AboutKen Myers Expertise I can answer beginning, advanced and expert questions about electrically
powered R/C model aircraft, and many questions about R/C model aircraft of
all types, except helicopters. I`ve been building, flying and designing R/C
model aircraft for 40 years.
Experience I have been building and flying radio controlled model aircraft since 1960. I'm the president of the Electric Flyers Only, Inc., located in southeasten Michigan. I'm a past president of the National Electric Aircraft Council. I'm vice-president of the Midwest R/C Society. I was president and main founder of the UFO (Union Lake Flying Organization). I've built and flown most types of model aircraft except helicopters.
Expert: Ken Myers Date: 5/6/2008 Subject: assembly problem
Question My question is so basic it's been hard to find advice for my difficulty; I hope you can help. I'm new (obviously) at this, so here goes. I'm trying to assemble a basic balsa model, and the paper skin on the wings is killing me. How can I get the paper on the wing tops to smooth out? The arc of the wing formers makes it difficult to cover the wings without wrinkles. Using sprayed water has been less effective than I've been told. I hope you can help. Thanks.
Answer Hi Tom,
Doing a tissue covered model is extremely difficult.
The tissue should be applied using dope, which is a type of aircraft paint used on models. The tissue is NOT attached with glue, but unthinned dope. The tissue must be applied as smoothly as possible. I have wet the tissue and then doped it to the airframe (or also used a product called Silkspan or even silk). Once the tissue is in place and taught, clear dope is thinned 50% with its thinner and one coat applied to the airframe. Another batch is mixed up with 75% dope and 25% thinner and brushed over the whole airframe. Finally a third coat is used full strength. Once the pores of the tissue are filled, one coat of colored dope can be applied for the color.
This is an extremely difficult skill to acquire and takes years of patience and practice to get a decent looking finish using silk/silkspan/Japanese tissue and dope.
