I found some fabric planes when I was shopping that needed to be
recovered. I was told by two different shops to figure 20-25k. It's
not the material, it the labor. One other thing to consider - try to
use a shop that does not use presewn envelopes. The seams stand proud.
A good shop simply stocks fabric on the roll and doesn't need or
benefit from using envelopes.

Ever see old furniture that sat near a window? The fabric gets dry and
tears easily. Furniture stored away from sunlight isn't faded and
remains pliable. Similar problem with fabric. UV is the killer.

As far as planes being designed with the intention of ripping it apart
every ten years for inspection, I've heard that too but I think that's
nonsense. Does anyone believe that somebody would design a part to last
ten years? The structure of the airplane is designed for the stress
the airframe will be subjected too.

One advantage of fabric - it doesn't dent.

Montblack wrote:
("dave" wrote)

I've heard that too but more like twenty years. If I needed to inspect
every little nook and crany of a fabric covered airplane every ten years
then why not a metal covered one?



I was thinking that too - I'm whimsically looking at a 1946 Ercoupe, which is
going up
for auction this Saturday (16th). There's a beaten up Cessna 140 there also.
Pole barn projects that are soon to be someone else's problem ... I mean
project. Both are planes that will need much time and much money thrown their
way before they get in the air again.

What Kyle was saying about costs - What's a guess on the material cost (only)
for redoing a fabric covered airplane? How much of that college tuition level
price tag is material vs. labor?


Montblack