??'s on P-17 Stearman Doping

Marsh33 · Post by **Marsh33** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:36 am

Hello again,
I am just about ready to begin the doping process on my Stearman, any suggestions on a certain way that would work for me without messing up my whole build? Seeing as though I have never done this type of finishing before. Also, know of any websites where I can find some other images of this model? I'd like to do the color scheme a little bit different than the usual Blue and Yellow. I googled for images and really couldn't find anything.

Thanks

supercruiser · Post by **supercruiser** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 8:00 am

You had to have built models before or have a job as a woodworker.

You are moving right along with this build.
Someone else would be better than me to give advice on doping. There are a couple of people on this list that have doped models. You could build a simple balsa frame and practice doping it first. Get the technique down before starting on the model.
Pictures, hmmm

Know what you mean, everybody does the blue and yellow but, that's all I've ever seen of a PT-17. I've seen some of the Stearmans with 450h.p. engines are painted bright red, with white stripes. Saw a 450 Stearman that was used for crop dusting painted overall pale green. Sorry, I don't have a photo. Certainly, there must be a website like stearman.com or such with photos?

John G. Jedinak · Post by **John G. Jedinak** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 9:17 am

Christian.....Consider subsituting 50% Emlers white glue mixed with 50% water in place of dope. The white glue is water clean-up and performs as well as dope. Many use the Elmers and many use the dope. Each of us has our individual preference.............Luck, JGJ (Formerly Chicago Native)

John G. Jedinak · Post by **John G. Jedinak** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 9:21 am

Old age has got me...it's 50/50 ELMERS white glue...what you are really doing is sealing the pores of the wood then the tissue...so you can hardly botch it!!! Do look for Dave Ducketts tutorial.............JGJ

Geoffrito · Post by **Geoffrito** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 9:50 am

I always dope my models. The only problem really is warping. Usually this happens on the tail surfaces and wings. To avoid it, rest the LE and TE of whatever surface on two slightly raised edges, so there is air flowing underneath, and weigh it down. I use bits of cardboard. With the fuselage, you can just put the dope on and leave it there, as far as I'm concerned.

And as for color schemes, I've seen (and flown!) a really attractive looking stearman with the standard yellow wings but a dark navy fuselage.