Greetings to all of you.
My name is Henry. I live in eastern Ontario, Canada, and have finally returned to my favourite hobby of building balsa aircraft, after approximately 25 years. This is a hobby inherited from my uncle, who was an old single channel RC'er. But, he had the benefit of using materials I don't have access to.
Things have most definitely changed, and while things are pretty good, the changes aren't all for the better. (Having recently retired many of you will no doubt agree). I find after consulting with my local hobby shop, model airplane dope and dope thinners are no longer available. As the recommended alternative is a glue like mixture
(called "MOD-PODGE" believe it or not,, thinned 50-50) for covering, this doesn't present an issue as covering takes place as normal. I have always "wet-covered" and achieved good results. Painting the aircraft most definitely DOES present significant issues. When I have tried to paint (with Tamiya Lacquer) the fabric/new paint dries sagged and un-taught, ruining a nice covering job. This is my first issue.
From some of the pictures i have seen on this, and the Guillow's site, there are many of you who have already figured this one out. Respect to all folks, some of these are trulybeautiful works of high quality passion. Is there a sealer or a dope like paint i can use after having sealed the aircraft with this water soluble stuff that wont ruin my covering efforts??? Or, is there an alternative to "Mod-Podge that I can use to seal the skin of the aircraft?
Also, on the topic of appearances, Guillow's decals are consistently giving me a hard time. They fall off, peel off, wont stick to cowlings, rip,and are generally impractical. Is there a solution to this problem? The sheet directions have been followed religiously.
Next, if the is aircraft covered, and I want to paint the model,is there a practical method of masking for straight lines for the length of the fuselage, or the span of the wings, without tearing the covering? Up to this point I've been using the tissue from Guillows in the plastic bag (not the kit supplied stuff). I don't want to try free hand and waste the covering labour, and I'm afraid of tape tearing the paper. This is, of course, assuming there is a way to seal the covering, so it doesn't sag like a full babies' diaper when I try to apply paint.
Having finished the Piper Cherokee-301, and the 305 laser cut DHC-2 Beaver and float combination, I'm ready to try another , possibly the Cessna 150 Commuter. All of these are intended to fly, and as soon as the weather improves to show some grass, the test gliding process will start. Until then, I am content with the "Flying Machine and Strato-Streak", plus gliders to keep the flying bug at bay. A previous incarnation of the Piper-Cub (16" wing), achieved about 30 seconds with kit rubber, in winter. ( it had really cool custom skiis). I know there is plenty to learn, and any suggestions would be very gratefully received. From what I've seen, and read, many of you are very much more experienced and have a great way of putting suggestions out there.
Does anyone know of a model club/free flight rubber group in the Belleville, Ontario area?
Last question (for now)- how does one put up pictures on this site?
Thanks in advance for your experience and consideration. It will be a pleasure working with you.