Painting a scale model
 

There are several options. I'll give you the one I use and I'll let others will chime in with their alternatives.

I use Stits Lite fabric (from F&M Enterprises) for the covering. It gets applied with PolyTak or Sig Stix-it or BalsaRite for Fabric. I like it better than Coverall because the weave is tighter, its a stronger fabric, and is more puncture-resistant and the weave doesn't separate if pulled on. Another fabric option is Solartex or Oratex. I paint with PolyTone paints (also from F&M Enterprises). Fully fuel proof and looks as good 20 years after painting as it does on day 1. Down side is you need a compressor and spray gun and the solvents are toxic so you need a respirator (3M has disposable ones for $20 buck or so and they last years if kept in a sealed bag). As a second choice for paint for a fabric-covered plane, I would use a 2-part automotive paint. You just need to be sure it is moderately flexible when cured or add a flex agent to the paint so it handles the open bays on the wings ok. Again, fuel proof but toxic. In my opinion, both are a far more durable finish than latex.

You can buy dope and covering all day long from Aircraft Spruce and Specialty online. I use uncertified lite aircraft fabric and Randolph dope. They still use dope on full scale plans to this day. Dope is easy to shoot and has that classic shine. It's also likely the same thing the full scale plane was painted with.

Carl