DH Vampire pod finishing

Yes, fabric covered using Madapolam and Grade A cotton tapes. They typically used clear tautening dope to apply, followed by silver as U/V protection.

Bruce

Thanks Bruce, so the fabric was applied in thin strips layed next to each other, I was asuming sheets of cloth.
Were there official directives on how to apply, ie direction, thickness, areas (I’ve heard not to be applied around intakes) etc?
I take it the application process had to be done very carefully to produce the very smooth finish for paint?

You were right the first time – the fabric was applied in sheets. The tapes Bruce mentioned were used to cover the joints between sheets, around edges of hatches and panels etc., and where reinforcement was required.

Thanks Bruce, so the fabric was applied in thin strips layed next to each other, I was asuming sheets of cloth.
Were there official directives on how to apply, ie direction, thickness, areas (I’ve heard not to be applied around intakes) etc?
I take it the application process had to be done very carefully to produce the very smooth finish for paint?

I remember, when helping restore Vampire F.1 VF301 many years ago, at being suprised how much filler material there was on the wings under the paint – presumably there to give a correct aerofoil shape.

Roger Smith.

You were right the first time – the fabric was applied in sheets. The tapes Bruce mentioned were used to cover the joints between sheets,

That was my fault for not reading his sentance properly!

Thanks for the info everyone

Ah, that pod didnt have any fabric on it – it was painted onto the wood!

Bruce

A properly done Vampire is very smooth with barely any sign of the fabric weave.

Interesting that you say that, as one thing that prompted the question was the incredibly smooth finish on the T.11 pod that sold on Ebay not long ago, plus some good old colour images of Vamps.
Back to my other question, was there official guidance to exactly how the cloth was cut and applied?
Were Hornets and Mossies finished in the same way?

The wooden structure is sealed with a coat of dope (supposed to be clear dope but red was also used) then the fabric is applied over another wet coat of dope and more dope is worked in with a brush to saturate the fabric and ensure adhesion. A few more coats of dope (sanded/buffed between coats), and sometimes filler, is used to ensure a smooth aerodynamic finish. Top coat of Nitrocelulose acrylic lacquer is then applied over the top. Either camouflage scheme or alluminium pigmented clear, to provide the “silver” finish.
A properly done Vampire is very smooth with barely any sign of the fabric weave.
The wings and horizontal stabilizer on the Vampires were filled and profiled with ‘profile boards’ to give the best aerodynamic shape, then painted. The same process as the P-51 wings

A story told to me by an ex FAA Lt Cdr Observer (Venoms, Buccs and Vixens) was that there was a Sea Venom that needed a fabric repair to the pod but for some reason it wouldn’t stick so all the fabric was stripped and the pod varnished.
This aircarft was then used to visit passing US carriers where the colonials were amazed by the fact that Britain built its jets from wood.
I’d love to believe this story but I have yet to see the photographic evidence.