Titre de page

Contrary to a widely accepted belief, linen (or cotton) covering is no more fragile and lasts just as long as modern covering materials. It can even be the opposite way round, for even though synthetic fabrics do not rot, they are also very impervious, and so absorb the paint protection less readily, especially when heat shrunk, which reduces their weave further.

In so far as the paints fail to penetrate synthetic fabrics sufficiently, the fabrics move with variations of temperature and humidity, in time causing paint splitting and flaking, allowing the degradation of the good fibres by ultra-violet light.

Vegetable fabrics can absorb up to 6 or 7 coats of undiluted dope, which gives a perfect base for the finishing layers.

As traditional fabric is stitched rather than shrunk or glued to the structure, making structural repairs much is easier, as a wing or a trailing edge can be opened and then closed when repairs are complete.

On several occasions when we have undertaken work on fabrics up to 40 or 50 years old, we have found them in excellent condition, and able to give excellent results when mechanically tested.

Our covering work

We undertake all types of covering work, mainly in linen or cotton, on all kinds of aircraft (powered or gliders). We can fabric cover either a complete aeroplane or individual components.

We also arrange technical courses for persons wishing to restore their aircraft themselves. You can bring the different elements of your aircraft to our workshops and so benefit from our equipment, material stocks and technical advice.

We can also supply all relevant materials - Fabrics, dopes, threads, etc.