Need help covering P-40

[Aces High Tony]

I 've been working on a Topflite p40 for the last 2 months now...the plane looks great so far. The thing that scares me is there are too many curves and rounded edges for me to cover and have it look decent. i can cover O.K, but this has turned into a masterpiece and i don't want to ruin it with a bad cover job...
CAN ANYONE REFER ME TO SOMEONE WHO CAN COVER FOR $$$$?
I will pay for ship&hand , and whatever mats. needed. Also, which would be better, monokote covering or fabric??? REMEMBER: It's going to be painted camo scheme. Thanks:confused:

[BillH]

hmm, ever consider painting? IT may actually be more work, but not harder to do.

[Paul Wilson]

I would think about fiberglassing, it is easier than you would think and far easier to get a good finish around the curves you mention. There is a wealth of info out there how to do it and the guys on this site will guide you along.
Good Luck
Paul

[Blacksheepthree]

I would glass it. It may be slightly more work but it will look a lot better, and will last a lot longer. This web site should help you www.arts-hobby.com/fiberglassing.htm also check the construction forums on www.rcwarbirds.com
Good luck,
Peter

[Aces High Tony]

Thank you to everyone for the tips...i've looking into glassing after i read your comments. Looks time consuming, but the overall finish will probably look best. Anymore tips on glassing , please keep me updated. Thanks again. When i get this bitch finished and in the air, i'll be sure to attach some pics. Tony :D

[fourstar40]

I covered my P-40 with Olive drab monokote and sprayed the cmo on with a formula U spray can. Here's a picture of it right after I finished. I have probably a couple dozen flights on it. It weighs 9LBS. Glassing it will put a couple of more pounds on it.

[Paul Wilson]

Originally posted by fourstar40
I covered my P-40 with Olive drab monokote and sprayed the cmo on with a formula U spray can. Here's a picture of it right after I finished. I have probably a couple dozen flights on it. It weighs 9LBS. Glassing it will put a couple of more pounds on it.

Good job Fourstar, and a good weight with the monocote. I do have to disagree on one point though. Unless Tony did an absolutely awful job of fiberglassing this plane and followed no ones advice I still think it would be dificult to add two pounds extra weight just in fiberglass. I used sig .54 cloth ( http://www.shopatron.com/product/product_id=SIGGF008/109.0.734.306.0.0.0 ) with zpoxy and the weight per area was only marginally more than Monocote. I have seen others with more experience build it as light or lighter. keep the cloth light on planes this size and the advantages are immense. Keep it simple and things should be fine. Do what I did and make a little test piece ( I made a small wing section for my first test piece and I still have it my workshop), I was amazed how easy it was. Much easier than monocoting in my mind.
If the test piece beats you you can always fall back on your original Idea.
Good Luck
Paul

[Heavy Date]

Paul is right. If done right glass and paint can end up weighing less than monokote. I have not bought a roll of monokote in about 3 years now. I glass everything now.
Read how others do it and learn from them. It looks so much better than plastic covering and is pretty easy to do once you know how.
I still use resin. I tried the minwax and epoxy, but did not like it. I'll stick to resin.
Hans