Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Mechanic
I only recently learned the elevator and rudder on a P47 (WW2 400 mph fighter) are fabric covered.
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A lot of WWII aircraft had fabric-covered control surfaces. I helped my grandfather rebuild the ones from the B-17 "Shoo Shoo Baby" that is currently at the Air Force Museum.
Note that these are not simple "sticks and rags". The fabric is "doped"--painted with a material that dries into a very hard and stiff piece. It does not fold easily or gracefully, but it does not flap in the wind either. I think that using un-doped fabric would lead to the material flapping, which wouldn't be so good for aero.
-soD