After receiving a comment on another article I have decided to share how to use printed-paper as a lightweight alternative to vinyl. You can do this process with both depron and foam board.If you use depron you will just be making patterned foam board in the end, which is really cool. This process is surprisingly simple and makes your model look amazing.
1. First find the pattern you want on your plane.
2. Then print a load of sheets off. Make sure all the patterns are able to match to one another on all four sides.
3. Next using any type of glue stick you want cover the back of each sheet individually and lay down on the foam board or depron. Then use something like a credit card to smooth it down.
4. Depending on the plane your building draw the plan on the right side. If your making a Mini Arrow, like mine, you need to draw the plans on the uncovered side
5. Now cut out all the pieces to build your plane and assemble it as shown by the Flite Test team.
Overall I think the proccess adds a cool finish and went really well it is a lot lighter than vinyl and alot cheaper, but there is no way of stopping the ink running if it gets wet, but I was happy to sacrifice that characteristic for more speeeeed!!!
I am open to any input and I would be glad to take any suggestions on how to develop this idea further. I will try and incorporate any good suggestions into the build next time.
I suppose you could use a waterproof spray or brush on like minwax or canvas water repel. You would have to be careful with liquids as the inks would run just the same as rain water.
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Good look with your own model.
Henry from PS/RC
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