33% Kaiser Ka-3

[Fred]

Ok thanks  
Did not knew that one, have to try!  

[selleri]

Yeah, good stuff, I use it almost exclusively on different material bonds. Wood to fiber, plastic to metal, wood to metal, metal on metal(back cross piece in canopy).

[selleri]

Skid ready for covering.


List added under the top sheeting.


Magnets to keep the tail attached.


Sometimes you need specialised tools.  


The backbit getting some sanding done.


Servo plugs added from the tail section.

[selleri]

Almost there...

[selleri]

Over the course of the build I've been wondering if Fred had made an erreur but turns out he got it right, shame on me for doubting you mate!  :oops:


The covering will need something to adhere to around the strut attachment points.


More gluing area aquired.


Next up, gluing the top piece.


And cut it open after the glue dried!


Getting there.

[selleri]

And that concludes, for the most part, the build for now. Next up finding some clothes!  


Sun hatch working as expected!


Needed to add a bit more steel sand. I knew that planes with the tail servos in the fuselage had been adding up to 1000 gr. to balance the plane. I've already put 500 gr. in but assembling it today and balancing showed I needed at least 800 gr. more! So it was added before covering can start. What ever extra weight I need to add will be put in with lead sheets under the tow release.

[selleri]

Bit of dry wall filler, just look at that line!!! Maybe I should change professions!?  


...and now for something completely different! Poly-Fiber(Stits) fabric will be used. First order of business is cutting it a bit oversize for the area of attachment.


Then the fabric cement is applied to the areas we want to glue it too, usually the extreme most parts of the area being worked on and around openings.


Glue applied.


In full swing.


Progressing nicely.








Then we shrink the fabric with heat.


Voila.


Not too shabby.


Can't forget the tail.


Both sides done.



Still I feel something is missing.  


Didn't take long to fix that and now the can of fabric sealer(dope) is on the table. The fabric sealer does just that.


Bit of colour is in it so it's easier to see where its been applied.




Now we just need to let it dry.



It sure is nice to have access to good mates that are professionals! Pretty neat how effortless this method is compared to the good 'ol heat shrinking film. Quite a bit faster than cloth and resin. Compared to *tex fabrics it's quicker and easier. I'm sold, now the only problem is importing the stuff.

I wonder if the Quark...  

[selleri]

Some tape applied to the seam.

[billscottni]

the full size boys use very similar materials. If you get the lightest material they use, it will do 1/4 scale up. Try asking around the airfields for a supplier

[selleri]

Thanks for the tip Bill. This is actually a full scale product, that Cub in the background isn't a model you know.   :wink:

Poly-fiber(stits) is the stuff and they have an agent in Somerset.

[billscottni]

Thanks for the link. Bit closer to me than you!! :?:

[selleri]

Yes, the full scale guys here try to use the chance when someone is bringing a container from USA to get the stuff put on them, less hazzle and not as expensive.

One of the many joys of living on a small rock in a big pond!   :wink:

[Fred]

Once again, really looking good!!  :clap:

For the covering, looks like Dacron or Diatex.
And I agree, when you try those, you never look back!

I now use Diatex 1000. You use it like solartex (heat glue) and then seal it.
I buy my rolls at Copaero in France if that can help  

[selleri]

Cheers Fred.

[billscottni]

What heat glue are you suing to stick the diatex to the woodwork Fred?

Will be starting to cover my KA3 wings soon, so looking to get my supplies in