by lukebozek1 » Sat Mar 05, 2011 9:05 am
I believe that by not gluing to each rib, it allows the tissue to shrink across the entire surface area and distribute the stress more evenly for a better surface. Once you apply the dope, it adheres to the framework as the dope bleeds thru the tissue. I have never loved tips, I think I did one correctly once of an old "Fancy Pants" control line plane, but I used silk to cover it. I also did a buildup on the tip with formers running at 30, 60 and 90 degrees to the last rib. Now, I do the tip in two pieces after the wing is covered up to the last rib at the tip. It isn't perfect, but better than trying to cut that tissue and overlap the edges to get a curved shape. Someonbe recommended two people above, Phugoid and Scigs are pretty incredible with the covering that they do. Check out their work at the Virtual Airodrome, and weep as you look at perfection. It simply breaks my heart to see how good tissue looks.