omet Sailplane
Project
Today I started preparing the wing structure for
the first covering of Polyspan Lite. My doping procedure is to coat the
structure with a mix of 50% clear nitrate dope / 50% nitrate thinner three
times with light sanding in between coats. Then apply a coat of 100%
straight clear nitrate dope to only the bottom edges of the undercamber ribs
to insure a good bond with the Polyspan light. The Sailplane wing structure
has large leading and trailing edges as well a large number of ribs and sub
ribs (see picture below) that require a significant amount of time to put on
just one coat of dope (about 1-1/2 hours with some time out between the top
and bottom of the structure). Then this all has to be sanded with 400 grit
paper. I was able to put on the first coat of clear dope before I had to
leave to drive to Flower Mound, Texas, (35 miles away) to take may daughter
out for our monthly luncheon date (a big treat for daddy). After I returned
home I managed to get the structure completely sanded and a second coat of
dope put on before I had to quit for the day. Tomorrow I hope to get the
wing sanded again and the third coat of dope put on and if I am lucky maybe
get the third coat of dope sanded. If all goes according to plan, I will
apply the final coat of 100% straight clear nitrate dope to the bottom edges
of the undercamber ribs before I go to bed tomorrow evening. However, we'll
have to wait and see if I can get this all done in one more
day............................Tandy
