All Topics  
Aircraft dope

 

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Aircraft dope
 
 
  Topics Aircraft dope Topic Home

Aircraft dope is a plasticised
Plasticizer

Plasticizers or Dispersants are additives that increase the plasticity or fluidity of the material to which they are added, these include plastics, cement, concrete, wallboard and clay bodies....
 lacquer
Lacquer

In a general sense, lacquer is a clear or coloured varnish that dries by solvent evaporation and often a curing process as well that produces a hard, durable finish, in any sheen level from ultra matte to high Gloss and that can be further polished as required....
 that is applied to fabric-coated aircraft
Aircraft

An aircraft is a vehicle which is able to flight by being supported by the air, or in general, the atmosphere, of a planet. Examples include balloons, airplanes and helicopters....
. It tautens and stiffens fabric stretched over airframes and adheres and protects fabric applied to other skin material

Typical doping agents include nitrocellulose
Nitrocellulose

Nitrocellulose is a highly flammable compound formed by nitrating cellulose through exposure to nitric acid or another powerful nitrating agent....
, cellulose acetate
Cellulose acetate

Cellulose acetate, first prepared in 1865, is the acetate ester of cellulose. Cellulose acetate is used as a film base in photography, and as a component in some adhesives; it is also used as a synthetic fiber....
 and cellulose acetate butyrate.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Aircraft dope'
Start a new discussion about 'Aircraft dope'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


Raf2699
Aircraft dope is a plasticised
Plasticizer

Plasticizers or Dispersants are additives that increase the plasticity or fluidity of the material to which they are added, these include plastics, cement, concrete, wallboard and clay bodies....
 lacquer
Lacquer

In a general sense, lacquer is a clear or coloured varnish that dries by solvent evaporation and often a curing process as well that produces a hard, durable finish, in any sheen level from ultra matte to high Gloss and that can be further polished as required....
 that is applied to fabric-coated aircraft
Aircraft

An aircraft is a vehicle which is able to flight by being supported by the air, or in general, the atmosphere, of a planet. Examples include balloons, airplanes and helicopters....
. It tautens and stiffens fabric stretched over airframes and adheres and protects fabric applied to other skin material

Typical doping agents include nitrocellulose
Nitrocellulose

Nitrocellulose is a highly flammable compound formed by nitrating cellulose through exposure to nitric acid or another powerful nitrating agent....
, cellulose acetate
Cellulose acetate

Cellulose acetate, first prepared in 1865, is the acetate ester of cellulose. Cellulose acetate is used as a film base in photography, and as a component in some adhesives; it is also used as a synthetic fiber....
 and cellulose acetate butyrate. Liquid dopes are highly flammable; nitrocellulose, for instance, is also known as the explosive propellant "guncotton". Dopes will often include colouring pigments to facilitate even application. The colour will usually be red or silver.

Dope has been applied to various aircraft fabrics but typically to Madapolam
Madapolam

Madapolam is a soft cotton fabric manufactured from fine yarns with a dense pick laid out in linen weave. Linen weave is the simplest and thickest interlaced, reversible basic weave, in which the appearance of the face and back of the woven fabric is the same....
 or fabric with similar fine weave and absorbent qualities. In model aircraft it is often applied to tissue paper.

Non-shrinking dopes (eg banana oil) also exist for uses where tautening is undesirable.

External links

  • A scratch-builder's guide to fabric-covered aircraft