Covering Foam Wings With Paper?
I have another quick lesson for you below.
Bob got a question recently about how to cover foam wings with paper, and what the benefits are. I’ve included Bob’s response below that explains how it’s an easy way to add a lot of strength to your wings without adding much weight.
*** How to strengthen foam wings with lightweight paper covering
by Bob Furr
I have been doing paper covered foam wings for CL combat for years.
Anymore only the leading edge back to the high point is covered with paper to save weight on the “disposable” combat models being built.
The paper I use is white “banner paper” from an office supply store (it comes in different weights so look for the thinner paper as it can get quite heavy). You can usually get 24″ wide rolls that are about 100 feet long — these are perfect for your modeling work.
First, I cut the paper to size (maybe an inch more all the way around that I trim off later).
Spray it with water to keep it from absorbing too much glue.
Use thinned white glue (to a brushing consistency) to put the paper on. I overlap only at the middle of the wing, maybe 6″.
Be careful to do both sides at once as the paper shrinks a lot as it dries and can warp a wing (kind of like covering with tissue and dope).
Get as many wrinkles out as you can while it is wet.
It will feel like it is far too heavy till the glue dries… remember the water-weight of the glue is heavy so until it is dry you have more than the weight of the paper.
Finish with an low temp iron-on film to fuel proof things.
If anything, this technique makes the wing too strong as I break 1/2″ by 3/4″ maple motor mounts glued to a pine center rib when I crash a combat plane with this construction!
Also, as a quick side note, you CANNOT get a warp out once the glue is dry using this method, so if you accidentally build one in you’ll need to use a trim tab to correct it.
Good flying!
Roy Furr
Editor
http://www.FoamWingCutting.com
P.S. — If you find this lesson helpful, feel free to forward it on to friends and fellow flyers! Encourage them to sign up at our website at http://www.FoamWingCutting.com to get all our free lessons for themselves, too!
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