Fabric fakes

Willi Von Klugerman · 5 August 2009, 01:59 PM

This thread shall be used as a reference for those who need info about how to tell from a fake fabric piece to a real one.So,how can you tell from a real one to a fake one?

Jim · 6 August 2009, 01:27 PM

Unfortunately it is not quite so simple. There are a number of threads on the forum that discuss whether a particular piece of fabric is authentic or a fake. The problem is there is no one set of standards since there were different countries and each had multiple makers which means that each piece of fabric needs to be evaluated according to what it purports to be. One needs to have substantial experience in looking at many examples of real WW I era aircraft fabric to be able to distinguish between the well done fakes and the original pieces. The obvious fakes are easy for most people with limited experience to spot. The most difficult ones to spot are the pieces of fabric from post war aircraft which have real age but are not WW I era. There is so much fake fabric around these days that I find the best assumption to make is that any piece that is offered for sale is a fake unless otherwise proven to be authentic.

Laserlloyd · 6 August 2009, 08:42 PM

Willi,

There are some things one could do is to learn the fabric thread count, the type of dope and paints that were used. knowing the difference if fabric is calendered or un-calendered.

I would highly recommend an article in C&C (Int.) Vol.26 No.3 1993 By the best fabric researcher out there Alan Toelle "Good-Bye To All That Red". He gives information on German fabric, dope, dyes, aircraft manufactures differences, and contains information on some of the Rodney Gerrald by Paul Leamen.

I know that Alan uses an microscope as part of his examination and if he has the chance can preform different chemical testing. Each piece of fabric he examines has a detailed report on what he did and what he found. I have seen several of Alan's reports can say that they are vary detailed and beyond my limited knowledge on WWI aircraft fabric.

This is truly a science and one would have to learn this craft to accurately tell the differences from a authentic fabric and a good copy. You will have to get your hands on a lot of samples and study them to start learning this.

One of the first things I have done is to look at the thread count, Alan has indicated that generally that German fabric consisted of 50 threads per inch.

Lloyd...