RSM Ringmaster covering

Hi Guys,

Well, Mr. Mikey wanted another Ringmaster so I picked up an RSM kit at T&A the other day. He said his original one flew better than the ARF 'Streak he is flying now. Well, if he hadn't crashed it he would still have it.

We were going to do a dope finish instead of the usual monkeykote. I noticed that the kit comes with what I guess is silkspan. Is this good stuff to use? I don't know what brand or weight it is.

I usually use Polyspan on my old timer ignition planes but find it is not the best stuff to use over solid surfaces. Should I use the silkspan on the fuse and tail and Polyspan the wing or do the whole thing in silkspan? We aren't the most careful caretakers of our toys and the silkspanned wing may succumb to hanger rash. Would double covering with alternating grain help?

Thanks,

I've used RSM's silkspan on two stunters and I'd say it's high grade.

In the old days -and boy, am I dating myself with this- we always used silk on something like a Ringmaster for the extra strength. But then, at $.75 a package you couldn't lose.

There are lot's of hybrid coverings out there, but I don't know anything about them. I'm sure someone else will pitch in that info.

Good Luck,

Mr. John and Mikey,

Welcome back! Betcha if the silkspan came in the RSM kit it is the right stuff. I don't know of any silkspan that survives much contact with foreign objects. I've heard of double covering; it's got to help some, but would it be worth it? Crossing the grain sounds good if you apply the stuff wet. I've only done that with lightweight japanese tissue. Never tried it with silkspan. What do you think of just going up one thickness in silkspan and single covering? How about polyspan on just the wing?

How come I never saw Mikey flyin' a Ring before? Am I gettin' confused with his S-Clown?

Hi Dave,

Mikey was asking about you last Saturday. How are you doing? You have probably been out but we haven't been that active since school started. The kid has been doing homework instead of flying. I'm trying to get his priorities straight but he listens to his Mom. Being a poor example and a bad influence, that's a father's job.

The Ringmaster was before the Super Clown. There's a divot out there somewhere on the south circle marking its demise. Forgot which OS motor we destroyed that time. Mikey sez this one has to have flames; he didn't like the polka dots. Hey, if I build it and I cover it, I get to pick the color scheme, right? If he wants something else, let him do the sanding and doping.

John and Mikey