEGINNER SILK & DOPE COVERING
 

If I decide on the glass covering what paint is best? And again, is it applied with dope?

RE: BEGINNER SILK & DOPE COVERING
 

You would have to talk to them, but they sell a handfull of 2" x 2" samples of the colors in the 8mm dyed.

http://www.thaisilks.com/index.php?cPath=1_2

Here is the method for application

https://www.modelaircraft.org/Member...ge_article.htm

October 1993

I get my "taughtening" nitrate from Aircraft Spruce.

Les

RE: BEGINNER SILK & DOPE COVERING
 

If I were building a school yard scale, I would not consider anything other than silkspan. It can be sprayed with a light coat of paint and the weight-gain is negligible.

RE: BEGINNER SILK & DOPE COVERING
 

I used to use Super Coverite which used to be available in a variety of colors to give the appearance of a traditional silk/dope finish. Sadly, it is available only in white and antique colors now.

Sig makes a low shrink SuperCoat clear butyrate dope. All of their colored dopes are low shrink.

For some photos of silk/dope and silkspan/dope models, have a look at some fine example of these control line ships in action at the recent Vintage Stunt Championships (VSC) held every spring in Tucson, AZ. This is getting to be a very heavily attended event with many pioneers in model aviation making appearnces.

http://www.clstunt.com/htdocs/dc/dcb...=265510&page=2