wonwinglo
SMF Supporter
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 6,754
- Points
- 113
- First Name
- Barry
Now is the time to start thinking about painting the fuselage longerons and other framework,the true colour is anti-dope white,a good match for this would be Holts white primer or if painting by hand Humbrol flat white.
An explanation here about the use of this finish on aircraft of this period,contrary to popular belief fabric is not actually doped direct to an airplanes structure,the fabric needs to 'float' around the various ribs,tubes and fittings,this is not to say that it rubs away and weakens,in flight the fabric tends to lift away from the structure,to this end various ribbing tapes and internal braids are sewn through the fabric,although tight on the frame it still has a certain amount of resiliance,the purpose of the anti-dope is to stop the doped fabric from actually sticking to the framework,if it did then it would quickly tear the fabric.
If you are intending to part cover your model it is also important to remember that World War 1 aeroplanes had 'serrated edges' to the fabric as opposed to modern day 'pinking' the reason for the edges done in this way is so that should a small portion of the fabric lift in flight it will not rip away the entire fabric ! if anyone doubts the power of the elements against fabric then there is a classic case of where the prototype Westland Lysander shed its fabric in flight,luckily the pilot Penrose landed her safely,the reason it happened was inadequate fabric stitching to the framework just as highlighted above.
PS-Serrated edges were made by removing about half an inch of weft or weave depending on the direction of the fabric on each panel
An explanation here about the use of this finish on aircraft of this period,contrary to popular belief fabric is not actually doped direct to an airplanes structure,the fabric needs to 'float' around the various ribs,tubes and fittings,this is not to say that it rubs away and weakens,in flight the fabric tends to lift away from the structure,to this end various ribbing tapes and internal braids are sewn through the fabric,although tight on the frame it still has a certain amount of resiliance,the purpose of the anti-dope is to stop the doped fabric from actually sticking to the framework,if it did then it would quickly tear the fabric.
If you are intending to part cover your model it is also important to remember that World War 1 aeroplanes had 'serrated edges' to the fabric as opposed to modern day 'pinking' the reason for the edges done in this way is so that should a small portion of the fabric lift in flight it will not rip away the entire fabric ! if anyone doubts the power of the elements against fabric then there is a classic case of where the prototype Westland Lysander shed its fabric in flight,luckily the pilot Penrose landed her safely,the reason it happened was inadequate fabric stitching to the framework just as highlighted above.
PS-Serrated edges were made by removing about half an inch of weft or weave depending on the direction of the fabric on each panel