1975 - Covering the Biplane Wings

 After taking thew wings and struts back off, the struts were varnished so they would be nice and dry by the time the fabric work was done.  It takes at least 2 coats to get a reasonable finish.

 Before the wings could be covered the leading edges needed to be formed and installed.  The skins were bent to 90 degrees with a 1" radius in the corner.  Brother David with the skins ready to be nailed on.

All of the sharp edges and nail heads were protected with tape to prevent cutting the fabric.

 The Ceconite process was used.  The fabric is glued to the edges of the structure and at the overlaps.  The first coat of nitrate dope which is blue has agents to retard mildew, etc.


With the fabric tight and sealed with dope, it can be stitched (laced) to the ribs.  Stitches are about 3" apart, lots of stitches.  If you have enough needles you can punch all the holes for the rib lace cord to pass through and then start a needle on each rib.  After that you just walk around the wing passing each needle through the wing on one side, and tying the knot and passing the needle back through on the other side.

 After Stitching the wings are ready for surface tapes.  They go over each rib and along any edge which might get wear which would weaken the fabric.

There are also inspection rings and drain grommets.  Without draining any moisture which forms inside the wings they will rot.

Inspection rings and covers were invented in 1931 by Clayton Bruckner who was a founder and President of WACO Aircraft Co,

 The struts look so nice varnished.  One of the cool things about a wooden airplane.


Before painting everything was assembled again to make sure there weren't any problems caused by the addition of the fabric and to make all the little covers around the struts.

 Lookin' like an airplane again

 Where's that old spray gun?  Let's shoot this thing.