Free Flight: Old-Timers

FREE FLIGHT OLD-TIMERS LITESPAN PLUS AIRSPAN plus Polyspan equals headspin least has very confusing think have straight now will share last new product will superior beloved Japanese tissue silk free flight models RC models too free flight community has overwhelmingly accepted iron-on heat-shrink plastics RC fliers have Weight has issue especially smaller free flight models structural importance inelastic doped papers silk has limited use plastics once Goldberg/Comet Sailplane Whitecase McCoy 60 covered iron-on fabric flew great until opened McCoy up notch watched vertical climb wing fluttering also Spacer flew fine partial power crashed time engine running right eventually figured out wing twisting under load Most free flight structures depend covering material torsional rigidity Litespan has available some time distributed several suppliers including Hohby Lobby Hobby Supply South stick-and-tissue person need Hobby Supply South catalog Its $4 5060 Glade Rd Acworth GA 30101 Litespan thin light heat-shrinkable plastic comes colors sticks RC-56 Formula 560 made Pacer have tried prefer glue plastic framework above rather use Balsaloc sold Litespan supposed coat structure Balsaloc iron plastic frame Anyway residual wrinkles will heat-shrink out very puncture- moisture-resistant bad news just bit shy being inelastic have encountered comments newsletters about being unsuitable large OT fuselages because twist under load just rigidity need least larger models good news Polyspan Airspan have rigidity seek Polyspan non-woven polyester lightweight version common dress-lining material quote 1995 Model Research Labs catalog goes dope just like silkspan seals 2 coats thin dope shrinks like silk looks like lightweight tissue has no humidity problems stronger silk lot cheaper stuff tough sometimes easier cut scissors razor blade . think material will also replace 05 oz fiberglass paint base RC Pattern models lot lighter stronger fiberglass early 70s covered Pattern model dress-lining material sold Southern R/C Products Gatorhide recall correctly tough wore several engines out flying Never hole covering Polyspan trademark owned Starline International 6146 East Cactus Wren Rd Scottsdale AZ 85253 catalog $2 comes white can colored aniline dye pigmented paints after being first sealed nitrate dope called Starline proprietor Sal Fruciano said instead adding dye dope better first apply couple coats dope put dye some thinner spray can put epoxy other fuelproof paint top nitrate want opaque and/or fuelproof finish Curt Stevens owner Model Research Labs finished beautiful 1937 Long Cabin using polyester covering what listed catalog Fluorescent dye pigments red bottom surfaces wing stab leaving tops white yellow fuselage says effect make wings tail glow air dont know fluorescent dyes same aniline dyes sold Starline catalog way has high-tech stuff might want whether carbon fiber glass Boron Kelvar some older lower-tech stuff such sanding sealer glider polish used Curt since 1950s help win hand-launched glider contests also great things like rubber model propellers Model Research Labs 25108 Marguerite #160 Mission Viejo CA 92692 SASE catalog letter published SAM 86 Speaks Sal Taibi says weight difference between Polyspan doped tissue very small probably 2-3 grams rubber model puncture resistance much better silk Ive flying 1/2A model Sunday three months still dont have puncture covering Airspan product available time direct maker Solarfilm via Derek Hardman appears very similar Polyspan its properties available colors Solarfilm Sales Ltd Ackhurst Rd Common Bank Chorley Lancs PR7 INH England 996 117 Curt Stevens Ohisson 60-powered 1937 Long Cabin covered lightweight polyester Text discusses its virtues Ignition cutoff timer now available Hank Nystrom Texas Timers 3317 Pine Timbers Dr Johnson City TN 37604