Hi,
I am building my first scale bipe, an SE5a and would like to know how
to make the scale stitching.

There was a site that gave 'Hints & Tricks' for vintage model building
but I cannot find it now.

Any help would be appreciated

Regards
Val

I too remember that site but dont know where it was. I am interested in finding it again or any info on ribstitching myself as I am planning on doing a hurricane and have been trying without sucess to find how to stitch for my fuse section

Joe

If you will do a search on cubs here or in the kit building forum, youll find a site dedicated to Cubs with a great deal of detail given on how to make scale stitching.
I think its Cubman something or other.

Look at geocities.com/cubmanky

All you want to know about scale detail including rib stitching

I don't know if the French and English builders of the period used the same rib stitching method but the stitching pattern on the Nieuports involved a fairly bulky knot at the top of the rib thus producing quite a bumpy look under the pinking. I saw in image on the web that showed this effect but I can't find it now. I have a couple of xeroxed pages showing details of the knot and stitching technique used by restorers during the restoration of the Nieuport 28 at the Smithsonian. I can image it and post it if you are interested.

jwc

Hi Valbor
I believe you may be thinking of the main body stiching on the SE5 and not rib stiching. I suggest placing pins at the point of turn of each stich and then form thread around the pins in a zig zag and finish off with glue to fix stiches in place. When dry take out the pins and dope over a few times.

Hi Val,

I recently finished a 1/6th scale SE5a, four years in the making. A couple of things to know before an answer: what scale are you building to? What stitching are you refering to?

The rib stitching even on a quarter scale is hardly noticeable. If you choose to do it however, do not use PINKED EDGE rib tape. It was not used at the time the SE5a was built!!!

The pattern for the fuselage lacing was not zig-zag and can easily be seen on any scale reference photos, ie : Profile Publications or DataFiles. For this I used white glue carefully and painstakenly applied with a toothpick before final painting. At 1/6th scale it passes for actual lacing when weathered after painting. Do not appy it in an evenly spaced pattern as it was not a neat job on the full-size plane.

Good Luck and have fun,
Charles, AC6WU

The Nieuport 28 restored by the Smithsonian a few years ago has pinked tape over the rib stitching. You can see it in the close up image of the third liberty loan poster pasted on top the lower right wing. Here is an image:

http://www.nasm.edu/nasm/garber/00may/00cm0031.jpg

The tapes on WW1 planes were frayed on the edges, not pinked, and the knots in the stitching are on the bottom. After multiple coats of dope not much stitching detail shows. Check out this website. It has some great pictures of an SE5a restoration (along with other planes) with lots of closeups. http://memorial.flight.free.fr/indexuk.html

Jim

In restoring old aircraft, NEW covering materials are used and consequently pinked tapes are sometimes used as the new material dictates. The covering materials used in WWI and prior did not require pinked tape.

According to many museums AND restoration people, pinked tape did not appear until some years after the War when new covering materials were introduced. Early aircraft used straight-edged tape and during the War, frayed tapes were introduced.

Windsock DataFile 36 depicts original N28's and straight edged tape is used as is shown in several places.

In scale modeling...RESEARCH,RESEARCH AND MORE RESEARCH is required to produce a miniature aircraft.

Thanks for the Liberty Poster image, I have been looking for this for some tim

Have fun at all costs!

I am developing a rib stitch tape.
It is easy to apply (peel and stick). You just cut to cord and rib width and apply over covering, on to rib and then apply the finishing tape. Works with painted and iron on coverings.
It is available in 1/6,1/5, 1/4,and 1/3 scale, of full scale 2" spacing. Custom sizing will be available upon request. Any added info on different types of scale stiches are greatly welcome.

If you are interested or have any input, feel free to email me at:
[email protected]

I will have pics available in the near future.

ZZ

Well, I now have the rib stitch tape ready.
I have attached a photo of what it will look like.
You can see the white strip on the right has the top backing still on. The other strip shows the backing removed and the stitches are exposed. The finishing tape I used was J&J 1/2 medical tape with a pinked edge. It is 1/4 scale.

Add me to the list of those interested.

Charles is right!
What this boils down too is whether you are building a model to represent the full size original or a full size modern replica of the original.
I have friends that are using a modern replica, as their documentation and Pinked rib tapes are appropriate as well as the other modern construction practices that the replica has.
Thats why you gotta decide "Up Front" what version your building!

I think the site you mentioned is:

geocities.com/cubmanky/main.html

*SIMULATED RIB STITCH TAPE*

Application is as easy as cutting to cord length and rib width. Peel back the first backing and apply it to your wing panel.
When you are ready to apply your finishing strip, remove the second backing from the Rib Stitch Tape, which will reveal the Simulated Rib Stitches. The double sided adhesive will help to keep your finishing strip in place. Apply your finishing strips and your project is now ready for your finishing color scheme. If you chose an iron on covering that you will not be painting, that's it! You are done! Stand back and admire that finishing touch of scale detail on your project!

Check out the photos samples using Johnson and Johnson 1/2" medical tape as a finishing strip. It has pinked edges that is close to scale. If you use a filling base coat you can blend the strip in to lessen the detail of the pinked edge if needed. I left it sharp on the samples for photographic purposes. Note that there has been no sanding at this stage.

Email me to find out more about my Simulated Rib Stitching Tape.
[email protected]
Be sure to put "Simulated Rib Stitch Tape" in subject line.


ZZ

Here is pic that show the tape with and without the backing

One last pic.

That’s about the way I did mine. I have a full article on my site describing how to do it all from making the stitch tape to applying the pink tape.

Valbor, I have a Duncan Hudson Se5a and I have corresponded with him about his method for simulating the stitching on the side body panels.. Here is what he said in essence. He uses small eyelets and a soldering tip.. He lays out the side panel and folds it over itself making it double thick where the eyelets are to be positioned.. then the eyelet positions are marked. Using a small soldering iron with a blunt tip push it through the material making a hole.. The eyelet is inserted throught the hole and peened on the back side to fix it to the fabric... The top and side panels are made and then applied with excess material so they can be positioned properly and trimmed. The thread that connects the two panels is woven throught the eyelets in a scale manner per your pictures and documentation.. The full scale SE5a uses eyelets which are rather small but noticable. The AF Museum at Dayton has one hanging it its collection if you get a chance to visit..
BTW.. what colors have you chosen for your plane?? Regards BobH.

This should pretty much answer your question.

http://www.scaleaero.com/wing_stitching.htm

If you live near an Airport with a General Aviation FOB (Maintanance facility) ask to see a 4313. This is a mechanics Bible. It has a very exstive section on fabric covering and repair with lots of pictures. If you don't have succes drop my a note, I will be glad to copy some info I have from when I went to school to be an A&P 20 years ago.