What is Ply Span?

[George Truett]

Several years ago I was given 3 boxes of covering tissue in boxes labeled Esaki Model Mfg. Ply Span.  2 boxes are Lite Flite and 1 is Super Flite.  This is not the same as Poly Span or Poly T from Tom Morris.  I experimented with some small pieces, it is much more difficult to get on smooth than Silkspan but it shrinks up well.  Anyone used this stuff successfully?   George

[Dave_Trible]

George I've tried them and covered several of my better planes with the Superflight.  It's like a dense medium/heavy silkspan but a little heavy when filled with dope.  Very strong.  I think it's perfect for profiles and trainer types.  I stopped using it when my competition stuff kept ending up heavier than I wanted.  The Lightflite seems just like jap tissue to me- not much practical good to me and harder to work with little shrink.  These materials seem to have nothing in common save the name.  I believe Sig carried it and I always got mine at the LHS who is a Sig dealer.  Haven't seen it there for some time and it may be gone.  I'd use the Superflite on certain projects but toss the light stuff....I sense there may be some cloth fiber (not just paper) in the Superflite.  Again great on any profile stunter since weight isn't usually any real problem there and is tough enough for rough field flying.

Dave

[john e. holliday]

List the stuff on the bay.  Some one out there may like it.

[Steve Helmick]

I tried Ply Span on an F1A wing a long time ago. Hated it, and took it all off. Doc has a good idea, IMO.    Steve

[Scott Richlen]

I tried some recently.  Never again, awful stuff!

[Joe Bowman]

George,  I sent you a PM