Blown-Up Plans

[BillParker]

Gentlemen: (and Ladies, if any...)

Subject/Thread: Blown-Up Plans

Totally the new guy here, so If I break protocol, please let me know. Want to share what I've been up to over the last few months...

Guillow's, Balsa Wood Airplanes P-40 WARHAWK Kit Number 501

Plan blown to 80" wingspan. Proof of concept model:

http://www.parkerinfo.com/ap46.htm

Guillow's, Balsa Wood Airplanes F6F-3 HELLCAT Kit Number: 1005

Plan blown to 92" wingspan. Flying Electric U-Control Model:

http://www.parkerinfo.com/ap47.htm

Comet Industries Balsa Wood Airplanes P-38 Lightning Kit Number 3504

Plan blown to 96" wingspan. Flying Electric U-Control Model: (twin motors)

http://www.parkerinfo.com/p38/

Comments?

[reginaldian]

Like you concept, but check old posts for hints on covering plane. Silkspan applied correctly would look awsome on these models.

[BillParker]

While I agree that Silkspan would be gorgeous, the cost is prohibitive. Heck, it'd take 30 or 40 bucks worth just to do the wing on the F6F...

Additionally, it's brittle. Try landing a 12 to 20 pound U-Control plane gently. More about luck and the wind than about skill. Especially if your batteries have run down, and you're dead sticking it in.

Even the normal sized kits in the 1000 Guillow's category are tought to land without cracking the covering.

These big planes are covered with 100% cotton muslin. Shelac is used in place of aiplane dope, (I use SIG) as dope is too expensive. I tried Polyurethane, but it was a mistake, as it hardens, (not dries) and is simply impossible to work with.

One of the more interesting characteristics of the the cotton though, is that it changes with temperature. I covered both the P-40 and the F6F in the shade in the garage in our good old Houston summer/fall temperatures. I had em both good and tight, but when you put the plane out in the sun, the cover begins to wrinkle. Now that winter is here, both planes are tighter now than the day we covered em.

Prettier in cold weather...

I'll be covering the P-38 in about 50 degree weather, so I bet it hates the sun...

Next plane is the 1000 series Corsair...

[supercruiser]

Those are some impressive models. As far as covering, they are big enough to use monokote. Dont' know the cost to cover with that material. The cotton muslin covering is an interesting choice. That's the way full size planes were covered long ago.

[BillParker]

Thank you! You are kind!

I remember when Monokote was brandy new, back in the The Cretaceous Period... That's what rich guys used on their planes...

Actually, I agree that it would be suitable to cover these projects, but I never learned how to use the stuff.

I don't know how it works, but I think you have to have a heat gun. Lord knows how you stick it on before you shrink it.

I'm the webmaster for http://wwwbomberfieldusa.com, so I get to hang out a bit with the guys out there. Lots of the big scratch planes at the fly-ins are covered in fabric, so I decided to try it. It's actually alot of fun to use. Stretch and pin, stretch and pin...

Many of the big planes are covered in balsa decking, then fiberglassed. Eventually, I want to do glass. Ultimately I want to build full scale model planes, and fiberglass will be the only way to go.

[kittyfritters]

Bill,

With models this size, especially built with plywood, treat the covering as though it were a real airplane. Go to your local sewing shop and get lightweight, Dacron sheath lining. This is essentially the same as Ceconite used on real aircraft, You sew it on, using the same techniques as for full sized aircraft (Several books are available, try the E.A.A. web site.) and you shrink it with an ordinary household iron and, if you need it, a hair dryer.

After it is shrunk tight, you should put a coat of dope on it. There is a commercial furniture finishing product that actually is nitrate dope, that is much cheaper than buying it through hobby or aviation sources. Unfortunately, I don't remember what the name is at the moment, or if it is even still available. (Maybe the E.A.A. site will have that too.) After it has been doped you should have no problem painting it with acrylic enamels. Lots of people are using house paint on larger models, especially the foamies.

Keep it up, You are doing great (no pun intended) work. Aside from have no place to put models this size, I don't know why I haven't tried it myself.

Howard

[BillParker]

I bought a book from Amazon, and found that I can buy the fabric for $2.65 a yard. (36 by 69 inches)...

You may have revolutionized the art, my friend!

Thank you, sincerelY!

bp

[BillParker]

The P-38 Is finished and pics are online at:

http://www.parkerinfo.com/ap48.htm

Thank you for all of your input guys, you were very helpful!

Next?

F4U-4 Corsair, Kit Number: 1004

Blown to 92 inches!

Thanx again!

bp