8KCAB To Starburst or Not to Starburst ... that is the question

[Big Ed]

Thinking through the fastest and most affordable process to get my fuselage recovered while my engine is being overhauled, while maintaining forward compatibility with a set of factory metal wings to be procured in the next year or two.

I have never been a fan of Starbursts. They are overly complex, difficult to tape and paint yourself, and cause significant additional work and expense when fabric repairs are needed. They also add $4K to the cost of a new pair of factory wings.

OTOH, I am a BIG FAN of tradition. And the traditional livery for the Decathlon is the Starburst. Also, TBH the tail and wings do look a bit plain in one solid color.

 

[Ron86654]

I laid out and painted starbursts when I recovered my wings. It was straight forward. Measure where everything starts and ends, it is all straight lines.
The biggest problem was drawing a symmetric 5 point star. When I got that figured out I made stencils from craft paper.

 

[ehaecker]

You can always do a starburst without the stars like my Citabria. This is how it was done when it was restored in 1999. I dig it.

 

[Big Ed]

You can always do a starburst without the stars like my Citabria. This is how it was done when it was restored in 1999. I dig it.

View attachment 5248

Yeah, I like that a lot. Sunray I think is the name.

I really dig the checkered rudder too. I played with some mockups for my plane, but could not find a color scheme I liked. Yellow and white does not work as well. I've got a thread on here somewhere with pics.

 

[volvo164]

I actually don't like star burst on the wings or elevator - but I've seen where it's only on the tail and I thought that was pretty cool. So that could be one option. I feel that either stripes or starburst on the wings are difficult to fully see / appreciate on the ground, making it feel like barnum bailey circus tent ... also, I do like the star on the wheel pants, so if you just do the tail, that will match nicely, and will be more subtle (and cheaper).

 

[Big Ed]

Here is a really rough mockup of a checkerboard tail. I don't hate it. The yellow doesn't work as well as more contrasting colors. I tried blue/white and yellow/blue, but those were both fugly on my plane. May add to the poll.

 

[Bartman]

Point of parliamentary procedure, can you vote in your own poll???

 

[Tangogawd]

I like the sunray look. Thats how mine is tho, so I may be bias. I don't like the checkered tail.

I maintain my own planes, so I see everything from that aspect. I just dread thinking about having to repair that rudder or a replace a tank in a plane with starburst.

 

[Ron86654]

Try a blue rudder, the same as the stripe with small white stars randomly placed. Similar to our national flag.

 

[Bartman]

I think it's pretty clear where this poll is going

 

[Big Ed]

I think it's pretty clear where this poll is going

I know, dammit.

 

[Big Ed]

But then again, it's like when I hold a vote in my company. All votes count, but mine counts more.

 

[Hiperbiper]

I voted for starburst...
However;
Given how I chose to paint my Aeronca I can see my vote not being worth much...

Chris

 

[Bob Turner]

I'll play. If I had a good place to spray, I would leave the 1" outline of my starbursts and the fuselage stripes, but in Piper Cub yellow, and paint everythig else Rangoon Red.

I am kinda used to looking like a flag or something, but if I was the only one this gaudy I would be embarrassed.

 

[Tangogawd]

Ed, in the end, its your plane, and your money..... do what YOU want. Opinions are like a$$holes, everyone has one. And in reality, with the newer systems, it will likely outlast your flying..... With that said, I vote for whatever gets you flying as fast as possible.

 

[Big Ed]

I vote for whatever gets you flying as fast as possible.

That's the goal. I think the answer is KISS.