Scale Model Shop

**wonwinglo** · 05 December 2004, 22:48

Making serrated rib tapes for fabric-covered wings can be a problem but this simple tool can at least speed up the process even if it still remains a mind-numbing job. In essence it consists of a hacksaw blade fitted to a length of pine, the rib tape material is trapped against the blade and torn into strips.*** That is a great tip which I will certainly be trying on my next model,as you point out they are very distinctive when the model is in flight.

It is interesting to note that rib tape serrations vary on world war 1 type aeroplanes to those produced from 1930 onwards,the early fabric workers would cut the fabric to width and then draw the weave of the fabric with their hands outwards,this was called 'Fraying' then the authorities developed 'Pinking' or pinked edges to the fabric,this was arrived at by cutting the fabric with specially cut shears which gave a serrated edge,the idea by the way is not just cosmetic as it is done this way should the fabric lift under the slipstream effect,it was found out by tests in wind tunnels that serrations added to the fabric was the best safeguard against this happening.

The well known case of the prototype Westland Lysander shedding its fabric in flight was caused by a combination of the fabric billowing and a lack of any stringing to the fabric,the pilot put the aircraft down safely desopite this traumatic experience ! the rib tapes are sewn through the wings with a long needle and beeswax coated thread,a long and tedious job,the knots are then locked at each rib position to hold the fabric taught.

**Greyhead** · 06 December 2004, 17:30

Barry

In the end, once you’ve got the technique sorted out, serrated rib tapes are probably the easiest.

The rib tapes for WW1 were invariably of the “frayed” type and these are simplicity itself to model. Cut, or better still, tear strips of Solatex to the required width; tease out a couple of threads from both edges and the jobs done. This, however, leaves the “stitching” which cannot be simply embossed, it will disappear as the Solatex shrinks whilst being ironed into place.

I feel another “tutorial” coming on!

Grahame

**wonwinglo** · 06 December 2004, 19:01

BarryIn the end, once you’ve got the technique sorted out, serrated rib tapes are probably the easiest.

The rib tapes for WW1 were invariably of the “frayed” type and these are simplicity itself to model. Cut, or better still, tear strips of Solatex to the required width; tease out a couple of threads from both edges and the jobs done. This, however, leaves the “stitching” which cannot be simply embossed, it will disappear as the Solatex shrinks whilst being ironed into place.

I feel another “tutorial” coming on!

Grahame

*** Hello Grahame,I have just done a quick test strip and sure enough it works well,to simulate the stitching fill a syringe with thinned PVA adhesive,apply in fine lines and then add the cross stitching with a small dash of adhesive,this shows nicely under a coat of colour,practise before you add this to your model,you soon pick the idea up.

**Guest** · 06 December 2004, 20:07

just a idea but you could superglue some thin string to the bits that need the stitching embossed bits

**wonwinglo** · 06 December 2004, 20:10

just a idea but you could superglue some thin string to the bits that need the stitching embossed bits

*** Thanks Iain,always the simple basic ideas that work best.

**Greyhead** · 06 December 2004, 20:26

I was thinking of doing another tutorial for Non-Serrated Rib Tapes but as this one has developed I’ll just add this here!

The way to do it is to fit a row of panel pins spaced at the distance between “stitches” along opposite sides a piece of wood. Put a sheet of paper between the pins; thread thin cotton from pin 1 one side to pin 1 opposite side, down to pin 2 and back to pin 2 on the original side on so on. Give the lot a coat of dope to fix the cotton to the paper, when dry turn the paper over and give it a coat of Balsaloc. Cut the paper into strips the width of the “stitches” and fix to the rib positions, then add your frayed rib tape over the top of the "stitches".

**wonwinglo** · 07 December 2004, 12:46

I was thinking of doing another tutorial for Non-Serrated Rib Tapes but as this one has developed I’ll just add this here!The way to do it is to fit a row of panel pins spaced at the distance between “stitches” along opposite sides a piece of wood. Put a sheet of paper between the pins; thread thin cotton from pin 1 one side to pin 1 opposite side, down to pin 2 and back to pin 2 on the original side on so on. Give the lot a coat of dope to fix the cotton to the paper, when dry turn the paper over and give it a coat of Balsaloc. Cut the paper into strips the width of the “stitches” and fix to the rib positions, then add your frayed rib tape over the top of the "stitches".

*** This will certainly give the right effect,the unsightly rib stitching shows through the serrated tape which is pulled tight as a drum by the doped fabric,next time you see a doped wing you will see what I mean,sometimes scale modellers portray these things as too neat and tidy.

To understand the sequence for those not familiar with it here it is-

1/ Waxed cord is threaded through the wing fabric alongside a rib,the long needle is taken down and upwards the other side and the first knot is locked into place.

2/ The cord is taken running alongside at right angles to one of the ribs and then the needle is again pushed through the side of the rib again taken around the rib and a knot locks this in place.

3/ And the process is carried on until the full length of the rib is completed finishing with a final knot,it is a long skilled job to complete neatly and takes a lot of patience just as on our models.

4/ Finally rib tapes are placed over th stringing starting at the trailing edge,wrapped around the leading edge and finishing at the lower te.

**Greyhead** · 08 December 2004, 16:17

Of course the perfect way would be to actually stitch the covering to the ribs using thin cotton! Bound to add a bit of unnecessary weight though, but I might be tempted to give it go on my next model.

**wonwinglo** · 08 December 2004, 19:55

Of course the perfect way would be to actually stitch the covering to the ribs using thin cotton! Bound to add a bit of unnecessary weight though' date=' but I might be tempted to give it go on my next model.[/quote']*** It would be worth a try Greyhead and add a lot of torsional strength as well to a lightweight wing,but more of a labour of love to execute.

**Guest** · 08 December 2004, 20:09

Yes, a real labour of love but the result would be great and there would be absolutely no risk of the covering coming adrift.:-)))))

Unlike full size, an ordinary sewing needle would do the job - a bonus?

Would it gain extra points for static examination?

Best of luck and let us know if you do follow it through.

Malcolm

Scale Model Shop

Making serrated rib tapes

Making serrated rib tapes

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