Covering Seminar at ORCC Meeting?

[Tom Hastie]

In chatting with some people over the last couple days, I’ve heard some comments indicating that the task of covering a model is a bit of a stumbling block towards getting into kit building. I learned to cover when I was 10 on a Goldberg Gentle Lady (it was really the only part of the build my dad trusted me with), and I believe that if you can wrap a Christmas present, you can cover an airplane. I was thinking that one ORCC meeting we might have a “covering seminar”… maybe one or two members could bring in some uncovered pieces and talk through the covering of them.

Any interest? I have a feeling that the regular attendees to the meetings might already be covering pro’s, but perhaps some advertising beforehand would bring those in need of a tutorial out of the woodwork. On the other hand, if no one who’s in need of help will be coming out, there’s probably not much point teaching the old pro’s how to cover.

Of course, this brings the conversation to other seminar ideas? I’m open to suggestions. Anything in particular you’d like to see spoken about? Aerobatics? Crosswind Landing Techniques? Form Core Wings? CAD?

Tom

[VanSheppard]

Tom,

I'd be very interested in this particular topic. Might even be the push I need to take on a full build....

Van.

[John Weekes]

I'd suggest either Dave Penchuk, Gudmund Thompson, or Dave Rees for a session on covering...all 3 are masters at using film covering to achieve award winning results...

If they can't Van thinking building/covering...nobody can! :)

...My 2 cents.

John

[Tom Hastie]

Well then, assuming we could twist one of their arms into talking through a partial covering job, here's the next question...

Does anyone have anything that is at, or will be at the covering stage by the December meeting? (that's in 3 weeks). Doesn't even have to be the full plane... a wing or a stab would probably work fine. Perhaps you could donate it to one of the covering masters?

Dave R., I was thinking of building that parkflyer we won at NEAT and filling it with LEDs for night flying now that there's no more daylight after work. If you pass it on, I could probably have the wing built and rigged with lights ready for covering by the meeting. (Assuming no one else steps up with a guinea pig airplane).

Tom

[TonyL1]

Yeah I think a covering seminar is a great idea, I already know how to cover
as I've done 3 planes now with ultracote with great success .
was wondering if we could include a few of the other types of covering
such as 21st century fabric etc which is iron on also, I'll see about having the
wing for my Balsa USA Taube framed up by then , I'm about to order some
of the mentioned fabric for it, cream colored.
Best Regards!

[Tom Hastie]

Okay... time for an update on this.

Sounds like a covering workshop is a go for the December ORCC meeting.

Now we need to figure out what will be covered during the workshop... (Note the pun...it IS intended:D ... I crack myself up sometimes)

There are many kinds of structures that can be covered with iron on film. The general ones I can think of are:
Open structures: wings, open fuse, etc.
Flat Sheeted structures: tail feathers
Compound Curved Sheeted structures: wing-tips, wheel pants, cowls.

Can anyone think of any specific covering tricks that we should cover? Things that you learned to do somewhere and thought, "Jeez, I wish I knew about that when I was covering my first plane". Please pass them on to me and we'll try and demonstrate it.

I'm going to have a wing ready to be covered. Does anyone else have a model that might be at the covering stage by Dec 6th? Tony? How's that Taube coming? You probably have a horizontal stabilizer and vertical fin that are just about ready for covering...right?

We also need more "pros" to perhaps talk through some covering jobs they've done. Right now, Dave Rees has offered to do some covering, but I have a feeling he may get lonely up there. We're looking for people to bring in one of their more complicated covering jobs and talk through the order that you stitched up and laid down the covering. Once again, drop me an email (or post here) to let me know if you have something to show.

Also, there may be people interested covering who either aren't on calm days or don't normally go to the ORCC meetings. Please pass this on to the guy you see at the field who always flies the ARF ;) ;) I know there are those out there who have never built a kit because they think covering is a hassle. The meeting is open to whomever is interested.

See you round,

Tom

[Tom Hastie]

Just a reminder that we're gonna be talking about covering at tomorrow (Tuesday the 6th) ORCC club meeting. Feel free to bring covering jobs you're proud of to talk about. Also, anyone (not just ORCC members) is welcome to come and get tips, maybe see a demo, and perfect their technique.

Details of the meeting location are here:
http://www.ottawarcclub.ca/h/or/redirect.asp?lang=&nCategory=193

I'm bringing a half covered model to finish at the meeting. If all goes well, the maiden flight will be immediately after the meeting (maybe at the Carleton U football field.) Yup... that's right. I'm TOTALLY jinxing myself by flying an untested model after dark, and advertising it to bring out spectators. I mean, what the hey... it's only balsa, and you only live once. See pictures of the (doomed?) model attached.

See you guys tomorrow night.

Tom

[Tom Hastie]

Quick update... The nightflyer DID fly last night after the meeting from the back of the Carleton U parking lot.

It also returned in one piece in spite of pushing my luck at every turn. (Spectators... dark... gusty wind... snow... minor glitching a-la GWS... lamp posts... lost hatch magnets... MacGyver-ing a broken wing mount peg...)

Hope something was gained by some people from seeing a rushed covering job on a wing. ;)

See ya next month. (need more entertainment ideas!)

Tom