| Brian,
I can't speak from personal, hands-on experience (yet), but I do
have some knowledge about Mica-film. Of late I have become connected
with the old-timer facet of our sport, that facet where old pre-1946
free-flight designs are resurrected, radio-controlled and flown
for maximum duration with limited (timed) engine runs. Obviously,
weight is THE primary consideration in building these birds just
as it was in their heyday and as it is with today's sailplanes.
The old-timers, locally, use Mica-film almost exclusively for two
main reasons: it is measurably lighter and is considerably stronger
than ANY of the plastic/mylar iron-on films. BUT, these guys will
tell, you up-front, that it IS NOT the easiest stuff to apply by
a long-shot! It has no adhesive of its own...all structure MUST
be coated with Balsa-rite (or equivalent) prior to covering and,
I'm told by those who produce the nicest work with Mica-film, it
is VEEERRY particular about JUST the right temperatures to apply
and shrink it.
I presently have an old Playboy nearly ready to cover and I intend
to use Mica-film on it. BUT, even though I've built, covered and
finished models for longer than I care to remember, I DO NOT intend
to do it WITHOUT expert help! I strongly suggest you do the same.
I've seen some marvelously pretty jobs done with Mica-film but,
on the other hand, some of the absolutely WORST covering jobs I've
ever seen were done with it by experienced modelers who DID NOT
seek help/advise from those who've figgered' the stuff out.
Adios, Al
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| I CAN SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE. I TO BOUGHT PRE PRIMED MICA FILM IN
HOPES OF COVERING A FUN SCALE MUSTANG, FORTUNATLY I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY
TO COVER A WING WITH THE STUFF FIRST ( ACTUALLY I BOUGHT ANOTHER
ROLL OF WHITE WANTTING TO SAVE THE PRE PRIMED FOR THE STANG) AND
WISH I HAD SEEN A NOTE LIKE THIS BEFORE DOING SO. NOT KNOWING ANY
ONE EXPERIENCED WHITH MICA FILM I'LL BE FORCED TO GO BACK TO THE
PLASTICS BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY I'LL EVEN ATTEMPT THIS AGAIN
P.S I HAVE TWO ROLLS OF PREPRIMED FILM FOR SALE AND TWO CANS OF
SILVER FORMULAR U FOR SALE, FILM FOR $10, PAINT FOR $7
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| RE:270.1
Thanks for the noteworthy advise of seeking some experienced help in applying
the Mica Film. Are you planing on painting the playboy Al?? In the past,
when trying new coverings, I've made a sample wing section to make mistakes on
before applying it to the real thing... this seems appropriate in the case.
I will be sure to get an experienced hand when I'm ready to apply the
covering.
Have you seen the pre-primed covering used... on the fuselage???
Thanks Al
/Brian
RE: 270.2 Thanks for the word of caution... it always helps to have an
experienced hand. I'm sorry to hear you had such sour luck. I'd buy your
covering if I got your message a day earlier... but I just bought two rolls
for myself.
Thanks
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