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Guillows Series 200 - SE5a by Skyediamonds1985. Viewed 442 times.
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Skyediamonds198517-May-16 20:27
This is the lower left wing as I was adding the thin strips of surface tapes. I decided to avoid adding the stitching to keep my sanity for the next project. I also felt I would need some practice on my "proof of concept" wing sample and making sure that the decals conform to the complex detailing of rib stitching, surface tape, and rounded leading edges of ailerons.
Huey V7719-May-16 18:14
Huey V7719-May-16 18:20
Sky, what material are you putting on the covering? I've covered 8 full scale a/c, if it's dope, brushed over the tapes, from length wise would fill in around the edges of the tapes. I covered a S1E Pitts, 1 in. spacing and pulled every not. Took for ever, but looked awesome.
Skyediamonds198519-May-16 21:20
Huey, another full scale artist amongst us? Excellent! May the Force continue to grow. I'm a retired A & P ( & multi-engine pilot) but when it comes to modeling, I'm a newbie constantly seeking advice from the veterans. In answer to your inquiry, I'm using Solartex. It's a British product distributed through Balsa USA. Its a heat-shrink film pretty much like Monokote, but their pre-colored films feature an extremely fine fabric-like weave that's incredible. They're not cheap. According to the current Balsa's listings: one roll of 2 meters (thats 27" by 6' -that last figure is in feet) sells for $25.58.
Skyediamonds198519-May-16 21:24
Just simply set the modeling iron to medium, about "3," and carefully work out the winkles by tacking along the edges. When all of the surrounding edges are ironed on, just glide the iron over the whole surface to make it taut. I was amazed at how easy and simple it was. I then cut thin strips of Solartex and ironed them on the surface to simulate the surface tapes. No dope was ever used here.
Skyediamonds198519-May-16 21:31
Finally, I'd like to refer you to a couple of my previous postings and you'll see the familiar FAR 43.13 showing the rib-stitching and their spacing according to the speed of the aircraft. I also included some copies of pre-WW I aircraft that used surface tapes that did not have the "pinked" edges; a little-known fact that might give us VA members a slight edge over other modelers. At 1/12th scale ( I believe Mr. DD says my model is closer to 1/14th scale) the rib stitches would only be about 1/16" across each rib. Far too small for my thumb-like fingers, and according to the dimensions of the full scale aircraft and the proper spacing, it would require 2,480 stitches. Far too many for my eyes or sanity. After working on full scale aircraft in an open hangar, ventilator "on" and full face mask, I can truly say that dope gave me a renewed outlook on life that lasted for days. I think its called OCD.... :0)
Skyediamonds198519-May-16 21:39
I'm glad that Huey pointed out that doping the wing length wise will fill in the edges of the tape, that results in literally blending in the tape to the surface. This is also a little-known fact not recognized by most modelers. But, as ol' Blue Eyes would sing: "I did it my way" and on my S.E. 5, allowed the surface tape to be a bit prominent.
Huey V7721-May-16 08:39
Huey V7721-May-16 08:48
Sky look at this web sight and you'll know where I worked, titanaircraft.com.. Have 400 hrs. in the prototype. Love Randolph, hate the new systems. The dope trick I learned from a friend in Pa. . Scratch built a 1/32 UPF7, laid sewing thread for ribs. Doped length wise till they blended in. Fabric sag turned out awesome.
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