Many of you have some ideas about glass fabric that may or may not be valid.
First of all, I own the RAZORBACK FABRIC Company. The company started in
50's and the FAA signed a letter in 60's that deemed our glass covering as a
permanent covering that no longer needed testing as all other fabrics do on
certified airframes do. This is due to the fact that all hydrocarbon based
material deteriorate in the presents of UV radiation.

It is true that our fabric is heavier than the choices that are now
available. It was originally designed for agricultural aircraft, Stearmen
to be exact. It weighs 3.6 oz. and uses less dope than Grade A cotton that
weighs 4 oz. So technically, it weighs 17% less than the original fabric on
J-3s, BC-12s, and etc. So with 35 yards for a average project, the total
weight difference from a temporary dacron fabric of 2.4 oz per yard and the
less expensive, but 200% stronger, permanent glass fabric system doesn't add
up to all the negative talk about weight to the economists.

As in a poorly installed rivet, I supposed our glass could frett. Our shop
is dedicated to repairing and recovering frieght aircraft and so far, I have
never seen this ocurrance. I have seen poorly installed fabric wear away
the aluminum, though. It is much harder than aluminum and steel and care
should be taken to protect the rivet and etc. with anti-shafing tape, as
with any fabric installation.

Once installed correctly, it has a much stiffer surface than the more
flexible and stretchy dacron. I have seen many pictures on the covers of
aviation magazines that show the top of the wing with pillows deforming
between the ribs as the fabric stretches under the aerodynamic load of
flight. Properly installed glass fabric does not stretch and will remain
closer to the profile of the ribs than any other covering short of metal.
Many of our customers comment that our fabric has gained them real increases
in airspeed beyond the fact of being covered with a fresh finish. This also
allows your paints to last longer as the flexing really stresses the surface
coatings. Plus, you don't have the worry of falling through it if you
should mis-step on a low wing. You can walk on it as long as the rib
underneath it can handle the weight.

By the way, since our fabric does not rot, deteriorate in acid rain and
sunlight or even burns and is easily applied and repaired, it is still the
only synthetic fabric that is authorized for use by our and other
militaries. It is FAA-PMA'd, FAA-STC'd, MIL SPEC and ISO 9002 rated. Our
biggest sales are still the military. Yes, C-130s and C-141 still have
fabric on them and in them.

We don't own chemical companies and we are not trying to corner the fabric
market. But if you want a permanent awning, aircraft covering, or a
firewall, you might want to find out more about RAZORBACK FABRICS, INC.
Thank you for your time.

Robert Little

"Ernest Christley" wrote in message
m...
Most of the fabric covered aiplanes I've seen didn't seem that hard.
That is, you could walk up to them and push the fabric in with your
hand. The way I understand the fabric process, it is basically a
composite structure. You have a nylon cloth with a paint "epoxy".

Could a much stronger and lighter covering be made by wetting out some
2.5oz glass cloth on plastic, waiting till it's tacky and then wrapping
it around the airframe? The epoxy would be much lighter than paint, and
fiberglass cloth is MUCH stronger than nylon.

I've seen some places where builders used composites in place of fabric,
and it seemed that they all aimed for a multlayer, stiff panel, putting
the weight far above the original. I just don't understand why?

--
http://www.ernest.isa-geek.org/
"Ignorance is mankinds normal state,
alleviated by information and experience."
Veeduber