Mid/late Seventies Super Decathlon Fabric/Paint

[Bartman]

Just curious, there are a few Super D's in the classifieds with original fabric from the mid to late seventies. I'm pretty sure the fabric was ceconite but were they still using dope for a top coat by the mid seventies and later? If they were always hangared, how stable is the fabric/paint on those planes today? They look pretty good in photos.

This is what I get for surfing classifieds, a habit I had mostly given up when my plane went in the shop!

https://www.trade-a-plane.com/searc...HLON+8KCAB&listing_id=2358310&s-type=aircraft

https://www.trade-a-plane.com/searc...HLON+8KCAB&listing_id=2361504&s-type=aircraft

 

[Bob Turner]

My Cub's last cover was mid-70s. Still looks good, although it was outside for roughly a decade total.

Look for hairline cracks along trailing edges and longerons/formers, and ringworm around rib stitch rivets. The dope can be rejuvenated, but the cracks are difficult to deal with.

Even new fabric cracks in the propwash. You will simply have to deal with fabric issues near the wing root and belly. Patches are the only way I know to fix those, but we have some success with good clear tape, or on the gear legs of Cubs, high quality duct tape.

 

[Bartman]

Is your Decathlon original fabric and paint Bob? Is it dope or something else?

And thanks for the reply?

 

[Bob Turner]

Those are low time engines. My guess is that the prices are a tad high, but not too bad. Do not judge fabric by those photos.

Mine is 1977, with Ceconite/dope in 1992, done by a pro. It is in better shape than a local 2003 factory Citabria. Engine is past its mid-life crisis, but still good with fine wire plugs in the bottom holes. Photos in a minute.

 

[Bob Turner]

Here are a couple photos. The Cub is 1972 cover, Stitts, with auto acrylic enamel applied in 1980. You can see how shiny. Stabilizers and gear legs are more recent, and Ceconite/Butyrate. The Dec is 1992 dope, polished to a pleasant shine, although a softer gloss than the diamond-like enamel.

 

[Bartman]

Where are you located Bob? Do you give rides to strangers??

Those are good looking airplanes, do you smile a lot? lol

 

[Bob Turner]

San Diego. I do.

 

[Bartman]

Apparently I asked you that before. Was looking for your home airport and found this
https://champcitabriadecathlonforums.com/threads/bob-turner-56-years-with-the-same-cub.64/post-1156

What airport are you at? I lay over in Redondo Beach from time to time, 35 hours usually which would be enough time to drive down and pay you a visit.

 

[Bob Turner]

Kmyf - two hour drive at track speed. E-mail for more info.

 

[Bartman]

Here are a couple photos. The Cub is 1972 cover, Stitts, with auto acrylic enamel applied in 1980. You can see how shiny. Stabilizers and gear legs are more recent, and Ceconite/Butyrate. The Dec is 1992 dope, polished to a pleasant shine, although a softer gloss than the diamond-like enamel.View attachment 1709View attachment 1710

I don't see the eagle Bob

 

[Bob Turner]

They are new. I forgot the camera today. Maybe tomorrow?

 

[Big Ed]

Stumbled across this old thread and wanted to add a data point: according to the factory service manual on my 1979 Bellanca Super Decathlon, the covering is Dacron and Dope.

Materially, it is identical to Ceconite, but installed using the Decathlon TC, not the Ceconite STC and PMA.

Further data point: the Ceconite STC was revised in 2008. The major change is the use of New Super Seam cement, which simplifies repair rules.

 

[Bob Turner]

Minor alteration. Logbook entry.

If it were my airplane, I would scuff it up and put a patch on. Not strictly legal, though. Your local fabric guru will probably tell you the same thing.