Fabric in WW1- linen or cotton

Brooklands · 27 November 2012, 01:29 AM

Which fabric was used to cover aircraft of WW1, linen or cotton or both? In particular I am interested in what would have been used on the Sopwith Camel. Would it have been Egyptian Cotton and Irish Linen or other types of cotton and linen? Irish linen is still available, but is the Egyptian Cotton similar to the American grade A/British 7F8 cotton that is on sale for aircraft now?
Also would the undersides of the aircraft be clear doped, and would this look different depending on whether it was cotton or linen?

Many thanks,

Steve

Jeff Brooks · 27 November 2012, 01:40 AM

I put cotton on my Fokker DVII tail feathers once, and Fred Murrin said that they used linen back then. so I had to switch.
Getting Aviation linen here in the US is going to be tough. as I understand it, the only distributor here was Vintage Aviation Fabrics. and they have no more plane (unbleached linen) left. You may have to look overseas.

Brooklands · 7 January 2013, 02:27 AM

Hi Jeff, thanks for the reply. I have found that the replica Camel we have is covered in cotton 5F8, which is what was put on by Viv Bellamy in 1976. Can get cotton 7F8 (not sure what the difference is) and Irish Linen from LAS aero here in the UK, or linen from Belgium.

Steve

Jeff Brooks · 7 January 2013, 05:12 AM

NOw that Vintage Aero Fabric is out of the linen business ... having a UK supplier is helpful.
Do you have a link for LAS aero?

Avro Avian · 7 January 2013, 05:32 AM

Try this Jeff...

RAF56_Ball · 7 January 2013, 06:09 AM

Didn't realise how much is charged, (as opposed to how costly it is). I suspect there is limited millage (not but one or two mills that would weave it and very limited production, I would imagine).

40 BPS, or about $64 a linear meter (or metre, for our allies

), is about $58 per linear yard for 54" wide cloth.

For average full sized biplane minimum of 60 meters, or about $3800 without tapes, etc. Since those are sold by the meter as well, I am guessing $4500 just for materials and shipping to US.

What does dope sell for these days?

joegertler · 7 January 2013, 07:59 AM

Another thing to consider before you ever import Either fabric into US. Check on what the customs/Tarriff will be. We imported some years ago, and the duty on it was Staggering, compared to other duties. The US had especially high duties to be paid on any textiles coming into US, to protect the US interests. It was shockingly high, compared to many other import classes.

Brooklands · 8 January 2013, 02:52 AM

The supplier in Belgium is Weverij Flipts & Dobbels NV - Roeselare (website under construction but has contact details on)
Been quoted about 18 euros per meter, 54" width

Steve

Jeff Brooks · 8 January 2013, 09:53 AM

Great input ... Thanks.
I had bought enough 5 color Lozenge to cover my entire plane from vintage aero before they ran out.
What I wanted was 4 color Lozenge. I may have to change paint schemes now. I was hoping to do 244/18 (Alloy Helmsman's plane)
I may still do it with the 5 color as a compromise. but If I stumble onto another supplier for 4 color for the wings I will have to scoop it up.