Scale rib tapes for model aircraft.

[wonwinglo]

Ever wondered how the experts make those realistic looking rib tapes for simulating the fabric work on biplanes etc ? well here is how it is done,firstly cut some strips of narrow Solartex or similar iron on fabric material,place pins eqi distant and to the scale required,next place another row of pins where the stitching goes to a 'T' so you finish up with a zig zag pattern,now tie some cotton to the end pin and carefully lead around each pin in turn,in full size practise the stitching goes through the fabric to the side of each rib,then up again and knotted and onto the next rib and so forth.. once you have completed the cotton work give it a quick spray with polyurethane varnish to lock the cotton into place and iron the strip on top of each rib from the leading edge to the trailing edge.

The job is actually quicker to do than describe here and looks most realistic and worth the effort on a scale job.