Re: new textile for historic aeroplane

[Joan Kiplinger <jkip@xxxxxxxxx>]

My source for dope is Miracle Fabrics by Ellsworth Newcomb and Hugh Kenny:

"Cellulose acetate is the chemical name of acetate rayon, the second in importance in the rayon family and discovered before either of the other two [viscose and cuppramonium]. But though it was known, it was used only as the coating material for the wings of airplanes when flying was a new art and wings were made of wood covered with cloth. Aviators and manufacturers of the day called this cloth coating dope. At the end of the First World War when the building of fighting planes stopped, a large English factory had to find a new use for the cellulose acetate "dope" they made there, or go out of business. Today's important acetate rayon process was the result."

Another source, Textile Science by Marjory L. Joseph, further defines  that early acetate process called dope as containing lacquer in its formula. So it would appear that the lacquer was not applied separately but actually an ingredient.

Deborah Bede wrote:

Hi Julia:

 

The suggestion to look at the Wright Experience is a good one, but unfortunately the fabric they had made was not actually successful.  In spite of careful specifications, the fabric had excess stretch in one direction (weft as I recall).  It did not conform smoothly to the frame of the aircraft.  Although I believe they had some successful test flights with that reproduction plane, it could not get off the ground for its maiden voyage.  I’ve been involved in several early fabric-covered airplane projects, and as far as I know no one has been able to have a satisfactory fabric made.

 

At one time one of our suppliers, I believe it was Testfabrics, stocked a fabric they called “airplane fabric”.  I had a sample of it, and it was a very nice quality, balanced plain weave cotton.  You might contact them to see if this is something they can still get.

 

“Dope” refers to the coating applied to some later fabric-covered planes; the early planes I’ve worked with were covered with cotton muslin without any coating.  The dope was something developed somewhat later to add water-resistance to the fabric.   I’ve never seen any linen-covered planes, and I would imagine linen would not have the dimensional stability needed.

 

Sorry I can’t be more helpful, but if you have other questions please don’t hesitate to contact me,

 

 

Deborah Bede

Stillwater Textile Conservation Studio, LLC

Bradford NH 03221

(603) 938-2310

(603) 938-2455 fax

stillwaterstudio@xxxxxxxxxxx

www.stillwaterstudio.org

 

 

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