The yellowing of early aircraft fabric?

Willi Von Klugerman · 17 February 2010, 12:54 PM

What made the early aircraft's fabric yellowish?Was it by weathering or was it how the fabric turned out from the factory?I like to know because (as some know allready) I am building a retro 1900's looking flying machine and would like to know how to make the fabric that coloring (for charm

).

Thank you

BTW,for reference...

bluerooster · 27 February 2010, 12:52 PM

Well, my guess would be number one the fabric used, cotton, or muslin, coupled with the type of dope used as well. Which would tend to yellow with time.
The dope ws probably a nitrocelulose type of product, similar to the old laquer used on furniture, and carriages of the time, and later on automobiles.

Hans · 28 February 2010, 11:33 AM

Fabric does not yellow, it lightens out up to white. It's the dope or the clear laquer (varnish) which yellows.

H

bluerooster · 28 February 2010, 12:56 PM

There ya go. The answer to the question.

Yep the coating will yellow (and rather quickly)
But depending upon the environment, I've seen the fabric also turn yellow.
I've seen it while still on the bolt, the outer layer will be yellowed when compared to the inner layers. (probably more due to dust stain that anything else)

Hans · 1 March 2010, 12:47 PM

I have to add, that f.e. completely unbleached linen does "yellow", but I have never seen completely unbleached linen on an aircraft*. Any chemical bleaching process (and they where chemicaly bleached...we are talking about the 20th century) will stop this tendency and the UV parts of the light will do the rest.

*Maybe with the exception of Fokker's low priced items......

H