Banana Oil

[Jim Treace]

Just a goofy question. I remember back in the '50's, as a kid builder we use to use something we called "banana oil" to shrink the silkspan. I remember that it worked pretty good. Anyway, my brother stopped by my shop (he and I use to build and fly c/l), but he has not seen the light to return to it, yet. He ask if I used banana oil. I had completely forgot about it. Anyone have any information or history on the stuff?? Just trying to tie up some memories!
Jim

[Jim Pollock]

I remember Bananna Oil.

All I ever used it on was the tissue of Guillow's rubber band airplanes to shrink it up.  I don't believe it was fuel proof at all.
I was quickly introduced to Aero Gloss - back when it was actually still Byuterate Dope, by my model club.

Jim Pollock   

[john e. holliday]

I remember hearing of banana oil on tissue of gliders and rubber power, but, not gas airplanes.  DOC Holliday

[Jim Treace]

Our LHS owner back then taught us to use it on everything, even gas models. But we only used it to shrink the silkspan covering, then used dope to fuel proof. Wonder why we even used it in the first place. Maybe it added a kind of plasticizer to the dope covering? Or more likely, there in Memphis we were just behind the curve.
Anyway, thanks for responding.
Jim

[Bill Little]

My Dad used to be a commercial artist and used it on most of his paintings. He used it mainly on charcoal or chalk drawings. He gave me two 4 oz jars to use on my Megow rubber powered models.  This was in 1951/52. He said a new type of lacquer was taking its place. I sure do miss the smell of that stuff as I painted lated summer nights out in his shed.  It was not "hot fuel proof", to use the 50's term, for nitro fuels.   Later I used it on a Barnstormer, that and Comet red dope. Red runs when "hot" fuel like Francisco stuff hits it!!  Then we applied the stinky stuff made by Comet called fuel proofer.  Ah, dem were the days.

All them "fuel proofers" stunk!  I wonder why??  I still have a little bottle of it around here somewhere. 

The Brodak "Rejuvenate" ain't too perfumy either!

Bill <><

[Bill Adair]

I was under the impression that Banana Oil was just an ingredient added to Nitrate Dope, to make it smell better. Was pure Banana Oil of any use to model builders, or did we use that term for any Nitrate Dope with that odor?

Bill

[Bill Little]

I was under the impression that Banana Oil was just an ingredient added to Nitrate Dope, to make it smell better. Was pure Banana Oil of any use to model builders, or did we use that term for any Nitrate Dope with that odor?

Bill

Hi Bill,

Banana oil, itself, was used to shrink the tissue.  As someone said, it might have also worked as a "flex agent" on the tissue.

Bill (another one in the long list of "Bills" here!) <><

[Larry Price]

It might be a flex agent, I have no idea, but this is it's make up....
A liquid mixture of amyl acetate and usually nitrocellulose, having a bananalike odor and used as a solvent or flavoring agent. 

[Bill Adair]

Bill,

Somehow, I missed (or more likely forgot) ever using Banana Oil all by itself, but I still distinctly remember that unique smell?

All of my models were either gliders, rubber powered, or Jetex powered in those days, with the exception of the AJ Firebaby, but I must have used it for something? Didn't use it to shrink tissue either, as I always used a water mist for that. Darn CRS! 

Bill

[Jim Treace]

The "unique" and pleasant smell, was what prompted my brother to ask me about banana oil. In the '50's we used it for all our silkspan shrinking on our model planes, including the gas powered models. I don't exactly remember what type dope we put on top, but we did something. Because the fuel did not bother it, too much. Later, we, as all, went totally to the stinky dope and been stuck there ever since.
Jim

[bill marvel]

I started building control line planes in 1950.  I have a vague memory of banana oil being used on rubber powered airplanes.  In the early 1950's, we used nitrate dope.  Fuel-proof  butyrate was not readily available for several years.  We fuel-proofed the finished airplane with a plastic-like top coat called "Fuelproofer"!!! (Catchy name, huh?)

I remember the special smell of banana oil, mostly from airports.

regards,
bill marvel (Still another in the long list of "Bills")

[phil c]

banana oil for models was nitrate dope made with isoamyl acetate as a solvent.  The ISA has a very fruity smell and is a fairly slow solvent, compared to acetone.  That would help prevent blushing.  It probably went by the boards because of cost.  Dupont came up with a blend of nitro paraffins for solvent use that were cheaper and easier to control by blending.

[Bill Little]

Thanks, Phil.  Makes sense to me!

Bill <><